GB2246767A

GB2246767A - Protective packaging

Info

Publication number: GB2246767A
Application number: GB9116023A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Michael Valentine O'donovan
Original assignee: Digital Equipment International Ltd
Current assignee: Compaq Computer Holding Ltd
Priority date: 1990-07-25
Filing date: 1991-07-25
Publication date: 1992-02-12
Also published as: GB9116023D0

Abstract

A unit for protecting the corners of a cabinet for transportation or storage comprises four corner pieces 32 connected by a connecting sheet of stout cardboard 30 across the top of the cabinet (not shown). Each corner piece comprises two protective side elements 36 of foamed polystyrene mounted on a cardboard carrier 34 attached to the sheet 30. The carrier 34 is scored so that it can be bent at 33 and 35 to bring the two side elements 36 against the two sides of the cabinet at that corner. <IMAGE>

Description

CONTAINERS This invention is concerned with improvements in or relating to packaging means and is particularly concerned with a protective unit for cabinets or the like for minimising the risk of damage thereto during storage and/or transport.

Cabinets housing computers and peripheral equipment such as disc drives, or other equipment such as refrigerators and washing machines, are usually packaged in containers made from heavy duty cardboard and are held in position within those containers by corner spacer fillets which are usually formed of foamed polystyrene material to fit onto each corner and either be taped in position or held frictionally between the cabinet and the container. For packaging large cabinets, two, or perhaps three, persons are normally required to effect the packaging.

Apart from the expense of employing two, or perhaps more, persons to package such cabinets, previous packaging practices, as described above, result, due to the large size of the packaging materials used, in the packaging materials themselves intruding during unpacking and installation of cabinet-type equipment, particularly in restricted spaces, and the necessity therefor, of removing those materials from the installation site. Additionally, known packaging methods require the manufacturer of the equipment to maintain large stocks of the containers and fillets of different sizes.

The present invention provides a unit for protecting the corners of a cabinet, comprising a plurality of corner pieces connected by connecting means across the top of the cabinet and each comprising two protective side elements locatable one against each face of the cabinet at that corner.

The individual elements can each be formed as pads of a foamed polymeric material, preferably foamed polystyrene material, in the shape of a rectangular block, and can be hinged together, preferably by mounting the pads on a hinged support which may be formed of durable cardboard.

In one form of the present invention, the connecting means may comprise a pre-cut panel of material having approximately the same dimensions as the top of a cabinet to which it is to be applied, while in further embodiments, the connecting means may be either cross-shaped or comprise two strip members arranged to be placed diagonally across the top of a cabinet, so that the corner elements attached thereto can be located in position against the sides of that cabinet; where two strip members are used, they may be pivotally connected where they overlap.

Five forms of unit embodying the present invention will now be described, by way of example, with reference to the drawings, in which: Figure 1 is a diagrammatic perspective view of the upper part of a cabinet illustrating the first unit provided thereon; Figure 2 is a perspective view of the first unit; Figure 3 is a perspective view of the second unit; Figures 4 and 5 are perspective views of two corner elements of the unit shown in Figure 3, partially folded in different ways for use; Figures 6 and 7 are end views of the corner elements shown in Figures 4 and 5 respectively, folded for storage; Figure 8 is a perspective view of the third unit; Figure 9 is a partial perspective view of a corner element of the unit shown in Figure 8; Figure 10 is a further partial perspective view of a corner element of the unit shown in Figure 8;; Figure 11 is a perspective view of the fourth unit; Figure 12 is a perspective view of the unit shown in Figure 11, shown in part folded attitude; and Figure 13 is a perspective view of the fifth unit.

Referring firstly to Figure 1, there is shown, in chain-dot outline only, the upper part of a typical cabinet C, which may be a cabinet of a computer, for example. Provided on the cabinet is a unit 10 for protecting the upper corners of the cabinet and for providing means for maintaining the cabinet in spaced relationship to a similar cabinet, when the two are stored side-by-side either in a warehouse or when being transported.

The unit comprises four corner elements 12 and connecting means 14 linking all four corner elements across the top of the cabinet. Each corner element is joined to the connecting means as will be explained below and is wrapped around the vertical edge of the cabinet, and then held in that position by adhesive tape, straps or the like (not shown).

As will be understood from the ensuing description, the present units provide for considerable versatility, and for single-man handling of the packaging of such cabinets.

