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EP 1 595 805 B1 |
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EUROPEAN PATENT SPECIFICATION |
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Mention of the grant of the patent: |
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19.12.2007 Bulletin 2007/51 |
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Date of filing: 06.06.2001 |
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International Patent Classification (IPC):
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Package for rod-shaped articles along with accessories comprising inspection window
Verpackung für rohrförmige Gegenstände mit Zubehörteilen sowie Inspektionsfenster
Emballage pour objets tubulaires et ses accessoires, comportant une fenêtre d'inspection
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Designated Contracting States: |
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AT BE CH CY DE DK ES FI FR GB GR IE IT LI LU MC NL PT SE TR |
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Priority: |
06.06.2000 DK 200000870
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Date of publication of application: |
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16.11.2005 Bulletin 2005/46 |
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Application number of the earlier application in accordance with Art. 76 EPC: |
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01938009.6 / 1292515 |
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Proprietor: VKR Holding A/S |
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2970 Hørsholm (DK) |
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Inventors: |
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- Coggan, Andrew James
6900 Skjern (DK)
- Simonsen, Lars
6900 Skjern (DK)
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| (74) |
Representative: Carlsson, Eva et al |
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Internationalt Patent-Bureau A/S
Rigensgade 11 1316 Copenhagen K 1316 Copenhagen K (DK) |
| (56) |
References cited: :
DE-A1- 19 829 125 GB-A- 645 143 US-A- 2 722 310
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DE-U1- 9 421 903 GB-A- 2 307 466
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| Note: Within nine months from the publication of the mention of the grant of the European
patent, any person may give notice to the European Patent Office of opposition to
the European patent
granted. Notice of opposition shall be filed in a written reasoned statement. It shall
not be deemed to
have been filed until the opposition fee has been paid. (Art. 99(1) European Patent
Convention).
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[0001] The present invention relates to a package for the packaging of a product together
with accessories belonging to the product, the package comprising a primary package
element for accommodation of the product and at least one secondary package element
for accommodation of the accessories, the primary package element comprising at least
one transparent part, in which the package has an essentially elongated form and extends
between a first end and a second end, and in which the package is rectangular essentially
over the entire length of the package.
[0002] When packaging of e.g. screening products, such as awning blinds, light awning blinds,
roller blinds, pleated blinds and other similar products with associated installation
and mounting components for windows, in individual packages, one of at least two different
principles is generally used.
[0003] In a first type of package which is often characterized as a transport package, the
main interest is that the package must protect the product against damage during transport.
This is usually obtained by choosing a relatively stiff cardboard box which is elongated
and e.g. quadratic or rectangular in cross section. Subsequently, supporting blocks
of e.g. polystyrene are placed in each end of the product which is then put down in
the cardboard box. In addition, a number of different fittings, screws and tools,
together with an installation and mounting manual for use during the mounting of the
screening product, are usually gathered in a plastic bag and put down with the screening
in the package which is then closed.
[0004] In a second type of package which is often characterized as a sales package, the
main interest is that the package must be inexpensive and at the same time permit
the consumer to see the product through the package without having to open it. This
is usually obtained by choosing an elongated tubular plastic bag, placing the screening
product in the bag and heat seal the ends of the bag. One end might be welded together
with a suspension hook, such that the package can be suspended in a rack. As in the
above-mentioned type, a number of different fittings, screws and tools, etc. to be
used for the mounting of the screening product are generally gathered in a plastic
bag and put down together with the screening in the package which is then closed.
[0005] The use of conventional packaging methods requires a definition of the basic practical
demands to be satisfied by the package, since a special type of package is used for
each of the two said methods with their individual advantages and inconveniences,
and the compliance with the practical demands of both types goes to a certain extent
in opposite directions.
