DE8816424U1 - Folding box for packaging a shock-sensitive product, in particular a light alloy rim - Google Patents

Description

ATS Leichtmetallfeigen GmbH Bad Dürkhelm

Folding box for packaging a shock-sensitive product, in particular a light alloy rim

The invention relates to a folding box for packaging a shock-sensitive product, in particular a light alloy rim, according to the preamble of claim 1. The invention also relates to methods for constructing such a folding box from its flat unfolding according to the generic features of claims 6 and 8 and finally to uses of such folding boxes for packaging light alloy rims.

Conventionally, simple folding boxes or folding crates made of corrugated cardboard are used to package shock-sensitive products, such as cast light alloy rims. To protect the particularly sensitive and exposed rim flanges against deformation or cracks, either a padded interior is placed in the folding boxes or two rings made of Styrofoam are placed on each rim.

This results in a high level of personnel work and/or capital-intensive use of machinery for the packaging process and, on the other hand, high logistics costs (storage, transport, distribution) for the packaging material, as rims of various widths have to be packed. Furthermore, the disposal of the Styrofoam rings, which are usually not reusable after they have been removed from the rim flanges, is a problem of increasing importance in itself.

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The invention is therefore based on the object of providing a folding box of the generic type which does not require complex interior fittings and does not require Styrofoam rings or the like , allows shock-sensitive products to be packaged as simply as possible and yet still protects them reliably.

This object is achieved according to the invention by adding the characterizing features of claim 1.

The main advantage of the folding box be-S according to the invention is that each intermediate part of the unfolding is at least

U at least one additional shock-absorbing material layer for

fj£; Protection of a rim flange on the bottom part of the folding box

f. This eliminates the need for further protection of this

■ Rim flange, i.e. corresponding further work steps

during packaging as well as the storage and disposal of additional protective devices are no longer necessary.

This advantage is not affected by higher material costs. Rather, each ^intermediate part is only located at those points of the (flat) development

-, which would otherwise be wholly or largely subject to

Material waste during production (e.g. punching) of the unfolding ai.heim.

Another advantageous property of the folding box according to the invention is that it can be folded out of its unfolded form in one operation, e.g. immediately before it is used as a packaging element. In this way, the flat unfolded forms (instead of the more voluminous folded boxes) can be delivered directly to or next to the place of use, saving space.

If the intermediate parts are not directly connected to the base part (claim 2), the folding box can be made particularly easily by the method according to claim 6 from

their development. Each such intermediate part ex- provides a place for a double layer of material on the base part for the gentle support of a rim flange. The known square shape can be retained for the folding box according to the invention; however, a hexagonal or octagonal shape is particularly advantageous, for example, when packaging a light alloy rim, since on the one hand dead packaging and storage space is avoided and on the other hand the rim is supported (padded) and held at a correspondingly higher number of points, which further protects it. In addition, this also creates a particularly striking external shape that is memorable for the target audience.

If, on the other hand, the intermediate parts are also directly connected to the base part (claim 3), the effort required to construct the folding box from its unfolding (according to claim 8, 9 or 10) increases somewhat. Each such intermediate part results in a location with a triple layer of material on the base part for the gentle support of, for example, a rim flange. For the reasons mentioned above, a hexagonal or octagonal shape is again preferable in the example case mentioned (packaging of rims).

For the individual folding box, an advantageously increased stability and handling is achieved if the intermediate part is attached to the base part (claims 7 and 11).

If the side parts are chosen to be twice as wide as the height of the folding box should actually be (claim 4), the side parts also have twice the wall thickness due to central folding, with a correspondingly higher protective effect for the relevant rim flange, even against radial impacts.

If the height of the folding box is at least equal to that of a rim flange to be protected, a bar at most

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If the width of the casing is chosen to be equal to half the total width of an associated casing (claim 5), the latter can be wrapped in a particularly efficient manner (according to use claim 12) on the basis of two folding boxes according to the invention used as packaging elements.

The height of the folding boxes is preferably only a fraction of half the total width of the rim, as the sensitive rim flange is still protected, while an unnecessary double wall in the clear space between the rim flanges is avoided. Material and labor costs are therefore as low as possible.

However, what is particularly important is the advantage that such folding boxes can be used for rims of any overall width (the clear distance between the rim flanges does not need to be covered by the folding boxes), so that storage is considerably simplified. Another advantage is the simple, modular implementation of larger packaging units, such as the packaging of rims in pairs (claim 13).

If, for example, the tightness of the packaging is important, it is advantageous to attach the jacket to the outer surfaces of at least some of the side parts of the two (outer) folding boxes, for example by gluing (claim 14). A user-friendly variant is to attach a folding box, which is to be regarded as the packaging base, to the jacket more firmly than the folding box arranged at the other end of the packaging, which forms the packaging lid (claim 15). The user can then relatively easily loosen the lid, carefully turn the entire packaging upside down and then pull the jacket and base off the product.