Referring now to Figure 2, there is shown a unit 20 which comprises connector means provided by a rectangular panel or sheet 22 of durable, flexible cardboard having the same dimensions as the top of the cabinet to which the unit is to be fitted, and four corner elements 24, each of which is integrally formed with the rectangular sheet, the cardboard being scored along the line 26 of the edge of the rectangle to allow the corner elements each to be folded at right angles to the plane of the sheet. Each corner element is also scored along a line 28 at right angles to the direction of the first score line, and colinearly with the other edge of the rectangle, at that corner. The unit can be readily located in position with the corner elements folded down and around the vertical corner edges of a cabinet, and then strapped in position.

In Figure 3, is shown a second unit which comprises connector means provided by a rectangular sheet 30 of durable, flexible cardboard having similar dimensions to the top of the cabinet to which the unit is to be fitted, and four corner elements 32. Each corner element comprises an L-shaped piece 34 of cardboard which is bonded to the sheet and is scored 35 in line with the edge of the sheet. To an underside of the L-shaped piece are bonded two pads 36 provided by blocks of foamed polystyrene material which have opposing faces 38 cut at 450 degree angles. Between the two blocks, the L-shaped piece is scored 33 to allow the blocks to be folded towards or away from each other. A further fold line 37 is formed by scoring the L-shaped piece parallel to the fold line at the edge of the panel but spaced therefrom by a distance equal to the depth d of each block.

Each corner element can be folded in either of the two ways shown in Figures 4 and 5 according to the dimensions of the cabinet, and for storage, the corner elements can each be folded flat in either of the two ways shown in Figures 6 and 7.

Referring now to Figures 8 to 10, there is shown a third unit which comprises connector means provided by a rectangular sheet 40 of durable, flexible cardboard having similar dimensions to the top of the cabinet to which the unit is to be fitted, and four corner elements 42. Each corner element 42 comprises a scored piece of cardboard having mounted thereon two blocks 44 of foamed polystyrene material with the cardboard scored 45 to allow the two blocks to be folded about the vertical edge at the respective corner of the cabinet on which the unit is provided. In this example, each cardboard piece is joined to the rectangular sheet by a stud 46 provided by a rivet, eyelet or the like. In this manner, each corner element can be pivoted from the position shown in Figure 9 which is most suitable for storage. Each corner element can also be folded away for the same purpose as shown in Figure 10.

A fourth unit is shown in Figures 11 and 12. In this example, the rectangular sheet 50 which is similar to that shown in Figure 1, but has blocks 52 of foamed polystyrene material attached thereto, is scored along a centre line 54 so that it can be folded compactly for storage.

In Figure 13, there is shown a fifth unit which comprises four corner elements 62 similar to those previously described and illustrated and connected together by two cross-members 60 which are pivotally connected where they overlap.

In each of the examples described and illustrated above, the protective unit is firstly located on a cabinet and then held in position either by adhesive tape or by a strap extending laterally around the cabinet, until such time as it is no longer required.

Claims

CLAIMS:

1. A unit for protecting the corners of a cabinet, comprising a plurality of corner pieces connected by connecting means across the top of the cabinet and each comprising two protective side elements locatable one against each face of the cabinet at that corner.

2. A unit according to claim 1 wherein the connecting means is rectangular with a corner piece at each corner.

3. A unit according to claim 2 wherein the connecting means is pre-scored with at least one score, to allow it to be folded into a more compact form.

4. A unit according to claim 1 wherein the connecting means is a linear element.

5. A unit according to claim 1 wherein the connecting means is a pair of linear elements pivoted to each other at their centre points.

6. A unit according to any previous claim wherein each corner piece comprises a piece of cardboard or the like integral with the connecting means.

7. A unit according to any one of claims 1 to 5 wherein each corner piece comprises a piece of cardboard or the like distinct from and attached to the connecting means.

8. A unit according to either of claims 6 and 7 wherein each corner piece is pre-scored with scores at right angles, to allow easy bending of one protective element at right angles to the connecting means and the other protective element at right angles to the first.

9. A unit according to claim 8 wherein there is a plurality of parallel scores in at least one direction, to allow adjustment to different sizes of cabinet.

10. A unit according to either of claims 8 and 9 wherein at least some of the scores can be bent in either direction.

11. A unit according to any one of claims 8 to 10 wherein at least some of the scores can be bent through 1800.

12. A unit according to any previous claim wherein the side elements are of foamed polymeric material.

13. A unit for protecting the corners of a cabinet, substantially as herein described and illustrated.

14. Any novel and inventive feature or combination of features specifically disclosed herein within the meaning of Article 4H of the International Convention (Paris Convention).