WO1994001345A1

WO1994001345A1 - Protective package

Info

Publication number: WO1994001345A1
Application number: PCT/US1993/006395
Authority: WO
Inventors: Claude Roessiger
Original assignee: Fassomat S.A.
Priority date: 1992-07-06
Filing date: 1993-07-06
Publication date: 1994-01-20
Also published as: AU4667193A

Abstract

The present invention relates to a protective package for an article having an inner envelope (12) fabricated with an inner wall (20) formed from a low slip polyethylene film and an outer wall (30) formed of high density polyethylene film and a fiberglass material (32) between the inner (20) and outer walls (30). A lip (50) closes an access opening (52) to the inner envelope (12) with foam inserts (60) extending along the inside edges. An outside plastic envelope (14) has an access opening (102) that is closed by an adhesive type closure (110) that is pressure sensitive.

Description

PROTECTIVE PACKAGE

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION - FIELD OF APPLICATION

This invention relates to packages and packaging; and, more particularly, to protective-type packaging.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION - DESCRIPTION OF THE PRIOR ART

The shipment or transportation through the mails, by courier, by way of delivery services and even by hand carrying of articles can result in unwanted damage to the article being so shipped or transported; especially if the article is fragile. There is available a host of dif¬ ferent types of packaging materials for use in isolating articles for shipment and transportation. Such materials include items such as styrofoam blocks and pellets of various sizes and shapes, foam wraps, wrapping materials which include rows of air sacks, dual cartons, etc.. However, the net result of utilizing such packaging materials is to create a big, bulky, weighty and cumber¬ some package; of a size that could be many multiples the size of the article to be shipped or transported. The article being shipped may even be lost within the protec¬ tive packaging materials and be inadvertently disposed of. The bulk and weight tend to also increase the cost of shipment and transportation. Some protective-type packaging may take the form of a wrap or covering of the type shown and described in United States Letters Patent Number 857,435 issued on June 18, 1907 to W. Bell for "Banana Package", but that type of protective package does not provide a safe and secure as well as protective package for articles, especially relatively small articles. In addition, the package closure utilized for this type of package requires dex¬ terity, time and work which is unacceptable in a society that prefers to merely deposit the article in its shipping package, rapidly seal the package, and just as rapidly be able to open the package.

Envelope-type packaging is desirable especially for relatively small articles and especially where the user prefers to merely put the article into the envelope-type container, seal the container and place the package in shipment. Examples of envelope or bag-type protective packages or containers are shown and described in United States Letters Patent Number 917,369 issued on April 6, 1909 to G.P. Skinner for "Envelope" and in United States Letters Patent Number 3,592,380 issued on July 13, 1971 to G. Gerard for " Cushioned Shipping Bag". However, these type of protective packages do not provide for protection of the article around the entire periphery of the package and otherwise do not provide for secure closure of the package. In fact, various type and styles of package closures are shown and described: in United States Letters Patent Number 2,066,495 issued on January 5, 1937 to W.E. Swift for "Envelope"; in United States Letters Patent Number 2,329,055 issued on September 7, 1943 to A.I. Keqan for "Envelope Or The Like"; in United States Letters Patent Number 2,819,010 issued on January 7, 1958 to J.Amiquet for "Sealing Envelopes"; in United States Letters Patent Number 3,265,289 issued on August 9, 1966 to W.L. Hiersteiner for "Envelope With A Resealable Inspection Flap"; and in United States Letters Patent number 3,819,106 issued on June 25, 1974 to S.J. Schuster for "Sample Bag". But these closures are shown and described for use on relatively simple, nonprotective-type envelopes; and the application thereof to protective-type bags, envelopes and other forms of packaging containers is not suggested or apparent from the various patents.

Some protective-type packaging, in the configuration of envelopes, is shown and described in United States Letters Patent Number 3,349,990 issued on October 31, 1967 to R.T. Woodford for "Multi-Wall Mailing Container" and in United States Letters Patent Number 3,868,056 issued on February 25, 1975 to E. Keren for "Protective Containers And Methods Of Making The Same". However, such protective packages are relatively complex in construction in that they require a material with spaced multiple air filled pockets which can rupture under pressure releasing the protective air pocket, and do not necessarily protect the package around it's complete periphery. Still another protective-type package is shown and described in United States Letters Patent Number 4,465,188 issued on August 14, 1984 to W.G. Soroka, et al for "Inflatable Packaging Structure". But this type of protective packaging re¬ quires the availability of air and air pumping equipment or devices and, as such, could prove to be quite unaccep¬ table.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

It is therefore an object of this invention to provide a new and novel package.

It is another object of this invention to provide a new and novel protective package.

