MXPA00000966A - Appliance package cover - Google Patents

Abstract

An appliance packaging assembly and method therefor, including a reinforced tray disposed under the appliance, a plurality of rigid posts disposed between the tray and alongside the appliance, a transparent film disposed about the posts and the appliance, a reinforced cover having a lifting flange member on a side portion thereof, the cover disposed over the plurality of wrapped posts and appliance, and tensioned strap disposed along side the posts and about the tray and cover and over the lifting flange member thereof.

Description

PACKING FOR APPLIANCES APPLIANCES AND METHOD OF THE SAME BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION The present invention relates, in general, to packaging assemblies, and more particularly to sets of transparent packaging for household appliances and the methods therefor. Currently, many appliances are packed in corrugated cardboard boxes after processing to transport or handle them. These appliances include, among others, refrigerators, freezers, washing machines, dishwashers, water heaters and vending machines. A corrugated packaging for refrigerators used commonly known as Container with Interconnected Tabs (IFC according to its international abbreviations in English), for example, includes a corrugated upper part and lower covers coupled, interconnected to a corrugated tube when bending the tabs, which are then secured by a horizontal cable or strap arranged around the upper and lower covers. Most producers use internal packaging components that include separators or pads in various degrees related to corrugated packaging to protect the appliance that is placed inside, for example in the corners and handles of the same. In fact, some packing and handling standards at the industrial level specify the minimum dimensions for the separators between the packing and the appliance. Container with Interconnected Tabs (IFC) and other corrugated packaging have many advantages including a relatively short assembly time and high reliability. Many of these packages including IFC packaging can be lifted or handled by a "Basiloid" pallet or a blade mounted on a crane. Generally, the Basiloid blade is a fortma U-member that can be hooked under the interconnected bent tabs of the top lid on a side portion of the container or container, and allows handling of the container without handles or hooks for lifting it. "Basiloid" is widely used in the United States, however, in Europe the Basiloid blade is not widely known, and most devices are handled with forklifts, which hold the container or container on opposite sides of it. of the advantages of the IFC and other corrugated cardboard packaging mentioned above, these packages prevent the visual inspection of the contents of the packaging without opening it.The visual inspection is highly required for the identification of the product and the assessment of any damage that may be suffered by the product. content during transportation Corrugated packaging is also laborious to assemble, produce large quantities of waste and are latively expensive. More recently, packages have been proposed, through which you can see, with a type of transparent material, for packaging for appliances in an effort to reduce materials, assembly and costs. For example, U.S. Patent No. 4,881,840, entitled "Container or container for transporting household appliances with integral corner support", has a partially corrugated cardboard container wrapped with a transparent film. The container comprises corrugated side panels with cut windows thereon positioned on opposite sides of the household appliance. The corrugated side panels also have overlapping bent cover portions which are retained in an upper portion of the apparatus by a horizontal band or strip disposed about. Transparent packaging for appliances has the advantage that its contents can be visually inspected more easily compared to fully corrugated cardboard packaging, although the visibility in known transparent packaging suitable for household electrical appliances is obstructed to some degree , for example by the opposite side panels presented in United States Patent No. 4, 881,840 which was mentioned above. The process of packaging household appliances with transparent packaging can also be done automatically so that costs are reduced, even though the initial capital investment is usually high. Transparent packaging for known household appliances has not been accepted in the industry because of its instability to accommodate applications for heavier packaging, and because its performance is almost unknown. Other transparent gaskets for known household appliances comprise a reinforced structure having an angled fiberboard corner post that screws reinforced wooden slats secured to the lower portion of the apparatus. Then, the apparatus and the posts or supports are wrapped in a transparent film that can be stretched. After wrapping, a tray and a corrugated cover are placed under and above the apparatus and the wrapped posts. Next, a reinforced wooden board is arranged transversely on the outer side portion of the cover and is screwed to two of the supports for handling the container by means of a Basiloid blade. Finally, a horizontal strip is placed around the deck and reinforced wooden slats for greater strength.

