US20230150718A1

US20230150718A1 - Suspension packaging

Info

Publication number: US20230150718A1
Application number: US17/919,504
Authority: US
Inventors: Jory Mack
Original assignee: WestRock Shared Services LLC
Current assignee: WestRock Shared Services LLC
Priority date: 2020-04-16
Filing date: 2021-04-16
Publication date: 2023-05-18
Also published as: WO2021212020A1

Abstract

A suspension package insert (100) is disclosed comprising a suspension pouch (101) configured to receive an article therein. The suspension pouch (101) is formed of at least a first flexible suspension panel (103) and a second suspension panel (105) under the first flexible suspension panel (103), a first sidewall structure (107) attached to a first side of the suspension pouch, and a second sidewall structure (109) attached to a second side of the suspension pouch. The first and second sidewall structures (107, 109) are configured to stand and suspend the suspension pouch (101) therebetween.

Description

FIELD

This disclosure relates to packages, more specifically to packaging, e.g., suspension packaging.

BACKGROUND

Certain article benefit from suspension packaging that creates an air cell inside an outer package to suspend a product within the package. Traditional suspension packaging utilizes a flexible plastic liner attached to a structure to suspend the article.
Such conventional methods and systems have generally been considered satisfactory for their intended purpose. However, there is still a need in the art for improved suspension packaging. The present disclosure provides a solution for this need.

SUMMARY

A suspension package insert can include a suspension pouch configured to receive an article therein. The suspension pouch can be formed of at least a first flexible suspension panel and a second suspension panel, a first sidewall structure attached to a first side of the suspension pouch, and a second sidewall structure attached to a second side of the suspension pouch. The first and second sidewall structures can be configured to stand and suspend the suspension pouch therebetween.
The first flexible suspension panel can include a cut matrix defined therein configured to increase the flexibility of the first flexible panel. The second suspension panel can be uncut and/or is otherwise less flexible than the first flexible suspension panel.
The suspension package insert can be made of a fiber material. For example, the fiber material can be paper. Any other suitable material is contemplated herein.
In accordance with at least one aspect of this disclosure, a blank can be configured to form a suspension package insert as disclosed herein (e.g., as described above). In accordance with at least one aspect of this disclosure, a blank for a suspension package insert can include a first portion and a second portion foldably connected to the first portion. The first portion and the second portion can be configured to be attached together to form a suspension pouch and a sidewall assembly to suspend the suspension pouch.
The first portion can include a first flexible suspension panel having a cut matrix defined therein to increase a flexibility of the first flexible suspension panel. The first portion can include a first side panel and a second side panel foldably connected to the first flexible suspension panel.
The first portion can include a first end panel and a second end panel foldably connected to the first flexible suspension panel. The first portion can include a plurality of first end corner panels and a plurality of second end corner panels foldably connected to a respective end panel and a respective side panel.
The second portion can include a second suspension panel. The second portion can include a first side panel and a second side panel foldably connected to the second suspension panel.
The second portion can include a first end panel configured to fold relative to the second suspension panel. The second portion can include a second end panel foldably connected to the second suspension panel.
The second portion can include an opening disposed between the first end panel of the second portion and the second suspension panel. The second portion can include a plurality of first end corner panels and second end corner panels foldably connected to a respective end panel of the second portion and a respective side panel of the second portion. The first end panel of the second portion can be foldably connected to the first and second side panels of the second portion via the first end corner panels of the second portion.
The second portion can include a first extension side panel foldably connected to the first side panel of the second portion and a second extension side panel foldably connected to the second side panel of the second portion. The first and second extension side panels can be each twice as wide as the first and second side panels of the second portion, respectively.
The second end panel of the second portion can be foldably connected to the second end panel of the first portion. Additionally and/or alternatively, the second end corner panels of the second portion can be foldably connected to the second end corner panels of the first portion.
These and other features of the embodiments of the subject disclosure will become more readily apparent to those skilled in the art from the following detailed description taken in conjunction with the drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

So that those skilled in the art to which the subject disclosure appertains will readily understand how to make and use the devices and methods of the subject disclosure without undue experimentation, embodiments thereof will be described in detail herein below with reference to certain figures, wherein:

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of an embodiment of a suspension packaging insert in accordance with this disclosure, shown being placed in a box;

FIG. 2 is a plan view of an embodiment of a blank in accordance with this disclosure; and

FIGS. 3A-3H show the blank of FIG. 2 being assembled into the suspension packaging insert of FIG. 1 .

