GB2501386A

GB2501386A - A container comprising a suspended platform for transporting delicate objects

Info

Publication number: GB2501386A
Application number: GB1305612.2A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Kenneth Whitmore; Trevor Bissett
Original assignee: CAPS CASES Ltd
Current assignee: CAPS CASES Ltd
Priority date: 2012-03-29
Filing date: 2013-03-27
Publication date: 2013-10-23
Also published as: GB201305612D0; GB201205565D0

Abstract

There is provided a container, preferably made from fiberboard, for transporting delicate objects (e.g. bottles) the container comprising a suspended platform. The suspended platform may be integral to the container or may be provided as an insert (figure 4) comprising a suspended platform (40) that provides cushioning by virtue of the space between the suspended platform and the base (26) of the insert. Preferably a locating panel (22) is provided in which may be formed a plurality of apertures (30) wherein tongues may be located around the apertures. A blank (10) for assembling into the insert is also provided.

Description

Title: Container

Field of the invention

This invention relates to a container, to an insert for placing into a container and also to a blait for assembly into such an insert. The invention is particularly concerned with containers used for transporting delicate objects.

Background to the invention

When transporting delicate objects within containers, polystyrene, bubble-wrap and a the like is often used to protect the delicate object within the container and prevent damagc during transport. Transport of bottlcs in a sccurc fashion can be achieved using internal dividers within the container or sometimes moulded trays with a plurality of depressions that are used to hold bottles securely in combination with a locating collar. Whilst use of a moulded tray is very successful in avoiding is breakages, specialist moulds and machinery are required to manufacture the trays adding to the packaging cost.

Summary of the invention

According to one aspect of the present invention, there is provided a container for transporting delicate objects, the container comprising a suspended platform. In use, objects will be supported by the platform so that they arc spaced apart from the base of the container and cushioned from any impact by virtue of the spacing between the platform and the basc.

Preferably the suspended platform is an integral suspended platform and as such is formed as one with the remainder of the container. This improves ease and speed of manufacturing.

The container may further comprise a locating portion in which is formed a plurality of apertured regions or apertures which in use act as collars around objects requiring transport, such that the objects stand on the suspended internal platform and are held in a fixed relationship to each other by the apertures, each apertured region acting as a respective collar around a single object.

The apertured regions may be associated with a plurality of tongue elements for gripping an object inserted into an aperture.

In accordance with another aspect of the invention, there is provided an insert for a container, the insert comprising a base portion attached to opposing wall portions, wherein a suspended platform extends between the opposing wall portions. As above for the container, the suspended platform by virtue of being spaced-apart from the base portion, provides a supporting surface on which delicate objects can rest and be protected from impacts to the base. *I0

The suspended platform is preferably integrally formed with the remainder of the insert. Thus typically the insert will be formed from a rectangular blank of cardboard or other suitable material sub-divided to provide a suspended platform, base and opposing wall portions.

If desired, the insert may further comprise a locating portion attached between the opposing walls distal from the base and spaced above the suspended platform, with the locating portion further comprising a plurality of apertured regions for receiving a neck portion of items to be transported.

The apertured regions may further comprise a plurality of tongue elements for gripping an object inserted into the apertured regions. The tongue elements preferably defied downwardly as an object is inserted into the apertured region and urge against the object once it is in position so that the object securely locates between the suspended platform and the apertured region and is partially gripped by the tongues.

In a third aspect, the invention comprises a blank for assembly into an insert for a container, the blank being made of sheet material and comprising at least a first wall panel, a base panel and a platform panel arranged in series along a primary direction, the wall panel adjoining the base panel along a first transition line, and the base panel adjoining the platform panel along a second transition line, the transition lines defining regions about which folding can readily take place, wherein the platform panel incorporates a third transition line parallel to and displaced inwards from the second transition line and a fourth transition line displaced inwards from an edge of the platform panel and parallel with the third transition line, the third and fourth transition lines defining a central section for supporting an object. All transition lines are parallel to each other and define rectangular sections within the blank.