[0006] Where the individual package is primarily suitable for transport, the production
comprises making and assembling of several different sub-elements and thus demands
considerable resources both as to time and costs of production. As it is in general
not immediately possible to see the product packed in such packages, a consumer will
be inclined to open the package, watch the contents, perhaps close the package again
and take a new unbroken package. This entails that the subsequent consumers cannot
be sure that the package that they buy contains a complete product. As a possible
solution, some transport packages of the art comprise one or more smaller transparent
parts. However, such parts are generally insufficient to allow for a user to get a
satisfactory view of the product since larger transparent parts in the packages of
the prior art would compromise the stability of the package.
[0007] Where the individual package is primarily meant for sale, the package is not suitable
for transport as the screening product is easily damaged in the simple bag packages.
[0008] A package of the kind mentioned in the introduction is disclosed in
DE 198 29 125 A1.
[0009] Therefore, an object of the present invention is to provide a package which eliminate
above drawbacks.
[0010] This object is obtained according to the invention by a package of the initially
stated kind, which is characterized in that the primary package element comprises
at least two tubular stiffening parts, each having a cross section essentially corresponding
to that of the package, the tubular parts have predetermined lengths and are positioned
at a mutual distance in the longitudinal direction of the package, and the at least
one transparent part of the primary package element surrounds the tubular parts and
extends over the entire length of the package, that the package further comprises
a bottom cover and a top cover for connection to the primary package element, and
that a suspension hook is connected to said top cover.
[0011] This way of designing the primary package element as an integrated transport and
sales package combines exactly the advantages related to each of the above-mentioned
packaging principles, as a sturdy package of a simple construction is provided, but
where it is nevertheless possible to examine the product contained in the packaging.
Provided that the tubular stiffening parts are designed with an information print
concerning the product, the transparent part will also protect this print against
outside impact.
[0012] A tubular stiffening part is appropriately placed in the vicinity of each end of
the package such that a package is obtained which is stable when subject to loads,
and at the same time, the central area of the package provides visual access from
all sides of the product.
[0013] In an embodiment technically simple to construct, the package further comprises a
bottom cover and a top cover for connection with the primary package element. A suspension
hook can preferably be connected to the top cover.
[0014] In an inexpensive embodiment, the tubular stiffening elements are formed by folding
a cardboard blank. Alternatively, the tubular stiffening elements can be designed
as components of plastics or similar material.
[0015] The length of each tubular stiffening element may constitute between 10% and 40%,
preferably between 20% and 30%, especially 25%, of the total length of the primary
package element.
[0016] The secondary package elements are preferably formed by folding a cardboard blank
or formed as components made of plastics or similar material and are appropriately
placed at one or each end of the package outside the tubular stiffening part in question.
[0017] In order to permit also to examine the contents of the secondary package element
or elements, it or they may be provided with at least one window portion.
[0018] The length of each secondary package element may constitute between 5% and 20%, preferably
between 10% and 15%, of the total length of the package.
[0019] In order to assure that the package permits to examine the contents thoroughly and
at the same time is stable, the area which is merely covered by the transparent part
may constitute between 10% and 60%, preferably between 20% and 50%, especially between
30% and 40%, of the total length of the package.
[0020] The transparent part comprises in one embodiment a plastic foil, preferably with
a thickness of between 0.1 and 1.5 mm. Alternatively, the transparent part can be
designed as a plastic pipe, preferably made by extrusion.
[0021] In the following, the invention will be described in more detail with reference to
the schematic drawing, in whichFig. 1 shows an exploded perspective view of a first
embodiment of the package according to the invention.
[0022] In Fig. 1, a screening product is shown in the form of a roller blind 1 of a type
known per se with the screening cloth in a rolled up condition and with an associated
package generally indicated by the referential number 2.
[0023] The package 2 comprises a primary package element 3 which is in the packed condition
of the screening product 1, essentially corresponding to the one shown in Fig. 1,
adapted to accommodate the product and in the shown embodiment one secondary package
element 4 for accommodation of accessories not shown in detail. The package 2 has
an essentially elongated form and extends between a first end 2a and a second end
2b, and has a predetermined cross section over essentially the entire length of the
package which is almost quadratic in the shown embodiment.
