GB2447554A

GB2447554A - Safety packaging for firework articles

Info

Publication number: GB2447554A
Application number: GB0804507A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Stuart James Garner
Original assignee: FIREWORKS INTERNAT Ltd
Current assignee: FIREWORKS INTERNAT Ltd
Priority date: 2007-03-13
Filing date: 2008-03-12
Publication date: 2008-09-17
Also published as: GB0704824D0; GB0804507D0

Abstract

The packaging 310 comprises at least an inner packaging arrangement 10A and an outer packaging arrangement 32. The inner packaging arrangement is arrangeable on individual or a group of firework articles 18 to be packed and the outer packaging arrangement being arrangeable around the inner packaging. One of the inner and outer packaging arrangements is fire resistant and preferably force absorbing, and the other all the inner and outer packaging arrangement is force absorbing. The inner packaging arrangement may have second component 10B that has force absorbing 12 and preferably also fire resistant features 14. The outer packaging arrangement may be further enclosed in a card box 314. Increased safety can be provided by a further force absorbing packaging arrangement (11, Fig.3) made of steel mesh, between the inner and outer packaging; by using a series of straps (46, Fig.5A) around the outer packaging, and by placing a polystyrene packing piece 312 adjacent to the fuse ends 18A of the articles, that melts away in case of accidental ignition to create a void into which the stars or sparks can escape.

Description

Packaciinq Apparatus This invention relates to packaging apparatus.

More particularly, but not exclusively, this invention relates to packaging apparatus for packaging explosive articles.

Embodiments of the invention relate to packaging apparatus for packaging pyrotechnic articles, such as fireworks.

In the fireworks industry, it is necessary to ensure that all fireworks are safely packaged during transport and storage. Such packaging must ensure that, in the event of the fireworks being set off during transport or storage, any explosion is contained.

According to one aspect of this invention, there is provided a packaging apparatus comprising an inner packaging arrangement and an outer packaging arrangement, the inner packaging arrangement being arrangeable on an article to be packaged and the outer packaging arrangement being arrangeable around the inner packaging arrangement, wherein one of the inner and outer packaging arrangements is fire resistant, and the other of the inner and outer packaging arrangement is force absorbing, The packaging apparatus may further include a securing arrangement arrangeable around the outer packaging arrangement to hold the outer packaging arrangement.

According to another aspect of this invention, there is provided a method of packaging an article comprising arranging an inner packaging arrangement on the article, arranging the inner packaging arrangement within an outer packaging arrangement, wherein one of the inner and outer packaging arrangements is fire resistant and force absorbing, and the other of the inner and outer packaging arrangements is force absorbing.

The method may further comprise arranging a securing arrangement around the second packaging arrangement to hold the outer packaging arrangement.

Preferably one of the inner and outer packaging arrangements is fire resistant and force absorbing, and the other of the inner and outer packaging arrangements is force absorbing. Preferably, the inner packaging arrangement is fire resistant and force absorbing, and the outer packaging arrangement is force absorbing.

The packaging apparatus and the method may be suitable for packaging an explosive artic!e, such as a pyrotechnic article, for example a firework.

The inner packaging arrangement may be arranged on the article to be packaged to provide an initial packaged article. Where the article comprises explosive devices, such as fireworks, and the explosive portions are provided only at one or more end regions of a carton, the inner packaging arrangement may be arranged at the, or each of the, aforesaid end regions.

In one embodiment, the inner packaging arrangement may be arranged around the article. In another embodiment, the inner packaging arrangement may be arranged at the, or each, end region of the article. Preferably, the inner packaging arrangement is provided over the, or each, end of the article.

The inner packaging arrangement may comprise first and second packaging members. The first packaging member may comprise a force absorbing member, and the second packaging member may comprise a fire resistant member. The second packaging member may be arrangeable around the first packaging member.

The first packaging member may be formed of a material comprising a force absorbing material, which may be a rigid material, such as hardboard.

In one embodiment, the hardboard may have a board weight in the range of 2000 to 2500 g/m2. In this embodiment, the hardboard may have a board weight in the range of 2200 to 2400 gIm2. The hardboard may have a board weight approximately 2300 g/m2.

The hardboard may have a thickness of 3 to 3.4 mm. The hardboard may have a thickness of 3.1 to 3.3 mm. In one embodiment, the hardboard may have a thickness of substantially 3.2 mm. The hardboard may be a fire resistant hardboard, which may be FR Class 1 hardboard.

The fire resistant member may comprise a fire resistant material, which may comprise a flexible material, such as a fabric.

The fire resistant material may comprise silica, which may be present in the range of wt% to 74 wt%. The silica may be present in the fire resistant material in a range of 65 wt% to 69 wt%. The silica may be present in the fire resistant material in a range of 66.5 wt% to 67.5 wt%. In one embodiment, the silica may be present in the fire resistant material in an amount of substantially 67.28 wt%.

The fire resistant material may comprise aluminium oxide, which may be present in a range of 5.2 wt% to 7.2 wt%. The aluminium oxide may be present in the fire resistant material in a range of 5.5 wt% to 6.9 wt%. The aluminium oxide may be present in the fire resistant material in a range of 5.8 wt% to 6.6 wt%. In one embodiment, the aluminium oxide may be present in the fire resistant material in an amount of substantially 6.58 wt%.

The fire resistant material may comprise calcium oxide, which may be present in a range of 8.2 wt% to 10.8 wt%. The calcium oxide may be present in the fire resistant material in a range of 8.6 wt% to 10.4 wt%. The calcium oxide may be present in the fire resistant material in a range of 9.2 wt% to 9.8 wt%. In one embodiment, the calcium oxide may be present in the fire resistant material in an amount of substantially 9.2 wt%.

The fire resistant material may comprise magnesium oxide, which may be present in a range of 3.2 wt% to 5.2 wt%. The magnesium oxide may be present in the fire resistant material in a range of 3.6 wt% to 4.8 wt%. The magnesium oxide may be present in the fire resistant material in a range of 3.9 wt% to 4.5 wt%. In one embodiment, the magnesium oxide may be present in the fire resistant material in an amount of substantially 4.3 wt%.

