US3765539A - Support platform and package incorporating same - Google Patents

Abstract

A support platform for supporting articles of different sizes is disclosed, the platform having a plurality of groups of means for receiving the articles, each of the groups being able to receive an article in at least two different locations with respect to an edge of the platform. A package is formed by stacking a plurality of platforms having articles placed thereon in a carton.

Description

[ Oct. 16, 1973 United States Patent [1 1 Boyle YYY 555 mm 6668 um flm ..mA m mm P m W WW R mm mmm hm m fiBGW M 98 %%W HHHN HG m %N% 8,8,7,F 624 792 fl ua uid R E we G m A r K w C m A .1 P m D l N Am E My A MN RS .t mGCm T d HME% TO RPE O m POn m Smh M M H U 836,169 7/1949 Germany 206/65 Y [22] Filed: June 28, 1971 [21] Appl. No.: 157,153

Primary ExaminerRamon S. Britts Attorney-James E. Ryder et al.

T C A R T S B A 7 5 30 UN 7 1 58 F' ld fS 2 1 le 0 care 11/59 13 74 A support platform for supporting artlcles of dlfferent l 0 3 34 37 7 1 139 sizes 15 disclosed, the platform having a plurality of groups of means for receiving the articles, each of the groups being able to receive an article in at least two [56] References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS different locations with respect to an edge of the platf0 rm. A package is formed by stacking a plurality of 206/65 R platforms having articles placed thereon in a carton. Prossen 206/65 Y Paffen et 206/65 Y 6 Claims, 9 Drawing Figures 2,444,326 6/1948 Baker et 2,642,183 6/1953 2,646,166 7/1953 PAIENIEDunr 16 I973 3.765.539 sum 10F 4 42 48 49 mvenfor Ec/z/w'n C. Boy/e B y Ryder, Mc/Ju/oy 8 Heffer A ffomeys PATENTEDHCI 16 1973 SHEET 3 BF 4 FIGB r ew fl eyH V08 an Cw A WW 5 P Af/omeys BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES This invention relates to material packaging systems and, more particularly, to platforms for supporting articles of different sizes.

In making spools or cops of fiber or strand material such as threads, yarn, twine or the like, it is common practice to wind the fiber on a conical or cylindrical core or spindle. While the spools are made available in different sizes, the spindles used usually are a common standard size and the different sized spools are formed merely by winding more or less of the strand material around the spindles. For shipping purposes the spools are mounted on a support platform which is formed with risers or depressions to receive the base of the spindle. Because the different size spools have different outside diameters it is conventional practice to provide a specific platform for each size spool so that the risers or depressions are properly spaced to receive the size spool intended for that platform. Obviously this requires the storing of different platforms and establishing procedures whereby in mass production and packaging of various sized spools the proper platform is chosen and made available at the packaging station.

In order to obviate the need to keep an inventory of different sized platforms and to insure the proper selection of platforms for the particular spools beingpackaged at the time, it is an objective of this invention to provide a single support platform capable of receiving spools of different sizes.

It is another objective of this invention to provide packaging for spools of strand material which efficiently utilizes the available package volume and which simplifies the handling and storing of packaging materials.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION This invention in one specific form comprises a support platform having a plurality of groups of projections extending outwardly from at least one of its surfaces. Each of the groups of projections is capable of receiving an article, such as the base of a spindle, in at least two different locations with respect to the support platform edge.' A spindle having a certain amount of fiber wrapped around it, which shall be called a small spool, is placed upon the projections nearer the edge of the platform while the spindle having more fiber wrapped around it, which is referred to as a large spool, is placed over the projections further away from the platform edge.

A second group of projections is also provided on the platform surface, the second group being capable of receiving an article in at least three different locations with respect to the same edge of the platform. The second group of projections is aligned with the first group and is located further away from the edge of the platform than is the first group. In this form, the second group can receive two small spools or a single large spool. The spacing between adjacent groups of projections is such that there will be no interference between spools mounted on the projections as long as the proper projections are used for the particular size spool being packaged.

The support platforms are utilized to form an entire package by stacking the platforms having spools mounted thereon vertically and enclosing the spools and platforms in a plastic bag and paper-board carton.

DRAWINGS The invention along with the objectives and advantages thereof will be better understood from the detailed description below taken together with the drawings in which;

FIG. 1 is a partially cut-away perspective view of a package for a plurality of spools of strand material utilizing support platforms formed in accordance with this invention.

FIG. 2 is a perspective view of a support platform of this invention having small spools mounted thereon.

