Note: Descriptions are shown in the official language in which they were submitted.
CA 02419207 2003-02-19
CUSHIONING IhISEI2T F~lZ PACKAGES
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to packaging. More specifically, the invention
relates to folded panel packaging inserts designed to provide cushioning to
goods
during shipment.
2. Description of the Related Art
Electronic components being shipped from one location to another can
potentially be damaged when components are stacked on top of each other,
accidentally dropped, or otherwise roughly handled during transportation.
Various
forms of cushioning these components within their shipping containers have
been
proposed.
There is a need for a packaging insert providing superior strength to resist
being crushed when packages are stacked or dropped, and that is less expensive
to
manufacture.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
The present invention provides an improved packaging insert for providing
cushioning for the packaged components. The insert is particularly useful for
protecting electronic components during shipment, although not limited to such
use.
A packaging insert of the present invention is made from inexpensive, semi-
rigid material, for example, corrugated panelboard or cardboard. The
panelboard is
folded to provide a rectangular first end portion, an elongated central
portion, and a
second end portion. The second end portion and rectangular first end portion
are
dimensioned and configured to maintain a spaced relationship between the
central
portion and the side of the packaging container. Additionally, the rectangular
first
end portion is dimensioned and configured to provide a spaced relationship
between
the packaged contents and the side of the package.
A packaging insert of the present invention will typically be used in pairs,
with
one insert located on each end of a package. Additional filler material may
optionally
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CA 02419207 2003-02-19
be used within the rectangular first end portion of the insert, or between the
insert's
central portion and the end of the container. Alternatively, additional goods
may be
packaged within the space between the main goods to be packaged and the side
and/or
ends of the container. The various folds within the insert provide strength,
preventing
S the insert from being crushed if one package is stacked on top of another.
Additionally, the gaps between the packages' containers and the sides and ends
of the
package resist damage to the package's contents if the package is dropped.
These and other aspects of the invention will become apparent through the
following description and drawings.
BRIEF DESCRIPTTON OF THE DRAWINGS
Figure 1 is a top view of a cushioning insert according to the present
invention.
Figure 2 is a front view of a panelboard or cardboard section, showing the
locations wherein it must be folded to form an insert of the present
invention.
1 S Figure 3 is an exploded top isometric view of a package and the electronic
components therein, illustrating the use of the inserts of the present
invention.
Figure 4 is a top isometric view of a packaged electronic components utilizing
a pair of cushioning inserts of the present invention to provide the necessary
cushioning.
Like reference numbers denote: like elements throughout the drawings.
DETAILLD DESCRIPTION
The present invention provides an improved packaging insert for providing
cushioning for packaged components, such as electronic devices.
Figure 1 illustrates a cushionirng insert 10 according to the present
invention.
The cushioning insert 10 includes a first end portion 12, having a rectangular
configuration. The illustrated example includes a first inside layer 14, an
inner side
16, a base 18, an outer side 20, and a second inside layer 22. The first and
second
inside layers 14, 22, sides I6, 20, and base 18 define an end cavity 24,
dimensioned
and conf gured to receive additional cushioning material.
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At the opposite end of the cushioning insert 10, a second end 26 is formed
from an outside end 28, and an inside end 30. A central portion 32 extends
between
the first end portion 12 and second end portion 26. The tip 34 of the outside
end layer
28 and outer side 20 of the first end portion I2 define an outside edge 35.
The central
portion 32 is inwardly spaced from the outer edge 35, thereby defining a
central open
area 36 between the outside end layer 28, central portion 32, and second
inside layer
22 of the first end portion 12. The central open area 36, like the end cavity
24, is
dimensioned and configured to receive additional cushioning material.
Referring to Figure 2, a semi-rigid panel 38 from which a cushioning insert l
0
may be made is illustrated. The semi rigid panel 38 may be any suitable semi
rigid
material, for example, corrugated panelboard. The semi rigid panel 38 is
folded at the
appropriate locations to form the cushioning insert 10. Specifically, folding
the panel
38 at the fold location 40 brings the outside end Layer 28 adjacent to the
inside end
layer 30. Folding the panel 38 at the location 42 defines the second end of
the central
portion 32, and positions the second end portion 26 substantially
perpendicular to the
central portion 32. Folding the panel 38 at the fold location 44 defines the
first end of
the central portion 32, and brings the first inside layer 14 of the first end
portion 12
substantially perpendicular with the central portion 32. Folding the panel 38
at the
fold location 46 brings the inner side 16 substantially perpendicular to the
first inside
layer 14. Folding the panel 38 at the i:old location 48 brings the base 18
substantially
perpendicular to the inner side I6. Folding the panel 38 at the fold location
50 brings
the outer side 20 perpendicular to the base I8. Lastly, folding the panel 38
at the fold
location 52 brings the second inside layer 22 perpendicular to the outer side
20, and
substantially parallel and adjacent to the first inside layer I4.
A pair of cushioning inserts 10 will typically be utilized to protect
electronic
components within their packaging during shipment. Referring to Figures 3 and
4, a
typical packaging arrangement is illustrated. An electronic component 54 will
be
packaged within a shipping box 56 having a first end 58, a second end 60, a
first side
62, and a second side 64. A pair of cushioning inserts 10 will be utilized,
with one
CA 02419207 2003-02-19
cushioning insert 10 sitting between the electronic component 54 and first end
58, and
the second cushioning insert 10 fitting between the electronic component 54
and
second end 60. The central portion 32 of each cushioning insert I O will be
positioned
between the electronic component 54 arid ends 58, 60. The first end portion 12
of
each cushioning insert 10 will be positioned between the electronic component
54 and
the second side 64 of the box 56. The second end 26 of the cushioning inserts
10 will
be positioned between the electronic component 54 and the first side 62 of the
box 56.
Additional electronic components 66, 68 may be positioned between the first
end
portions 12 of the cushioning inserts 10~. Additional cushioning materials 70
may, if
desired, be placed within the central open area 36, and additional cushioning
material
72 may, if desired, be placed within the cavities 24.
When the electronic components 54, 66, and 68 are packaged in this manner,
the components, particularly the component 54, are protected from impacts to
the box
56 from the ends 58, 60, and from the second side 64. The components 54, 66,
68 are
protected to a lesser degree from impacts on the first side 62 of the box 56.
The folds
40-52 add rigidity to the cushioning inserts I O in the direction or arrow A,
thereby
preventing the cushioning inserts 10 from being crushed when boxes 56 axe
stacked
on top of each other.
While a specific embodiment of the invention has been described in detail, it
will be appreciated by those skilled in the art that various modifications and
alternatives to those details could be developed in Light of the overall
teachings of the
disclosure. Accordingly, the particular arrangements disclosed are meant to be
illustrative only and not limiting as to the scope of the invention which is
to be given
the full breadth of the appended claims and any and alI equivalents thereof.
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