NL2020158B1 - Packaging for a ladder - Google Patents

Abstract

A packaging element for a ladder having a plurality of ladder rungs or steps connected between two longitudinal ladder rails. The packaging element comprises a main body portion configured to extend longitudinally over at least a portion of a ladder rail. A plurality of wing portions each extend from the main body portion and are configured to wrap around the ladder rail between adjacent ladder rungs or steps. Each of the wing portions comprises a fixing portion configured to secure an end of the wing portion to the main body portion when in a wrapped configuration.

Description

Patent center

Θ 2020158

(2?) Application number: 2020158 (22) Application submitted: December 22, 2017

Int. CL:

B65D 21/02 (2018.01) B65D 85/64 (2018.01)

0 Application registered: 0 Patent holder (s): July 1, 2019 Altrex B.V. in Zwolle. 0 Request published: - 0 Inventor (s): Maarten Bertus Hogervorst in Zwolle. 0 Patent granted: July 1, 2019 0 Authorized representative: 0 Patent issued: Dr. A. Krebs in The Hague. July 1, 2019

PACKAGING FOR A LADDER

5 ^ A packaging element for a ladder having a variety of ladder rungs or steps connected between two longitudinal ladder rails. The packaging element comprises a main body portion configured to extend longitudinally over at least a portion or a ladder rail. A variety of wing portions each extend from the main body portion and are configured to wrap around the ladder rail between adjacent ladder rungs or steps. Each of the wing portions comprises a fixing portion configured to secure an end or the wing portion to the main body portion when in a wrapped configuration.

NL B1 2020158

This patent has been granted regardless of the attached result of the research into the state of the art and written opinion. The patent corresponds to the documents originally submitted.

PACKAGING FOR A LADDER

The present invention relates to packaging for a ladder. In particular, but not exclusively, the present invention relates to a packaging system with improved recyclability compared to known systems.

Traditionally ladders are packaged using a heat shrink wrap to protect the ladder during transportation and storage, for example. The shrink wrap can also be used to retain extendable ladders and step ladders in a compact or folded configuration during transportation. Product information (e.g. brand name, technical details of the ladder) may be placed with the ladder and may be visible through the shrink wrap.

There is now an increasing drive to develop more sustainable products and reduce waste, particularly plastic waste, which can be difficult to recycle and can be harmful to the environment if not properly disposed of. This particularly applies to disposable aspects of products, such as the packaging, which is generally discarded soon after a consumer has purchased the product.

It would therefore be useful to provide an alternative packaging for a ladder that is more environmentally friendly, yet still provides protection to the ladder during transportation and storage.

According to a first aspect of the present invention there is provided a packaging element for a ladder having a multiple of ladder rungs or steps connected between two longitudinal ladder rails, including the packaging element:

a main body portion configured to extend longitudinally over at least a portion or a ladder rail;

a variety of wing portions each extending from the main body portion and configured to wrap around the ladder rail between adjacent ladder rungs or steps, each of the wing portions including a fixing portion configured to secure an end of the wing portion to the main body portion when in a wrapped configuration.

Suitably, the main body portion comprises an outer side face portion configured to extend longitudinally over an outer side surface or the ladder rail.

Suitably, the main body portion further comprises a front face portion configured to extend longitudinally over a front surface or the ladder rail.

Suitably, the front face portion comprises a variety of protruding portions configured to extend over at least a portion or a corresponding ladder rung or step.

Suitably, the main body portion further comprises a first longitudinally extending fold line between the outer side face portion and the front face portion.

Suitably, each wing portion extends from the front face portion or the main body portion.

Suitably, the packaging element further comprises a longitudinally extending fold line between each wing portion and the front face portion.

Suitably, the main body portion further comprises a back face portion configured to extend longitudinally over a back surface or the ladder rail.

Suitably, the main body portion further comprises a second longitudinally extending fold line between the outer side face portion and the back face portion.

Suitably, each wing portion is configured to wrap around the ladder rail and a further ladder rail or a folded or collapsed ladder.

