SE1451055A1

SE1451055A1 - Flat panel cardboard packaging

Info

Publication number: SE1451055A1
Application number: SE1451055A
Authority: SE
Inventors: Alexander Grouleff
Original assignee: Ikea Supply Ag
Priority date: 2014-09-12
Filing date: 2014-09-12
Publication date: 2016-03-13
Also published as: RU2017109446A3; US20170283110A1; US20230042850A1; WO2016039683A1; CN107074396B; CN107074396A; RU2017109446A; SE538809C2; EP3191373A4; RU2685054C2; EP3191373A1

Description

15 20 25 30 2 at ieast a first iid part adapted for oovering a tiat panel piaced on the base part between the side wails, and at ieast a first oushioning part arranged along a third side ofthe base part, said third side being perpendicuiar to said first and second sides, wherein the first side wait is supported at a ?rst angle et, which is different from ü° to a piane PV which is perpendicuiar to the base part, to form a first side deformation zone, wherein the first cushioning part comprises an outer gabie portion, which is connected to the third side of the base part, and an inner gaoie portion which is arranged at a free inner distance from the outer gabie portion, thereby forming an end deformation zone between the outer and inner gable portions.

An advantage of this invention is that the fiat panel is protected at ieast at one side thereof, by the first side deformation zone, and also obteins an improved protection at its end, by the end deformation zone, as the outer and inner gabie portions, erranged at a distance from each other, wiii provide a particularly stabie end deformation zone which can resist also severe impacts.

According to one ernbodiment the second side wait is supported at a second angle az, which is different from O” to a piane PV which is perpendicuiar to the base part, thereby forrning a second side deformation zone. An advantage of this ernhodiment is that the fiat panei is protected at both sides thereof.

According to one embodiment the first side wall is supported at the ?rst angle ort by the first cushioning part. An advantage of this emoodiment is that the first side waii is supported in a manner which improve-s the strength and integrity of the 'first side deformation zone.

According to one ernbodiment the ?rst cushioning part comprises at ieast a first side edge which supports the ?rst side wait at the first angie di. An advantage of this embodiment is that the ?rst side wait obtains improved side support, which further improves the strength of the ?rst side deformation zone.

According to one ernbodiment the second side wait is supported at the second angie m2 by the first cushioning part. An advantage of this ernbodiment is that the second side wait is supported in a manner which irnproves the strength and integrity of the second side deformation zone.

According to one embodiment the first cushioning part comprises at ieast a second side edge which supports the second side wali at a second angie (12, 10 15 20 25 30 3 which is different from O”. An advantage of this ernbodirnent is that the second side waii obtains improved side support, which further improves the strength of the second side deformation zone.

According to one ernbodiment the cardboard packaging further cornprises a second cushioning part arranged along a fourth side of the base part, said fourth side being perpendicuiar to said ?rst and second sides and being opposite to said third side. An advantage of this embodiment is that the ?at panei is protected from irnpacts at both of its ends.

According to one embodiment said second cushioning part is a mirrored embodiment of the first cushioning part. An advantage of this embodiment is that the flat panel wiii obtain a simiiar protection at both of its ends.

According to a preferred embodiment the free inner distance iS between the inner gabie portion and the outer gable portion is at least tt) mm. If the free inner distance IS is less than 10 mm the protective function of the ?rst andlor second end deformation zone wiii be rather limited.

According to a preferred ernbodiment the free inner distance iS between the inner gabie portion and the outer gable portion is maximum 100 mm. A free inner distance iS exceeding 100 mm would mean that the packaging wouid consume unduly large transport voiumes, without substantiaiiy further increasing the protective function of the first and/or second end deformation zone.

According to one embodiment the ?rst andior the second end deformation zone is provided with a ?iling. An advantage of this embodiment is that the strength of the end deformation zone is increased. According to one embodiment, the ?iiing comprises a paper materiai, for exampie corrugated cardboard. Paper materiais are cheap, have high strength, and are suitabie for recyciing together with the rest of the packaging.

According to one emhodirnent a cross bar portion extends, in a diagonal manner, between the outer and inner gable portions in the first and/or the second end deformation zone. An advantage of this embodiment is that the end deformation zone is further reinforced by the cross-bar. Thereby, a further improved protection for the end of the flat panei is obtained.

According to one embodiment the first angie m1 is 10-60°. The ?rst angie ut is preferabiy 10° or more, more preferabiy 2ti° or more, since this provides for 1G 15 20 '25 30 4 improved protection of the side of the fiat panel. The first angie ett is preferabiy not rnore than 60”. since an angle of more than 60° resuits in a very large packaging which may be iess econonticai. Ntore preferabiy, the first angie ort is not more than 30°, as this provides for an ef?cient packaging with reiativeiy low voiume.

According to one embodiment the outer and inner gabie portions are parailel to each other. An advantage of this ernbodiment is that a deformation zone of iarge strength is obtained.

According to one embodiment the outer gabie portion is perpendicular to the bottom part. An advantage of this embodiment is that it improves the stabiiity of the cushioning part and improves the resistance to impacts in a direction perpendicuiar to the bottom part.