[0024] The primary package element 3 comprises two tubular stiffening parts 5 and 6, also
with essentially quadratic cross section, positioned in the vicinity of a corresponding
end, respectively 2a and 2b, however, the second tubular part 6 is placed at such
a distance from the end 2b that the secondary package element is accommodated in the
primary package element 3 of the package 2 between the second tubular part 6 and the
end 2b. The primary package element 3 further comprises a transparent part 7 which
encloses the tubular parts 5 and 6 over the entire length of the package.
[0025] The tubular stiffening parts 5 and 6 are in this embodiment formed by a cardboard
sheet, e.g. with a thickness of 1-5 mm, which is folded to the desired form, whereupon
the ends of the sheet facing each other are fastened to each other by means of adhesion.
In this connection it should be observed that the term tubular is to be understood
as comprising any element with a circumferential wall and with an arbitrary cross
section, and such an element may further comprise an end wall. The cardboard sheets
can be provided with different forms of information prints, such as information on
the nature of product, etc., and as an additional advantage of the invention, such
an information print will be protected from outside impact by the transparent part
7.
[0026] In the embodiment shown in Fig. 1, the transparent part 7 comprises a foil sheet
of a suitable plastic material with a thickness which is typically in the area of
0.1-1.5 mm, and which is wrapped or wound tightly around the two tubular stiffening
parts 5 and 6, after these have been placed at the desired mutual distance on the
foil sheet, after which the ends of the plastic foil sheet facing each other are fastened
to each other by means of adhesion. Adhesion may also be used as a supplementary securing
of the tubular stiffening parts 5 and 6 to the transparent part 7. The transparent
part 7 can by a suitable choice of material also contribute to the stiffness and strength
of the package.
[0027] After the shaping of the primary package element 3, the screening product 1 is placed
herein and may be secured in relation to the tubular stiffening parts 5 and 6, e.g.
by polystyrene blocks or another mechanical securing, or by a releasable adhesive
joint. The transparent part 7 covers in the shown embodiment an area which constitutes
about 30% of the entire length of the package and provides visual access to the product
over the entire circumference of the package in this area.
[0028] Accessories in the form of e.g. fittings, screws and tools are placed in the secondary
package element 4 which can be designed as a conventional cardboard package, i.e.
as a punched plane blank which is folded up and fastened by means of adhesion to form
an openable cardboard box which in the shown embodiment has essentially the same cross
section form as the primary package element 3 and the package 2. The secondary package
element 4 is placed in the primary package element 3, and as the secondary package
element 4 is provided with two window portions 8, 9 and because of the placement of
the secondary package element 4 outside the second tubular stiffening element 6, it
is thus possible also to see the accessories in packed condition.
[0029] Finally, the package 2 is closed with a cover 10, 11 in each end of the primary package
element 3. The covers 10, 11 can be connected e.g. to the transparent part 7 or to
the two tubular stiffening parts 5, 6 and can also be formed of a plastic foil sheet
which can be folded and fastened by adhesion to the desired form. Alternatively, one
of the tubular stiffening parts 5 and 6 can be provided with an integrated cover and/or
the transparent part 7 can be used for closure of the package in one or both ends.
[0030] The screening product 1 with associated accessories is then packed for transport
and subsequent sale.
[0031] The invention is not to be considered as being limited to the shown and described
embodiments as various combinations of the relevant parts are conceivable just as
the form and the number of the individual parts in the package can be varied within
the scope of the succeeding claims.
[0032] It is thus also possible to pack a main product comprising more parts or more products
of the same type just as the invention is not limited to be used with packaging of
the shown and described screening product, either.
[0033] Also, a suspension hook may be connected to the top cover. The suspension hook may
either form an integrated part of the top cover or an independent part which is secured
to the top cover, perhaps in such a way that is sunk or hidden in this cover during
transport and/or storage for a subsequent release with a view to suspension.
