TECHNICAL FIELD OF THE INVENTION
-
The present invention relates to the bicycle packaging industry and, in particular, concerns a kit for packing a bicycle to be shipped or transported.
-
Furthermore, the present invention also relates to a method for packing a bicycle to be shipped or transported using the aforementioned packaging kit.
STATE OF THE PRIOR ART
-
The steady growth of online bicycle purchasing has revolutionized the cycling industry. In recent years, the digital world has seen a significant increase in demand for bicycles purchased through e-commerce platforms, positively disrupting the industry. This trend has been driven by the convenience, vast product selection, and ease of price comparison that online shopping offers consumers.
-
The cycling industry has therefore quickly adapted to this new reality, offering intuitive websites and e-commerce platforms, as well as greater availability of quality products. Thanks to efficient shipping and convenient return policies, consumers have developed confidence in purchasing bicycles online, further increasing sales.
-
Alongside the growth in online purchases of new bicycles, the used market has also seen significant growth. Sales platforms specializing in new and used bicycles have been created, offering a wide range of models at affordable prices.
-
In this context, the exponential increase in online bicycle purchases has also had a significant impact on the bicycle packaging industry. Indeed, with the increased demand for bicycle shipping, companies in the sector, as well as sellers on various online sales platforms, have had to adopt new, more efficient and faster solutions to meet customer needs and ensure safety during shipping or transportation.
-
The logistical challenges posed by bicycles, with their bulky and complex shape, have required the development of new, specific packaging systems, always taking sustainability into account and, therefore, the use of recyclable materials.
-
In this regard, conventional bicycle packaging systems suffer greatly from problems of space, assembly, and versatility of use.
-
For example, consider a seller who has just sold a bicycle on an online platform and needs to package and ship it: sourcing the necessary packaging components is often complicated and difficult to assemble, which significantly extends the time it takes to ship the bicycle to the customer.
-
Furthermore, a further problem concerns the final dimensions of the bicycle packaging: shipping companies, in fact, calculate shipping costs by taking the dimensions of the packaging into account, and therefore, for the same weight, larger packaging equates to higher shipping costs.
-
Documents
US2018093819A1 and
KR20230072662A describe respective solutions according to the state of the prior art.
-
It is therefore necessary and advantageous to design and develop a kit and a corresponding method for packing a bicycle to be shipped or transported that overcomes the disadvantages of the prior art listed above.
OBJECTS OF THE INVENTION
-
The technical task of the present invention is therefore to improve the state of the art in the bicycle packaging sector.
-
A first object of the present invention is to provide a kit and a corresponding method that simplify and speed up the packaging of a bicycle.
-
Another object of the present invention is to develop a kit and a corresponding method that reduce the overall dimensions of bicycle packaging and, consequently, the related shipping or transportation costs.
-
A further object of the present invention is to provide a kit and a corresponding method that allow for high modularity and versatility to adapt to the packaging of different types of bicycles.
-
A further object of the present invention is to provide a kit and a corresponding method that allow for intuitive packaging and that can be used directly even by an inexperienced salesperson.
-
This task and these objects are achieved by a packaging kit according to claim 1.
-
This task and these objects are also achieved by a method for packing a bicycle to be shipped or transported according to claim 14.
-
The dependent claims refer to preferred and advantageous embodiments of the invention.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
-
Other features and advantages of the invention will be more clearly illustrated by the description of an embodiment of a kit for packing a bicycle for shipping or transport, illustrated by way of example in the accompanying drawings, in which:
- figures 1 to 21 illustrate an example of packaging a bicycle with a kit according to a non-limiting embodiment of the present invention;
- figure 22 is a plan view of an American box or regular-slot container in an unassembled version of the kit according to the non-limiting embodiment of the present invention illustrated in Figures 1 to 21;
- figure 23 is a plan view of a constraint insert in an open configuration of the kit according to the non-limiting embodiment of the present invention illustrated in figures 1 to 21.
