US3189175A - Brick packaging device and method - Google Patents

Description

Julie 15,- 1965 l. G. CRUCKSHANK BRICK PACKAGING DEVICE AND METHOD Filed Sept. 1'7, .1962

United States Patent 0.

3,189,175 BRICK PACKAGING DEVICE AND WTHOD Ira G. Cruckshank, New Britain, Conn., assignor of onehalt' to International Paper Company, New York, N.Y.,

a corporation of New York, and one-half to The Stanley Works, New Britain, Conn., a corporation of Connecticut Filed Sept. 17, 1962, SenNo. 223,996

9 Claims. (Cl. 206-65) This invention relates to a brick packaging device and method, and, more particularly, to a packaging arrangement wherein a plurality of bricks are uniquely integrated for relocation but wherein the arrangement can be selectively reduced in size as bricks are required.

It will be appreciated at the outset that the term brick as used herein comprehends a variety ofsizes and materials employed in masonry construction. For the sake of illustration, common brick is employed.

Although bricks have been packaged heretofore, the packaging methods were inadequate in protecting the bricks against damage during relocation and also the packaging could not be broken down piecemeal to ield smaller arrangements of bricks as the need arose. These drawbacks of the prior art are solved by the instant invention, and the provisions of a packaging device and method for the achievement of this constitutes an important object of this invention.

Another object of the invention is to provide a brick pack panel suitable for interpositioning within a generally cubical arrangement of bricks wherein the panel is characterized by a advantageous resiliency to cushion the bricks, particularly during relocation thereof.

Still another object is to provide a brick pack panel wherein the panel is selectively detachable into discrete portions so as to yield smaller arrangements of bricks than those present in the pack originally supported by the panel.

Other objects and advantages of the invention may be seen in the details of constructoin and operation set down in this specification.

The invention is shown, in conjunction with an illustrative embodiment, in the accompanying drawing, in which- FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a brick pack constructed according to teachings of the invention, partly broken away to reveal internal portions;

FIG. 2 is a plan section on the line 2- -2 of FIG. 1, with parts broken away;

FIG. 3 is an enlarged sectional view, partially broken away, of the inventive panel; and

FIG. 4 is an enlarged view of the parts in the circle A of FIG. 1.

in the illustration given and with particular reference to FIG. 1, a cubical arrangement of bricks is seen made up, in the example given, of bricks across, 4 bricks long, and 8 bricks high. Employing standard American bricks which measure 2% x 3%" x 8", a general cubical arrangement is provided measuring 33%" in Width, 32 in length, and 30" in height (approximately). It will be appreciated that there are variations in the size of bricks, stemming in one instance at least from irregularity of surfaces.

The brick pack of FIG. 1 is generally designated by the numeral 10, and is seen to be made up of a plurality of vertically-related layers 11a, 11b, 110, etc. Interposed between the layers 11b and 110 is the inventive panel, generally designated by the numeral 12 and which is seen in FIG. 3. The panel 12 is substantially coextensive with the plan dimensions developed by the pack 10, and in the illustration given measures 32" square.

3,l3,l75 Patented June 15, 1965 It will be appreciated that each layer 11a, 11b, 110, etc. is made up of bricks arranged in end-to-end, side by side, contacting relation, so as to define four subarrangements, in the illustration given each one brick long by 15 bricks wide, thereby defining a plurality of rows. For each such sub-arrangement of bricks there is provided an encircling band 13 which is suitably connected at the superposed ends thereof by a suitable fastening element as at 14 Where the bands 13 go around the corner edges 15 of the pack, there is provided an L-shaped protector strip 16.

The panel 12, in the illustration given, is interposed between layers 11b and 110, and the layer 11b has adjacent rows of bricks removed as at 1'7 and 18 to accommodate the tines of a fork lift truck, or the like, Whereby the pack is adapted to be elevated for repositioning. Alternatively, the spaces 17 and 18 need not be provided, and the entire pack lifted from below, assuming the same to be provided on a pallet, or the like.