The present invention is directed to the advances in the technique of assembly for packaging, and more particularly to sets of transparent packaging as well as to the methods for making same. An object of the invention is to provide a novel packaging assembly, as well as the methods for making same, that solve the problems of the art. Another object of the invention is to provide novel packaging assemblies as well as methods for making them, which are better than those of the prior art by providing any or several of the following advantages, including among others, greater savings, improved strength for weigher apparatus, protection improved for quick and easy packaging, assembly or assembly, improved product visibility, easy opening and waste reduction. Still another object of the invention is to provide novel packaging assemblies that can be lifted and handled with a "Basiloid" blade. A more particular object of the invention is to provide novel packaging assemblies as well as the methods for making them, useful for apparatuses which, generally, comprise a reinforced tray placed under the apparatus to be packed, a plurality of posts placed between the tray and the side of the apparatus, a transparent film placed, at least, around the post and the apparatus, a reinforced cover having a flange member for lifting the packing, disposed on the plurality of wrapped posts and the apparatus, as well as the placed strap around the tray and the cover as well as on top of the flange member to lift it. Another more particular object of the invention is to provide novel packaging assemblies as well as methods for making them, which can be used to package household appliances, which generally comprise a corrugated cardboard cover having bent side portions, and a raised tab member disposed transversally on the outer portion of one of the side portions of the cover. The member of the lifting tab has a reinforced member extending from the inner portion of the cover. The member of the lifting tab is disposed through the outer portion of the corresponding side portion, and a portion of the cover is bent over the reinforced member. These and other objects, aspects, features and advantages of the present invention will become clearer upon consideration of the following Detailed Description of the Invention and the accompanying Drawings, which may be disproportionately enlarged to facilitate understanding of the invention, and where similar structures and steps are generally referred to, with corresponding numbers and indicators. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS Figure 1 is a diagrammatic, partial view of a package assembly according to the exemplary embodiment of the invention. Figure 2 is a more complete, partial, diagrammatic view of the package assembly according to the exemplary embodiment of the invention. Figure 3 is a perspective view of a complete package assembly according to the exemplary embodiment of the invention. Figure 4a is a partially assembled package. Figure 4b is a partial sectional view along lines b-b of Figure 4a of a fully assembled package. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION Figure 1 is an enlarged, partial view of a package assembly 10 useful for packaging a household appliance 20, which in the exemplary embodiment is a refrigerator. However, and more generally, package assembly 10 and the methods for making the same of the present invention are suitable for packing most appliances, especially weigher appliances, including, among others, refrigerators, washing machines, dishwashers. , water heaters and vending machines. The package assembly of the present invention can also be used to pack other articles in addition to household appliances. The packaging assembly 10 comprises, generally, a tray 30 having side portions 30 placed below the apparatus 20 to be packed. The side portions 33 of the tray are sufficiently high to support the posts 50 during the assembly of the package 10 as will be discussed below and preferably a relatively low profile to avoid unnecessary visual obstruction of the packaged apparatus. In the exemplary embodiment, generally, the tray 30 is rectangular in shape and with a plurality of corners 32 defined by side portions 33 thereof. Preferably, the tray 30 is formed of a relatively low cost material, for example of a corrugated cardboard material, although other materials other than cardboard or not corrugated can alternatively be used. In the exemplary embodiment, the tray 30 and particularly the side portions 33 thereof, are formed by folding a sheet of corrugated cardboard and portions of tabs fastened thereto with an adhesive or with staples or with interconnected tabs or with other known means, including combinations thereof.

