EP1826141B1

EP1826141B1 - Multi-layered packaging film and packaging bag

Info

Publication number: EP1826141B1
Application number: EP06077285A
Authority: EP
Inventors: Bong-sup 6-309 Samsung 1st Apartment Lim
Original assignee: Samsung Electronics Co Ltd
Current assignee: Samsung Electronics Co Ltd
Priority date: 2006-02-28
Filing date: 2006-12-21
Publication date: 2009-10-14
Anticipated expiration: 2026-12-21
Also published as: KR20070089484A; CN101028877A; US20070199855A1; KR101262699B1; EP1826141A1; CN101028877B; DE602006009752D1

Description

The present invention relates to a multi-layered packaging material, a packaging bag, and a package and a packaging method using the multi-layered packaging material and the packaging bag.
GB 800 513 discloses a package for a gramophone record comprising a paper envelope with a heat sealable plastic inner layer.
WO 94/01345 A discloses the features of the preamble of claim 1.
Generally, products, such as household appliances, office machines, furniture, and precision machinery and tools, are packaged with a packaging box, etc. so as to prevent them from being scratched or damaged during storage and delivery. In this case, to protect the products from impacts, as well as from moisture, dust, mold, etc., the products are wrapped with a packaging film such as a polyethylene film, fixed into a cushion member such as a resin foam and then inserted into the packaging box.
However, even though the products are packaged as above, there may arise a problem that a friction is produced between the product and the packaging film so as to peel away a paint or coating layer from the product.
Recently, electronic appliances, such as air conditioners, handsets, notebooks, refrigerators, etc., are being designed with more attention to aesthetic details. As there is no difference in function or performance between the same kinds of electronic appliances, there is growing recognition that the electronic appliances are being treated as furniture, and consumers prefer an electronic appliance with a smart design and a fashionable color above other electronic appliances.
Accordingly, electronic appliances, which not only have more various and luxurious colors and patterns, but also present an ornamental value,, are coming out on the market.
To present such a fashionable atmosphere, the electronic appliances are usually coated with high glossy colors, e.g., high glossy black colors, which bring up the image of a piano coating and feel as if it is a luxurious crystal in a bright place.
However, the electronic appliances coated with the high glossy colors as above are easily scratched even by a small impact and the scratched portion is easily noticeable, as compared with a general electronic appliances, which are not coated with high glossy colors. Accordingly, it is very important for the packaging material, such as a packaging film, to protect the electronic appliances.
To prevent the electronic appliances from being scratched, there has been used a method that a protecting film is attached on outer surfaces of the electronic appliances to protect them. However, since the work of attaching the protecting film is troublesome and inefficient, productivity may be reduced. Further, since material cost of the protecting film is expensive, manufacturing costs may be increased. Also, bubbles may be produced in or on the outer surfaces of the electronic appliances on which the protecting film is attached, so that a quality in the exterior of the electronic appliances is deteriorated.
The multi-layered packaging material of the invention is characterized by the features of claim 1, the packaging bag of the invention is characterized by the features of claim 6; the package of the invention is characterized by the features of claim 9; and the packaging method of the invention is characterized by the features of claim 10.
Illustrative, non-limiting exemplary embodiments of the present invention address at least the above problems and/or disadvantages and provide at least the advantages described below. Accordingly, the present invention provides a multi-layered packaging film that can prevent products from being scratched during packaging and delivery.
The present invention further provides a packaging bag that can prevent the products from being scratched during packaging and delivery,a package using the multi-layered packaging film and the packaging bag described above, anda packaging method using the multi-layered packaging film and the packaging bag described above.
According to one aspect of an exemplary embodiment of the present invention, there is provided a packaging bag comprising at least two multi-layered sections adjacent with each other. Each of the at least two multi-layered sections comprise an outer film, and an inner film layered inside the outer film to contact an object to be packaged. The outer film is movable with respect to the inner film, and has a coefficient of friction different from that of the inner film.
The outer film may be formed of a material, e.g., a high-density polyethylene (HDPE), having a small coefficient of friction, and the inner film may be formed of a material, e.g., a low-density polyethylene (LDPE), having a large coefficient of friction.
Each of the at least two multi-layered sections further comprises a subsidiary film layered between the outer and the inner film. The subsidiary film is formed of a material having a coefficient of friction smaller than that of the inner film.
The inner film may be formed in the shape of foam to carry out a cushioning function.
The packaging bag may be beneficially used for an object that has a surface polished at a high level.
The at least two multi-layered sections at at least one edge thereof may be joined with each other. Preferably, the at least two multi-layered sections may form a pocket, in such a manner that the at least two multi-layered sections at three edges thereof are joined with each other and at one edge thereof are separated from each other.
According to still another aspect of an exemplary embodiment of the present invention, there is provided a package according to claim 9.
The outer film may be formed of a high-density polyethylene (HDPE), and the inner film may be formed of a low-density polyethylene (LDPE).
The packaging material further comprises a subsidiary film layered outside the inner film. The subsidiary film is formed of a material having a coefficient of friction smaller than that of the inner film.
The inner film may be formed in the shape of foam to carry out a cushioning function.
The package may be beneficially used for an object that has a surface polished at a high level.
According to also another aspect of an exemplary embodiment of the present invention, there is provided a packaging method according to claim 10.
Other objects, advantages, and salient features of the invention will become apparent to those skilled in the art from the following detailed description, which, taken in conjunction with the annexed drawings, discloses exemplary embodiments of the invention.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

