CA2622877C - Packaging assistance system - Google Patents
Packaging assistance system Download PDFInfo
- Publication number
- CA2622877C CA2622877C CA2622877A CA2622877A CA2622877C CA 2622877 C CA2622877 C CA 2622877C CA 2622877 A CA2622877 A CA 2622877A CA 2622877 A CA2622877 A CA 2622877A CA 2622877 C CA2622877 C CA 2622877C
- Authority
- CA
- Canada
- Prior art keywords
- case
- plates
- relation
- plate
- extending
- Prior art date
- Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
- Expired - Fee Related
Links
Classifications
-
- B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
- B65—CONVEYING; PACKING; STORING; HANDLING THIN OR FILAMENTARY MATERIAL
- B65B—MACHINES, APPARATUS OR DEVICES FOR, OR METHODS OF, PACKAGING ARTICLES OR MATERIALS; UNPACKING
- B65B39/00—Nozzles, funnels or guides for introducing articles or materials into containers or wrappers
- B65B39/006—Grids for introducing bottles into cases
Landscapes
- Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
- Mechanical Engineering (AREA)
- Cartons (AREA)
- Packages (AREA)
Abstract
A system grid-like guidance device for packing goods in a case for shipping purposes is mounted to the open-topped case, providing cells to guide the emptied 'return' containers to the case floor. The case being filled, the device is removed, and the case can be inventoried and shipped. The several embodiments are fully or partially inserted into the case, forming a set of guidance cells to receive empty containers, such as bottles. One embodiment has a series of thin guidance elements extending within the box between the inserted containers. A third embodiment, has the grid of guidance members extending upwardly above the box top, to facilitate filling. Handle means are provided.
Description
PACKAGING ASSISTANCE SYSTEM
Cross Reference to Related Applications- Not Applicable (N/A) Statement Regarding Federally Sponsored Research or Development - N/A
Reference to Microfiche Appendix - N/A
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
This invention is directed to a system for packing goods within a container, and in particular to a system for positioning bottles of predetermined size within a container, and to a removable positioning device for use with a container, to control the position of goods, such as bottles when inserted into a return case.
Cross Reference to Related Applications- Not Applicable (N/A) Statement Regarding Federally Sponsored Research or Development - N/A
Reference to Microfiche Appendix - N/A
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
This invention is directed to a system for packing goods within a container, and in particular to a system for positioning bottles of predetermined size within a container, and to a removable positioning device for use with a container, to control the position of goods, such as bottles when inserted into a return case.
2. In the hospitality industry, such as bars, restaurants, hotels etc, where large quantities of bottled drinks are served rapidly, problems arise in the orderly disposal of the emptied bottles.
Frequent use is made of empty boxes in which to package the bottles, which are usually of a standard size. However, under typical working conditions, when servers are pressed for time, the orderly return of bottles to their cases is too time consuming, and a mass of uncrated empty bottles frequently arises.
In commercial practice, unlike the retailing of beer within cases having cardboard dividers that separate the case into a plurality of cells, the commercial product is usually shipped in divider-less cases, so that empty bottles readily become disordered as they accumulate in the case, and require to be re-arranged, for purposes of inventory checking, and safe shipping.
BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
The present invention provides a system for packing goods of predetermined shape and size within a containment box or 'case', for shipping purposes. Prior to returning emptied containers to a case of the type and size in which the containers were supplied, a guidance device is placed inside the empty case, forming the requisite, predetermined number of cells by which to guide the emptied 'return' containers onto the floor of the case. Upon completing the filling of the case, the guidance device is removed.
It is usual practice to fold the flaps of the case inside the case, prior to commencing the filling operation.
In a first embodiment, the guidance device is inserted within the case so as to rest on the floor of the case, to provide a set of cells, in combination with the box walls, into which the containers, such as empty bottles are deposited.
In a second embodiment, intended for use where clearance tolerances are unduly tight within the packed case, and the containers being packed are cylindrical, a series of supplementary guidance elements extend within the case. These supplementary guidance elements may be of restricted plan-form, so as not to infringe upon the active loading area of the case floor, which is required for the containers. In this embodiment there is a grid of guidance elements from which the supplementary elements depend. This grid is located primarily above the top of the case, with portions of some of the grid members extending into the case, in order to locate the grid in centered relation with the case In a third embodiment, the grid of guidance members extends upwardly well above the case top, to better facilitate insertion of the containers into the 'cells' of the guidance device.
These embodiments may be provided with handle means, to facilitate their ready application to, and subsequent removal from the box/carton when that is loaded.