Preferably, the tray 30 is reinforced with one or more reinforcing members. In Figure 1, two reinforced splints 40, for example 1 x 4 wooden support beams, are provided in an inner portion 34 of the tray 30 in a spaced apart relationship so that the reinforced splints 40 are placed between the apparatus 20 and the tray 30. In one embodiment, each of the reinforced slats 40 is fastened to a lower portion of the apparatus 20, for example by two bolts 36 screwed into the corresponding threaded openings in the apparatus. The tray 30 is fastened, preferably to a reinforced splint 40 with the same bolt 36 that holds the splints 40 to the apparatus 20. However, the tray 30 can be fastened to the splints 40 with staples or adhesives or other means. Alternatively, the reinforced slats 40 are not attached to the apparatus 20, as preferred, and instead, the appliance is simply placed on the wooden support beams previously attached to the tray 30, which is then secured by a transparent film and a tense strap as will be discussed below. In another alternative embodiment, the reinforced tray is made entirely from a relatively rigid material without reinforced slats. The packaging assembly 10 also comprises a plurality of rigid posts or supports 50 in which each has a first end portion 52 and a second, opposite end portion 54. Preferably, the rigid posts are manufactured with a relatively low cost, a material very resistant, which is not corrugated cardboard, to withstand heavier loads characteristic of household appliances. In the exemplary embodiment, the rigid posts 50 are corner angle posts having right angle cutting shapes for greater strength and, in some applications to contain appliances when assembled with the container 10, as will be discussed below. Preferably, the rigid posts or supports 50 are of a laminated glass fiber material, for example a product known commercially as ANGLEBOARD or another product commercially known as CORNERBOARD, both available from ITW Angleboard, Glenview, Illinois, The greatest strength offered by these preferred products allows to size or configure posts 50 with a relatively low profile to provide maximum visibility of the product, and at the same time provide a strong package suitable for relatively heavy appliances. The preferred ANGLEBOARD and CORNERBOARD products also have the advantage that they can be reused, therefore less waste is produced after use. After the tray 30 is placed under the apparatus 20, and in some applications is attached thereto, the first portions at the end 52 of the posts 50, are generally disposed between the side portions 33 of the tray and the apparatus 20. In the exemplary form, the angled corner posts 50 are disposed at the corresponding corners 32 of the tray 30 between the side portions 33 and the apparatus 20. The tray 30 has a relative size to the apparatus 20 so that the posts 50 are fastened at least, temporarily, in an adjacent, upward position, without other mechanism until the transparent film is placed therein, as will be discussed below. Figure 1 illustrates a pad member 60, which is preferably placed between the apparatus 20 and the post 50 in the upper portion 21 of the apparatus 20. In some applications, a specific amount of pad or cushion is required between the apparatus and the package assembly, for example to comply with industry standards in regard to shipping and packaging. However, in other applications, the members of the pad are not needed and therefore, a part of the packing assembly is needed. Figure 1 illustrates some of the pad members formed as right-angled members 62 that are mounted on the internal portions of the corner posts 50 at right angles such that the pad members are placed towards the apparatus 20 around the the portions of the corners. Preferably, the pad members are attached to the posts, for example with an adhesive before assembling it to the posts in the tray. Figure 1 also illustrates some of the pad members configured as pad members with perforations 64 mounted similarly to other posts to accommo a handle 21 or other protruding portions of the apparatus 20. Figure 1 also illustrates band pad members 63 which can be removed, placed in the upper portion 21 of the apparatus 20, for example with a tape. Pad members can make, for example, a material such as expanded polystyrene or polyester or other material that absorbs shocks or impacts. Figure 2 illustrates a transparent film or wrapper 70 disposed firmly at least about a post 50 and the apparatus 20 after assembling the posts 50 in the tray 30 as discussed above and as illustrated in Figure 1. The transparent film 70 it is also preferably placed on the pad members 63 in the upper portion 21 of the apparatus 20, and around the side portions 33 of the tray 30. The transparent film 70 retains the posts 50 and any pad members 60 tightly secured around them. of the apparatus 20, and fixed to the tray 30 coupled to the posts 50 if the tray is not fastened directly on the lower portion of the apparatus. The transparent film 70 can also hold the strips of cushioning members or pads 63 in the upper portion of the apparatus. The very strong, low profile posts 50, in combination with the tightly wrapped transparent film 70, provide excellent packaging strength and greatly improve product visibility. Preferably, the transparent film 70 is a bag that is heat stretched above and covering the side and top portions of the apparatus 20 and the post -50, and preferably above the side portions 33 of the tray 30. Then, the bag that