In any event, an advantageous interconnection between the various bricks is provided by the panel 12, which is seen to be constructed of corrugated paperboard suitably reinforced by metal straps. As seen in FIG. 3, the panel 12 is made up of outer liners 19 and 20, which are adhesively united to a corrugated paperboard core 21. Interposed between the core 21 and the liner 2%) are a plurality of flat resilient metal straps 22. In one embodiment of the invention, the liners 19 and 20 are constructed of 40 lb. perine Kraft paper, with the core being constructed of 36 lb. perine Kraft paper. The straps are constructed of 0.023 black steel having a Widthof The straps are placed 8" apart and thus coincide with about the center of the sub-arrangement of bricks with which each strap is associated.

Additionally, the panel 12 is weakened along spacedapart, parallel lines 23, which lines extend parallel to the straps and which are entered therebetween. In the illustration given, the lines of weakness are spaced apart on 8 centers and correspond to the edges of the bricks in each sub-arrangement. The weakness lines 23 may be provided by scoring, using a scoring wheel, for more ready detachment of sub-arrangements of bricks. Alternatively, the panels may be perforated, as shown in FIGS. 1 and 3. The lines of weakness or perforation extend perpendicular to the length of the flutes making up the corrugated core, as is also readily appreciated from a consideration of FIG. 3.

In the operation of the device, the bricks are laid down in individual layers 11a and 11b, for example, after which the panel 12 is installed inplace. With the bands 13 in place underlying the layer 11a, additional layers are superposed on the panel 12 to develop the pack 10 seen in FIG. 1. Thereafter, the cornerprotectors 16 are installed and the bands 13 connected at the ends by means of fasteners or connectors 14. The corner protectors 16 may advantageously include corrugated paperboard folded on itself to develop an L-shaped construction as by scoring.

With the pack 11) developed as seen, the tines of a fork lift truck (not shown) are readily insertable into the openings 17 and 18 for moving the pack from place to place. At the site of installation, the pack can be selectively opened by virtue of cutting the corner protectors 16 at points aligned with the lines of weakness 23. Thus, a plurality of sub-arrangements such as are designated 24a, 24b, 24c and 24d are available, each including, in the illustration given, 8 bricks high and 15 bricks across. These sub-arrangements are confined in an integrated relation until the particular strap 13 associated therewith is snipped or otherwise severed.

During the time the bricks are confined in either the overall arrangement or a sub-arrangement, the panel 12 serves to protect the bricks against damage by virtue of its compressibility. The compressible nature of the panel 12 serves to bind the cubical arrangement of bricks together, making up for dimensional irregularities in the bricks.

When the pack is snapped apart along the weakness lines 23, separate sections or sub-arrangements of bricks are developed which are more easily handleable by the bricklayers, and without the need of expensive equipment for locating the brick eificiently for the masons use. I prefer to have the pack made up as shown, employing the protector strips on each of the two top edges of the cube. Optimally, the protector strip 16 may include a very thin steel strap 25 (see FIG. 4) and it functions to protect the corners of the brick as the straps 13 are tied together, as well as to provide a front and back tie. In some circumstances, it may be advantageous to provide protectors on the bottom edges of the pack 10. However, under such circumstances, there is no need for the front and 'back tie, since this is provided through the medium of the panel 12.

It will be appreciated that other paperboard specifications may be employed-as well as other brick arrangements-for example; 8 bricks high by 13 wide which, with 4 bricks removed from a course gives 100. Also the bricks vary so that the resiliency provided by the panel compensates for deviation in manufacturing tolerances. This resiliency improves the panel retentively for the bricks.

When in the foregoing specification a detailed description of an embodiment of the invention has been set down for the purpose of explanation thereof, many variations in the details herein given may be made by those skilled in the art without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention.

I claim:

1. A packaging component for bricks, comprising a generally rectangular panel constructed of corrugated paperboard,

a plurality of elongated flat metal straps arranged in spaced-apart, parallel relation and positioned interiorly of said panel,

said paperboard panel being weaked along a plurality of spaced-apart lines parallel to the length of said straps, one line of weakness being positioned between each pair of straps.

