EP0133242A2

EP0133242A2 - Lamp package with internally projecting tab member

Info

Publication number: EP0133242A2
Application number: EP84108521A
Authority: EP
Inventors: David H. Caldwell; Robert M. Hurley; Dan E. Picini
Original assignee: GTE Products Corp
Current assignee: Osram Sylvania Inc
Priority date: 1983-07-22
Filing date: 1984-07-19
Publication date: 1985-02-20
Also published as: EP0133242B1; DE3480190D1; EP0133242A3; CA1247056A; JPS6034369A

Abstract

A paperboard container for a pair of electric incandescent lamps which is in the form of a parallelepiped and includes as part.thereof or secured thereto a tab member which projects within the container to engage and effectively separate the lamps contained therein. The tab member in one embodiment is cut from one of the container's side walls and simply depressed prior to insertion of the lamps within opposing open ends of the container. The ends are then closed, providing a finished package which is both relatively easy and inexpensive to manufacture.

Description

In Serial No. 412,754, entitled "Lamp Package" (Inventors: D. H. Caldwell et al), there is described a lamp package for containing at least two bulbous-shaped glass lamps (e.g., those of the incandescent variety) wherein the lamp envelopes are retained in physical contact with each other. Serial No. 412.754 was filed on August 30, 1982 and is assigned to the same assignee as the instant invention.
In Serial No. 412.755, entitled "Dual Bulb Lamp Package" (Inventors: D.H. Caldwell et al). there is provided a design for a lamp package for containing two bulbous-shaped glass lamps. Serial No. 412,755 was filed August 30, 1982 and is assigned to the same assignee as the instant invention.

TECHNICAL FIELD

This invention relates to packaging for electric lamps and particularly to such packaging for lamps having bulbous-shaped glass envelopes. Even more particularly, the invention relates to such packaging wherein the number of such lamps to be contained therein is equal to or exceeds two.

BACKGROUND

Several types of packages for delicate, fragile articles such as electric lamps of the incandescent variety are known in the art. Examples are illustrated in U.S. Patents 2.892.581 (Amatel), 3.051.369 (R. W. Drake et al), and 3.069.008. (Dugre). Such packages may consist of a separate, corrugated paperboard carton having opposed open ends through which a single bulbous-shaped lamp is inserted. Each carton is then usually encased in a separate paperboard sleeve or similar element which covers the carton's open ends. Typically, only two cartons (and therefore two incandescent lamps) are contained in a single package. In another embodiment, the dual lamp package may consist of a folded sheet which defines two lamp-receiving chambers (or compartments) therein separated by a partition or similar member which in turn prevents the delicate glass lamps from physically contacting each other while contained therein.
Each two-lamp package is usually prepared for shipping by placing it within a larger cardboard box with several other packages. To facilitate the handling of the sealed boxes in the warehouse and during loading and unloading, a number of these are usually placed on a pallet and the pallets then stacked one upon the other. As a result of such stacking, the individual lamp wrappers of the lamp packages within the chipping boxes are subjected to compressive stresses which frequently cause the wrapper walls to buckle and collapse, with the result often being that the glass bulbs are crushed and broken. Breakage is also possible during normal handling of the individual package (e.g., by dropping) by the package consumer.
As evidenced by the package examples illustrated in the aforementioned patents, prevention of damage to the fragile glass lamps contained therein is typically achieved by providing full package length separation partitions to effectively separate the lamps as well as for providing some form of cushioning means (e.g.. by providing the partition with corrugations or with resilient, bendable tabs). In addition, various alternative cushioning and impact means are often similarly employed and deemed essential.
In the lamp package defined in Serial No. 412,754. a unique concept is disclosed wherein the glass envelopes of the two lamps contained in the package container are actually held in physical contact with each other. To achieve this, each lamp is engaged by a pair of inwardly extending tabs which force the lamps against each other. While this container has proven highly acceptable as a means for holding relatively delicate glass lamps, it is necessary to utilize tabs of relatively complex shapes to effect said positive engagement in the manner required. Such complexity in turn necessitates the performance of several added cutting, bending, folding, etc. operations during formation of the container, thus adding to the cost of the finished package.

DISCLOSURE OF THE INVENTION

It is, therefore, a primary object of this invention to provide package means of simple construction for at least two bulbous-shaped lamp articles wherein the lamps are located therein in a separated relationship such that breakage of the lamps is substantially prevented during the aforedescribed and similar conditions (e.g.. wherein the package is exposed to shock, vibration, compression. rough handling, etc.).
It is another object of the invention to provide such a package wherein the container of the package as finally assembled is of one-piece, folded construction, thus eliminating the need for such added items as individual cartons, separating partitions, etc.
It is yet another object of the invention to provide a lamp package which can be readily assembled on a high production basis, and is therefore inexpensive to produce.
In accordance with one aspect of the invention, there is provided a container for a pair of electric lamps wherein the container includes a plurality of side walls and a pair of opposed end portions each adapted for having a respective one of the electric lamps inserted therein. A tab member secured to or forming part of one of the side walls is utilized to project within the container when the lamps are positioned therein and engage each of said lamps to effect separation thereof and prevent physical contact therebetween.
In accordance with another aspect of the invention, there is provided a lamp package comprising a container having a plurality of side walls and a pair of opposed end portions, a pair of electric lamps positioned within the container, and a tab member secured to or forming part of one of the side walls for projecting within the container to engage each of the electric lamps to separate said lamps and prevent physical contact therewith.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a plan view of a paperboard blank from which the subject invention is formed;
FIG. 2 is a perspective view of a container formed from the blank depicted in FIG. 1 and about to receive a pair of electric lamps therein; and
FIG. 3 is an elevation view, partly in section, illustrating the lamp package of the invention and the respective position of the invention's tab member therein.

BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION

For a better understanding of the present invention, together with other and further objects, advantages, and capabilities thereof, reference is made to the following disclosure and appended claims in connection with the above-described drawings.
With particular regard to FIG. 1. there is shown a blank 10 in the form of a single sheet of material which is to eventually form the finished container of the invention. Blank 10 has been printed (not shown) with identifying markings, logos, etc., and, as shown, has been cut in a desired pattern. Several fold lines have been provided in the planar blank to in turn define four side walls A, B, C and D. It is understood from FIG. 1 that these fold lines (those along which various parts of the blank will be folded or bent) are represented by dashed lines while those parts of the blank wherein cuts are made are represented by a single solid line.
As stated, blank 10 is cut to define the four side walls A, B, C and D. In addition, blank 10 is cut to define two end portions at opposite ends of the side walls when blank 10 is folded to the substantially closed configuration depicted in FIG. 2. It is thus seen that two opposing side walls (B, D) are somewhat larger than the two side walls (A, C) which interconnect these walls in the finished package. Comparing FIGS. 1 and 2, each end portion includes a plurality of tab (or flap) members which in turn are folded together in a predetermined manner and sealed to define closure for the respective end in the finished package. In FIG. 2, one end portion (that nearest the viewer) is defined by the tab A' (an extension of side wall A). B' (an extension of larger side wall B). C' (an extension of side wall C) and D' (an extension of larger side wall D). The second opposing end is in turn defined by the tabs A", B", C" and D" (not shown) in a similar fashion.
Blank 10 is folded along the dotted lines immediately adjacent each of the respective side walls A-D to form the configuration depicted in FIG. 2. Thereafter, a pair of electric lamps 15 and 17 are each inserted within a respective one of the opposing ends of this container. Lamps 15 and 17 are each of the incandescent variety and typically consist of a metallic screw-on base 19 and a -bulbous glass envelope 21 which extends from the base and contains the lamp's filament structure, gaseous atmosphere, etc. Lamps of this type are well known in the art and typically possess a wattage rating of 40. 60, 75, - 100 or 150 watts. It is to be understood with regard to the present invention, however, that the teachings herein are readily applicable to containers for other types of lamps than those described above. Each lamp is inserted in the direction shown in FIG. 2 through one of the respective open ends prior to sealing thereof.
To provide effective separation of the two lamps within the paperboard container such that the lamps do not physically contact one another but yet are very closely positioned within the finished package, a tab member 23 is employed. Tab member 23 is cut from within side wall D and is folded along a relatively straight line FL-FL at one end thereof. The tab member 23-is then simply depressed inwardly in the manner depicted in FIG. 2 prior to insertion of the electric lamps 15. 17. Said lamps are then inserted until engagement with tab member 23 is achieved. The respective end tabs are then folded to seal each of the previously open end portions of the container. This final positioning of the lamps is illustrated in FIG. 3. As shown, tab 23 effectively prevents each lamp from physically contacting each other in the finished package. Specifically, tab 23 engages the glass envelope portions of each lamp and is sufficiently pliable to substantially follow a large part of the .external contour of each envelope during said contact. This represents a significant feature of the invention in that it assists in minimizing the overall internal space to house the two lamps. For purposes of clarity, the side wall D from which tab member 23 is formed is not-shown. However, the original configuration is represented by the phantom lines shown.
The finished lamp package as depicted in FIG. 3, including the described paperboard container and pair of electric lamps therein, is thus ready for shipment. storage, etc. prior to sale thereof. As is clearly understood, the aforedescribed relatively simple forming operation necessary to produce the container defined herein and the truly unique and simple tab member for providing effective separation of the container's relatively delicate contents assures a finished product which is both relatively easy and inexpensive to produce.
As described, the blank 10 from which the container of the invention is formed is in turn formed from a singular sheet of material. Suitable materials include solid bleached sulfate, chipboard, bleached manila and machine clay-coated newsback. This material is also preferably of single ply construction. The resulting container does not include corrugations or similar convoluted features as has been heretofore required in many electric lamp packages of the prior art. The thickness of the invention's paperboard material is preferably within the range of about 0.012 inch to about 0.18 inch. In final shape, the container of the invention is a parallelepiped, thus having opposing ends in the form of parallelograms which in turn are parallel to each other.
With particular regard to FIG. 2, tab 23 is preferably folded along the line FL-FL so as to be originally positioned at an angle of from about 40 degrees to about 50 degrees relative to the direction of insertion of each of the electric lamps 15 and 17 (said directions in turn being directly opposite, or directly toward each other). This angle is depicted by the letter "X" in FIG. ₂ and, in one specific example of the invention, was about 45 degrees.
With particular regard to FIGS. 1 and 2, tab member 23 is preferably of an external configuration containing a pair of opposed recesses 31 and an elongated end segment 33 (opposite that portion of the tab member which remains secured to side wall D). As shown in.FIG. 3, the elongated end segment 33 provides the common engagement with each of the glass envelopes in the finished package and is of sufficient length (and overall size) to not only maintain the bulbous glass envelope portions of the lamps apart but to also assure that the respective bases and remaining portions of the envelopes are maintained in the spaced-apart relationship shown. Each of the lamps is thus maintained against the internal surfaces of the various side walls and end portions of the container by virtue of the above-described positioning relationship.
To facilitate opening of the assembled package, the larger end tab B' (which provides final cover for one end portion of the invention) includes a centrally disposed segmented strip portion 35 therein. The customer purchasing the invention thus needs only to pull the tabular end 37 (FIG. 2) in a direction across the top of the package to effect opening thereof. Each of the remaining end tabs forming this portion of the finished package can then be easily folded back and the bulb having its glass envelope nearest said end easily removed. Thereafter, the remaining lamp can also be easily removed by the package consumer, this time by simply grasping the base end thereof. Both bulbs are thus removed through only one of the open ends of the finished package. The tabs forming the remaining (non-opened) end of the invention are preferably glued together using a glue or similar bonding material known in the art. This mode of sealing is desired because this end of the package is not to be subsequently opened by the package user, as stated above. The only remaining gluing operation necessary to form the package described herein involves the gluing of a projecting tab 39 (FIG. 1) which extends from the large side wall D to a portion (GL) of the corresponding smaller side wall A in an abutting (internally) fashion. End segment 39 is also shown (hidden) in FIG. 2.
There has thus been shown and described an improved lamp package for containing a pair of electric lamps which in turn include relatively delicate glass envelopes as part thereof. Because the container is of a single sheet of paperboard material and is subjected to relatively few cutting, bending and folding operations, the invention is readily adaptable to mass production and is extremely inexpensive to produce. In addition, the machinery necessary to provide the aforementioned cutting, bending and folding is also relatively inexpensive in comparison to existing machinery necessary to produce the relatively complicated packages typically found in the prior art. The invention as defined herein thus eliminates the need for a full length separator as has been required in many packages in the prior art and which was formed from a second paperboard component which also formed part of the final package.
The invention is also extremely compact in comparison to many lamp packages of the prior art. In one example, a finished package containing two 60-watt incandescent lamps possessed an overall height of only about 4.375 inches, a width of about 3.50 inches, and a thickness (depth) of only about 2.375 inches.
While there have been shown and described what are presently considered the preferred embodiments of the invention, it will be obvious to those skilled in the art that various changes and modifications may be made therein without departing from the scope of the invention as defined by the appended claims.