The handle means may comprise a'hoop' handle extending above the grid, and projecting well above the top of the case, so as to prevent the placing of another case on top of the guidance device.
The handle may comprise apertures or grippable portions of some of the grid members.
Thus there is provided a guidance device for use with a containment box or case of predetermined plan-form and size, the guidance device having downwardly extending guidance elements extending at least partially within the case, and defniing with the interior wall surfaces of the case a plurality of mutually adjacent cells, to receive the downward insertion of goods of predetermined shape and size within the cells.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE DRAWINGS
Certain embodiments of the invention are described by way of illustration, without limitation thereto other than as set forth in the accompanying claims, reference being made to the accompanying drawings, wherein:
Figure 1 is a perspective view of a first embodiment of a guidance device in accordance with the present invention;
Figure 2 is a plan view of the guidance elements of the Figure 1 embodiment;
Figure 3 is an end elevation of the Figure 1 embodiment;
Figure 4 is a side elevation of the longitudinal central grid member of the Figure 1 embodiment;
Figure 4A is a scrap detail of a grid plate retention arrangement for the subject grid;
Figure 5 is a side elevation of a lateral grid member of the Figure 1 embodiment;
Figure 6 is a side elevation of one of the two other longitudinal grid members;
Frequent use is made of empty boxes in which to package the bottles, which are usually of a standard size. However, under typical working conditions, when servers are pressed for time, the orderly return of bottles to their cases is too time consuming, and a mass of uncrated empty bottles frequently arises.
In commercial practice, unlike the retailing of beer within cases having cardboard dividers that separate the case into a plurality of cells, the commercial product is usually shipped in divider-less cases, so that empty bottles readily become disordered as they accumulate in the case, and require to be re-arranged, for purposes of inventory checking, and safe shipping.
BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
The present invention provides a system for packing goods of predetermined shape and size within a containment box or 'case', for shipping purposes. Prior to returning emptied containers to a case of the type and size in which the containers were supplied, a guidance device is placed inside the empty case, forming the requisite, predetermined number of cells by which to guide the emptied 'return' containers onto the floor of the case. Upon completing the filling of the case, the guidance device is removed.
It is usual practice to fold the flaps of the case inside the case, prior to commencing the filling operation.
In a first embodiment, the guidance device is inserted within the case so as to rest on the floor of the case, to provide a set of cells, in combination with the box walls, into which the containers, such as empty bottles are deposited.
In a second embodiment, intended for use where clearance tolerances are unduly tight within the packed case, and the containers being packed are cylindrical, a series of supplementary guidance elements extend within the case. These supplementary guidance elements may be of restricted plan-form, so as not to infringe upon the active loading area of the case floor, which is required for the containers. In this embodiment there is a grid of guidance elements from which the supplementary elements depend. This grid is located primarily above the top of the case, with portions of some of the grid members extending into the case, in order to locate the grid in centered relation with the case In a third embodiment, the grid of guidance members extends upwardly well above the case top, to better facilitate insertion of the containers into the 'cells' of the guidance device.
These embodiments may be provided with handle means, to facilitate their ready application to, and subsequent removal from the box/carton when that is loaded.
The handle means may comprise a'hoop' handle extending above the grid, and projecting well above the top of the case, so as to prevent the placing of another case on top of the guidance device.
The handle may comprise apertures or grippable portions of some of the grid members.
Thus there is provided a guidance device for use with a containment box or case of predetermined plan-form and size, the guidance device having downwardly extending guidance elements extending at least partially within the case, and defniing with the interior wall surfaces of the case a plurality of mutually adjacent cells, to receive the downward insertion of goods of predetermined shape and size within the cells.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE DRAWINGS
Certain embodiments of the invention are described by way of illustration, without limitation thereto other than as set forth in the accompanying claims, reference being made to the accompanying drawings, wherein:
Figure 1 is a perspective view of a first embodiment of a guidance device in accordance with the present invention;
Figure 2 is a plan view of the guidance elements of the Figure 1 embodiment;
Figure 3 is an end elevation of the Figure 1 embodiment;
Figure 4 is a side elevation of the longitudinal central grid member of the Figure 1 embodiment;
Figure 4A is a scrap detail of a grid plate retention arrangement for the subject grid;
Figure 5 is a side elevation of a lateral grid member of the Figure 1 embodiment;
Figure 6 is a side elevation of one of the two other longitudinal grid members;
Figure 7 is a perspective view of a second embodiment guidance device in accordance with the invention;
Figure 8 is a front perspective view of a four-lobe guidance element of the second embodiment of the invention;
Figure 9 is a section taken at 9-9 of Figure 8: and Figure 10 is a perspective view of a third embodiment of the subject invention.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
It will of course be understood that the present invention has been described above purely by way of example, and modifications of detail can be made within the scope of the invention as defined in the appended claims.