The fire resistant material may comprise a sodium oxide and potassium oxide mixture, which may be present in a range of 10.9 wt% 13.1 wt%. The aforesaid mixture may be present in a range of 11.3 wt% to 12.7 wt%. The aforesaid mixture may be present in the fire resistant material in a range of 11.6 wt% to 12.4 wt%. In one embodiment, the aforesaid mixture may be present in the fire resistant material in an amount of substantially 11.6 wt%.

In one embodiment, the inner packaging arrangement may comprise a plurality of first packaging members, which may be attached together by the second packaging member. The second packaging member may be wrapped around the first packaging member to provide opposite faces of the second packaging member.

The opposite faces may be sewn together around the edges of each first packaging member.

In another embodiment, the inner packaging arrangement may comprise the second packaging member arranged around the article. Preferably, a portion of the second packaging member is arranged around a central region of the article. Said portion of the first packaging member may be directly wrapped around the article. The first packaging member may be provided at the, or each, end of the article. In this embodiment, the first packaging member may be wrapped in a further portion of the second packaging member.

A packing piece may be provided at the, or each, end of the article. The packing piece may be provided between the inner packaging arrangement and the article.

The packing piece may be formed of a material capable of forming a void under heat. Thus, in this embodiment, in the event of an explosion of the article, or of the contents of the article, a void is formed by, or within, the packing piece to allow the explosion to occur outside the article.

Preferably, the material of the packing piece is capable of being destroyed, or partially destroyed, by heat to form the void. The material may be a synthetic material, desirably, polystyrene.

The outer packaging arrangement may comprise a further force absorbing material.

The further force absorbing material may comprise a metallic material, which may be a steel material. The outer packaging arrangement may comprise a wire mesh.

In one embodiment, the outer packaging arrangement may comprise a steel mesh, which may comprise substantially 1 mm diameter steel wire, with 10 mm square apertures.

In another embodiment, the outer packaging arrangement may comprise a foldable sheet, which may be foldable to form a receptacle to receive the inner packaging arrangement. The foldable sheet is preferably substantially seamless.

The outer packaging arrangement is advantageously formed from a single sheet of material. The outer packaging arrangement may be formed from a single sheet of a mesh material.

It is an advantage of this embodiment that the sheet of packaging material for the outer packaging arrangement is substantially devoid of seams, thereby making it stronger than their sheet with one or more seams.

The foldable sheet may comprise a main part and a plurality of main fold lines may extend across the main part. The main fold lines may be parallel to each other.

Preferably the main part comprises two fold lines.

The main part may comprise a plurality of sections. Preferably, the main part comprises three sections, which may be parallel to each other. The main part may comprise a central section and a pair of outer sections, each outer sections being foldably attached at the respective opposite side to the central section.

The central section may comprise a base section, and the outer sections may each comprise a respective one of a front wall section and a rear wall section.

Side wall parts may be foldably attached to the main part. Each side wall part may be foldably attached to the central section of the main part. Each side wall part may be foldably attached to the base section of the main part.

Each side wall part may comprise a side wall member, and a covering member arranged to cover at least a portion of one of the outer sections of the main part.

Preferably, each side wall part comprises a pair of covering members.

Each covering member may be foldably attached to a respective opposite side of the side wall member. Each covering member may be arranged to cover at least a portion of a respective one of the outer sections of the main part.

A lid part may be foldably attached to the main part. Preferably, the lid part is foldably attached to one of the outer sections of the main part. The lid part may comprise a lid and a plurality of flap members foldably attached to the lid.

Each flap member may be attached to the lid along a respective side of the lid.

When the lid is folded over the main part, the flap members may be foldable over the side walls and one of the outer sections.

The packaging apparatus may, if desired, further include an intermediate packaging arrangement arrangeable between the inner and outer packaging arrangements.

The intermediate packaging arrangement may comprise a further force absorbing material. The further force absorbing material may comprise a metallic material, which may be a steel material. The intermediate packaging material may comprise a wire mesh.

In one embodiment, the intermediate packaging material may comprise a steel mesh, which may comprise substantially 1 mm diameter steel wire, with 10 mm square apertures.

The intermediate packaging arrangement may comprise a container, which may have a base, a side wall and a closure. The intermediate packaging arrangement may be generally rectangular in configuration, and may provide a rectangular box for the inner packaging arrangement. The intermediate packaging arrangement may comprise an intermediate wire mesh cage.

In one embodiment, the intermediate packaging arrangement may comprise a sleeve which can be slidably received over the initially packaged article. The sleeve may have an open front end to allow the sleeve to be arranged over the initially packaged article.

If desired, the sleeve may have an open rear end. The open rear end may allow the sleeve to be arranged fully over the initially packaged article. Alternatively, the sleeve may have an open front end and a closed a rear end thereby allowing the sleeve to be slid onto the initially packaged article until the initially packaged article abuts the closed- end of the sleeve.

Preferably, the intermediate packaging arrangement comprises two of said sleeves.

One of said sleeves may be arranged over one end of the initially packaged article, and the other of said sleeves may be arranged over the other end of the initially packaged article.

The length of each sleeve, between the front and rear faces, may be selected such that when the sleeves are arranged over the initially packaged article, a gap between the front edges of each sleeve is provided. The gap may be substantially mm.

Preferably, the, or each, sleeve is slidably arranged on the initially packaged article.

The provision of an intermediate packaging arrangement comprising one or more sleeves provides the advantage that, in one embodiment, when the outer packaging arrangement is opened, the intermediate packaging arrangement can be removed and the sleeves simply slid off the article packaged in the inner packaging arrangement. With this arrangement, there is no need for the intermediate packaging arrangement to be opened.

The outer packaging arrangement may comprise a container, which may have a base, a side wall and a lid. The outer packaging arrangement may be generally rectangular or square in configuration, and may provide a rectangular or square box for the inner or intermediate packaging arrangements. The outer packaging arrangement may comprise an outer wire mesh cage.

Where the intermediate packaging arrangement is used, the intermediate packaging arrangement may be arranged around the inner packaging arrangement, and may be arranged within the outer packaging arrangement.

The securing arrangement may comprise a plurality of straps arrangeable around the outer packaging arrangement.

