FR3122889A3 - Packed Roof Window, Ventilation Shutter Retainer, and Use of Ventilation Shutter Retainer - Google Patents

Abstract

A packaged roof window, said roof window including a ventilation passage and a ventilation louver, said ventilation passage extending from an interior side of the roof window to an exterior side of the roof window, said ventilation being arranged on the interior side of the roof window and being movable between a first position where the ventilation passage is open and a second position where it covers the ventilation passage. Said roof window is contained in a cardboard box, and cushioning material blocks are placed inside the cardboard box to protect the roof window. A vent flap retainer made of a paper-based material is disposed on or at the vent flap to prevent accidental movement thereof. Also disclosed is a vent damper retainer, and use of the vent damper retainer. (Figure 3)

Description

Packed Roof Window, Ventilation Shutter Retainer, and Use of Ventilation Shutter Retainer

The present invention relates to a packaged roof window comprising a ventilation passage and a ventilation flap, said ventilation passage extending from an interior side of the roof window towards an exterior side of the roof window, said ventilation flap being disposed on the inner side of the roof window and being movable between a first position where the ventilation passage is open and a second position where it covers the ventilation passage, wherein said roof window is contained in a cardboard box , and in which blocks of damping materials are arranged inside the cardboard box to protect the roof window.

Related art

When fitting roof windows to a roof, it is vital to ensure that both the roof window itself and the joint between the roof window and the roof structure are properly weatherproofed. severe weather. This is ensured by the use of caps and flashing, which cover the roof window and the seal respectively. Covering elements and flashing elements are usually made from sheet metal, which combines the advantages of low weight and high resistance to weathering, but which is susceptible to damage caused by deformation and scratching. Flashing elements are typically supplied in a separate package, but at least some of the capping elements are typically pre-attached to the skylight. In order to protect these and other sensitive components, such as the glass of the roof window, blocks made of expanded polystyrene or made with a similar damping material are placed inside the cardboard box. These blocks can prevent warping of the cardboard box, thereby preventing excessive loads from affecting the skylight, and/or hold the skylight components in their intended positions inside the box. An example of a packaged roof window, in which these principles are used, is known from EP2748071B1.

Although this packaging has worked very well, there is an ever-increasing demand for distribution products that are more environmentally friendly.

With this context, an object of the invention is to provide a packaged roof window, which has a lower carbon footprint, while maintaining good protection of the roof window during transport.

This and other objects are achieved with a packaged roof window of the type mentioned in the introduction, which is further characterized in that a ventilation flap retainer made of a paper-based material is provided on or at the ventilation flap to prevent accidental movement of the flap.

Ventilation flap retainers have previously been made from expanded polystyrene (EPS), which is inexpensive, lightweight, and soft enough not to cause abrasive damage to other roof window components during installation. handling and transport in packaged condition. However, the use of EPS requires that the packaging material must be separated into different fractions for recycling. On the other hand, the paper-based ventilation flap retainer belongs to the same fraction as the cardboard box, which greatly increases the likelihood that the packaging material will be recycled instead of just thrown away as a combustible waste, and reduces the risk that the recycled material will be polluted by other materials.

Some paper-based materials may have inferior abrasion properties to EPS, but this can be compensated for by placing a paper-based pallet sheet between the flap retainer vents and potentially sensitive roof window components, such as the glass or painted surface of the frame. Also, smudging should be avoided, either by testing the material chosen for the vent damper retainer or by using a slip sheet.

Another potential benefit to using a vent retainer made from a paper-based material is that it can be biologically degradable. Lightweight packaging items, such as plastic wraps, films and EPS, are easily caught by the wind when installing a roof window type product on a building roof, and can easily end in the wild or in other places where they cannot be picked up by the installer. While the intention is of course not to ditch the packaging material, a paper-based vent retainer does very little harm given that it is essentially biodegradable.

