A PACKAGING KIT FOR USE IN STACKING ROOF WINDOWS, A METHOD FOR STACKING ROOF WINDOWS AND A STACK OF ROOF WINDOWS

Abstract

 A packaging kit for use in stacking roof windows. The kit comprises at least one sheet member and a plurality of retainers. The sheet member is made from a shock absorbing material and may comprise a plurality of openings. Each retainer comprises an attachment section and an engagement section, said attachment section being configured for being attached at an upper surface of the sheet member, for example being inserted in one of said openings, and said engagement section being configured for engagement with a roof window arranged on top of the sheet member. In use, the sheet member is arranged on top of a first roof window, at least two retainers are attached to the sheet member, and a second roof window is then arranged on top of the sheet member so that it comes into engagement with the retainers.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to a packaging kit for use in stacking roof windows and to a method for stacking roof windows.

Background Art

[0002] While façade windows are typically stored and delivered in an upright position, where they rest on a bottom member of the frame, roof windows are typically provided with covering members sticking out from and sometimes over the perimeter of the roof window, which would easily be damaged if the roof windows were arranged in this way. Roof windows are therefore typically supplied in stacks, where windows are oriented horizontally with one window arranged on top of another. The roof windows may be separated by blocks of a shock absorbing material, typically expanded polystyrene (EPS). Sheets of plastic, paper, or cardboard may also be arranged between roof windows of the stack to prevent direct contact, which might lead to damage to sensitive parts, such as panes and covering members. This way of stacking is, however, only suitable for stacking a few roof windows as the load affecting particularly the pane of the lowermost roof window of the stack will otherwise become too high. In stacks including many roof windows, the mounting brackets, which are later to be used for attaching the roof windows to a roof structure, are typically attached already at the site of manufacture and can be used for supporting the stacked roof windows. Battens, corner blocks or like distance keepers are then arranged along the outer sides of the roof window frames so that the mounting brackets can rest on them. This, however, results in that the total outer dimensions of the stack of roof windows become considerably larger than when using blocks of a shock absorbing material arranged between the roof windows, and that may be disadvantageous during storage and transportation. Moreover, both ways of stacking require a substantial amount of packaging material to ensure a proper protection of the roof windows and stability of the stack.

Summary of Invention

[0003] With this background, it is therefore a first object of the invention to provide an alternative packaging kit, which will allow a plurality of roof windows to be stacked safely on top of each other with a minimal material consumption. A second object is to provide an alternative method for stacking roof windows.

[0004] In a first aspect of the invention, the first and further objects are achieved with a packaging kit for use in stacking roof windows, where said packaging kit comprises at least one sheet member made from a shock absorbing material and a plurality of retainers, where said sheet member comprises an upper surface and a lower surface each constituting a major surface of the sheet member, and where each of said retainers comprises an attachment section and an engagement section, said attachment section being configured for being attached at the upper surface of the sheet member and said engagement section being configured for engagement with a roof window arranged on top of the sheet member.

[0005] In a second aspect of the invention the second and further objects are achieved with a method for stacking roof windows comprising the following steps:

A) providing a sheet member made from a shock absorbing material and comprising an upper surface and a lower surface each constituting a major surface of the sheet member,

B) providing at least two retainers, each comprising an attachment section and an engagement section,

C) attaching the attachment section of each retainer at the upper surface of the sheet member,

D) arranging the sheet member on top of a first roof window so that the upper surface of the sheet member is substantially horizontal, and

E) arranging a second roof window on top of the sheet member so that the second roof window comes into engagement with the retainers thereby forming a stack of roof windows.

