GB2313360A

GB2313360A - Packaging insert

Info

Publication number: GB2313360A
Application number: GB9610980A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Jeremy Mark Anderson
Original assignee: Linpac Containers International Ltd
Current assignee: DS Smith Packaging Ltd
Priority date: 1996-05-24
Filing date: 1996-05-24
Publication date: 1997-11-26
Also published as: GB9610980D0

Abstract

A packaging insert (2')for retaining within an associated packaging container an article having a generally planar peripheral portion has a panel (23) with a slot or slots (24) therein, the arrangement being such that, when the insert (2')is located in the container, the generally planar peripheral portion of an article to be retained within the container is receivable within the panel slot (24), to retain the article within the container. Two panels (23) each having slots (24) for retaining spaced portions of a group of articles are preferably provided and the insert (2') preferably comprises a folded blank.

Description

PACKAGING INSERT DESCRIPTION The present invention relates to a packaging insert intended to be located within a standard packaging container for the purpose of adapting that container to the packaging, for transport or storage, of one or a plurality of generally planar articles, especially articles manufactured of a frangible material, such as glass.

The packaging insert of the present invention is particularly, though not exclusively, intended to enable a plurality of quarter light glass windows for vehicles to be packaged in a parallel fashion, and held securely within a standard, generally rectangular shaped outer packaging container, whereby they may be readily and safely transported and stored.

The packaging insert of the present invention is preferably manufactured from a suitable board material, such as corrugated fibreboard, and is erected for use and insertion within a standard packaging container by folding a precut and precreased blank of said material. The present invention thus encompasses within its scope the blank itself.

According to one aspect of the invention, there is provided a packaging insert for retaining within an associated packaging container an article having''a- generally planar peripheral portion, which insert is arranged to be located in an associated packaging container and has a panel with a slot therein, the arrangement being such that, when the insert is solocated, the generally planar peripheral portion of an article to be retained within the container is receivable within the panel slot, to retain the article within the container.

Preferably, the panel of the packaging insert has therein a plurality of slots, preferably parallel with each other, for receiving the planar peripheral portions of a corresponding number of articles to be retained within the packaging container.

In a preferred embodiment of packaging insert to be described in more detail hereinbelow, a pair of slotted panels is provided, which panels are spaced apart to provide corresponding pairs of opposed spaced slots which are preferably in register with each other. In this manner, one or more articles with opposed generally planar peripheral portions can be retained in the container, with those portions received and retained in respective pairs of opposed slots.

It is to be appreciated that an article to be retained in the container using the inventive insert, may be substantially planar, in which case, the slots of the or each pair of opposed slots may be aligned in-register with each other, preferably longitudinally or transversely of the associated container in which the insert is located, so that the slots of the or each pair thereof are able to receive therein respective opposed ends of the planar article. When the insert has a pair of spaced panels with two or more slots therein, then a corresponding number of planar articles can be retained in the container, preferably in spaced parallel relationship with each other.

The insert may also comprise a base panel which, in use of the insert, rests upon the base of the associated container, in which the insert is located, and from which the slotted panel extends, preferably generally upwardly, that is to say, away from the base of the container. If the insert has a pair of slotted panels, then they are preferably arranged at respective ends of the associated container and may be inclined towards each other at an acute angle to the base panel. Their precise inclination to the insert base panel is dependent upon shape the and dimensions of an article to be retained in the container.

Preferably, an end panel extends from the outer end of the or each slotted panel, to assist in maintaining the insert in its proper location within the container.

When the insert has a base panel, then a side panel may extend longitudinally at each side of the base panel, with the length of each side panel being substantially equal to the length of the container between a corresponding pair of end walls thereof.

The purpose of such side panels is to locate the packaging insert longitudinally within associated the packaging container, so spacing the or each slotted panels from the opposed end walls of the container.

The space(s) thus provided between the end walls of the container and the respective slotted panel(s) of the insert are for accommodating parts of the respective planar end(s) the article(s) extending through the slot(s) to be retained in position in the container by the insert.

The packaging insert is preferably adapted for use with a packaging container having a pair of opposed side walls extending between a pair of opposed end walls and preferably an end panel of the insert has an opposed pair of longitudinally extending side flaps for bracing the end panel against an adjacent one of the side walls of the container when the insert is fully positioned within the container, Preferably, also, the packaging insert is intended for use within a packaging container further having a base, against which any base panel of the insert rests when the insert is fully positioned within the container.

According to a second aspect of the present invention, there is provided a unitary planar blank of sheet material which is cut and creased so that it may be erected to form a packaging insert according to the first aspect of the present invention, the blank comprising a slotted panel such that, when the blank is erected and the so-erected insert is located within an associated packaging container, the generally planar peripheral portion of an article to be retained in the container, is receivable within a slot of the slotted panel.

