GB2226010A

GB2226010A - Method of packaging

Info

Publication number: GB2226010A
Application number: GB8918477A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Gary Weston
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 1988-08-12
Filing date: 1989-08-14
Publication date: 1990-06-20
Also published as: GB8918477D0; GB2222145A; GB8819169D0

Abstract

A method of packaging an article (P) comprises the steps of taking a strip of material of a predetermined pattern and folding the strip (10) above the article (P) and securing one part (11) of the strip to a second part (12). <IMAGE>

Description

Y PATENTS ACT 1977. DLJRHS/A5852GB Title: 'Wethod of Packaging"

Description of Invention

This invention relates to a method of packaging an article.

According to one aspect of the invention we provide a method of packaging an article comprising the steps of taking a strip of material of a predetermined pattern, and folding the strip about the article and securing one part of the strip to a second part of the strip.

According to a second aspect of the invention we provide packaging for an article comprising a strip of material of a predetermined pattern, and foldable about the article to be packaged, the strip comprising first and second parts adapted to be secured together when the packaging is folded about the article.

The invention will now be described with reference to the accompanying drawings in which:

FIGURE 1 is a perspective view of a strip of material of a predetermined pattern for use in a method of packaging in accordance with the invention.

FIGURE la is a perspective view of the strip of Figure 1 folded about an article.

FIGURE 2 is a view similar to Figure 1 but of an alternative strip, FIGURE 2a is a view similar to Figure I a of the strip of Figure 2.

FIGURE 3 is a view similar to Figure 1 of an alternative stip, FIGURE 3a is a view similar to Figure I a of the strip of Figure 3.

Referring first to figures 1 and 11, an article (not shown) is packaged by a method including the steps of taking a strip of material 10, in this example of card, of a predetermined pattern, and folding the strip 10 about the article, and then securing together first and second parts 11, 12, of the strip 10.

In the example of figures 1 and la the strip 10 when folded provides a closed box A in which any suitably sized article con be packaged.

4 4 -2 Prior to folding the strip 10, the strip 10 is provided with a plurality of fold lines indicated at 13 to 18 which each extend transverse to the longitudinal extent of the strip 10, and a plurality of further fold lines indicated at 19 to 29 which each extend for part way only along the longitudinal extent of the strip 10.

All of the fold lines 13 to 29 are provided by scoring the card material. The strip 10 is folded along each of the fold lines 13 to 29 around the article to provide the closed box A.

In this example, the strip 10 is cut to the predetermined pattern from a larger piece of card.

The strip 10 is provided with a pair of slits 30 when the strip is cut out to the predetermined pattern or subsequently, but prior to folding, which slits 30 each receive a respective tab 31 provided and bounded by the fold lines 20 and 21. The fold lines 19,22,23,26,27,28 and 29 also each provide and bound respective tabs 32 to 38 which during the folding operation, facilitate closing the strip 10 about the article.

The parts indicated at 11 and 12 which are secured together after folding, are panels which preferably are secured together face to face as indicated in figure la to assemble the packaging. The panels 11,12, may be secured together by applying a suitable adhesive to their mating faces, or by staples, or by any other suitable securing means.

At least some of the tabs 31 to 38 may have adhesive applied thereto prior to the folding operation so that upon folding the strip 10 about the article, the tabs 31 to 38 are secured to panels of the box A.

When the strip 10 is cut as shown in figure 1, or subsequently to folding, the panels 11,12, may each be provided with an opening 40,41, which in the assembled packaging may be used for suspending the packaging, with the article inside, from a hanger.

It will be appreciated that the fold lines 15 and 16 define the boundary of a base panel 42 of the box A, on which panel 42 the packaging may be stood generally upright on a support as shown in figure 1 a.

The fold lines 16,17,24,25, define the boundary of a front panel 43 of the box A, with side panels of the packaging indicated at 44 and 45 defined by respective fold lines 24,27, and 25,26. A rear panel 46 is defined between fold llres 14, and 15.

The boundaries of top panels 47,48, are defined respectively by fold lines 17,18,28,29, and 13,14,19, whilst the tabs 32,37,38, provide triangular top end closure panels.

