GB2303358A

GB2303358A - Fibreboard packing case

Info

Publication number: GB2303358A
Application number: GB9615190A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Clifford White Kelso
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 1995-07-20
Filing date: 1996-07-19
Publication date: 1997-02-19
Also published as: GB9514859D0; GB9615190D0

Description

FIBREBOARD PACKING CASE The present invention relates to a fibreboard packing case, particularly suitable for packaging books for subsequent transport.

Books which are delivered to a customer by mail or by courier are typically enclosed within a fibreboard book packing case to protect the book from damage whilst in transit. A common problem is that the corners of books can become damaged despite the protection offered by the packing case, which often results in the books being returned by the customer. As an alternative, books are often packed in polystyrene chips within a box. This offers more reliable protection but the overall size of the package is larger and therefore the cost of carriage is greater.

Many different designs of packing cases for books exist, but not all readily adapt to different sizes of books or offer sufficient protection from the environment and any mishandling. From a manufacturers point of view, it is essential that any book packing case can be made cheaply and yet meet all the above requirements According to a first aspect of the present invention, a fibreboard packing case for a book, the packing case being formed from two initially separate fibreboard blanks comprising a first blank for wrapping around the book in a first direction and a second blank for wrapping around the book in a perpendicular direction, wherein the first blank comprises a rectangular base having sides and ends and wrapping flaps formed as integral extensions of the ends, a complete packing case being formed by connecting together one side of the first blank and an overlapped portion of an end of the second blank, with each wrapping flap being hinged to the base a distance inset from a respective one of opposite sides of the second blank to provide a crumple zone.

The packing case of the present invention is formed from two initially separate fibreboard blanks which are subsequently connected together. This reduces the amount of waste fibreboard and, as is explained in detail below, reduces the overall production time for each packing case.

Each wrapping flap of the first blank is hinged to the base a distance inset from a respective side of the second blank to form a crumple zone which, in use, provides reliable protection for the corners of a book during transit.

According to a second aspect of the present invention, a method of producing fibreboard packing cases according to the first aspect of the present invention, including the steps of: forming a single master blank comprising a rectangular base having sides and ends and wrapping flaps formed as integral extensions of the ends; dividing the master blank in a direction parallel to the sides of the base to form a number of first blanks; and, connecting each of the first blanks to a respective second blank.

In the present invention the design of the first blank enables a single master blank to be made which can subsequently be divided into several first blanks each for connection to a respective second blank also made separately.

In a first embodiment, preferably, each wrapping flap is integrally connected to the rectangular base along a first fold line which extends across the length of the end of the base and the wrapping flap also includes a second fold line spaced apart from the first fold line, the first and second fold lines defining a crumple panel which is adhered to the base so that the wrapping flap may be hinged upwardly relative to the base about the second fold line.

The width of the crumple panel defines the size of the crumple zone.

Preferably, the first fold line connecting the wrapping flap to the base is formed as a half-cut score through the fibreboard. This feature allows the wrapping flap to be folded over easily before gluing the crumple panel to the base. This is particularly advantageous when the packing case is erected using automatic machinery.

In a second and less complex embodiment, each wrapping flap is hinged to the base along a fold line which lies inwardly with respect to the side of the second blank when the two blanks are joined. In this second embodiment, it is the sides of the second blank which provide the crumple zone.

Preferably, each wrapping flap is provided with a number of additional spaced apart parallel fold lines to allow the wrapping flap to be folded into different configurations so that the packing case readily adapts to different sizes of books. Most preferably, these fold lines are formed as slit-score lines as these do not affect substantially the rigidity of the wrapping flap.

Preferably, the first blank is die cut on a reverse side of the fibreboard during the production of the packing case.

In the packing case of the present invention, a book is placed on the rectangular base portion of the first blank and each of the wrapping flaps is folded upwardly relative to the base and then folded again at right angles to overlie a portion of a face of the book. Following this, the second blank is wrapped around the book in a direction perpendicular to that of the wrapping flaps of the first blank so that the book is encased by the fibreboard packing. A free end of the second blank may be secured by glue to an exposed side of the base of the first blank or alternatively the entire package may be secured using plastics strapping or adhesive tape.

Examples of the present invention will now be described with reference to the accompanying drawings in which:- Figure 1 shows a plan view of a first blank at one stage during the production of a first example of a packing case in accordance with the present invention; Figure 2 shows a plan view of a completed first blank; Figure 3 shows a plan view of a second blank of the first example; Figure 4 shows a first example of a completed packing case in accordance with the present invention; Figure 5 shows an end view of the packing case of Figure 4 partially wrapped around a book; Figure 6 shows a perspective view of a book encased within the first example of a packing case in accordance with the present invention;; Figures 7 and 8 show the assembly of a master blank used to produce several first blanks of the first example of a packing case in the method in accordance with the second aspect of the present invention; and, Figure 9 shows a plan view of second example of a completed packing case in accordance with the present invention.

As shown in Figures 1 to 4 of the drawings, a first example of a packing case 1 comprises a first blank 2 and a second blank 3 which are formed separately and subsequently connected together. The first blank 2 comprises a rectangular base 4 having sides 5 and ends 6, with wrapping flaps 7 formed as integral extensions of the ends 6. Each wrapping flap is integrally connected to the base 4 along a first fold line 8 which extends across the end 6 of the base 4. In this example, the fold 8 is formed as a half-cut score line which is die cut on the reverse side of the fibreboard and penetrates one face and the flutes of the fibreboard to leave the wrapping flap 7 connected by the material of the opposite face of the fibreboard. This feature allows the wrapping flap 7 to be folded easily about the base 4.