[0006] The sheet member keeps the roof windows apart, and due to the sheet member and hence also the roof windows extending substantially horizontally, the load of the second roof window is distributed over the entire contact area with the first roof window. Due to the sheet member being made from a shock absorbing material, it will usually be slightly compressed at the contact area so that it embraces one or both roof windows and hinders a horizontal mutual movement of the roof windows and sheet member. It is noted that the wording "arranging a second roof window on top of the sheet member" does not mean that there must be a direct contact between the second roof window and the sheet member. In some cases, the second roof window will only come into contact with the retainers. The wordings "upper surface" and "lower surface" refer to the position of the sheet member in the use state, where the sheet member is arranged with the upper and lower surfaces extending substantially horizontally.

[0007] It is noted that the sequence of steps A)-D) does not need to be in the alphabetical order. It may for example be advantageous to perform step D) before step C), i.e. arranging the sheet member on top of a first roof window before attaching the retainers.

[0008] Step A) may include the provision of two or more sheet members and steps D) and E) may then be repeated at least once. In this way, additional roof windows and sheet members can be added to the stack of roof windows in such a way that each additional sheet member added to the stack is followed by a roof window. Any two roof windows placed on top of each other are then separated by a sheet member, however two or more roof windows may still be placed side by side in the same vertical position in the stack of roof windows without being separated by a sheet member.

[0009] The method for stacking roof windows may further comprise the step of F) arranging a sheet member on top of an uppermost roof window of the stack. Thereby the uppermost roof window is further protected from damage. Likewise, a sheet member may be provided underneath the lowermost roof window of the stack.

[0010] In addition to hindering a movement of the second roof window in relation to the sheet member, the retainers may ensure that the second roof window is arranged in the intended position on the sheet member. If the stack includes two or more sheet members, it is then possible to validate the stability of the stack by ensuring that the edges of the sheet members are aligned. The continued stability of the stack during storage and transportation can be ensured by retaining the sheet members of the stack. This may for example be achieved by arranging the stack on a pallet having substantially the same horizontal dimensions as the sheet members and applying a pallet cage or a pallet converter. It is also possible to wrap the finished stack, for example in plastic, and in this case too it may be advantageous that the stack is arranged on a pallet or similar carrier.

[0011] It is presently preferred that the first roof window of a stack is also resting on a sheet member provided with retainers so that the correct position of all windows of the stack is ensured.

[0012] The retainer(s) may for example be attached to the upper surface of the sheet member using glue or adhesive, but it is also possible to use mechanical fasteners, such as staples. In one embodiment, however, the sheet member comprises a plurality of openings in the upper surface, and the attachment section of one or more retainers is configured for being inserted in one of said openings in the sheet member. This provides for a simple, reliable, and precise positioning of the retainer(s) without the use of glue, adhesive or other additional materials, but may require the sheet member to be made from a slightly stronger material than when using a sheet member without openings.

[0013] The retainers may for example be arranged so that their engagement sections are located inside the opening defined by a frame of the roof window in the stacked state, each retainer preferably being located close to an inner side of the frame, said inner side facing the opening, to achieve a precise positioning of the window. The retainers may also or alternatively be arranged so that their engagement sections are located at outer sides of the frame of the roof window in the stacked state. This has the advantage that the engagement sections of the retainers may remain visible in the stacked state, thus allowing a visual validation of a correct stacking. In a still further embodiment, the engagement section of each retainer is configured for projecting into a lining panel reception groove of a frame of a roof window. As opposed to the two previous embodiments this will provide a double-sided retainment and if the engagement section is elongate, extending over a section of the lining panel reception groove it may contribute to preventing the roof window from turning in relation to the sheet member. Elongate retainers arranged at the inner or outer sides of the frame of the roof window may provide similar advantages.

[0014] The engagement sections of the retainers may have different shapes depending for example on their position in relation to the roof window and the number of retainers used for one roof window. If the engagement sections have an L-shape in a plane extending parallel to the upper surface of the sheet member in the mounted state, one or two retainers may provide a full retainment of the roof window in the plane defined by the upper surface of the sheet member. If the engagement sections are of flat configuration or having a round or square shape in a cross-section parallel to the upper surface it will usually be advantageous to use four retainers, one at each side of the roof window.

