SE538809C2

SE538809C2 - Flat panel cardboard packaging and flat panel cardboard packaging blank

Info

Publication number: SE538809C2
Application number: SE1451055A
Authority: SE
Inventors: Grouleff Alexander
Original assignee: Ikea Supply Ag
Priority date: 2014-09-12
Filing date: 2014-09-12
Publication date: 2016-12-06
Also published as: EP3191373A1; CN107074396A; RU2017109446A3; WO2016039683A1; EP3191373A4; US20170283110A1; US20230042850A1; SE1451055A1; RU2017109446A; RU2685054C2; CN107074396B

Abstract

1G 2G 23 ABSTRACT A fiat panei oardboard paokaging for proteoting a fiat panei (FP) oomprisesa base part (2), ﬁrst and second side waiis (6, 10) extending aiong paraiiei tirstand second sides of the base part (2), at ieast a tirst tid part (14, 18) adapted foroovering the tiat panei (FP) piaced on the base part (2) between the side Waits (6,10), and at ieast a ﬁrst cushioning part (24). The first side wait (6) is supported at atirst angie (at), which is different trorn O° to a piane perpendiouiar to the base part(2), to form a tirst side deformation zone. The ﬁrst oushioning part (24) oomprisesan outer gabie portion (28) and an inner gabie portion (30) which is arranged at atree inner distance (iS) frorn the outer gabie portion (28), thereby torming an enddeformation zone between the outer and inner gabte portions (28, 3G). Eieoted for pubiication: Fig. 3

Description

FLAT PANEL CARDBOARD PACKAGING AND FLAT PANEL CARDBOARDPACKAGING BLANK Field of the lnvention The present invention relates to a flat panel cardboard packaging forprotecting a flat panel, wherein the packaging comprises a base part, first andsecond side walls extending along parallel first and second sides of the base part,at least a first lid part adapted for covering a flat panel placed on the base partbetween the side walls, at least a first side deformation zone, and at least a first cushioning part arranged along a third side of the base part.

Backqround of the lnvention Home furnishing ﬂat panels, such as decorative panels, doors, table tops,and shelves, for interior decoration often need protection during the procedures oftransportation and sales of such panels. lf such a panel is not properly protectedduring the transportation and sales process the panel may be damaged in amanner that negatively influences the visual appearance of the panel. Suchnegative influence on the visual appearance will reduce the economical value ofthe panel, leading to economical losses.

EP 0 796 796 B1 discloses a packaging having a trapezoidal cross-sectionand short sides that are retracted inside the outer borders of the packaging. Whilesuch a packaging may provide some protection for an object that is stored therein,there is still a substantial risk that the object is damaged if the packaging, having the object stored therein, is, for example, accidentally dropped on a floor.

Summary of the lnvention An object of the present invention is to provide a flat panel cardboardpackaging which provides improved protection for a flat panel that is storedtherein.

This object is achieved by means of a flat panel cardboard packaging forprotecting a flat panel, wherein the packaging comprises a base part, first and 2 second side walls extending along parallel first and second sides of the base part,at least a first |id part adapted for covering a flat panel placed on the base partbetween the side walls, and at least a first cushioning part arranged along a thirdside of the base part, said third side being perpendicular to said first and secondsides, wherein the first side wall is supported at a first angle oi1, which is differentfrom 0° to a plane PV which is perpendicular to the base part, to form a first sidedeformation zone, wherein the first cushioning part comprises an outer gableportion, which is connected to the third side of the base part, and an inner gableportion which is arranged at a free inner distance from the outer gable portion,thereby forming an end deformation zone between the outer and inner gableportions.

An advantage of this invention is that the flat panel is protected at least atone side thereof, by the first side deformation zone, and also obtains an improvedprotection at its end, by the end deformation zone, as the outer and inner gableportions, arranged at a distance from each other, will provide a particularly stableend deformation zone which can resist also severe impacts.

According to one embodiment the second side wall is supported at asecond angle (12, which is different from 0° to a plane PV which is perpendicular tothe base part, thereby forming a second side deformation zone. An advantage ofthis embodiment is that the flat panel is protected at both sides thereof.

According to one embodiment the first side wall is supported at the firstangle oi1 by the first cushioning part. An advantage of this embodiment is that thefirst side wall is supported in a manner which improves the strength and integrityof the first side deformation zone.

According to one embodiment the first cushioning part comprises at least afirst side edge which supports the first side wall at the first angle oi1. An advantageof this embodiment is that the first side wall obtains improved side support, whichfurther improves the strength of the first side deformation zone.

According to one embodiment the second side wall is supported at thesecond angle (12 by the first cushioning part. An advantage of this embodiment isthat the second side wall is supported in a manner which improves the strengthand integrity of the second side deformation zone. 3 According to one embodiment the first cushioning part comprises at least asecond side edge which supports the second side wall at a second angle oi2,which is different from 0°. An advantage of this embodiment is that the secondside wall obtains improved side support, which further improves the strength of thesecond side deformation zone.

According to one embodiment the cardboard packaging further comprises asecond cushioning part arranged along a fourth side of the base part, said fourthside being perpendicular to said first and second sides and being opposite to saidthird side. An advantage of this embodiment is that the flat panel is protected fromimpacts at both of its ends.