A ventilation flap typically forms part of a roof window further comprising a sash carrying a pane, a frame, a set of hinges allowing the sash to pivot or rotate relative to the frame, and a locking assembly for locking the frame relative to the frame, wherein the locking assembly is operable by movement of the ventilation flap whereby, in the first and second positions, the frame is locked relative to the frame, and in a third position of the ventilation flap, the chassis is movable relative to the frame. Such a window will typically be centrally hung, and the ventilation flap will be located at an upper sash member intended to be at the top of the window when fitted.

The ventilation flap can be connected to a frame or frame of the roof window by means of one or more hinges.

The ventilation flap may be an elongated element extending along an element of the frame or frame, parallel thereto, and may extend over substantially the entire width or length of the roof window, said width and length extending substantially parallel to the roof window pane.

A handle can be placed on the ventilation flap for easy operation. If the ventilation flap is an elongated element, the handle may be in the form of a rail or a bar extending parallel to it and having practically the same length as the ventilation flap.

In one embodiment, a vent louver retainer is disposed between the vent louver and a sash or frame of the skylight. Skylights are often supplied with the ventilation flap in a disengaged state where it has been moved away from the sash and/or roof window frame towards the glass so that it takes up less space, allowing thus the use of a smaller cardboard box. A ventilation flap retainer disposed between the ventilation flap and a sash or frame of the roof window retains the ventilation flap in this position, preventing it from moving towards the sash or frame during handling and transport of the packed roof window.

In one embodiment, a ventilation flap retainer is disposed between the ventilation flap and a pane of the roof window. Such a ventilation flap retainer prevents the ventilation flap arranged in a disengaged state from moving further towards the glass than intended, thus preventing it from, for example, hammering the glass and potentially causing damage during the handling and transport of the packed roof window.

A vent flap retainer can extend from the window pane to the cardboard box.

In one embodiment, the vent damper retainer is disposed between the vent damper and the cardboard box. This will also help to keep the ventilation flap in the intended position during handling and transport of the packed roof window.

In one embodiment, the roof window includes a handle on the vent louver and the vent louver retainer is attached to the handle. This arrangement of the ventilation flap retaining device is particularly advantageous in embodiments where the ventilation flap retaining device is intended to be arranged between the ventilation flap and the window and/or between the ventilation flap and the cardboard box.

The ventilation flap retaining device can for example be made of a material chosen from the group consisting of: molded paper pulp, folded cardboard, folded corrugated cardboard, multilayer corrugated cardboard, cardboard profile and a material honeycomb material, said honeycomb material preferably having a cell size of 22 mm and being made from a paper having a basis weight of 140 g/m ² and having a height of 20 to 40 mm.

Molded pulp, folded cardboard or folded corrugated cardboard is considered advantageous when the strength requirement for the vent retainer is limited.

Molded paper pulp can take almost any desired shape, but it has limited strength. It is therefore advantageous for applications in which the ventilation flap retainer must have a complex three-dimensional shape, but articles made from molded paper pulp are generally characterized by large dimensional tolerances. Folded cardboard and folded corrugated cardboard on the other hand can take less complex shapes, but can have higher strength and lower tolerances. Further, corrugated cardboard and folded corrugated cardboard can easily be reformed by folding, unfolding and possibly folding into another configuration.

In one embodiment, the vent retainer is a collapsible box made from folded cardboard or folded corrugated cardboard and containing components for use in installing or operating the roof window . Examples of such components are sensitive components, such as electronic components, for example wires, photovoltaic elements, sensors, batteries or remote controls; components that are likely to damage other components, such as mounting brackets for connecting a roof window to a roof structure and screws, nails, clips, or similar fasteners; and components which are advantageously maintained in a folded and/or compressed state, such as wires, cables, sealing strips, insulating components, roofing collars and vapor barriers.

It is currently considered particularly advantageous to arrange the components which are to be used on the interior side of the roof window in a collapsible box used as a ventilation flap retainer, examples of such components being a remote control for operating the window once installed, and a vapor barrier which is used to seal the joint between the roof window and the roof structure, wall or waterproofing on the interior side of the building.