[0015] For very large roof windows it may be advantageous to use two retainers at each of the longer sides of the roof window. It is also possible to use four retainers with two being arranged at each of the longer sides of the roof window, but this will usually leave the roof window unretained in one direction. Friction between the roof window and the sheet member and/or between the retainers and the roof window may, however, result in the retainment being sufficient even if the shape and position of the retainers only allows a structural retainment in one direction.

[0016] A full retainment of the roof window in the plane defined by the upper surface of the sheet member may also be achieved by providing two retainers at diagonally opposite inner side corners of the frame of the roof window. This applies independent of their shape.

[0017] In one embodiment, the openings in the sheet member are elongate and at least the attachment sections of the retainers are plate-shaped. This will prevent the retainers from turning in relation to the sheet member.

[0018] It is to be understood that the attachment section and the engagement section may both be plate shaped, but that they may also have different over-all shapes as long as they serve their respective purposes. As an example, one may be pin-shaped to facilitate easy insertion in an opening or groove while the other is plate-shaped for achieving a large contact area.

[0019] To prevent the engagement section from entering into the opening in the sheet member, the engagement section of each retainer may comprise at least one locking section, which projects over the attachment section and is configured for engaging with the upper surface of the sheet member adjacent to an opening in the sheet member when the attachment section has been inserted into said opening. In other words, the engagement section has at least one dimension in the horizontal plane in the mounted state, which is larger than a corresponding dimension of the opening in which it is inserted so that a part of the engagement section constitutes a locking section and comes to rest on the upper surface of the sheet member and is prevented from entering into the opening.

[0020] In a presently preferred embodiment, the retainers are made from a plate material and with a T-shape when seen from the major surface of the plate material.

[0021] Alternatively, or as a supplement, the openings in the sheet member may be blind holes defining a maximum insertion depth of the retainers. This may for example be achieved by making the sheet member from several layers of material, where at least the layer forming the lower surface of the sheet member in the use state is without openings. When blind holes are used, the retainers may be without locking sections if the bottom of the blind hole is strong enough to support the retainer.

[0022] In one embodiment the sheet member comprises two or more sets of openings and/or indications of intended retainer positions, where the openings and/or indications of intended retainer positions of a first set are arranged at mutual positions corresponding to the dimensions of a roof window of a first size or type, and where the openings and/or indications of intended retainer positions of a second set are arranged at mutual positions corresponding to the dimensions of a roof window of a second size or type. This allows the use of one sheet member in different packaging kits and/or the use of one packaging kit for different packaging situations.

[0023] As an example, the sheet member may comprise three sets of openings and/or indications of intended retainer positions, where two of the sets are arranged at mutual positions allowing two smaller roof windows to be arranged side-by-side on the sheet member while being retained by retainers arranged in the openings and/or at the indications of intended retainer positions of these two sets, and where the third set is arranged to allow one larger roof windows to be arranged on the sheet member while being retained by retainers arranged in the openings and/or at the indications of intended retainer positions of the third set.

[0024] Information about the intended use may be provided at one or more openings in the sheet member, said information indicating for example size or type of a roof window which can be retained by a retainer inserted in said opening(s). This is of particular relevance when the sheet member comprises two or more sets of openings, but it may also help a user choose the right packaging kit for a particular stacking job if several are kept on stock.

[0025] A similar effect may be achieved by attaching retainers at different positions on the upper surface of the sheet member, said positions possibly being indicated by printed information, patterns on the upper surface, areas provided with an attachment material, or the like helping a user to place the retainers correctly.

[0026] Further to the presented solution comprising a retainer and a corresponding opening in a sheet member for insertion and fixating the attachment section of the retainers, there has also been developed a packaging kit, where the sheet member has a receiver or a plurality of receivers to be placed on a surface of the sheet member.