According to one embodiment said second cushioning part is a mirroredembodiment of the first cushioning part. An advantage of this embodiment is thatthe flat panel will obtain a similar protection at both of its ends.

According to a preferred embodiment the free inner distance IS betweenthe inner gable portion and the outer gable portion is at least 10 mm. lf the freeinner distance IS is less than 10 mm the protective function of the first and/orsecond end deformation zone will be rather limited.

According to a preferred embodiment the free inner distance IS betweenthe inner gable portion and the outer gable portion is maximum 100 mm. A freeinner distance IS exceeding 100 mm would mean that the packaging wouldconsume unduly large transport volumes, without substantially further increasingthe protective function of the first and/or second end deformation zone.

According to one embodiment the first and/or the second end deformationzone is provided with a filling. An advantage of this embodiment is that thestrength of the end deformation zone is increased. According to one embodiment,the filling comprises a paper material, for example corrugated cardboard. Papermaterials are cheap, have high strength, and are suitable for recycling togetherwith the rest of the packaging.

According to one embodiment a cross bar portion extends, in a diagonalmanner, between the outer and inner gable portions in the first and/or the secondend deformation zone. An advantage of this embodiment is that the enddeformation zone is further reinforced by the cross-bar. Thereby, a further improved protection for the end of the flat panel is obtained. 4 According to one embodiment the first angle (11 is 10-60°. The first angle(11 is preferably 10° or more, more preferably 20° or more, since this provides forimproved protection of the side of the flat panel. The first angle (11 is preferablynot more than 60°, since an angle of more than 60° results in a very largepackaging which may be less economical. More preferably, the first angle (11 isnot more than 30°, as this provides for an efficient packaging with relatively lowvolume.

According to one embodiment the outer and inner gable portions areparallel to each other. An advantage of this embodiment is that a deformationzone of large strength is obtained.

According to one embodiment the outer gable portion is perpendicular tothe bottom part. An advantage of this embodiment is that it improves the stabilityof the cushioning part and improves the resistance to impacts in a directionperpendicular to the bottom part.

According to one embodiment the cushioning part comprises a gableconnecting portion that connects the outer and inner gable portions to each otherand holds them at a free inner distance from each other. This provides forimproved stability of the cushioning part. According to a preferred embodiment thegable connecting portion is parallel to the base part. This provides for furtherincreased stability and strength of the cushioning part. According to oneembodiment the gable connecting portion extends substantially parallel to thebase part and a height H1 above the same. The height H1 is preferably in therange of 8 to 100 mm. Such a height H1 has been found to be suitable for manytypes of ﬂat panels that need protection by a cardboard packaging.

According to one embodiment the first cushioning part comprises an innergable supporting portion connected to the inner gable portion opposite to thegable connecting portion and adapted to extend in parallel with the base part fromthe inner gable portion towards the outer gable portion. An advantage of thisembodiment is that the inner gable portion is securely held in its desired position.According to a preferred embodiment the inner gable supporting portion extendsthe entire distance from the inner gable portion to the outer gable portion.Thereby, the inner gable portion may rest, via the inner gable supporting portion,against the outer gable portion and thereby obtain further support. 5 According to one embodiment an end gable of the packaging has, in thearea of the first cushioning part, the shape of a trapezoid without right angles. Thisshape provides for efficient protection of a flat panel. Preferably the first angle oi1is equal to a second angle oi2 between the second side wall and the plane PVwhich is perpendicular to the base part. Thereby a symmetrical package isobtained, which makes storing and handling easier. Preferably, the end gable hasthe general shape of a gold bar. This shape has been found to be strong andprovide a good protection for a flat panel.

According to one embodiment the first and second side walls lean inwardlytowards the base part. This embodiment provides for simple packaging of a flatpanel in the packaging.

According to one embodiment the end gable of the packaging has, in thearea of the first cushioning part, the shape of a parallelogram without right angles.This embodiment is, for example, useful in some applications where the two sidesof the ﬂat panel are in use of protection at different edges.

According to one embodiment the inner gable portion is fixed, directly orindirectly, to the base part by means of an adhesive device, such as glue or atape. An advantage of this embodiment is that the inner gable portion is kept inplace, which makes it easier to put a flat panel in place in the packaging.Furthermore, the adhesive may also improve the strength of the completecushioning portion. The adhesive device could, for example, be arranged betweenthe inner gable supporting portion and the base part, or between the inner gableportion itself and the base part.

According to one embodiment the packaging comprises corrugatedcardboard, wherein flutes of the corrugated cardboard extend in a direction whichis parallel to the first and second sides of the base part. An advantage of thisembodiment is that the strength of the outer and inner gable portions is increased,thereby increasing the strength of the cushioning part.

According to one embodiment the first cushioning part is provided with anadditional second outer gable portion that lies adjacent to the first outer gableportion, at the inside thereof. This strengthens the outer gable portion, and makesit more resistant to intrusive objects, such as knifes, and to compressive forces 6 acting in a direction parallel to the outer gable portion. lt also increases the overallstrength of the cushioning part.