According to one embodiment the cushioning part comprises a gabie connecting portion that connects the outer and inner gabie portions to each other and holds them at a free inner distance from each other. This provides for improved stabiiity of the cushioning part. According to a preferred ernbodirnent the gabie connecting portion is paraiiei to the base part. This provides for further increased stabiiity and strength of the cushioning part. According to one enribodirnent the gabie connecting portion extends substantiaiiy paraiiei to the base part and a height H1 above the same. The height H1 is preferabiy in the range of8 to 100 mm. Such a height H1 has been found to be suitable for many types of ?at panels that need protection by a cardboard packaging.

According to one embodiment the tirst cushioning part oomprises an inner gabie supporting portion connected to the inner gable portion opposite to the gabie connecting portion and adapted to extend in paraiiei with the base part from the inner gabie portion towards the outer gabie portion. An advantage of this ernbodintent is that the inner gahie portion is seoureiy heid in its desired position.

According to a preferred ernbodiment the inner gable supporting portion extends the entire distance from the inner gabie portion to the outer gabie portion.

Thereby, the inner gable portion may rest, vie the inner gabie supporting portion, against the outer gable portion and thereby obtain further support.

According to one ernbodiment an end gabie of the packaging has, in the area of the first cushioning part, the shape of a trapezoid without right angies. This 10 15 20 25 30 5 shape provides for efficient protection of a tiat panel. Preferabiy the ?rst angie m1 is equal to a second angie m2 between the second side wall and the plane PV which is perpendicuiar to the base part, Thereby a symmetricai package is obtained, which makes storing and handiing easier. Preferabiy, the end gabie has the generai shape of a gold bar. This shape hes been found to be strong and provide a good protection for a flat panel.

According to one ernbodiment the ?rst and second side walls lean inwardiy towards the base part. This ernbodirnent provides for simple packaging of a ?at panel in the packaging.

According to one embodiment the end gable of the paokaging has, in the area of the first cushioning part, the shape of a parallelograrn without right angles.

This embodiment is, for example, useful in some applications where the two sides of the flat panel are in use of protection at different edges.

According to one embodirnent the inner gable portion is fixed, directly or indirectly, to the base part by means ot an adhesive device, such as glue or a tape. An advantage of this embodirnent is that the inner gable portion is kept in place, which makes it easier to put a flat panel in place in the packaging.

Furthermore, the adhesive may atso improve the strength of the oornpiete cushioning portion. The adhesive device could, for example, be arranged between the inner gable supporting portion and the base part, or between the inner gabie portion itseif and the base part.

According to one embodiment the packaging comprises oorrugated cardboard, wherein flutes of the corrugated cardboard extend in a direction which is parailel to the first and second sides of the base part. An advantage of this ernbodirnent is that the strength of the outer and inner gable portions is increased, thereby increasing the strength of the oushioning part.

According to one embodiment the first cushioning part is provided with an additional second outer gabie portion that lies adjacent to the tirst outer gahie portion, at the inside thereof. This strengthens the outer gabie portion, and makes it more resistant to intrusive objects, such as knifes, and to oompressive forces aoting in a direction paraltel to the outer gable portion. it also increases the overali strength of the cushioning part. 10 15 20 25 30 6 According to one embodirnent, the tirst cushioning part is provided with an additional second inner gabie portion that lies adiacent to the first inner gable portion, at the inside thereof. This strengthens the inner gable portion, and reduoes the risk that the flat panel is exposed to damage, also in situations of heavy impact forces on the cushioning part. According to one ernbodirnent the second inner gabie portion is connected to a cross bar portion. This serves to efticientiy hold the second inner gable portion in its intended position. According to one embodiment, the second inner gabie portion is supported by a second inner gable supporting portion extending in parailel to the base part, This provides extra strength to the second inner gable portion, and secures that it is held in its intended position.

According to a further aspect there is also provided a flat panel cardboard packaging blank adapted for forming a ?at panel packaging for protecting a flat panel, wherein the blank comprises a base part, first and second side walls extending along paraliei ?rst and second sides of the base part, and at least a first cushioning part arranged along a third side of the base part, said third side being perpendicular to said first and second sides, wherein the first cushioning part is adapted to support the ?rst side waii at a first angie ai , which is different from O” to a piane PV which is perpendicular to the base part, to form a first side deformation zone, wherein the first oushioning part cornprises an outer gabie portion, which is connected to the third side of the base part, an inner gabie portion, and a gabie connecting portion arranged between the outer and inner gabie portions and adapted to hold the outer and inner gable portions at a free inner distance from each other to form an end deformation zone between the outar and inner gabie portions.

This flat panel oardboard packaging blank is suitable for forming a flat panel cardboard packaging that provides efficient protection on at least one side and also on at least one end of a flat panel stored therein.

According to one embodiment the flat panel cardboard packaging blank further oomprises at least a ?rst iid part adapted for covering a ?at panel placed on the base part between the side walls. An advantage of this embodiment is that the complete packaging can be made from fewer pieces, since also a lid part is included in the paokaging blank. 10 15 20 25 30 7 Further objects and features of the present invention wiii be apparent from the description and the claims.

Brief description of the Drawings The invention wiil now be described in more detaii with reference to the appended drawings in which: Fig. t is a plan view iilustrating a packaging blank according to a ?rst aspect of the present invention.

Fig. 2a is three-dimensionen view iliustrating a first step of foiding a packaging from the blank of Fig. 1.