It is yet another object of this invention to provide a new and novel protective package for relatively small articles.

It is still another object of this invention to provide a new and novel protective package that protects its contents on all sides and surfaces. It is yet still another object of this invention to provide a new and novel protective package that protects its contents at the entrance opening to the package.

It is yet still a further object of this invention to provide a new and novel protective package that provides protection for its contents along edges of the package.

It is yet still another object of this invention to provide a new and novel protective package wherein at least part of the package can be reused.

It is yet still a further object of this invention to provide a new and novel protective package wherein the outer appearance of the package can be readily and selec¬ tively changed.

It is yet still another object of this invention to provide a new and novel closure for a package.

It is yet still a further object of this invention to provide a new and novel closing arrangement for a protec¬ tive package.

Other objects, features and advantages of the inven¬ tion in its details of construction and arrangement of parts will be seen from the above and from the following description of the preferred embodiments when considered with the drawing and from the appended claims. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING

In the drawing:

FIG. 1 is a perspective showing of a protective package, incorporating the instant invention and showing an outer envelope and inner envelope for same with the inner envelope partially extending from the outer envelope to better show details thereof;

FIG. 2 is a vertical section through the protective package of this invention and showing an article disposed therewithin;

FIG. 3 is a horizontal section through the inner envelope of the protective package of FIGS. 1 and 2;

FIG. 4 is a schematic showing of the closure end of the outer envelope of the protective package of FIGS. 1 and 2, enlarged to better show details thereof; and

FIG. 5 is a schematic showing of the closed end of the outer envelope of the protective package of FIGS. 1 and 2, enlarged to better show details thereof.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

With reference to FIGS. 1 and 2 there is shown at 10 a protective package which includes an inner article receptacle container or envelope 12 and an outer container or envelope 14 respectively sized and configured so that an article or articles 16 (FIG. 2), to be shipped or transported, is received within inner envelope 12 and so that inner envelope 12 with article 16 disposed there- within is received within outer envelope 14. Both inner envelope 12 and outer envelope 14 may be individually sealed, as will be hereinafter described.

Inner envelope 12 is fabricated with an inner wall 20 (FIGS. 1 and 2) preferably formed from a low slip polyethylene material which acts to hold an article 16 in place once it is placed within an article space 22 defined within inner envelope 12. While article 16 is shown as a single box-like item it may just as well be a number of such items or an item or items of any external configura¬ tion. In general, article(s) 16 to be disposed within protective package 10 are of a fragile, sensitive, or similar type which are better shipped or transported in a protective environment. Inner wall 20 is connected about its periphery to an outer wall 30 preferably formed from a relatively high density polyethylene to provide a degree of external rigidity and facilitate distribution of load or any pressures or shock that may be applied to inner envelope 12 or protective package 10. Inner wall 20 and outer wall 30 as sized and configured so that when secured together about their respective peripheries, as by sewing, adhesives, heat sealing or the like a filler space 32 is formed therebetween. A selected amount of padding or filler material 34 is placed within filler space 32 to provide padding and protection commensurate with the size, shape and configuration of package 10 and the intended type of contents therefore. Filler material 34 is preferably Fiberglass-glass wool but other suitable padding or cushioning materials, such as cotton batting, synthetic foams, etc., may be utilized. Similarly, other materials may be selected and utilized for the fabrication of inner wall 20 and outer wall 30 of inner envelope 12. Such other materials might include other monolayer or co-extruded polymeric films, or packaging materials such as foils, papers, synthetic papers or films or similar substances.

Inner wall 20 and outer wall 30 of inner envelope 12 are also assembled together so that edge strips 40, 42 (FIGS. 2 and 3) are formed on inner envelope 12 to extend the length thereof and to extend outwardly therefrom a predetermined amount. Edge strips 40, 42 function to space the side edges of inner envelope 12 from the side edges of outer envelope 14 when inner envelope 12 is disposed within outer envelope 14. Inner envelope 12 is also configured to provide a lip 50 (FIGS. 1 and 2) that functions to close-off an access opening 52 that extends into article space 22 and through which article or ar¬ ticles 16 are placed within inner envelope 12. More importantly, lip 50 functions to retain article or ar¬ ticles 16 within envelope 12 after being placed therein and to help protect article or articles 16 once placed within envelope 12. If desired, an openable and reclosable closure strip may extend across access opening 52 to seal access opening 52 as well.

A pair of solid cylindrical or tubular inserts 60 (FIGS. 1-3) fabricated from foam or other similar resilient material are disposed along and extend the length of article space 22. Inserts 60 may be merely placed along the inside edges of space 22 or they may be secured and placed along said edges by an adhesive or other suitable and appropriate means. If desired, inserts 60 may also be hollow tubes.