According to one embodiment, the first cushioning part is provided with anadditional second inner gable portion that lies adjacent to the first inner gableportion, at the inside thereof. This strengthens the inner gable portion, andreduces the risk that the flat panel is exposed to damage, also in situations ofheavy impact forces on the cushioning part. According to one embodiment thesecond inner gable portion is connected to a cross bar portion. This serves toefficiently hold the second inner gable portion in its intended position. According toone embodiment, the second inner gable portion is supported by a second innergable supporting portion extending in parallel to the base part. This provides extrastrength to the second inner gable portion, and secures that it is held in itsintended position.

According to a further aspect there is also provided a flat panel cardboardpackaging blank adapted for forming a flat panel packaging for protecting a flatpanel, wherein the blank comprises a base part, first and second side wallsextending along parallel first and second sides of the base part, and at least a firstcushioning part arranged along a third side of the base part, said third side beingperpendicular to said first and second sides, wherein the first cushioning part isadapted to support the first side wall at a first angle (11, which is different from 0°to a plane PV which is perpendicular to the base part, to form a first sidedeformation zone, wherein the first cushioning part comprises an outer gableportion, which is connected to the third side of the base part, an inner gableportion, and a gable connecting portion arranged between the outer and innergable portions and adapted to hold the outer and inner gable portions at a freeinner distance from each other to form an end deformation zone between theouter and inner gable portions.

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

According to one embodiment the flat panel cardboard packaging blankfurther comprises at least a first lid part adapted for covering a flat panel placed on the base part between the side walls. An advantage of this embodiment is that the 7 complete packaging can be made from fewer pieces, since also a lid part isincluded in the packaging blank.

Further objects and features of the present invention will be apparent fromthe description and the claims.

Brief description of the Drawinqs The invention will now be described in more detail with reference to theappended drawings in which: Fig. 1 is a plan view illustrating a packaging blank according to a firstaspect of the present invention.

Fig. 2a is three-dimensional view illustrating a first step of folding apackaging from the blank of Fig. 1.

Fig. 2b is a cross-section taken along the arrows ll-ll of Fig. 2a andillustrates a first cushioning part.

Fig. 3 is three-dimensional view illustrating a second step of making apackaging from the blank.

Fig. 4a is three-dimensional view illustrating a third and final step of makinga packaging from the blank.

Fig. 4b is a side view illustrating an end gable of the packaging.

Fig. 4c is a cross-section illustrating the protective arrangement of thepackaging.

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

Fig. 6 is a cross-section of a cushioning part according to a furtheralternative embodiment.

Fig. 7 is a cross-section of a cushioning part according to a still furtheralternative embodiment.

Fig. 8 is a plan view and illustrates an end gable according to an alternativeembodiment.

Fig. 9 is a cross-section of a cushioning part according to a still further alternative embodiment.

Description of preferred embodiments Fig. 1 illustrates a packaging blank 1 for a flat panel cardboard packagingaccording to a first aspect of the present invention. The packaging blank 1comprises a base part 2, which has, in this embodiment, a rectangular shape andis connected to, along a first side 4 thereof, a first long side wall 6, and isconnected to, along a second side 8 thereof, which is opposite to the first side 4, asecond long side wall 10.

The first long side wall 6 is connected, along a first side 12 thereof, said firstside 12 being parallel to the first side 4 of the base part 2, to a first lid part 14, andin a similar manner the second long side wall 10 is connected, along a first side 16thereof, said first side 16 being parallel to the second side 8 of the base part 2, toa second lid part 18.

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

The first cushioning part 24 comprises an outer gable portion 28, which isconnected 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 gableconnecting portion 32. The gable connecting portion 32 is adapted to hold theouter and inner gable portions 28, 30 at a free inner distance from each other andis adapted to lie against the first and second lid parts 14, 18, as will be describedhereinafter.

The outer gable portion 28 is provided with first and second opposite sideedges 34, 36 that in this embodiment are arranged in a non-parallel manner. Thefirst side edge 34 forms a first angle oi1 to the first side 4 of the base part 2, whenthe packaging blank 1 is in its unfolded state, as illustrated in Fig.1, and this first angle oi1 is different from 0°. Preferably, the first angle oi1 is in the range of 10- 9 60°. The second side edge 36 forms a second angle oi2 to the second side 8 ofthe base part 2, and this second angle oi2 is different from 0°, and is preferably inthe same range as the first angle (11. Preferably the first and second ang|es oi1,oi2 have the same value, e.g. 25°, and wherein the side edges 34, 36 pointtowards a common first apex AX1.

The inner gable portion 30 is provided with first and second opposite sideedges 38, 40 that preferably are arranged in a non-parallel manner. The first sideedge 38 forms a third angle oi3 to the first side 4 of the base part 2, and this thirdangle oi3 is different from 0°. Preferably, the third angle oi3 is in the range of 10-60°, and preferably the third angle oi3 has the same value as the first angle (11.The second side edge 40 forms a fourth angle oi4 to the second side 8 of the basepart 2, and this fourth angle oi4 is different from 0°, and is preferably in the samerange as the third angle oi3, and preferably the fourth angle oi4 has the samevalue as the second angle oi2. Preferably the third and fourth ang|es oi3, oi4 havethe same value, e.g. 25°, and wherein the side edges 38,40 point towards acommon second apex AX2, located opposite to the first apex AX1.