-
In the accompanying drawings, identical parts or components are designated by the same reference numbers.
EMBODIMENTS OF THE INVENTION
-
With reference to the attached figures, reference number 1 indicates as a whole a kit for packing a bicycle to be shipped or transported according to a non-limiting embodiment of the present invention.
-
The packaging kit 1 according to the present invention can be used to package any type of bicycle to be shipped or transported, such as a road bicycle, racing bicycle, mountain bike, city bike, touring bicycle, electric bicycle, or similar. It should be noted that the packaging kit 1 may be supplied in different sizes depending on the type of bicycle to be packaged.
-
In particular, the packing kit 1 can be purchased and used by a user who wishes to transport or ship a bicycle or, in the case of online sales, for example on a dedicated sales platform, it could be sent by the operators of the sales platform directly to the seller of the bicycle so that the latter can use it to proceed with the packaging of the bicycle in preparation for subsequent shipment to the buyer.
-
The packaging kit 1 according to the present invention comprises a plurality of packaging components 2, each defining a respective closed or pre-packaging configuration CC, at least one open configuration OC, and at least one packaging configuration PC when used to package a bicycle.
-
Preferably, in the closed or pre-packaging configuration CC, the packaging components 2 of the plurality are combined to form a package P. In particular, the package P itself may be formed or constituted by the plurality of packaging components 2 combined in their respective closed or pre-packaging configuration CC, as shown for example in figures 1 and 2. If desired, the package P formed by the plurality of packaging components 2 may be kept compact by suitable blocking means BM, for example one or more straps or bands, one or more elastic bands, glue, adhesive tape, and/or the like.
-
In this regard, the packaging kit 1 is preferably shipped to the user or seller who is to use it for the packaging of a bicycle to be shipped or transported in the form of a package P and not with each separate packaging component 2.
-
According to the non-limiting embodiment of the present invention illustrated in figure 1, the package P formed by the plurality of packaging components 2 in their closed or pre-packaging configuration CC has a substantially rectangular or square plan configuration.
-
Advantageously, all or some of the packaging components 2 of the plurality are made of cardboard or pressed paper.
-
The plurality of packaging components 2 comprises a first box 3 which includes two main side walls 3a, 3b, two connecting walls 3c, 3d for the two main side walls 3a, 3b and at least two foldable flaps UF, LF including at least two upper foldable flaps UF, each departing from a respective upper, in use, end of one or each of the main side walls 3a, 3b and/or from one or each of the connecting walls 3c, 3d or at least two lower foldable flaps LS each departing from a respective lower, in use, end of one or each of the main side walls 3a, 3b and/or from one or each of the connecting walls 3c, 3d.
-
Optionally, the main side walls 3a, 3b and the connecting walls 3c, 3d are made as a single body. Obviously, during construction, the side walls 3a, 3b and the connecting walls 3c, 3d could be made of a single strip (see, for example, figure 22) which is then folded to define them and finally connected at its ends to define a closed perimeter.
-
Optionally, the at least two folding flaps UF, LF are made as a single body with the respective walls 3a, 3b, 3c, 3d from which they depart.
-
In essence, the main side walls 3a, 3b, and the connecting walls 3c optionally define a closed-perimeter containment frame for the first box 3.
-
According to the present invention, the at least two foldable flaps UF, LF are movable or displaceable between:
- a) an open operating arrangement in which they are not associated with each other, and
- b) a closed operating arrangement in which the at least two foldable flaps UF, LF are associated with each other so as to delimit a bottom wall 3e of the first box 3 and define its at least one packaging configuration PC. In this packaging configuration PC, the first box 3 delimits a positioning seat PS for a bicycle.
-
Such positioning seat PS is open upwards before the bicycle is packed.