FIG. 3 is a perspective view of the same platform shown in FIG. 2 but having larger spools mounted thereon.

FIG. 4 is a perspective view of the support platform of FIGS. 2 and 3 having no spools thereon and illustrating the spool receiving projections.

FIG. 5 is a sectional view taken along the line 5-5 of FIG. 4.

FIG. 6 is a plan view of a portion of a support platform formed in accordance. with a modification of the support platform of FIG. 4.

FIG. 7 is a schematic plan view of the support platform of FIG. 6 showing the locations of large and small spools placed thereon.

FIG. 8 is a plan view of a support platform formed in accordance with a second embodiment of this invention.

FIG. 9 is an elevational sectional view of a plurality of vertically stacked platforms formed in accordance with a third embodiment of this invention.

SPECIFIC DESCRIPTION OF FIRST EMBODIMENT (FIGS. 1 5) Referring now to the drawings, and particularly to FIG. 1, there is illustrated a typical package 10 utilizing support platforms 12 formed in accordance with this invention. The particular package 10 illustrated contains five levels of cops or spools 14 formed by winding strand material such as fibers onto a cylindrical cardboard or plastic core or spindle 16. A plurality of spools 14 are placed on each support platform 12 and the loaded platforms are stacked vertically within a plastic bag, such as a polyethylene bag 18, which is in a paperboard carton 19. The carton is provided with a tear tape 20 to facilitate opening of the carton.

Turning now to FIGS. 2 and 3 there is illustrated the same support platform 12 demonstrating its use for supporting two different sized spools, namely, small spools 22 (FIG. 2) and large spools 24 (FIG. 3). Naturally, these terms are relative and are used merely to indicate a spool size differential which can be accepted by the same platform 12. In both cases there is good utilization of the surface area of the support platform. In the case of the smaller spools 22, the particular plat form illustrated can support four rows of spools, each row containing four spools or a total of 16 spools. In FIG. 3 the same platform 12 can support three rows of large spools 24, each row containing four spools for a total of 12 spools. It is clear that this pattern is merely illustrative of one particular arrangement and is presented herein for the purpose of simplifying an understanding of the invention.

The support platform 12 is illustrated in FIGS. 4 and 5 and can be seen to include three rows of groups of projections, namely a first row aligned along axis 30 parallel to an edge 32 of the platform 12, a second row aligned along axis 34 spaced from the first row 30 and parallel thereto and a third row aligned along axis 36 spaced from row 34 and parallel thereto. Examining first row 30, there is indicated four groups 38 of projections, each group having three projections extending from the surface of the platform. This first group includes a central projection 40, a first projection 41 spaced from one side of the central projection 40 and a second projection 42 spaced from the opposite side of the projection 40. The three projections making up the first group 38 are aligned along an axis 43 perpendicular to the edge 32 of the platform 12 and perpendicular to the axis 30.

The projections are configured to enable the base of a hollow spindle 16 to be placed over either the first and central projections or the second and central projections, the first position being indicated by the dotted line 44 representing the spindle 16 of the smaller spools and the second position illustrated by dotted line 45 representing the spindle 16 of larger spools. It can be seen that the spindle position for the smaller spools is closer to the platform edge 32 than is the spindle position for the larger spools. The shape of the projections is designed to accommodate spindles having a circular cross-section and, accordingly, is formed with an arcuate shape. The distance between the surface of the central projection 40 remote from the platform edge 32 and the surface of the projection 41 adjacent to the platform edge 32 is slightly less than the inside diameter of the spindle l6 intended to be mounted thereon. Similarly, the distance from the outer surface of the central projection 40 closer to the platform edge 32 to the outer surface of the projection 42 remote from the platform edge 32 is slightly less than the inside diameter of the spindle l6 intended to be mounted thereon. In this manner a spindle mounted in either position 44, 45 would be precluded from lateral motion along the plane of the platform. It should be noted that the inside diameter of the spindles used for both the smaller and larger spindles are equal and the spool size differential is caused by the amount of fiber woulnd thereon.

The second row 34 includes four sjecond groups 46 of projections, each group having three projections extending upwardly from the surface of; the platform 12. Each second group consists of a central projection 47, a third side projection 48 spaced from one side of the central projection 47 and a fourth side projection 49 spaced from the opposite side of the central projection 47. The three projections 47, 48 and 49 making up the second group 46 are aligned along the axis 43 and, consequently, are aligned with the first group 38.