The straps may be formed of steel. The opposite end regions of each strap may be fastened to one another by fastening members. The fastening members may comprise deformable clips, which may be deformable around the opposite end regions of each strap. The fastening members may fasten the opposite end regions of each strap to one another by being folded into engagement with the aforesaid opposite end regions.

Where the outer packaging member comprises a base, side walls and a lid, at least one strap may be arranged to extend around the side walls, and at least one strap is arranged around the base, the side walls and the lid.

The packaging apparatus may further comprise a cover arrangement, into which the outer packaging arrangement can be arranged. The cover arrangement may comprise a carton, which may be formed of a cardboard material. The cover arrangement may be generally rectangular in configuration.

An embodiment of the invention will now be described by way of example only, with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which: Figure 1 is a part sectional view of an inner packaging arrangement; Figure 2 shows an initial packaged article comprising an inner packaging arrangement mounted on an article to be packaged; Figure 3 shows an intermediate packaging arrangement into which the initial packaged article can be arranged; Figure 4 shows an outer packaging arrangement into which can be arranged either the initial packaged article or the intermediate packaging arrangement with the initial packaged article therein; Figure 5A, 5B and 5C show an outer packaging arrangement with a securing arrangement, and the securing of the securing arrangement; Figure 6 shows the steps for packaging the article; Figure 7 shows a blank for a further embodiment of the outer packaging arrangement; Figure 8 shows the blank of Figure 7 in a partially folded condition; Figure 9 shows the blank of Figure 7 folded to form a receptacle; Figure 10 shows an embodiment of an intermediate packaging arrangement being arranged on an article; Figure 11 shows the intermediate packaging arrangement of Figure 10 on the article; Figure 12 shows a plurality of articles with intermediate packaging arrangements thereon arranged within an outer packaging arrangement; and Figure 13 is a diagrammatic view of a further embodiment of a packaging apparatus.

A packaging apparatus is shown in the drawings for packaging explosive articles, such as fireworks. The packaging apparatus comprises an inner packaging arrangement 10 (shown in Figures 1 and 2), an intermediate packaging arrangement 11 (shown in Figure 3), an outer packaging arrangement 32 (shown in Figure 4), and a securing arrangement 44 (shown in Figure 5) for securing the outer packaging arrangement 32.

Referring to Figure 1, there is shown an inner packaging arrangement 10 which is fire resistant and force absorbing. The packaging arrangement 10 comprises a plurality of force absorbing members 12, which are wrapped in a fire resistant fabric material 14. Some of the force absorbing members 12 are omitted for clarity. Also, only a portion of the fire resistant fabric material 14 is shown, so that the force absorbing members 12 are visible.

The inner packaging arrangement 10 is generally of a rectangular configuration and, as shown in Figure 2, is constructed to fit over the end regions 16 of a carton 18 containing a plurality of fireworks. The inner packaging arrangement 10 fits over the end regions 16 of the carton 18 because it is this region of the carton 18 that encloses in the explosive portions of the fireworks therein.

The force absorbing members 12 are each in the form of a sheet of hardboard, which in the embodiment described is a fire resistant hardboard with a classification FR Class 1. The hardboard has a board weight of 2300 g/m2, and a thickness of substantially 3.2 mm.

The fire resistant fabric material 14 is arranged to be wholly wrapped around each of the force absorbing members 12, such that the force absorbing members 12 are completely covered by the fire resistant fabric material 14.

The fire resistant fabric material 14 provide two faces 14A and 14B on opposite sides of the force absorbing members 12. The two faces 14A and 14B are stitched together around the edges of the force absorbing members 12. Thus, the force absorbing members 12 are attached to one another by the fire resistant fabric material 14.

The carton 18 may be formed of a suitable cardboard material, as would be understood by those skilled in the art.

It will be appreciated that the size and shape of the inner packaging arrangement 10 can be varied to suit the size and shape of the carton 18. If the carton 18 holds fireworks in which the explosive portions extend substantially the whole length of the carton 18, then the inner packaging arrangement 10 can be arranged to cover substantially the whole of the carton 18. Alternatively, if the explosive portions are provided only at one end of each firework, such as in the case of rockets, then the inner packaging arrangement need only be provided around the ends of the carton where the explosive portions lie. Such an arrangement of the inner packaging arrangement is shown in Figure 2.

The composition of the fire resistant fabric material 14 is shown in Table 1 below.

Table I

Substance Acceptable weight percent Actual weight percent Si02 Silica Glass 67.0 0.5 67.28 Al203 Aluminium Oxide 6.2 0.4 6.58 GaO Calcium Oxide 9.5 0.3 9.2 MgO Magnesium Oxide 4.2 0.3 4.3 R20 (Na20+K20) 12.0 0.4 11.6 TiO2 Titanium Dioxide 0.048 When the two opposite end regions 16 of the carton 18 are covered by the inner packaging arrangements 10, an initially packaged article 19 is provided. The initially packaged article 19 is then arranged within the intermediate packaging arrangement 11. If appropriate, more than one of the initially packaged articles 19 can be arranged within the intermediate packaging arrangement 11.

The intermediate packaging arrangement 11 comprises a rectangular container 20, formed of a force absorbing material which, in the embodiment described, comprises a wire mesh 22. The container 20 comprises four side walls 24, a base 26 and a lid 28 hingedly attached to the upper edge 30 of one of the side walls 24.

After the, or each of the, initial packaged article 19 is arranged within the intermediate packaging arrangement 11, the lid 28 is closed and fastened by means of suitable fasteners, such as ties.

When the lid 28 has been fastened closed, the intermediate packaging arrangement 11 is then arranged in the outer packaging arrangement 32, shown in Figure 4. If desired, two or more of the intermediate packaging arrangements 11 can be arranged in the outer packaging arrangement 32. The outer packaging arrangement 32 has dimensions such that the intermediate packaging arrangements can be arranged one above the other inside the outer packaging arrangement 32.

The outer packaging arrangement 32 comprises a base 34, four side walls 36 and a lid 38. The outer packaging arrangement 32 is formed of a further force absorbing material, such as a wire mesh 40. The base 34, the side walls 36 and the lid 38 are formed of a wire mesh 40. The lid 38 is hingedly secured to an upper edge 42 of one of the side walls 36.