-
Clearly, after having brought the at least two foldable flaps UF, LF from the open operating arrangement to the closed operating arrangement, it is possible to fix using suitable adhesive fastening means FM, such as adhesive tape, glue or similar, such at least two flaps UF, LF in the closed operating arrangement to delimit the bottom wall 3e of the first box 3, as shown for example in figure 14. These adhesive fastening means FM are advantageously included in the packaging kit 1, so that the user or seller does not have to procure them separately. If desired, the fastening means FM may be positioned in a specific housing space of the package P, for example in a housing space obtained in a packaging component 2 that forms the package P, as shown for example in figure 1.
-
For the passage from the open to the closed operating arrangement, the at least two foldable flaps UF, LF can be folded inward of the first box 3 so as to form an angle of approximately 90° with the respective main side wall 3a, 3b or connecting wall 3c, 3d from which they depart.
-
Preferably, the main side walls 3a, 3b have a longitudinal main extension dimension, to better adapt to the typical elongated configuration of a bicycle.
-
In other words, in its packaging configuration PC, the first box 3 preferably has a rectangular plan configuration.
-
By way of non-limiting example, the first box 3 may have a length or main dimension between about 900 mm and about 1900 mm, for example 1180 mm for the packaging of a road bicycle or 1480 mm for the packaging of a mountain bike, a width between about 250 mm and about 350 mm, for example 290 mm for the packaging of a road bicycle or 300 mm for the packaging of a mountain bike, and a height between about 600 mm and about 1000 mm, for example 780 mm for the packaging of a road bicycle or 850 mm for the packaging of a mountain bike.
-
If desired, the folding flaps UF, LF of the first box may be two folding flaps UF, LF, including two upper folding flaps UF, each of which departs from a respective upper, in use, end of one or each of the main side walls 3a, 3b and/or from one or each of the connecting walls 3c, 3d or at least two lower folding flaps LS each of which departs from a respective lower, in use, end of one or each of the main side walls 3a, 3b and/or from one or each of the connecting walls 3c, 3d.
-
In this case, the first box 3 would be an overlapped-flap box, identifiable and translatable into English as "overlap slotted container". With reference to this example, the two upper UF and/or lower folding flaps LF have a size that essentially allows for complete overlap between them when brought into the closed operating arrangement. This allows for the definition of a robust bottom wall 3e.
-
Preferably, the folding flaps UF, LF of the first box are four folding flaps UF, LF, including four upper folding flaps UF, each departing from a respective upper, in use, end of each of the main and connecting side walls 3a, 3b, 3c, 3d, or four lower folding flaps LF, each departing from a respective lower, in use, end of each of the main and connecting side walls 3a, 3b, 3c, 3d.
-
In this case, the first box 3 would be a semi-American box, identifiable and translatable into English as a "half-slotted container".
-
Even more preferably, the foldable flaps UF, LF of the first box are eight foldable flaps UF, LF, including four upper foldable flaps UF, each departing from a respective upper, in use, end of each of the main side walls and connecting walls 3a, 3b, 3c, 3d and four lower foldable flaps LF each departing from a respective lower, in use, end of each of the main side walls and connecting walls 3a, 3b, 3c, 3d.
-
In this case, the first box 3 would be an American box, identifiable and translatable into English as a "regular slotted container". Figure 22 shows a non-limiting embodiment of the first box 3 in the form of an American box or regular slotted container in a version not yet assembled, in particular before the main side walls 3a, 3b are permanently connected to each other.
-
Clearly, mixed examples of construction of the first box 3 could also be envisaged, for example a configuration with overlapping flaps to delimit both the bottom wall 3e and a top wall 3f of the same or a configuration with overlapping flaps to delimit the bottom wall 3e and a semi-American configuration to delimit a top wall 3f of the same or vice versa, and so on.
-
Preferably, the foldable flaps UF, LF which depart from the respective lower or upper ends of opposite walls 3a, 3b, 3c, 3d have the same dimensions between each other and a length or longitudinal development which is slightly shorter, for example between 95% and 99.9%, than the length or longitudinal development of the wall 3a, 3b, 3c, 3d from which they depart.
