Site News  |   Monitor Keywords  |   Monitor Archive  |   Organizer  |   Account Info  |

Packaging member

Packaging member description/claims

The present invention relates generally to packaging members, and more particularly to laminated paperboard packaging members for enclosing a product.

Elongated products, especially those having small cross sectional areas typically require special packaging containers for protection from damage while the products are transported. Tubular containers are well known for this purpose. However, tubular containers are expensive to manufacture and require the product be directed into one end of the container, which is cumbersome, and further requires the “packaging loading area” for the product into the packaging member to be at least twice the length of the product. In addition, transport of already formed empty tubular containers is costly.

Another type of packaging member, typically an angle member, protects the edges of larger articles, such as appliances. It is desirable to reduce the costs of these packaging members without adversely affecting their function.

Thus, there is a need for a packaging member which may be used to protect elongated products that can be more cheaply transported. Similarly, there is a need for a packaging member, which may be used to protect article edges, that is less expensive to manufacture, while maintaining structural rigidity.

The present invention relates to a packaging member for securing an article including a preformed laminated paperboard member having a preselected length. The member has a first leg and a second leg forming a substantially L-shaped cross section of rigid construction across the length of the member. The first leg has at least one substantially parallel discontinuity formed substantially along the preselected length of the member, each discontinuity forming at least two adjacent leg portions connected together. In response to the first leg and the second leg being directed toward each other, one of the at least two adjacent leg portions is directed into contact with the second leg to define an enclosed region for securing an article therein. The packaging member can be nested with additional packaging members in an unassembled position and corresponding surfaces of first and second legs of adjacent nested packaging members can be maintained in abutting contact.

In another embodiment, the present invention relates to a packaging member for protecting an edge of an article. The packaging member includes a first leg and a second leg disposed at a predetermined angle to each other along a junction. At least two different material plies are integrally connected along the junction. Each of the material plies defines a bend having a first width and a second width, wherein the first width and second width defining different magnitudes.

In still another embodiment, the present invention relates to a packaging member for securing an article. The packaging member includes a preformed laminated paperboard member having a preselected length. The member has a first leg and a second leg forming a substantially L-shaped cross section of rigid construction across the length of the member. The first leg has at least two substantially parallel discontinuities formed substantially along the preselected length of the member. The at least two discontinuities form at least three adjacent leg portions connected together. In response to the first leg and the second leg being directed toward each other, a distance between the first and second leg is defined. Multiple packaging members can be nested in an unassembled position, and corresponding surfaces of first and second legs of adjacent nested packaging members can be maintained in abutting contact.

In yet another embodiment, the present invention relates to a packaging member for securing an article. The packaging member includes a preformed laminated paperboard member having a preselected length, the member having a first leg and a second leg forming a substantially L-shaped cross section of rigid construction across the length of the member. The first leg has a substantially parallel discontinuity formed substantially along the preselected length of the member. The discontinuity forms two adjacent leg portions forming an angled joint in the first leg in response to the first leg and the second leg being directed toward each other to define a distance between the first and second leg. A first group of multiple packaging members can be nested in an unassembled position, and corresponding surfaces of first and second legs of adjacent nested packaging members can be maintained in abutting contact.

One advantage of the present invention is that adjacent packaging members can fully nest with each other, minimizing the space required for transport.

Another advantage of the present invention is that the packaging member is inexpensive to manufacture due to savings of material costs.

Other features and advantages of the present invention will be apparent from the following more detailed description of the preferred embodiment, taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings which illustrate, by way of example, the principles of the invention.

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a packaging member.

FIG. 2 is a cross sectional view of the packaging member taken along line 2-2 from FIG. 1.

FIG. 3 is an end view of the packaging member in an unassembled position.

FIG. 4 is an end view of a further embodiment of the packaging member in an unassembled position.

FIG. 5 is an exploded end view of a still further embodiment of the packaging member in an unassembled position.

FIG. 6 is an end view of another embodiment of a packaging member.

• Provisional Patent
• Utility Patent

• What Is a Patent?
• What Is a Trademark or Servicemark?
• What Is a Copyright?
• Patent Laws