In the embodiment described herein, the wire meshes 22 and 40 are formed of interwoven steel mesh, having 1 mm diameter steel defining to the 10 mm square open apertures When the, or each, intermediate packaging arrangement 11 is arranged within the outer packaging arrangement 32, the lid 38 is closed and fastened in its closed position by suitable fasteners, such as ties.

After the lid 38 has been closed and fastened in its closed position, the securing arrangement 44 is arranged around the outer packaging arrangement 32 to provide yet another force absorbing feature. The securing arrangement 44 comprises a plurality of straps 46, such as steel straps.

The end regions of each respective strap 46 are attached to each other by securing members in the form of clips 48, as shown in Figures 5B and 5C. Each clip 48 comprises a rectangular central portion 59 and two rectangular outer portions 60 on opposite sides of the central portion 59. The opposite end regions of the strap 46 are arranged to overlap one another, and held tight.

As shown in Figure 5C, the central portion 59 of one of the clips 48 is then arranged on the overlapping end regions of the outer portions 60. The outer portions 60 are folded over the end regions of the strap 46 and pressed down on to the end regions of the strap 46. This secures the clip 48 to the two end regions of the strap 46, thereby securing the two end regions of the strap together.

As can be seen from Figure 5, a plurality of straps 46 are arranged around the outer packaging arrangement 32 and secured there. As can be seen from Figure 5, two of the straps 46 extend lengthwise across the lid and the base. Three of the straps 46 extend widthwise across the lid 38 and the base 34, and one strap extends around the side walls 36.

After the securing arrangement 44 has been arranged on the outer packaging arrangement 11, a packaged product is provided, which can be disposed within a carton 45 (see Figure 5C), which may be formed of cardboard or other suitable material.

The embodiment of the packaging apparatus described herein has the advantage that it can contain an explosion of the fireworks packaged in the cartons. All of the force absorbing components of the packaging contribute to absorbing the force of the explosion and dissipating the force, or forces, produced thereby.

If appropriate, the intermediate packaging arrangement 32 can be omitted and the initial packaged carton 19 can be arranged directly in the outer packaging arrangement II. It will be appreciated that the outer packaging arrangement 11 could be of the same dimensions as the intermediate packaging arrangement 32. In such a case, the securing arrangement 44 is provided around the outer packaging arrangement 11 to provide a packaged product which may be disposed within a carton 45.

Referring to Figure 6, there is shown an embodiment of a method for packaging fireworks. In the first stage, marked A, the carton 18 of fireworks is first packaged within two inner packaging arrangements 10 arranged at opposite end regions of the carton 18. This provides the initial packaged article 19, which is disposed within the intermediate packaging arrangement 32, as shown at the step marked B in Figure 6.

When the intermediate packaging arrangement 32 is secured with the lid 40 closed, the intermediate packaging arrangement 32 is disposed within the outer packaging arrangement 11, as shown at step C in Figure 6.

If more than one carton 18 is to be packaged, then a further carton 18' is packaged using the inner packaging arrangements 10, as shown at step A' to produce an initial packaged article 19'. The initial packaged article 19' is arranged within the intermediate packaging arrangement 32' at step B' in Figure 6, which in turn, is arranged within the outer packaging arrangement in 11, along with the intermediate packaging arrangement 32, as shown at step C. Thus, when the outer packaging arrangement 32 is secured by the securing arrangement 44, as shown at step 0 it contains two of the intermediate packaging arrangement 32, 32'.

The outer packaging arrangement 11 is then further secured in its closed position by the use of the securing arrangement 44, as shown at step D indisposed within the carton 45 at step E in Figure 6.

Various modifications can be made without departing from the scope of the invention, for example, as described above, the use of the intermediate packaging arrangement 32 can be omitted. Also, if desired, only one of the intermediate packaging arrangements 32 can be arranged within the outer packaging arrangement 11.

A further embodiment of the outer packaging arrangement is shown in Figures 7 to 9, and is generally designated 132. The outer packaging arrangement 132 shown in Figure 7 is in the form of a foldable blank 134 in a condition a prior to being folded to form a receptacle 136 for holding the fireworks.

The blank 134 comprises a main part 138, a lid part 140, and a pair of side wall parts 142, 144 attached to the main part by respective opposite side fold lines 146, 148.

In Figure 7, the fold lines are represented by broken lines. Solid lines represent lines where the various regions of the blank 134 are not attached to any other region of the blank 134.

The main part 138 comprises a central section, in the form of a base section 150, and a pair of outer sections in the form of a front wall section 152 and a rear wall section 154. The front wall section 152 is attached to the base section 150 by a first main fold line 156, and the rear wall section 154 is attached to the base section 150 by a second main fold line 158.

The first and second main fold lines 156, 158 extend parallel to each other. The side fold lines 146, 148 extend orthogonally to the first and second main fold lines 156, 158.

Each of the side wall parts 142, 144 comprises a side wall member 160 foldably attached by the respective side of fold lines 146, 148 to the base section 150. A pair of cover sections 162, 164 are foldably attached to the side wall member 160 by fold lines 166, 168.

The lid part 140 comprises a lid section 170 and first, second and third flap sections 172, 174, 176. The lid section 170 is foldably attached to the main part 138 by a connecting fold line 178 extending between the lid section 170 and the rear wall section 154.

The three flap sections 172, 174, 176 are connected to the lid section 170 by respective first, second and third lid fold lines 180, 182, 184. The connecting fold line 178 and the first lid fold line 180 are parallel to each other and parallel to the first and second main fold lines 156, 158. The second and third lid fold lines 182, 184 are orthogonal connecting fold line 178 and the first lid fold line 180.

In order to form the receptacle 136, the blank 138 is folded by first folding the front wall section 152 upwardly relative to the base section150 about the first fold line 156. The rear wall section 154 can then be folded upwardly relative to the base section 150 about the second fold line 158, so that the front and rear wall sections 152, 154 are arranged substantially parallel to each other, as shown in Figure 8.

The first and second side wall parts 142, 144 can then be folded upwardly about the respective side fold lines 146, 148. In a Figure 8, only the second side wall part 144 is shown folded upwardly.

