GB2334018A

GB2334018A - A packaging device

Info

Publication number: GB2334018A
Application number: GB9802256A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Ivan Bussey
Original assignee: SPRINGPACK
Current assignee: SPRINGPACK
Priority date: 1998-02-04
Filing date: 1998-02-04
Publication date: 1999-08-11
Also published as: GB9802256D0

Abstract

A packaging device 10, suitable for example for packaging CD-ROMs, comprises a plurality of articulated portions 11 - 19, adapted to be folded relative to one another to define a packaging cavity to contain articles to be packaged. The device includes one or more pairs of tabs 30A, 30B, 31A and 31 B, adapted in use, to secure the articles against movement within the cavity. Each pair of tabs 30A, 30B, 31A and 31B constitutes a closable part in one of the articulated portions and each tab is hingedly attached to the articulated portions and is foldable into a plane substantially perpendicular to the plane of the articulated portion so as to extend into the cavity. When the articulated portions are folded relative to one another a substantially parallelepiped cavity may be formed. One or more of the articulated portions may be provided with one or more non-linear edges and the packaging cavity defined by the folded-together articulated portions may include at least one generally arcuate section. Each pair of tabs may extend in use over 25%, 50% or 75% of the depth of the cavity. Two more pairs of tabs capable of extending into the cavity by a different percentage of the depth of the cavity may be provided. The package may be secured using reusable adhesive strip. The packaging may be made from cardboard. One or more articulated portions may be provided with space to receive a mailing or return label.

Description

PACKAGING DEVICE This invention relates to a packaging device and in particular to a packaging device having a cavity to contain articles to be packaged, in which the capacity of the cavity can be varied.

The present invention will be particularly described herein with reference to a package suitable for sending articles such as "floppy discs", "CD-ROMs" and the like through the post, although it is not to be construed as being limited thereto.

Packaging devices, comprising a plurality of articulated portions adapted to be folded relative to one another to define a cavity, are well known per se. Generally, stich devices are made by cutting or stamping from a planar sheet of a material such as cardboard. They are generally supplied in an "opened-out" condition (for ease of transport and storage) and are assembled to form the "finished" packages at the point of use.

A particular disadvantage of such known devices is that, unless the packaging cavity is substantially filled with the articles it is to contain, the articles can move within the cavity during transportation (and especially during transportation in the course of postal delivery) and may in consequence become damaged or even lost. Moreover, damage could be caused to the package itself, thus militating against possible re-use.

Hitherto, the only way of preventing movement of the contents of a part-filled package of the type hereinbefore described has been to provide one or more "inserts" of paper, card or plastics material to reduce the possibility of such movement.

We have found that the use of such "inserts" does not always prove reliable in preventing movement of the contents of the package, in addition to requiring at least one additional "labour step" in assembling the package and consequently adding to the cost.

We therefore provide a packaging device in which the use of such "inserts" is avoided, but which can prevent the movement of articles contained within a part-filled package.

Accordingly, the present invention provides a packaging device comprising a plurality of articulated portions adapted to be folded relative to one another to define a packaging cavity to contain articles to be packaged, in which the device includes one or more pairs of tabs adapted, in use, to secure said articles against movement within said cavity, each said pair of tabs constituting a closable port in one of said articulated portions and each tab being hingedly attached to said articulated portion and being foldable into a plane substantially perpendicular to the plane of said articulated portion so as to extend into said cavity.

Preferably, each articulated portion is of substantially planar configuration, whereby, when the articulated portions are folded relative to one another, a substantially parallelepiped cavity is defined.

A substantially parallelepiped packaging cavity is particularly suitable for containing "floppy discs" such as are used in computers, word-processors and the like.

Alternatively, any one or more of the articulated portions may be provided with one or more non-linear edges, whereby the packaging cavity defined by the folded-together portions includes at least one generally arcuate section. A packaging cavity of such a configuration would be particularly suitable for containing compact-discs, "CD-ROMs" or the like.