Referring to Figure 1, a first embodiment 10 of a guidance device in accordance with the invention is shown in relation to a return case 12, outlined in phantom.
The case 12 has both of its side flaps 14 and both end flaps 16 turned in (two only being indicated, for purposes of clarity). Figure 2 shows the rectangular grid, and a handle 182.
The guidance device 10 has a central longitudinal plate 18 (see also Figure 4), with five slots 181 extending half-way down its depth, and a handle 182 which, in use, projects above the top of the case 12, so as to preclude accidental loss of the device 10 by the placing of a second such case upon the case 12, so as to conceal the device 10.
The slots 181 may have a locking tooth 181' (see Figure 4A) as a plate retention device Referring to Figure 3, each of the five lateral plates 20 of the device 10 (see also Figure 5) are mounted to the respective five slots 181 of plate 18, by way of an upwardly extending slot 201, such that the plates 18 and 20 are essentially interdigitated.
The two other longitudinal plates 19 and 21 are carried by the lateral plates 20, being mounted thereto (see also Figure 6) by way of upwardly extending slots 191, so as to be interdigitated with the lateral plates 20, which have downward extending slots 202.
Thus, the plate elements of the guidance device 10 are assembled in mutual dependence to the plate 18, and hence, are carried in fully supported relation by the handle182.
With reference to Figure 1, it will be observed that the plates 18, 19, 20 and 21 all extend upwardly from the bottom of the case 12 so as to overlap the inturned flaps 14, 16 of the case 12, to thereby avoid any jamming interference with these members when the device 10 is withdrawn.
As an alternative to the tooth provisions 181' (Figure 4A), the interdigitated plate members 18, 19, 20, 21 forming the grid may have an interference fit, to retain their assembled condition, or they may be be glued or welded at some of their junctures, to prevent any accidental dislodgement from their assembled relation.
Figures 7, 8 and 9 relate to a second embodiment 24 wherein the members of the grid 26 are assembled in the same manner as for the first embodiment 10. Threaded down over the junctures of grid 26 are four-lobed guides 28 (see Figures 8 and 9), which extend to the bottom of the case, when is use. When used for purposes of loading empty cylindrical containers, usually in the form of return-bottles such as empty beer or wine bottles, the arcuate section of the lobes 30 adjoin the space required for the inserted containers.
In the case of the second embodiments 24 when intended for use in loading heavier, filled bottles, it is contemplated that the arcuate outer surface 301 of the lobes 30 may be coated with a friction-imparting rubber or plastic coating (not shown), and may be backed up by a plastic core (illustrated in phantom as a dotted cylinder in Figure 9) extending downwardly between the four lobes 30, to collectively stiffen them and to serve as a spring that urges the lobes 30 apart from each other and into frictional contact with the sides of the descending bottle, to control its descent down into the case.
In the case of empty bottles such as beer bottles, their self weight, and strength are such that they can usually be released upon entry into the guidance grid, and permitted to fall freely onto the cardboard bottom of the case, without any fear of breakage.
The side and lower edges of the grid plates of the second embodiment device 24 are sized so as to engage the top surfaces of the case (shown chain-dotted in Figure 7), to position the device 24 in precise registry with the open top of the case, so that the lobes 30 extend for substantially the full depth of the case. A pair of finger holes 32 serve as handles for the device 24, the grid portion 26 being primarily located above the top edge of the box, to thereby preclude the likelihood of another case being carelessly placed upon the device 24.
Turning to the Figure 10 embodiment, the grid plates 38, 39, 40 and 41 of the device 36 are mutually secured by interdigitation in the same fashion as the grid plates 18, 19, 20 and 21 of the first embodiment 10, being significantly taller so as to extend well above the top edge of the case, for purposes of minimizing the time and effort required in returning the 'empties' to the case. The upward extent of the device 36 is limited by the cushioning effect provided by the cases in use, and by the strength of the bottles being returned. The frictional guidance elements disclosed above with relation to the Figures 7, 8 and 9 second embodiment may be incorporated into the Figure 10 'raised' embodiment, to enable safe release of containers, such as empty bottles when entered into the guidance grid.