Claims

1. In a container for a pair of electric lamps including a plurality of side walls and a pair of opposed end portions each adapted for having one of said electric lamps inserted therein during positioning of said lamps within said container, the improvement comprising:

a tab member secured to or forming part of one of said side walls and projecting within said container when said electric lamps are positioned therein, said tab member engaging each of said electric lamps to separate said lamps and prevent physical contact therebetween.

2. A lamp package comprising:

a container including a plurality of side walls and a pair of opposed end portions:

a pair of electric lamps positioned within said container; and

a tab member secured to or forming part of one of said side walls of said container and projecting within said container to engage each of said electric lamps to separate said lamps and prevent physical contact therewith, each of said lamps being positioned within said container through a respective one of said opposed end portions.

3. The improvement according to Claim lor 2 wherein said container is formed of a singular sheet of material, said tab member forming part thereof.

4 . The improvement according to Claim 3 wherein said container is comprised of paperboard material of single ply construction.

5. The improvement according to Claim 4 wherein said paperboard material is selected from the group consisting of solid bleached sulfate, chip board, bleached manila, and clay-coated newsback.

6. The improvement according to Claim 3 wherein said container is a parallelepiped.

. 7. The improvement according to Claim 3 wherein each of said electric lamps includes a base and a bulbous glass envelope, said tab member only engaging said glass envelopes.

8. The improvement according to Claim 7 wherein said tab member is pliable such that the configuration of said tab member substantially follows the bulbous contour of both of said glass envelopes at the locations of contact therewith.

9. The improvement according to Claim 3 wherein said tab member is bent along a substantially straight line within said side of said container.

10. The improvement according to Claim 9 wherein said straight line forms an angle within the range of about 40 degrees to about 50 degrees with the direction of said insertion of said electric lamps within said container.

11. The improvement according to Claim 1 or 2 wherein said tab member includes a pair of opposed recesses therein and an elongated end segment, said elongated end segment providing said engagement with each of said electric lamps.