[0027] The receivers can be made of a material with the capability to hold the retainers in place e.g. having adhesive properties. The receivers may be configured for permanent attachment of the retainers, but it is presently considered preferable that they are configured for temporary attachment, such that the retainers can be removed. As also applies to the retainers arranged in openings, this may allow reuse of the retainers and/or the sheet member. It may also or alternatively facilitate recycling by allowing a separation of the retainers from the sheet member, which is particularly relevant if they are made from different materials and which my mot be possible of using glue or adhesive.

[0028] In one embodiment the upper surface of the sheet member is covered with a receiver in the form of an attachment material having hooks, loops or like mechanical structures allowing it to engage with a similar or compatible material provided on the retainers, such that the mechanical structures on the two surfaces become interconnected and the retainers thereby attached to the sheet member. One example of such a mechanical interconnection is Velcro^®, where hooks on one part engage with loops on another part. An attachment material having hooks, loops or like mechanical structures may be covering the whole upper surface of the sheet member, but it may also be limited to specific areas of the upper surface of the sheet member where retainers are to be placed.

[0029] The sheet members and the retainers may in principle be made from any suitable material, including polymers, such as expanded polystyrene (EPS) for the sheet members and polyethylene (PE) for the retainers. However, as it is presently desired to minimize the use of polymers in packaging, it presently preferred that the sheet members and the retainers are made from one or more paper-based materials, such as corrugated cardboard, multilayer cardboard, or cardboard having a honeycomb structure. Combinations of paper-based materials and polymers are also within the scope of the invention, and it is envisaged that the retainers may be re-used several times which may justify the use of more durable materials, such as polymers or composites, e.g. made of cardboard and polymers and/or metal foil or metal sheets, or even metal.

[0030] Above, a common description has been provided for both aspects of the invention and it is to be understood that throughout this text advantages and embodiments described with reference to one aspects of the invention also applies to the other aspect of unless otherwise stated.

Brief Description of Drawings

[0031] In the following description embodiments of the invention will be described with reference to the schematic drawings, in which

Fig. 1 is a perspective view of a sheet member,

Fig. 2 is a perspective view of a retainer,

Fig. 3 is a perspective view of another retainer,

Fig. 4 is a top view of a blank for making the retainer in Fig. 3,

Fig. 5 corresponds to the detail marked V in Fig. 1 where retainers are being inserted in openings in the sheet member,

Fig. 6 is a cross-sectional view of a frame of a roof window arranged on a sheet member provided with retainers,

Fig. 7 is a photo of a stack of roof windows stacked using a packaging kit according to the invention,

Fig. 8 is a photo of the stack in Fig. 7 provided with a pallet cage,

Fig. 9 is a photo of a pallet with a sheet member and parts of a pallet cage,

Fig. 10 is a photo of two small roof windows arranged on a sheet member on a pallet,

Fig. 11 is a photo showing another sheet member and a larger roof window arranged on top of the roof windows in Fig. 10,

Fig. 12 is a photo of a stack of roof windows stacked using a packaging kit according to the invention and provided with a pallet cage, and

Fig. 13 is a cross-sectional view of a sheet member with three different retainers.

Description of Embodiments

[0032] Referring initially to Fig. 1 a sheet member 1 for use in a packaging kit according to the invention is shown. It comprises a plurality of openings 11 each configured for receiving a retainer, each opening extending into the sheet member substantially perpendicular to the plane defined by the upper surface 12 of the sheet member. Below the invention will be described primarily with reference to embodiments where retainers are inserted in openings 11 in the sheet member, but it is to be understood that some or all retainers might also be attached to the upper surface 12 of the sheet member where no openings are present or covering an opening wholly or partially.

[0033] A retainer 2 configured for use with the sheet member 1 in Fig. 1 is shown in Fig. 2. It is T-shaped with the body of the T-shape forming an attachment section 21 configured for being inserted in one of said openings 11 in the sheet member 1 and the head of the T-shape forming an engagement section 22 for engagement with a roof window. The two arms of the head of the T-shape serve as locking sections 23 which come to abut on the upper surface 12 of the sheet member in the mounted state.