-
Even more preferably, in the case in which the first box 3 is a semi-American or American box, the folding flaps UF, LF which depart from the respective lower or upper ends of the opposite main side walls 3a, 3b have dimensions such that in the closed operating arrangement of the same, their terminal portions meet at the longitudinal centreline of the bottom wall 3e which is delimited by them in the closed operating arrangement.
-
In particular, according to this example, to delimit the bottom wall 3e of the first box 3, first the foldable flaps UF, LF which depart from the respective lower or upper ends of the connecting walls 3c, 3d and subsequently the foldable flaps UF, LF which depart from the respective lower or upper ends of the main side walls 3a, 3b can be folded.
-
According to the present invention, the packaging kit 1 also comprises at least one constraint insert 4 configured to be positioned in the positioning seat PS to define at least one of its packaging configurations PC and to which the frame FR and possibly also the wheels W of a bicycle can be constrained. Figure 23 shows a non-limiting embodiment of the at least one constraint insert 4 in its open configuration OC.
-
Preferably, the first box 3 defines at least two fold lines FL while the at least one constraint insert 4 defines at least one fold line FL which allows the folding of the same for the passage from their respective closed or pre-packaging configuration CC to their respective open configuration OC and vice versa.
-
Optionally, the at least two fold lines FL of the first box 3 may each be obtained transversely or orthogonally with respect to the main or longitudinal development direction of a respective main side wall 3a, 3b and in mirror-like positions so as to allow the folding and superposition of multiple portions of the first box 3 on top of each other.
-
According to the non-limiting embodiment of the present invention illustrated in the figures, the at least two fold lines FL of the first box 3 are each obtained orthogonally with respect to the main or longitudinal development direction of the main side walls 3a, 3b and along the centerline that divides the longer sides of such main side walls 3a, 3b into two equal parts.
-
With reference to the at least one fold line FL of the at least one constraint insert 4, it may be obtained transversely or orthogonally with respect to the main or longitudinal development direction thereof so as to allow the folding and superposition of multiple portions of the at least one constraint insert 4 on top of each other.
-
According to the non-limiting embodiment of the present invention illustrated in the figures, the fold line FL of the at least one constraint insert 4 is obtained orthogonally with respect to the main or longitudinal development direction thereof and along the centerline that divides the longer sides of such constraint insert 4 into two equal parts.
-
In this regard, once the user or seller has purchased or received the packaging kit 1, he or she may proceed with the removal of the blocking means BM and the removal of the packaging components 2 for their passage from the closed or pre-packaging configuration CC to the open configuration OC by unfolding each one along their respective fold lines FL.
-
Advantageously, in the closed or pre-packaging configuration CC, the first box 3 and the at least one constraint insert 4 have a surface size or dimension or dimension in an horizontal or plan projection plane that is smaller than their respective surface size or dimension or dimension in an horizontal or plan projection plane in the open configuration OC. As can be understood, this allows for a reduction in shipping costs for the packaging kit 1 when the latter is shipped, for example, to a user or seller who needs to package a bicycle to be shipped or transported.
-
Preferably, the at least one constraint insert 4 is or comprises a panel 4 on which a plurality of through-openings and/or notches TO, N are delimited, configured to allow the constraint, by means of clamping means CM, whether or not included in the packaging kit 1, of a frame FR and possibly the wheels W of a bicycle on panel 4.
-
According to the non-limiting embodiment of the present invention illustrated in the figures, the plurality of through-openings and/or notches TO, N are homogeneously distributed on panel 4.
-
Also according to this example, a plurality of through-openings TO and a plurality of notches N are delimited on panel 4.
-
In particular, the plurality of notches N, if present, is preferably made as a recess or indentation and is advantageously distributed, if desired homogeneously, along the perimeter of the panel 4.
-
If desired, the plurality of through-openings TO, if present, may have a circular shape and, optionally, between such plurality of through-openings TO, through-openings TO of different sizes may be provided.