Fig. Zb is a cross-section taken aiong the arrows ii-li of Fig. 2a and iiiustrates a tirst cushioning part.

Fig. 3 is three-dimensionai view iliustrating a second step of making a packaging from the blank.

Fig. 4a is three-dimensioner! view iiiustrating a third and tina! step of making a packaging from the blank.

Fig. 4b is a side view iilustrating an end gabie of the packaging.

Fig. 40 is a cross-section iilustrating the protective arrangement of the packaging.

Fig. 5 is a cross-section of a cushioning part according to an aiternative embodiment.

Fig. 6 is a cross-section of a cushioning part according to a further aiternative embodirnent.

Fig. 7 is a cross-section of a cushioning part according to a stiii further alternative embodiment.

Fig. 8 is a plan view and iitustrates an end gabie according to an aiternative embodiment.

Fig. 9 is a cross-section of a oushioning part according to a stiii further alternative ernbodiment.

Description of preferred entbodiments Fig. i iiiustrates a packaging blank 1 for a ?at panel cardboard packaging according to a tirst aspect of the present invention. The paokaging blank 1 1G 15 20 25 30 8 comprises a base part 2, which has, in this emhodiment, a rectangular shape and is connected to, along a ?rst side 4 thereof, a first long side wall 6, and is connected to, along a second side 8 thereof, which is opposite to the ?rst side 4, a second long side wall 10.

The first long side wall 6 is connected, along a first side 12 thereof, said first side 12 being parallel to the ?rst side 4 of the base part 2, to a first iid part 14, and in a similar manner the second long side wall 10 is connected, along a first side 16 thereof, said first side 16 being paraiiei to the second side 8 of the base part 2, to a second iid part 18.

The base part 2 further comprises third and fourth sides 20, 22. The third and fourth sides 20, 22 extend along opposite ends of the base part 2 and are at right angles to the ?rst and second sides 4, 8. A ?rst cushioning part 24 is connected to the third side 20 of the base part 2, and a second cushioning part 26 is connected to the fourth side 22 of the base part 2. The ?rst and second cushioning parts 24, 26 are, in this embodiment, designed according to similar principles, wherein the second cushioning part 26 is mirrored compared to the first cushioning part 24, as illustrated in Fig. 1, and therefore only the first cushioning part 24 is described in detail hereinafter.

The first cushioning part 24 comprises an outer gable portion 28, which is connected to the third side 20 of the base part 2, and an inner gable portion 30.

The outer and inner gable portions 28, 30 are connected to each other by a gable connecting portion 32. The gable connecting portion 32 is adapted to hold the outer and inner gabie portions 28, 30 at a free inner distance from each other and is adapted to lie against the first and second iid parts 14, 18, as will be described hereinafter.

The outer gahie portion 28 is provided with first and second opposite side edges 34, 36 that in this embodiment are arranged in a non-parallei manner. The first side edge 34 forms a first angle of to the first side 4 of the base part 2, when the packaging blank 1 is in its unfolded state, as iiiustrated in Figfi, and this first angle oil is different from 0°. Preferabiy, the ?rst angle ut is in the range of 19- 60°. The second side edge 36 forms a second angle (12 to the second side 8 of the base part 2, and this second angle m2 is different from CP, and is preferabiy in the same range as the first angle of. Preferably the ?rst and second angles of, 10 15 20 25 30 9 m2 have the same value, eg. 25°, and wherein the side edges 34, 36 point towards a common first apex AX1.

The inner gable portion 3G is provided with ?rst and second opposite side edges 38, 40 that preferabiy are arranged in a non-parallei manner. The first side edge 38 forms a third angle (13 to the first side 4 of the base part 2, and this third angle m3 is different from 0°. Preferably, the third angle m3 is in the range of 10- 602 and preferably the third angle ci3 has the same value as the first angle dt.

The second side edge 40 forms a fourth angle (14 to the second side 8 of the base part 2, and this fourth angle or4 is different from 0°, and is preferably in the same range as the third angle då, and preferably the fourth angie oi4 has the same value as the second angle eZ. Preferably the third and fourth angles 013, ot4 have the same value, e.g. 252 and wherein the side edges 38, 40 point towards a common second apex AX2, located opposite to the first apex AXt.

A first outer gabie folding line 41 is arranged between the base part 2 and the outer gable portion 28. The first outer gable folding iine 41 coinoides with the third side 20 of the base part 2. A second outer gabie folding iine 42 is arranged between the outer gable portion 28 and the gabie oonneoting portion 32, and a first inner gabie folding line 44 is arranged between the gabie connecting portion 32 and the inner gable portion 30. ln the embodiment of Fig .t, the ?rst oushioning part 24 further comprises an optionai inner gable supporting portion 46 which is connected to the inner gabie portion 30, opposite to that end of the inner gable portion 3G where the gabie connecting portion 32 is connected, wherein a second inner gable folding line 47 is arranged between the inner gabie portion 30 and the inner gable supporting portion 46. The inner gabie supporting portion 46 is arranged to lie against the base part 2 and to enhance the stability of the inner gabie portion 30, as will be described hereinafter.