[0034] The thickness T of the attachment section 21 of the retainer 2 substantially matches the width W of the openings 11 in the sheet member 1. If the sheet member is made for example from a paper-based material, which is comparatively easily deformed, while the retainers are stronger, for example being a massive member made from a moulded polymer, the retainer may be made slightly thicker than the width of the opening, such that it is kept in place in the opening by friction once inserted. If, however, both are made from a paper-based material, such as a honey-comb material, the retainer may be made with a slightly smaller thickness than the width of the opening to facilitate insertion.

[0035] In this embodiment the openings 11 extend all the way through the sheet member 1, but they may also be blind holes limiting the insertion depth of the retainers 2. In that case the locking sections 23 are not strictly necessary, but they may still be advantageous as they contribute to the length of the engagement section 22, thus contributing to retaining the roof window and preventing it from turning.

[0036] Another embodiment of the retainer 2 is shown in Fig. 3 and Fig. 4. This retainer consists of two layers 24a, 24b arranged closely side-by-side. It may be made from a blank as shown in Fig. 4, which is cut and folded along the line 25. The two layers may be attached to each other by glue or adhesive or simply kept in position by being retained in the opening in the sheet member. This embodiment is particularly well-suited for retainers made from multilayer cardboard, paper-based honeycomb and the like, which are easy to cut and fold, and it is envisaged that the retainers 2 and the sheet member 1 may then be made from the same material, using one layer for the sheet member and two for the retainers.

[0037] The insertion of retainers into the openings 11 in sheet member 1 is illustrated in Fig. 5, where three retainers 2' have been fully inserted while a fourth retainer 2" is positioned above the corresponding opening 11" in the sheet member. Some of the openings 11 extend in parallel with the longer sides 13a of the sheet member, while others extend in parallel with the shorter sides 13b. Together the four retainers create a rectangular pattern 14 shown by the broken lines. This pattern corresponds to the dimensions of the frame of a roof window (not shown in Fig. 5), such that the retainers 2 come to extend along inner sides 31 or outer sides 32 of the frame 30 of a roof window 3 or project into a lining panel reception groove 33 as shown in Fig. 6, which shows a cross-section in a side of a roof window arranged on top of the sheet member 1. It is noted that while Fig. 6 shows retainers 2 in all three positions, normally only one position will be used. The inner dimensions of the frame of one type of roof window may correspond to the outer dimensions of the frame of another type of roof window such that one rectangular pattern of retainers may be used for retaining both types, only engaging with the window frame at different positions. It is also possible for retainers to engage differently at different sides of the roof window, e.g. with an inner side at one side of the roof window and with an outer side or groove at another side.

[0038] Fig. 5 also shows another rectangular pattern 15 in dash-dotted lines corresponding to a larger roof window than the pattern 14. Patterns such as these may be used to indicate several possible uses of the same sheet member 1 and help the user to insert the retainers in the right openings or attach retainers at the right positions. The patterns may be supplemented with written indications, drawings or the like (not shown) to further facilitate the use of the packaging kit. It is noted that while the two patterns shown in Fig. 5 are both located on one half of the sheet member, larger windows may cover the sheet member substantially entirely such that openings or positions at both ends of the sheet member must be used for retaining one window.

