DE20109442U1 - Packaging element and cut from corrugated cardboard therefor (type I) - Google Patents

Description

Frank Schilling, Lohplatz 8a, 25486 Alveslohe
Packaging element and corrugated cardboard cut-outs for it (Type I)

The invention relates to a packaging element for the padded, stackable, storage-safe and shock-proof storage of packaged goods, wherein the packaging element is an inner packaging that supports the packaged goods against an outer or secondary packaging, which can be unfolded from a cut of foldable material such as corrugated cardboard, comprising a flat base that forms a support surface for the packaged goods to be fixed against it, as well as flaps that are optionally hinged along the edge of the base via fold or folding lines and a strapping around the inner packaging in the form of at least one tensioning band for fixing the packaged goods while generating a frictional connection that holds them and is influenced by the material restoring force of at least one of the flaps, wherein at least part of this flap is designed as a spreading flap. Furthermore, the invention relates to a blank made of corrugated cardboard, in particular for erecting such a packaging element, comprising a substantially rectangular central field forming the support surface and longitudinal and transverse side flaps hinged thereto via fold or folding lines, lying opposite one another in pairs.

Usually, such packaging elements are provided with spacer elements to distance them from the inner wall of the outer packaging, which have predetermined external dimensions in at least one dimension in adaptation to corresponding internal dimensions of the associated outer or outer packaging. However, this is not important for the nature of the invention and is not decisive for this, but for the sake of completeness and for a better understanding of the overall structure of such packaging, which is particularly suitable for the transport and storage-proof packaging of sensitive devices such as PCs, notebooks, laptops, communication devices and similar electronic devices, reference should be made to this. In the outer packaging, the free space created by such spacer elements can also be used for

so-called accessory box, i.e. a box with all necessary accessories such as operating instructions, power supply, operating devices, tools, etc.

The main purpose of the invention is to provide a sales-friendly packaging that allows easy demonstration of the packaged goods outside the packaging element, which is usually easily removable and located in an outer carton.

For the packaging of such highly sensitive devices, which of course also include other electrical devices, but also lamps, in particular special lamps for measuring and/or medical purposes, it is now common practice to use corrugated cardboard trays made from corrugated cardboard blanks, between which the packaged goods are placed for storage in the outer packaging.

Such trays, also known as trays, usually have folding walls that are locked in place with slotted tab connections and/or special locking hooks to secure the upright position. In order to provide several spacer elements, trays are assembled from two parts. The erection of these tray elements must essentially be done manually. This is relatively time-consuming, labor-intensive and costly. It must be taken into account that devices to be packaged, such as personal computers, have to be packaged in large numbers, i.e. several thousand per day. In order to achieve such a throughput, it is necessary to have the usual corrugated cardboard packaging elements erected by a freight forwarder first and only then deliver them to the packing location. This involves special logistics and additional time and labor. Disadvantages of the known packaging elements are that the tab locking connections used conventionally open relatively easily in the event of shocks and stresses, or that the connections simply become loose, which significantly impairs the packaging and shock protection functions.

Furthermore, trays made from corrugated cardboard blanks are known in practice, which are erected in conjunction with an adhesive. Although such

Trays can be manufactured relatively quickly and easily by machine, but there are other disadvantages. The adhesive bond only connects surfaces to one another, so that the bond can easily tear when subjected to stress. When producing adhesive bonds, one therefore has to rely on sufficiently large contact surfaces, which means that the shape of the tray is undesirably restricted, particularly for the spacer elements.

In addition to packaging trays made from corrugated cardboard, those made from expanded polystyrene (EPS) are also well known. Packaging elements made from this material have a relatively large transport volume. Manufacturing them using special molds is complex. Furthermore, the use of foam parts should be avoided wherever possible in order to reduce the production of plastic material. It should also be mentioned that packaging material made from corrugated cardboard is usually perceived as more pleasant than that made from plastic.

Above all, however, such packaging has the disadvantage that it is difficult to handle when it comes to the sale of consumer goods that the retailer is supposed to show to the end consumer but then has to quickly repackage. This is due on the one hand to the large number of individual parts that are often present, but especially to the high forces with which the packaging is put together, as adhesive joints that can be torn open cannot be put back together properly, guaranteeing the customer that the goods they have purchased are transported away in their original packaging.