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Reference will now be made to the drawings wherein like reference numerals identify similar structural features or aspects of the subject disclosure. For purposes of explanation and illustration, and not limitation, an illustrative view of an embodiment of a suspension packaging insert in accordance with the disclosure is shown in FIG. 1 and is designated generally by reference character 100. Other embodiments and/or aspects of this disclosure are shown in FIGS. 2-3H. Certain embodiments described herein can be used to provide suspension packaging using a single, semi-rigid material (e.g., a paper blank).
Referring to FIGS. 1-3H, a suspension package insert 100 can include a suspension pouch 101 configured to receive an article therein. For example, the suspension pouch 101 can be open on one end or both ends to allow insertion of a product into the pouch 101. The suspension pouch 101 can be formed of at least a first flexible suspension panel 103 and a second suspension panel 105 under panel 103 in FIG. 1 ).
The suspension pouch 101 can include a first sidewall structure 107 a attached to a first side of the suspension pouch 101. The suspension pouch 101 can include a second sidewall structure 109 attached to a second side of the suspension pouch 101. The first and second sidewall structures 107, 109 can be configured to stand and suspend the suspension pouch 101 therebetween.
The first flexible suspension panel 103 can include a cut matrix 111 defined therein configured to increase the flexibility of the first flexible panel 103. For example, the first flexible panel 103 can be a paper panel of a blank that would otherwise be semi-rigid. Having a cut matrix (e.g., and array of cuts in any suitable pattern or array) allows the semi-rigid material to flex (e.g., similar to a hammock).
In certain embodiments, the second suspension panel 105 can be uncut and/or is otherwise less flexible than the first flexible suspension panel. For example, the second suspension panel 105 can be a flat uncut, continuous sheet (e.g., of paperboard or other suitable material).
The suspension package insert 100 can be made of a fiber material. For example, the fiber material can be paper. For example, in certain embodiments, the insert 100 can be made of paperboard, corrugate, and/or any other suitable sheet material. Any other suitable material is contemplated herein.
In accordance with at least one aspect of this disclosure, referring to FIG. 2 , a blank, e.g., 200, can be configured to form a suspension package insert as disclosed herein (e.g., insert 100 as described above). In accordance with at least one aspect of this disclosure, a blank 200 for a suspension package insert, e.g., 100, can include a first portion 100 a and a second portion 100 b foldably connected to the first portion 100 a. The first portion 100 a and the second portion 100 b can be configured to be attached (e.g., glued) together to form a suspension pouch 101 and a sidewall assembly (e.g., 107, 109) to suspend the suspension pouch 101 (e.g., such that the suspension pouch 101 is only supported at a plurality of its sides by the sidewall assembly as shown in FIG. 1 ).
The first portion 100 a can include a first flexible suspension panel 103 having a cut matrix 111 (e.g., a die-cut matrix) defined therein to increase a flexibility of the first flexible suspension panel 103. The characteristics and/or arrangement of cuts can define the rigidity of the first flexible suspension panel 103. For example, if the cuts of a constant size are spaced out more, the suspension panel 103 will be more rigid. A type, size of cuts (length and/or width), and/or cut shape can be modified to achieve a desired rigidity. In certain embodiments, at shape of the cut matrix 111 can be shaped to match a profile of a product (e.g., bottle shaped for a bottle). The individual cuts can be any suitable shape (e.g., a Y-shape as shown, T-shape, curve shape, etc.). The cut matrix 111 can be formed in the first suspension panel 103 in any suitable manner (e.g., die cutting).
The first portion 100 a can include a first side panel 107 a and a second side panel 109 a foldably connected (e.g., at a fold line as shown) to the first flexible suspension panel 103. The first portion 100 a can include a first end panel 113 a and a second end panel 115 a foldably connected (e.g., at a fold line as shown) to the first flexible suspension panel 103. The first portion 100 a can include a plurality of first end corner panels 117 a, 119 a and a plurality of second end corner panels 121 a, 123 a foldably connected (e.g., at a fold line as shown) to a respective end panel 113 a, 115 a and a respective side panel 107 a, 109 a (e.g., as shown).
The second portion 100 b can include a second suspension panel 105. The second portion 100 b can include a first side panel 107 b and a second side panel 109 b foldably connected (e.g., at a fold line as shown) to the second suspension panel 105.