A first outer gable folding line 41 is arranged between the base part 2 andthe outer gable portion 28. The first outer gable folding line 41 coincides with thethird side 20 of the base part 2. A second outer gable folding line 42 is arrangedbetween the outer gable portion 28 and the gable connecting portion 32, and afirst inner gable folding line 44 is arranged between the gable connecting portion32 and the inner gable portion 30. ln the embodiment of Fig .1, the first cushioning part 24 further comprisesan optional inner gable supporting portion 46 which is connected to the innergable portion 30, opposite to that end of the inner gable portion 30 where thegable connecting portion 32 is connected, wherein a second inner gable foldingline 47 is arranged between the inner gable portion 30 and the inner gablesupporting portion 46. The inner gable supporting portion 46 is arranged to lieagainst the base part 2 and to enhance the stability of the inner gable portion 30,as will be described hereinafter.

Furthermore, in the embodiment of Fig. 1, the first cushioning part 24 comprises an optional cross bar portion 48 which is connected to the inner gable supporting portion 46, wherein a cross bar folding line 50 is arranged between theinner gable supporting portion 46 and the cross bar portion 48. At the oppositeend of the cross bar portion 48 a distal edge 52 is arranged. The distal edge 52,which is parallel to the third side 20 of the base part 2, marks the end of thecushioning part 24. The cross bar portion 48 is arranged to extend, in a diagonalmanner, from a position adjacent to the first outer gable folding line 41 andtowards the first inner gable folding line 44 and to reinforce the stability of thecushioning part 24 according to the principles of a cross bar, as will be describedhereinafter.

The packaging blank 1 is preferably made from cardboard or corrugatedcardboard. The packaging blank 1 has a length axis LA, which extends throughthe base part 2 and the cushioning parts 24, 26, as shown in Fig. 1. Hence, thelength axis LA is parallel to the sides 4, 8 of the base part 2. lf corrugatedcardboard is used as material for the packaging blank 1, then the flutes of thecorrugated cardboard layer of the corrugated cardboard should preferably extendalong the length axis LA to obtain maximum mechanical strength of the cushioningparts 24, 26 after they have been folded into their intended shape, i.e., the flutedirection in the perspective of Fig. 1 is vertically upwards.

Fig. 2a is three-dimensional view illustrating how the cushioning parts 24,26 have been formed by folding them. Hence, the base part 2 is, in this state,provided with two cushioning parts 24, 26 arranged in opposite ends thereof. A flatpanel, in the illustration of Fig. 2a schematically depicted as a home furnishing flatpanel FP, having the general shape of a rectangular parallelepiped, may beplaced 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, hatch,decorative panel, shelf, table surface, floor panel, etc., that has a substantiallyuniform thickness, and wherein the thickness of the flat panel is smaller than thelength and the width of the panel.

Fig. 2b is a cross-section through the first cushioning part 24, as seen alongthe arrows ll-ll of Fig. 2a. ln the embodiment shown the cardboard packagingblank is made from a corrugated cardboard material which comprises an outer face cardboard layer OCL, an inner face cardboard layer ICL and additionally a 11 central corrugated cardboard layer CCL arranged between the outer and innerface cardboard layers OCL, ICL.

As illustrated in Fig. 2b, a first folding has been made at the first outer gablefolding line 41 to make the outer gable portion 28 extend essentially verticallyupwards from the base part 2. A second folding has been made at the secondouter gable folding line 42 to make the gable connecting portion 32 extend in thedirection of the second cushioning part 26, and substantially perpendicular to theouter gable portion 28. Thereby, the gable connecting portion 32 extendssubstantially parallel to the base part 2, and a height H1 above the same. Theheight H1 depends on the thickness of the panel FP to be stored in the packaging,and may typically be in the range of 8 to 100 mm.

A third folding has been made at the first inner gable folding line 44 to makethe inner gable portion 30 extend essentially vertically downwards from the gableconnecting portion 32 and towards the base part 2. Thereby, the outer gableportion 28 and the inner gable portion 30 are both substantially perpendicular tothe base part 2. Furthermore, the outer gable portion 28 and the inner gableportion 30 are parallel to each other, and there is a free inner distance IS betweenthem. The size of the free inner distance IS depends on how much protection thatis needed for the panel FP. Typically, the free inner distance IS is in the range of10-100 mm.

Since, in a preferred embodiment, all of the first, second, third and fourthangles oi1, oi2, oi3, and oi4 have the same value, the first side edge 34 of the outergable portion 28 will, as illustrated in Fig. 2a, be parallel to the first side edge 38(hidden in Fig. 2a) of the inner gable portion 30, and the second side edge 36 ofthe outer gable portion 28 will be parallel to the second side edge 40 of the innergable portion 30.