can be stretched by heat is stretched tightly around after the application of heat. Generally, heat-stretched bags are known to be suitable for this purpose and commercially available. The application of this stretchable bag with heat can be carried out relatively quickly with minimal work. The transparent material 70 can alternatively be a stretchable film applied around the posts 50, the apparatus 20 and preferably the tray 30. The stretchable films can be applied manually or by means of an automatic machine, for example with a machine for wrapping in spiral or another. Figure 2 also illustrates a package assembly 10 comprising a cover 80 which is placed on top of the apparatus 20 and on top of the second end portion 54 of the posts 50. the cover 80, generally has the same shape as the tray 30 and on the exemplary embodiment the cover 80 has a rectangular shape with a plurality of corners 82 defined by the corresponding side portions 83 thereof. Preferably, the cover 80 is made of the same material mentioned above in relation to the tray 30. Preferably, the cover 80 is also reinforced. In Figure 4a, two reinforced splints 40, for example 1 x 4 wooden support beams, are provided in an inner portion of the cover 80 in a spaced apart relationship so that the reinforced splints are placed between the apparatus 20 and the cover 80, as mentioned, generally, above, in relation to tray 30. Reinforced slats 40 are preferably secured to cover 80 with staples or with adhesive or other means before the cover is placed on top of the apparatus. wrapped 20 and posts 50. In another alternative embodiment, the reinforced cover is formed completely of a relatively rigid material without reinforced splints, also mentioned above in relation to the tray. The cover 80 is generally placed on top of the apparatus 20 in the tray 30 after the transparent film 70 has been applied around it and around the posts 50 and any cushioning member or cushions 60., as discussed above, so that the second end portion 54 of each of the wrapped posts 50 is disposed between the side portion 83 of the cover 80 and the wrapped apparatus 20. In the exemplary embodiment, the corners 82 of the cover 80 align with the corners 32 of the tray 30 when the cover 80 is placed on top of the wrapped apparatus 20 and of the posts 50 so that the second end portion 54 of the corner posts 50 are placed at the corresponding corners 82 of the cover 80. Figures 2, 3 and 4b illustrate the cover 80 having a lift tab member 86 disposed in transverse at least one side thereof. The member of the lifting tab 86 is engaged by a "Basiloid" sheet to allow the lifting and handling of the packaged device when the cover 80 is attached to the package assembly as will be discussed below. In other embodiments, the cover 80 may have lug tab members 86 placed through more than one of the sides thereof. In the exemplary application of the package for the refrigerator, the lifting tab member 86 is preferably placed on the rear side portion of the refrigerator to prevent damage thereof during the Basiloid lifting and handling blade. In the embodiments in which the cover 80 is a corrugated board material, the direction of the corrugation is preferably disposed transverse in relation to the member of the lifting tab 86 for force. Figures 1 and 2 also illustrate a cushion member 66 positioned opposite the lifting tab member 86 when the cover 80 is placed on top of the wrapped apparatus 20 and the posts 50 to protect the apparatus 20 during lifting with the "Basiloid" blade. and management. The lifting cushion member 66 can be glued or detachably removed from the apparatus before being wrapped with the transparent film 70. Preferably, the cushion member or pad 66 is also made of the same materials as the other members of the cushion. pad 60, as mentioned above. The lifting tab member 86 of the cover is preferably defined by a portion of the cover bent over the portion of the strengthening member extending from an inner portion of the cover, as illustrated in Figures 4a and 4b. Preferably, the reinforcement member is manufactured with a relatively low cost, a very strong material that does not have to be corrugated cardboard to allow the Basiloid blade to lift it. In the exemplary embodiment, the reinforcing member is an angled corner member 90, formed, for example, of a laminated paperboard material, preferably one of the commercially known products such as ANGLEBOARD and CORNERBOARD available from ITW Angleboard, Glenview. , Illinois, as mentioned above. In the exemplary embodiment of Figures 4a and 4b, the corner 80 is formed of a corrugated board or other sheet material that is worked in a similar manner. Generally, the cover 80 comprises a portion of the cover having an inner and outer portion 84 and 85, and side portions 83 formed by folded portions of the sheets and portions of the eyelashes attached thereto, as discussed in detail. general above. Figures 4a and 4b also illustrate the reinforced slats 40 disposed on the inner portion 84 of the cover 80. The lift tab member 86 is disposed through the outer portion of a side portion 87 of the cover 80. the lifting tab 86 preferably includes a first portion 92 of the angled corner member 90 disposed lengthwise, and preferably secured with an adhesive or something similar, to the inner portion 84 of the cover. A second portion 94 of the angled corner member 90 extends from the inner portion 84 of the cover 80 and is positioned through the outer portion 88 of the side portion of the cover 87.

