JP2007537100A - Packing method for flat display device and packing used for such method - Google Patents

Abstract

A method for packing a flat display product will be described. The method comprises the step of positioning at least one such product, for example an LCD device, between the first and second thin-walled container parts and connecting the container parts to each other thereby enclosing the product. Form a generally closed container. The thin-walled container part is preferably molded from plastic and the fastening means and product information can be integrally molded. Furthermore, the container part is preferably made at least partly from a transparent material so that the product can also be viewed in the packaged state.

Description

  The present invention relates to a method for packing a panel display device, ie a flat display device such as an LCD device or a plasma device. The invention also relates to a package as defined in claims 9 and 10 and the use of such a package as defined in claim 11.

  Typically, an LCD product is packaged in a cardboard box and sandwiched between two buffer parts, such as expanded polystyrene. These buffer parts protect the fragile from storage, transport, and further shipping collisions. The cardboard box plays a role of holding the buffer portion together, and protects the buffer portion against sharp articles and the like. Furthermore, the cardboard box increases the rigidity of the packaging and the ease of stacking. The box can be sealed using tape, glue or stapler and may be printed with product information or otherwise provided with product information.

  Known packaging methods have a number of drawbacks. First, known packaging methods utilize a significant amount of packaging material, resulting in a significant amount of waste material. Secondly, the buffer portion is rather bulky and consequently takes up a lot of valuable space during storage and transport. Furthermore, known packaging methods require a large labor force. This is because the product must first be enclosed between the two buffer parts, then packaged, placed in the outer box and finally sealed. In addition, once packaged, LCD products cannot be easily inspected, so defects that occur during transport and shipment are usually detected at a very late stage. That is, when the product is unpacked by the retailer or consumer.

  An object of this invention is to provide the packaging method of a flat display device. While this method at least avoids many of the disadvantages of known packaging methods, it maintains the advantages of known packaging methods.

  The present invention aims in particular to provide a packaging method which can be achieved with fewer manufacturing steps and which is more cost effective.

  It is another object of the present invention to provide a packing method capable of packing a flat display device in a compact manner, thereby reducing the amount of packing material used as compared with a conventional packing method.

  Another object of the present invention is to provide a packaging method that is good for the environment.

  Another object of the present invention is to provide a packaging method in which defects in a packaged product can be detected at an early stage, and preferably as soon as a defect occurs.

  These and other objects are achieved at least in part with the packaging method according to the invention, as defined in claim 1.

  Packaging characterized by good rigidity and ease of stacking and sufficient protection against impacts, etc. is usually provided by a combination of an outer box and cushioning material. However, these thin-walled containers are formed by enclosing a flat display device, ie a panel-like display device such as an LCD product, between two thin-walled box-like container parts and forming a substantially closed container. It has been found that such packaging can be obtained by moving the parts together and connecting them together. In addition, since the number of packing parts is reduced, transportation and assembly can be simplified, resulting in cost reduction. Furthermore, the amount of packaging material required by the thin walled container portion is significantly less than the amount of packaging material of known packaging methods. This not only reduces waste material after use, but also leads to more compact packaging and less size and weight to be transported, ultimately reducing transport and shipping costs.

  As used herein, the term “display device” is construed to include all flat display products having at least one display screen as a major component. Such products may additionally include other auxiliary components such as electronics, containers etc. to support the function of the display screen. These products may be marketed in the form of components of other devices such as television sets, monitors, or laptops. The term “thin wall” is understood to refer to a wall having a relatively thin thickness with respect to other dimensions of the wall. The wall thickness may vary, for example, from several times 0.1 mm to several mm, depending on the external dimensions of the display device being packed.

  In a preferred embodiment, the packaging method according to the invention is defined by the features of claim 2. By using a transparent or translucent packaging material for at least a portion of the packaging, the product remains visible in its packaged state and the defect detection is performed at an early stage, i.e. before delivery to the consumer. Make it possible without solving. It is therefore possible to monitor and guarantee quality and to save costs on repair costs and unnecessary transport of prematurely damaged products. Further, the fact that it is at least partially transparent makes the packaging a display packaging suitable for presenting the product to the consumer. As a result, after arrival at the point of sale, the product does not need to be unpacked or repacked, saving more work and materials.