It is also, or alternatively, possible to attach articles to a ventilation flap retainer, for example by means of glue, adhesive, paper tape or paper tape. Small items such as fasteners can be placed in a paper bag that is attached to the vent damper retainer. The screws can even be attached to a vent damper retainer by simply screwing into it.

Attachment of the vent damper retainer may be accomplished by providing it with a physical structure to engage with the handle, such as one or more hook-like projections. These can for example be formed by cutting and/or bending the material of the ventilation flap retainer.

Damping material may be provided on the vent damper retainer. Such damping material is preferably also made from a paper-based material.

In one embodiment, the vent damper retainer is configured to serve a secondary purpose after being removed from the vent damper or handle. An example of such a secondary purpose is that the vent louver retainer is configured to attach to a corner of a roof window frame, after being removed from the vent louver. The frame of a roof window is often removed before the window frame is fitted in an opening in a roof structure, and the frame must then be placed, for example on a floor. In doing so, the corners of the frame in particular may be scratched or soiled. Since substantially the entire frame can be visible in the use condition of the roof window, the possibility of protecting it without increasing material consumption is clearly advantageous. The ventilation flap retainer is preferably attached to a corner of the frame before the frame is detached from the window sash.

The fastening of the ventilation flap to the corner of the frame can for example be obtained by inserting the corner of the frame or a projection on the latter, into a recess in the ventilation flap retaining device or vice versa.

When the vent damper retainer is made from folded cardboard or folded corrugated cardboard, it can be foldable into two different configurations, one suitable for retaining the vent damper and one suitable for frame corner protection. To this end, the ventilation flap retainer may have corresponding flaps and recesses, allowing it to be retained in one or more folded states, by folding the flaps into the recesses.

When the vent retainer is made from molded paper pulp, it may be reshaped by being compressible or having one or more areas of weakness allowing a section of the vent retainer to be broken. ventilation flap.

Information regarding the intended use of the vent damper retainer, regarding the installation of the window, or regarding items contained in or attached to the vent damper retainer, may be printed on the retainer ventilation flap. Alternatively, a tag with this information can be attached to the vent damper retainer.

It should be understood that although paper and board are usually made from wood fibers, other plant fibers including fibers from straw, bamboo, bagasse, esparto, other grasses, hemp, linen and cotton can also be used, including combinations of different fiber types. In Europe, up to 5% of alternative materials can be accepted, such as the glue or adhesive used for example in the formation of a corrugated cardboard or a honeycomb structure, but a maximum is recommended by 3%.

In the following description, embodiments of the invention will be described with reference to the schematic drawings, in which:

The is a perspective view of a roof window with blocks of damper packing material arranged around it and with ventilation flap retainers attached to a handle,

The corresponds to a cross section along the line A–A on the , but showing a different embodiment arranged in a cardboard box,

The is a perspective view of another embodiment corresponding to the detail indicated by B on the ,

The is a top view of a ventilation flap retainer made of cardboard in the unfolded state,

The is a perspective view drawing of the ventilation flap retainer of the in the folded state,

Figures 6a, 6b and 6b are a sequence of perspective views showing the simultaneous folding and attachment of the ventilation flap retainer of Figures 4 and 5 to the roof window handle of the ,

The is a top view of the ventilation flap retainer of Figures 4 to 6 in a different folded condition,

The is a perspective view of the folded ventilation flap retainer of the attached to a corner of a window frame,

The is a perspective view of another embodiment of a vent damper retainer made of folded corrugated cardboard,

The is a perspective view of another embodiment of a ventilation flap retainer made of a honeycomb material,

The is a front view of another ventilation flap retainer in the unfolded state,

The is a perspective view of the ventilation flap retainer of the in the folded state,

Figures 13a and 13b are perspective views showing the attachment of the vent flap retainer of Figures 11 and 12,

The is a perspective view showing the ventilation flap retainer of Figures 11 and 12 in the attached condition,

The is a front view of another ventilation flap retainer in the unfolded state,

The is a perspective view of the ventilation flap retainer of the in the attached state,

The is a perspective view of the ventilation flap retainer of the attached to another roof window;

Figures 18a, 18b, 18c and 18d show various stages of assembly and attachment of a collapsible box serving as a ventilation flap retainer, and

The is a perspective view of another collapsible box suitable for use as a ventilation flap retainer attached to a handle of a roof window.