Figure 4b illustrates a portion of the cover 80 folded on top of the second portion 94 of the corner member 90. A "Basiloid" sheet is placed between the second cover portion 94 of the angled corner member 90. and the outer portion 88 of the side portion of the cover87 for lifting the packaged apparatus when the cover 80 is secured to the package as discussed above. In Figure 4b, one of the reinforced slats 40 having a depression 41 is shown to accommodate a portion of the angled corner member 90. In Figure 4b, the portion of the cover 80 folded over the reinforcing member 90 is, preferably, a continuous member having a first portion 81 extending continuously from the cover 80 along the first side 95 of the second portion 94 of the angled corner member 90, and a second portion 85 extending therefrom continuously back towards the cover 80 along a second opposite side 96 of the second portion 94 of the corner corner member 90. Preferably, the side portion 87 of the cover 80 also extends continuously from the second portion 85 of the same. Figure 3 illustrates a strip applied around the tray 30 and the cover 80 as well as above the lifting flange member 86, after assembling the packaging portions illustrated in Figures 1 and 2. Preferably, the strip comprises two separate straps of tension strips 100 and 101 each placed around the tray 30, of the cover 50, along the opposite posts 50 and above the corresponding portion of the lifting tab member 86. Preferably, the bands of the Tensioned strips 100 and 101 are also arranged around the reinforced portions of the tray 30 as well as the cover 80, and in the exemplary embodiment the strips are placed around the outer portions of the tray as well as the opposing cover. to the corresponding slats 40 disposed therein. Configured in this way, the package assembly can be lifted and operated after hooking the member of the lifting tab 86 with the "Basiloid" sheet. The package assembly can also be lifted and handled with a forklift. While the above description of the invention allows a person skilled in the art to make and use what is considered to be the best embodiment thereof, the experts will understand and appreciate the existence of variations, combinations and equivalents of the exemplary embodiments of the invention. the same. Therefore, the invention is limited not to the embodiments presented therein, but to all embodiments within the scope and spirit of the appended claims.