  More particularly, the method according to the invention can use recyclable materials to produce thin-walled container parts. By using recyclable materials, the packaging method of the present invention is further improved in the environment.

  In a further preferred embodiment, the method according to the invention is defined by the features of claim 4. On the one hand, the inwardly extending support means can increase the rigidity of the thin-walled container part, and on the other hand it acts as a support means to separate the display device from the container wall and to external impacts. Protect against it. Protection against external impacts is achieved by attenuating or completely absorbing such impacts.

  The thin-walled container part is preferably manufactured from a synthetic material, as defined by the features of claim 5. Synthetic materials or plastics are relatively light and inexpensive and are widely available in many types and colors, while being reusable and impermeable to gases and / or liquids. Furthermore, plastics are easy to manufacture and are manufactured using, among other things, die casting or injection molding, providing great freedom of design. In addition, in such manufacturing techniques, the support techniques and / or product information described above can be integrally molded into the container portion. Such information may be molded in relief or by in-mold labeling, eliminating the need for a separate printing or labeling step, thereby contributing to a more optimized packaging method.

  In a highly preferred embodiment, the method according to the invention is defined by the features of claim 7. The shock absorbing properties of the package can be further improved by manufacturing the thin walled container part or at least a portion of the thin walled container part with a material having a high damping coefficient, such as natural rubber or synthetic rubber. Such attenuating material is preferably used for at least the part of the container that is in direct contact with the display device, such as a support means.

  The first and second container parts may be connected to each other by means such as tape, glue or (thermal) sealing techniques. However, in a preferred embodiment as defined by the features of claim 8, the thin-walled container part is provided with fastening means, preferably manufactured integrally with the fastening means. The fastening means may be known ones. These integrated fastening means can further facilitate the assembly of the package, since the container parts can be easily connected to each other by the meshing engagement of the fastening means. This can be done without the provision of special equipment, capabilities, or additional fastening material such as that described above, tape or stapler, etc. The use of these special equipment, capabilities and additional fastening materials in practice tends to introduce a risk of complicating transportation and contaminating or damaging the product.

  The present invention also relates to the packaging of a flat display device, the packaging comprising two thin-walled plastic box-like container parts, the two container parts together forming at least one closed container. Enclose two such devices. The invention further relates to the use of such a package, the package being for displaying transport, storage and / or flat display products, and consequently also a package comprising such products.

  Further advantageous embodiments of the packaging method, packaging and use of the packaging according to the invention are described in the dependent claims.

  The invention is described below with reference to a single drawing.

  The packaging 1 in the illustrated embodiment includes a thin-walled first container portion 2. The first container part 2 is formed from a lower part 4 and has an upper part 6 surrounded and opened by a peripheral wall 5. Package 1 also includes a thin-walled second container portion 3. The second container part 3 is formed from an upper part 8 and has a lower part 9 surrounded and opened by a peripheral wall 7. Both container parts 2, 3 are thus box-shaped and have one open side. The container parts 2, 3 can be injection molded, for example from synthetic material or plastic. In the illustrated embodiment, the second container portion 3 is provided with product information 12. The product information 12 may be integrally formed in the relief or by in-mold labeling. Since at least one of the container parts 2 and 3 is preferably made of a transparent plastic, once it is enclosed in the container parts 2 and 3, the panel-like display device 10 (hereinafter also referred to as a product 10) It is visible and can be inspected from the outside. The flat product 10 can be any display device having a display cell, such as an LCD device, a thin film display, a plasma display, and the like.

  Since the open upper part 6 of the first container part 2 and the open lower part 9 of the second container part 3 have matching shapes and sizes, the container part 3 forms a closed container or housing. It can be mounted on top of the first container part 2, where the peripheral edges of the first container part 2 and the second container part 3 are in contact with each other or slightly overlap. In order to keep the container parts 2, 3 in the closed state, the container parts 2, 3 can be provided with fastening means near their respective peripheral edges. Such fastening means may include, for example, known elastic click fingers or known mating grooves and ridges and can be integrally formed with the container parts 2, 3. The depicted embodiment provides a plurality of taps 17a and matching tap holes 17b as fastening means. The tap 17a has an inclined sliding surface extending inward. Of course, other or additional fastening means such as tape, glue, stapler, or sealing techniques may be used.