-
Preferably, panel 4 defines a first face or surface S1 and a second face or surface S2 opposite the first face or surface S1. In particular, the frame FR of a bicycle may be fixed to the first face or surface S1, while the wheels W of a bicycle can be fixed to the second face or surface S2, or the latter can simply be positioned in the housing seat PS and optionally rested on the second face or surface S2 of panel 4.
-
Optionally, the clamping means CM are included in the packaging kit 1 so that the user or seller does not have to procure them separately, and comprise one or more clamping straps, each configured to be inserted between at least one through-opening and/or notch TO, N to clamp a part of the frame FR or of the wheel of a bicycle to panel 4.
-
More specifically, it is possible to pass a clamping strap between a through-hole TO and, if applicable, a notch N to clamp a respective part of the FR frame or a bicycle wheel to panel 4.
-
With reference to the clamping straps, for example, they may be or include cable ties or hook-and-loop straps, for example in Velcro, optionally equipped with at least one slot.
-
Advantageously, when the at least one constraint insert 4 is in its packaging configuration PC, i.e., when it is inserted into the positioning seat PS, it has a main lying plane that is substantially parallel to the main lying plane of the two main side walls 3a, 3b.
-
Preferably, the frame FR and, possibly, the wheels W of the bicycle are first constrained to panel 4 and then the assembly of the frame FR, possibly, the wheels W and panel 4 is manually positioned in the positioning seat PS. As can be understood, in this case, the frame FR and, possibly, the wheels W are positioned in the positioning seat PS vertically or with the main lying plane vertical to the ground. Optionally, the wheels W could also be simply positioned in the positioning seat PS, for example at a face or surface S1, S2 of panel 4 opposite to where the frame FR was constrained, clearly after panel 4 has been inserted into the positioning seat PS and without these wheels W being constrained to panel 4 itself.
-
It should be considered that, taking as a reference a bicycle lying on the ground, the main plane of the latter is to be considered as the plane parallel to the ground along which the main frame FR of the same extends. Therefore, considering the frame FR and/or the wheels W of a bicycle constrained to the panel 4 positioned in the positioning seat PS, its and/or their main plane will be parallel to the main lying plane of the main side walls 3a, 3b.
-
According to the non-limiting embodiment of the present invention, when the at least one constraint insert 4 is in its packaging configuration PC, it is positioned in the positioning seat PS, interlocking between the connecting walls 3c, 3d.
-
Preferably, when the at least one constraint insert 4 is in its PC packaging configuration, it is positioned substantially along the longitudinal centerline of the bottom wall 3e.
-
If desired, the packaging kit 1 may also include one or more stabilizing components (not shown in the figures) configured to stabilize or secure the at least one constraint insert 4 when it is in its packaging configuration PC, for example, at its ends adjacent to the connecting walls 3c, 3d of the first box 3.
-
Optionally, the packaging kit 1 may also include an accessory-holding component 6 designed to contain one or more bicycle accessories, such as pedals, a charger (in the case of an electric bicycle), and/or similar items.
-
According to the non-limiting embodiment of the present invention illustrated in figure 21, the accessory-holding component 6 is or comprises a second box with a configuration similar to the first box 3, for example an overlapping flaps or semi-American or American box, but of smaller dimensions.
-
Preferably, the plurality of packaging components 2 comprises at least one protection and/or reinforcement component 5 delimiting at least one fold line 5a that allows it to be folded for the passage from the closed or pre-packaging configuration CC to the open configuration OC and vice versa.
-
Specifically, the at least one protection and/or reinforcement component 5 is designed to be inserted into the positioning seat PS to define its packaging configuration PC and so as to be:
- superimposed on and in contact with a respective main side wall 3a, 3b of the first box 3 to protect and/or reinforce the structure of the latter, or
- interposed between the at least one constraint insert 4 and the wheels W of a bicycle to prevent contact between the frame FR and the wheels W of the bicycle.
-
Naturally, this last option requires that the wheels W are not constrained by the at least one constraint insert 4.