1. A package (2) for the packaging of a product together with accessories belonging to
the product, comprising a primary package element (3) for accommodation of the product
and at least one secondary package element (4) for accommodation of the accessories,
the primary package element (3) comprising at least one transparent part (7), in which
the package (2) has an essentially elongated form and extends between a first end
(2a) and a second end (2b), and in which the cross section of the package (2) is rectangular
essentially over the entire length of the package, characterized in that the primary package element (3) comprises at least two tubular stiffening parts (5,
6), each having a cross section essentially corresponding to that of the package (2),
that the tubular parts (5, 6) have predetermined lengths and are positioned at a mutual
distance in the longitudinal direction of the package, and the at least one transparent
part (7) of the primary package element (3) surrounds the tubular parts (5, 6) and
extends over the entire length of the package (2), that the package (2) further comprises
a bottom cover and a top cover (10, 11) for connection to the primary package element
(3), and that a suspension hook (112) is connected to said top cover.
2. A package according to claim 1, characterized in that a tubular stiffening part (5, 6) is placed in the vicinity of each end (2a, 2b) of
the package.
3. A package according to any of the preceding claims, characterized in that the tubular stiffening elements (5, 6) are formed by folding a cardboard blank.
4. A package according to any of claims 1-2, characterized in that the tubular stiffening elements (5, 6) are designed as components of plastics or
similar material.
5. A package according to any of the preceding claims, characterized in that the predetermined length of each tubular stiffening element (5, 6) constitutes between
10% and 40%, preferably between 20% and 30%, especially 25%, of the total length of
the primary package element.
6. A package according to any of the preceding claims, characterized in that the said secondary package element or elements (4) are formed by folding a cardboard
blank or formed as components made of plastics or similar material.
7. A package according to any of the preceding claims, characterized in that the secondary package element or elements (4) are placed at one end of the package
outside the tubular stiffening part in question.
8. A package according to any of the preceding claims, characterized in that the secondary package element or elements (4) are provided with at least one window
portion (8, 9).
9. A package according to any of the preceding claims, characterized in that the length of each secondary package element (4) constitutes between 5% and 20%,
preferably between 10% and 15%, of the total length of the package.
10. A package according to any of the preceding claims, characterized in that the area which is merely covered by the transparent part (7) constitutes between
10% and 60%, preferably between 20% and 50%, especially between 30% and 40%, of the
total length of the package.
11. A package according to any of the preceding claims, characterized in that said transparent part (7) comprises a plastic foil, preferably with a thickness of
between 0.1 and 1.5 mm.
12. A package according to any of the claims 1-10, characterized in that said transparent part (7) is designed as a plastic pipe, preferably made by extrusion.
1. Verpackung (2) zum Verpacken eines Produktes zusammen mit zu dem Produkt gehörigen
Zubehörteilen, umfassend ein primäres Verpackungselement (3) zur Aufnahme des Produktes
sowie mindestens ein sekundäres Verpackungselement (4) zur Aufnahme der Zubehörteile,
welches primäres Verpackungselement (3) zumindest ein transparentes Teil (7) umfasst,
wobei die Verpackung (2) eine im wesentlichen längliche Form aufweist und zwischen
einem ersten Ende (2a) und einem zweiten Ende (2b) verläuft, und wobei der Querschnitt
der Verpackung (2) über im Wesentlichen die ganze Länge der Verpackung rechteckig
ist, dadurch gekennzeichnet, dass das primäre Verpackungselement (3) zumindest zwei rohrförmige Versteifungsteile (5,
6) umfasst, deren Querschnitt im Wesentlichen dem Querschnitt der Verpackung (2) entspricht,
dass die rohrförmigen Teile (5, 6) vorbestimmte Längen haben und in gegenseitigem
Abstand in Längsrichtung der Verpackung angeordnet sind, und dass zumindest ein transparentes
Teil (7) des primären Verpackungselements (3) die rohrförmigen Teile (5, 6) umgibt
und über die ganze Länge der Verpackung (2) verläuft, dass die Verpackung (2) ferner
einen unteren Deckel und einen oberen Deckel (10, 11) zur Verbindung mit dem primären
Verpackungselement (3) umfasst, und dass ein Aufhängehaken (112) mit dem oberen Deckel
verbunden ist.