These and/or other aspects and advantages of the present invention will become apparent and more readily appreciated from the following description of the exemplary embodiments, taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings of which:

FIG. 1 is a perspective view illustrating a packaging material (i.e., a packaging bag) in accordance with an exemplary embodiment of the present invention;
FIG.2 is a cross section view taken along line II-II of FIG. 1;
FIG. 3 is a schematic cross section view illustrating a package in which the packaging bag in accordance with the exemplary embodiment of the present invention is applied; and
FIG. 4 is a magnified view of a portion A of FIG.1

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

Reference will now be made in detail to the exemplary embodiments of the present invention, examples of which are illustrated in the accompanying drawings, wherein like reference numerals refer to the like elements throughout. The exemplary embodiments are described below in order to explain the present invention by referring to the figures.
Referring to FIGS. 1 and 2, there is illustrated a packaging material 1 to package an object 3 in accordance with an exemplary embodiment of the present invention. The packaging material 1 may be a packaging bag 2 to receive the object therein. The present invention is not limited to the packaging bag 2, however.
The packaging bag 2 comprises two multi-layered sections 10 adjacent with each other. Each of the two multi-layered sections 10 includes an outer film 11, and an inner film 13 layered inside the outer film 11 to contact the object 3 to be packaged. The outer film 11 and the inner film 13 are layered, so that they are not attached with each other, but separated from each other. Accordingly, the outer film 11 is movable with respect to the inner film 13.
The outer film 11 and the inner film 13 are formed to have a coefficient of friction different from each other. To be more specific, the outer film 11 is formed of a material, e.g., a high-density polyethylene (HDPE), having a small coefficient of friction, and the inner film 13 is formed of a material, e.g., a low-density polyethylene (LDPE), having a large coefficient of friction. At this time, the inner film 13 can be formed in the shape of foam to carry out a cushioning function. In this case, the inner film 13 functions to protect the object 3 from an impact, as well as from moisture, dust, mold, etc.
The packaging bag 2 is configured, such that the two multi-layered sections 10 at three edges E1, E2 and E3 thereof are joined with each other and at one edge E4 thereof, separated from each other, thereby forming a pocket. The joining between the two multi-layered sections 10 at the three edges E1, E2 and E3 can be carried out by a hot seal process.
Here, although the multi-layered sections 10 are illustrated and explained as joined with each other at the three edges E1, E2 and E3 thereof, the present invention is not limited thereto. For instance, the packaging bag 2 can be configured, such that the multi-layered sections 10 are joined with each other at one or more of four edges E1, E2, E3 and E4 thereof.
The object 3 may be, but is not limited to, household appliances such as a LCD monitor, a LCD TV, an air conditioner, a handset, a refrigerator, a home theater, etc., household goods such as furniture, etc., or machinery and tools, which have a surface polished at a high level.
Referring to FIG. 3, there is illustrated a package 30 to which the packaging bag 2 is applied. The package 30 includes a package bag 2, a cushion member 31, and a packaging box 33. The package bag 2 constitutes the packaging material 1 and has the same structure as described with reference to FIGS. 1 and 2. The cushion member 31 is disposed to contact an outer surface of the outer film 11. The packaging box 33 receives the cushion member 31.
An operation of packaging the object 3 by using the packaging bag 2 is as follows.
First, the object 3 is inserted between the two multi-layered sections 10 of the packaging bag 2, so that it comes in contact with the inner film 13 of the packaging bag 2.
Then, the cushion member 31 is provided outside the outer film 11 to fix the outer surface of the outer film 11.
Thereafter, the cushion member 31 in which the object 3 inserted between the two multi-layered sections 10 is contained is inserted into and fixed in the packaging box 33. As a result, the operation of packaging the object 3 is completed.
If an external impact is applied to the package 30 packaged as above, the object 3 moves along with the inner film 13 because it contacts the inner film 13 having the large coefficient of friction. Also, the cushion member 31 moves along with the outer film 11 because it contacts the outer film 11 having the low coefficient of friction. As a result, a place, in which alargest movement is generated, is between the inner film 13 and the outer film 11. Accordingly, the object 3 is prevented from being scratched or damaged.
As illustrated in FIG. 4, the packaging bag 2 further includes a subsidiary film 14 layered outside the inner film 13, i.e., opposite to the outer film 11. The subsidiary film 14 is preferably formed of a material, e.g., a high-density polyethylene (HDPE), having a coefficient of friction, which is lower than that of the inner film 13 and which can most effectively move the outer film 11 with respect to the subsidiary film 14.
Accordingly, if the external impact is applied to the package 30, the outer film 11 is more effectively moved because it comes in contact with the subsidiary film 14 having the coefficient of friction, which is lower than that of the inner film 13.
The subsidiary film 14 also functions to prevent the inner film 13 formed of the low-density polyethylene (LDPE) from being easily torn.
As previously noted, although the packaging material 1 in accordance with the exemplary embodiment of the present invention has been described as the packaging bag 2 in the shape of the pocket, it is not limited thereto. For instance, the packaging material 1 in accordance with the exemplary embodiment of the present invention can be formed in such a manner that a single multi-layered section 10 having an inner film 13 and an outer film 11 wraps around the outer surface of the object 3. In this case, it is also important to bring the object 3 in contact with the inner film 13 having a large coefficient of friction and to dispose the outer film 11 having a small coefficient of friction most outside.
According to the exemplary embodiments of the present invention as described above, the packaging material, i.e., the packaging bag, is configured, such that if an external impact is applied to the package, the outer film having the small coefficient of friction moves along with the cushion member with being in contact therewith. Accordingly, a movement of the object, which comes in contact with the inner film having the large coefficient of friction, to the inner film is reduced, thereby preventing the object from being scratched or damaged.
Also, according to the exemplary embodiments of the present invention, the packaging material has a multi-layered structure having the outer film of high density and the inner film of low density. Accordingly, a foaming gas such as a pentane gas or butane gas, which is possible to remain in the cushion member, is blocked from being conveyed to the object. The foaming gas, which is used to form the cushion member in the shape of foam during the foaming, usually remains in the foamed cushion member for about a month.
Although a few exemplary embodiments of the present general invention have been shown and described, it will be appreciated by those skilled in the art that changes may be made in these exemplary embodiments without departing from the principles of the invention, the scope of which is defined in the appended claims.