Preferably, the blank further comprises an end panel extending from the end of the or each slotted panel remote from its juncture with any base panel.

Preferably, the blank also comprises a side panel extending longitudinally at each side of any base panel.

The packaging insert and associated blank of the present invention may be formed from a corrugated fibreboard material, such as corrugated cardboard.

The packaging insert of the present invention, erected from the blank of the present invention, is preferably intended for location within a standard generally rectangular shaped packaging container in order to adapt such a container to receive and retain therein one or more generally planar articles whose respective opposed ends are intended to be received within aligned pairs of slots of the insert.

Preferably, generally planar articles with which the present invention is intended for use are quarterlight glass windows for vehicles, such as motor vehicles.

Two preformed embodiments of the present invention will now be described in greater detail and by way of example only, with reference to the accompanying drawings in which: Figure 1 is a side view taken in longitudinal section of a standard, outer packaging container in which a first embodiment of packaging insert of the present invention has been located, showing a generally planar article retained in place by the insert; Figure 2 is a plan view of a cut and creased unitary planar blank of the present invention from which the packaging insert shown in Figure 1 has been erected; Figure 3 is a side view of a second embodiment of insert located in a standard, outer packaging container, showing a generally planar article retained in place in the container by the insert; and Figure 4 is a plan view of a unitary blank of the invention from which the insert of Figure 3 has been erected.

Referring to the Figure 1 of the drawings, there is shown a standard outer packaging container, generally indicated at 1, into which an erected packaging insert, according to the present invention and indicated generally at 2, has been inserted, as well as a generally planar article 3 which is positioned and held in place within the container 1 by the packaging insert 2.

The packaging insert 2 illustrated in Figure 1 has been erected from a cut and creased unitary planar blank, indicated generally at 2' in Figure 2.

Reference numerals used in Figure 2 to identify features of the blank 2' are, in some cases, repeated in Figure 1, but, in most cases, primed, in order to assist in understanding the relationships of parts of the packaging insert 2 to corresponding parts of the blank 2'.

Referring now in more detail to Figures 1 and 2 of the drawings, the packaging container 1 is a standard, generally rectangular container or box, preferably manufactured from corrugated fibreboard material, and has been erected from a single blank.

The erected container 1 comprises a bottom wall 10, a pair of end walls 11 each with an associated fold over top flap 13, and longitudinal top edges 12. Each top edge 12 is defined by the foldline at the junction between a longitudinal side wall (not shown) and an associated long top fold over flap (also not shown).

The internal space within the packaging container 1 as described receives the erected insert 2 and is thereby adapted for the purpose of receiving and supporting in spaced, parallel relationship a plurality, for example ten, of generally planar articles 3.

Each article 3, here shown and described as a motor vehicle quarterlight glass window, is of generally triangular shape having a long side 30, connected by two generally rounded ends 31 to two shorter sides 32 which meet at a common apex 33. In order that the manner of support of the array of spaced, parallel articles 3 by the insert 2 may readily be understood, description of the blank 2' from which the insert 2 is erected will now be given with reference to Figure 2.

The blank 2' is preferably a unitary cardboard blank which has been cut to the shape and form shown, so as to present a base panel 20 at each longitudinal side of which is a longitudinally extending, narrow side panel 21.

Each side panel 21 adjoins the main panel 20 along a crease 21a and has a longitudinally extending outer edge 21b. At opposed ends of each side panel 21 are portions 22 defined by longitudinal cuts 22A in extension of the crease 21 .

At each end of the blank 2', the base panel 20 is adjoined, at a transverse normal crease 23d, by a slotted panel indicated generally at 23. Each such panel 23 is formed with a plurality, here shown by way of example as numbering ten, of longitudinally extending, elongate push-outs (which are partially cut through and may readily be pushed out with minimal force to provide respective slots) or slots 24 arranged at generally equal transverse spacing across the width of the blank defined between the longitudinal foldlines 21a. Each push-out or slot 24 may be of any desired geometric shape such as having generally parallel longitudinal side edges, but in this preferred embodiment each push-out or slot bulges slightly towards its mid-region at which it is slightly wider than at the respective end regions thereof. At its end remote from the main panel 20, each push-out or slotted panel 23 terminates in a transverse reverse crease 23b at which it adjoins an end panel 25.

Each end panel 25 has a transversely extending outer edge 25h and a pair of opposed, longitudinal side flaps 26 each adjoining that panel 25 along a longitudinal crease 26a in extension of the earlier described longitudinally extending crease 21 and cut 22a.

As indicated by the partially cut-away portion 27, of the blank base panel 20, the flutes of the corrugates fibreboard of the blank extend longitudinally thereof.

