Angle member for the protection of edges of packages and packs

Abstract

 The angle member (2) comprises first (4) and second (6) substantially perpendicular limbs having cutting indicators or pre-cuts (I) which make it possible to cut the angle member (2) to the desired length. The angle member (2) is preferably made of plastics material and may have either a symmetric configuration, in which the two limbs (4, 6) have the same width, or an asymmetric configuration, in which the two limbs (4, 6) have different widths.

Description

[0001] The present invention relates to an angle member, in particular of plastics material, for the protection of the edges of packages and packs, for example packs of metal sheets.

[0002] The angle members currently on the market must be prepared according to the sizes of the packages or packs to be protected, which requires the use of different angle members for different sizes. Moreover, the current solutions do not enable to easily cover the entire perimeter of the edge to be protected with a single angle member.

[0003] It is therefore an object of the present invention to provide an angle member for the protection of the edges of packages and packs, such as for example packs of metal sheets, which is easy to produce, convenient to use and which makes it possible to remedy the aforesaid drawbacks of the prior art.

[0004] These and other objects are achieved according to the present invention by means of an angle member for the protection of the edges of packages and packs having the characteristics specified in independent claim 1.

[0005] Further advantageous characteristics are the subject-matter of the dependent claims.

[0006] The invention will now be described, purely by way of nonlimiting example, with reference to the appended drawings, in which:

Figure 1 shows an angle member according to a first preferred embodiment of the present invention;

Figure 2 schematically shows the angle member of Figure 1, arranged on a pack of metal sheets;

Figure 3 schematically shows a second preferred embodiment of an angle member according to the present invention, arranged on a pack of metal sheets.

[0007] With reference first to Figures 1 and 2, an angle member according to the present invention is generally indicated 2 and is intended to protect the edges of a package or pack P, for example a pack of metal sheets, of generally parallelepiped shape. The angle member 2 basically comprises a pair of essentially perpendicular limbs, that is, a horizontal limb 4 and a vertical limb 6, respectively, which in the embodiment shown have substantially the same width, whereby the angle member 2 has a generally symmetrical configuration. Preferably, the angle member 2 is made of plastics material and integrally forms the two limbs 4 and 6.

[0008] According to the invention, cutting indicators or pre-cuts I are provided on the two limbs 4 and 6 of the angle member 2 and extend equally spaced and parallel to one another in a direction perpendicular to the longitudinal extension of the angle member 2. The pre-cuts I make it possible to easily detach by incision a portion of the angle member 2 to fit the length thereof to that of the edge of the package or pack P to be protected.

[0009] Figure 3 shows a second preferred embodiment according to the invention, in which the angle member 2 has an asymmetric configuration, the horizontal limb 4 being narrower than the vertical limb 6. Advantageously, the vertical limb 6 is dimensioned so as to completely cover the respective side face of the package or pack P, thereby avoiding the need to add any further protective material for the package or pack P.

[0010] The advantages of an angle member according to the present invention will become clear from the above description. The cutting indicators or pre-cuts make it possible to protect packs of any size, even though a single type of angle member of given length is available in store, with resulting money saving due to the reduced warehouse stocks and time saving due to the extremely easy application of the angle member on the package or pack.

[0011] Naturally, the principle of the invention remaining the same, the embodiments and details of construction may be widely varied with respect to those described and illustrated.

Claims

1. An angle member (2) for the protection of edges of packages or packs (P), such as packs of metal sheets, comprising first (4) and second (6) substantially perpendicular limbs, characterized in that said limbs (4, 6) have cutting indicators or pre-cuts (I) which make it possible to cut the angle member (2) to the desired length.

2. An angle member according to Claim 1, characterized in that it is made of plastics material.

3. An angle member according to Claim 1 or Claim 2, characterized in that said limbs (4, 6) have substantially the same width.

4. An angle member according to Claim 1 or Claim 2, characterized in that said first limb (4) is narrower than said second limb (6).

Drawing