Furthermore, in the embodiment of Fig. 1, the ?rst oushioning part 24 comprises an optional cross bar portion 48 which is connected to the inner gabie supporting portion 46, wherein a cross bar foiding line 50 is arranged between the inner gabie supporting portion 46 and the cross bar portion 48. At the opposite end of the cross bar portion 48 a distal edge 52 is arranged. The distal edge 52, which is parailei to the third side 20 of the base part 2, marks the end of the 10 15 20 25 30 ti) cushioning part 24. The cross bar portion 48 is arranged to extend, in a diagonal manner, from a position adiacent to the first outer gable folding line 41 and towards the ?rst inner gable foldlng line 44 and to reinforoe the stability of the cushioning part 24 according to the principles of a cross bar, as will be described hereinafter.

The packaging blank 1 is preferably made from cardboard or corrugated cardboard. The packaglng blank l has a length axis LA, which extends through the base part 2 and the cushioning parts 24, 26, as shown in Fig. 1. Hence, the length axis LA is parallel to the sides 4, 8 of the base part 2. lf corrugated cardboard is used as material forthe packaging blank 1, then the flutes of the corrugated cardboard layer of the corrugated cardboard should preferably extend along the length axis LA to obtain maximum mechanical strength of the oushioning parts 24, 26 after they have been folded into their intended shape, ie., the flute direction in the perspective of Fig. 1 is vertically upwards.

Fig. 2a is three-dintensional view illustrating how the cushioning parts 24, 26 have been formed by folding them. i-lence, the base part 2 is, in this state, provided with two cushioning parts 24, 26 arranged in opposite ends thereof. A flat panel, in the illustration of Fig. Ze sohematically depicted as a home furnishing flat panel FP, having the general shape of a rectangular paralielepiped, may be placed on the base part 2, between the two cushioning parts 24, 26. By “flat panel" is, as used herein, referred to a sheet-Shaped object, such as a door, hatoh, deoorative panel, shelf, table surface, floor panel, etc., that has a substantially uniform thickness, and wherein the thickness of the flat panel is smaller than the length and the width of the panel., Fig. 2b is a cross-section through the first cushioning part 24, as seen along the arrows ll-ll of Fig. za. ln the embodiment shown the cardboard packaging blank is made from a corrugated cardboard material which comprises an outer face cardboard layer OCL, an inner face cardboard layer lCL and additionally a central corrugated cardboard layer CCL arranged betvveen the outer and inner face cardboard layers OCH., iCL.

As iilustrated in Fig. 2b, a first folding has been made at the first outer gable foldlng line 41 to make the outer gable portion 28 extend essentially vertically upwards from the base part 2. A second foiding has been made at the second 10 15 20 25 30 11 outer gabie foiding iine 42 to make the gabie connecting portion 32 extend in the direction of the second cushioning part 26, and substantiaily perpendicuiar to the outer gabie portion 28. Thereby, the gable connecting portion 32 extends substantiaiiy paraiiei to the base part 2, and a height H1 above the same. The neight H1 depends on the thickness of the panel FP to be stored in the packaging, and may typicaily be in the range of 8 to 100 mm.

A third foiding has been made at the ?rst inner gabie fotding iine 44 to make the inner gable portion 30 extend essentiaiiy veriicaily downwards from the gabie connecting portion 32 and towards the base part 2. Thereby, the outer gabie portion 28 and the inner gable portion 30 are both substantialiy perpendicuiar to the base part 2. Furthermore, the outer gabte portion 28 and the inner gabie portion 30 are parailei to each other, and there is a free inner distance IS between them. The size of the free inner distance IS depends on how much protection that is needed for the panei FP. Typicaiiy, the free inner distance iS is in the range of 10-100 mm.

Since, in a preferred ernbodiment, aii of the first, second, third and fourth angies at, a2, m3, and alt have the same vaiue, the first side edge 34 of the outer gabie portion 28 wifi, as iiiustrated in Fig. 2a, be paratiei to the first side edge 38 (hidden in Fig. 2a) of the inner gabie portion 30, and the second side edge 36 of the outer gahie portion 28 wiii be paraiiei to the second side edge 40 of the inner gabie portion 30.

Returning to Fig. Zb, a fourth foiding has been made at the second inner gabie foiding iine 47 to make the inner gabie supporting portion 46 extend in a direction away from the second oushioning part 26, and substantialiy perpendicular to the inner gabie portion 30. The inner gabie supporting portion 46 extends in paraliei with the base part 2 and is in contact therewith. According to one embodiment the inner gabie supporting portion 46 couid he fixed to the base part 2 by means of fastening arrangement 54, which, for example, couid invoive an adhesive device, such as a double sided tape or giue. By ?xing the inner gabie supporting portion 46 to the base part 2 the integrity and stabiiity of the cushioning portion 24 is improved.

A fifth foiding has been made at the cross bar foiding iine 50 to make the cross har portion 48 extend, in a diagonal manner, from a position adjacent to the 10 15 20 25 30 12 ?rst outer gabie foiding iine 41 to a position adjacent to the first inner gabie foiding iine 44 to thereby form a cross bar. Thereby, a ?rst end 56 of the cross bar portion 48 wili be received in a corner formed between the base part 2 and the outar gabie portion 28, and the distai edge 52 of the cross bar portion 48 wili be received in a corner formed between the gabie connecting portion 32 and the inner gable portion 30. The cross-bar portion 48 further enhances the strength of the first cushioning part 24.