In order to erect the packaging insert 2 of the present invention from the blank 2' just described, the first step is to fold upwards along the longitudinal creases 21 the side panels 21. In the fully erected state of the packaging insert 2, and with the insert fully received within the packaging container 1, the so-formed side panels 21', 22' lie at an angle of substantially 90 to the base 20' of the insert, as seen in Figure 1.

Subsequently, the blank 2' is folded along the transverse normal and reverse creases 23a, 23 and the longitudinal creases 26a.

During folding along the transverse creases 23a.

each push-out or slotted panel 23 is folded upwards out of the plane of the blank 2', relative to the base panel 20. And during folding along the transverse reverse creases 23b. each end panel 25 is folded in the opposite direction relative to the push-out or slotted panel 23. The packaging insert 2 thus assumes the form in which it may be inserted into the interior of the packaging container 1 with the two push-out or panels regions 23' extending upwardly and inwardly towards each other at an acute angle relative to the base 20' and with the end panels 25' extending upwardly, but outwardly, relative to the push-out or slotted panels 23'.

By folding along the longitudinal creases 26A, the flaps 26 of the end panels 25 lie adjacent the longitudinal side walls of the packaging container 1, when the packaging insert 2 is fully inserted therewithin.

With the fully erected packaging insert 2 received within the packaging container 1, the pushouts or slots 24 (not shown in Figure 1) of the slotted panels 23' lie in longitudinally in-register pairs, in this example, ten such pairs. Each such pair of push-outs or slots 24 is capable of receiving and supporting, in the manner generally indicated in Figure 1, respective opposite end regions of a generally planar article 3, such as a motor vehicle quarterlight glass window. Within limits, the angles subtended between the push-outs or slotted panels 23' and the base 20', and between the end panels 25' and the push-out or slotted panels 23,' may be adjusted, for example by raising or lowering the end panels 25' relative to the base 20', thus enabling a degree of adjustment to enable different shapes and sizes of article 3 to the retained in the container. Different sizes in this context refers to the height of each of the shorter sides 32 of the article 3 relative to its base 30 in the region where each such side 32 is likely to make contact with the upper end of the corresponding slot 24 at the crease junction 23b'.

In this first preferred embodiment of the present invention, the transverse spacing between the pushouts or slots 24 amounts to from two to four times the width of each individual push-out or slot 24 but clearly this is a matter for substantial freedom of choice according to the size and nature of the articles to be received and retained in the container by the insert.

The packaging insert 2 is only loosely received within the packaging container 1 and the end panels 25' may readily be moved relative to the container end walls 11 and flexed about the crease junctions 23', in order to allow for insertion thereinto and removal therefrom of the articles 3.

When a packaging container 1, equipped with the packaging insert 2, has received a full complement of articles 3, the end panels 25' need to be appropriately depressed into the body of the container 1 and the container end top flaps 13 and long side top flaps (not shown) folded down in the usual manner and secured in any suitable manner. The thus packaged article(s) 3 may then conveniently, easily and safely be stored and/or transported without risk of damage.

When it is required to remove any of the articles 3 from within the packaging container 1, it is a simple matter to unseal the top flaps in order to gain access to the interior thereof and, because the packaging insert 2 has not been secured within the container 1, it is an easy matter for the end panels 25' to be raised in order to allow the individual articles 3 to be disengaged from their retaining pairs of slots 24.

Referring now to Figures 3 and 4 of the drawings, here is shown a standard outer packaging container indicated generally at 31, into which an erected packaging insert, again according to the invention and indicated generally at 32, has been inserted, as well as a generally planar article 33 which is positioned and held in place within the container 31 by the insert 32.

The erected insert 32 and corresponding unitary blank 32' from which that insert has been erected, as shown in Figure 4, are substantially identical to the insert 2 and blank 2' described above in relation to Figures 1 and 2, except that an additional panel 47 is provided between the end panel 45 and slotted panel 43 at opposed ends of the base panel 40. Each additional panel 47 is connected to the adjacent slotted panel 43 by a reverse crease 50 and to the end panel 45 by a normal crease 51.

With the fully erected packing insert 32 received within the packaging container 31, the push-outs or slots 44 (not shown in Figure 3) of the slotted panels 43' receive therein respective opposed end regions of a generally planar article 33, here shown in Figure 3 as a quarterlight glass window for a motor vehicle.

This arrangement is very similar to that described above with reference to Figure 1, except that in this second embodiment, the erected additional panels 47' which have been folded about respective reverse creases 50, engage the corresponding top edges of the quarterlight 33, with the erected end panels 45', which have been folded about respective normal creases 51, extend upwardly toward the top edge of the side walls of the container 31, as in the case of the end panels 25' of the first embodiment of Figures 1 and 2.

In this manner, the erected additional panels 47' assist in retaining the quarterlight 33 in proper position within the container 31.