As with the first group of projections 38, the projections of the second group 46 also are configured to enable the base of the hollow spindle 16 to be placed thereon. The central projection 47 is designed to receive the spindle of the larger spools 24 while the side projections 48, 49 are designed to receive the spindles ofthe smaller spools 22. To accomplish this, the dimension of the central projection 47 in the direction along the axis 34 is slightly less than the inside diameter of the spindle 16 and the surfaces of the side projections 48, 49 facing the central projection 47 are spaced from the central projection sufficiently to avoid interference with a spindle placed over the central projection 47.

The side projections 48, 49, each being configured to receive the spindles of the smaller spools 22, have a dimension in the direction parallel to the axis 34 slightly less than the inside diameter of the spindle 16. As can be seen the projections 48, 49 form a portion of a circle but are provided with a flat face 50 to accommodate a spindle mounted on the central projection 47. The circumference of projections 48, 49 preferably is greater than 180 in order to eliminate lateral movement of spindles mounted thereon.

It can be seen by comparing FIGS. 2 and 3 that when large spindles 24 are mounted on the platform only a single spindle is mounted on the second group 46 by placing it over the central projection 47 while when smaller spools 22 are mounted on platform 12 two spindles can be mounted on the second group 46 by placing a spindle over each of the projections 48, 49.

The third row 36 is provided with four groups 51 of projections identical to the first group 38 and therefore the projections forming this group will not be described in detail. The third group 51 is also aligned with the axis 43 so that all three groups 38, 46 and 51 are in alignment. As with the first group 38, the third group 51 can accommodate a single smaller spool 22 mounted over the central and side projection nearest the platform edge 52 at the same time that the second group 46 has two smaller spools mounted over the projections 48, 49. Alternatively, the third group 51 can also accommodate a larger spool 24 mounted over the central and other side projections at the same time that a larger spool is mounted over the central projection 47 of group 46.

Each of the rows 30, 34, 36 having four groups aligned therealong provide the spool capacity illustrated in FIGS. 2 and 3.

MODIFICATION OF FIRST EMBODIMENT (FIGS. 6 AND 7) The platform configuration illustrated in FIGS. 2 through 5 makes efficient use of the platform surface, especially in the direction along the axis 43. By comparing FIGS. 2 and 3 it can be seen that whether the large or small spools are mounted on the platform there is a minimum amount of unutilized space in that direction. However, since the projection groups 38, 46, 51 are aligned along axis 43, when the smaller spools 22 are placed on the projections there is some wasted space between the smaller spools in the direction parallel to the axes 30, 34, 36. This wasted space is caused by the fact that the projections are aligned along the axis 43 and no provision is made for the fact that the smaller spools having a smaller outside diameter, can be located closer together in the lateral direction (parallel to axes 30, 34, 36) than can the spindles of the larger spools.

More efficient use of the platform can be made with the modified group of projections 53 illustrated in FIG. 6. The design of the group of projections 53 is such that the portion of the group 53 which receives the larger spool 24 is basically the same as that described above with respect to the embodiment of FIG. 4; however, the side which is intended to receive the smaller spools 22 is configured so that the central axis 54 of the smaller spool is offset with respect to the central axis 55 of the larger spool. This permits smaller spools 22 to be located closer to the edges 56, 57 of the support platform 58 than are the larger spools 24. To accomplish this offset relationship grooves are provided through the projections 60, 62, 64 which correspond to the projections 40, 42, 44 respectively of the projection group 38 shown in FIG. 4. Specifically, the projection 62 is provided with a groove 66, the projection 60 is provided with a groove 68 and the projection 64 is provided with a groove 70. By virtue of the grooves 66, 68, 70 the central axis of the smaller spool can be offset toward the edge 56 of the support 58, the grooves accommodating the base of the spindle 16. The dotted line 72 represents the base of the spindle 16 of a smaller spool while the dashed'line 74 represents the base of the spindle of the larger spool 24.

Each of the projection groups 53 along an axis 76 perpendicular to the edge 56 of the support platform has the same configuration allowing the smaller spools mounted on each of the groups to be located closer to the edge 56 and closer to the adjacent group of projections than would be permitted by the configuration illustrated in FIG. 4. To permit this close spacing for the smaller spools an additional groove 78 may be provided, if needed, near the end of the central projection 60 remote from the edge 56 to accommodate a portion of the spindle base of the smallest spool mounted on an adjacent projection group 53.

Generally aligned with the projection group 53 in a direction parallel to' support platform edge 56 is a second projection group 80 corresponding to group 46 of the embodiment illustrated in FIG. 4. Projection group 80 includes a central projection 81 to receive the spindles of larger spools 24. Therefore, the central projection is aligned with the projections 60, 64 of the first group 53 so that the spindles mounted thereon are equally spaced from the platform edge 56.