Fig. 3 iiiustrates a further step in making a packaging from the packaging blank of Fig. 1. in this step the ?rst iong side wait 6 is folded up to become supported by the parallel ?rst side edges 34 and 38 of the outer and inner gable portiohs 28, 30 of the respective ?rst and second cushioning parts 24, 26, and the second iong side wali ti) is folded up to become supported by the paraliei second side edges 36 and 49 of the outar and inner gable portions 28, 30 of the respective ?rst and second cushioning parts 24, 25. Since the angies dt, m2, m3, and m4 are different from O°, as iiiustrated and described hereinbefore with reference to Fig. 1, the long side walls 6, 10 will lean slightly inwards towards the base part 2. The gabie connecting portion 32 forms, in addition to holding the outar and inner gabie portions 28, 30 at a desired distance from each other, a piatform onto which the tid parts 14, 18 may rest, as wiii be shown hereinafter.

Fig. 4a iilustrates a ?nal step in forming a flat panei cardboard packaging 60 from the packaging blank 1 iilustrated in Fig. 1 to cover the panel FP. in this ?nai step, the first and second tid parts 14, 18 are folded onto the respective cushioning part 24, 26 and rest against their respective gabie connecting portion 32. Optionalty, a piece of tape 62 couid be applied to the lid parts 14, 18 to ?x them to each other and to the respective outer gable portion 28. Optionaily, the iid parts 14, 18 could be giued to the respective gabie connecting portions 32, shown in Fig. 2b. The packaging 60 is now ready for transportation and saies activities.

Fig. 4b is a side view illustrating an end gabie 64 of the packaging 60 of Fig. 4a. As can be seen from Fig. 4b, the end gable 64 has the shape ofa trapezoid without right angles, and the trapezoid shape is symmetrical around a verticai centre iine. The shape of the end gable 64 is, hence, simiiar to the cross- section of a goid bar. The first side edges 34 and 38, of which the latter is hidden in the perspective of Fig. 4b, wili have the respective above-mentioned first and 10 15 2G 25 30 13 third angles di, m3 to a plane PV which is perpendicular to the base part 2, whereih the first and third ahgles di, dB are equal to each other and both are different from 0° to the plane PV, Thereby the long side wall 6, which is supported by the side edges 34, 38, will not be perpendicular to the base part 2, but will have the first angle ut, which is different from 0°, to the plana PV which is perpendicular to the base part 2. Similarly, the second side edges 36 and 4G, of which the latter is hidden in the perspective of Fig. 4b, will have the respective above-mentioned second and fourth angles (12, or4 to a plane PV which is perpendioular to the base part 2, wherein the second and fourth angles m2, (14 are equal to each other, and also equal to the first and third angles di, or3, and are both different from 0° to the plana PV. Thereby the long side wall 10, which is supported by the side edges 36, 40 will hot be perpendioular to the base part 2, but will have the second angle m2, which is different from O°, to the plahe PV which is perpendicular to the base part 2. As the long side walls 6, 10 are supported by the side edges 34, 36, 38, 40 of the inner and outar gable portions 28, 30, of which the latter is hidden in Fig. 4b, and since the side edges 34, 36, 38, 40 are hot perpendicular to the base part 2 but lean inwardly toward it, a first side deformation zone 66 is formed betvreen the first long side wall 6 and the panel FP, and a second side deformation zone 68 is formed between the panel FP and the second long side wall 10. ln Pig. 4b the tlutes FT formed by the central corrugated oardboard layer CCL are partly shown, in the end gable 64. As already noted hereinbefore with reference to Fig. 1, the flutes FT preferably extend in a direction along the length axis LA of the packaglng blank i.

Fig. 4:: is a cross-section of the ?rst cushloning part 24 and of a part ot the paokaging 60, as seen in a perspective similar to that of the cross-section of Fig. 2b. The packaging 60 is, in this embodlment, held together by the tape 62. As described hereinabove with reference to Fig. 2b the outer and inner gable portions 28, 30 of the first oushioning part 24 have a free inner distance lS between them.

Thereby a third deformation zone being an end deformation zone 70 is formed between the gable portions 28, 30. The gable connecting portion 32 and the inner gable supporting portion 46 will support the outar and inner gable portions 28, 30 and hold them at the desired free inner distance iS. 10 15 20 25 30 14 The end deformation zone 70 wiii protect the flat panel FP aiso upon iarge impact forces that may arise when, for example, the packaging 60 is dropped, with its cushioning part 24 first, on a floor. As can be seen, the outer and inner gable portions 28, 3G are both perpendiouiar to the bottom part 2. This increases the stability of the cushioning part 24, and improves its stabiiity to impacts. in a preferred embodiment the packaging 60 is so designed that the panel FP wiil lie against the inner gabie portion 30 and provide further support to it. Additionaliy, the cross bar portion 48 wiil further support the outer and inner gabie portions 28, 30 and thereby further retnforce the end deformation zone 70.

