GB2050306A

GB2050306A - Packaging light bulbs

Info

Publication number: GB2050306A
Application number: GB8015833A
Authority: GB
Original assignee: DRG UK Ltd
Current assignee: DRG UK Ltd
Priority date: 1979-05-24
Filing date: 1980-05-13
Publication date: 1981-01-07

Abstract

A package for light bulbs comprises a carton in which the bulbs (26) are arranged side by side with their narrower ends pointing in alternate directions and with zig-zag separator panels (28, 29, 30, 31) between them. The length of each separator panel is greater than the distance between the side walls to provide a resilient spacing between adjacent bulbs. The panels may be cut away at their ends to accommodate the narrower ends of the bulbs. Tear lines in the lid define a panel which can be progressively torn away to expose successive bulbs while leaving the others securely held. <IMAGE>

Description

SPECIFICATION Packaging light bulbs This invention relates to the packaging of light bulbs and has as an object to provide a suitable form of packaging for a number of light bulbs in a carton.

According to the present invention there is provided a package comprising a carton containing light bulbs arranged side by side with adjacent bulbs tapering in opposite directions, and separator panels inserted between adjacent bulbs so as to extend between the opposite side walls of the carton, the length of the separator panels being greater than the width of the carton between said opposite side walls.

The panels may be cut away at their ends to accommodate the narrower ends of the intermediate bulb or bulbs. The separator panels are preferably hingedly interconnected to provide an insert of zig-zag configuration. The panels of the insert may be cut away in the region of their hinged interconnections, and optionally also at the free ends of the outermost panels of the zig-zag insert two accommodate the narrow ends of the bulbs. The invention also provides a carton with separator panels for a package as described above.

In order that the invention may be more clearly understood, one embodiment will now be described with reference to the accompanying drawings, wherein: Figure 1 shows a perspective view of the carton in the open condition with the separator not yet inserted, Figure 2 shows a plan view of an end part of the carton with the separator in position, and Figure 3 shows a perspective view from below of the closed carton.

Referring to the drawings and firstly to Figure 1; the carton is made from a blank of foldable sheet material, and is generally of conventional form having a bottom 11, front and back walls 10, 12 respectively, end wall forming flaps 14, 16 hinged to the front and back walls, and end wall forming flaps 18 hinged to the bottom, with conventional tabs and slits for interlocking the end wall forming flaps as shown at 20. An extension of the back wall 12 provides a hinged lid panel 22, to the free edges of which are hinged a front flap 24 and end flaps 25.

A set of five light bulbs 26 are shown packed in the carton, arranged side by side with adjacent bulbs tapering in opposite directions. To support and separate the bulbs a separate insert of foldable carton board material is provided, this insert comprising four separator panels 28,29,30, 31 hinged one to the next and arranged in zig-zag configuration. The intermediate panels 29, 30 are identical, and the outermost panels 28,31 are identical, but the panels 28,31 are a little longer than the panels 29, 30. Each panel has cut-away regions at its lower corners. These are essentially rectangular (practical ly square) cut-outs 32 in the regions of hinged interconnection between the panels. At the free ends of the outermost panels 28,31 however, the cut-outs 34 are rather longer and taper somewhat towards the free end of the panel.

With the light bulbs arranged in the carton as shown in Figure 1, the separator, in zig-zag configuration, can be simply inserted in the direction indicated by the arrow A. When inserted it will assume the relationship with the bulbs shown in Figure 2.

The cut-outs 32 will receive and locate the narrower ends of the intermediate three bulbs, while the cut-outs 34 will accommodate the narrower ends of the two outermost bulbs. The cut-outs 34 taper so that they locate somewhat around the narrower ends of the outermost bulbs, thereby reducing tendency of those bulbs to swing sideways as indicated by the arrow B in Figure 2. The non-cutaway regions of the separator panel extend, as shown, linearly through the sinuous space between the glass envelopes of adjacent bulbs, thereby establishing a resilient spacing between the glass envelopes. The carton with its enclosed light bulbs is closed by drawing and sealing the front and end flaps 24,25 down tightly to prevent movement of the bulbs inside the carton.To hold the bulbs in this condition until ready for use the bottom panel 11 is provided with a pair of perforated lines of weakness 13 which on being progressively torn away expose an individual light bulb leaving the others firmly held within the package.

If individual separator panels 28,31 are used, instead of a single insert of hingedly interconnected panels, the separator panels will still have the effect of separating the glass envelopes of adjacent bulbs by passing linearly through the sinuous space between them, and it is not even necessary in such a case to have cut-away regions to receive and locate the narrower ends of the bulbs. However, the form of separator shown is generally preferred because it is easier to insert in a single action, the separator panels more readily hold their position relative to one another and relative to the bulbs, and the arrangement is more effective in locating, supporting and spacing the bulbs within the carton.

1. A package comprising a carton containing light bulbs arranged side by side with adjacent bulbs tapering in opposite directions, and separator panels inserted between adjacent bulbs so as to extend between the opposite side walls of the carton, the length of the separator panels being greater than the width of the carton between said opposite side walls.

2. A package according to claim 1 wherein the panels are cut away at their ends to accommodate the narrower ends of the intermediate bulb or bulbs.