Suitably, each fixing portion comprises a flap element and the main body portion comprises a various or lock elements, and each flap element is configured to cooperate with a respective lock element to secure the wing portion in a wrapped configuration.

Suitably, each wing portion extends from the main body portion to a substantially perpendicular to the main body portion.

Suitably, each wing portion comprises an inner side face portion configured to extend over an inner side surface of the ladder rail between adjacent ladder rungs or steps.

Suitably, each wing portion comprises a back face portion configured to extend over a back surface portion of the ladder rail or a back surface portion or a further ladder rail or a folded or collapsed ladder.

Suitably, each wing portion comprises a first longitudinally extending fold line between the inner side face portion and the back face portion.

Suitably, each wing portion comprises an outer side face portion configured to extend over an outer side surface or the ladder rail.

Suitably, each wing portion further comprises a second longitudinally extending fold line between the back face portion and the outer side face portion.

Suitably, each of the fixing portions are integral with the outer side face portion or the respective wing portion.

Suitably, the main body portion comprises a variety of protrusions and its each wing portion comprises an opening for engaging with a corresponding protrusion or a packaging element or an adjacent stacked ladder.

Suitably, the packaging element is formed from cardboard.

Suitably, the cardboard has a thickness of at least 2 to 10 mm.

Suitably, the cardboard is corrugated cardboard.

Suitably, the packaging element is configured as a single unitary element.

According to a second aspect of the present invention there is provided a packaging system including a first and second packaging element according to the first aspect, in the first packaging element is configured to package around a left side longitudinal ladder rail and the second packaging element is configured to package around a right side longitudinal ladder rail.

According to a third aspect of the present invention there is provided a method of manufacturing a packaging element for a ladder having a variety of ladder rungs or steps connected between two longitudinal ladder rails, the method including:

providing a sheet of cardboard;

cutting a main body portion from the sheet of cardboard, the main body portion configured to extend longitudinally over at least a portion or a ladder rail;

cutting a variety of wing portions from the sheet of cardboard, each wing portion extending from the main body portion and configured to wrap around the ladder rail between adjacent ladder rungs or steps, cutting a fixing portion from the sheet of cardboard, each fixing portion configured to secure an end of the wing portion to the main body portion when in a wrapped configuration, the main body portion, the multiple of wing portions and the fixing portion together form a blank for forming the packaging element.

The method according to the third aspect may be used to manufacture a packaging element according to any of the examples described.

Certain deliver provide packaging for ladders that is more sustainable and environmentally friendly compared to known packaging.

Certain vary provide the advantage that the packaging can be easily removed from the ladder and recycled without the need to separate into different materials.

Certain vary provide the advantage that the ladder may be protected during transportation and storage, and particularly when stacking multiple ladders for transportation.

Embodiments of the invention are further described hereinafter with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:

FIG. 1 illustrates an example or a packaged ladder;

FIG. 2 illustrates an example of a packaging element for a ladder in net form;

FIG. 3 illustrates an example of two packaged ladders in adjacent stacked configuration;

FIG. 4 illustrates a close up view of the packaged ladders or Figs. 3; and

FIG. 5 illustrates a method of manufacturing a packaging element.

In the drawings like reference numerals refer to like parts.

FIG. 1 illustrates a packaging system 100 secured in place around a ladder 110. In this example, the ladder is a folding step ladder including a various or ladder rungs or steps 114 connected between two (left and right side) longitudinal ladder rails 112 (also referred "front ladder rails"). In this example, the ladder 110 has ladder steps, but it will be appreciated that other ladders may have ladder rungs rather than ladder steps. The ladder 110 in this example also includes a further two (left and right side) longitudinal ladder rails 116 for stabilizing the step ladder in use (also referred to as "stabilizing ladder rails"). In this example, a further multiple or ladder steps are connected between the stabilizing ladder rails 116. In other examples, the further multiple or ladder steps may not be present. In the configuration shown, the ladder 110 is in a folded configuration with the front ladder rails 112 and the stabilizing ladder rails 116 adjacent to each other.

