Preformed component structure for packaging and protecting products, particularly industrial products

Abstract

 The preformed component structure (1) comprises a first element (2) and a second element (6), each composed of at least two spaced members (3,4,7,8) which are mutually connected, at an intermediate region of their vertical extension, by a substantially sheet-like body (5,9). The sheet-like body (9) of the second element (6) can be superimposed on the sheet-like body (5) of the first element (2), or vice versa, so that the members (3,4) of the first element (2) are alternated with the members (7,8) of the second element (6) along the perimeter of the sheet-like bodies (5,9) so as to define, between the sheet-like bodies (5,9), a cavity for containing a product to be packaged. The cavity is surrounded by a protection ribbing constituted by the members (3,4,7,8).

Description

[0001] The present invention relates to a preformed component structure for packaging and protecting products, particularly industrial products.

[0002] As is known, the packaging of industrial products, which must be protected against accidental impacts, currently uses box-like bodies, generally made of cardboard, inside which containers or spacers are inserted. These containers or spacers have the purpose of keeping the product spaced from the walls of the box-like body and of cushioning any impacts, thus protecting the integrity of the packaged product.

[0003] These containers or spacers are made of shock-absorbing material, such as for example polystyrene foam, or obtained from cardboard box-like bodies.

[0004] These known types of packaging, despite offering good assurances of protecting the packaged product, have the problem that they have relatively high production costs due to the need to provide two structures for each package: an external containment structure and an internal protection structure.

[0005] Furthermore, since it is necessary to insert the product in the internal container and then insert the internal container in the external container, packaging times are relatively long.

[0006] A further problem is bulk, especially in the case of polystyrene foam packages; this bulk cannot be reduced and accordingly requires large storage and transport volumes.

[0007] Furthermore, in the case of polystyrene foam packages, there are disposal problems due to the low degree of biodegradability of the material.

[0008] The aim of the present invention is to obviate the problems described above by providing a preformed component structure for the packaging of products which can by itself perform both packaging and protection functions for the packaged products.

[0009] Within the scope of this aim, an object of the invention is to provide a preformed component structure which can in any case be used as container for protection against accidental impacts inside a further container.

[0010] Another object of the invention is to provide a preformed component structure which significantly reduces packaging times.

[0011] A further object of the invention is to provide a preformed component structure which occupies a reduced volume during transport or storage.

[0012] Another object of the invention is to provide a preformed component structure which can be entirely manufactured with highly biodegradable materials.

[0013] This aim, these objects and others which will become apparent hereinafter are achieved by a preformed component structure for packaging and protecting products, particularly industrial products, characterized in that it comprises a first element and a second element, each composed of at least two spaced members which are mutually connected, at an intermediate region of their vertical extension, by a substantially sheet-like body; the sheet-like body of said second element can be superimposed on the sheet-like body of said first element, or vice versa, so that the members of said first element are alternated with the members of said second element along the perimeter of said sheet-like bodies so as to define, between said sheet-like bodies, a cavity for containing a product to be packaged; said cavity being surrounded by a protection ribbing constituted by said members.

[0014] Further characteristics and advantages will become apparent from the detailed description of a preformed component provided with the structure according to the invention, which is illustrated only by way of non-limitative example in the accompanying drawings, wherein:

figure 1 is a perspective view of the two elements which compose the preformed component according to the invention, prior to assembly;

figure 2 is a perspective view of the preformed component according to the invention, after assembly;

figure 3 is a view of a punched cardboard sheet with preset folding lines for producing the first element which composes the preformed component according to the invention;

figure 4 is a perspective view of an intermediate step of the manufacture of the first element;

figure 5 is a sectional view of figure 1, taken along the plane V-V;

figure 6 is a view of a punched cardboard sheet with preset folding lines for producing the second element which composes the preformed component according to the invention;

figure 7 is a perspective view of an intermediate step of the manufacture of the second element;

figure 8 is a sectional view of figure 1, taken along the plane VIII-VIII;

figure 9 is a sectional view of figure 2, taken along the plane IX-IX;

figure 10 is a perspective view of a detail of the coupling between an member of the first element and an member of the second element;

figure 11 is an enlarged sectional view, taken along a horizontal plane, of the same detail of the coupling shown in figure 10; and

figure 12 is a sectional view, taken similarly to figure 11, in which the members are mutually coupled.

