GB2428037A

GB2428037A - Dividers and separating rack for box containing vehicle components

Info

Publication number: GB2428037A
Application number: GB0613233A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Steve Knights
Original assignee: Mondi Packaging UK Ltd
Current assignee: Mondi Packaging UK Ltd
Priority date: 2005-07-06
Filing date: 2006-07-04
Publication date: 2007-01-17
Also published as: GB0613233D0; GB0513815D0

Abstract

The present invention relates to the provision of packaging 2 for vehicle components 42 of a type which maintains the components 42 in a spaced configuration within the packaging 2 during transport of the components 42 and thereby prevents damage to them. The packaging 2 includes a plurality of dividers 24 to maintain the components in a spaced configuration, the dividers 24 being made of card material. Each of the dividers 24 may include at least one portion which is moveable 38 with respect to the remainder of the divider 24 so as to locate or secure the vehicle components 42 in position. Additionally there may be provided separators 26, 28, similar in form to racks, arranged perpendicular to the plane of the dividers 24 and securing them in position. The packaging 2 may be treated with rust inhibitor to preserve the components 42.

Description

1 2428037 Vehicle Component Packaging The invention to which this

application relates is to the provision of packaging of a form which allows finished or partially finished vehicle components to be safely and securely transferred to a location to allow further manufacturing steps to be preferred on the component and/or for the component to be used to form part of a vehicle.

It is now commonplace for many vehicle manufacturers to at least partially manufacture components of a vehicle, such as for example, doors of a vehicle, at a first location and then transport the said components to another location which may be in the same country or another country in the world, whereupon the components can then be used in the assembly of a vehicle at the assembly location.

As these components will typically have been finished or partially finished at the first location, there is obviously a need to ensure that the components are not damaged during the transport of the same. Due to the importance of this, it has, until now, been the case that metal framed packaging is used to transport the components. Typically therefore a metal frame is constructed on site which in itself is time consuming and can take a number of hours and the frame defines a series of receiving slots into which the said components are placed. The said frame and components are then placed into a container and the container transported to the assembly location. However, because of the time taken to assemble the frame and, furthermore, the expense of the frames there is a current problem in terms of cost and time taken for use of the packaging.

The aim of the present invention is to provide a form of packaging which allows reduced time for construction, reduced costs in terms of materials used while still maintaining or improving the transport of the components and resistance of damage to the same.

In a first aspect of the invention, there is provided packaging for use in the transport of finished or partially finished vehicle components to an assembly location wherein said packaging includes a plurality of dividers to maintain the components in a spaced configuration and at least said dividers are formed of card material.

In one embodiment, the packaging includes an outer housing within which is located a plurality of said components.

In one embodiment, provided within the outer housing are a series of said dividers, said housing and dividers formed from card or corrugated card material and the dividers are mutually spaced apart to define a series of cavities, one cavity between adjacent dividers and each cavity provided for the location of at least one of said components therein.

Typically the dividers are provided of a size and shape so as to provide protection and prevent or minimise contact between adjacent components within the packaging.

In one embodiment, each of the dividers includes at least one portion which is movable with respect to the remainder of the divider so as to provide engagement with the vehicle component and/or an adjacent divider. Typically said at least one portion is angularly adjustable with respect to the divider so as to maintain said component in a defined position within the housing and in relation to other components within the housing.

In one embodiment, each divider is provided with location means, which location means are selectively positionable with respect to either parts of the packaging such as the outer housing and/or other dividers so as to retain each of the dividers in a respective position within the housing.

In one embodiment, the location and/or engagement means are defined by slots or lines of weakening on each divider.

In one embodiment each of the dividers are formed with the same shape and configuration.

In one embodiment, the packaging parts are provided in a flat pack form for erection into the packaging for reception of the components at the location of manufacture of said components.

In one embodiment, the packaging or portions of the packaging are treated with a substance so as to prevent rusting or other contamination of said components during the packaging of the same.

In one embodiment, the packaging includes inserts of plastics or other material, said insert provided to act as securing means for parts of the packaging and/or to retain the card material in a position for subsequent transport.

Typically, in addition to the dividers, there is provided at least one separator, said separator running substantially perpendicular to the planar direction of the dividers and thereby providing further support and securing of the dividers in position.

In a further aspect of the invention there is provided a packaging container for housing and transporting a plurality of vehicle components in a spaced configuration wherein said packaging comprises a series of card or corrugated card blanks which are assembled into the container at the location of production of said components to form packaging as herein described.

In a further aspect of the invention there is provided a method of packaging a plurality of vehicle doors, said method comprising the steps of forming a series of blanks in card or corrugated card material, transporting the blanks as a kit to the location of manufacture of the vehicle doors, assembling the blanks on site to form a series of internal cavities defined by a series of spaced interlocked dividers formed from said blanks, placing a vehicle door in each of the cavities, moving a portion of each divider to secure the door in each cavity and surrounding the vehicle doors and dividers in an outer housing to form the container for transport.

Specific embodiments of the invention will now be described with reference to the accompanying drawings, wherein:- Figure 1 illustrates part of the packaging in accordance.with the invention; Figure 2 illustrates part of the outer housing prior to assembly of the remaining parts of the packaging therewith; Figure 3 illustrates the remaining parts of the packaging in assembled form; Figure 4 illustrates the components of the packaging of Figures 2 and 3 placed in position; Figures 5a and b illustrate the placing of components into the packaging of Figure 4 for subsequent transport; and Figures 6a to g illustrate views of blank components of the packaging in accordance with one embodiment of the invention.