3. A package according to claim 1 or claim 2 wherein the separator panels are hingedly interconnected to provide an insert of zig-zag configuration.

4. A package according to claim 3 wherein the panels are cut away in the region of their hinged interconnections and also at the -free ends of the outermost panels of the zig-zag insert to accommodate the narrower ends of the bulbs.

5. A package according to any one of the preceding claims wherein the carton is provided with lines of weakening defining a panel which can be progressively torn away to expose successive light bulbs for

**WARNING** end of DESC field may overlap start of CLMS **.

Claims

**WARNING** start of CLMS field may overlap end of DESC **. SPECIFICATION Packaging light bulbs This invention relates to the packaging of light bulbs and has as an object to provide a suitable form of packaging for a number of light bulbs in a carton. According to the present invention there is provided a package comprising a carton containing light bulbs arranged side by side with adjacent bulbs tapering in opposite directions, and separator panels inserted between adjacent bulbs so as to extend between the opposite side walls of the carton, the length of the separator panels being greater than the width of the carton between said opposite side walls. The panels may be cut away at their ends to accommodate the narrower ends of the intermediate bulb or bulbs. The separator panels are preferably hingedly interconnected to provide an insert of zig-zag configuration. The panels of the insert may be cut away in the region of their hinged interconnections, and optionally also at the free ends of the outermost panels of the zig-zag insert two accommodate the narrow ends of the bulbs. The invention also provides a carton with separator panels for a package as described above. In order that the invention may be more clearly understood, one embodiment will now be described with reference to the accompanying drawings, wherein: Figure 1 shows a perspective view of the carton in the open condition with the separator not yet inserted, Figure 2 shows a plan view of an end part of the carton with the separator in position, and Figure 3 shows a perspective view from below of the closed carton. Referring to the drawings and firstly to Figure 1; the carton is made from a blank of foldable sheet material, and is generally of conventional form having a bottom 11, front and back walls 10, 12 respectively, end wall forming flaps 14, 16 hinged to the front and back walls, and end wall forming flaps 18 hinged to the bottom, with conventional tabs and slits for interlocking the end wall forming flaps as shown at 20. An extension of the back wall 12 provides a hinged lid panel 22, to the free edges of which are hinged a front flap 24 and end flaps 25. A set of five light bulbs 26 are shown packed in the carton, arranged side by side with adjacent bulbs tapering in opposite directions. To support and separate the bulbs a separate insert of foldable carton board material is provided, this insert comprising four separator panels 28,29,30, 31 hinged one to the next and arranged in zig-zag configuration. The intermediate panels 29, 30 are identical, and the outermost panels 28,31 are identical, but the panels 28,31 are a little longer than the panels 29, 30. Each panel has cut-away regions at its lower corners. These are essentially rectangular (practical ly square) cut-outs 32 in the regions of hinged interconnection between the panels. At the free ends of the outermost panels 28,31 however, the cut-outs 34 are rather longer and taper somewhat towards the free end of the panel. With the light bulbs arranged in the carton as shown in Figure 1, the separator, in zig-zag configuration, can be simply inserted in the direction indicated by the arrow A. When inserted it will assume the relationship with the bulbs shown in Figure 2. The cut-outs 32 will receive and locate the narrower ends of the intermediate three bulbs, while the cut-outs 34 will accommodate the narrower ends of the two outermost bulbs. The cut-outs 34 taper so that they locate somewhat around the narrower ends of the outermost bulbs, thereby reducing tendency of those bulbs to swing sideways as indicated by the arrow B in Figure 2. The non-cutaway regions of the separator panel extend, as shown, linearly through the sinuous space between the glass envelopes of adjacent bulbs, thereby establishing a resilient spacing between the glass envelopes. The carton with its enclosed light bulbs is closed by drawing and sealing the front and end flaps 24,25 down tightly to prevent movement of the bulbs inside the carton.To hold the bulbs in this condition until ready for use the bottom panel 11 is provided with a pair of perforated lines of weakness 13 which on being progressively torn away expose an individual light bulb leaving the others firmly held within the package. If individual separator panels 28,31 are used, instead of a single insert of hingedly interconnected panels, the separator panels will still have the effect of separating the glass envelopes of adjacent bulbs by passing linearly through the sinuous space between them, and it is not even necessary in such a case to have cut-away regions to receive and locate the narrower ends of the bulbs. However, the form of separator shown is generally preferred because it is easier to insert in a single action, the separator panels more readily hold their position relative to one another and relative to the bulbs, and the arrangement is more effective in locating, supporting and spacing the bulbs within the carton. CLAIMS

5. A package according to any one of the preceding claims wherein the carton is provided with lines of weakening defining a panel which can be progressively torn away to expose successive light bulbs for removal while leaving the remaining light bulbs securely held in the carton by the carton walls and the separator panels.

6. A package substantially as described herein with reference to the drawings.

7. A carton for a package according to claim 2.

8. A carton for a package according to claim 3.

9. A carton for a package according to claim 4.

10. A carton for a package according to claim 5.

11. A carton for packaging light bulbs, substantially as described herein with reference to the drawings.