NZ242671A

NZ242671A - Packing sets of furniture bases in a carton: pairs of sets at right angles

Info

Publication number: NZ242671A
Application number: NZ242671A
Authority: NZ
Inventors: Wayne Athol Ford
Original assignee: Ford C A Pty Ltd
Priority date: 1991-05-09
Filing date: 1992-05-08
Publication date: 1995-04-27
Also published as: GB2269355B; EP0583333A4; AU1742192A; GB2269355A; WO1992019499A1; EP0583333A1; JPH06507136A; GB9319570D0; AU665537B2; CA2109199A1

Description

fj Prtorfcv : <15 9! 1 s ««»••••• P.O. Jo**...*;, •; j; - 2 7 APR'095 \J C\\ Patents Form No.

NEW ZEALAND PATENTS ACT 1953 COMPLETE SPECIFICATION BASE STACKING METHOD ~3 Mv 1!)92 WE, C.A. FORD PTY. LTD., an Australian company of 19 Clarice Road, Box Hill, Victoria 3128, AUSTRALIA hereby declare the invention, for which we pray that a patent may be granted to us, and the method by which it is to be performed, to be particularly described in and by the following statement: (followed by page la) 24 26 7 1 1o BASE STACKING METHOD This invention relates to a method ot packaging furniture support cases and relates particularly but not exclusively to a method of packing furniture support bases Ka*>ng a plurality of spaced arms disposed about a central boss portion to which the leg of 5 :ne article of furniture is attached. The most common such furniture support bases include from four to six, preferably five arms equally spaced about the central boss portion and may be made of any suitable synthetic plastics or metal material.

Presently furniture support bases are packaged for transport in cardboard cartons. The bases are either merely stacked one on top of another in a single stack or in 0 two such stacks side by side with the arms of one stack of bases interposed between the arms of the other stack of bases. The stacking and packaging of bases in such a manner results in a large empty space volume in the carton. In the case of the single stack the occupied space volume is only about 11% of the total box volume and in the case of the side by side slacking the occupied space volume is about 13-15% of the total carton 5 volume. The increase in occupied volume of the side by side stacking is not as great as may be expected as it is necessary to include spacing packaging to prevent damage in transit of the ends of the base arms.

A problem has existed for about three or four years since the introduction of synthetic plastics material furniture support bases in that transport costs for synthetic 0 plastics material bases is up to two times the transport cost of the same number of equivalent sized metal bases in the identical sized carton. This is due to shipping and freight rates being determined on a volume as against weight rate for lighter weight larger volume cartons.

The present invention seeks to overcome the problem of the costs of packaging for 5 transport of furniture support bases and to reduce the costs of such bases to the user.

With reference to the following a substantially ordered stack or set of bases is intended to mean a stack or set of bases (whether in upper- to under-side relationship or otherwise) in which the central axes of the bases in the stack or set are generally co-axially disposed and any arm of a base is disposed in the same general direction as an arm 0 of another base in the stack or set and in which the planes of the bases in the stack or set are substantially parallel.

The present invention, therefore, in one preferred form provides ;T nmcE i3.;;.mo35 (followed by psge 2) 24267 7 2 a methca of stacking a number of furniture support bases, said bases having a p-T;' :y cf arms disposed about a central axis which method comprises placing sets cf bases, in which each set of bases contains a stack of bases placed one i; a-ctner, sc that the axes cf two cf the four sets are generally coaxially disposed c^e d.rection and the axes of the other two of the sets of bases are generally ccax.aiy c.sposed in a direction substantially at right angles to the said one ti,recv.cn.

The present invention also in one preferred form provides a cack of a number of furniture bases in a carton, said bases having a plurality of arms disposed about a central axis which comprises; four sets of bases, in which each set of bases contains a stack of bases placed one by another, in the carton so that the axes of two of the four sets are generally coaxially disposed in one direction and the axes of the other two cf the sets of bases are generally coaxially disposed in a direction substantially at right angles to the said one direction.

Preferably the other two sets of bases are disposed on opposite sides of the :5 uf s.iici one of said first two sets of bases.

Preferably the arms of the bases are equidistantly radially disposed about the central axis.

Preferably the bases have from three to six, most preferably five arms. Preferably there are n bases in each set. The value of the integer n is primarily 3 5 determined by the relative dimensions of the arms and central boss section of the support 242671 3 case and :ne angle of taper of the arms from the central boss section to the free ends of :w.o arms. The value of n can be readily determined by trial and experiment cut nay !n rcmai circumstances vary from three to six. For a base with five arms as illustrated, ire- value cf n is 4.

It wilt be appreciated by those skilled in the art that it is net necessary to place the support bases in a carton, it is possible to arrange the bases as previously described cn a base ard sftrlnk wrapped In plastic film. A frame could then be attacnec to the base to enable the stacks to be stacked one or. another.