Description of embodiments

With reference first to the , there is shown a roof window with central suspension 1 comprising a frame 11 and a frame 12 carrying a pane 13. The roof window can be opened and closed and placed in the intermediate ventilation position by the actuation of a bar of handle 14 connected to ventilation flap 15, which is in turn connected to a locking assembly (not visible on the ) configured to lock the sash to the frame. In the condition shown in the , the handle bar and the ventilation flap are however shown in a state where they are disengaged from the locking assembly to ensure that the roof window takes up less space during storage and transport. To prevent the disengaged handle bar and vent damper from moving too much during handling and transport, vent damper retainers 21, 22 are attached to the handle bar 14.

A set of blocks 41–45 of damping material are arranged around a frame 11 of the roof window and on the pane 13. These blocks of damping material are intended to protect the roof window when it is placed in a cardboard box before being delivered to a consumer, and will not be described further here.

In the following, the same reference numerals are used for elements having substantially the same function, even if they are not identical.

Referring now to the , which is a cross section along the A–A line on the , only without the ventilation flap retainer 21, the roof window 1 was placed in a cardboard box 3. As can be seen, the ventilation flap retainer 22 hangs on the bar of handle 14 and extends from the inner side 131 of the pane 13 towards the section 31 of the cardboard box extending parallel thereto. In this way, the ventilation flap retainer not only retains the handle bar and the ventilation flap to which the handle bar is connected, but also helps to prevent deformation of the cardboard box, thereby protecting the window as is. Similarly, the block 45 of insulating material disposed on the outer side 132 of the pane 13 maintains a distance between the pane and the section 32 of the cardboard box extending along it.

Another ventilation flap retainer 23 is visible between the ventilation flap 15 and the upper frame member 111 of the roof window 1 on the , extending into the ventilation passage 151. This ventilation flap retainer can both retain the ventilation flap and support the upper frame member 121 of the roof window.

We now refer to the , which corresponds to the detail indicated by B on the but viewed from the interior side of a roof window 1, and showing a collapsible box 24 instead of the vent retainer 21 made of molded pulp. Here it is seen that both the handle bar 14 and the ventilation flap 15 are elongated extending parallel to the upper frame member 121 and extending over substantially the entire width of the roof window. This is not absolutely necessary, but the ventilation flap should be able to cover the entire opening of the ventilation passage 151 which, in this case, is divided into a series of openings by means of a grid-like structure. 152.

As can be seen, the ventilation flap retainers 22, 23, which were shown in the , are both made of folded cardboard, and the collapsible box 24 attached to the handle bar 14 also serves as a ventilation flap retainer. Ventilation flap retainers 22, 23 may be made of recycled unbleached cardboard, as may collapsible box 24, but where the collapsible box contains items to be used in the installation or operation of the roof window, it can be advantageous if it is made of white cardboard to draw attention to it, ensuring that the items inside are not inadvertently thrown away.

Ventilation flap retainer 22 is shown in more detail in Figures 4 through 6, the showing the retainer in the unfolded state and the showing it in the folded state also depicted on the . A bone-shaped cutout 221 is configured for attachment of the window handle bar 14, and fold lines 222 extend perpendicular to the longest dimension of the cutout. As shown in Figures 6a through 6c, the vent damper retainer 22 is attached to the handle bar 14 by first placing the vent damper retainer unfolded or slightly bent over the top of the bar. handle so that the straight section 2211 of the cutout extends parallel to the handle bar. Then, when the vent retainer 22 is folded along the fold lines 222, the straight section 2211 passes over the handle bar, which becomes fitted into the wider end sections 2212 of the cutout 221. The slight elasticity of the carton at the fold lines 222, which pushes the vent flap retainer 22 back into the unfolded condition, now compresses the ends of the blank 221 against the handle bar 14, as can also see it on the , holding it in place.