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An advantageously simple, but mechanically completely sufficient closure can be achieved by wrapping the packaging in a palace-like manner with adhesive strips (claim 1G>.

The web-shaped rim material _, which can be easily removed from a running roll or is cut to the circumferential length, can be pre-grooved transversely to the web direction, ie coaxially to the axis of symmetry of a rim to be packaged, and in fact (seen in the web direction) at a distance equal to the edge length of the folding boxes used, in order to advantageously ensure that the rim material fits easily against the folding boxes.

As drop tests with double-walled, octagonal packaging according to the invention have shown, light alloy rims, for example, are adequately protected against the effects of falls from up to 100 cm. The requirements of the German Federal Railway (drop criterion 60 cm) are thus significantly exceeded.

The invention is explained in more detail below using embodiments shown in the drawing. It shows

Fig. la the development of an octagonal folding box according to the invention, in perspective view;

Fig.Ib the folding box constructed from the development according to Fig.1, in perspective view;

Fig.2a the principle of using four folding boxes according to the invention for packaging e.g. two light alloy rims;

Fig.2b the packaging resulting from the use according to Fig.3;

Fig.3a shows the development of a square folding box according to the invention;

Fig. 3b an intermediate stage v.-=.i of the development according to Fig. 3a to an associated finished folding box;

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Fig.3c another intermediate stage from the development according to Fig.3a to another corresponding finished folding box .

Fig. la shows in perspective the flat development A of a folding box F according to the invention, as shown in Fig. lb in the finished state. The development A is a one-piece, flat, e.g. punched, body made of a flexible and shock-absorbing material, such as corrugated cardboard. The central area is an octagonal base part B in this case. The number of corners (and edges) of the base part B corresponds to the number of side parts Sl to S8. For example, the side part Sl is directly connected to the base part B at a first folding edge fl. At a second folding box f2, which is perpendicular to the first folding edge fl, the side part Sl is directly connected to another side part S2.

The acute-angled area between the further side part S2 and the base part B is occupied by an intermediate part Zl, which is directly connected to the further side part S2 and has a third folding edge &Idigr;3 in common with it, which lies in a straight extension of the first folding edge fl. However, in the present case, as shown in the drawing by a small gap, the intermediate part Zl is not directly connected to the base part B. The intermediate part Zl does not need to take up the entire acute-angled area here; nor does it need to be linearly limited - except at the folding edge f3. It only needs to be at least large enough to provide a secure, double-layered support surface for the shock-sensitive product to be packaged in the folding box F (Fig.Ib) on the base part B for a rim and especially for a rim flange.

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As regards the construction of the folding box F according to Fig. lb from the development A according to Fig. la, it is sufficient, in order to avoid unnecessary repetition, to describe the process by way of example for an intermediate part, namely Zl. %

The side part Sl is bent at the folded edge fl by 90* to the late |

towards the inner side of the folding box F, here towards >.|

above, angled. The rare part S2 is opposite the side i

ten part Sl at the fold edge f2 to the corresponding edge b2 ;|

of the base part B. Finally, the intermediate ^

Part ZU is angled at the folded edge f3 by ' 90* towards the inner surface of the base part B relative to the side part S2, where it is preferably attached, e.g. glued, stapled or sewn on.

From a cushioning point of view, the intermediate part Zl could alternatively be arranged on the outer surface (underside) of the base part B, although a smooth outer surface would normally be preferable.

The side parts Sl to S8 are in the shape of a rectangle (some with attached connecting tabs L), the length of which corresponds to the respective edge length of the base part B (e.g.: length of the folded edge f3 s length of the side part S2 = length of the corresponding base edge b2). The width of the rectangles is twice the height of the folding box and is reduced to the height of the folding box by folding along the dashed double lines, whereby the side parts Sl to S8 become double-walled. If this should not be necessary for individual side parts in special cases, the simple height of the box is sufficient as the width measurement for the affected side parts from the start. Conversely, by folding the side parts multiple times and then folding them back, a multiple wall thickness can generally be achieved.

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For the reasons already mentioned in the introduction to the description, the height of the folding box is chosen to be at least equal to the rim flange width of an example light alloy rim to be packaged, but if possible not wider; because the double-walled, material-intensive areas of the folding box should be kept as narrow as possible.

Figures 2a and 2b show a schematic arrangement of folding boxes Fl to F4, of which the pair F1/F2 and the pair F3/F4 are each ready to accommodate a (not shown) light alloy rim. (A single rim is packed in a completely analogous manner between only two folding boxes.>

The folding box Fl is put over a horn of a first rim, the folding box F2 over the other horn of this rim, the folding box F3 over a horn of a second rim, and the folding box F4 over the other horn of the second rim. The rim horns are now protected by the double-layered corrugated cardboard on the areas of the base part B reinforced by the intermediate parts Zl to Z4 and on the side parts Sl to S8 of the folding boxes. The boxed rims are placed on top of each other, and finally the four folding boxes Fl to F4 are surrounded coaxially to the rim symmetry axis with a jacket M made of web-shaped packaging material (which, as mentioned, can be pre-grooved). The packaging can now be closed, for example, with crosswise adhesive strips Kl.K.j. Alternatively or additionally, the jacket M can be connected, e.g. glued, to the side parts of the folding boxes Fl to F4. Reference is made to the introduction to the description for this purpose.