Claims

A multi-layered packaging material (10) comprising:
an outer film (11); and

an inner film (13) to contact an object (3) to be packaged,

the inner and outer film being separated from each other except at one or more edges (E1, E2, E3) so that the outer film is movable with respect to the inner film, the outer film having a smaller coefficient of friction than the inner film,
characterized by a subsidiary film (14) layered between the inner film and the outer film, wherein the subsidiary film, (14) is formed of a material having a coefficient of friction smaller than that of the inner film.
The multi-layered packaging material (10) as claimed in claim 1, wherein the outer film (11) is formed of a high-density polyethylene (HDPE).
The multi-layered packaging material (10) as claimed in claim 1, wherein the inner film (13) is formed of a low-density polyethylene (LDPE).
The multi-layered packaging material (10) as claimed in claim 1, wherein the inner film (13) is formed in the shape of foam.
The multi-layered packaging material (10) as claimed in claim 1, wherein the subsidiary film (14) is formed of a high-density polyethylene (HDPE).
A packaging bag (2) comprising:
at least two multi-layered sections adjacent with each other, said section being formed of a material according to any of the previous claims.
The packaging bag as claimed in claim 7, wherein the at least two multi-layered sections are joined with each other at one or more edges (E1, E2, E3).
The packaging bag as claimed in claim 8, wherein the at least two multi-layered sections are joined with each other at three edges thereof , and separated from each other at one edge (E4) thereof, thereby forming a pocket.
A package (30) comprising:
a multi-layered packaging material according to any of the claims 1-5 to package an object (3), the inner film being disposed to contact the object (3) a cushion member (31) provided outside the outer film; and

a packaging box (33) to receive the cushion member,
wherein when the cushion member contacts the outer film and transmits an external impact thereto, the largest movement is generated between the inner film and the outer film.
A packaging method comprising:
packaging an object (3) with a multi-layered packaging material according to any of the claims 1-5, in such a manner that the inner film (13) is disposed to contact the object and the outer film (11) is disposed outside the inner film and movable with respect to the inner film;

providing a cushion member (31) outside the outer film; and

inserting the packaged object (3) together with the cushion member (31) into a packaging box (33).