A device according to the present invention is, as stated hereinabove, provided with at least one pair of tabs. These tabs may, for example, extend over 25%, 50% or 75% of the depth of the cavity.

For example, a pair of tabs which, when folded inwardly, extend over 25% of the depth of the cavity, may be used to secure against movement a package which is filled to 75% of its capacity.

In a particularly preferred embodiment, two or more pairs of tabs may be provided, each pair of tabs being capable of extending into the cavity by a different percentage of the depth of the cavity.

For example, a device may have a first pair of tabs to extend over 25% of the depth of the cavity and a second pair of tabs to extend over 50% of the depth of the cavity.

A device according to the present invention may further be provided with one or more adhesive strips (which may be re-usable adhesive strips) to secure the package in a closed condition.

At least one of the articulated portions may be provided with space to affix a label, such as a mailing (or return-address) label.

The packaging device may conveniently be made of a material such as cardboard.

The present invention will be illustrated, merely by way of example, in the following description and with reference to the accompanying drawing, the single figure of which shows a packaging device according to the present invention, in the "open" condition.

The packaging device (shown generally at 10) comprises articulated portions 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18 and 19 which are adapted to be folded relative to one another about the broken lines 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26 and 27 to define a packaging cavity.

Two pairs of hinged tabs 30A, 30B and 31A, 31B are provided in portions 18, 19 and 15 respectively.

Tabs 30A and 30B extend into the cavity by approximately 75% of the depth of the cavity, while tabs 31A and 31B extend into the cavity by approximately 50% of the depth of the cavity.

The device illustrated in the drawing is adapted to hold up to 8 "floppy discs" when the cavity is completely filled. Thus, if, say, two "floppy discs" are to be packaged, the discs may be held in place in the cavity means of tabs 30A and 30B. If, say, four "floppy discs" are to be packaged, the discs may be held in place in the cavity by means of tabs 31A and 31B.

Portions 11 and/or 13 may be provided with space to receive a mailing (or return) label.

The reverse surfaces of portions 11 and/or 13 may be provided with one or more adhesive strips.

Claims

CLAIMS 1. A packaging device comprising a plurality of articulated portions adapted to be folded relative to one another to define a packaging cavity to contain articles to be packaged, in which the device includes one or more pairs of tabs adapted, in use, to secure said articles against movement within said cavity, each said pair of tabs constituting a closable part in one of said articulated portions and each tab being hingedly attached to said articulated portion and being foldable into a plane substantially perpendicular to the plane of said articulated portion so as to extend into said cavity.
2. A device according to Claim 1, in which each articulated portion is of substantially planar configuration whereby, when the articulated portions are folded relative to one another, a substantially parallelepiped cavity is defined.
3. A device according to Claim 1, in which one or more of the articulated portions is provided with one or more non-linear edges whereby the packaging cavity defined by the folded-together articulated portions includes at least one generally arcuate section.
4. A device according to Claim 1, 2 or 3, in which each pair of tabs extends, in use, over 25% of the depth of the cavity.
5. A device according to Claim 1, 2 or 3, in which each pair of tabs extends, in use, over 50% of the depth of the cavity.
6. A device according to Claim 1, 2 or 3, in which each pair of tabs extends, in use, over 75% of the depth of the cavity.
7. A device according to any one of Claims 1 to 6 including two or more pairs of tabs, each pair of tabs being capable, in use, of extending into the cavity by a different percentage of the depth of the cavity.
8. A device according to Claim 7 having a first pair of tabs adapted to extend, in use, over 25% of the depth of the cavity and a second pair of tabs adapted to extend, in use, over 50% of the depth of the cavity.
9. A device according to any one of the preceding claims including one or more adhesive strips adapted, in use, to secure the package in a closed condition.
10. A device according to Claim 9, in which each said strip is a reusable adhesive strip.
11. A device according to any one of the preceding claims, which is made of cardboard or the like.
12. A packaging device, substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to and as illustrated in the accompanying drawings.