[0039] The packaging kit may comprise a plurality of sheet members 1 and a plurality of retainers such that many roof windows may be stacked arranged on top of each other, for example as shown in Fig. 7. This stack comprises three smaller roof windows, one medium sized roof window and two larger roof windows, where two of the smaller window 3a, 3b constitutes the bottom layer of the stack, the two larger windows 3c, 3d constitutes the second and third layers, the medium sized window 3e constitutes the fourth layer and the last of the smaller window 3f is arranged on top, constituting the fifth layer. Sheet members 1 are arranged between each layer and a sheet member 1' is also present between the pallet 4 supporting the stack and the first layer. Retainers (not visible) inserted into each of the sheet members 1 keep the windows from sliding on the upper surface of the sheet member, on top of which they are resting, and the sheet members are prevented from sliding on the respective roof windows underneath them by friction. In this case, where the sheet members are made from a paper-based honeycomb material, the load of the roof window(s) arranged on top also results in a deformation of each sheet member which will help keeping the sheet member in place.

[0040] When the stack is complete a pallet cage 5 may be applied to protect the stack during handling, storage and transportation. In Fig. 7 two sides 51, 52 of the pallet cage have been applied and a finished stack with all four sides mounted and an addition sheet member 1"arranged on top of the stack for protection is shown in Fig. 8. As is also seen in Fig. 8, additional items here exemplified by an underroof collar 6 for use in the installation of a roof window may be arranged on the parts of the sheet members, which are not occupied by the roof windows.

[0041] Some steps in the formation of the stack in Fig. 7 are shown in Fig. 9, Fig. 10 and Fig. 11, Fig. 9 showing the first sheet member 1' arranged on the pallet 4, Fig. 10 showing the first layer of roof windows 3a, 3b arranged on top of the first sheet member 1', and Fig. 11 showing the larger roof window 3c constituting the second layer arranged on top of a second sheet member 1.

[0042] A further embodiment showing sheet members 1 with a different pattern of openings 11 and with another type of retainers is shown in Fig. 12. The engagement sections 22 of these retainers 2, which are the only parts visible in Fig. 12 are of an L-shaped configuration when seen in parallel to the upper surfaces 12, with one leg of the L being configured for projecting into a lining panel reception groove and another extending underneath the frame of the roof window 3. In this embodiment the roof window is supported only by the retainers, not resting directly on the sheet member. This may have the advantage that the roof window is not scratched or otherwise damaged by contact with the sheet member underneath it, but it may also require a stronger sheet member.

[0043] The retainer 2 used in Fig. 12 is T-shaped as the ones shown in Fig. 2 and Fig. 3, but shorter and thicker. It may be made as described with reference to Fig. 4 but could also be made in other ways and from other materials, for example by moulding of paper pulp.

[0044] While retainers have only been described as being present on the upper surfaces 12 of the sheet members, it is to be understood that retainers or distance keepers may also be present on the opposite lower surface 16 to prevent direct contact between a sheet member and a roof window located underneath it. For this purpose, separate retainers 2 may be applied to the lower surface 16 of a sheet member 1 as shown in Fig. 13. To the left a retainer 2 has been attached to the lower surface 16, for example by means of glue or adhesive. At the centre a retainer 2 has been inserted in an opening 17 in the lower surface. To the right the retainer 2 is long enough to project through the sheet member and has two engagement sections, one engagement section 22 being located at the upper surface 12 and one engagement section 26 being located at the lower surface 16 in the mounted state.

List of reference numerals

1	Sheet member	Pladeelement
11	Opening	Abning
12	Upper surface	Øvre overflade
13	Side	Side
14	Pattern	Mønster
15	Pattern	Mønster
16	Lower surface	Nedre overflade
17	Opening	Abning
2	Retainer	Holder
21	Attachment section	Fastgørelsesafsnit
22	Engagement section	Indgrebsafsnit
23	Locking section	Lasningsafsnit
24	Layer	Lag
25	Fold line	Foldelinje
26	Engagement section	Indgrebsafsnit
3	Roof window	Tagvindue
30	Frame of roof window	Karm af tagvindue
31	Inner side	Inderside
32	Outer side	Yderside
33	Lining panel reception groove	Lysningspanelmodtagerille
4	Pallet	Palle
5	Pallet cage	Pallestativ
51	Side of the pallet cage	Side af pallestativ
52	Side of the pallet cage	Side af pallestativ
6	Underroof collar	Undertagkrave
W	Width	Bredde
T	Thickness	Tykkelse

Claims

1. A packaging kit for use in stacking roof windows, where said packaging kit comprises at least one sheet member made from a shock absorbing material and a plurality of retainers, where said sheet member comprises an upper surface and a lower surface each constituting a major surface of the sheet member, and where each of said retainers comprises an attachment section and an engagement section, said attachment section being configured for being attached at the upper surface of the sheet member and said engagement section being configured for engagement with a roof window arranged on top of the sheet member.

