Note: Descriptions are shown in the official language in which they were submitted.
"PACKAGING FOR THE STORAGE OF AUTOMOBILE PARTS"
[0001] The present invention refers to a packaging for storing
automobile parts, particularly brake pads or any other parts of similar shapes
for
motor vehicles. The packaging is made of a thermoplastic material, whose main
purpose is to provide a packaging with its own specific characteristics and
which
comprises of a structure with improved mechanical resistance for
accommodating parts as well as for promoting safe and practical stacking.
Still
advantageously, the constructive form of the innovative packaging allows the
opening and closing of the lid several times without compromising its
integrity.
[0002] The present packaging is dedicated, in particular, to the
storage of components of vehicle braking systems, which can be manufactured
from semi-metallic, metallic or sintered material or metal alloys; they can
also be
made from other materials, responsible for providing greater friction and
mechanical resistance. Such materials have a high molecular weight and
crystallinity, resulting in heavier products.
Background of the Invention
[0003] A person skilled in the art knows about packaging used to
store automobile parts, mainly to protect them against external agents or
contact
with other objects, and to facilitate their transport and handling, since they
deal
with automobile components made of high-density materials, resulting in heavy
parts exerting a large amount of force against the walls of the respective
packaging, which must provide sufficient mechanical resistance for their
transport, stacking and safe handling.
[0004] One known mode of packaging these automobile parts is the
use of cardboard packaging, where the parts are packed loose. Aiming for
greater
protection, in some cases the pieces are previously wrapped with thermo-
retractable material, plastic films or foam, among others, before being packed
in
the cardboard packaging.
[0005] Disadvantageously, the need to wrap the parts with
additional protective materials during the packaging process requires an
additional step in the manufacturing process, which can be eliminated, since
it
increases the manufacturing cost.
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[0006] In spite of the alternative of wrapping the parts to increase
protection before packing them in the cardboard packaging, presently the most
usual way is simply to store the parts in the said cardboard packaging loose
without any additional protection.
[0007] In addition to the parts being loose inside this cardboard
packaging, which can be damaged by impact, the said packaging is made of
hydrophilic material, which leaves the parts susceptible to moisture, since
when
the cardboard packaging absorbs moisture it is consequently transferred to the
part, causing malfunctions.
[0008] Moreover, such packaging does not offer any structural
resistance to stacking, generating logistical and storage difficulties in the
storage
of the packaged parts. The said parts can be damaged when stacked or during
transportation.
[0009] Another disadvantage of cardboard packaging is that after
opening for possible verification of the information of the parts contained
therein,
the packaging remains open, due to the breaking of the adhesive seal normally
used to ensure the integrity of the parts. This procedure is common before
assembly, but in many cases when the parts are exposed in storage they are
susceptible to moisture and/or fall, which can compromise their shelf life,
leading
to their non-use.
[00010] Furthermore, because of the different environmental
conditions experienced by the packaging during transportation, often for
months
inside containers in ships across oceans, the packaging requires a more
efficient
seal that is able to prevent the penetration of moisture, or even liquids.
Thus, this
moisture may disadvantageously end up causing damage to the parts stored in
such packaging.
[00011] Among the problems, we can mention the oxidation factor,
which in many cases can reach a level of premature rooting, that is, before
their
assembly and use, the parts may be oxidized due to moisture entering the
packaging, which reduces the shelf life and may require repairs soon after the
use of the vehicles due to functional problems. This factor can be aggravated,
considering environmental conditions and transport time, in the case of
exports
by sea, which due to the high index of salt water mist, known as sea air,
causes
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corrosion of several metallic objects.
[00012] An alternative to minimize such problems of the prior art
would be the use of some container model made of thermoplastics with a
hermetic closure. However, containers already on the market are designed to
store food, medicines or lighter products, in general.
[00013] Examples of such prior art containers are disclosed in EP
2508442A2 and DE202008008310, which disclose a container concept with a lid
which seals the internal contents, in particular foods. However, since such
containers have been specially designed to store food or medicines, their body
and lid do not comprise their own specific structural characteristics for the
safe
storage of automobile parts that are heavier. Furthermore, they do not enable
proper stacking when it comes to storing heavier products. The lack of
structural
strength can cause deformations in the container and consequently damages in
the product during handling, transporting and stacking.