The present invention therefore also provides a stack of furniture support cases, said bases having a plurality of arns disposed about a ••■ntral axis which stack comprises four sets of bases, in which each set of bases contains a stack of bases placed one by another, so that the axes of two of the four sets are generally coaxially disposed in one direction and the axes of the other two of the sets of bases are generally coaxially disposed in a direction substantially at right angles to the said one direction.

Other preferred features of the invention will be determined from the following description cf preferred embodiments of the invention with reference to the acccmcanying drawings in which: rig. 1 is a schematic plan view or bases stacked in a canon tn accordance with known methods.

Fig. 2 is a side elevation of a base shown in fig. 1 in the direction A.

Fig. 3 is a side elevation of a base shown in rig. 1 in the direction B.

Fig. 4 is a schematic alan view of bases stacked in a carton in accordance with an alternative known method.

Fig. 5 IS a Side elevation view of bases stacked in a carton in accordance with the method of the peasant invention.

Fig. 6 is a plan view of bases stacked in accordance witti an alternate method of the invention.

Referring to Figs. 1 to 3 generally there is shown in plan view a stack of multi arm support bases 10 In a carton 11. The bases each comprise five arms 14 4 r ~ /-> 4 f" ' ? equic'istantly disposed radially about a central Doss section 12 naving an axis 13. The axis 13 of the boss section 1:2 is substantially perpendicular to the general plana of the base 10 and is adapted to receive an upright member to be connected for example to a cnair or table in subsequent manufacturing processes. The base 10 generally has an S tipper-side 15 and under-side 16. The bases are customarily stacked in under to upper-sice configuration but may be stacked in a random manner. It will be seen that there is a large unoccupied volume in a <:arton oontaining for example a ten high stack of bases, in Pigs. 1 to 3 and particularly Fig. 1 the multi arm support base 10 can be considered to have the various arms 14 further identified as follows: arm 14h may be referred to as 0 :r,e -nead*. arms 14a may m referred to as 'outstretched arms* and arms 141 be referred to as "legs' if the support base is seen to have a "human" caricature of a person with outstretched arms and legs akimbo. Whilst the above serves to differentiate between the otherwise identical arms it will be appreciated that the term "head" could be applied to any one of the arnrc with appropriate adjustment of the terminology applied to 5 the other arms.

As shown in Fig. 4 the bases 10 may be placed in the carton 17 in two side by side stacks with one arm (or "head") 14a of one stack of bases interposed between two adjacent arms ("legs") 14b, wc of the other stack of bases. Such side by side stacking or cases reduces the volume occupied by a set number of bases as compared to the stack of 0 Fig. 1 but it is clear that there is still a large unoccupied volume remainino in the cartcn.

Referring to rig. 5 there is shown in side elevation a package of bases 10 stacked in accordance with the invention in a carton 20. The bases 10 are disposed in the carton 20 as follows. A first set 21 of four bases 10 are placed in the canon 20. A second set 5 22 of four bases 10 Is placed in the carton in a plane substantially parallel to the side of the carton and in plano6 at right angles to the first set 21 of bases. The second set 22 of bases is disposed to one side 3f the axis 24 of the first set 21 of bases.

A third set of bases 33 is placed in the carton In similar manner to the second set 22 but on the opposite side of axis 24 of the first set of bases. The axes 25 of the second 0 and third sets of bases are approximately co-axial, it will be appreciated that the nature and configuration of the baaos results in the arrangement being not strictly co-axial as the bases may move to a certain extent when packed in the carton due in part to any taper on the arms 14 from the central boss 12 to the extremities of the arms.

A fourth set of 23 of four bases is then placed in the canon in planes substantially 5 parallel to the planes of the fi'st set of bases. The arms 25a or the first set or bases are i4 26 71 interposed between the arms 25b of the second set of bases and so on. The axis of the fourth set of bases being substantially co-axial with the axis of the first set of bases.

Referring to Fig. 6 there is shown a plan view of an alternative method of the invention. The bases 10 which have five arms are stacked in carton 26 as follows.

A first set 27 of four bases 10 is inserted in the carton 26 in upper- to underside configuration with the upper-side of the outermost base 10a facing the side of the canon. A second set 28 of four bases 10 is inserted in the carton 26 in upper- to underside configuration with the upper-side of the outermost base 10b facing the side of the carton opposite to that of base 10a.

A third set 29 of four bases 10 is inserted in the carton 26 in upper to underside configuration with the upper-side of the outermost base 10c facing a side of the carton adjacent that which base 10a or 10b faces. A fourth set 30 of four bases 10 is inserted in the carton 26 in upper- to under-side configuration with the upper-side of the outermost base 10d facing the side of the carton opposite that of base 10c.