The packaging system 100 includes first and second packaging elements 120 for packing respective left and right side ladder rails or the ladder 110. Figs. 2 illustrates an example of the flat form (net or blank) or packaging element 120 for the left side ladder rails. It will be appreciated that the flat form of the packaging element 120 for the right side ladder rails will be a mirror image of the blank shown in Figs. 2.

The packaging element 120 includes a main body portion 102. The main body portion 102 is configured to extend longitudinally over at least a portion or a ladder rail. In this example, the main body portion 102 is configured to extend longitudinally over the front ladder rail 112 that supports the ladder rungs 114.

A variety of wing portions 104 each extend from the main body portion 102. Each of the wing portions 104 are configured to wrap around the ladder rail 112 between adjacent ladder rungs or steps 114. In other words, each wing portion 104 extends from the main body portion 102 and, in a wrapped configuration, passes between adjacent ladder rungs or steps 114 of the ladder 110, to wrap around the front ladder rail 112 that supports the ladder rungs or steps 114. In this example, each of the wing portions 104 are configured to also extend the further stabilizing ladder rail 116 that is adjacent to the front ladder rail 112.

Each wing portion includes a fixing portion 106. Each fixing portion 106 is configured to secure an end 108 or the respective wing portion 104 to the main body portion 102 when the packaging element 120 is in a wrapped configuration. That is, when the wing portion is wrapped around the front ladder rail 112 (and optionally the stabilizing ladder rail 116 or other further ladder rail), the fixing portion 106 secures the wing portion 104 to the main body portion 102 to hold or secure the wing portion 104 in the wrapped configuration.

Shown in the example, the main body portion 102 includes an outer side face portion 102a. The outer side face portion 102a is configured to extend longitudinally over a corresponding outer side surface (eg the left side surface) or the front ladder rail 112. In other words, the outer side face portion 102a may be sized and shaped to extend over and cover the outer side surface of the ladder rail 112. In the example shown in Figs. 2, the outer side face portion

102a is configured to extend over the left outer side surface of the left front ladder rail 112. In a packaging element 120 for the right side ladder rails, the outer side face portion 102a is configured to extend over the right outer side surface of the right front ladder rail 112.

In this example, the main body portion 102 also includes a front face portion 102b. The front face portion 102b is configured to extend longitudinally over a corresponding front surface of the ladder rail 112. In other words, the front face portion 102b may be sized and shaped to extend over and cover the front surface of the ladder rail 112. The front surface of the ladder rail is the surface to the front of the ladder (ie the surface of the ladder rail 112 facing a user when in use). The front face portion 102b in this example extends from the outer side face portion 102a or the main body portion 102.

The front face portion 102b may optionally include a variety of protruding portions 118. The protruding portions 118 are configured to extend at least a portion of a ladder rung or step 114. In this example, the front face portion 102b includes a variety of protruding portions 118 each extending over a portion or a respective step 114 when in a wrapped configuration. The protruding portions 118 each extend from the front face portion between or adjacent each of the wing portions 114. The protruding portions 118 extend substantially perpendicularly with respect to a longitudinal direction of the front face portion 102b and are in the same plane as the front face portion, to extend over a portion of the step 114 when the packaging element 120 is in place in a wrapped configuration. In this way, the protruding portions 118 can help to cushion or protect each step from external impact (e.g. from adjacent ladders) during storage or transportation.

In this example, the main body portion 102 also includes a first longitudinally extending fold line 103a between the outer side face portion 102a and the front face portion 102b. The fold line 103a is configured to help the main body portion 102a to a junction between the outer side face portion 102a and the front face portion 102b. In this way, the main body portion 102 folds at the fold line 103a such that main body portion 102 can extend, in use, around the outer side surface and front surface of the ladder rail 112 with a relatively close fit.

In this example, the main body portion 102 further includes a back face portion 102c. The back face portion 102c is configured to extend longitudinally over a back surface of the ladder rail 112. In other words, the back face portion 102c may be sized and shaped to extend over and cover the back surface of the ladder rail 112. The back surface of the ladder rail is the surface to the back of the ladder (ie the surface of the ladder rail 112 facing away from a user when in use). The back face portion 102c in this example extends from the outer side face portion 102a opposite the front face portion 102b.