Returning to Fig. 2b, a fourth folding has been made at the second innergable folding line 47 to make the inner gable supporting portion 46 extend in adirection away from the second cushioning part 26, and substantiallyperpendicular to the inner gable portion 30. The inner gable supporting portion 46extends in parallel with the base part 2 and is in contact therewith. According toone embodiment the inner gable supporting portion 46 could be fixed to the base part 2 by means of fastening arrangement 54, which, for example, could involve 12 an adhesive device, such as a double sided tape or glue. By fixing the inner gablesupporting portion 46 to the base part 2 the integrity and stability of the cushioningportion 24 is improved.

A fifth folding has been made at the cross bar folding line 50 to make thecross bar portion 48 extend, in a diagonal manner, from a position adjacent to thefirst outer gable folding line 41 to a position adjacent to the first inner gable foldingline 44 to thereby form a cross bar. Thereby, a first end 56 of the cross bar portion48 will be received in a corner formed between the base part 2 and the outergable portion 28, and the distal edge 52 of the cross bar portion 48 will bereceived in a corner formed between the gable connecting portion 32 and theinner gable portion 30. The cross-bar portion 48 further enhances the strength ofthe first cushioning part 24.

Fig. 3 illustrates a further step in making a packaging from the packagingblank of Fig. 1. ln this step the first long side wall 6 is folded up to becomesupported by the parallel first side edges 34 and 38 of the outer and inner gableportions 28, 30 of the respective first and second cushioning parts 24, 26, and thesecond long side wall 10 is folded up to become supported by the parallel secondside edges 36 and 40 of the outer and inner gable portions 28, 30 of therespective first and second cushioning parts 24, 26. Since the angles oi1, oi2, oi3,and oi4 are different from 0°, as illustrated and described hereinbefore withreference to Fig. 1, the long side walls 6, 10 will lean slightly inwards towards thebase part 2. The gable connecting portion 32 forms, in addition to holding theouter and inner gable portions 28, 30 at a desired distance from each other, aplatform onto which the lid parts 14, 18 may rest, as will be shown hereinafter.

Fig. 4a illustrates a final step in forming a flat panel cardboard packaging 60from the packaging blank 1 illustrated in Fig. 1 to cover the panel FP. ln this finalstep, the first and second lid parts 14, 18 are folded onto the respectivecushioning part 24, 26 and rest against their respective gable connecting portion32. Optionally, a piece of tape 62 could be applied to the lid parts 14, 18 to fixthem to each other and to the respective outer gable portion 28. Optionally, the lidparts 14, 18 could be glued to the respective gable connecting portions 32, shownin Fig. 2b. The packaging 60 is now ready for transportation and sales activities. 13 Fig. 4b is a side view illustrating an end gable 64 of the packaging 60 ofFig. 4a. As can be seen from Fig. 4b, the end gable 64 has the shape of atrapezoid without right angles, and the trapezoid shape is symmetrical around avertical centre line. The shape of the end gable 64 is, hence, similar to the cross-section of a gold bar. The first side edges 34 and 38, of which the latter is hiddenin the perspective of Fig. 4b, will have the respective above-mentioned first andthird angles oi1, oi3 to a plane PV which is perpendicular to the base part 2,wherein the first and third angles oi1, oi3 are equal to each other and both aredifferent from 0° to the plane PV. Thereby the long side wall 6, which is supportedby the side edges 34, 38, will not be perpendicular to the base part 2, but will havethe first angle oi1, which is different from 0°, to the plane PV which isperpendicular to the base part 2. Similarly, the second side edges 36 and 40, ofwhich the latter is hidden in the perspective of Fig. 4b, will have the respectiveabove-mentioned second and fourth angles oi2, oi4 to a plane PV which isperpendicular to the base part 2, wherein the second and fourth angles oi2, oi4 areequal to each other, and also equal to the first and third angles oi1, oi3, and areboth different from 0° to the plane PV. Thereby the long side wall 10, which issupported by the side edges 36, 40 will not be perpendicular to the base part 2,but will have the second angle oi2, which is different from 0°, to the plane PVwhich is perpendicular to the base part 2. As the long side walls 6, 10 aresupported by the side edges 34, 36, 38, 40 of the inner and outer gable portions28, 30, of which the latter is hidden in Fig. 4b, and since the side edges 34, 36, 38,40 are not perpendicular to the base part 2 but lean inwardly toward it, a first sidedeformation zone 66 is formed between the first long side wall 6 and the panel FP,and a second side deformation zone 68 is formed between the panel FP and thesecond long side wall 10. ln Fig. 4b the flutes FT formed by the central corrugated cardboard layerCCL are partly shown, in the end gable 64. As already noted hereinbefore withreference to Fig. 1, the ﬂutes FT preferably extend in a direction along the lengthaxis LA of the packaging blank 1.

Fig. 4c is a cross-section of the first cushioning part 24 and of a part of thepackaging 60, as seen in a perspective similar to that of the cross-section of Fig.2b. The packaging 60 is, in this embodiment, held together by the tape 62. As 14 described hereinabove with reference to Fig. 2b the outer and inner gable portions28, 30 of the first cushioning part 24 have a free inner distance IS between them.Thereby a third deformation zone being an end deformation zone 70 is formedbetween the gable portions 28, 30. The gable connecting portion 32 and the innergable supporting portion 46 will support the outer and inner gable portions 28, 30and hold them at the desired free inner distance IS.