A packaging of the generic type has also become known (DE utility model 200 19 175), which is intended for use especially for sinks and not for the electronic consumer goods mentioned, but in any case does not use adhesives and instead has tensioning elements in the form of elastic tensioning bands or rings, which hold parts of the blank holding the packaged goods in the form of supporting edges or legs with high tensioning force, so that the packaged goods can be supported in every respect in a way that protects them from impact and there is also enough space for inspection windows, even though the tensioning bands exert a high tensioning pressure on the packaged goods. In addition, this type of packaging is not suitable for con-

It is not suitable for transport, as once it has been opened it is no longer possible to put it back together for optimal re-transport.

The invention is therefore based on the general task of creating intelligent, reusable packaging for consumer trade while eliminating the described disadvantages of the relevant prior art as far as possible. In particular, such packaging should meet or guarantee the criteria of space-saving storage, quick demonstration options at the retailer, easy repackaging of the previously removed packaging items for the customer to take away, easy, effortless removal of the packaging items from the packaging by the customer at home and, if necessary, repackaging after a certain period of time in the event of complaints or necessary repairs, in other words, extremely easy repackaging overall.

This object is achieved according to the invention in a packaging element of the type outlined at the outset in that the tensioning band is closed in a ring shape and is essentially of constant length and inelastic and loosely surrounds the packaged goods and the flap comprising the spreading flap, and that the spreading flap is arranged at least partially contact-free with the packaged goods and is intended as the exclusive element for generating the tensioning force via the tensioning band for holding the packaged goods in a force-fitting manner. In this way, a packaging is obtained that is easy and inexpensive to produce both in terms of material expenditure and in particular in terms of the work processes, and is space-saving, particularly compared to trays, namely that it can be stored and transported stacked flat for such highly sensitive devices that are not only accommodated in a shock-proof manner in order to be able to be transported and temporarily stored safely and without damage. In fact, it is also possible to repeatedly unpack and pack the enclosed packaged goods without difficulty. The reason for this is that the straps do not need to be tensioned or only slightly, whereby the strap tension itself is created by the tension of the spreading flap when this is first pressed mechanically, i.e. mechanically or manually, against the packaged goods when the straps are folded over and then by the spring-back force of the packaging.

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corrugated cardboard, the material used, lies firmly against the straps, thus keeping them taut. If you want to remove the packaged goods for demonstration purposes, for example, you only need to press the expansion flap lightly again. You can then slide the strap off the packaging and thus off the packaged device, or pull the latter out, depending on the arrangement or shape, without having to use any tools. Conversely, repackaging can be carried out just as quickly. The packaging can be produced practically without padding, as the relatively loose strap holds the packaged goods in two directions, while the security in the third direction can be provided by the shape of the packaging.

In other words, compared to the elastic bands known from the state of the art, the frictional connection created by these is dispensed with and the securing of the packaged goods created by the band is now created by the shape of the packaging and the restoring force of the expanding flap(s). There are now sufficient technical possibilities for such band strapping to precisely connect such bands with a fixed circumferential length, in particular to weld them, and to create a band tension of virtually zero before welding, i.e. in adaptation to the packaging shape of the packaging element. In addition, there are corrugated cardboard elements with sufficient surface rigidity to construct such packaging. Finally, the invention makes it possible to reduce the amount of corrugated cardboard material required to the minimum currently conceivable, as neither rolled nor double-walled corrugated cardboard elements with possible gluing are required.

In principle, such packaging is best produced with a blank that has at least one more deflection edge in relation to the tensioning band than the number of edges or corners of the packaging material that are to be surrounded by the blank and deflect it, whereby this (an additional) deflection edge is freely movable relative to the packaging material. In this way, the strapping band does not form a firm, force-fitting connection to the packaging material all the way around, but rather the packaging material lies tautly against the packaging itself and is held securely in position by the latter through its shape and the tension applied by it.

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In order to ensure the secure position of the tensioning band, it is possible on the one hand to provide appropriate cutouts on the corrugated cardboard blank for form-fitting accommodation, but on the other hand also to form the tensioning band with friction-increasing material at least on its tensioning force transmission surface directed against the packaged goods.

Furthermore, in order to achieve a particularly strong packaging that nevertheless allows easy removal of the packaged goods and can also be repackaged quickly, two separate tensioning straps that run seamlessly to one another are generally used as a wrapping strap.