In this example, in a wrapped configuration the back face portion 102c extends between the front ladder rail 112 and the stabilizing ladder rail 116 such that the front ladder rail 112 and the stabilizing ladder rail are separated from contact during storage or transportation. In other examples, the outer side face portion may extend over the outer side surface or both the front ladder rail 112 and the stabilizing ladder rail 116 such that the back face portion 102c extends over a back surface or the stabilizing ladder rail 116.

In this example, the main body portion 102 also includes a second longitudinally extending fold line 103b between the outer side face portion 102a and the back face portion 102c. The fold line 103b is configured to help the main body portion 102a to a junction between the outer side face portion 102a and the back face portion 102c. In this way, the main body portion 102b such as the main body portion 102b can be extended, in use, around the outer side surface and back surface of the ladder rail 112 with a relatively close fit.

Each wing portion 104 aptly extends from the main body portion 102 in a direction substantially perpendicular to the main body portion 102. In other words, each wing portion may extend from the main body portion in a direction substantial perpendicular to the longitudinal direction of the main body portion 102. It will be appreciated that in a flat configuration, the wing portion 104 may be on the same plane as the main body portion 102. In a wrapped configuration, the wing portion 104 is bent or folded away from the plane of the main body portion 102.

In this example, each wing portion 104 extends from the front face portion 102b or the main body portion 102. In examples where the packaging element 120 includes protruding portions 118, each wing portion 104 extends from the front face portion 102b between adjacent protruding portions 118 As such, in a wrapped configuration, the wing portions 104 can wrap around the ladder rail 112 between adjacent ladder rungs or steps 114.

The packaging element 120 may aptly include a longitudinally extending fold line 122 between each of the wing portions 104 and the main body portion 102 (in this example the front face portion 102b). The fold line 122 can help to shape the wing portion 104 around the ladder rail 112 with a relatively close fit.

In this example, each wing portion is configured to wrap around both the front ladder rail 112 and the further (stabilizing) ladder rail 116.

Each wing portion 104, in this example, includes an inner side face portion 104a. The inner side face portion 104a is configured to extend over an inner side surface of the ladder rail 112 between adjacent ladder rungs or steps 114. In other words, the inner side face portion 104a is sized and shaped to extend over the inner side face portion of the ladder rail 112. In this example, the inner side face portion is configured to extend over the inner side face portion or both the front ladder rail 112 and the further stabilizing ladder rail 116. In a wrapped configuration, the inner side face portion 104 may be in a plane substantially parallel to the outer side face portion 102a or the main body portion 102.

The wing portions 104, in particular the inner side face portion 104a, may aptly be shaped so as to have a close fit between adjacent ladder rungs or steps 114. In this example, each wing portion has an inclined section 105 for accommodating an inclined angle of the steps 114.

In this example, each wing portion 104 also includes a back face portion 104b. The back face portion 104b is configured to extend over a back surface portion of the ladder rail 112 or a further ladder rail 116. In other words, the back face portion 104b is sized and shaped to extend over and cover a back surface portion of the ladder rail 112. In this example, the back face portion 104b is configured to extend over the back surface portion or the further (stabilizing) ladder rail 116. The back face portion 104b extends from and is continuous with the inner side face portion 104a. In a wrapped configuration, the back face portion 104b may be in a plane substantially parallel to the front face portion 102b and the back face portion 102c or the main body portion 102b.

Each wing portion 104 aptly includes a first longitudinally extending fold line 107a between the inner side face portion 104a and the back face portion 104b. The fold line 107a can help to shape the wing portion 104 at the junction between the inner side face portion 104a and the back face portion 104b so that the wing portion can have a relatively close fit around the inner side surfaces of the front ladder rail and further ladder rail and the back surface of the further ladder rail.