[00014] Moreover, the containers disclosed in EP 2508442A2 and
DE202008008310 do not comprise a dedicated region for facilitating the
handling, which makes it difficult to handle these containers containing
heavier
parts. Furthermore, these types of containers disadvantageously enable
unlocking of the lid unintentionally, since the locking regions of the lid on
the
container, are generally used by users as handle regions. Due to the
disadvantage of not having exclusive handle regions, the user handles the
container through the locking regions, which may lead to unintentional
unlocking
of the lid.
[00015] These types of containers are generally designed for
packaging of foodstuffs, which are mainly stored statically in refrigerators,
shelves and other compartments. Therefore, they do not enable transport in an
adequate and safe manner, since they do not comprise interlocking means for
stacking containers.
[00016] In view of the foregoing, it will be apparent that prior art
containers are not adaptable for storing automobile parts, which are often
transported by containers across oceans, motor vehicles or aircraft. Abrupt
movements and unbalanced and fragile stacking may pose risks to the stored
parts.
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[00017] In order to overcome these drawbacks, the present invention
proposes a packaging for the storage of automobile parts, made of
thermoplastic
material, with its own specific characteristics, which exhibits a structure
with
better mechanical resistance for accommodation of the parts, as well as
promoting safe and practical stacking. Furthermore, the packaging comprises of
a receptacle closed by a lid, which is capable of preventing moisture from
entering
the packaging and damaging the stored part(s).
[00018] It is another object of the present invention to provide a
packaging suitable for storing and bearing the weight of automobile parts in
such
a way that the packaging is not damaged and its contents are not tampered
with.
[00019] It is an object of the present invention to provide a packaging
with an intuitive opening and closing means, in an easy, practical and safe
manner, as many times as necessary, without compromising its integrity.
[00020] Another purpose of the present invention is to provide a
suitably shaped packaging so that, upon stacking of such packaging, an upper
packaging may be engaged and interlocked to a lower packaging so as to ensure
greater stability of the stack, as well as to withstand the mechanical
stresses
involved.
[00021] It is a further purpose of the invention to provide a unique
region for the packaging handle shaped in a safe and ergonomic manner for
handling, storage and transport.
[00022] It is another purpose of the present invention to provide
packaging of different sizes so as to enable the packaging of parts of various
sizes and shapes.
SHORT DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
[00023] In short, the present invention relates to a packaging
comprising of a receptacle closed by a lid, which comprises of at least one
hinged
flap projecting downwards with the wall of the receptacle, wherein one wall is
provided with a recess. The flap comprises of a connecting region provided
with
at least one lid engaging projection next to the recess of the wall, which is
provided with at least one protrusion which, when in engagement with the
protrusion of the connecting region, promotes locking by mechanic
interference.
[00024] The lid comprises of structural reinforcing projections
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disposed on its top face, said structural reinforcement projections
continuously
protruding to the thickness of the top face and are interconnected and
delimited
by a perimeter rib projecting upwards.
[00025] The packaging comprises of a stacking and interlocking
means configured by the cooperating engagement of a lower rib of the
receptacle
supported on a peripheral edge of the lid and positioned between the perimeter
rib and at least one rib segment disposed at the edge of the lid. In this way,
this
cooperative locking system allows stacking and secure seating, ensuring
greater
stability of two or more packaging.
[00026] The following are schematic figures of a particular
embodiment of the invention, the dimensions and proportions of which are not
necessarily real, as the figures are merely intended to present various
aspects
thereof, whose scope of protection is determined solely by the scope of the
appended claims.
SHORT DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[00027] Figure 1 shows an exploded perspective view of a packaging
(E) in an embodiment of the invention.
[00028] Figure 2 shows a perspective view of different sizes of
packaging (E), showing other embodiments of the invention;
[00029] Figure 3 shows a top perspective view of a packaging (E) in
an embodiment of the invention.
[00030] Figure 4 shows a bottom perspective view of a packaging (E)
in an embodiment of the invention.