One triangular top end closure panel opposite panel 32 is omitted to facilitate opening the box A.

It will be appreciated that the sizes of the panels 42 to 48 may be chosen to provide an internal cavity within the box A of sufficient size to contain the packaged article. Hence the packaging may be taller, shorter, wider, narrower, deeper, or shallower than shown. The sizes of the panels 10,11, may be of any desired size.

The resultant packaged article con be suspended by openings 41,42, in the panels 10, 11, or stood on the base panel 42 as desired.

The box A of figures 1 and fa is entirely closed but if desired, the box need not be entirely closed. For example, in the arrangement shown in figures 2 and 2a a further box shown at B, when folded about an article, is open at both sides. Similar parts to the strip 10 and box A of figures 1 and]a are labelled in figures 2 and 2a with the same reference numerals.

It can be seen that the primary difference between the stip 10 of figures 2 and 2a and the stip of figures 1 and fa is that there are no tabs 31 to 38 extending transversely of the longitudinal extent of the strip 10. The strip 10 is intended for packaging an article comprising a three pin electrical plug P and the packaging when folded about the plug P is secured only by securing the panels 11, 12, together by adhesive, staples or any other securing means as desired.

Whereas in figures 1 and fa the article is retained in the packaging by being entirely enclosed by the panels 42 to 48 and the triangular top end closure panels 32,37,38, in the figures 2, and 2a packaging, the plug P is retained by virtue of parts of the plug P, i.e. the three pins 50 to 52 extending through respective apertures 54,56, in the front panel 43 of the box B. Otherwise the method of packaging is identical to the method of packaging described with reference to figures 1 and fa i.e. the strip 10 in figures 2 and 2a is cut out to a desired pattern, in card, and simultaneously or subsequently, fold lines 13 to 18 are provided which extend transversely across the longitudinal extent of the strip.

The strip 10 is then folded about the plug P so that pins 50 to 52 extend through the openings 54 to 56, and the panels 11, 12, are secured together.

Referring now to figures 3 and 3a, further packaginq comprising another box C is shown which is mode up from a stip of material folded about an article, again similar parts to the strip 10 and box A shown in figures 1 and la are given the same reference numerals.

In this example, an article comprising an electrical surface mounting box 58 is packaged using a strip 10 of card material cut out to a desired pattern and folded about the box 58.

The strip 10 is similar to the strip of figures 2 and 2a in that no tabs are provided as in figures 1 and I G but the packaging is secured around the box 58 by securing panels 11, 12, together as hereinbef ore described.

However, the first panel 43 is provided with a pair of tabs 60,61, which are connected to panel 43 at respective fold lines 62,63 which extend partly along the longitudinal extent of the strip 10, and the tabs 60,61, have further tuck-in portions 64,65 connected to the remainder of the tabs 60,61 by further fold lines 66,67.

The tabs 60,61 can be provided conveniently during an initial cutting operation when the strip 10 is provided, when each of the other respective fold lines 13-18 and further fold lines 62,63,66,67, may also be provided, or the fold lines may be provided subsequently to cutting out, as desired.

As can be seen from figure 3a, the tabs 60,61, can be folded to provide side panels for the packaging to retain the box 58 against transverse movement in the packaging. The box 58 can be viewed through a window 69 in the panel 43 provided by virtue of the tabs 60,6 1, being folded back.

The tuck-in portions 64,65, are tucked in between the box 58 and the rear panel 46 of the packaging and adhesive may be applied to the portion 64, 65, if desired.

Further modifications are possible without departing from the scope of the invention. For example, panels and tabs of any desired size ond shape can be provided by cutting the strip 10 to a predetermined pattern, and the fold lines 30 to 29 may be provided otherwise than by scoring the card material.

If desired, instead of providing the packaging in card material, the packaging may be provided in another lamina material such as sheet plastic material, in which case the material may be formed to a partially folded s, prior to folding the strip about the article to be packaged. Where the materia; is plastic or card, the material may be formed to the strip k configuration of the predetermined pattern otherwise than by cuttinq.

Where the material from which the packaging is mode is card material, the method of packaging may include printing the card material prior to or subsequently to cutting out the strip 10 to the desired pattern.