In this example, each wing portion 104 further includes an outer side face portion 104c. The outer side face portion 104c is configured to extend over an outer side surface of the ladder rail (front ladder rail 112 and optionally further ladder rail 116). In this example, the outer side face portion 104c extends from and is continuous with the back face portion 104b or the wing portion 104. As such, in this example, when the packaging element 120 is in a wrapped configuration, the outer side face portion 104c extends over an outer side surface or both the further (stabilizing) ladder rail 116 and the front ladder rail 112.

Each wing portion 104 aptly further includes a second longitudinally extending fold line 107b between the back face portion 104b and the outer side face portion 104c. The fold line 107b can help to shape the wing portion 104 at the junction between the back face portion 104b and the outer side face portion 104c so that the wing portion can have a relatively close fit around the back surface of the further ladder rail and the outer side surface of the further ladder rail and the front ladder rail.

As seen in FIG. 1, when the packaging element 120 is in a wrapped configuration, the outer side face portion 104c or each wing portion 104 extends at least partially over the main body portion 102a, in particular the outer side face portion 102a or the main body portion 102a. As such, the packaging element 120 can provide increased protection to the side surfaces of the ladder 110.

The fixing portion 106 is aptly configured to secure the wing portion 104 in a wrapped configuration without any additional fixing elements. In this example, the fixing portion 106 includes a flap element. The flap element extends from the outer side face portion 104c or the wing portion 104. That is, the flap element extends from the end 108 or the wing portion 104. The flap element is aptly continuous with the wing portion 104 (ie integral with the wing portion). In this example the flap element is narrower in width than the wing portion 104.

The main body portion aptly includes a variety of slot elements 109. The slot elements 109 are a longitudinal opening in the main body portion 102 located to receive a corresponding flap element when the packaging element 120 is in a wrapped configuration. Each flap element is configured to cooperate (i.e. slot into) a respective slot element 109 to secure the wing portion 104 in the wrapped configuration.

Aptly, each wing portion further includes a flap fold line 107c between the flap element and the outer side face portion 104c. The flap fold line 107c helps to allow a fold between the wing portion and the flap element. This can help to retain the flap element within the slot element 109 when in a wrapped configuration.

FIGs. 3 and 4 illustrate how the packaging elements 120 may cooperate with packaging elements 120 or an adjacent ladder. Ladders are often stored or transported in a stacked or adjacent configuration. As such, it may be desirable to minimize space between adjacent ladders and help prevent the ladders from becoming displaced with respect to each other.

The main body portion 102 may include a variety of protrusion 302 and each wing portion 104 may 104 include an opening 304 for engaging with a corresponding protrusion 302 or a packaging element 120 or an adjacent stacked ladder.

In this example, the protrusions 302 are integral with and extend from the outer side face portion 102a or the packaging element 120. In a wrapped configuration, the protrusions are configured such that they extend perpendicularly from the longitudinal direction of the outer side face portion 102a and lie within the same plane as the outer side face portion 102a. As such, in a wrapped configuration, the protrusions extend outwardly from the front surface of the packaging element 120 (the front surface being defined by the front face portion 102b).

The corresponding opening 304 in each of the wing portions 104 are located along the second longitudinally extending fold line 107b between the back face portion 104b and the outer side face portion 104c or the wing element 104. The opening 304 are sized and shaped to accommodate ( or interlock with) a corresponding protrusion 302. In this example, the protrusions 302 each have rounded corners, and the opening 304 have corresponding rounded corners into which the protrusions 302 or an adjacent packaging element may be located. The interlocking between the protrusions 302 and the opening 304 can be seen more closely in Figs. 4.

FIG. 5 illustrates an example of a method of manufacturing a packaging element. At step 501, the method includes providing a sheet of cardboard. The cardboard sheet may be any type or cardboard described. The sheet of cardboard is dimensioned so as to accommodate a complete blank for forming a packaging element, for example the blank shown in Figs. 2.

At step 502 the method includes cutting a main body portion from the sheet of cardboard. The main body portion is configured to extend longitudinally over at least a portion or a ladder rail. The main body portion may be configured according to any of the examples described below.

At step 503 the method includes cutting a variety of wing portions from the cardboard sheet. Each wing portion extends from the main body portion and is configured to wrap around the ladder rail between adjacent ladder rungs or steps. Each wing portion may be configured according to any of the examples described below.