Fig. 5 liiustrates a cushioning part 124 according to an alternative embodiment, and seen in a cross~section similar to that of Fig. 2b. The cushioning part 124 oomprises outer gabie portion 128, inner gabie portion 139, gabie connecting portion 132 and inner gable supporting portion 146 that are alt similar to the corresponding parts of the cushioning part 24. l-iowever, in the embodiment of Fig. 5 there is no cross bar portion. The strength ofthe cushioning part 124 is therefore slightly tower than that of the cushioning part 24, but this may be sufficient for packaging intended for panels of tower weight. in a further alternative embodirnent, the inner gabie supporting portion 146 extends oniy a portion of the tree inner distance between the inner gabie portion 130 and the outer gable portion 128. in accordanoe with an alternative embodiment, en end deformation zone 170 formed between the outer and inner gables 128, 136 may be at least partiy fiiied with a filling 172 to increase the physical strength of the end deformation zone 170. This ?iling 172 could, for example, be paper, pieces of cardboard, foamed piastic, etc. ln the embodiment illustrated in Fig. 5, the ?liing 172 oomprises severai strips 174 ot oorrugated oardboard, wherein the strips 174 have been glued together to form the titiing 172.

Fig. 6 iiiustrates a cushioning part 224 according to a further aiternative embodiment, and seen in a cross-section similar to that of Fig. 2b. The cushioning part 224 cornprises outer gabie portion 228, inner gabie portion 230, and gabie connecting portion 232 simiiar to the corresponding parts of the oushioning part 24. However, in the embodiment of Fig. 6 there is no inner gabie supporting portion 46. A cross bar portion 248 extends directly from a tower end of the inner 1G 15 2G 25 30 15 gable portion 230 to a corner formed between the outer gable portion 228 and the gable connecting portion 2.32. in the cushioning part 224 there is relatively limited space for an optional tastening arrangement 254, which, for example, could involve an adhesive device, such as tape or giue, which may be applied between the base part 202 and a corner formed between the inner gable portion 230 and the cross bar portion 248. However, in some embodiments also a rather weak fastening arrangement 254 may be sui?cient, and in other embodiments it would also be possible to dispense of fast-aning arrangernents, in particular in cases where a panel FP lies adjacent to the inner gable portion 230 and keeps the cushioning part 224 in place.

Fig. 7 illustrates a cushioning part 324 according to a further aitemative embodirnent, The cushioning part 324 comprises outer gabie portion 328, inner gable portion 330, gable oonnecting portion 332, and inner gable supporting portion 346 similar to the corresponding parts of the cushioning part 24.

Additionally, the cushionirtg part 324 is provided with an additional second outer gable portion 329. The additional second outer gable portion 329 lies against the first outer gable portion 328, at the inside thereof, and supports the same.

Thereby, a double layered outer gable arrangement is obtained, wherein a cushioning part 324 with extra strength is obtained. According to a further option, a cross bar portion 348 may be arranged in the cushioning part 324, and this cross bar portion 348 is connected to the second outer gable portion 329 and extends from a corner formed between the first outer gable portion 328 and the gable connecting portion 332 to a corner formed between the inner gable portion 330 and the inner gabie supporting portion 346. Thereby, a further reinforcement of the cushioning part 324 is obtained..

Fig. 8 is a piane view illustrating a packaging 460 having an end gabie 464 according to an alternative embodiment. The perspective of Fig. 8 is similar to that of Fig. 4b and similar parts have been given similar reference numerals. in this embodiment the first and second side edges 434 and 436 of the outer gable portion 428 and ot an inner gabie portion (not shown in the perspective of Flg. 8) have angles (11, or2 that are each different from O° to pianes PV that are perpendicuiar to a base part 402, but in contrast to the embodiment illustrated in Fig. 4b, the first and second side edges 434 and 436 of the outer gable portion 10 15 20 25 30 16 428 are parallel to each other, and simitarly, the ?rst and second side edges of the inner gable portion (not shown) are also parallel to each other. The end gabie 464 thereby nas the shape of a paralleiogram without right angles, As long side walls 406, 41 t) are supported hy the side edges 434, 436 of the inner and outer gahle portions 428, of which the latter is hidden in Fig. 8, a ?rst deformation zone 466 will be formed between the first long side wall 406 and panel FP, and a second deformation zone 468 will be formed betvveen panel FP and the second long side wall 410. lt will be appreclated that the cross-section of a cushioning part 424 of the packaging 460 could, for example, be arranged according to the principles of any of the embodirnents tllustrated in Figs. 2b, 4c, 5, 6, 7 and 9. As can be seen from Fig. 8 the two deformation zones 466, 468 are not symrnetrical around the panel FP. This can he an advantage in sltuatlons when the ?at panel is in itself not syrnmetrical, and/or in situations when the panel FP at one side, eg. the left side in Fig. 8, needs most protection at its lower edge, and on the other side, eg. the right side in Fig.8, needs most protection at its upper edge. ln the ernbodirnent of Fig. 8 a single lid part 414 is iilustrated and this lid part 414 is connected to the second long side wall 410. The lid part 414 cornprises, at an opposite end thereof, a connecting portion 415 which overlaps with the first long side wall 406 and which is fixed to the first long side wall 406 by means of, for example, a string of glue 454. This principle of arranging a single lid part 414 could be applied also to the embodiment illustrated in Figs. 1 to 4c.

Furthermore, the solution with first and second lid parts 14, 18 illustrated in Figs. 1 to 4c could also be applied to the embodirnent illustrated in Fig. 6.