When the first and second side wall parts 142, 144 are folded upwardly, the cover sections 162, 164 are then folded over the front and rear wall sections 152, 154. In Figure 8, the arrows 1 shown in the direction of folding of the cover sections 162, 164 of the second side wall section 144.

The lid part 140 is then folded about the connecting fold line 178 to the position shown in Figure 9. The first flap section 172 is then folded about the first lid fold line as indicated by the arrow 2 so that it overlies upper regions of the front wall member 152 and of the cover sections 164. Similarly, the second and third flap sections 174, 176 are folded as shown by the arrows 3 to overlie upper regions of the side wall members 160. Thus, the receptacle 136, as shown in Figure 9, is formed. This provides the outer packaging arrangement 132 and can receive therein a plurality of inner packaging arrangements in each of which a box of fireworks is arranged.

The outer packaging arrangement 132, as shown in Figures 7 to 9, is formed of a mesh material, such as a steel mesh.

Referring to Figures 10 to 12, there is shown a further embodiment of an intermediate packaging arrangement, generally designated 211 in Figures 10 to 12.

The intermediate packaging arrangement 211 comprises first and second sleeves 212, 214. Each of the first and second sleeves 212, 214 is of a suitable size and shape to be arranged over one of the initially packaged articles 19. Each of the first and second sleeves 212, 214 is formed of a mesh material, such as a steel mesh.

Each of the first and second sleeves 212, 214 comprises a cuboid arrangement of a mesh material 216 having opposite open ends 218, 220, and rectangular sides 222.

The first sleeve 212 is slid over the initially packaged article 19 in the direction as indicated by the arrow X. Thus, the end region 19A of the initially packaged article 19 is received through the open end 218 of the first sleeve 212. Similarly, the second sleeve 214 is slid over the initially packaged article 19 in the direction as indicated by the arrow Y. Thus, the end region 19B is received through the open end 218 of the second sleeve 240.

Figure 11 shows in the initially packaged article 19 with both of the first and second sleeves 212, 214 arranged thereon to provide the intermediate packaging arrangements 211. The first and second sleeves 212, 214 are slid onto the initially packaged article 19 until the open ends 220 are flush with the respective end of the initially packaged article 19.

If desired, the open ends 220 of each of the first and second sleeve 212, 214 can be closed ends with mesh 220A extending thereacross, as shown in broken lines in Figure 11 is on the second sleeve 214. With this embodiment, the first and second sleeves 212, 214 are slid onto the initially packaged article 19 until the end of the initially packaged article 19 abut the mesh in Figure 12 the open ends to 20 of the first and second sleeves 212, 214.

When the first and second sleeves 212, 214 are arranged on the initially packaged article 19, the gap 224 of substantially 50 mm is provided between the first and second sleeves 212, 214.

After a plurality of initially packaged articles 19 have been packaged within the intermediate packaging arrangement 211 they can be arranged within an outer packaging arrangement 32, as shown in Figure 12. In Figure 12, four of the initially packaged articles 19 are arranged within the outer packaging arrangement 32.

It will be appreciated that, instead of the outer packaging arrangement 32, the initially packaged articles 19 could be arranged within one of the outer packaging arrangements 132.

The provision of first and second sleeves 212, 214 around the initially packaged article 19 provides the advantage in this embodiment that it allows easy access to the initially packaged article 19 when the outer packaging arrangement 32 or 132 is opened.

Figure 13 shows a further embodiment of a packaging arrangement, generally designated 310. The packaging arrangement 310 is particularly suitable for packaging article, such as fireworks in which ignited particles are emitted therefrom.

Such ignited particles are known in the art as stars, and will be referred to herein as stars.

The packaging arrangement 310 possesses many of the features of gthe above embodiments, and these have been designated with the same reference numerals as above.

In Figure 13, nine cartons 18 are shown. Each carton holds a single firework, such as a roman candle, which ejects stars from the fuse ends when ignited. The fuse ends, designated 18A of the fireworks are arranged at the right hand side, as shown in the drawing.

The first component of the inner packaging arrangement, designated bA, comprises a fire resistant fabric 14, which is wrapped around the bottom and sides of the cartons 18, but not around the fuse ends 18A.

A polystyrene packing piece 312 is arranged adjacent the fuse ends 18A of the cartons 18. The packing piece 312 abuts against the fuse ends 18A of the cartons 18, to hold the cartons 18 in place during shipping.

The packing piece 312 is 2 inches (5 cm) thick, and covers all of the fuse ends 1 8A of the cartons 18. The purpose of the packing piece 312 is explained below.

Adjacent the packing piece 312, and on the opposite side thereof to the cartons 18, there is provided a second component of the inner packaging arrangement, designated lOB, in the form of a force absorbing member 12, wrapped in a further portion of the fire resistant material 14. The force absorbing member is designated by broken lines, because it is not visible in Figure 13, being wholly wrapped in the fire resistant material 14.

The second portion of the inner packaging arrangement 1 OB abuts against the packing piece 312.

The initial packaged article 19 so provided is then arranged in the outer packaging arrangement 32, and then secured by the straps 46 (not shown in Figure 13). It will be appreciated that, if desired, the initial packaged article could be arranged in the further embodiment of the outer packaging arrangement 132. Once packaged within the outer packaging arrangement 32 (or 132), The package can then be arranged within a cardboard box 314.

The purpose of the packing piece 312 is twofold. First, it provides an abutment for the cartons 18 to prevent their movement in the package during shipping. Second, it provides a void into which the stars can escape if the fireworks are inadvertently ignited during shipping. Since polystyrene ids thermally, sensitive, and can easily be destroyed by fire, any inadvertent ignition of the so packaged fireworks would create heat that would destroy the packing piece 312, thereby providing the void into which the stars can escape.

The packing piece 312 thus provides an advantage in the above described embodiment, because if no such void was created, the stars would not leave the firework, thereby exploding the ignitable material within it, and causing more damage.

It is an advantage of the embodiments described herein that they meet the requirements of UN Series 6 a b c Classification Test for Category 1, 2, 3, and 4 fireworks, to classify the items as 1.1, 1.2, 1.3, or 1.4. However, it will be appreciated that the invention is not limited to such classification, and has much broader applications.

