GB2528651A

GB2528651A - Packaging assembly

Info

Publication number: GB2528651A
Application number: GB1412836.7A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Robert John Blanchard
Original assignee: I Holland Ltd
Current assignee: I Holland Ltd
Priority date: 2014-07-18
Filing date: 2014-07-18
Publication date: 2016-02-03
Anticipated expiration: 2034-07-18
Also published as: GB201412836D0; GB2528651B

Abstract

A packaging assembly 10 comprising first and second parts 14, 16, which can when closed define a space to locate an elongate item such that the first part can engage against the end of the item, while the other end is suspended in the assembly clear of the first and second parts. The assembly parts may be telescopically mountable together. The assembly may have formations 22, 40 for retaining the parts at a desired relative telescopic position. A profiled part 28 can be provided at one end of the second part 16 to locate the head of a tablet tool (12, fig. 8) such that the tool is suspended within the second part 16 with the tip (42, fig. 8) of the tool clear from the closed end of the second part 16. The assembly may be made from a plastic material, and the first and/or second parts may be integrally-formed.

Description

Packacjinci Assembly This invention concerns a packaging assembly, and particularly a packaging assembly for tablet tools, and also a packaged item, and further a packaged tablet tool.

Tablet tools are used in pressing materials into a tablet. Generally in a tablet press upper and lower tools will be provided which are selectively brought together to form a tablet therebetween. Such tools are precision manufactured to ensure correct operation of a tablet press. ParUcular attention is paid to the finish provided on the tool tip and especially the tip face which contacts the material during pressing. This face requires to provide the desired finish to the tablet, and as much as possible to avoid sticking of any material or the pressed tablet thereto. Sometimes tablet tools, and particularly tablet tool tips could become damaged during transportation and/or storage.

According to a first aspect of the invention there is provided a packaging assembly, the assembly comprising first and second parts which are engageable together to define an enclosed space to locate an elongate item, and which parts can be disengaged from each other to allow the item to be removed, the first and second parts being configured such that in a closed condition the first part can engage against an end of the item, whilst the other end of the item is suspended in the assembly clear of the first and second parts.

The first and second parts may be telescopically engageable together.

Retaining formations may be provided on the first and/or second parts to retain the first and second parts in a required relative telescopic position.

The formations may be in the form of projections. A plurality of longitudinally spaced formations may be provided on a one of the first or second parts to permit selective retention in a plurality of required relative telescopic positions.

The second pad may telescopically engage inside the first pad.

The second part may include a profiled part which is of a size and/or shape such that a head of the item cannot pass therethrough. The profiled part may be configured such that a head of the item can sit thereagainst, and the profiled part may include a flange against which flange the head of the item can sit against, and the flange may include outer upstanding side walls.

The second part may be configured such that when the head of an item engages against the profiled part, an opposite end of the item from the head will be spaced from the far end of the second part from the profiled part.

The second pad may include a guide formation which can receive a formation on the item. The guide formation may be in the form of an outwardly extending longitudinal recess.

The second part may comprise a first portion with the profiled pad at one end, which first portion extends at the other end to a second portion, which second podion may be a sliding fit in the first pad. The guide formation may be provided in the first portion of the second part, and may extend from the profiled pad.

The first part may be substantially square in cross section. The second portion of the second part may be substantially square in cross section.

The or some of the retaining formations may be provided on internal corners of the first part, and in one arrangement may be provided on just two opposite corners, and in a further arrangement may be provided on all corners.

The or some of the retaining formations may be provided on external corners of the second portion of the second part, and in one arrangement may be provided on just two opposite corners, and in a further arrangement may be provided on all corners. The longitudinally spaced projections may be provided on corners of the second portion of the second part.

In one embodiment the first portion of the second part is substantially circular in cross section, and the profiled part of the first portion may also be substantially circular.

In a second embodiment the first portion of the second part is substantially square in cross section, and the profiled part of the first portion may also be substantially square in cross section.

The packaging assembly may be made of a plastics material.

The first part may be integrally formed.

The second part may be integrally formed.

According to a third aspect of the invention there is provided a packaged item comprising a packaging assembly according to any of said preceding sixteen paragraphs, with an end of the item suspended in the assembly.

According to a fourth aspect of the invention there is provided a packaged tablet tool, with the tool being located in a packaging assembly according to any of said preceding sixteen paragraphs, with an end of the tool suspended in the assembly.

The tablet tool tip may be suspended in the assembly.

According to a fifth aspect of the invention there is provided a packaging assembly for tablet tools, the assembly being according to any of the preceding sixteen paragraphs.