The second portion 100 b can include a first end panel 113 b configured to fold relative to the second suspension panel 105. The second portion 100 b can include a second end panel 115 b foldably connected (e.g., at a fold line as shown) to the second suspension panel 105.
The second portion 100 b can include an opening 125 disposed between the first end panel 113 b of the second portion 100 b and the second suspension panel 105. The opening 125 can form the opening to the pouch 101 when the blank 200 is assembled into a suspension pouch, e.g., 100 for example.
The second portion 100 b can include a plurality of first end corner panels 117 b, 119 b and second end corner panels 121 b, 123 b foldably connected (e.g., at a fold line as shown) to a respective end panel 113 b, 115 b of the second portion 100 b and a respective side panel 107 b, 109 b of the second portion 100 b (e.g., as shown). As shown, the first end panel 113 b of the second portion 100 b can be foldably connected to the first and second side panels 107 b, 109 b of the second portion 100 b via the first end corner panels 117 b, 119 b of the second portion 100 b.
The second portion 100 b can include a first extension side panel 127 foldably connected (e.g., at a fold line as shown) to the first side panel 107 b of the second portion 100 b. The second portion 100 b can include a second extension side panel 129 foldably connected (e.g., at a fold line as shown) to the second side panel 109 b of the second portion 100 b. In certain embodiments, the first and second extension side panels 127, 129 can be each twice as wide as the first and second side panels 107 b, 109 b of the second portion 100 b, respectively (e.g., which can allow the suspension pouch 101 to be centered between ends of the sidewall structures 107, 109). Any other suitable dimensions are contemplated herein.
The second end panel 115 b of the second portion 100 b can be foldably connected (e.g., at a middle fold line 131 as shown) to the second end panel 115 a of the first portion 100 a. Additionally and/or alternatively, the second end corner panels 121 b, 123 b of the second portion 100 b can be foldably connected (e.g., at a middle fold line 131 as shown) to the second end corner panels 121 a, 123 a of the first portion 100 a.
The first portion 100 a and the second portion 100 b can include a plurality of relief holes 133 placed to allow smooth folding of the corner panels 117 a, b, 119 a, b, 121 a, b, 123 a, b, when forming the blank 200 into a suspension package insert 100. For example, the relief holes 133 can be placed at locations where there are intersections of fold lines connecting the panels of each portion 100 a, 100 b. As shown, opening 125 can be defined to perform the same function of relief holes 133 for the corner panels 117 b, 119 b.
Referring to FIGS. 3A-3H, an embodiment of a process of folding and assembling a suspension packaging insert 100 from a blank 200 is shown. In FIG. 3A, the blank is unfolded. As shown in FIG. 3B, the first portion 100 a can be folded the second portion 100 b. The side panels 107 a, 107 b and side panels 109 a, 109 b can be connected together (e.g., via glue) such that a sandwich is made and the pouch 101 is formed between the first suspension panel 103 and the second suspension panel 105. Any other suitable panels can be connected at this portion of the process as well (e.g., end panels 113 a, b, and/or 115 a, b). Opening 125 creates an opening for an article to be inserted into the pouch 101.
As shown in FIGS. 3C and 3D, the end panels 113 a, b, and 115 a, b can be folded over about 180 degrees. As shown in FIGS. 3E and 3F, the first side panels 107 a, b and second side panels 109 a, b, can then be folded up (e.g., above the first suspension panel 103 as shown) about 90 degrees. The corner panels 117 a, b, 119 a, b, 121 a, b, 123 a, b, will all be folded inwardly at this point, e.g., as shown in FIG. 3F. As shown in FIGS. 3F and 3G, the extension panels 127, 129 can be folded down over an outside of the respective side panels 107 b, 109 b about 180 degrees to complete the formation of the sidewall structures 107, 109. As shown in FIG. 3H, the insert 100 can then be placed in a suitable box with an article inside the pouch 100 (not shown).
Certain embodiments, e.g., as shown, can create sidewalls having a double thickness above a bottom panel (e.g., second suspension panel 105) which can be mostly rigid. In this regard, the double panel sidewalls will be positioned where the product would contact should the product contact the sidewalls, and thus the product can be more protected.
Any suitable adhesive can be applied to any suitable panel disclosed herein for any suitable purpose. Any suitable foldable line types are contemplated herein (e.g., perforated, creased, cut/creased, etc.). While the figures may include a legend indicating the line types of the embodiments of the figures, any other suitable line types for the lines shown in the drawings are contemplated herein. While the figures may include an embodiment of dimensions, any other suitable dimensions and relative sized are contemplated herein. Any other suitable panel arrangement (e.g., more or less panels in any suitable location) is contemplated herein.