The end deformation zone 70 will protect the flat panel FP also upon largeimpact forces that may arise when, for example, the packaging 60 is dropped, withits cushioning part 24 first, on a floor. As can be seen, the outer and inner gableportions 28, 30 are both perpendicular to the bottom part 2. This increases thestability of the cushioning part 24, and improves its stability to impacts. ln apreferred embodiment the packaging 60 is so designed that the panel FP will lieagainst the inner gable portion 30 and provide further support to it. Additionally,the cross bar portion 48 will further support the outer and inner gable portions 28,30 and thereby further reinforce the end deformation zone 70.

Fig. 5 illustrates a cushioning part 124 according to an alternativeembodiment, and seen in a cross-section similar to that of Fig. 2b. The cushioningpart 124 comprises outer gable portion 128, inner gable portion 130, gableconnecting portion 132 and inner gable supporting portion 146 that are all similarto the corresponding parts of the cushioning part 24. However, in the embodimentof Fig. 5 there is no cross bar portion. The strength of the cushioning part 124 istherefore slightly lower than that of the cushioning part 24, but this may besufficient for packaging intended for panels of lower weight. ln a further alternativeembodiment, the inner gable supporting portion 146 extends only a portion of thefree inner distance between the inner gable portion 130 and the outer gableportion 128. ln accordance with an alternative embodiment, an end deformation zone170 formed between the outer and inner gables 128, 130 may be at least partlyfilled with a filling 172 to increase the physical strength of the end deformationzone 170. This filling 172 could, for example, be paper, pieces of cardboard,foamed plastic, etc. ln the embodiment illustrated in Fig. 5, the filling 172comprises several strips 174 of corrugated cardboard, wherein the strips 174 havebeen glued together to form the filling 172.

Fig. 6 illustrates a cushioning part 224 according to a further alternativeembodiment, and seen in a cross-section similar to that of Fig. 2b. The cushioningpart 224 comprises outer gable portion 228, inner gable portion 230, and gableconnecting portion 232 similar to the corresponding parts of the cushioning part24. However, in the embodiment of Fig. 6 there is no inner gable supportingportion 46. A cross bar portion 248 extends directly from a lower end of the innergable portion 230 to a corner formed between the outer gable portion 228 and thegable connecting portion 232. ln the cushioning part 224 there is relatively limitedspace for an optional fastening arrangement 254, which, for example, couldinvolve an adhesive device, such as tape or glue, which may be applied betweenthe base part 202 and a corner formed between the inner gable portion 230 andthe cross bar portion 248. However, in some embodiments also a rather weakfastening arrangement 254 may be sufficient, and in other embodiments it wouldalso be possible to dispense of fastening arrangements, in particular in caseswhere a panel FP lies adjacent to the inner gable portion 230 and keeps thecushioning part 224 in place.

Fig. 7 illustrates a cushioning part 324 according to a further alternativeembodiment. The cushioning part 324 comprises outer gable portion 328, innergable portion 330, gable connecting portion 332, and inner gable supportingportion 346 similar to the corresponding parts of the cushioning part 24.Additionally, the cushioning part 324 is provided with an additional second outergable portion 329. The additional second outer gable portion 329 lies against thefirst outer gable portion 328, at the inside thereof, and supports the same.Thereby, a double layered outer gable arrangement is obtained, wherein acushioning 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 thiscross bar portion 348 is connected to the second outer gable portion 329 andextends from a corner formed between the first outer gable portion 328 and thegable connecting portion 332 to a corner formed between the inner gable portion330 and the inner gable supporting portion 346. Thereby, a further reinforcementof the cushioning part 324 is obtained.

Fig. 8 is a plane view illustrating a packaging 460 having an end gable 464according to an alternative embodiment. The perspective of Fig. 8 is similar to that 16 of Fig. 4b and similar parts have been given similar reference numerals. ln thisembodiment the first and second side edges 434 and 436 of the outer gableportion 428 and of an inner gable portion (not shown in the perspective of Fig. 8)have angles 011, 012 that are each different from 0° to planes PV that areperpendicular to a base part 402, but in contrast to the embodiment illustrated inFig. 4b, the first and second side edges 434 and 436 of the outer gable portion428 are parallel to each other, and similarly, the first and second side edges of theinner gable portion (not shown) are also parallel to each other. The end gable 464thereby has the shape of a para||e|ogram without right angles. As long side walls406, 410 are supported by the side edges 434, 436 of the inner and outer gableportions 428, of which the latter is hidden in Fig. 8, a first deformation zone 466will be formed between the first long side wall 406 and panel FP, and a seconddeformation zone 468 will be formed between panel FP and the second long sidewall 410. lt will be appreciated that the cross-section of a cushioning part 424 ofthe packaging 460 could, for example, be arranged according to the principles ofany of the embodiments illustrated in Figs. 2b, 4c, 5, 6, 7 and 9. As can be seenfrom Fig. 8 the two deformation zones 466, 468 are not symmetrical around thepanel FP. This can be an advantage in situations when the flat panel is in itself notsymmetrical, and/or in situations when the panel FP at one side, e.g. the left sidein Fig. 8, needs most protection at its lower edge, and on the other side, e.g. theright side in Fig.8, needs most protection at its upper edge.ln the embodiment of Fig. 8 a single lid part 414 is illustrated and this lidpart 414 is connected to the second long side wall 410. The lid part 414comprises, at an opposite end thereof, a connecting portion 415 which overlapswith the first long side wall 406 and which is fixed to the first long side wall 406 bymeans of, for example, a string of glue 454. This principle of arranging a single lidpart 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. 1to 4c could also be applied to the embodiment illustrated in Fig. 8.Fig. 9 illustrates a cushioning part 524 according to a further alternative embodiment. The cushioning part 524 comprises outer gable portion 528, a firstinner gable portion 530, gable connecting portion 532, a first inner gable supporting portion 546, and cross bar portion 548 that are similar to the 17 corresponding parts of the cushioning part 24 described hereinbefore.Additionally, the cushioning part 524 is provided with an additional second innergable portion 531. The additional second inner gable portion 531 is connected tothe cross bar portion 548, at an end thereof which is opposite to that end at whichthe cross bar portion 548 is connected to the first inner gable supporting portion546, and lies against the first inner gable portion 530, at the inside thereof, andsupports the same. Thereby, a double layered inner gable arrangement isobtained, comprising the first inner gable portion 530 and the second inner gableportion 531, wherein the cushioning part 524 obtains extra strength, in particular inthat region, i.e. at the inner gables 530, 531, where the cushioning part 524 isadapted to be in contact with a flat panel FP stored inside the packaging.