Outer envelope 14 is preferably fabricated from a relatively low density polyethylene film and includes a front body wall 66 and rear body wall 68 (FIGS. 1 and 5) . Other suitable materials such as foil, paper, synthetic films or the like may also be used for envelope 14. Side edges 70, 72 (FIG. 1) are formed for envelope 14 by securing body walls 66, 68 together by suitable means such as heat sealing, adhesive or the like. A bottom edge 80 (FIGS. 1, 2 and 5) serves to close off envelope 14 and along with side edges 70, 72 and body walls 66, 68 defines therewithin a space 82 (FIGS. 1 and 2) sized and con- figured to receive inner envelope 12 and any article or articles 16 disposed within inner envelope 12.

Bottom edge 80 is fabricated by folding under strips 86, 88 along the respective edges of walls 66, 68 and by securing strips 86, 88 together as by a suitable adhesive 90 (FIG. 5) or the like. Thus, bottom edge 80 includes four layers of film material to better reinforce envelope 14 and cushion same along its bottom edge. The bottom of envelope 14 is further reinforced by applying a heat seal 92 along the bottom of envelope 14 parallel to and just above bottom edge 80. If desired a plurality of perfora¬ tions 94 may be formed across and through walls 66, 68 proximate heat seal 92 to facilitate tearing open outer envelope 14 proximate its bottom.

A double closure 100 (FIGS. 1, 2 and 4) is provided to close off an entry opening 102 into space 82 of outer envelope 14. A "press-to-close" type closure 110 is provided for envelope 14 a predetermined distance in from an upper extremity 112 thereof. Closure 110 functions to quickly and easily align a permanent closure 120 disposed between upper extremity 112 and closure 110. Permanent closure 120 includes an adhesive strip 122 that is applied across entry opening 102 on the inside of either wall 66 or wall 68 and a release cover 124 that is applied over adhesive strip 122 to cover and protect same and keep the inside of the other wall (66 or 68) from adhering to adhesive strip 122 until permanent closing of outer envelope 14 is required. The combination of permanent closure 120 and "press-to-close" closure 110 gives en¬ velope 114 and package 10 a self aligning and sure closure while at the same time providing a zone of rigidity for envelope 14 and package 10 similar to the one provided by edge 80 and heat seal 92.

Once external envelope 14 has been closed and sealed it creates an air cushion which acts to further provide very effective protection from shock for article or articles 16. It should be obvious that one need not remove inner envelope 12 from outer envelope 14 in order to place an article or articles 16 within inner envelope 12. One need only insert article or articles 16 through access opening 102 of outer envelope 14 and then through access opening 52 of inner envelope 12. Envelopes 12 and 14 are thereafter closed as described hereinabove.

If desired, outer envelope 14 may carry markings, as at 130 (FIG. 1) , to provide for use for festive and special occasions such as birthdays, weddings, anniver¬ saries or the like or to provide a message or other information thereon. Alternatively, outer envelope 14 may merely be plain. Once outer envelope 14 has been opened and inner envelope and any article or articles 16 removed therefrom inner envelope 12 itself still functions to protect and cushion its contents.

Inner envelope 12 can be used with another outer envelope 14 or in conjunction with any one of many other outer containers in addition to or in place of outer envelope 14. Containers such as cartons, paper envelopes, plastic or paper shopping bags, gift boxes and the like provide only a few examples.

If desired, inner envelope 12 with an article or articles 16 disposed therein may also be placed in an air tight liner while one side of the liner is open. Upon sealing of the airtight liner, with inner envelope 12 still compressed, the resultant package will be the same as though vacuum packed by a vacuum packaging machine but without the vacuum packaging machine.

For shipment and storage purposes a number of unused and unfilled protective packages 10 may be compressed and placed in a carton.

From the above description it will thus be seen that a new, and novel and improved protective package has been provided which functions to protect and cushion an article or articles disposed within the package and provide 360 degrees of protection and cushioning for such article or articles; while at the same time providing for use and re-use of the protection and cushioning portion of the package and use thereof with outside containers that are otherwise available and which may also be decorated or not as desired.

It is understood that although there has been shown the preferred embodiments of the invention that various modifications may be made in the details thereof without departing from the spirit as comprehended by the following claims.

Claims

WHAT IS CLAIMED IS:

1. A protective package; comprising:

(a) inner container means of a size and con¬ figuration to receive an article or articles;

(b) cushioning means carried by said inner container means for cushioning and protecting an article or articles when disposed within said inner container means; and

(c) outer container means of a size and con¬ figuration to receive said inner container means and any article or articles disposed therewithin.