A region defined between the edge of the platform panel and the fourth transition line is capable of being folded about the fourth transition line so as to be adhered to the wall panel and create a suspended platform whose height from the base panel is defined by the distance between the second and third transition lines. *I0

The blank may further comprise a locating panel between the first wall panel and edge the base panel, the locating panel incorporating at least one apertured region. An item to be transported will be supported by the platform panel and restrained and prevented from moving by the apertured region.

As above, the apertured region may comprise a plurality of tongue elements to grip an object securely.

The transition lines, the lines forming the transition between respective panels, are preferably provided by pre-formed crease lines impressed on the blank. These crease lines form lines of weakness about which respective panels can hinge so as to allow for assembly of the blank into an insert for positioning within a container. In this way, a degree of flexibility is introduced into the blank which is of particular use where the blank is made from a substantially rigid material such as corrugated board.

However it is to be appreciated that the transition lines can be delineated in other ways, such as for example by use of perforations.

In preferred embodiments, the insert and or blank may comprise a single aperture, two apertures, two pairs of two apertures separable into pairs of apertures along a line of weakness, three apertures or two pairs of three apertures, again separable along a line of weakness. This allows for the insert and blank to be configured in numerous different ways depending on the container within which they are to be positioned and the number of objects they arc intended to secure and support.

Preferably the container insert and blank are made from fibreboard, which may have a corrugated cross-section to provide improved strength and rigidity of the container.

However the container can also be made from solid board or cardboard, or plastics material which may be corrugated.

It is particularly advantageous that the container is made from fibre-based material, such as fibre board and cardboard so as to keep manufacturing and assembly costs low.

a The prescnt invention is of particular advantage as it allows for delicate objects to be sccurcly held during transport in a manner that is cheap to manufacture and assemble and recyclable. The insert and blank can be supplied in a substantially flat folded form which saves space and therefore transport costs when delivering a plurality of inserts and or blanks to a customer for use.

The invention will now be described, by way of example, and with reference to the accompanying drawings in which: Figure 1 is a plan view of an exemplary blank in accordance with one aspect of the present invention prior to assembly into an insert in accordance with another aspect of the invention; Figures 2 and 3 are sequential views showing assembly of the blank into an assembled blank in a substantially flat form; Figure 4 shows the assembled insert; Figure 5 is a plan view of an alternative blank; Figure 6 is a plan view of a further alternative blank; Figure 7 is a perspective view of the blank of Figure 6 when assembled; and Figure 8 is a partially cut-away perspective view of a container using multiple inserts to secure objects.

Description

The blank 10 shown in Figure 1 is die-cut from a sheet of corrugated fibre board and comprises an elongate rectangular shape divided into a plurality of rectangular panels by pre-formed crease lines 12, 14, 16 and 18 introduced into the blank on stamping and which act as fold lines where adjacent panels can be easily folded relative to each other. The blank comprises wall panel 20, locating panel 22, wall panel 24, base panel 26 and support panel 28, with these five panels arranged in series along a primary direction X of the blank. Locating panel 22 has three apertures 30, 30', 30" stamped into it. if desired, the cardboard surrounding each aperture can be stamped into a series of alternating tongues 32 formed with punch holes 36 at theft base to act as a stress relief point and prevent tearing of the surrounding cardboard during transport.

io Support panel 28 is formed with additional pre-formed fold or transition lines 37, 38, the region between transition lincs 37 and 38 dcfining a support platform 40.

The internal face of the blank is shown in Figure 1. Hatching illustrates a region to which adhesive is applied.

During assembly of the blank into a protective insert, glue is applied between the edge of support panel 28 and transition line 38. The blank is then bent around transition line 14 so that support panel 28 overlies wall panel 26 and partially overlies wall panel 24, see Figure 2. Adhesive is then applied to the outer face of the blank in the region between transition lines 14 and 37. The blank is folded about transition line 16 so that the inner face of panels 22 and 20 overlay the remainder of the blank, with the edge of wall panel 20 adhering to the outer face of support panel 28, to create a partially assembled blank, see Figure 3. The partially assembled insert is flat and by pushing inwards at transition lines 16 and 14, the insert readily opens up into a fully assembled form as shown in Figure 4. Please note that for clarity, assembly of the blank has been illustrated with regard to a three-apertured blank, although Figure 4 shows an insert achieved from a six-apertured blank as shown in Figure 5.