Fig. 9 illustrates a cushioning part 524 according to a further alternative embodiment. The cushioning part 524 comprises outer gable portion 528, a first inner gable portion 530, gabie connecting portion 532, a tirst inner gahle supporting portion 546, and cross bar portion 548 that are similar to the corresponding parts of the cushioning part 24 described hereinbefore.

Additionally, the cushioning part 524 is provided with an additional second inner gable portion 531. The additional second inner gaple portion 531 is connected to the cross bar portion 548, at an end thereof which is opposite to that end at which the cross bar portion 548 is connected to the first inner gable supporting portion 546, and lies against the first inner gable portion 530, at the inside thereof, and 10 15 20 25 30 17 supports the same. Thereby, a double layered inner gable arrangement is obtained, oomprising the ?rst inner gable portion 530 and the second inner gable portion 531, wherein the cushioning part 524 obtains extra strength, in particular in that region, i.e. at the inner gables 530, 531, where the cushloning part 524 is adapted to be in contact with a flat panel FF' stored inside the packaging.

Optionally, the oushioning part 524 may additionaily oomprlse an additional second inner gable supporting portion 547. The additional second inner gable supporting portion 547 is connected to the second inner gable portion 531, at an end thereof which is opposite to that end at which the second inner gable portion 531 is connected to the cross bar portion 548, and lies against the first inner gable supporting portion 546, parallel to the base part 502, at the inside thereof.

Thereby, the stability of the ?rst and second inner gable portions 530, 531 is enhanced. lt will be appreciated that numerous variants of the above described embodiments are possible within the scope of the appended claims. l-lereinbetore it has been described that the packaging blank is made from oorrugated cardboard. lt will be appreoiated that the packaglng blank could also be made from other materials, including oardboard having no corrugated layer.

Hereinbefore it has been indioated that the end deformation zone 70 formed between the outer and inner gables 28, 30 may be in principle empty, with the exception for an optional cross bar 48. lt will be appreoiated that it is also possible to further improve the strength ot the end deformation zone 70, if necessary, hy adding some kind of filling to be piaced inside the deformation zone 70, as illustrated as an example in Fig. 5. Such ?lling could, for example, be foamed plastic, paper, pieces of cardboard, etc.

Hereinbefore it has been described that the ñrst side wall 6 is supported by the side edges 34, 38 of the cushioning part 24. ln an alternative embodiment the ?rst side wall 6 could be supported by just one of these side edges 34, 38, for example by the first side edge 34, while the other side edge 38 is not in contact with the ?rst side wall 6. A further possibility is that the ?rst side wall 6 is not supported by any of the side edges at all, but is supported by another portion ot the cushioning part 24, for example the gable connecting portion 32. Similarly, the second side wall 10 could be supported by both side edges 36, 40 of the 10 15 20 25 18 cushioning part 24, by just one of these side edges 36, 40, for example by the first side edge 36, while the other side edge 40 is not in contact with the second side wall 10, or could be supported by the gable connecting portion 32. Still further, one or both of the side walls 6, 10 could be supported in another way as alternative or in combination to being supported by the cushioning part 24. For example, one or both side walls 6, 10 could be supported at its intended angle by the panel FP.

Hereinbefore ii has been described that the lid parts 14, 18, 414 are integrated parts of the packaging blank 1, as shown in Fig. 1. lt will be appreciated that according to alternative embodiments, one or more lid parts could also be separate places that are mcunted to the side walls 6, 1G by means of, for example, glue, tape or similar. Hence, the lid parts could be integrated pieces of the packaging blank, or could be added at a later stage in the production of the flat panel cardboard paokaging.

To sumrnarize, a flat panel cardboard packaging for protecting a flat panel (FP) comprises a base part (2), first and second side walls (6, 10) extending along parallel first and second sides of the base part (2), at least a first lid portion (14, 18) adapted for covering the flat panel (FP) placed on the base part (2) between the side walls (6, 1G), and at least a tlrsl cushloning part (24). The first side wall (6) is supported at a first angle (o1), which is different from O°, to a plana perpendicular to the base part (2), to form a ?rst side deformation zone. The first cushioning part (24) comprises an outer gable portion (28) and an inner gable portion (30) which is arranged at a free inner distance (IS) from the outer gable portion (28), thereby forming an end deformation zone between the outer and inner gable portions (28, 30).

Claims

10 15 20 25 30 CLAIMS

1. A (tat panel cardboard packaging (60) for protecting a flat panel (FP), wherein the packaging (60) cornprises a base part (2), first and second side wails (6, 10) extending along paraliei ?rst and second sides (4, 8) of the base part (2), at least a first lid part (14, 18) adapted for covering a flat panel (FP) placed on the base part (2) between the side walls (6, 10), and at least a first cushioning part (24) arranged along a third side (20) of the base part (2), said third side (20) being perpendicuiar to said first and second sides (4, 8), wherein the first side wall (6) is supported at a first angle (et), which is different frorn 0° to a plane (PV) which is perpendiouiar to the base part (2), to form a ?rst side deformation zone (66), c h a ra c t e ri s e d in that the ?rst cushioning part (24) comprises an outer gabie portion (28), which is connected to the third side (20) of the base part (2), and an inner gable portion (30) which is arranged at a free inner distance (iS) from the outer gable portion (28), thereby forming an end deformation zone (70) between the outer and inner gahle portions (28, 30).