Figures 3a, 3b, 4, in which parts with the same function as in the previous figures also have the same reference numerals, deal with the case where the intermediate part Zl of, for example, a square development of a folding box F

• ·*··· « a · a · rr

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additionally directly related to the Badente11 B. This does increase the effort required to construct the folding box somewhat. Each such intermediate part results in a point on the Badente with a triple layer of material for the gentle support of a rim flange, for example.

In figures 3a, 3b, 4 the following new reference symbols appear:

- the dash-dotted bisector w of the angle between the side part S2 and the base part B;

- <half the value α of this angle;

- the equal-angle sectors ZIl and Z12 of the intermediate part Zl.

The method for erecting the folding box F from its flat unfolding A according to Fig.3a provides that

- the side part Fl which is directly connected to the base part B is angled at the fold edge fl by ninety degrees towards that surface of the base part B which forms an inner surface of the resulting folding box F;

- the side part S2 is angled relative to the side part Sl at the folded edge f2 up to the corresponding edge b2 of the base part B;

- in conjunction with the first step, the side part S2 is angled at the fold edge f3 by ninety degrees relative to the base part B and

- in connection with the second step, the intermediate part Zl is bent at its bisector w to form two sectors ZIl,Z12 with the same angle so that the folded edge f3 and the corresponding edge b2 of the base part B touch each other.

A first possibility (Fig.3b) is that the intermediate part Zl is connected at its angle half-end w to

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The folding box F is bent towards the inside of the folding box F , to such an extent that the sector ZIl directly connected to the base surface B touches the inner surface of the base part ff B and the two sectors ZIl, Z12 are

facing surfaces touch each other, forming an inner folding pocket.

A second possibility (Fig.3c) consists in the intermediate part Zl being bent out at its bisector # towards the outside of the folding box F, to such an extent that the two sectors ZIl, Z12 touch with their mutually facing surfaces, forming an external folding pocket. The latter can be folded downwards (direction of the arrow) towards the outer surface (underside) of the base part B.

The sector ZIl of the intermediate part Zl that is directly connected to the base part B can be attached to the base part, e.g. glued. Alternatively or additionally, the sector surfaces 211,Z12 of the folded intermediate part Zl that face each other can be connected to each other, e.g. glued or sewn together. Instead, both sectors ZIl,Z12 can also be attached directly together to the base part B, e.g. stapled or sewn on.

In summary, it is emphasized again that the measures described significantly rationalize the packaging of shock-sensitive products.

Claims (5)

ATS Lelchtmetallf-tlgen Grab)I Sad DUrkhelm Protection claims 1. Pallet box (F) for packaging a personal product, in particular a light alloy rim. foldable from a one-piece, continuous and flat, e.g. punched, development (A), which a) is made of a flexible and shock-absorbing material, e.g. corrugated cardboard; b) comprises a polygonal, in particular randomly polygonal, base part (B); c) comprises a number of side parts (Sl, . . . , SB) corresponding to the number of corners of the base part (B), of which at least one (Sl) is directly connected to the base part (B) at a first fold edge (fl) and directly to a further side part (52) at a second fold edge (f2) which is perpendicular to the first fold edge (fl); characterized by the following Further feature of the settlement (A): e) the area between the further side part (S2) and the base part (B) is at least partially occupied by an intermediate part (Zl) which is directly connected to the further side part <S2> and has a third folding edge Cf3> in common with them, which lies in a straight extension of the first folding edge (<fl). 2. FnIt box (F) according to claim I, characterized in that the intermediate part (Zl) is not directly connected to the base part (B) &mdash;&rgr;&mdash; and that the number of corners of the base parts (B) is at least three, preferably six or eight. 3. Folding box (F) according to claim 1, characterized in that the intermediate part (Zl) is also directly connected to the base part (B) and that the number of corners of the base part (B) is at least three, preferably six or eight. 4. Folding box (F) according to one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that at least one, preferably all, of the side parts (S1,,..,S8> comprises the shape of a rectangle, the length of which corresponds to the corresponding edge length (b2.> of the base part (B) and whose width is at least twice the height of the folding box (F) compared to the base part (B), whereby the width of the rectangle can be reduced to the height of the folding box by at least one fold. 5. Folding box (F) for packaging a light metal rim, according to one of claims 1 to 4, characterized in that the height of the folding box (F) relative to its bottom part (B) is at least equal to the width of the rim flange, at most equal to half the total width of the rim and preferably equal to a fraction of half the total width.