Projection group 80 also includes side projections 82, 83 spaced equally from opposite sides of the central projection 81. The side projections are intended to receive the spindles of smaller spools 22. Consequently, these projections are aligned with the pattern formed by the grooves 66, 68, 70 of group 53 so that spindles mounted thereon are equally spaced from the platform edge 56. In other words, the central axes 54 of the smaller spools placed on the projections of the group 53, 80 are spaced equally from the platform edge 56 and are closer to that edge than are the central axes 55 of the larger spools placed on the projections of the groups 53, 80. The dotted lines 72 illustrate the base of a spindle 16 for smaller spools 22 while the dotted line 74 represents the spindle base of a larger spool 24. It can be seen that the configuration of the projections forming the group 80 are such as to allow the mounting of two smaller spools 22 simultaneously on the side projections 82, 83 or, alternatively, one large spool 24 on the central projection 81.

The platform 58 is shown only partially in FIG. 6 and it is intended that the platform can include additionally one or more rows of projection groups.

FIG. 7 shows the outlines 72, 74 for the spindles of the smaller spools 22 and larger spools 24 respectively so that their relative positions with respect to the support platform edges 56, 57 can be appreciated. It will be seen that the platform 58 will accommodate smaller spools (four rows of five spools each) or 12 larger spools (three rows of four spools each). Of course the number of spools illustrated is merely for discussion purposes and there is no intended resemblance to the actual size and capacity of a support platform formed in accordance with this invention.

SECOND EMBODIMENT TO ACCOMMODATE DIFFERENT SIZED SPINDLES (FIG. 8)

The embodiments described above and illustrated in FIGS. 1 and 7 are predicated on spools of different sizes formed about spindles having a common size. The support platform of this invention can also be formed to accommodate spindles of different sizes, FIG. 8 illustrates such a platform 84 having three different types of projection groups which correspond to the groups 38, 46 and 51 of the embodiment shown in FIG. 4. A first projection group 85 includes a central member 86, a first side projection 87 on one side and spaced from the central side projection 86 and a second side projection 88 spaced from the opposite side of the central projection 86. The curvature and spacing of the central projection 86 and side projection 87 are such that a small spindle 89 can be mounted easily over these projections. The second side projection 88, intended to receive a larger spindle 90, is larger in size and is configured to conform to the inside of the larger spindle 90. The second side projection 88 is spaced further from the central projection 86 than is the first projection 87 so that the dimension represented by dimension line 92 is approximately slightly less than the inside diameter of the larger spindle 90.

The projection group 100 spaced from and aligned with group 85 also is formed to accommodate different size spindles. The group 100 includes a central projection 102 having a longitudinal dimension 103 slightly less than the inside diameter of the larger spindle 90. The side projections 106, 108 are configured to approximate a portion of the interior of the smaller spindles 89 preferably to conform to more than l80 of the circumference of the spindles so that lateral motion of the spindles 89 in all directions is precluded. The spacing between projections 106, 108 is such that two spools formed on the spindles 89 can be mounted on projection 106 and on projection 108 simultaneously without interfering with one another. The spacing between the projections 106, 108 and the center projection 102 is such that a spool formed on a larger spindle can be mounted on the centralprojection 102 without interfering with the projections 106, 108 which do not have a spool mounted thereon. To provide this dimensional requisite instead of the projections 106, 108 having complete circular cross sections, they each are provided with an inwardly facing flat face 109 to avoid interference with the larger spindle 104.

THIRD EMBODIMENT (FIG. 9)

As was shown in FIG. 1, a plurality of spools 14 are stacked vertically and are separated and supported by the platforms 12. The platforms described above have the projections extending from one surface thereof, the opposite surface being flat. As is illustrated in FIG. 9, this invention also contemplates the formation of projection groups 112, 114 on opposite sides of a support platform 116. The projections 112 on the upwardly facing surface of the platform 116 receive the base of a spindle 16 mounted thereon and the projections 114 on the lower surface of the platform 116 receive the upper end of a spindle which is mounted on a platform 117 immediately below the platform 116. This arrangement provides greater structural stability of the overall package and does not place reliance upon the weight of the spools supported on the platform or the pressure produced by the tight fitting carton 19 to prevent lateral movement of one platform or spool with respect to another. Of course the lowest and highest platforms preferably only have projections on one surface thereof so that they present a smooth interface with the polyethylene bag 18 and paperboard carton 19.