Figure 8 is a front perspective view of a four-lobe guidance element of the second embodiment of the invention;
Figure 9 is a section taken at 9-9 of Figure 8: and Figure 10 is a perspective view of a third embodiment of the subject invention.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
It will of course be understood that the present invention has been described above purely by way of example, and modifications of detail can be made within the scope of the invention as defined in the appended claims.
Referring to Figure 1, a first embodiment 10 of a guidance device in accordance with the invention is shown in relation to a return case 12, outlined in phantom.
The case 12 has both of its side flaps 14 and both end flaps 16 turned in (two only being indicated, for purposes of clarity). Figure 2 shows the rectangular grid, and a handle 182.
The guidance device 10 has a central longitudinal plate 18 (see also Figure 4), with five slots 181 extending half-way down its depth, and a handle 182 which, in use, projects above the top of the case 12, so as to preclude accidental loss of the device 10 by the placing of a second such case upon the case 12, so as to conceal the device 10.
The slots 181 may have a locking tooth 181' (see Figure 4A) as a plate retention device Referring to Figure 3, each of the five lateral plates 20 of the device 10 (see also Figure 5) are mounted to the respective five slots 181 of plate 18, by way of an upwardly extending slot 201, such that the plates 18 and 20 are essentially interdigitated.
The two other longitudinal plates 19 and 21 are carried by the lateral plates 20, being mounted thereto (see also Figure 6) by way of upwardly extending slots 191, so as to be interdigitated with the lateral plates 20, which have downward extending slots 202.
Thus, the plate elements of the guidance device 10 are assembled in mutual dependence to the plate 18, and hence, are carried in fully supported relation by the handle182.
With reference to Figure 1, it will be observed that the plates 18, 19, 20 and 21 all extend upwardly from the bottom of the case 12 so as to overlap the inturned flaps 14, 16 of the case 12, to thereby avoid any jamming interference with these members when the device 10 is withdrawn.
As an alternative to the tooth provisions 181' (Figure 4A), the interdigitated plate members 18, 19, 20, 21 forming the grid may have an interference fit, to retain their assembled condition, or they may be be glued or welded at some of their junctures, to prevent any accidental dislodgement from their assembled relation.
Figures 7, 8 and 9 relate to a second embodiment 24 wherein the members of the grid 26 are assembled in the same manner as for the first embodiment 10. Threaded down over the junctures of grid 26 are four-lobed guides 28 (see Figures 8 and 9), which extend to the bottom of the case, when is use. When used for purposes of loading empty cylindrical containers, usually in the form of return-bottles such as empty beer or wine bottles, the arcuate section of the lobes 30 adjoin the space required for the inserted containers.
In the case of the second embodiments 24 when intended for use in loading heavier, filled bottles, it is contemplated that the arcuate outer surface 301 of the lobes 30 may be coated with a friction-imparting rubber or plastic coating (not shown), and may be backed up by a plastic core (illustrated in phantom as a dotted cylinder in Figure 9) extending downwardly between the four lobes 30, to collectively stiffen them and to serve as a spring that urges the lobes 30 apart from each other and into frictional contact with the sides of the descending bottle, to control its descent down into the case.
In the case of empty bottles such as beer bottles, their self weight, and strength are such that they can usually be released upon entry into the guidance grid, and permitted to fall freely onto the cardboard bottom of the case, without any fear of breakage.
The side and lower edges of the grid plates of the second embodiment device 24 are sized so as to engage the top surfaces of the case (shown chain-dotted in Figure 7), to position the device 24 in precise registry with the open top of the case, so that the lobes 30 extend for substantially the full depth of the case. A pair of finger holes 32 serve as handles for the device 24, the grid portion 26 being primarily located above the top edge of the box, to thereby preclude the likelihood of another case being carelessly placed upon the device 24.
Turning to the Figure 10 embodiment, the grid plates 38, 39, 40 and 41 of the device 36 are mutually secured by interdigitation in the same fashion as the grid plates 18, 19, 20 and 21 of the first embodiment 10, being significantly taller so as to extend well above the top edge of the case, for purposes of minimizing the time and effort required in returning the 'empties' to the case. The upward extent of the device 36 is limited by the cushioning effect provided by the cases in use, and by the strength of the bottles being returned. The frictional guidance elements disclosed above with relation to the Figures 7, 8 and 9 second embodiment may be incorporated into the Figure 10 'raised' embodiment, to enable safe release of containers, such as empty bottles when entered into the guidance grid.
This device 36 is also of use in instances where the flaps of the case are not folded inside the case.