A packaging element is provided as being particularly suitable for use in the packaging of light and medium-weight goods, in which the side flaps are arranged opposite one another in pairs in the form of longitudinal wing flaps on the one hand and transverse wing flaps on the other, the longitudinal wing flaps being designed to be foldable against the underside of the base and projecting beyond the fold lines of the transverse wing flaps by a predetermined first overhang width, the transverse wing flaps being provided as support wings which are tapered in accordance with the overhang width of the longitudinal wing flaps and, following the tapering, project outwards by a second overhang width beyond the imaginary extension of the fold lines of the longitudinal wing flaps, and when the packaged goods are placed on top with the longitudinal wing flaps folded against the underside of the base, these hold the packaged goods in position by means of the tensioning/tightening straps exclusively through the restoring force of the longitudinal wing flaps. Two tensioning straps can be provided as the tensioning, which should be attached essentially parallel to the fold lines of the transverse wing flaps. In such packaging, the packaging element is practically equivalent to a tray, as is also used in conjunction with elastic band wrapping, but instead of such an elastic film that applies tension, there are only two strapping bands that preferably run in the edge area of the packaged part and also span the longitudinal wing flaps, so that the necessary tension is applied by them.

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In order to ensure the best stability conditions for the packaging element in the outer box, the corrugation in the longitudinal wing flaps should be vertical and in the transverse wing flaps parallel to their respective fold lines. This results in the best conditions for the restoring forces to be exerted by the longitudinal wing flaps, while the transverse wing flaps can be bent or set up slightly relative to the tray base in order to be arranged as steeply as possible and parallel to the wall in the outer box. Stronger crease lines are not required, i.e. the transverse wings can be bent practically around the corrugations, which in turn are very stiff laterally in this corrugation direction relative to the outer box, determine the distance and can absorb impact forces.

Particularly suitable for erecting such a packaging element is a blank which comprises an essentially rectangular central field forming the support surface and longitudinal or transverse side flaps which are hinged to it via fold or folding lines and lie opposite one another in pairs. In the implementation of the invention, the longitudinal side flaps are extended beyond the fold lines of the transverse side flaps and protrude into the area of the transverse side flaps, which in turn protrude in width beyond the extension of the longitudinal side flap fold lines and are tapered in the area of the extension of the longitudinal side flaps in such a way that the fold line in this area is designed as a continuous punch line and from the end of which the contour of the projecting side areas of the transverse side flaps runs diagonally outwards on one part and parallel to the subsequent longitudinal fold lines up to the end edge. The projections of the two types of side flaps form the spacers already mentioned in the outer box, and one can see why it is particularly advantageous to design the longitudinal side flaps in a vertical wave and the transverse side flaps in a horizontal wave. For structural reasons, the overhang widths of the longitudinal and transverse side flaps can be essentially the same.

Further advantages and embodiments or possibilities of the invention will become apparent from the following description of the embodiments shown in the schematic drawing. It shows

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Fig. 1 shows a flat blank for a packaging element designed according to the invention for packaging cuboid-shaped bodies such as lighter electronic devices;

Fig. 2 shows a cross section through an unfolded blank of Fig. 1 at

taking a cuboid-shaped packaging body according to the section line H-II of Fig. 1, but omitting the transverse wing flaps;

Fig. 3 a longitudinal section according to HI-III of Fig. 1 through the - here unfolded -

Packaging element in the case of a box indicated by dash-dot lines; and

Fig. 4a

and b schematic cross-sections through packaging elements carrying a triangular and a circular packaging body, for

clarification of the principle of the invention.

A packaging element according to the invention for a packaging body 2 of essentially cuboidal construction is essentially formed from a blank 1 shown in Fig. 1 and from tensioning straps 3, as can be seen in Fig. 2 and 3.

The blank 1 consists of corrugated cardboard with a preferred wave pattern as can be seen from the top left corner. This blank 1 comprises a base panel 11 of rectangular shape, as is suitable for receiving the packaging body 2 (Fig. 2 and 3). Of course, base panels of other outlines can also be considered here, depending entirely on the shape of the goods to be packaged.

Longitudinal wing flaps 15 and transverse wing flaps 16 are hinged to the base panel 11 via folding or folding lines in the form of grooves 12, each lying opposite one another in pairs. The longitudinal grooves 12 are indicated here by dashed lines and the transverse grooves 13 by dash-dot lines, since these are different grooves - with regard to the material layers of the corrugated cardboard - the type of grooves is sufficiently well known in practice and does not need to be described in more detail here, since it is immediately apparent to the expert from the intended use and is essentially of importance for manufacturing technology.