In the case of plastics material, this may be printed if desired, although if the plastic material is a see through plastic material enabling a potential purchaser to see the contents of the packaging, one or more labels may be applied to the packaging prior to or after folding the strip about the article, or the panels 11,12, may be secured together by wrapping a label therearound.

In each example described. the packaging is provided from a strip of material which is elongate, although as in the example shown in figures 1 and]a, the strip may have tabs extending transversely of the longitudinal extent of the strip.

Preferably the packaging is secured about the article by securing panels 11,12, together, which are positioned at or adjacent the ends of the elongate strip, although other arrangements by securing parts of the strip in other positions, are possible.

The features disclosed in the foregoing description and the following claims or the accompanying drawings, expressed in their specific forms or in terms of c means for performing the disclosed function, or a method or process for attaining the disclosed result, or a class or group of substances or compositions, as appropriate, may, separately or in any combination of such features, be utilised for realising the invention in diverse forms thereof.

Claims

1 1. A method of packaging an article comprising the steps of taking a strip of material of a predetermined pattern, folding the strip about the article and securing one part of the strip to a second part.

2. A method according to claim 1 wherein the strip is generally elongate and the first and second parts of the strip which are secured together are provided at or adjacent respective opposite ends of the strip.

3. A method according to claim I or claim 2 wherein the first and second parts are secured together face to face by securing means comprising adhesive and/or a staple.

4. A method according to claim 2 or claim 3 wherein at least one of the first and second parts is provided with means to enable the packaging to be suspended from a hanger.

5. A method according to claim 4 wherein the means which enable the packaging to be suspended from a hanger comprises an opening provided in each of the first and second parts.

6. A method according to any one of the preceding claims wherein the strip of material is cut out to the predetermined pattern.

7. A method according to any one of claims 1 to 6 wherein the method includes the, prior to folding, the step of providing fold lines which extend transversely of the longitudinal extent of the strip, and during folding, the strip is folded about the fold lines.

8. A method according to claim 7 wherein further fold lines are provided which extend generally parallel to the longitudinal extent of the strip but only along part of its length, and during folding, the strip is also folded about the further fold lines.

It k

9. A method according to claim 8 wherein the further fold lines bound side panels of the resultant packaging.

10. A method according to claim 8 or claim 9 wherein the further fold lines bound tabs which are tucked in during folding.

A method according to any one of the preceding claims wherein the material is card.

12. A method according to claim 11 where appendent to any one of claims 7 to 10, wherein the fold lines Grid further fold lines where provided, are provided by scoring the card material.

13. A method according to any one of claims 1 to 10 wherein the material is plastic.

14. A method according to claim 12 wherein the strip is preformed to a partially folded configuration, prior to folding the strip about the article.

15. A method according to any one of claims 1 to 14 wherein one or more apertures are provided in the strip.

16. A method according to claim 15 wherein during folding at least part of the article to be packaged is received through and in use projects from an aperture provided in the strip.

17. A method according to any one of claims 1 to 16 wherein after folding the packaging is provided with a base panel on which the packaging con subsequently be stood in a generally upright condition.

18. A method of packaging substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to the accompanying drawings.

19. Packaging for an article comprising a strip of material of a predetermined pattern and foldable about the article to be packaged, the strip comprising first and second parts adapted to be secured together.

41 X-

20. Packaging according to claim 19 when used for packaging an article by a method according to any one of claims 1 to 18.

21. Packaging substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to and as shown in f igures 1 and 1 a or f igures 2 and 2a or f igure 3 and 3a of the accompanying drawings.

1 1

22. In combination an article and packaging according to claim 19, or claim 20 or claim 21.

23. Any novel feature of novel combination of features as herein described and/or shown in the accompanying drawings.

- Pun--Ind 1990 at The Patent Office, State House. 6671 High Holborn. London WCIR 4 TAP. Further coplesmaybe obtainedfrom The patent OfficeSales Branch. St Mary Cray. Orpington, Kent BR5 3RD. Printed by Multiplex techniques ltd, St Mary Cray. Kent. Cor. 1'87