While embodiments have been described and shown above, any suitable panels and/or other design for a blank to form a device as disclosed above is contemplated herein. Any suitable material for use (e.g., paper, cardboard, plastic board, etc.) and/or one or more combinations thereof are contemplated herein.
Embodiments can create an airspace under, over, and on all sides of a product. The pouch 101 can be defined by the suspension panels, and can bend, e.g., like a hammock. Such a system can maintain the article suspended in a box, for example. If the box tilts, the product can stay immobilized in the suspension pouch 101. A rigidity of one or more of the suspension panels can be selected based on the size, weight, and/or shape of the article to be placed inside. In certain embodiments, a blank can be folded over and glued flat (e.g., as shown in FIG. 3B or 3C and 3D), and shipped to a user in a flat, partially assembled state. Any other suitable condition of the blank is contemplated herein.
Embodiments can include a folded insert that can form a custom/semi-flexible hammock, cocooning the product, surrounded by air, and enclosed. Embodiments can be used for a ship-receive-reship container and/or can be used for fragile “ship one” items. Any other suitable use is contemplated herein. Certain embodiments can include an all fiber and/or renewable construction.
Those having ordinary skill in the art understand that any numerical values disclosed herein can be exact values or can be values within a range. Further, any terms of approximation (e.g., “about”, “approximately”, “around”) used in this disclosure can mean the stated value within a range. For example, in certain embodiments, the range can be within (plus or minus) 20%, or within 10%, or within 5%, or within 2%, or within any other suitable percentage or number as appreciated by those having ordinary skill in the art (e.g., for known tolerance limits or error ranges).
The articles “a”, “an”, and “the” as used herein and in the appended claims are used herein to refer to one or to more than one (i.e., to at least one) of the grammatical object of the article unless the context clearly indicates otherwise. By way of example, “an element” means one element or more than one element.
The phrase “and/or,” as used herein in the specification and in the claims, should be understood to mean “either or both” of the elements so conjoined, i.e., elements that are conjunctively present in some cases and disjunctively present in other cases. Multiple elements listed with “and/or” should be construed in the same fashion, i.e., “one or more” of the elements so conjoined. Other elements may optionally be present other than the elements specifically identified by the “and/or” clause, whether related or unrelated to those elements specifically identified. Thus, as a non-limiting example, a reference to “A and/or B”, when used in conjunction with open-ended language such as “comprising” can refer, in one embodiment, to A only (optionally including elements other than B); in another embodiment, to B only (optionally including elements other than A); in yet another embodiment, to both A and B (optionally including other elements); etc.
As used herein in the specification and in the claims, “or” should be understood to have the same meaning as “and/or” as defined above. For example, when separating items in a list, “or” or “and/or” shall be interpreted as being inclusive, i.e., the inclusion of at least one, but also including more than one, of a number or list of elements, and, optionally, additional unlisted items. Only terms clearly indicated to the contrary, such as “only one of” or “exactly one of,” or, when used in the claims, “consisting of,” will refer to the inclusion of exactly one element of a number or list of elements. In general, the term “or” as used herein shall only be interpreted as indicating exclusive alternatives (i.e., “one or the other but not both”) when preceded by terms of exclusivity, such as “either,” “one of,” “only one of,” or “exactly one of.”
Any suitable combination(s) of any disclosed embodiments and/or any suitable portion(s) thereof are contemplated herein as appreciated by those having ordinary skill in the art in view of this disclosure.
The embodiments of the present disclosure, as described above and shown in the drawings, provide for improvement in the art to which they pertain. While the subject disclosure includes reference to certain embodiments, those skilled in the art will readily appreciate that changes and/or modifications may be made thereto without departing from the spirit and scope of the subject disclosure.