The axes 31 of the bases of sets 27 and 28 are substantially co-axial. The axes 32 of the bases of sets 29 and 30 are substantially co-axial and at approximately right angles to the axes 31 of the bases of sets 27 and 28.

With reference to the "head", "arms", "legs" terminology referred to in relation to Figs. 1 to 3 the heads of the sets of bases 21 and 23 of Fig. 5 are disposed in qenera tJii .".arre direction as the heads of the sets of bases 22 and 33. 'Ihe heads of the sets of bases 27 and 28 in Fig. 6 are disposed in the opposite direction to the heads of the sets of bases 29 and 30. In the embodiments illustrated in Figs. 5 and 6 the axes 24 and 25 in Fig. 5 and the axes 31 and 32 in Fig. 6 are fl& coplanar.

Depending on the dimension of the bases between the upper and under-sides it is thus possible to stack sixteen bases in a carton of the same size previously used for ten bases.

It will be readily understood that whilst the bases in each set have been shown placed in upper- to under-side relationship, the bases do not have to be placed in such a relationship but may be placed in upper to upper or lower to lower relationship or any other random or ordered relationship.

EXAMPLE A base as depicted in Fig. 1 having a span diameter of 60 cm and a height of about 7.1 cm has a total enclosed volume of about 2700 cm3. The span diameter is twice the radius of any arm from the central axis 13 to the tip of the arm. The following Table shows the carton size requirements for bases packed in accordance with Figs. 1. 4 and 5 # of the drawings.

Stack Method (1) Box dimensions (cm) (2) Vol(cm3) approx(3) No. of bases (4) Fig. 1 57 x 57 x 69 224,200 Fig. 4 58 x 100 x 36 208,800 1 0 Fig. 5 57 x 57 x 69 224,200 16 Thus as against packaging ten bases in a suitable sized carton with the bases merely stacked one on top of another it is possible to package sixteen bases in 5 approximately the same size and volume box thus increasing the numerical capacity of the box by up to 60%. Transportation costs are thus substantially reduced as the packaging method of the invention enables up to 60% more bases to be transported for the same cost as previously. Such a reduction in the cost of transport per base permits significant cost savings to the consumer. 1 o Whilst the various sets of bases have been referred to as a first, second, third or fourth set of bases the order in which the sets of bases are placed in a carton depends on various factors such as the number of arms of the multi-armed support bases in the sets, whether the sets of bases are inserted in the carton as shown in Fig. 5 or as shown in Fig. 6 and whether the sets of bases are inserted into the carton via the "top" or via a "side" 1 5 of the carton. / r\

Claims

2 4 2 6 7 i

1 A method of slacking a number of furniture support bases, said bases having a plurality of arms disposed about a central axis which method comprises placing four sets of bases, in which each set of bases contains a stack of bases placed one by another, so that the axes of two of the four sets are substantially coaxially dispcs-.ti ;n one direction and the axes of the other two of the sets of bases are substantially coaxially disposed in a direction substantially at right angles to the said one cJ rection.

2 A method as claimed in claim 1, which comprises placing said first two sets of bases, then placing said other two sets of bases.

3 A method as claimed in claim 1 which comprises placing one of said first two sets of bases, then one of said other two sets of bases, then placing the other one of said other two sets of bases, then placing the other one of said first two sets of bases.

4. A method as claimed in claim 1, 2 or 3 characterised in that said other two sets of bases are disposed on opposite sides of the axes of said one of said first two sets of bases.

5. A method as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 4, characterised in that the arms of the bases are equidistantly radially disposed about the central axis.

6. A method as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 5, characterised in that the bases have from three to six arms.

7. A method as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 6, characterised in that the bases have five arms. 24 26 7 1 8

8. A method as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 7, characterised in that there are n bases in each set of bases where n is an integer.

9. A method as claimed in claim 8. characterised in that n is from three to six.

10. A method of stacking sixteen furniture support bases, said bases having a plurality of arms disposed about a central axis which comprises placing four sets of bases, in which each set of bases contains a stack of four bases placed one by another, so that the axes of two of the four sets are substantially coaxially disposed one direction and the axes of the other two of the sets of bases are substantially coaxially disposed in a direction substantially at right angles to the said one direction.

11. A method of stacking a number of furniture support bases, said bases having a plurality of arms disposed about a central axis which method comprises placing four sets of bases, in which each set of bases contains a stack of bases placed one by another into a carton, so that the axes of two of the four sets are substantially coaxially disposed in one direction and the axes of the other two of the sets of ba5 . • .•utsLanti.iiiy coaxially disposed in a direction substantially at right angles to the said one direction.