Optionally, the cushioning part 524 may additionally comprise an additionalsecond inner gable supporting portion 547. The additional second inner gablesupporting portion 547 is connected to the second inner gable portion 531, at anend thereof which is opposite to that end at which the second inner gable portion531 is connected to the cross bar portion 548, and lies against the first inner gablesupporting portion 546, parallel to the base part 502, at the inside thereof.Thereby, the stability of the first and second inner gable portions 530, 531 isenhanced. lt will be appreciated that numerous variants of the above describedembodiments are possible within the scope of the appended claims.

Hereinbefore it has been described that the packaging blank is made fromcorrugated cardboard. lt will be appreciated that the packaging blank could alsobe made from other materials, including cardboard having no corrugated layer.

Hereinbefore it has been indicated that the end deformation zone 70formed between the outer and inner gables 28, 30 may be in principle empty, withthe exception for an optional cross bar 48. lt will be appreciated that it is alsopossible to further improve the strength of the end deformation zone 70, ifnecessary, by adding some kind of filling to be placed inside the deformation zone70, as illustrated as an example in Fig. 5. Such filling could, for example, befoamed plastic, paper, pieces of cardboard, etc.

Hereinbefore it has been described that the first side wall 6 is supported bythe side edges 34, 38 of the cushioning part 24. ln an alternative embodiment the 18 first side wall 6 could be supported by just one of these side edges 34, 38, forexample by the first side edge 34, while the other side edge 38 is not in contactwith the first side wall 6. A further possibility is that the first side wall 6 is notsupported by any of the side edges at all, but is supported by another portion ofthe cushioning part 24, for example the gable connecting portion 32. Similarly, thesecond side wall 10 could be supported by both side edges 36, 40 of thecushioning part 24, by just one of these side edges 36, 40, for example by the firstside edge 36, while the other side edge 40 is not in contact with the second sidewall 10, or could be supported by the gable connecting portion 32. Still further, oneor both of the side walls 6, 10 could be supported in another way as alternative orin combination to being supported by the cushioning part 24. For example, one orboth side walls 6, 10 could be supported at its intended angle by the panel FP.Hereinbefore it has been described that the lid parts 14, 18, 414 areintegrated parts of the packaging blank 1, as shown in Fig. 1. lt will be appreciatedthat according to alternative embodiments, one or more lid parts could also beseparate pieces that are mounted to the side walls 6, 10 by means of, forexample, glue, tape or similar. Hence, the lid parts could be integrated pieces ofthe packaging blank, or could be added at a later stage in the production of the flatpanel cardboard packaging.To summarize, a flat panel cardboard packaging for protecting a flat panel (FP) comprises a base part (2), first and second side walls (6, 10) extending alongparallel 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) betweenthe side walls (6, 10), and at least a first cushioning part (24). The first side wall (6)is supported at a first angle (oi1), which is different from 0°, to a planeperpendicular to the base part (2), to form a first side deformation zone. The firstcushioning part (24) comprises an outer gable portion (28) and an inner gableportion (30) which is arranged at a free inner distance (IS) from the outer gableportion (28), thereby forming an end deformation zone between the outer andinner gable portions (28, 30).