When the skylight has been unpacked, the vent retainer 22 is no longer needed and can be removed. At the same time, the roof window sash often needs to be removed to facilitate the installation of the sash into the roof structure, and the ventilation flap retainer can then be folded further and used to protect the sash. The more bent ventilation flap retainer is shown in the and the more bent ventilation flap retainer attached to a corner of the frame is seen on the . As seen best on the , the vent retainer 22 remains folded at the original fold lines 222 and continues to be folded along a secondary fold line 223, which is positioned at the observed indentation 2231 in Figures 4 and 5 and extending parallel to the original fold lines 222. The vent retainer is secured in the further folded condition by folding the V-shaped sections 224, and the cutout 221 now mounts to a protruding edge 122 of the roof window frame, as shown the . The cutout 221 is preferably slightly smaller than the projecting edge 122 of the sash, so that the more bent vent retainer 22 is held in place on the sash by friction.

In this embodiment, the V-shaped sections 224 are delimited by pre-made cuts in the material, but it is also possible to use areas of weakness, which can be interrupted when the V-shaped sections must be used. , or printed lines indicating where to cut the cardboard.

Additionally, information 225 regarding the intended use of the vent damper retainers 22 may be printed on its surface, as shown in .

Two alternative ventilation flap retainers 22 are shown in Figures 9 and 10. In , the vent damper retainer 22 is pre-bent with a pipe cross-sectional shape instead of the U-shape from the bending shown in Figures 6a-6c and, in Figs. , the ventilation flap retainer 22 is made from a honeycomb material. These two ventilation flap retainers are stronger and more stable than that of Figures 3 to 6, but not immediately usable for sash corner protection.

Referring now to Figures 11 to 14, the additional ventilation flap retainer 23 arranged between the ventilation flap 15 and the upper frame member of the roof window 1 and extending into the ventilation passage 151 is represented in more detail. Two fold lines 232 separate two wing sections 233 from a center section 234. The wing sections are configured to be inserted into the vent passage 151, as shown in Figures 13a and 13b, and the center section is configured to abut against the ventilation flap 15, as shown in the .

The shape and size of the additional ventilation flap retainer 23 will depend on the design of the skylight. In particular, the shape of the ventilation passage 151 and therefore the shape and position of the wing sections 233 may therefore have to be different from what is shown in Figures 11 to 14.

A variation of the vent flap retainer 23 shown in Figures 11 through 14 is shown in Figures 15 through 17. This vent flap retainer 23' is folded along fold lines 232 so that the cutout 231 at the center takes a T-shape fitting over the support assembly 153 connecting the ventilation flap 15 to the locking assembly 154 (only visible on the ) of the roof window. At the same time, other cutouts 236 and recesses 237, which overlap in the folded state, mount on the grid-like structure 152 at the entrance to the ventilation passage 151, and the elasticity resulting from the folding holds the ventilation flap retainer 23' in place. Another recess 235 allows the vent damper retainer to also be used with an electrically operated window including another bracket 155 attached to the vent damper, as shown in .

The shape and size of this 23' ventilation flap retainer also depends on the design of the roof window. In particular the shape of cutouts 236 and recesses 235, 237 may need to be different from what is shown, the other recess 235 need not be present in all embodiments.

Instead of removing material at the cutouts 236, it is possible to fold the material flaps so that they protrude along the surface of the grid-like structure 152 when mounted. This can help keep the vent flap retainer 23 in place.

Compared to the embodiment of Figures 11 to 14, the embodiment of Figures 15 to 17 has proven to be more robust and more stable in use.

Common to the embodiments shown in Figures 3-9 and 11-23 is that cardboard or corrugated cardboard is used. These materials are considered advantageous due to the combination of low cost and high dimensional accuracy, but other paper-based materials can be used. The fold lines 222, 232 can be predefined by printed lines, compressed lines or areas of weakness in the material, for example cardboard which is partially cut along the intended fold lines.