Claims (6)
1. A guidance device for temporary use in the placement of cylindrical containers within a case of predetermined size, said device having a plurality of substantially rectangular plates secured in mutually supporting relation to form a rectangular grid sized for downward insertion within said case, to receive said cylindrical containers in mutually positioned relation within said case; a handle projecting well above the top of the case, to prevent the placing of another case on top of said device; said plates being in mutually connected relation and carried in fully supported relation by the handle, to ensure maintenance of said connected relation upon withdrawal of said device from said cylindrical containers and said case, for subsequent re-use.
2. The guidance device as set forth in Claim 1, said grid having an elongated first plate, said plate having a plurality of narrow recesses in mutually spaced relation along its length extending downwardly from its upper edge; a plurality of second plates extending transversely of said first plate, being entered in said narrow recesses in supported relation therewith, said second plates each having at least two narrow recesses in mutually spaced relation extending downwardly froom its upper edge; and at least two elongated third plates extending substantially parallel with said first plate, inserted within said at least two narrow recesses of said second plates in supported relation therewith, said handle extending upwardly from said first plate, whereby said device may be positioned in, and removed from said case solely by displacement of said first plate.
3 The guidance device as set forth in Claim 1, wherein said handle comprises an upstanding hoop extending above said rectangular grid, and projecting well above the top of said case, so as to prevent the placing of another case on top of said device.
4. The device as set forth in Claim 1, said second and third plates having upwardly extending recesses in mating relation with said downwardly extending recesses, whereby said first, said second and said third plates are mutually interdigitated at their respective planes of mutual intersection.
5. The device as set forth in claim 1, having fingerbold recesses in one said plate.
6. The device as set forth in Claim 1, said plates including retention means, to secure said plates in mutually secured, assembled relation.
Applications Claiming Priority (2)
| Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
|---|---|---|---|
| US11/723,440 US20080229710A1 (en) | 2007-03-20 | 2007-03-20 | Packaging assistance system |
| US11/723,440 | 2007-03-20 |
Publications (2)
| Publication Number | Publication Date |
|---|---|
| CA2622877A1 CA2622877A1 (en) | 2008-09-20 |
| CA2622877C true CA2622877C (en) | 2011-12-20 |
Family
ID=39764636
Family Applications (1)
| Application Number | Title | Priority Date | Filing Date |
|---|---|---|---|
| CA2622877A Expired - Fee Related CA2622877C (en) | 2007-03-20 | 2008-02-26 | Packaging assistance system |
Country Status (2)
| Country | Link |
|---|---|
| US (1) | US20080229710A1 (en) |
| CA (1) | CA2622877C (en) |
Families Citing this family (1)
| Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| US9993055B2 (en) * | 2011-07-01 | 2018-06-12 | Mark A. Waltrip | Bottle holder and related methods |
Family Cites Families (9)
| Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| US3123207A (en) * | 1964-03-03 | Combination shipping container and display device | ||
| US2840293A (en) * | 1954-06-17 | 1958-06-24 | Richard E Paige | Slotted partitions for shipping cases |
| US3100642A (en) * | 1960-02-01 | 1963-08-13 | Schenley Ind Inc | Multi-purpose carton and game |
| US4833860A (en) * | 1987-02-10 | 1989-05-30 | Hartness International | Grid structure |
| US4945687A (en) * | 1989-07-25 | 1990-08-07 | Jason, Inc. | Rotary fininshing tool |
| US5333751A (en) * | 1992-09-23 | 1994-08-02 | Elite Mushroom Company, Inc. | Mushroom display tray and package |
| US6647699B1 (en) * | 1999-11-12 | 2003-11-18 | O-G Packing Co., Inc. | System and method for fruit packing |
| US6571533B2 (en) * | 2001-08-31 | 2003-06-03 | Labatt Brewing Company Limited | Bottle handling device |
| CA2409061A1 (en) * | 2002-10-21 | 2004-04-21 | Corrugated Partitions Inc. | Carton divider |
-
2007
- 2007-03-20 US US11/723,440 patent/US20080229710A1/en not_active Abandoned
-
2008
- 2008-02-26 CA CA2622877A patent/CA2622877C/en not_active Expired - Fee Related
Also Published As
| Publication number | Publication date |
|---|---|
| CA2622877A1 (en) | 2008-09-20 |
| US20080229710A1 (en) | 2008-09-25 |
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Legal Events
| Date | Code | Title | Description |
|---|---|---|---|
| EEER | Examination request | ||
| MKLA | Lapsed |
Effective date: 20150226 |