2. A packaging kit according to claim 1, where said sheet member comprises a plurality of openings in the upper surface, and where the attachment section of one or more retainers is configured for being inserted in one of said openings in the sheet member.

3. A packaging kit according to one or more of the preceding claims, where the engagement section of each retainer is configured for projecting into a lining panel reception groove of a frame of a roof window.

4. A packaging kit according to one or more of claims 2-3, where the openings are elongate, and the retainers are plate-shaped.

5. A packaging kit according to one or more of claims 2-4, where the engagement section of each retainer comprises at least one locking section, which projects over the attachment section and is configured for engaging with a surface of the sheet member adjacent to an opening in the sheet member when the attachment section has been inserted into said opening.

6. A packaging kit according to claim one or more of the preceding claims, where the sheet member and/or the retainers are made from one or more paper-based materials, such as corrugated cardboard, multilayer cardboard, or cardboard having a honeycomb structure.

7. A packaging kit according to one or more of the preceding claims, where the sheet member comprises two or more sets of openings and/or indications of intended retainer positions, where the openings and/or indications of intended retainer positions of a first set are arranged at mutual positions corresponding to the dimensions of a roof window of a first size or type, and where the openings and/or indications of intended retainer positions of a second set are arranged at mutual positions corresponding to the dimensions of a roof window of a second size or type.

8. A packaging kit according to claim 7, where the sheet member comprises three sets of openings and/or indications of intended retainer positions, where two of the sets are arranged at mutual positions allowing two smaller roof windows to be arranged side-by-side on the sheet member while being retained by retainers arranged in the openings and/or at the indications of intended retainer positions of these two sets, and where the third set is arranged to allow one larger roof windows to be arranged on the sheet member while being retained by retainers arranged in the openings and/or at the indications of intended retainer positions of the third set.

9. A packaging kit according to one or more of the preceding claims, where information about the intended use is provided at one or more openings in and/or indications of intended retainer positions on the sheet member, said information indicating for example size or type of a roof window which can be retained by a retainer inserted in said opening(s) and/or at said indications of intended retainer positions.

10. A method for stacking roof windows comprising the following steps:

A) providing a sheet member made from a shock absorbing material and comprising an upper surface and a lower surface each constituting a major surface of the sheet member,

B) providing at least two retainers, each comprising an attachment section and an engagement section,

C) attaching the attachment section of each retainer at the upper surface of the sheet member,

D) arranging the sheet member on top of a first roof window so that the upper of the sheet member surface is substantially horizontal, and

E) arranging a second roof window on top of the sheet member so that the second roof window comes into engagement with the retainers, thereby forming a stack of roof windows.

11. A method according to claim 10 where the sheet member provided in step a) comprises a plurality of openings in the upper surface, and where, in step C), the attachment section of each retainer is inserted in one of said openings.

12. A method according to claim 10 or 11, where at least two retainers, preferably at least four retainers, are used for retaining one roof window arranged on top of the sheet member.

13. A method according to one or more of claims 10-12, where step A) includes the provision of two or more sheet members and where steps D) and E) are repeated at least once.

14. A method according to 13, further comprising the step of:
F) arranging a sheet member on top of an uppermost roof window of the stack.

15. A stack of roof windows built using a kit according to one or more of claims 1-9 and/or in accordance with one or more of claims 10-14.

Drawing