Referring now to Figures 18a-18d, showing how a cardboard blank is folded into a collapsible box 24 and secured to the handle bar 14 of a roof window. This collapsible box can be used both to hold items to be used for roof window installation or operation and as a ventilation flap retainer. It corresponds to that shown on the , except that it has a slight difference in shape. The is shown from the interior side of the roof window, while Figures 18c to 18d are viewed from the exterior side of the roof window.

As seen best on the , the folding box 24 engages with the inner side of the pane 13, but does not protrude above the handle bar in the opposite direction. However, it is possible to make the collapsible box larger so that it can potentially extend up to the cardboard box 3 in the same way as the ventilation flap retainer 22 on the . An example of such a larger 24' folding box is shown in .

List of reference numbers

1 roof window
11 Frame
111 Top frame member
12 Chassis
121 Upper frame member
13 Glass
131 Interior side
132 Outer side
14 Handle bar
15 Ventilation flap
151 Vent passage
152 Grid-like structure
153 Bracket set
154 Bracket
21 Ventilation flap retainer
22 Ventilation flap retainer
221 Cutting
2211 Straight section
2212 End section
222 Bend line
223 Bend line
224 V-shaped section
225 Information
23 Ventilation flap retainer
231 Cutting
232 Bend line
233 Wing section
234 Center Section
235 Recess
236 Cutting
237 Recess
23' Vent Louver Retainer
24 Ventilation flap retainer
24' Ventilation flap retainer
3 Cardboard box
31 Section of the cardboard box
32 Section of the cardboard box
41–45 Damping Material Blocks

Claims (11)

A packaged roof window, said roof window including a ventilation passage and a ventilation louver, said ventilation passage extending from an interior side of the roof window to an exterior side of the roof window, said ventilation louver being disposed on the inner side of the roof window and being movable between a first position where the ventilation passage is open and a second position where it covers the ventilation passage, wherein said roof window is contained in a cardboard box , and in which blocks of damping materials are arranged inside the cardboard box to protect the roof window,
characterized in that
a vent flap retainer made of a paper-based material is disposed on or at the vent flap to prevent accidental movement thereof. A packaged roof window according to claim 1, wherein the ventilation flap retainer is disposed between the ventilation flap and the frame. A packaged roof window according to claim 1, wherein the ventilation flap retainer is disposed between the ventilation flap and a pane of the roof window. A packaged roof window according to claim 1, wherein the ventilation flap retainer is disposed between the ventilation flap and the cardboard box. A packaged roof window according to one or more of the preceding claims, wherein the roof window includes a handle on the ventilation flap and wherein the ventilation flap retainer is attached to the handle. Packaged roof window according to one or more of the preceding claims, wherein the ventilation flap retainer is made of a material selected from the group consisting of: molded paper pulp, folded cardboard, corrugated cardboard folded, the multilayer corrugated cardboard, the cardboard profile and a honeycomb material, preferably having a cell size of 22 mm and being made from a paper having a grammage of 140 g/m2 and having a height of 20 to 40 mm. A packaged roof window as claimed in one or more of the preceding claims, wherein the ventilation flap retainer is a carton containing components for use in installing or operating the roof window. A packaged roof window according to one or more of the preceding claims, wherein the ventilation flap retainer is configured to serve a secondary purpose after being removed from the ventilation flap. A packaged roof window according to claim 8, wherein the vent louver retainer is configured to be attached to a corner of a sash of the roof window. A ventilation flap retainer made of a paper-based material configured to be disposed on or at the ventilation flap of a roof window comprising a ventilation passage extending from an interior side of the roof window towards an exterior side of the roof window, said ventilation flap being arranged on the interior side of the roof window and being movable between a first position where the ventilation passage is open and a second position where it covers the ventilation passage , wherein said roof window is contained in a cardboard box, and wherein blocks of cushioning materials are arranged inside the cardboard box to protect the roof window, said shutter retainer ventilation being configured to prevent accidental movement of the ventilation flap at least in a packed state of the roof window. Use of a ventilation flap retainer according to claim 10 to protect a window frame during the installation of a roof window, wherein the ventilation flap retainer is removed from the ventilation flap and attached to a corner of the window sash before the window sash is detached from the window frame of the skylight.