The support platforms can be formed of many different materials such as sheet metal, paperboard, or other materials which either can be formed with the projections or which can have the projections affixed thereto. Preferably the support platforms are fabricated from a plastic such as polystyrene so that the projections can be molded as an integral part of the platform. Because the platforms can be molded the many grooves required for a configuration such as is described above and illustrated in FIG. 6 can be easily formed. Furthermore, while the platforms described above are formed with projections from a flat surface, it is clear that similar beneficial results can be obtained by forming spindle receiving depressions or grooves in a flat surface, the grooves being formed in accordance with the patterns and requisite described above.

What is claimed as new and desired to be secured by letters patent of the United States is:

l. A support platform adapated to support articles of different sizes which have hollow bases of the same interior dimensions, the platform having a plurality of first groups of projections, each of said first groups including a first central member, a first side member spaced from one side of the first central member and defining a first clearance therebetween, a second side member spaced from the opposite side of the first central member and defining a second clearance therebetween, said first clearance having a shape and dimension to receive a portion of the base of said article when said article is mounted simultaneously over said first central and second side members, said second clearance having a shape and dimensions to receive a portion of the base of said article when said article is mounted simultaneously over said first central and first side members, said article base being closer to an edge of the platform when mounted over said first side member and said first central member then when mounted over said second side member and said first central member.

2. A support platform as defined in claim 1 wherein a first plurality of said first group of projections are aligned along a first axis parallel to said edge of the platform, and wherein a second plurality of said first group of projections are aligned along a second axis perpendicular to said first axis.

3. A support platform as defined in claim 1 including a second group of projections, each of said second group of projections include a second central member, a third side member spaced from one side ofthe second central member defining a third clearance therebetween, a fourth side member spaced from the opposite side of the second central member and defining a fourth clearance therebetween, the third clearance having a shape and dimension adapted to receive a portion of the base of said article mounted at one time on the third side member and at another time on the second central member, the fourth clearance having a shape and dimension adapted to receive a portion of the base of said article mounted at one time on the fourth side member and at another time on the second central member.

4. A support platform as defined in claim 3 wherein a plurality of said first group of projections are aligned along a first axis parallel to said edge of the surface and wherein a plurality of said second group of projections are aligned along a second axis parallel to and spaced from said first axis.

5. A support platform as defined in claim 1 wherein the platform has a first plurality of groups on one surface thereof and a second plurality of groups on a sec ond surface thereof, the second surface being opposite the first surface.

6. A support platform as defined in claim 1 including two sets of said groups, a first set on one surface of said platform and a second set on an opposite surface of said platform.

Claims (6)

1. A support platform adapated to support articles of different sizes which have hollow bases of the same interior dimensions, the platform having a plurality of first groups of projections, each of said first groups including a first central member, a first side member spaced from one side of the first central member and defining a first clearance therebetween, a second side member spaced from the opposite side of the first central member and defining a second clearance therebetween, said first clearance having a shape and dimension to receive a portion of the base of said article when said article is mounted simultaneously over said first central and second side members, said second clearance having a shape and dimensions to receive a portion of the base of said article when said article is mounted simultaneously over said first central and first side members, said article base being closer to an edge of the platform when mounted over said first side member and said first central member then when mounted over said second side member and said first central member.

2. A support platform as defined in claim 1 wherein a first plurality of said first group of projections are aligned along a first axis parallel to said edge of the platform, and wherein a second pLurality of said first group of projections are aligned along a second axis perpendicular to said first axis.

3. A support platform as defined in claim 1 including a second group of projections, each of said second group of projections include a second central member, a third side member spaced from one side of the second central member defining a third clearance therebetween, a fourth side member spaced from the opposite side of the second central member and defining a fourth clearance therebetween, the third clearance having a shape and dimension adapted to receive a portion of the base of said article mounted at one time on the third side member and at another time on the second central member, the fourth clearance having a shape and dimension adapted to receive a portion of the base of said article mounted at one time on the fourth side member and at another time on the second central member.

4. A support platform as defined in claim 3 wherein a plurality of said first group of projections are aligned along a first axis parallel to said edge of the surface and wherein a plurality of said second group of projections are aligned along a second axis parallel to and spaced from said first axis.

5. A support platform as defined in claim 1 wherein the platform has a first plurality of groups on one surface thereof and a second plurality of groups on a second surface thereof, the second surface being opposite the first surface.

6. A support platform as defined in claim 1 including two sets of said groups, a first set on one surface of said platform and a second set on an opposite surface of said platform.

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