[00031] Figure 5 shows a cross-sectional view of a simulation of
stacking of packaging (E), in one embodiment of the invention;
[00032] Figure 5A shows an enlarged view of the detail (A) of figure
5, showing the closure of the lid (2) with the perimeter edge (11) of the
packaging
(E), in one embodiment of the invention;
[00033] Figure 5B shows an enlarged view of the detail (A) of figure
5, showing details of locking the lid (2) with the receptacle (1) of the
packaging
(E), in an embodiment of the invention;
[00034] Figure 50 shows an enlarged view of the detail (A) of figure
5, showing the contact and engagement points for the stack of packaging (E),
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one embodiment of the invention.
DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
[00035] As shown by the appended figures, the packaging (E),
preferably manufactured by an injection process in thermoplastic material,
comprises of a receptacle (1) which is provided with walls (10), said
receptacle
(1) being closed by a lid ( 2) which is provided with at least one hinged flap
(24).
Furthermore, the lid (2) comprises of at least one perimeter groove (21)
cooperating with a perimeter edge (11) disposed in the receptacle (1).
[00036] According to figures 1, 3 and 5A, at least one wall (10) of the
receptacle (1) comprises of a locking recess (12) with at least one hinged
flap
(24) which is provided with a connecting region (27) protruding from the inner
face of said hinged flap (24) so as to enter said recess (12) upon closure of
the
lid (2).
[00037] Accordingly, the hinged flap (24) protrudes downwards with
the wall 10, which projects upwards, upon locking of the lid (2) in the
receptacle
(1), so as to receive the connecting region (27) with the recess (12).
[00038] According to figures 5A and 5B, the recess (12) of the
receptacle (1) comprises of at least one protrusion (26) and the connecting
region
(27) of the hinged flap (24) comprises of at least one protrusion (28),
wherein said
protrusions (26 and 28) promote locking of the lid (2) next to the receptacle
(1),
by cooperating engagement and mechanical interference.
[00039] According to figure 3, the lid comprises of structural
reinforcing projections (4) disposed on its top face (41), said structural
reinforcement projections (4) continuously protruding to the thickness of the
top
face (41) and are interconnected and delimited by a perimeter rib (42)
projecting
upwards from a bearing edge (43). This constructive shape of the lid (2)
provides
greater rigidity when stacking and allows the reduction of material for its
manufacture, and being symmetrical, also facilitates its opening and closing
in a
practical way.
[00040] As shown in Figures 5 and 50, the packaging (E) comprises
of an interlocking means between packaging (E) for promoting stacking, which
is
configured by the cooperating engagement of a lower rib (13) of the receptacle
(1) between the rib (42) and at least one rib segment (44) disposed on the
edge
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(43) of the lid (2). Advantageously, the interlocking mean promotes safe
storage
so that, when carrying such packaging, they remain stationary and stacked.
[00041] According to figure 50, the packaging (E) further comprises
of a stacking mean configured by the cooperating engagement of a lower rib
(13)
of the receptacle (1) supported on the bearing edge (43) disposed in the lid
(2).
[00042] In this way, this cooperative locking system allows stacking
and secure seating, ensuring greater stability of two or more packagings (E).
[00043] According to Figure 1, each wall (10) of the receptacle (1)
comprises of stiffening structural segments (120) configured by the recess
(12).
The stiffening of the walls takes place in the molding process, where the
thermoplastic material accommodates the structural segments (120) in order to
form a greater molecular packaging of polymer chains, which promote a region
of greater stiffness, providing the walls (10) with greater mechanical
resistance.
[00044] According to Figures 5A and 5B, the connecting region (27)
configures means for locking the lid (2) in the receptacle (1) and
simultaneously
configures the handle cavity (30), disposed on the outer face of the hinged
flap
(24).
[00045] Advantageously, the handle cavity (30) is used to facilitate
the handling, transport and/or storage of the packaging (E) by providing an
anatomical handle region.
[00046] As shown in figure 2, the packaging (E) can be manufactured
in different sizes, so as to enable adequate packing of brake pads for the
various
models of motor vehicles.
[00047] A person skilled in the art will readily understand, based on
the description and illustrated drawings, various ways of carrying out the
invention
without departing from the scope of the appended claims.
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