Claims

Claims 1. A packaging apparatus comprising an inner packaging

arrangement and an outer packaging arrangement, the inner packaging arrangement being arrangeable on an article to be packaged and the outer packaging arrangement being arrangeable around the inner packaging arrangement, wherein one of the inner and outer packaging arrangements is fire resistant, and the other all the inner and outer packaging arrangement is force absorbing,
2. A packaging apparatus according to Claim 1, wherein the inner packaging arrangement is fire resistant and force absorbing, and the outer packaging arrangement is force absorbing.
3. A packaging apparatus according to Claim I or 2, wherein the inner packaging arrangement is arranged on the article to be packaged to provide an initial packaged article.
4. A packaging apparatus according to Claim 3, wherein where the article comprises explosive devices having explosive portions, and the explosive portions are provided only at one or more regions within a carton holding the explosive devices, the inner packaging arrangement is arranged around the, or each of the, aforesaid regions.
5. A packaging apparatus according to any preceding Claim, wherein, the inner packaging arrangement is arranged around the article.
6. A packaging apparatus according to any preceding Claim, wherein the inner packaging arrangement is arranged at the, or each, end region of the article.
7. A packaging apparatus according to any preceding Claim, wherein the inner packaging arrangement comprises first and second packaging members, the second packaging member being arrangeable around the first packaging member.
8. A packaging apparatus according to Claim 7, wherein the first packaging member comprising a force absorbing member, and the second packaging member comprising a fire resistant member.
9. A packaging apparatus according to Claim 8, wherein the first packaging member is formed of a material comprising a force absorbing material.
10. A packaging apparatus according to Claim 9, wherein the force absorbing material comprises hardboard, having a board weight in the range of 2000 to 2500 g/m2.
11. A packaging apparatus according to Claim 10, wherein the hardboard has a board weight in the range of 2200 to 2400 g/m2.
12. A packaging apparatus according to Claim 10 or 11, wherein the hardboard has a board weight of approximately 2300 g/m2.
13. A packaging apparatus according to Claim 10,11 or 12, wherein the hardboard has a thickness of 3 to 3.4 mm.
14. A packaging apparatus according to Claim 13, wherein the hardboard has a thickness of 3.1 to 3.3 mm.
15. A packaging apparatus according to Claim 13 or 14, wherein the hardboard has a thickness of substantially 3.2 mm.
16. A packaging apparatus according to any of Claims 8 to 15, wherein the first packaging member is resistant to fire.
17. A packaging apparatus according to any of Claims 8 to 16, wherein the fire resistant member comprises a flexible fire resistant material.
18. A packaging apparatus according to Claim 17, wherein the fire resistant material comprises silica, which is present in the fire resistant material in an amount in a range of 60 wt% to 74 wt%.
19. A packaging apparatus according to Claim 18, wherein the silica is present in the fire resistant material in an amount in a range of 65 wt% to 69 wt%.
20. A packaging apparatus according to Claim 18 or 19, wherein the silica is present in the fire resistant material in an amount in a range of 66.5 wt% to 67.5 wt%.
21. A packaging apparatus according to Claim 18, 19, or 20, wherein the silica is present in the fire resistant material in an amount of substantially 67.28 wt%.
22. A packaging apparatus according to any of Claims 17 to 21, wherein the fire resistant material comprises aluminium oxide, which is present in the fire resistant material in an amount in a range of 5.2 wt% to 7.2 wt%.
23. A packaging apparatus according to Claim 22, wherein the aluminium oxide is present in the fire resistant material in an amount in a range of 5.5 wt% to 6.9 wt%.
24. A packaging apparatus according to Claim 22 or 23, wherein the aluminium oxide is present in the fire resistant material in a range of 5.8 wt% to 6.6 wt%.
25. A packaging apparatus according to Claim 22, 23 or 24, wherein the aluminium oxide is present in the fire resistant material in an amount of substantially 6.58 wt%.
26. A packaging apparatus according to any of Claims 17 to 25, wherein the fire resistant material comprises calcium oxide, which is present in the fire resistant material in an amount in a range of 8.2 wt% to 10.8 wt%.
27. A packaging apparatus according to Claim 26, wherein the calcium oxide is present in the fire resistant material in an amount in a range of 8.6 wt% to 10.4 wt%.
28. A packaging apparatus according to Claim 26 or 27, wherein the calcium oxide is present in the fire resistant material in an amount in a range of 9.2 wt% to 9.8 wt%.
29. A packaging apparatus according to Claim 26, 27 or 28, wherein the calcium oxide is present in the fire resistant material in an amount of substantially 9.2 wt%.
30. A packaging apparatus according to any of Claims 17 to 29, wherein the fire resistant material comprises magnesium oxide, which is present in the fire resistant material in an amount in a range of 3.2 wt% to 5.2 wt%.
31. A packaging apparatus according to Claim 30, wherein the magnesium oxide is present in the fire resistant material in a range of 3.6 wt% to 4.8 wt%.
32. A packaging apparatus according to Claim 30 or 31, wherein the magnesium oxide is present in the fire resistant material in a range of 3.9 wt% to 4.5 wt%.
33. A packaging apparatus according to Claim 30, 31 or 32, wherein the magnesium oxide is present in the fire resistant material in an amount of substantially 4.3 wt%.
34. A packaging apparatus according to any of Claims 17 to 33, wherein the fire resistant material comprises a sodium oxide and potassium oxide mixture, which is present in the fire resistant material in an amount in a range of 10.9 wt% 13.1 wt%.
35. A packaging apparatus according to Claim 34, wherein the sodium oxide and potassium oxide mixture is present in the fire resistant material in an amount in a range of 11.3 wt% to 12.7 wt%.
36. A packaging apparatus according to Claim 34 or 35, wherein the sodium oxide and potassium oxide mixture is present in the fire resistant material in an amount in arange of 11.6 wt% to 12.4wt%.
37. A packaging apparatus according to Claim 34, 35 or 36, wherein the sodium oxide and potassium oxide mixture is present in the fire resistant material in an amount of substantially 11.6 wt%.
38. A packaging apparatus according to any preceding Claim, wherein the inner packaging arrangement comprises a plurality of first packaging members, which are attached together by the second packaging member.
39. A packaging apparatus according to Claim 38, wherein the second packaging member is wrapped around the first packaging member to provide opposite faces of the second packaging member, and the opposite faces are sewn together around the edges of each first packaging member.
40. A packaging apparatus according to any of Claims 7 to 39, wherein the inner packaging arrangement comprises a portion of the second packaging member arranged directly around a central region of the article.
41. A packaging apparatus according to Claim 40, wherein the first packaging member is provided at the, or each, end of the article, the first packaging member being wrapped in a further portion of the second packaging member.