2. Verpackung nach Anspruch 1, dadurch gekennzeichnet, dass ein rohrförmiges Versteifungsteil (5, 6) in der Nähe jeden Endes (2a, 2b) der Verpackung
platziert ist.
3. Verpackung nach einem der vorhergehenden Ansprüche, dadurch gekennzeichnet, dass die rohrförmigen Versteifungselemente (5, 6) durch Falten eines Kartonstücks ausgebildet
sind.
4. Verpackung nach einem der Ansprüche 1 bis 2, dadurch gekennzeichnet, dass die rohrförmigen Versteifungselemente (5, 6) als Bestandteile aus Kunststoff oder
ähnlichem Material ausgebildet sind.
5. Verpackung nach einem der vorhergehenden Ansprüche, dadurch gekennzeichnet, dass die vorbestimmte Länge jedes rohrförmigen Versteifungselements (5, 6) zwischen 10%
und 40%, vorzugsweise zwischen 20% und 30%, insbesondere 25% der gesamten Länge des
primären Verpackungselements beträgt.
6. Verpackung nach einem der vorhergehenden Ansprüche, dadurch gekennzeichnet, dass das sekundäre Verpackungselement bzw, die sekundären Verpackungselemente (4) durch
Falten eines Kartonstücks hergestellt ist bzw. sind oder als Bestandteile aus Kunststoff
oder ähnlichem Material ausgebildet ist bzw. sind.
7. Verpackung nach einem der vorhergehenden Ansprüche, dadurch gekennzeichnet, dass das sekundäre Verpackungselement bzw. die sekundären Verpackungselemente (4) bei
einem Ende der Verpackung außerhalb des betreffenden rohrförmigen Versteifungsteils
platziert ist bzw. sind.
8. Verpackung nach einem der vorhergehenden Ansprüche, dadurch gekennzeichnet, t, dass das sekundäre Verpackungselement bzw. die sekundären Verpackungselemente
(4) mit zumindest einem Fensterteil (8, 9) versehen ist bzw. sind.
9. Verpackung nach einem der vorhergehenden Ansprüche, dadurch gekennzeichnet, dass die Länge jedes sekundären Verpackungselements (4) zwischen 5% und 20%, vorzugsweise
zwischen 10% und 15% der Gesamtlänge der Verpackung beträgt.
10. Verpackung nach einem der vorhergehenden Ansprüche, dadurch gekennzeichnet, dass die lediglich vom transparenten Teil (7) gedeckte Fläche zwischen 10% und 60%, vorzugsweise
zwischen 20% und 50%, insbesondere zwischen 30% und 40% der Gesamtlänge der Verpackung
beträgt.
11. Verpackung nach einem der vorhergehenden Ansprüche, dadurch gekennzeichnet, dass das transparente Teil (7) eine Kunststofffolie, vorzugsweise mit einer Dicke zwischen
0,1 und 1,5 mm, umfasst.
12. Verpackung nach einem der Ansprüche 1 bis 10, dadurch gekennzeichnet, dass das transparente Teil (7) als ein vorzugsweise durch Extrusion hergestelltes Kunststoffrohr
ausgestaltet ist.