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In order to be able to produce the inner packaging shown in Fig. 2 and 3 for the packaging body 2, which can be inserted into an outer box 4, lying snugly against the inner walls of the latter, the wing flaps must act as spacers that extend beyond the actual dimensions of the packaging body, i.e. their abutting surfaces must rest against the inner wall of the outer box. For this purpose, the longitudinal wing flaps 15 are extended by a first projection width d beyond the grooves 13 of the transverse wing flaps 16 and separated from them by a punching or cutting line 14, whereas the transverse wing flaps 16, which also extend beyond the longitudinal grooves 12 by a second projection width e, are provided with a waist 17 to produce the necessary geometric relationships, take into account the ability to unfold and save material.

During packaging, the body 2 is placed on the base panel 11 and the longitudinal wing flaps 15 are folded downwards in a V-shaped manner, as can be seen in Fig. 2. They are held slightly taut against the base 11, while inelastic tensioning bands are placed around them and the packaging body 2 in the longitudinal direction, which are welded together to form endless rings.

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After attaching the tensioning straps 2, the transverse wing flaps 16 are raised, as can be seen in Fig. 3.

In the present case, two clamping bands 3 are provided, but it is understood that in some cases a single clamping band may be sufficient, whereas for longer bodies more than two clamping bands may be required. It is also apparent that several bodies of different shapes can be arranged next to one another on the tray.

The longitudinal wing flaps 15, corresponding to the predetermined length of the bands 3, after initially being pressed more strongly against the floor when the bands were folded over, rest snugly against the tensioning bands 3 in the direction of the arrows R due to their restoring forces and tension them, so that the packaging body 2 is held firmly against the floor 11 as a result of this force. The transverse wing flaps 16, folded up after the tensioning bands 3 have been folded over, form a supporting safeguard for the packaging body 2 in their lower folding area and determine with their width the contact against the outer box 11 in the transverse direction, whereas, as can be seen, the longitudinal wings acting as tensioning wings

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gel flaps 15 form stops in the longitudinal direction due to their projections d. At the same time, the support wings 16 are dimensioned in such a way that they form a height stop at the top and thus the packaging element is protected and safely accommodated in the outer carton 4.

It can be seen that the easy removal of the packaging body 2 from the packaging element is made possible by pressing the tensioning wings 15 slightly against the base panel 11, whereby the band is relaxed and the packaged body 2, which usually has a smooth surface, can be separated from the bands by being pushed out. This makes it possible to repeatedly unpack and pack the packaged device.

As a result of the indicated corrugation direction, the holding tension for the packaged object that can be generated by the longitudinal wing flaps 15, i.e. the tensioning wings, is increased. Furthermore, with this corrugation alignment it is possible to dispense with transverse grooves 13 if necessary and to fold or bend up the transverse or support wings 16 in accordance with the corrugation. This makes it possible to use such a cut for packaging item lengths that vary in certain areas.

The functional principle of the invention is even clearer from Fig. 4a and 4b, which show relatively simple packaging bodies 2 in cross-section with a triangular or circular shape. These bodies lie on base surfaces 11 and are supported laterally by support wings 16, while tension wings 15, which are practically contact-free with the packaging body 2, generate the tension of the tensioning band 3 due to their restoring force R acting around the groove 12. The tensioning bands 3 do not need to engage the packaging body 2 (Fig. 4a) or only partially (Fig. 4b).

As can be seen, the unfolded packaging element has at least one more edge than the packaged body. This edge can be freely pivoted relative to the latter and thus enables the tension force required for a sufficiently secure position of the packaged body to be generated.

Overall, as the examples show, the subject matter of the invention enables quick packaging with the possibility of unpacking and repacking just as easily without a large number of individual parts. The required material expenditure is based on the currently discernible

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Kept to a minimum, only a single, relatively simple punched part is required for cutting.