Embodiments of the present invention will now be described by way of example only and with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:-Fig. 1 is a diagrammatic perspective view of a first packaging assembly according to the invention; Fig. 2 is a diagrammatic side view of a first part of the assembly of Fig. 1; Fig. 3 is a diagrammatic end view of the first part of Fig. 2; Figs. 4 and S are respectively side views at two different orientations spaced 900 apart, of a second pad of the assembly of Fig. 1; Figs. 6 and 7 are end views of the second part of the assembly in Fig. 1 with a tablet tool fitted therein, in orientations corresponding respectively to those shown in Figs. 4 and 5; Fig. 8 is a diagrammatic side view of the second pad of the assembly of Fig. 1 with a tablet tool fitted therein; Fig. 9 is a similar view to Fig. 1 but of a second packaging assembly according to the invention; Fig. 10 is a similar view to Fig. 4, but of the second packaging assembly of Fig. 1; Fig. 11 is an end view of a second part of the second packaging assembly of Fig. 1; and Fig. 12 is a similar view to Fig. 8 but of the second packaging assembly ofFig.1.

Figs. 1 to 8 show a first packaging assembly 10 suitable for instance for holding a tablet tool 12 as shown in Fig. 8. It is to be realised that the assembly 10 is made from a transparent or translucent plastics material such that this material can be seen through in the drawings.

The assembly 10 comprises a first part 14 and a second part 16. The first part 14 is in the form of an open square cross section hollow cylinder with a closed end 18 and an open end 20. An inwardly extending projection 22 is provided across each corner of the first pad adjacent the open end 20.

The second part 16 has first and second portions 24, 26. The first portion is open ended with a generally circular cross section. At one end a profiled part 28 is provided in the form of an outwardly extending flange 30 with upstanding external side walls 32 extending therearound.

A guide formation 34 in the form of an outwardly extending longitudinal recess 36 is provided extending from the profiled part 28 along substantially the whole of the first portion 24.

At the opposite end from the profiled part 28, the first portion 24 extends into the second portion 26 which is of substantially square cross section which is a little larger than the first portion 24, and is of a size to slidingly fit in the first part 14. The second portion 26 terminates in a closed end 38 and a plurality of spaced projections 40 are provided externally on the corners of the second portion 26, which projections 40 in use are engageable with the projections 22.

The tablet tool shown in Figs. 6 to 8 has a tip 42 provided at one end of a relatively smaller cross section part 44. The part 44 connects to a main body 46 which has a key projection 48 on it which in use would be engageable in a key slot in a press to provide a required orientation of the tool. The main body 46 extends to a collar 50 of slightly reduced dimension with an enlarged head 52 provided on the far end of the collar.

In use the tablet tool 12 can be inserted into the second part 16 until the head 52 abuts against the profiled part 28, in which the head 52 will sit.

The tool 12 will be orientated such that the key projection 48 locates in the guide formation 34.

As can be seen the tool 12 is suspended within the second part 16 with the tip 42 clear from the closed end 38, and is therefore protected against impact with the assembly 10.

The first part 14 can then be fitted onto the second part telescopically from the end of the second part 16 with the profiled part 18, until the closed end 18 of the first part 14 abuts against the tool head 52. In this position the projections 22 will be engaging against respective projections 40 on the second part 16, to retain the first and second parts 14, 16 in this respective telescopic position.

The outside of the assembly 10 will have a square cross section such that the assembly 10 can be stored or packaged closely adjacent similar such assemblies for instance in a box or drawer. The tool 12 is held securely, with the tip 42 clear from any part of the assembly 10 which could cause damage thereto.

Figs. 9 to 12 show a second packaging assembly 60 which is similar in many respects to the first packaging assembly 10 and therefore only the differences will be described. With the assembly 60 a similar first part 14 is again used. The second part 62 in this instance has a similar second portion 26, but a first portion 64 which is of generally square cross section again with a square profiled part 66. The tool 68 shown in Fig. 12 does not have a key projection. If though the packaging 60 is used with a tool with a key projection 48, the projection would locate in a one of the corners of the square section first portion 64.

There are thus described packaging assemblies suitable for securely locating tablet tools for safe transportation and storage. As the overall cross sectional shape of the packaging assemblies is square, such assemblies can readily be stacked together, or packaged together for instance in a box.

Assemblies could be used with tools of different sizes by virtue of the telescopic arrangement, and different second parts may be provided for tools with significantly different distances between the head and tip.

It is to be realised that a wide range of modifications may be made without departing from the scope of the invention. For instance the retaining projections may be provided for instance only on two opposite corners of the first and/or second parts. Different retaining formations could be used. In some instances it would not be necessary to provide a guide formation for instance for tools without key projections. The assemblies may be made from different materials, and need not be made from a transparent or translucent material.

Whilst endeavouring in the foregoing specification to draw attention to those features of the invention believed to be of particular importance it should be understood that the Applicant claims protection in respect of any patentable feature or combination of features hereinbefore referred to and/or shown in the drawings whether or not particular emphasis has been placed thereon.