At step 504 the method includes cutting a fixing portion from the sheet of cardboard. Each fixing portion is configured to secure an end of the wing portion to the main body portion when in a wrapped configuration. The fixing portion may be configured according to any of the examples described.

The cut out main body portion, the multiple of wing portions and the fixing portion together form a blank for forming the packaging element. The blank is aptly a unitary (single) piece.

It will be appreciated that the method steps discussed above are not limited to any particular order. In particular, the cutting steps may be performed in any order or simultaneously using any suitable cutting tool.

Various modifications to the detailed arrangements as described above are possible. For example, although in the examples described above the packaging is configured for a step ladder having four rungs, the packaging may alternatively be configured for any other type or ladder. For example, the packaging may be configured for a step ladder having any other number of rungs or steps (e.g. by adjusting the number and position of the wing portions to correspond to the number of rungs or steps).

In another example, the packaging may be configured for a fixed ladder with only one pair or longitudinal ladder rails. In this case, the size of the wing portions and in particular the inner side face portion and the outer side face portion or the wing portion may be configured to accommodate only one ladder rail.

In yet further examples, the packaging may be configured for a folding ladder or a telescoping ladder that may fold or collapse such that e.g. three, four or more ladder sections are stacked adjacent to each other. In this case, the size of the wing portions and in particular the inner side face portion and the outer side face portion or the wing portion may be configured to accommodate specific number or ladder rails.

In the examples described above, the packaging element 120 is formed from cardboard having a thickness of around 5 mm. Aptly, the cardboard is a corrugated cardboard. In other examples, the packaging element 120 may be formed from different materials or cardboard or different thicknesses. Aptly, the material of the packaging element 120 is suitable thickness to protect the ladder rails from damage from external impacts experienced during transportation and storage. For example, the packaging element 120 may be at least 2 mm in thickness, or more aptly at least 3 mm in thickness. Yet more aptly, the packaging element may have a thickness of from 2 to 10 mm thickness, or from 2 to 8 mm thickness.

Each packaging element is aptly formed from a unitary (single) piece of cardboard. As such, each of the components are integral with each other. That is, the main body portion, wing portions, and fixing elements are all integrally formed (or continuous with each other). This allows for a relatively simple assembly of the packaging element around the ladder and also fora relatively simple unpackaging of the ladder by a consumer since no additional elements (e.g. tape or staples) are required.

As will be appreciated, although a single packaging element 120 is described above in detail, a packaging system for a ladder may include first and second packaging elements according to any of the examples described. The first packaging element may be specifically configured to package (or wrap) around a left side longitudinal ladder rail (or rails) and the second packaging element may be specifically configured to package (or wrap) around a right side longitudinal ladder rail (or rails) ) of the ladder. It will be appreciated that a ladder may typically be symmetrical. As, such, the first and second packaging elements may be a mirror image or each other.

The packaging system may additionally include one or more step or rung packaging elements 150 (see Fig. 1). The step packaging element 150 may be configured to wrap around a rung 114 or a ladder. For some ladders the step packaging element 150 may be configured to wrap around adjacent rungs of the ladder in a folded or collapsed configuration (e.g., a rung supported by the front ladder rails and a rung supported by the further ladder rail (s)).

The step packaging element 150 may be formed from a unitary piece of cardboard similar to the packaging element 120. The step packaging element 150 may also include fixing portions similar to the fixing portions described above in relation to the packaging element 120 to secure the step packaging element 150 in a wrapped configuration.

The packaging system may further include a ladder top packaging element 160 (see Fig. 1). In this example, the ladder top packaging element 160 is configured to wrap around an upper region of the ladder. The ladder top packaging element 160 may be formed from a unitary piece of cardboard similar to the packaging element 120. The ladder top packaging element 160 may also include fixing portions similar to the fixing portions described above in relation to the packaging element 120 to secure the ladder top packaging element 160 in a wrapped configuration.