Claims (20)

1. CLAIMS 1. A package of packaging useful for packaging of household appliances, comprising: a tray that is placed under the appliance to be packed; a plurality of rigid posts, in which each has a first portion disposed in the tray, each post is placed along the apparatus to be packed and has a second opposite end portion; a transparent film that is placed around the plurality of posts; a cover placed above the second end portion of the plurality of wrapped posts; the cover having a lifting flange member positioned transversely, at least on one side thereof; a strip applied around the posts, the cover and the tray, the strip is placed on top of the member of the lifting tab of the cover. The packaging assembly according to claim 1, wherein the strip consists of two separate bands of taut strap placed around the tray and the cover, each band of taut strap being placed along the corresponding opposite posts and above the corresponding portion of the member of the lifting tab. 3. The package assembly according to claim 2, wherein the posts are corner posts, at an angle, the tray and the cover each have a plurality of corners, the first and second end portions of the angled corner posts are place in the corresponding corners of the tray and the cover. The package assembly according to claim 3, wherein the tray and the cover are each formed of a corrugated board material and reinforced with slats placed in the internal portions thereof in a separate relation, each band of taut strip is placed around the outer portions of the tray and the cover opposite the corresponding portion of the slats. The package assembly according to claim 1, further comprising a lifting pad member positioned in opposition to the cover flange member of the cover. The package assembly according to claim 1, further comprising the cushioning members or pads attached to the internal portions of the posts - and the cover, as well as the cushioning members placed in the upper portion of the apparatus that is going to pack. The package assembly according to claim 1, wherein the transparent film is a transparent thermally stretched bag placed above and around the poles. The package assembly according to claim 1, wherein the posts are angled corner desserts that are made of a fiber material. 9. The package assembly according to claim 1, wherein the cover is corrugated board material, the cover flange member is defined by a side portion of the cover folded over the portion of the cover member. reinforcement that extends from an inner portion of the cover. A packaging assembly, comprising: a corrugated cardboard cover having a cover portion with an inner portion and an outer portion, the cover having side portions extending from the inner portion of the cover portion; the member of the lifting flange which is positioned transverse to the external portion of one of the side portions; the member of the lifting flange having a reinforced member extending from the inner portion of the cover portion and disposed transverse to the outer portion of the corresponding side portion, a portion of the bent cover of the reinforcement member of the member of the survey tab. The cover according to claim 10, wherein the portion of the cover bent above the reinforcement member has a first portion extending continuously from the portion of the cover along the first side of the reinforcement member., the portion of the cover bent above the strengthening member has a second portion extending continuously from the first portion thereof back toward the portion of the cover along the second side of the reinforcement member, the portion Lateral through which the member of the lifting tab is placed extends continuously from the second portion. The cover according to claim 10, wherein the reinforcing member is a corner member at an angle with a first portion positioned along the inner portion of the cover portion, the angled corner member having a second portion at an angle. portion extending from the inner portion of the cover portion and placed through the outer portion of the corresponding lateral portion, the portion of the cover bent over the reinforced member of the lifting flange member is bent over the second portion of the corner member at an angle. 13. A method for packing household appliances, comprising: placing the appliance in a reinforced tray; arranging a plurality of angled corner posts, rigid along the side of the apparatus and placing a first end portion of each of the posts between the apparatus and the tray; cover, at least, the side portions of the apparatus and the plurality of posts with a transparent film; placing a reinforced cover on the apparatus and arranging a second end portion of each of the posts wrapped between the apparatus and the cover, the cover having a member of the transverse lifting flange on the side thereof; Applying a strap around the cover and the tray as well as along the side of the posts, the strap is placed above the member of the cover lifting tab. The method according to claim 13, further comprising the application of two taut strippers around the reinforced portions of the tray and the cover, each taut strip placed along the opposite posts and on the corresponding portion of the tray and the cover as well as above the member of the cover lifting tab. 15. The method according to claim 13, further comprising placing a cushioning member or pads between the apparatus and the member of the cover lifting flange. The method according to claim 13, further comprising placing the cushion members between the apparatus and the portions of the plurality of posts and covers before covering them with a transparent film. 17. The method according to claim 13, further comprising placing a transparent bag on the apparatus, the poles and at least on a portion of the tray, as well as a transparent bag which is heat stretched to form a transparent film. 18. The method according to claim 13, further comprising attaching two slats to an inner portion of the apparatus for reinforcing the tray, the tray being of a crumpled cardboard material and placed under the slats. 19. The method according to claim 18, further comprising attaching the corrugated cardboard tray and the slats to the underside of the apparatus. The method according to claim 13, wherein the cover is of a crumpled cardboard material, further comprising forming a cover lifting flange member by folding a portion of the cover above the portion of the strengthening member extending from an inner portion of the cover and along the outer lateral portion thereof before placing the cover over the household appliance.