42. A packaging apparatus according to Claim 40 or 41, wherein a packing piece is provided at the, or each, end of the article, the packing piece being provided between the inner packaging arrangement and the article.
43. A packaging apparatus according to Claim 42, wherein the packing piece is formed of a material capable of forming a void under heat, whereby in the event of an explosion of the article, or of the contents of the article, a void is formed by, or within, the packing piece to allow the explosion to occur outside the article.
44. A packaging apparatus according to Claim 42 or 43, wherein the material of the packing piece is capable of being destroyed, or partially destroyed, by heat to form the void.
45. A packaging apparatus according to Claim 44, wherein the material is a polystyrene material.
46. A packaging apparatus according to any preceding Claim, wherein the outer packaging arrangement comprises a further force absorbing material.
47. A packaging apparatus according to Claim 46, wherein the further force absorbing material comprises a metallic material.
48. A packaging apparatus according to any preceding Claim, wherein the outer packaging arrangement comprises a wire mesh.
49. A packaging apparatus according to Claim 48, wherein the outer packaging arrangement comprises a steel mesh.
50. A packaging apparatus according to Claim 48 or 49, wherein the mesh comprises substantially 1 mm diameter steel wire, with 10 mm square apertures.
51. A packaging apparatus according to any preceding Claim, wherein the outer packaging arrangement comprises a receptacle, having a lid and side walls.
52. A packaging apparatus according to any of Claims 1 to 50, wherein the outer packaging arrangement comprises a foldable sheet, which is foldable to form a receptacle to receive the inner packaging arrangement.
53. A packaging apparatus according to Claim 52, wherein the foldable sheet comprises a main part and a plurality of main fold lines extending across the main part.
54. A packaging apparatus according to Claim 53, wherein the main fold lines are substantially parallel to each other.
55. A packaging apparatus according to Claim 53, wherein the main part comprises a plurality of sections, connected to one another by the main fold lines.
56. A packaging apparatus according to Claim 55, wherein the main part comprises a central section and a pair of outer sections, each outer sections being foldably attached to the central section at respective opposite sides of the central section.
57. A packaging apparatus according to Claim 56, wherein the central section comprises a base section, and each outer sections comprises a respective one of a front wall section and a rear wall section.
58. A packaging apparatus according to Claim 56 or 57, comprising side wall parts foldably attached to the main part.
59. A packaging apparatus according to Claim 58, wherein each side wall part is foldably attached to the central section of the main part.
60. A packaging apparatus according to Claim 58 or 59, wherein each side wall part comprises a side wall member and a covering member arranged to cover at least a portion of one of the outer sections of the main part.
61. A packaging apparatus according to Claim 60, wherein each side wall part comprises a pair of covering members.
62. A packaging apparatus according to Claim 61, wherein each covering member is foldably attached to a respective opposite side of the side wall member, and each covering member is arranged to cover at least a portion of a respective one of the outer sections of the main part.
63. A packaging apparatus according to any of Claims 53 to 62, wherein a lid part is foldably attached to the main part.
64. A packaging apparatus according to Claim 63, wherein the lid part is foldably attached to one of the outer sections of the main part, the lid part comprising a lid and a plurality of flap members foldably attached to the lid.
65. A packaging apparatus according to Claim 64, wherein each flap member is attached to the lid along a respective side of the lid, and when the lid is folded over the main part, the flap members are foldable over the side walls of the outer sections.
66. A packaging apparatus according to any preceding Claim, further including an intermediate packaging arrangement arrangeable between the inner and outer packaging arrangements.
67. A packaging apparatus according to Claim 66, wherein the intermediate packaging arrangement comprises a further force absorbing material.
68. A packaging apparatus according to Claim 67, wherein the further force absorbing material comprises a wire mesh.
69. A packaging apparatus according to Claim 68, wherein the intermediate packaging material comprises a steel mesh.
70. A packaging apparatus according to Claim 68 or 69, wherein the mesh comprises substantially 1 mm diameter steel wire, with substantially 10 mm square apertures.
71. A packaging apparatus according to any of Claims 66 to 70, wherein the intermediate packaging arrangement comprises a container having a base, a side wall and a closure.
72. A packaging apparatus according to any of Claims 66 to 70, wherein the intermediate packaging arrangement comprises a sleeve which can be received over the article packaged in the inner packaging arrangement, the sleeve having an open front end to allow the sleeve to be arranged over the article packaged in the inner packaging arrangement.
73. A packaging apparatus according to Claim 72, wherein the sleeve has an open rear end.
74. A packaging apparatus according to Claim 72, wherein the sleeve has an open front end and a closed a rear end thereby allowing the sleeve to be slid onto the initially packaged article until the initially packaged article abuts the closed-end of the sleeve.
75. A packaging apparatus according to Claim 72, 73 or 74, wherein the intermediate packaging arrangement comprises two of said sleeves, one of said sleeves being arrangeable over one end of the initially packaged article, and the other of said sleeves being arrangeable over the other end of the initially packaged article.
76. A packaging apparatus according to Claim 75, wherein the length of each sleeve, between the front and rear faces, is selected such that, when the sleeves are arranged over the initially packaged article, a gap between the front edges of each sleeve is provided.
77. A packaging apparatus according to Claim 76, wherein the gap is substantially to 100 mm.
78. A packaging apparatus according to any of Claims 72 to 78, wherein the, or each, sleeve is slidably arranged on the initially packaged article.
79. A packaging apparatus according to any preceding Claim, further including a securing arrangement arrangeable around the outer packaging arrangement to hold the outer packaging arrangement.
80. A packaging apparatus according to Claim 79, wherein the securing arrangement comprises a plurality of straps arrangeable around the outer packaging arrangement.
81. A packaging apparatus according to Claim 80, wherein the opposite end regions of each strap are fastened to one another by fastening members.
82. A packaging apparatus according to Claim 81, wherein the fastening members comprise deformable clips, which are deformable around the opposite end regions of each strap, the fastening members being arranged to fasten the opposite end regions of each strap to one another by being deformed into engagement with the aforesaid opposite end regions.