Claims

1. A flat panel cardboard packaging (60) for protecting a flat panel (FP),wherein the packaging (60) comprises a base part (2), first and second sidewalls (6, 10) extending along parallel first and second sides (4, 8) of thebase part (2), at least a ﬁrst Iid part (14, 18) adapted for covering a flatpanel (FP) placed on the base part (2) between the side walls (6, 10), andat least a first cushioning part (24) arranged along a third side (20) of thebase part (2), said third side (20) being perpendicular to said first andsecond sides (4, 8), wherein the first side wall (6) is supported at a firstangle (011), which is different from 0° to a plane (PV) which is perpendicularto the base part (2), to form a first side deformation zone (66), c h a r a c t e ri s e d in that the first cushioning part (24) comprises anouter gable portion (28), which is connected to the third side (20) of thebase part (2), and an inner gable portion (30) which is arranged at a freeinner distance (IS) from the outer gable portion (28), thereby forming anend deformation zone (70) between the outer and inner gable portions (28,30), wherein the first cushioning part (24) comprises a gable connectingportion (32) that connects the outer and inner gable portions (28, 30) toeach other and holds them at the free inner distance (IS) from each other,wherein the first side wall (6) is supported at the first angle (ot1) by at least a first side edge (34) of the first cushioning part (24). A flat panel cardboard packaging according to claim 1, wherein the second side wall (10) is supported at a second angle ((12), which is different from 0°to a plane PV which is perpendicular to the base part (2), thereby forming asecond side deformation zone (68). A flat panel cardboard packaging according to anyone of the precedingclaims, wherein the second side wall (10) is supported at a second angle (oi2), which is different from 0°, by the first cushioning part (24), preferably the second side wall (10) is supported at the second angle (ol2) by at least a second side edge (36) of the first cushioning part (24). _ A flat panel cardboard packaging according to anyone of the preceding claims, further comprising a second cushioning part (26) arranged along afourth side (22) of the base part (2), said fourth side (22) beingperpendicular to said first and second sides (4, 8) and being opposite tosaid third side (20), preferably said second cushioning part (26) being amirrored embodiment of the first cushioning part (24). _ A flat panel cardboard packaging according to anyone of the preceding claims, wherein a cross bar portion (48; 248; 348; 548) extends, in adiagonal manner, between the outer and inner gable portions (28, 30) through the end deformation zone (70). _ A flat panel cardboard packaging according to anyone of the preceding claims, wherein the first angle (ell) is 10-60°_ _ A flat panel cardboard packaging according to anyone of the preceding claims, wherein the outer and inner gable portions (28, 30) are parallel to each other. _ A flat panel cardboard packaging according to anyone of the preceding claims, wherein the gable connecting portion (32) is parallel to the base part (2)- . A flat panel cardboard packaging according to claim 8, wherein the first cushioning part (24) comprises an inner gable supporting portion (46)connected to the inner gable portion (30) opposite to the gable connectingportion (32) and adapted to extend in parallel with the base part (2) from theinner gable portion (30) towards the outer gable portion (28). 10.A flat panel cardboard packaging according to anyone of the preceding claims, wherein an end gable (64) of the packaging (60) has, in the area ofthe first cushioning part (24), the shape of a trapezoid without right angles, 21 preferably the first angle (oi1) is equal to a second angle (ol2) between thesecond side wall (10) and the plane (PV) which is perpendicular to the basepart (2). 11. Aflat panel cardboard packaging according to claim 10, wherein the first and second side walls (6, 10) lean inwardly towards the base part (2). 12. Aflat panel cardboard packaging according to anyone of claims 1-9,wherein an end gable (464) of the packaging (460) has, in the area of thefirst cushioning part (424), the shape of a parallelogram without right angles. 13. A flat panel cardboard packaging according to anyone of the precedingclaims, wherein the inner gable portion (30: 230) is fixed, directly orindirectly, 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 precedingclaims, wherein the packaging (60) comprises corrugated cardboard,wherein flutes (FT) of the corrugated cardboard preferably extend in adirection which is parallel to the first and second sides (4, 8) of the basepart (2). 15. A flat panel cardboard packaging according to anyone of the precedingclaims, wherein the first cushioning part (324) is provided with an additionalsecond outer gable portion (329) that lies adjacent to the first outer gableportion (328), at the inside thereof. 16.A flat panel cardboard packaging according to anyone of the precedingclaims, wherein the first cushioning part (524) is provided with an additionalsecond inner gable portion (531) that lies adjacent to the first inner gableportion (530), at the inside thereof. 17. A flat panel cardboard packaging blank (1) adapted for forming a flat panelpackaging (60) for protecting a flat panel (FP), wherein the blank (1) 22 comprises a base part (2), first and second side walls (6, 10) extendingalong parallel first and second sides (4, 8) of the base part (2), and at leasta first cushioning part (24) arranged along a third side (20) of the base part(2), said third side (20) being perpendicular to said ﬁrst and second sides(4, 8), wherein the first cushioning part (24) is adapted to support the firstside wall (6) at a first angle (ot1),which is different from 0° to a plane (PV)which is perpendicular to the base part (2), to form a first side deformationzone (66), c h a r a ct e r i s e d in that the first cushioning part (24)comprises an outer gable portion (28), which is connected to the third side(20) of the base part (2), an inner gable portion (30), and a gableconnecting portion (32) arranged between the outer and inner gableportions (28, 30) and adapted to hold the outer and inner gable portions(28, 30) at a free inner distance (IS) from each other to form an enddeformation zone (70) between the outer and inner gable portions (28, 30),wherein the first side wall (6) is supported at the first angle (om) by at least a first side edge (34) of the first cushioning part (24).