2. . A ?at panel cardboard packaging according to ciaim 1, wherein the second side wait (10) is supported at a second angle (m2), which is different from 0° to a plane PV which is perpendiouiar to the base part (2), thereby forming a second side deformation zone (68).

3. _ A flat panel cardboard packaging according to anyone of the preceding ciaims, wherein the first side wall (6) is supported at the first angle (at) by the first cushioning part (24), preferably the first side wall (6) is supported at the first angle (m1) by at least a first side edge (34) of the ?rst cushioning part (24), and wherein the second side wall (10) is preierably supported at a second angle ((12), which is different from 0°, by the ?rst cushioning part (24), preferably the second side wall (10) is supported at the second angle (m2) by at least a second side edge (36) of the ?rst cushioning part (24). 10 15 20 25 30 35 20

4. . A fiat panet cardboard packaging according to anyone of the preceding ciaims, further oomprising a second cushioning part (26) arranged along a fourth side (22) of the base part (2), said fourth side (22) being perpendicuiarto said first and second sides (4, 8) and being opposite to said third side (20), preferabiy said second cushioning part (26) being a mirrored embodiment of the first cushioning part (24).

5. . A ?at panel oardboard packaging according to anyone of the preoeding oiaims, wherein a cross har portion (48; 248; 348; 548) extends, in a diagonai manner, between the outer and inner gabie portions (28, 30) through the end deformation zone (70).

6. . A ?at panei cardboard packaging according to anyone of the preceding ciairns, wherein the ?rst angie (at) is t0-60°.

7. _ A ?at panei cardboard packaging according to anyone of the preceding ciaims, wherein the outer and inner gabie portions (28, 30) are paraliei to each other.

8. . A ?at panei cardboard packaging according to anyone of the preceding claims, wherein the ?rst oushioning part (24) comprises a gabte oonnecting portion (32) that connects the outer and inner gabie portions (28, 30) to each other and hoids them at the tree inner distance (iS) from each other, preferabiy the gabie oonneoting portion (32) is paraiiei to the base part (2).

9. _ A ?at panel oardboard paokaging according to ciaim 8, wherein the first cushioning part (24) comprises an inner gabie supporting portion (46) connected to the inner gabie portion (30) opposite to the gahie connecting portion (32) and adapted to extend in parailel with the base part (2) from the inner gabie portion (30) towards the outer gabie portion (28). 10A ?at panei cardboard packaging according to anyone of the preceding ciairns, wherein an end gabie (64) of the packaging (60) has, in the area of the first cushioning part (24), the shape of a trapezoid without right angies,

10. 15 20 25 30 21 preferably the tirst angle (at) is equal to a second angle (tx2) between the second side wall (10) and the plane (PV) which is perpendicular to the base part (2), more preferably the end gabie (64) has the general shape of a gold bar.

11. A flat panel cardboard packaglng according to claim 10, wherein the ?rst and second side walls (6, 10) lean inwardiy towards the base part (2).

12. , A flat panel cardboard packaging according to anyone of ciaims 1-9, wherein an end gable (464) of the packaging (460) has, in the area of the ?rst cushioning part (424), the shape of a paralleiogram without right angles.

13. A flat panel cardlooard paokaging according to anyone of the preceding ciaims, wherein the inner gable portion (30: 230) is ?xed, directly or indirectly, to the base part (2; 202) by means of an adhesive device (54; 254), such as glue or a tape

14. A flat panel cardboard packaging according to anyone of the preceding ciaims, wherein the packaging (60) comprises corrugated cardboard, wherein flutes (FT) of the corrugated cardboard preferably extend in a direction which is parallel to the ?rst and second sides (4, 8) of the base part (2).

15. A flat panel cardhoard packaging according to anyone of the preceding claims, wherein the tirst cushioning part (324) is provided with an additional second outer gamle portion (329) that iies adjacent to the first outer gabte portion (328), at the inside thereof.

16.A fiat panel cardboard packaging according to anyone of the preceding claims, wherein the ?rst cushioning part (524) is provided with an additional second inner gable portion (531) that lies adjacent to the tirst inner gabie portion (536), at the inside thereot. 10 15 22

17. A flat panel cardboard packaging blank (l) adapted for forrning a ?at panel packaging (60) tor protecting a flat panel (FP), wherein the blank (1) comprises a base part (2), first and second side walls (ß, 10) extending along parallel first and second sides (4, 8) of the base part (2), and at least a first cushioning part (24) arranged along a third side (20) of the base part (2), said third side (20) being perpendicular to said ?rst and second sides (4, 8), wherein the first oushioning part (24) is adapted to support the first side wall (6) at a ?rst angle (m1), which is different from 0° to a piane (PV) which is perpendicular to the base part (2), to form a ?rst side deformation zone (66), c h a r a c t e ri s e d in that the first cushioning part (24) cornprises an outer gabie portion (28), which is connected to the third side (20) of the base part (2), an inner gable portion (30), and a gabie oonnecting portion (32) arranged between the outer and inner gable portione (28, 30) and adapted to hold the outer and inner gable portions (28, 30) at a free inner distance (ES) from each other to form an end deformation zone (70) between the outer and inner gable portions (28, 30).