83. A packaging apparatus according to Claim 80, 81 or 82, wherein the outer packaging member comprises a base, side walls and a lid, and at least one strap is arranged to extend around the side walls, and at least one strap is arranged around the base, the side walls and the lid.
84. A method of packaging an article comprising arranging an inner packaging arrangement on the article, arranging the inner packaging arrangement within an outer packaging arrangement, wherein one of the inner and outer packaging arrangements is fire resistant and force absorbing, and the other of the inner and outer packaging arrangements is force absorbing.
85. A method according to Claim 84, further comprising arranging a securing arrangement around the second packaging arrangement to hold the outer packaging arrangement.
86. A method according to according to Claim 84 or 85, comprising arranging the inner packaging arrangement around the article.
87. A method according to Claim 84, 85 or 86, comprising arranging the inner packaging arrangement at the, or each, end region of the article.
88. A method according to any of Claims 84 to 87, comprising arranging the inner packaging arrangement on the article to be packaged to provide an initial packaged article.
89. A method according to Claim 88, wherein where the article comprises explosive devices having explosive portions, and the explosive portions are provided only at one or more regions within a carton holding the explosive devices, the method comprises arranging the inner packaging arrangement around the, or each of the, aforesaid regions.
90. A method according to any of Claims 84 to 89, wherein the inner packaging arrangement comprises first and second packaging members, and the method comprises arranging the second packaging member around the first packaging member.
91 A method according to any of Claims 84 to 90, comprising arranging a portion of the second packaging member arranged directly around a central region of the article.
92. A method according to Claim 91, comprising arranging the first packaging member at the, or each, end of the article, wherein the first packaging member is wrapped in a further portion of the second packaging member.
93. A method according to Claim 91 or 92, comprising arranging a packing piece at the, or each, end of the article, between the inner packaging arrangement and the article.
94. A method according to Claim 93, wherein the packing piece is formed of a material capable of forming a void under heat, whereby in the event of an explosion of the article, or of the contents of the article, a void is formed by, or within, the packing piece to allow the explosion to occur outside the article.
95. A method according to Claim 93 or 94, wherein the material of the packing piece is capable of being destroyed by heat to form the void.
96. A method according to Claim 95, wherein the material is a polystyrene material.
97. A method according to any of Claims 84 to 96, wherein the outer packaging arrangement comprises a foldable sheet, and the method comprises folding the sheet to form a receptacle to receive the inner packaging arrangement.
98. A method according to Claim 97, wherein the foldable sheet comprises a main part and a plurality of main fold lines extending across the main part., and the method comprises folding the main part about said main fold lines.
99. A method according to Claim 98, wherein the main part comprises a central section and a pair of outer sections, each outer sections being foldably attached to the central section at respective opposite sides of the central section, and the method comprises folding the outer sections relative to the central section.
100. A method according to Claim 99 or 99, wherein the foldable sheet comprises side wall parts foldably attached to the main part, and the method comprises folding the side wall parts relative to the main part.
101...A method according to Claim 100, wherein each side wall part comprises a side wall member and a covering member arranged to cover at least a portion of one of the outer sections of the main part, and the method comprises folding the covering member over the outer section of the main part.
102. A method according to Claim 101, wherein each side wall part comprises a pair of covering members, and the method comprises folding each of the covering members over a respective one of the outer sections of the main part.
103. A method according to Claim 102, wherein a lid part is foldably attached to one of the outer sections of the main part, the lid part comprising a lid and a plurality of flap members foldably attached to the lid, and the method comprises folding the lid over the main part, folding the flap members over the side walls of the outer sections.
104. A method according to any of Claims 84 to 103, further including an intermediate packaging arrangement, and the method comprises arranging the intermediate packaging arrangement between the inner and outer packaging arrangements.
105. A method according to Claim 104, wherein the intermediate packaging arrangement comprises a sleeve, .having an open front end, and the method comprises arranging the sleeve over the article packaged in the inner packaging arrangement via the open front end.
106. A method according to Claim 105, wherein the sleeve has an open front end and a closed a rear end and the method comprises folding sliding the sleeve onto the initially packaged article until the initially packaged article abuts the closed-end of the sleeve.
107. A method according to Claim 105 or 106, wherein the intermediate packaging arrangement comprises two of said sleeves, and the method comprises arranging one of said sleeves being over one end of the initially packaged article, and arranging the other of said sleeves over the other end of the initially packaged article.
108. A method according to Claim 107, wherein the length of each sleeve, between the front and rear faces, is selected such that, when the sleeves are arranged over the initially packaged article, a gap between the front edges of each sleeve is provided.
109. A method according to any of Claims 105 to 108, comprising sliding the, or each, sleeve on the initially packaged article.
110. A method according to any of Claims 84 to 109, comprising arranging a securing arrangement around the outer packaging arrangement to hold the outer packaging arrangement.
111. A method according to Claim 110, wherein the securing arrangement comprises a plurality of straps and the method comprises arranging the straps around the outer packaging arrangement.
112. A method according to Claim 111, comprising fastening the opposite end regions of each strap to one another by fastening members.
113. A method according to Claim 112, wherein the fastening members comprise deformable clips, which are deformable around the opposite end regions of each strap, and the method comprises deforming the fastening members into engagement with the aforesaid opposite end regions of each strap to fasten the opposite end regions to one another.
114. A method according to Claim 111, 112 or 113 wherein the outer packaging member comprises a base, side walls and a lid, and the method comprises arranging at least one strap to extend around the side walls, and arranging at least one strap around the base, the side walls and the lid.
115. A packaging arrangement substantially as herein described with reference to the accompanying drawings.
116. A method substantially as herein described with reference to the accompanying drawings.