Claims

CLAIMS1. A packaging assembly, the assembly comprising first and second pads which are engageable together to define an enclosed space to locate an elongate item, and which parts can be disengaged from each other to allow the item to be removed, the first and second parts being configured such that in a closed condition the first pad can engage against an end of the item, whilst the other end of the item is suspended in the assembly clear of the first and second parts.
2. An assembly according to claim 1, in which the first and second pads are telescopically engageable together.
3. An assembly according to claim 2, in which retaining formations are provided on the first and/or second pads to retain the first and second parts in a required relative telescopic position.
4. An assembly according to claim 3, in which the formations are in the form of projections.
5. An assembly according to claims 3 or 4, in which a plurality of longitudinally spaced formations are provided on a one of the first or second pads to permit selective retention in a plurality of required relative telescopic positions.
6. An assembly according to any of claims 2 to 5, in which the second pad telescopically engages inside the first pad.
7. An assembly according to any of the preceding claims, in which the second pad includes a profiled pad which is of a size and/or shape such that a head of the item cannot pass therethrough.
8. An assembly according to claim 7, in which the profiled part is configured such that a head of the item can sit thereagainst.
9. An assembly according to claim 8, in which the profiled part includes a flange against which flange the head of the item can sit against.
10. An assembly according to claim 9, in which the flange includes outer upstanding side walls.
11. An assembly according to any of claims 7 to 10, in which the second part is configured such that when the head of an item engages against the profiled part, an opposite end of the item from the head will be spaced from the far end of the second part from the profiled part.
12. An assembly according to any of claims 7 to 11, in which the second part comprises a first portion with the profiled part at one end, which first portion extends at the other end to a second portion. IC)
13. An assembly according to claim 12, in which the second portion is a (0 sliding fit in the first part.

LI) 20
14. An assembly according to any of the preceding claims, in which the second part includes a guide formation which can receive a formation on the item.
15. An assembly according to claim 13, in which the guide formation is in the form of an outwardly extending longitudinal recess.
16. An assembly according to claims 14 or 15 when dependent on any of claims 7 to 13, in which the guide formation is provided in the first portion of the second part.
17. An assembly according to claim 16, in which the guide formation extends from the profiled part.
18. An assembly according to any of the preceding claims, in which the first part is substantially square in cross section.
19. An assembly according to any of the preceding claims, in which the second portion of the second part is substantially square in cross section.
20. An assembly according to claim 3, or any of claims 4 to 19 when dependent on claim 3, in which the or some of the retaining formations are provided on internal corners of the first part.
21. An assembly according to claim 20, in which the or some of the retaining formations are provided on just two opposite corners.
22. An assembly according to claim 20, in which the or some of the retaining formations are provided on all corners.
23. An assembly according to claim 3 or any of claims 4 to 22, when dependent on claim 3, in which the or some of the retaining formations are provided on external corners of the second portion of the second part.

(0
24. An assembly according to claim 23, in which the or some of the retaining formations are provided on just two opposite corners.
25. An assembly according to claim 23, in which the or some of the retaining formations are provided on all corners.
26. An assembly according to claim 5 or any of claims 6 to 25 when dependent on claim 5, in which the longitudinally spaced projections are provided on corners of the second portion of the second part.
27. An assembly according to any of claims 12 to 17, in which the first portion of the second part is substantially circular in cross section.
28. An assembly according to claim 7 or any of claims 8 to 17, when dependent on claim 7, in which the profiled part of the first portion is substantially circular. I1
29. An assembly according to claim 12 or any of claims 13 to 26, when dependent on claim 12, in which the first portion of the second part is substantially square in cross section.
30. An assembly according to claim 7 or any of claims B to 25 when dependent on claim 7, in which the profiled part of the first portion is substantially square in cross section.
31. An assembly according to any of the preceding claims, in which the packaging assembly is made of a plastics material.
32. An assembly according to any of the preceding claims, in which the first part is integrally formed.
33. An assembly according to any of the preceding claims, in which the second part is integrally formed.

(0
34. A packaged item comprising a packaging assembly according to any of the preceding claims, with an end of the item suspended in the assembly.
35. A packaged tablet tool, with the tool being located in a packaging assembly according to any of claims 1 to 33, with an end of the tool suspended in the assembly.
36. A tool according to claim 35, in which the tablet tool tip is suspended in the assembly.
37. A packaging assembly for tablet tools, the assembly being according to any of claims I to 33.
38. A packaging assembly substantially as hereinbefore described and with reference to the accompanying drawings.
39. A packaged item substantially as hereinbefore described and with reference to the accompanying drawings.
40. A packaged tablet tool substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to the accompanying drawings.
41. A packaging assembly for tablet tools substantially as hereinbefore described and with reference to the accompanying drawings.
42. Any novel subject matter or combination including novel subject matter disclosed herein, whether or not within the scope of or relating to the same invention as any of the preceding claims. IC)CD IC) r