  In the illustrated embodiment, the outer shape of the first container part 2 and the second container part 3 substantially matches the contour of the product 10 to be packed. As a result, the packaged product occupies slightly more space than the unpacked product 10. Alternatively, in order to make the package more stackable and / or stronger, the container parts 2, 3 may have any other shape, for example a rectangular outer shape.

  Inside the plurality of container walls 4, 5, 7, 8 can be provided a protrusion 15 that extends inwardly like a fold. The protrusion 15 is schematically indicated by a dotted line on the wall 5 of the first container part 2. These protrusions 15 can be formed integrally with the container parts 2, 3 and can be designed to reinforce the thin walls 4, 5, 7, 8 of the container parts 2, 3, thereby increasing the rigidity of the package 1. In addition, some or all of these protrusions 15 can serve as support means for the product 10 and the product 10 can be engaged at a particular predetermined position, thereby Then, the container 1 is fixed to the package 1 sufficiently away from the inner wall of the container. The support means is preferably designed to absorb or at least dampen external impacts and prevent the product 10 from being exposed to unwanted vibrations. In order to increase shock absorption, the protrusion 15 may be made of a material having high damping properties such as natural rubber or synthetic rubber. In addition or alternatively, the shape size of the protrusions 15 may be adapted to provide the desired strong stiffness characteristics, which stiffness affects the frequency and amplitude of the vibration, which is In response to a mechanical impact. Further, the protrusion 15 may be configured to form a compartment that houses a series of products 10.

  The packaging 1 described above can be used as follows. The lower part of the product 10 is inserted into the first container part 2, while the protrusion 15 can guide the product 10 and ensure the correct positioning of the product 10. Subsequently, the upper end of the product 10 on the opposite side is covered with the second container part 3. The second container part 3 is connected to the first container part 4 using integrated fastening means, thereby establishing a closed housing for the product 10. Packing 1 is now ready for transfer. Thanks to at least one of the container parts 2, 3 being permeable, the product 10 can be monitored throughout the transfer process. If a defect is detected, the package 1 can be picked from other packages, so unnecessary transport costs are eliminated and the defective product does not reach the consumer. Once the product 10 arrives at the distribution destination or the sales floor, the product 10 can be displayed in the package 1 on the display shelf without having to unpack the package.

  It should be noted that the packaging described above is only representative of an example of the packaging according to the present invention. Many variations are possible within the scope of the present invention. For example, the first and second container portions may be connected using a combination of hinges and / or injection molding. The container portion may also be made from different materials, such as laminated cardboard, and preferably comprises one or more windows. It is clear that the packaging may be made in different colors to give a more attractive appearance. These and other similar variations are understood as being within the scope of the invention as outlined by the claims.

FIG. 3 is an exploded view of one embodiment of a packaging according to the present invention.

Claims (11)

A method of packing a panel display device, comprising:
Positioning at least one such device between first and second thin-walled box portions;
Connecting the container portions together to form a generally closed container surrounding the at least one device;
Having a method. At least a portion of the at least one container portion is made of a transparent or translucent material for viewing the device to be packaged from the outside,
The method of claim 1. Said thin-walled container part is made of recyclable material,
The method according to claim 1 or 2. The thin-walled container portion is manufactured with support means that project inward to support and secure the display device to the container.
A method according to any one of the preceding claims. Said thin-walled container part is produced, for example, from synthetic material or plastic using die casting or injection molding,
A method according to any one of the preceding claims. Product-related information is integrally formed in said thin wall container part or each thin wall container part,
The method of claim 5. At least a part of said thin-walled container part is manufactured from a material having good shock absorption properties, i.e. a high damping coefficient,
A method according to any one of the preceding claims. The first and second thin-walled container portions are connected to each other via fastening means, the fastening means being formed integrally with each of the container portions;
A method according to any one of the preceding claims. Packaging for flat display devices,
Having at least two plastic thin-walled box-like container parts;
The flat display device packaging in which the container portions together form a substantially closed container to surround the flat display device. Provided with at least one flat display device;
The packaging according to claim 9.   Use of a thin-walled plastic container for packaging at least one flat display device, in which the display device can be stored, transported and / or displayed Use of containers.

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