[0015] With reference to the above figures, the preformed component according to the invention, generally designated by the reference numeral 1, comprises: a first element 2, composed of two mutually spaced members 3 and 4 joined, at an intermediate region of their vertical extension, by a sheet-like body 5; and a second element 6, which is also composed of two members 7 and 8 which, similarly to the first element 2, are mutually spaced and joined by a sheet-like body 9.

[0016] The sheet-like body 9 of the second element 6 can be superimposed on the sheet-like body 5 of the first element 2 or vice versa, so that the members 3 and 4 of the first element 2 are alternated with the members 7 and 8 of the second element 6 along the perimeter of the sheet-like bodies 5 and 9, so that a containment cavity 10 for a product to be packaged is defined between the sheet-like bodies 5 and 9 and so that the cavity 10 is surrounded by a protective ribbing constituted by the members 3, 4, 7 and 8.

[0017] Advantageously, the first element 2 and the second element 6 are each constituted by a punched and folded cardboard sheet.

[0018] More particularly, if one wishes to obtain a packaging preformed component with a rectangular plan shape, the punched cardboard sheet 11 which constitutes the first element 2 has, as shown particularly in figure 3, a plurality of folding lines, designated by the reference numerals 12 to 21, defining a central portion constituting the sheet-like body 5, and lateral portions used to obtain the members 3 and 4, which have a box-like structure.

[0019] In the manufacture of the first element 2, the portions 22 and 23, located respectively between the folding lines 12, 14 and 13, 15, are folded above the central portion 5 until they substantially form a right angle with respect to said portion. The remaining portions of the members are instead folded at right angles toward the lower face of the central portion 5, and the upper face of the end portions 24 and 25 is joined, by means of layers of glue 26 and 27 or other connecting means, to the lower face of the portions 22 and 23 in order to produce the box-like structure of the members 3 and 4, as clearly shown in figures 4 and 5.

[0020] The sides 28 and 29 of the central portion 5, which mutually join the folding lines 12 and 13, are each provided with a strip, respectively 30 and 31, which can be folded at right angles along said side 28, 29 above the central portion 5.

[0021] The second element 6 is defined similarly to the first element 2, starting from a punched sheet 61 and taking into account the fact that its members 7 and 8 must be able to face the sides 28 and 29 of the first element 2 when the central portions, i.e. the sheet-like bodies 5 and 9, are arranged so as to face each other.

[0022] In figure 6, the folding lines for producing the members 7 and 8 are designated by the reference numerals 32 to 41; the numerals 42 and 43 designate the portions located between the folding lines 32, 34 and 33, 35, which are folded at right angles above the central portion 9.

[0023] The reference numerals 44 and 45 designate the end portions, and the numerals 46 and 47 designate the layers of glue for the closure of the box-like structure of the members 7 and 8, which is performed similarly to what has already been described with reference to the first element 2.

[0024] The central portion 9 of the second element 6 also has, at the sides 48 and 49 which join the folding lines 32 and 33, two strips 50 and 51 which are folded at right angles, along said sides, above the central portion 9.

[0025] Preferably, the members 3, 4, 7 and 8 have the same height.

[0026] Differently from the first element 2, the dimensions of the members 7 and 8 in a direction parallel to the folding lines for their forming exceeds the dimensions of the central portion 9 in the same direction. This solution advantageously allows to snugly fit the members 3 and 4 of the first element 2 between the members 7 and 8 of the second element 6 when they are superimposed.

[0027] Conveniently, if the preformed component according to the invention is meant to be used as an external container, i.e. is not meant to be inserted into another container, there are means for the engagement of the members of the first element 2 with the members of the second element 6.