2. The structure of claim 1 in which said straps extend perpendicularly to the length of the flutes of said corrugated paperboard panel.

3. The structure of claim 1 in which said lines of weakness comprise perforations.

4. A brick package, comprising a plurality of bricks arranged in layered, side-by-side, end-to-end aligned relation to form a generally rectangular solid arrangement wherein the package has a width at least equal to the length of two bricks,

a metal strap-reinforced corrugated paperboard panel interposed between a pair of adjacent brick layers, lines of bricks being omitted from said arrangement to provide openings for the receipt of lifting means, and

a plurality of bands about said arrangement to define a pluralityof sub-arrangements,

, said panel'being equipped with spaced-apart lines of weakness between the straps thereof, whereby said panel is segmentable to provide individual sub-arrangements.

5. The structure of claim 4 in which said package is equipped with a protector at a plurality of corner edges thereof confined by said bands, each of said protectors including a metal strap.

6. A brick pack, comprising a plurality of bricks arranged in multi-layered, contacting relation to form a generally rectangular solid, with each layer having bricks arranged therein in aligned end-to-end relation to form lines of bricks in side-by-side relation to form rows of bricks,

a generally flat rectangular panel positioned between a pair of intermediate layers, said panel being substantially coextensive with said intermediate layers and comprising paperboard having a corrugated core adhesively confined between paper liners,

a plurality of flat, resilient steel straps positioned interiorly of said panel in contact with said core and extending perpendicularly to the length of the flutes defining said core, a strap being provided for each row of bricks positioned generally centrally of said brick row, and

a plurality of resilient steel bands about said arrangement, one band for each strap and in general alignment therewith, said panel being perforated between rows of bricks, whereby said arrangement is selectively separable into a plurality of multi-rowed, multilayered, single brick length sub-arrangements.

7. The structureof claim 6 in which said panel separates said pack into two unequal groups of layers, the larger group having corner edges equipped with elongated protectors, said protectors being constructed of corrugated paperboard folded on itself to define an L shape and being confined in place by said bands.

8. The structure of claim 7 in which said protectors are equipped with elongated steel straps extending perpendicularly to the length of the panel straps.

9. In a method of brick handling, the steps of arranging bricks in an end-to-end, side-by-side, multilayered arrangement to define a generally rectangular solid,

interposing a metal strap-reinforced corrugated paperboard .panel between adjacent intermediate layers of said arrangement,

banding said arrangement to provide a liftable unit,

and

severing said panel from end to end between the traps thereof. to provide a multi-layered sub-unit.

References Cited by the Examiner UNITED STATES PATENTS 952,074 3/10 Ferres 161l40 1,527,021 2/25 Wandel 229-49 2,671,731 3/54 Vogt 206-56 2,778,491 1/57 Taylor et al 206 2,869,721 1/59 Baumer 20665 2,896,781 7/ 59 Demarest 206-65 3,014,631 12/61 Fischer et al 229-14 3,077,982 2/63 Berner 206-65 THERON E. CONDON, Primary Examiner. GEORGE O. RALSTON, Examiner.

Claims (1)

1. 4. A BRICK PACKAGE, COMPRISING A PLURALITY OF BRICKS ARRANGED IN LAYERED, SIDE-BY-SIDE, END-TO-END ALIGNED RELATION TO FORM A GENERALLY RECTANGULAR SOLID ARRANGEMENT WHEREIN THE PACKAGE HAS A WIDTH AT LEAST EQUAL TO THE LENGTH OF TWO BRICKS, A METAL STRAP-REINFORCED CORRUGATED PAPERBOARD PANEL INTERPOSED BETWEEN A PAIR OF ADJACENT BRICK LAYERS, LINES OF BRICKS BEING OMITTED FROM SAID ARRANGEMENT TO PROVIDE OPENINGS FOR THE RECEIPT OF LIFTING MEANS, AND A PLURALITY OF BANDS ABOUT SAID ARRANGEMENT TO DEFINE A PLURALITY OF SUB-ARRANGEMENTS,

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