The ladder top packaging element 150 may aptly include a front surface 162 or suitable dimensions to display product information (e.g. ladder branding and technical information).

The packaging elements 120 may be configured to cover or extend longitudinally over at least a portion or a ladder rail. For example, the packaging elements may be configured to extend longitudinally over a length of the ladder rail tension at least three rungs or steps. In some examples, the packaging elements may be configured to extend longitudinally over the whole length of the ladder rail.

Although in the example described above, the packaging element includes three wing portions, other numbers or wing portions may be included. Aptly, the packaging element includes at least two wing portions. In some examples, the packaging element may include at least three or at least four wing portions. In some examples, the number of wing portions may be dependent on the length of the ladder rails and / or the number of rungs or steps supported by the ladder rails. It will be appreciated that the number of wing portions may be determined according to the properties of the ladder to be packaged.

Although in the example described above, the back face portion 102c or the main body portion 102 is configured to extend over a back surface portion or the front ladder rail 112, in other examples, the back face portion 102c may instead be configured to extend over a back surface of a further ladder rail (eg a stabilizing ladder rail or a further ladder rail or a folded or telescoping ladder).

In some examples, the packaging element 120 may include a variety or opening 145 in the main body portion 102. The opening 145 may be distributed along the first longitudinally extending fold line 103a between the outer side face portion 102a and the front face portion 102b.

With the arrangements described above, a packaging system is provided which effectively packages ladders in an environmentally friendly way. Since the whole of the packaging may be formed from a single material (e.g. cardboard), the whole of the packaging can be easily recycled.

The arrangements described above do not require any additional fixing means (e.g., plastic tape or staples). Such fixing means can often result in tearing or destruction of the packaging when removing the packaging from the ladder. With the arrangements described above, the packaging can be removed from the ladder without the need to tear or damage the packaging. As such, the packaging may be suitable to be reused or to repackage the ladder at a later time.

The packaging system described above allows for ladders to be protected during transportation and storage. The packaging can effectively separate the adjacent ladders from each other to help prevent rubbing or banging together of the ladders. The packaging can also help stacking of the ladders for storage or transportation and help to prevent or reduce relative movement between adjacent ladders.

The packaging described above can advantageously be adapted to suit any type or ladder,

e.g. by adjusting the exact size and configuration of the main body portion and / or wing portions. The packaging described above can advantageously be adapted for e.g. folding ladders, step ladders or telescoping ladders, and can function to retain these ladders in their collapsed or folded configurations due to the positioning of the wing portions between adjacent ladder rungs or steps.

It will be clear to a person skilled in the art that features described in relation to any of the above described above can be applicable interchangeably between the different expires. The expired described above are examples to illustrate various features of the invention.

Throughout the description and claims of this specification, the words “contain” and “contain” and variations of them mean “including but not limited to”, and they are not intended to exclude other moieties, additives, components, integers or steps. Throughout the description and claims of this specification, the singular encompasses the plural unless the context otherwise requires. In particular, where the indefinite article is used, the specification is understood as contemplating multiple as well as singularity, unless the context requires otherwise.

Features, integers, characteristics, compounds, chemical moieties or groups described in conjunction with a particular aspect, embodiment or example of the invention are understood to be applicable to any other aspect, embodiment or example described, unless incompatible therewith. All of the features disclosed in this specification (including 5 any accompanying claims, abstract and drawings), and / or all of the steps of any method or process so disclosed, may be combined in any combination, except combinations where at least some of such features and / or steps are mutually exclusive. The invention is not restricted to the details of any foregoing. The invention extends to any novel one, or any novel combination, or the features disclosed in this specification (including any 10 accompanying claims, abstract and drawings), or to any novel one, or any novel combination, or the steps of any method or process so disclosed.

The reader's attention is directed to all papers and documents that have been competed with or previous to this specification in connection with this application and which are open 15 to public inspection with this specification, and the contents of all such papers and documents are incorporated by reference.