2. The protective package of claim 1, wherein said inner container means is envelope-like in configuration and is formed with an access opening at one end and said outer container means is also envelope-like in configura¬ tion and is formed with an access opening at one end.

3. The protective package of claim 2 wherein said inner container means is fabricated with inner and outer walls secured together about their respective peripheries to form said envelope-like configuration and wherein said cushioning means is disposed between said inner and outer walls.

4. The protective package of claim 3, wherein said inner and outer walls are fabricated from a plastic film.

5. The protective package of claim 4, wherein said inner wall is fabricated from a relatively low slip polyethylene and said outer wall is fabricated from a relatively high density polyethylene.

6. The protective package of claim 2 , wherein said inner container means is fabricated to include lip means that extends across said access opening and closes but does not seal same.

7. The protective package of claim 6, wherein said cushioning means extends into said lip means.

8. The protective package of claim 2, wherein edge means are formed along respective opposite sides of said inner container means and extend outwardly therefrom a predetermined distance.

9. The protective package of claim 8, wherein said respective edge means are formed from the same material as that utilized for said inner container means and so as to be extensions thereof.

10. The protective package of claim 2, wherein insert means are disposed within and along respective opposite side edge of said inner container means.

11. The protective package of claim 10, wherein said insert means are cylindrical in configuration and formed from a relatively resilient plastic material.

12. The protective package of claim 11, wherein said insert means are solid cylinders.

13. The protective package of claim 2, wherein said outer container means includes a front wall and a back wall aligned and with their side edges and a bottom edge secured together to form an envelope with an access opening along the remaining edge.

14. The protective package of claim 13, wherein said bottom edge includes edge strip means fabricated by folding under respective strips along aligned lower edges of said front wall and said back wall and securing said folded over strips together to seal said bottom edge.

15. The protective package of claim 14, wherein said bottom edge is further sealed closed by sealing together said front wall and said back wall along a sealing line substantially parallel to, spaced from but proximate to said edge strip means.

16. The protective package of claim 15, wherein said sealing line is heat sealed.

17. The protective package of claim 15, including perforation means extending through said front wall and said back wall and across said outer container means proximate to said sealing line.

18. The protective package of claim 13, including closure means for closing and sealing said access opening said closure means including first closing means of the "press-to- close" type extending across and for closing said access opening and second closing means of pressure sensitive adhesive extending across and for closing said access opening.

19. The protective package of claim 18, wherein said first closing means is disposed between said second closing means and the remainder of said outer container means.

20. An envelope-like container for an article or articles; comprising:

(a) wall means including inner and outer walls secured together about their peripheries to form an envelope- like configuration; and

(b) cushioning means disposed between said inner and outer walls.

21. The container of claim 20, wherein said inner and outer walls are fabricated from a plastic film.

22. The container of claim 21, wherein said inner wall is fabricated from a relatively low slip polyethylene and said outer wall is fabricated from a relatively high density polyethylene.

23. The container of claim 20, wherein said inner container means is fabricated to include lip means that extends across said access opening and closes but does not seal same.

24. The container of claim 23, wherein said cushion¬ ing means extends into said lip means.

25. The container of claim 20, wherein edge means are formed along respective opposite sides of said wall means and extend outwardly therefrom a predetermined distance.

26. The container of claim 25, wherein said respec¬ tive edge means are formed from the same material as that utilized for said wall means and so as to be extensions thereof.

27. The container of claim 20, wherein insert means are disposed within and along respective opposite side edge of said wall means.

28. The container of claim 27, wherein said insert means are cylindrical in configuration and formed from a relatively resilient plastic material.

29. The container of claim 28, wherein said insert means are solid cylinders.

30. An envelope-like container; comprising:

(a) a front wall and a back wall aligned and with their side edges and a bottom edge secured together to form an envelope with an access opening along the remaining edge;

(b) said bottom edge includes edge strip means fabricated by folding under respective strips along aligned lower edges of said front wall and said back wall and securing said folded over strips together to seal said bottom edge.

31. The container of claim 30, wherein said bottom edge is further sealed closed by sealing together said front wall and said back wall along a sealing line substan¬ tially parallel to, spaced from but proximate to said edge strip means.

32. The container of claim 31, wherein said sealing line is heat sealed.

33. The container of claim 31, including perforation means extending through and across said front wall and said back wall and proximate to said sealing line.

34. The container of claim 30, including closure means for closing and sealing said access opening said closure means including first closing means of the "press- to-close" type extending across and for closing said access opening and second closing means of pressure sensitive adhesive extending across and for closing said access opening.

35. The container of claim 34, wherein said first closing means is disposed between said second closing means and the remainder of the container.