-
Preferably, the at least one protection and/or reinforcement component 5 is a panel 5, preferably of substantially equal size and shape to the dimensions and shape of the main side walls 3a, 3b.
-
According to the non-limiting embodiment of the present invention illustrated in the figures, the packaging kit 1 includes two protection and/or reinforcement components 5.
-
Advantageously, these protection and/or reinforcement components 5 are of equal dimensions.
-
Thus, for example, in the case of two protection and/or reinforcement components 5, each could be superimposed on and in contact with a respective main side wall 3a, 3b of the first box 3 to protect and/or reinforce the structure of the latter, or one could be superimposed on and in contact with a respective main side wall 3a, 3b of the first box 3 to protect and/or reinforce the structure of the latter and the other could be interposed between the at least one constraint insert 4 and the wheels W of a bicycle to prevent contact between the frame FR and the wheels W of the same. In this case the wheels W would not be connected to the at least one constraint insert 4.
-
Optionally, the at least one fold line 5a can be obtained transversely or orthogonally with respect to the main or longitudinal development direction of the protection and/or reinforcement component 5 so as to allow the folding and overlapping of multiple portions thereof.
-
According to the non-limiting embodiment of the present invention illustrated in the figures, the fold line 5a of the protection and/or reinforcement component 5 is obtained orthogonally with respect to the main or longitudinal development direction thereof and along the centerline that divides the longer sides of such protection and/or reinforcement component 5 into two equal parts.
-
Subject-matter of the present invention is also a method for packing a bicycle to be shipped or transported using a kit according to the present invention or according to non-limiting embodiments of the present invention.
-
Such method initially comprises the step of picking and bringing the first box 3 from its closed or pre-packaged configuration CC to its open configuration OC, for example, by unfolding it along its at least two fold lines FL. This step is visible, for example, in figures 9 and 10.
-
If desired, if the packaging kit 1 is supplied as a package P, the step of opening the package P by removing the constraint of the blocking means BM can be provided before the step of picking and bringing the first box 3 from its closed or pre-packaged configuration CC to its open configuration OC. This step is visible, for example, in figure 3.
-
The method then comprises the step of moving the at least two upper folding flaps UF or the at least two lower folding flaps LS of the first box 3 from their open operating arrangement to their closed operating arrangement so as to delimit a bottom wall 3e of the first box 3 and a positioning seat PS for a bicycle. This step is visible, for example, in figures 11, 12 and 13.
-
In the case in which the first box 3 comprises at least four upper UF or lower folding flaps LF, the bottom wall 3e of the first box 3 can advantageously be defined by first bringing the upper UF or lower folding flaps LF that depart from the upper or lower ends of the two connecting walls 3c, 3d from their respective open operating arrangement to their closed operating arrangement, i.e., by folding them towards the inside of the first box 3 so as to form, for example, an angle of 90° with the respective connecting walls 3a, 3b or with the main plane of the latter, and then bringing the upper UF or lower folding flaps LF that depart from the upper or lower ends of the two main side walls 3a, 3b from their respective open operating arrangement to their closed operating arrangement, i.e., by folding them towards the inside of the first box 3 so as to form, for example, an angle of 90° with the respective main side walls 3a, 3b or with the main plane of the latter.
-
The method then includes the step of securing the at least two flaps UF or LF in the closed operating arrangement using adhesive fastening means FM, for example, using adhesive tape, glue, or similar.
-
The step of picking up and bringing the at least one constraint insert 4 from its closed or pre-packaged configuration CC to its open configuration OC is then included. This step can be performed at any time, for example, even before the step of picking up and bringing the first box 3 from its closed or pre-packaged configuration CC to its open configuration OC.
-
The method according to the present invention then provides for a step of constraining at least the frame FR and possibly the wheels W of a bicycle to the at least one constraint insert 4 and before or after this constraint step, the method comprises the step of positioning the at least one constraint insert 4 in the positioning seat PS or if the wheels W of a bicycle have not been constrained to the at least one constraint insert 4 in the constraint step, then positioning the wheels W of a bicycle in the positioning seat PS after having positioned the at least one constraint insert 4 in the latter.