Each wrapping flap 7 of the first blank 2 includes a second fold line 9 formed as a slit-score line defining a crumple panel 10 between the line 8 and the line 9. When the first blank 2 is assembled the crumple panel is glued to the surface of the base 4 so that the wrapping flap 7 is hinged about the line 9 a distance inset from the end 6 of the base 4.

Each wrapping flap 7 is also provided with a number of parallel slit score lines 11 to allow the wrapping flap 7 to be folded into a number of different configurations to suit the size of the book to be encased. The flutes of the fibreboard forming the wrapping flaps are aligned parallel with the ends 6 of the base 4.

The second blank 3 of the packing case 1 is formed separately and comprises a sheet of fibreboard 12 for connecting to the first blank 2. One end 13 is tapered.

The flutes of the fibreboard sheet 12 are aligned parallel with the ends of the sheet so that the second blank can be hand folded to suit the size of the book to be encased.

The assembled first blank 2 is connected to the second blank 3 by placing the two blanks in a jig and.gluing an overlapped portion of an end 14 of the second blank 3 to the side 5 of the first blank 2.

Figures 5 and 6 illustrate how a book 15 is encased within the book packing case 1 for subsequent storage and transport. The book 15 is placed on the base 4 of the first blank 2 portion of the packing case 1 and the pair of wrapping flaps 7 are folded upwardly relative to the base 4 and then at right angles about the most appropriate slit score line 11 to suit the size of the book 15. Next, the second blank 3 is wrapped around the book 15 in a direction perpendicular to that of the wrapping flaps 7 by folding the second blank about the line 16 and then three more folds about the lines 17 to 19, respectively (as judged by the packer to be most appropriate for the size of the book). Finally, the free end 13 of the second blank 3 is secured to the underside of the base 4 with glue.

The crumple panel 10 of the first blank 2 ensures that the corners 20 of the book are inset from the ends of the package with the material of the crumple panel 10 and that around the periphery of the second blank 3 providing a crumple zone which protects the book 15 from damage.

An important and advantageous feature of the packing case 1 of the present invention, is that the design of the first blank 2 enables a single master blank 21, as illustrated in Figures 7 and 8, to be assembled first, before dividing the master blank 21 along the lines L1-L3 into a number of assembled first blanks 2, each for connection to a respective second blank 3 made separately.

The production process is considerably speeded up using this two bank design and results in less fibreboard being wasted. A single die cutter may be used to preform the master blank 21, on the reverse side of the fibreboard with adhesive subsequently being introduced along two parallel lines to allow the crumple panels 10 of the wrapping flaps 7 to be glued to the base 4 when the wrapping flaps are folded about the half-cut score lines 8. The master blank 21 is then divided along the lines L1-L3 to form four first blanks 2.

Figure 9 shows a second example of the present invention which is less complex and uses less fibreboard.

A packing case 1 comprises a first blank 2 and a second blank 3 which are formed separately and subsequently connected together. Each wrapping flap 7 of the first blank 2 is integrally connected to the base 4 along a fold line 8 which extends across the end of the base 4. As shown, the ends 6 of the base 4 lie inwardly with respect to the sides 22 of the second blank 3 so that it is the sides of the second blank 3 which provide a crumple zone for the packing case. As before, the two blanks are overlapped and glued together to form a completed packing case.

Claims

1. A fibreboard packing case for a book, the packing case being formed from two initially separate fibreboard blanks comprising a first blank for wrapping around the book in a first direction and a second blank for wrapping around the book in a perpendicular direction, wherein the first blank comprises a rectangular base having sides and ends and wrapping flaps formed as integral extensions of the ends, a complete packing case being formed by connecting together one side of the first blank and an overlapped portion of an end of the second blank, with each wrapping flap being hinged to the base a distance inset from a respective one of opposite sides of the second blank to provide a crumple zone.

2. A fibreboard packing case according to claim 1, in which each wrapping flap is integrally connected to the rectangular base along a first fold line which extends across the length of the end of the base and the wrapping flap also includes a second fold line spaced apart from the first fold line, the first and second fold lines defining a crumple panel which is fixed to the base so that the wrapping flap may be hinged upwardly relative to the base about the second fold line.

3. A fibreboard packing case according to claim 2, in which the first fold line connecting the wrapping flap to the base is formed as a half-cut score through the fibreboard.

4. A fibreboard packing case according to claim 1, in which each wrapping flap is hinged to the base along a fold line which lies inwardly with respect to the side of the second blank when the two blanks are joined together.

5. A fibreboard packing case according to any of claims 2 to 4, in which each wrapping flap is provided with a number of additional spaced apart parallel fold lines to allow the wrapping flap to be folded into different configurations.

6. A fibreboard packing case according to claim 5, in which the additional fold lines are formed as slit-score lines.

7. A method of producing fibreboard packing cases according to any preceding claim including the steps of: forming a single master blank comprising a rectangular base having sides and ends and wrapping flaps formed as integral extensions of the ends; dividing the master blank in a direction parallel to the sides of the base to form a number of first blanks; and, connecting each of the first blanks to a respective second blank.

8. A method of producing fibreboard packing cases according to claim 7, in which the first blank is die cut on a reverse side of the fibreboard during production.

9. A fibreboard packing case substantially as shown in and/or described with reference to Figures 1 to 9 of the accompanying drawings.

10. A method of producing fibreboard packing cases substantially as shown in and described with reference to Figures 1 to 9 of the accompanying drawings.