1. Emballage (2) pour emballer un produit avec des accessoires appartenant au produit,
comprenant un élément primaire d'emballage (3) pour recevoir le produit et au moins
un élément secondaire d'emballage (4) pour recevoir les accessoires, l'élément primaire
d'emballage (3) comprenant au moins une partie transparente (7), où l'emballage (2)
présente une forme essentiellement longue et s'étend entre un premier bout (2a) et
un deuxième bout (2b) et où l'emballage (2) présente une section essentiellement à
travers toute la longueur de l'emballage, caractérisé en ce que l'élément primaire d'emballage (3) comprend au moins deux parties tubulaires de renforcement
(5, 6), dont chacune présentant une section correspondant essentiellement à celle
de l'emballage (2), en ce que les parties tubulaires (5, 6) présentent des longueurs prédéterminées et sont mutuellement
espacées dans la direction longitudinale de l'emballage, en ce que l'au moins une partie transparente (7) de l'élément primaire d'emballage (3) entoure
les parties tubulaires (5, 6) et s'étend à travers toute la longueur de l'emballage
(2), en ce que l'emballage (2) comprend aussi un couvercle inférieur et un couvercle supérieur (10,
11) à relier à l'élément primaire d'emballage (3), et en ce qu'un crochet de suspension (112) est relié audit couvercle supérieur.
2. Emballage selon la revendication 1, caractérisé en ce qu'une partie tubulaire de renforcement (5, 6) est arrangée près de chaque bout (2a,
2b) de l'emballage.
3. Emballage selon l'une quelconque des revendications précédentes, caractérisé en ce que les éléments tubulaires de renforcement (5, 6) sont créés par pliage d'une pièce
de carton.
4. Emballage selon l'une quelconque des revendications 1-2, caractérisé en ce que les éléments tubulaires de renforcement (5, 6) sont conçus comme des composants en
plastique ou matériau similaire.
5. Emballage selon l'une quelconque des revendications précédentes, caractérisé en ce que la longueur prédéterminée de chaque élément tubulaire de renforcement (5, 6) constitue
entre 10% et 40%, préférablement entre 20% et 30%, particulièrement 25%, de la longueur
totale de l'élément primaire d'emballage.
6. Emballage selon l'une quelconque des revendications précédentes, caractérisé en ce que ledit élément secondaire d'emballage ou lesdits éléments secondaires d'emballage
(4) sont créés par pliage d'une pièce de carton ou formés comme des composants faits
en plastique ou un matériau similaire.
7. Emballage selon l'une quelconque des revendications précédentes, caractérisé en ce que ledit élément secondaire d'emballage ou lesdits éléments secondaires d'emballage
(4) sont arrangés à l'un bout de l'emballage en dehors de la partie tubulaire de renforcement
en question.
8. Emballage selon l'une quelconque des revendications précédentes, caractérisé en ce que l'élément secondaire d'emballage ou les éléments secondaires d'emballage (4) sont
pourvus d'au moins une partie de fenêtre (8, 9).
9. Emballage selon l'une quelconque des revendications précédentes, caractérisé en ce que la longueur de chaque élément secondaire d'emballage (4) constitue entre 5% et 20%,
préférablement entre 10% et 15%, de la longueur totale de l'emballage.
10. Emballage selon l'une quelconque des revendications précédentes, caractérisé en ce que l'étendue qui n'est couverte que par la partie transparente (7) constitue entre 10%
et 60%, préférablement entre 20% et 50%, particulièrement entre 30% et 40%, de la
longueur totale de l'emballage.
11. Emballage selon l'une quelconque des revendications précédentes, caractérisé en ce que ladite partie transparente (7) comprend un film plastique, préférablement d'une épaisseur
entre 0,1 et 1,5 mm.
12. Emballage selon l'une quelconque des revendications 1-10, caractérisé en ce que ladite partie transparente (7) est conçue comme un tuyau plastique, préférablement
fait par extrusion.

REFERENCES CITED IN THE DESCRIPTION
This list of references cited by the applicant is for the reader's convenience only.
It does not form part of the European patent document. Even though great care has
been taken in compiling the references, errors or omissions cannot be excluded and
the EPO disclaims all liability in this regard.
Patent documents cited in the description