-
In other words, the wheels W could also be simply positioned in the positioning seat PS following the insertion of the at least one constraint insert 4 into it and without such wheels W being then constrained to the at least one constraint insert 4.
-
In essence, it is possible to first constrain the frame FR and possibly the wheels W of a bicycle to the at least one constraint insert 4 or, more specifically, to the panel 4 and then position the at least one constraint insert 4 with the frame FR and possibly the wheels W constrained to it in the positioning seat PS or first position the at least one constraint insert 4 in the positioning seat PS and then constrain the frame FR and possibly the wheels W of a bicycle to it. Alternatively, only the frame FR is constrained to the at least one constraint insert 4 which is then inserted into the positioning seat PS together with the frame FR and subsequently the wheels W are positioned in such positioning seat PS without fixing them to the at least one constraint insert 4.
-
Clearly, from a practical point of view, the first option is preferable since the constraint of the frame FR and possibly of the wheels W is simpler and quicker if at least one constraint insert 4 has not yet been positioned in the positioning seat PS. The last option relating to the constraint of the frame FR only to the at least one constraint insert 4 and the subsequent positioning of the wheels W in the positioning seat PS released from at least one constraint insert 4 is also quite convenient and quick.
-
The method then comprises the step of moving the other at least two flaps LF or UF of the first box 3 from their open operating arrangement to their closed operating arrangement so as to delimit a top wall 3f of the first box 3 or close the positioning seat PS by means of a closing element and finally fixing by means of adhesive fastening means FM, for example adhesive tape, glue or similar, the other at least two flaps UF, LF in their closed operating arrangement or the closing element.
-
In this regard, the closing element (not shown in the figures) could be a covering element or lid configured to be positioned so as to close the positioning seat PS and fixed using the adhesive fastening means FM. This closing element could be used in the case in which the first box 3 does not include upper flaps UF suitable for defining a top wall 3f for the same, for example in the case in which the first box 3 is a semi-American or an overlapping flaps box for the delimitation of only one bottom wall 3e of the same.
-
Preferably, before the step of moving the other at least two flaps LF or UF of the first box 3 from their open operating arrangement to their closed operating arrangement so as to delimit a top wall 3f of the first box 3 or close the positioning seat PS by means of a closing element, the step of positioning one or more protection and/or reinforcement components 5 in the positioning seat PS may be provided, each protection and/or reinforcement component 5 being positioned so as to be:
- superimposed on and in contact with a respective main side wall 3a, 3b of the first box 3 to protect and/or reinforce the structure of the latter, or
- interposed between the at least one constraint insert 4 and the wheels W of a bicycle to prevent contact between the frame FR and the wheels W of the bicycle.
-
Advantageously, before the step of moving the other at least two flaps LF or UF of the first box 3 from their open operating arrangement to their closed operating arrangement so as to delimit a top wall 3f of the first box 3 or close the positioning seat PS by means of a closing element, it is possible to provide the step of placing any bicycle accessories, for example the pedals, the charger (in the case of an electric bicycle) and/or similar, in an accessory-holding component 6 and positioning the latter in the positioning seat PS.
-
The packaging kit 1 and its packaging method simplify and speed up the packaging of a bicycle.
-
Furthermore, the packaging kit 1 and its packaging method significantly reduce the space required for packing a bicycle and, consequently, the related shipping or transportation costs.
-
The packaging kit 1 and its packaging method allow for high modularity and versatility to adapt to the packaging of different types of bicycles.
-
Furthermore, the packaging kit 1 and its packaging method allow for intuitive packaging and can therefore be used directly even by an inexperienced salesperson.
-
It has thus been seen that the invention fully achieves its intended objects.
-
Modifications and variations of the invention are possible within the scope of protection defined by the claims.