Whilst the packaging inserts and blanks of the present invention have been described hereinabove in detail related to the currently preferred embodiments thereof, it is to be understood that the scope of the present invention is not to be so limited but rather is to extend to all such variants as fall within the scope of the broadest statement of the present invention to be found herein.

Thus, for example, the inserts and blanks of the present invention may be manufactured in a variety of different lengths and widths to suit differently dimensioned packaging containers and, hence, differently dimensioned articles to be stored and transported. Similarly, although corrugated fibreboard material has been specified as the preferred material of construction, any suitable alternative may be utilised. Corrugated plastics board is an example. Again, the number and arrangement of push-outs or slots 24,44 may differ from those described and illustrated, and the precise shapes and dimensions of other parts of the blanks and inserts, may deviate from those shown.

Claims

1. A packaging insert for retaining within an associated packaging container an article having a generally planar peripheral portion, which insert is arranged to be located in an associated packaging container and has a panel with a slot therein, the arrangement being such that, when the insert is solocated, the generally planar peripheral portion of an article to be retained within the container is receivable within the panel slot, to retain the article within the container.

2. A packaging insert according to claim 1, wherein the slotted panel has therein a plurality of slots for receiving the planar peripheral portions of a corresponding number of articles to be retained within the packaging container.

3. A packaging insert according to claim 2, wherein the slots in the panel are parallel with each other.

4. A packaging insert according to claim 1, 2 or 3, wherein a pair of slotted panels is provided, which panels are spaced apart to provide corresponding pairs of opposed spaced slots.

5. A packaging insert according to claim 4, wherein the or each pair of opposed spaced slots are in register with each other.

6. A packaging insert according to claim 4 or 5, wherein the or each pair of opposed slots are aligned in-register with each other.

7. A packaging insert according to claim 4, 5 or 6, wherein the or each pair of opposed slots are aligned longitudinally or transversely of the associated container in which the insert is located.

8. A packaging insert according to any preceding claim also comprising a base panel which, in use of the insert, rests upon the base of the associated container in which the insert is located, and from which the slotted panel(s) extends.

9. A packaging insert according to claim 8, wherein the slotted panel(s) extends from the base panel generally upwardly away from the base of the container.

10. A packaging insert according to any preceding claim including a pair of slotted panels which can be arranged at respective ends of the associated container.

11. A packaging unit according to claim 10 when dependent upon claim 8 or 9, wherein the pair of slotted panels are inclined towards each other at an acute angle to the base panel.

12. A packaging unit according to claim 11, wherein the precise inclination of the pair of slotted panels with respect to the insert base panel is dependent upon the shape and dimensions of an article(s) to be retained in the associated container.

13. A packaging insert according to any preceding claim including an end panel extending from the outer end of the or each slotted panel, to assist in maintaining the insert in its proper location within the associated container.

14. A packaging insert according to claim 8 or any of claims 9 to 13 when dependent upon claim 8, wherein a side panel extends longitudinally at each side of the base panel, with the length of each side panel being substantially equal to the length of the associated container between a corresponding pair of end walls thereof, so as to locate the packaging insert longitudinally within the associated packaging container, thereby spacing the or each slotted panel from the opposed end walls of the container.

15. A packaging unit according to any preceding claim, wherein a space(s) provided between the end walls of the container and the respective slotted panel(s) of the insert can accommodate parts of the respective planar end(s) of the article(s) extending through the slot(s) to be retained in position in the container by the insert.

16. A packaging insert according to any preceding claim adapted for use with a packaging container having a pair of opposed side walls extending between a pair of opposed end walls.

17. A packaging insert according to any preceding claim, wherein an end panel of the insert has an opposed pair of longitudinally extending side flaps for bracing the end panel against an adjacent one of the side walls of the container when the insert is fully positioned within the container.

18. A packaging insert for use within a packaging container having a base-against which the base panel of the insert rests when the insert is fully positioned within the container.

19. A packaging insert substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to the accompanying drawings.

20. A unitary planar blank of sheet material which is cut and creased so that it can be erected to form a packaging insert according to any preceding claim, the blank comprising a slotted panel such that, when the blank is erected and the so-erected insert is located within an associated packaging container, the generally planar peripheral portion of an article to be retained in the container, is receivable within a slot of the slotted panel.

21. A unitary blank according to claim 20 further comprising an end panel extending from the end of the or each slotted panel remote from its juncture with a base panel.

22. A unitary blank according to claim 20 or 21 also comprising a side panel extending longitudinally at each side of any base panel.

23. A unitary blank substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to the accompanying drawings.

24. A packaging insert according to any of claims 1 to 19 or a unitary blank according to any of claims 20 to 23 formed from a corrugated fibreboard material, such as corrugated cardboard.