Claims

What is claimed is:

1. A suspension package insert, comprising:

a suspension pouch configured to receive an article therein, the suspension pouch being formed of at least a first flexible suspension panel and a second suspension panel;

a first sidewall structure attached to a first side of the suspension pouch; and

a second sidewall structure attached to a second side of the suspension pouch, wherein the first and second sidewall structures are configured to stand and suspend the suspension pouch therebetween.

2. The suspension package insert of claim 1, wherein the first flexible suspension panel includes a cut matrix defined therein configured to increase the flexibility of the first flexible panel.

3. The suspension package insert of claim 2, wherein the second suspension panel is uncut and/or is otherwise less flexible than the first flexible suspension panel.

4. The suspension package insert of claim 1, wherein the suspension package insert is made of a fiber material.

5. The suspension package insert of claim 4, wherein the fiber material is paper.

6. A blank configured to form a suspension package insert of claim 1.

7. A blank for a suspension package insert, comprising:

a first portion; and

a second portion foldably connected to the first portion, wherein the first portion and the second portion are configured to be attached together to form a suspension pouch and a sidewall assembly to suspend the suspension pouch.

8. The blank of claim 7, wherein the first portion includes a first flexible suspension panel having a cut matrix defined therein to increase a flexibility of the first flexible suspension panel.

9. The blank of claim 8, wherein the first portion includes a first side panel and a second side panel foldably connected to the first flexible suspension panel.

10. The blank of claim 9, wherein the first portion includes a first end panel and a second end panel foldably connected to the first flexible suspension panel.

11. The blank of claim 10, wherein the first portion includes a plurality of first end corner panels and a plurality of second end corner panels foldably connected to a respective end panel and a respective side panel.

12. The blank of claim 11, wherein the second portion includes a second suspension panel.

13. The blank of claim 12, wherein the second portion includes a first side panel and a second side panel foldably connected to the second suspension panel.

14. The blank of claim 13, wherein the second portion includes a first end panel configured to fold relative to the second suspension panel, and a second end panel foldably connected to the second suspension panel.

15. The blank of claim 14, wherein the second portion includes an opening disposed between the first end panel of the second portion and the second suspension panel.

16. The blank of claim 15, wherein the second portion includes a plurality of first end corner panels and second end corner panels foldably connected to a respective end panel of the second portion and a respective side panel of the second portion.

17. The blank of claim 16, wherein the first end panel of the second portion is foldably connected to the first and second side panels of the second portion via the first end corner panels of the second portion.

18. The blank of claim 17, wherein the second portion includes a first extension side panel foldably connected to the first side panel of the second portion and a second extension side panel foldably connected to the second side panel of the second portion.

19. The blank of claim 18, wherein the first and second extension side panels are each twice as wide as the first and second side panels of the second portion, respectively.

20. The blank of claim 19, wherein the second end panel of the second portion is foldably connected to the second end panel of the first portion and/or wherein the second end corner panels of the second portion are foldably connected to the second end corner panels of the first portion.