When the insert is in the assembled condition as shown in Figure 4, support panel 28 provides a suspended platform 40 spaced from base 26 by air gap 46 having a distance Y. Y corresponds to the distance between transition lines 14 and 37 and typically is between 1cm and 10cm, and more preferably between 2cm and 6cm. The region between transition lines 14 and 37 provides an upstanding portion 48 and the region between transition line 38 and the edge of support panel 28 provides an upturned edge 50. As can be seen from Figures 1 and 2, adhesive runs along the length of upturned edge 50 and upstanding portion 48 for securing the wall panels. The blank shown in Figure 5 and the assembled insert of Figure 4, include a detachment line 60, provided by frangible connections such as perforations, to allow the insert to be readily broken into three separate cells for holding three bottles each.

As will appreciated by those skilled in the art, the blank can be formed with one aperture and the dimensions adjusted accordingly, sec Figures 6 and 7. Whcrc the io blank is formed with one aperture, then additional flaps 60 can be provided to improvc thc rigidity of thc insert. Similarly thc blank may be formed with two apertures, or two pairs of three apertures, separated by perforations and so on depending on the particular requirements of a user. If desired, the apertures 30 can be square instead of circular depending on the cross-section of the object to be secured.

is In particular whisky tins tend to be of square cross-section.

Figure 8 shows a cutaway view of a container including two inserts 62, 64 containing bottles 66 or the like for transport. The internal suspended platform 40 spaces the bottles from the base of the container and the apertures with tongue sections 32 grip the body of each bottle such that the bottles are very securely retained without the need for any additional cushioning. As will be appreciated by those skilled in the art, the invention whilst shown in relation to an insert can also be readily applied to a single container using the same principle of a suspended platform, preferably with a locating apertured section.

Claims

Claims I. A container for transporting delicate objects, the container comprising a suspended platform.
2. A container according to claim 1, wherein the suspended platform is an integral suspended platform formed as one with the remainder of the container.
3. A container according to claim 1 or claim 2, wherein the container further comprises a locating portion in which is formed a plurality of apertured regions.
4. A container according to claim 3 further comprising a plurality of tongue elements located around each apertured region.
5. A container according to any of the preceding claims made from fibreboard.
6. An insert for a container, the insert comprising a base portion attached to opposing wall portions, wherein a suspended platform extends between the opposing wall portions.
7. An insert according to claim 6, wherein the suspended platform is integrally formed with the remainder of the insert.
8. An insert according to claim 6 or claim 7, further comprising a locating portion attached between the opposing walls distal from the base and spaced above the suspended platform, with the locating portion further comprising apertured regions for gripping items to be transported.
9. An insert according to claim 8, wherein each apertured region comprises a plurality of tongue elements.
10. An insert according to any of claims 6 to 9 made from fibreboard.
II. A blank for assembly into an insert for a container, the blank being made of sheet material and comprising at least a first wall panel, a base panel and a platform panel arranged in series along a primary direction, the wall panel adjoining the base panel along a first transition line, and the base panel adjoining the platform panel

Salong a second transition line, wherein the platform panel incorporates a third transition line parallel to and displaced inwards from the second transition line and a fourth transition line displaced inwards from an edge of the platform panel and parallel with the third transition line, the third and fourth transition lines defining a central section for supporting an object.
12. A blank according to claim 11, wherein the region defined between the edge of the platform panel and the fourth transition line is capable of being folded about the fourth transition line so as to be adhered to the wall panel and create a suspended platform.
13. A blank according to claim 12 further comprising a locating panel attached between the first wall panel and the base panel, the locating panel incorporating at least one apertured region.
14. A blank according to claim 13, wherein the apertured region comprises a plurality of tongue elements.
15. A blank according to any of claims 11 to 14, wherein the transition lines are provided by pre-formed crease lines impressed on the blank.
16. A blank according to any of claims 11 to 15 made from fibreboard.
17. A container, an insert and a blank for assembly into an insert substantially as herein described with reference to and as illustrated in the accompanying drawings.