[0028] Said mutual engagement means are preferably constituted by tabs 52 which are prepunched during the production of the sheet which constitutes the second element 6 and extend from the outer side of the members 7 and 8, proximate to their lateral end which can be coupled to the end of the members 3 and 4.

[0029] The tabs 52 can be inserted within seats 53 defined correspondingly in the lateral ends of the members 3 and 4. Said seats are substantially constituted by the internal cavity of the members with an outward opening 54 delimited by cuts produced by punching in the first element 2.

[0030] Conveniently, the tabs 52 are provided with wings 52a, 52b which flex so as to move mutually closer while they pass through the openings 54 and can be subsequently mutually spaced so as to engage the inside of the members 7 and 8 in order to effectively contrast the extraction of the tabs 52 from the seats 53.

[0031] The use of the preformed component provided with the structure according to the invention is evident from what has been described and illustrated, and in particular it is evident that in order to package a product it is sufficient to arrange it on one of the elements 2 or 6 and assemble the other element above the product, as already explained, with extremely short packaging times.

[0032] It should be noted that the preformed component thus assembled can already be used by itself as a container or can be inserted in a conventional box-like container.

[0033] In both modes of use, the preformed component offers adequate assurances of protection, since the ribbing constituted by the members 3, 4, 7 and 8 is capable of cushioning impacts, preserving the integrity of the product.

[0034] Furthermore, the members can be folded below or above the central portion of the related element prior to use, thus reducing the vertical bulk of the preformed component.

[0035] In practice it has been observed that the preformed component having the structure according to the invention fully achieves the intended aim, since in addition to protecting the packaged product it can be used as an actual container, reducing packaging times and costs.

[0036] A further advantage is the reduced volume required for its storage and transport.

[0037] In practice, the materials employed, so long as they are compatible with the specified use, as well as the contingent shapes and dimensions, may be any according to the requirements and the state of the art.

[0038] Where technical features mentioned in any claim are followed by reference signs, those reference signs have been included for the sole purpose of increasing the intelligibility of the claims and accordingly such reference signs do not have any limiting effect on the scope of each element identified by way of example by such reference signs.

Claims

1. Preformed component structure for packaging and protecting products, particularly industrial products, characterized in that it comprises a first element and a second element, each composed of at least two spaced members which are mutually connected, at an intermediate region of their vertical extension, by a substantially sheet-like body, the sheet-like body of said second element being superimposable on the sheet-like body of said first element, or vice versa, so that the members of said first element are alternated with the members of said second element along the perimeter of said sheet-like bodies so as to form, between said sheet-like bodies, a cavity for containing a product to be packaged, said cavity being surrounded by a protective ribbing constituted by said members.

2. Preformed component structure, according to claim 1, characterized in that said first element and said second element are each produced by means of a sheet of punched and folded cardboard.

3. Preformed component structure according to claims 1 and 2, characterized in that said members have a box-like structure defined by the folding and overlapping of portions of the sheets which constitute said first element and said second element.

4. Preformed component structure according to one or more of the preceding claims, characterized in that each one of said members extends substantially along the entire length of one side of said sheet-like body.

5. Preformed component structure, according to one or more of the preceding claims, characterized in that the sides of said sheet-like body which are not affected by said members have strips folded above the face of the sheet-like body which is adapted to face toward the inside of said containment cavity.

6. Preformed component structure, according to one or more of the preceding claims, characterized in that the members of said first element or of said second element have the same height.

7. Preformed component structure according to one or more of the preceding claims, characterized in that it comprises means for the engagement of the members of said first element with the members of said second element.

8. Preformed component structure according to one or more of the preceding claims, characterized in that said means for mutual engagement are constituted by tabs which extend from the outer side of the members of one of said elements and can be inserted in seats defined in the outer side of the contiguous member of the other one of said elements.

9. Preformed component structure, according to one or more of the preceding claims, characterized in that said sheet-like bodies have a substantially rectangular plan shape with the related members arranged on two opposite sides.

10. Preformed component structure according to one or more of the preceding claims, characterized in that the members of one of said elements can be snugly fitted between the members of the other one of said elements.

Drawing