Claims (25)

CONCLUSIONS A packaging element for a ladder comprising a plurality of steps or rungs connected between two longitudinal ladder posts, the packaging element comprising: a main body portion configured to extend longitudinally across at least a portion of a ladder post 1; a plurality of wing members each extending from the main body member and configured to wrap the ladder post between adjacent steps or rungs of the ladder, each of the wing members including a fixed member configured to an end of the wing member in the wrapped configuration to fix with respect to the main body part. The packaging element of claim 1, wherein the main body portion comprises an outer side surface portion that is configured to extend longitudinally over an outer side surface of the ladder post. A packaging element according to claim 2, wherein the main body part further comprises a front open roof part that is configured to extend longitudinally over a front surface of the ladder post. The packaging element of claim 3, wherein the front surface portion comprises a plurality of protruding portions configured to extend over at least a portion of a corresponding rung or rung of the ladder. A packaging element according to claim 3 or claim 4, wherein the main body part further comprises a first longitudinally extending crease line between the outer side surface part and the front surface part. The packaging element according to any of claims 3 to 5, wherein each wing part extends from the front surface part of the main body part. The packaging element of claim 6, further comprising a longitudinally extending crease line between each wing portion and the front surface portion. A packaging element according to any of claims 2 to 7, wherein the main body part further comprises a rear surface part configured to extend longitudinally over a rear surface of the ladder post. The packaging element of claim 8, wherein the main body portion further comprises a second longitudinally extending crease line between the outer side roof portion and the rear surface portion. A packaging element according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein each wing part is configured to be wrapped around the ladder post and around an additional ladder post of a folded or collapsed ladder. A packaging element according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein each mounting part comprises a flap element, wherein the main body part comprises a plurality of slot elements, and wherein each flap element is configured to cooperate with a respective slot element, in order to fix the wing part in a wound configuration . A packaging element according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein each wing part extends from the main body part in a direction that is substantially perpendicular to the main body part. A packaging element according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein each wing part comprises an inner side surface part configured to extend over an inner side surface of the ladder post between adjacent steps or rungs of the ladder. A packaging element according to claim 13, wherein each wing portion comprises a rear surface portion configured to extend over a rear surface portion of the ladder post or over a rear surface portion of an additional ladder post of a folded or collapsed ladder. The packaging element of claim 14, wherein each wing portion comprises a first longitudinally extending crease line between the inner side surface portion and the rear surface portion. A packaging element as claimed in claim 14 or claim 15, wherein each wing portion comprises an outer side surface portion configured to extend over an outer side surface of the ladder post. The packaging element of claim 16, wherein each wing portion further comprises a second longitudinally extending crease line between the rear surface portion and the outer side surface portion. A packaging element according to claim 16 or claim 17, wherein each of the wing parts is integrally formed with the outer side surface part of the respective wing part. A packaging element according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the main body part comprises a plurality of protruding parts, and wherein each wing part comprises an opening which is intended to cooperate with a corresponding protruding part of a packaging element of an adjacent stacked ladder. A packaging element according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the packaging element is made of cardboard. The packaging element of claim 20, wherein the cardboard is in a thickness that is between 2 mm and 10 mm. Packaging element according to claim 20 or claim 21, wherein the cardboard is corrugated cardboard. A packaging element according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the packaging element is configured in the form of a single unit element. A packaging system comprising a first and second packaging element according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the first packaging element is configured to be arranged around a longitudinal ladder post on the left, while the second packaging element is configured to be arranged around a longitudinal ladder post on the right side turn into. A method of manufacturing a packaging element for a ladder comprising a plurality of steps or rungs, the copies of which are connected between two longitudinal ladder posts, the method comprising: providing a sheet of cardboard; cutting a main body part from the sheet of cardboard, the main body part being configured to extend longitudinally over at least a part of a ladder post; cutting a plurality of wing members from the cardboard sheet, each wing section thereof extending from the main body part, and configured to be wrapped around the ladder post between adjacent steps or rungs of the ladder, cutting a fastening member from the cardboard sheet wherein each attachment member is configured to fix an end of the wing member in a wrapped configuration with respect to the main body member, the main body member, the plurality of wing members, and the attachment member together forming a blank for forming the packaging element. A | 5 120 2/5