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List of reference symbols

1 Cutting 11 Bodenfeld 12 Fold line, creasing 13 95 55 55 55
5 14 Cutting line, punching line 15 Longitudinal wing flap, tension wing 16 Cross-wing flap, supporting wing 17 Waisting

2 Packaging body, goods

3 tensioning strap

4 Outer carton

Claims (10)

1. Packaging element for padded, stackable, storage-safe and shock-proof accommodation of packaged goods ( 2 ), wherein the packaging element is an inner packaging supporting the packaged goods against an outer or secondary packaging ( 4 ), which a) can be unfolded from a blank ( 1 ) made of foldable material such as corrugated cardboard, comprising a) a flat base ( 11 ) which forms a support surface for the packaging material to be fixed opposite it, and b) flaps ( 15 , 16 ) hinged along the edge of the floor ( 11 ) and b) a strapping ( 3 ) placed around the inner packaging in the form of at least one tensioning band for fixing the packaged goods and producing a frictional connection which holds them and is influenced by the material restoring force of at least one of the flaps, wherein at least a part of this flap is designed as a tensioning or spreading flap ( 15 ), characterized in that a) the tensioning strap a) is ring-shaped and essentially constant in length and inelastic and b) loosely surrounds the packaged goods ( 2 ) and the flap enclosing the expansion flap ( 15 ), and b) the expansion flap a) arranged at least partially free of contact with the packaged goods and b) is intended as the exclusive element for generating the tensioning force via the tensioning band for the frictional holding of the packaged goods. 2. Packaging element according to claim 1, characterized in that the blank ( 1 ) has at least one more deflection edge in relation to the tensioning band ( 3 ) than the number of edges/corners of the packaging item ( 2 ) to be surrounded by the blank and deflecting it, this deflection edge (U) being freely movable relative to the packaging item. 3. Packaging element according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the tensioning band ( 3 ) is formed with friction-increasing material at least on its tensioning force transmission surface directed against the packaged goods ( 2 ). 4. Packaging element according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the clamping comprises at least two clamping bands ( 3 ) which are separate from one another and run without crossing one another. 5. Packaging element according to one of claims 1 to 4, characterized in that the side flaps are arranged in pairs opposite one another in the form of longitudinal wing flaps ( 15 ) on the one hand and transverse wing flaps ( 16 ) on the other hand, whereby a) the longitudinal wing flaps ( 15 ) are designed to be foldable against the underside of the floor, projecting beyond a folding area or folding lines ( 13 ) of the transverse wing flaps ( 16 ) by a predetermined first projection width (d), b) the transverse wing flaps ( 16 ) are provided as supporting wings ( 16 ) which are waisted in accordance with the projection width (d) of the longitudinal wing flaps ( 15 ) and which, following the waisting, project outwards by a second projection width ( e ) beyond the imaginary extension of fold lines ( 12 ) of the longitudinal wing flaps, and c) the longitudinal wing flaps ( 15 ) are folded against the underside of the base when the packaged goods are placed on top and, by means of the tensioning straps ( 3 ), hold the packaged goods ( 2 ) in position exclusively by their restoring force. 6. Packaging element according to claim 5, characterized in that two tensioning bands ( 3 ) are provided as the tensioning band, which are attached substantially parallel to the folding lines ( 13 ) of the transverse wing flaps. 7. Packaging element made of corrugated cardboard according to claim 5 or 6, characterized in that the corrugation in the longitudinal wing flaps ( 15 ) is perpendicular to their folding lines ( 12 ) and in the transverse wing flaps ( 16 ) is parallel to their folding lines. 8. Blank ( 1 ) made of corrugated cardboard, in particular for erecting a packaging element according to one of claims 1 to 7, comprising a substantially rectangular central field ( 11 ) forming the support surface and foldably hinged longitudinal or transverse side flaps ( 15 , 16 ) lying opposite one another in pairs, characterized in that the longitudinal side flaps ( 15 ) are extended beyond the folding area or folding lines ( 13 ) of the transverse side flaps and protrude into the area of the transverse side flaps ( 16 ), which in turn protrude in width beyond the extension of the longitudinal side flap folding lines ( 12 ) and are waisted in the area of the extension of the longitudinal side flaps (d) in such a way that the folding line in this area is designed as a continuous punch line ( 14 ) and from the end of which the contour of the extending side areas (e) of the transverse side flaps extends obliquely outwards on one part and adjoining longitudinal folding lines - parallel to the finishing edge runs. 9. Blank according to claim 8, characterized in that the projection widths (d, e) of the longitudinal and transverse side flaps ( 15 and 16 , respectively) are substantially equal. 10. Blank according to claim 8 or 9, characterized in that the longitudinal side flaps ( 15 ) are designed in a standing wave and the transverse side flaps ( 16 ) are designed in a horizontal wave.