Referring firstly to Figure 1, there is illustrated packaging 2 in accordance with one embodiment of the invention and it will be seen how the packaging comprises an outer housing having a base 4, side panels 6 locked to the base 4 via inserts 8 which can be conventional locking means and a lid 10 locked to the base and side panels with further locking inserts 8. In this form, the packaging is ready for transport to another location with the components mounted therein.

Reference to Figures 2 to 5 will now illustrate how the packaging of this form is created.

In the first instance, Figure 2 illustrates part of the housing in an erected form to have a rear wall 14, side walls 6, and a base 4.

The free ends of the side walls and base have flap portions 22.

A packaging assembly is provided to be moved into the partially formed housing and this packaging assembly is shown in Figure 3 in a formed arrangement so as to comprise a series of divider panels 24, and a series of strengtheners or separators 26, 28 which serve to locate flaps 30 of each of the dividers in slotted apertures 32 in the strengtheners and thereby retain the dividers in the required planer direction and keep the same mutually spaced apart as required to form a series of cavities 36 therebetween. Each of the dividers has the location portions as described and engagement portions 38 which can be angularly displaced with regard to the remainder of the divider as shown in Figure 3.

The configuration shown in Figure 3 can then be placed into the housing of Figure 2 to provide the packaging arrangement shown in Figure 4. At this stage, the components which are to be transported, which in this case are vehicle doors 42, can be inserted. Figure 5 illustrates this having occurred and indicates how, in each cavity 36, defined between adjacent dividers, there is provided a vehicle door component 42. Furthermore, the engagement portions 38 are then folded so as to pass through the open window section 48 of the door and engage with the adjacent divider and thereby lock the portion 50 of the vehicle door component between the engagement portion. 38 and adjacent divider 24 and thereby act to secure the vehicle door components in position in their respective cavities. The remaining front panel and lid of the housing can then be provided to form the packaging as shown in Figure 1. A relatively rigid and safe packaging arrangement is now provided.

Figures 6a-g illustrate blanks for packaging which are provided as a kit to allow the package to be formed on site at the location of manufacture of the components. Figure 6a illustrates a side wall panel 52, Figure 6b illustrates a divider 24 for use with a left hand vehicle door, Figure 6c illustrates a strengthener 28, Figure 6d illustrates a further strengthener 28, Figure 6e illustrates a rear or front panel, Figure 6f illustrates a lid or base, 10, 4 for the outer housing and Figure 6g illustrates a strengthener 26.

When delivered as a flat pack on site, the blanks are formed and assembled as previously described to form the final container which is more efficient in terms of time for assembly, uses significantly cheaper materials in comparison to conventional packaging and still maintains the required separation and hence protection of the components during transport.

Claims

Claims 1. Packaging for use in the transport of finished or partially

finished vehicle components to an assembly location wherein said packaging includes a plurality of dividers to maintain the components in a spaced configuration and at least said dividers are formed of card material.
2. Packaging according to claim I wherein the packaging includes an outer housing within which is located a plurality of said components.
3. Packaging according to claim I wherein said dividers are equally spaced apart to define a series of cavities therebetween.
4. Packaging according to claim 3 wherein each cavity is provided with a location means for at least one of said components therein.
5. Packaging according to claim I wherein the dividers prevent contact between adjacent components.
6. Packaging according to claim I wherein each of the dividers includes at least one portion which is movable with respect to the remainder of the divider so as to locate with the vehicle component and/or an adjacent divider to maintain the component in position and/or the spacing between the dividers.
7. Packaging according to claim 6 wherein said at least one portion is angularly adjustable with respect to the divider.
8. Packaging according to claim 1 wherein each divider is provided with location means selectively positionable with respect to at least one part of the packaging.
9. Packaging according to claim 1 wherein location and/or engagement means are defined by slots or lines of weakening on each divider.
10. Packaging according to claim I wherein each of the dividers are formed of the same shape and configuration.
11. Packaging according to claim I wherein the packaging parts are initially provided in a flat pack form for erection into the packaging for reception of the components at the location of manufacture of said components.
12. Packaging according to claim 1 wherein the container and/or dividers of the packaging are treated with a substance so as to prevent rusting or other contamination of said components when in the package.
13. Packaging according to claim I wherein the same includes inserts provided to act as securing means for parts of the packaging and/or to retain the packaging materials in a position for subsequent transport.
14. Packaging according to claim 1 wherein in addition to the dividers there is provided at least one separator, said separator arranged substantially perpendicular to the plane of the dividers and thereby providing further support and securing of the dividers in position.
15. Packaging according to claim I wherein the dividers and components are held in position by a plurality of separators, and are enclosed by an outer housing to form the container for transport.
16. A packaging container for housing and transporting a plurality of vehicle components in a spaced configuration wherein said packaging comprises a series or card or corrugated card blanks which are assembled into the container at the location of production of said components to form packaging as described in claims 1-14.
17. A method of packaging a plurality of vehicle doors, said method comprising the steps of forming a series of blanks in card or corrugated card material, transporting the blanks of the kit to the location and manufacture of the vehicle doors, assembling the blanks on site to form a series of internal cavities defined by a series of spaced interlocked dividers formed from said blanks, placing a vehicle door in each of the cavities, moving a portion of each divider to secure the door in each cavity, and surrounding the vehicle doors and dividers in an outer housing to form the container for transport.
18. A method according to claim 17 wherein the method includes the step of providing at least one blank to act as a separator, said separator moved to engage said dividers and retain the dividers in the spaced configuration to define the said cavities.
19. Packaging as hereinbefore described with reference to the accompanying drawings.
20. A method as hereinbefore described with reference to the accompanying drawings.