12. A method as claimed in claim 1, which comprises placing said first two sets of bases, then placing said other two sets of bases.

13. A method as claimed in claim 1 which comprises placing one of said first two sets of bases, then one of said other two sets of bases, then placing the other one of said other two sets of bases, then placing the other one of said first two sets of bases. 24 26 71 9

14. A method as claimed in claim 11, 12 or 13 characterised in that said other two sets of bases are disposed on opposite sides of the axes of said one of said first two sets of bases.

15. A method as claimed in any one of claims 11 to 14, characterised in that the arms of the bases are equidistantly radially disposed about the central axis.

16. A method as claimed in any ne of claims 11 to 15, characterised in that the bases have from three to six arms.

17. A method as claimed in any one of claims 11 to 16, characterised in that the bases have five arms.

18. A method as claimed in any one of claims 11 to 17, characterised in that there are n bases in each set of bases where n is an integer.

19. A method as claimed in claim 18, characterised in that n is from three to six.

20. A method of stacking sixteen furniture support bases into a carton, said bases having a plurality of arms disposed about a central axis which comprises: placing four sets of bases, in which each set of bases contains a stack of four bases placed one by another into said carton, so that the axes of two of the four sets are substantially coaxially disposed in one direction and the axes of the other two of the set of bases are substantially coaxially disposed in a direction substantially at right angles to the said one direction. 24267 1 10

21. A stack comprising a number of furniture support bases, said bases having a plurality of arms disposed about a centra! axis which stack comprises four sets of bases, in which each set of bases contains a stack of bases placed one by another, SO that the axes Of two of the four sets are substantially coaxially disposed in one direction and the axes of the other two of the sets of bases are substantially coaxially disposed in a direction substantially at right angles to the said one direction.

22. A stack as claimed in claim 21 characterised in that said other two sets of bases are disposed on opposite sides of the axes of said one of said first two sets ot bases.

23. A stack as claimed in claim 21 or 22, characterised in that the arms of the bases are equidistantly radially disposed about the central axis.

24. A stack as claimed in claim 21, 22 or 23, characterised in that the bases have from three to six arms.

25. A stack as claimed in any one of claims 21 to 24, characterised in that the bases have five arms.

26. A stack as claimed in any one of claims 21 to 25, characterised in that there are n bases in each set of bases where n is an integer.

27. A stack as claimed in claim 26, characterised in that n is from three to six.

28. A stack of sixteen furniture support bases, said bases having a plurality of arms disposed about a central axis which comprises: four sets of bases, in which each set of bases contains a stack of four bases placed one by another so that the axes of two Ot the four sets are substantially coaxially disposed in one direction and the axes of the other two of the sets of bases are substantiallv coaxially disposed in a direction substantially at right angles to the said one direction. \ ' —— I 13 JAN 1395 24 2 6 7 j l i

29 A pack of a number of furniture bases in a carton, said bases having a plurality of arms disposed about a central axis which comprises; four sets of bases, in which each set of bases contains a stack of bases placed one by another, in the carton so that the axes Of two Of the four sets are substantially coaxially disposed i one direction and the axes of the other two of the sets of bases are substantially coaxially disposed in a direction substantially at right angles to the said one direction.

30. A pack as claimed in claim 29 characterised in that said other two sets of bases are disposed on opposite sides of the axes of said one of said first two sets of bases.

31. A pack as claimed in claim 29 or 30 characterised in that the arms of the bases are equidistantly radially disposed about the central axis.

32 A pack as claimed in any one of claims 29, 30 or 31, characterised in that the bases have from three to six arms.

33. A pack as claimed in any one of claims 29 to 32, characterised in that the bases have five arms.

34. A pack as claimed in any one of claims 29 to 33, characterised in that there are n bases in each set of bases where n is an integer.

35. A pack as claimed in claim 34, characterised in that n is from three to six. 24 267 1 12

36. A pack of sixteen furniture support bases in a carton, said bases having a plurality of arms disposed about a central axis which comprises: placing four sets of bases, in which each set of bases contains a stack of four bases placed one by another in the carton, so that the axes of two of the four sets are substantially coaxially disposed in one direction and the axes of the other two of the sets of bases are substantially coaxially disposed in a direction substantially at right angles to the said one direction.

37. A method of stacking a number of furniture support: bases, substantially as herein described with reference to figures 2, 3, 5 and 6.

38. A method of stacking a number of furniture support bases in a carton, substantially as herein described with reference to figures 2, 3, 5 and fir.

39. A stack comprising a number of furniture support bases, substantially as herein described with reference to figures 2, 3,

40. A pack of a number of furniture support bases in a carton, substantially as herein described with reference to figures 2, 3, 5 and 6. and 6