Packaging system

• US 20050028709A1
• Filed: 08/08/2003
• Published: 02/10/2005
• Est. Priority Date: 08/08/2003
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Gary Carpenter, Robbie Rex Powell
• Original Assignee: Gary Carpenter, Robbie Rex Powell
• Inventors: Powell, Robbie Rex, Carpenter, Gary
• Granted Patent: US 7,455,017 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 108/51.110
• CPC Class Codes: B65D 2581/055 Plastic in general, e.g. foamed plastic, molded plastic, extruded plastic
• CPC Class Codes: B65D 81/054 Protectors contacting two generally perpendicular surfaces of the packaged article, e.g. edge protectors B65D81/055 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: B65D 85/64 for bulky articles

Abstract

A system for use in the packing of an appliance containing the pallet and corner members is provided. The pallet comprises first and second support members and a connecting cross member, wherein the cross member is substantially perpendicular to the first and second support members. The first and second support members include attachment holes, wherein the attachment holes allow for the attachment of the pallet to the appliance. The first and second support members and the cross member are manufactured from a synthetic substance and are substantially hollow. The system further comprises corner pieces and standoffs used to stabilize and protect the appliance in a container.

Claims

1. A pallet for use in packing an appliance comprising:

a first support member having a first attachment means for attachment to the appliance;

a second support member having a second attachment means for attachment to the appliance; and

at least one cross member including a first end and second end, the first end attached to the first support member and the second end attached to the second support member.

2. The pallet of claim 1 wherein the first and second support members and the cross member are manufactured from a synthetic substance.

3. The pallet of claim 1 wherein the first and second support members and the cross member are manufactured from polypropylene.

4. The pallet of claim 1 wherein the first and second support members and cross member are manufactured from polyethylene.

5. The pallet of claim 1 wherein the first and second support members and the cross member are substantially hollow.

6. The pallet of claim 5 wherein the first and second support members and the cross member are filled with foam.

7. The pallet of claim 5 wherein the first and second support members and the cross member contain interior support members.

8. The pallet of claim 7 wherein the interior support members are curved.

9. The pallet of claim 1 wherein the first end of the cross member is attached to the center of the first support member and the second end of the cross member is attached to the center of the second support member.

10. The pallet of claim 1 wherein the attachment means further comprises a hole and a retaining bolt.

11. The pallet of claim 1 wherein the attachment means further comprises an adhesive.

12. A pallet for use in the manufacture and transportation of an appliance comprising:

a first support member having a hole through which the appliance is fastened with a first retaining bolt;

a second support member having a hole through which the appliance is fastened with a second retaining bolt;

a first cross member connecting the first and second support members; and

a second cross member connecting the first and second support members.

13. The pallet of claim 12, wherein the first and second support members and the first and second cross members are extruded.

14. The pallet of claim 12 wherein the first and second support members and the first and second cross members are cast.

15. The pallet of claim 12 wherein the first cross member is directly adjacent the second cross member.

16. The pallet of claim 12 wherein the first cross member and the second cross member are separated by a predetermined distance.

17. A corner support structure for use in the packing of an appliance, comprising:

a substantially tubular first lobe connected to a substantially tubular second lobe by an angular beam.

18. The corner support structure of claim 17 wherein the angular beam comprises two planar surfaces connected at approximately 90 degrees.

19. The corner support structure of claim 17 wherein the angular beam includes a corner loop.

20. The corner support structure of claim 17 wherein the first lobe contains an interior support member.

21. The corner support structure of claim 20 wherein the interior support member is curved.

22. The corner support structure of claim 17 wherein the corner support supports a vertical corner of the appliance.

23. The corner support structure of claim 17 wherein the corner support structure supports a horizontal corner of the appliance.

24. The corner support structure of claim 17 wherein the corner support structure is interposed in the walls of a shipping container and wherein the shipping container surrounds the appliance.

25. The corner support structure of claim 17 wherein the first lobe, the second lobe and the angular beam form an interior and an exterior of the corner support structure and wherein the exterior is directly adjacent to a container and the interior is directly adjacent to the appliance.

26. A spacing support for contacting a container and protecting protrusions of an appliance comprising:

a tubular member of a predefined length;

the tubular member having a contact surface for contacting the container; and

an attachment surface for contacting the appliance.

27. The spacing support member of claim 26 wherein the contact surface is planar.

28. The spacing support member of claim 26 wherein the contact surface is curved.

29. The spacing support member of claim 26 wherein the contact surface is angular.

30. The spacing support member of claim 26 wherein the tubular member includes an interior support member.

31. The corner support structure of claim 30 wherein the interior support member is curved.

32. The spacing support member of claim 26 wherein the tubular member includes two interior support members.

33. A packing system for supporting an appliance in a container comprising:

a pallet;

the pallet including a first support member and a second support member;

the first support member having a first attachment means for attachment to the appliance;

the second support member having a second attachment means for attachment to the appliance;

at least one corner support; and

the corner support including a substantially tubular first lobe and a substantially tubular second lobe connected by an angular beam.

34. The packing system of claim 33 wherein the pallet and the corner support are plastic.

35. The packing system of claim 33 wherein the pallet and the corner support contain at least one interior support member.

36. The packing system of claim 35 wherein the support member is curved.

37. The packing system structure of claim 33 wherein the corner support is located on a corner of the appliance.

38. The packing system structure of claim 33 wherein the corner support is located within the container.

39. The packing system structure of claim 33 wherein a plurality of corner supports are located on corners of the appliance.

40. The packing system structure of claim 33 wherein the corner support is interposed in the walls the container.

41. A method for packing an appliance comprising the steps of:

providing a pallet including a first support member;

at least one cross member including a first and second end, the first end attached to the first support member;

a second support member attached to the second end of the at least one cross member;

the first and second support members having and attachment means for attaching the appliance to the pallet; and

attaching the appliance to the pallet.

42. The method of claim 41 further comprising the additional steps of:

providing at least one corner support including a generally tubular first lobe connected to a generally tubular second lobe by an angular beam; and

positioning the corner support on the appliance.

43. The method of claim 42 wherein the shipping container surrounds the appliance and the corner support.

44. The method of claim 42 wherein the pallet and the corner support member structure are polypropylene.

45. The method of claim 42 wherein the pallet and the corner support member structure are polyethylene.

46. The method of claim 43 further comprising the steps of:

providing a spacing support structure including a tubular standoff; and

positioning the standoff such that it contacts and extends past an outside wall of the appliance and contacts an inside wall of the container.

47. A method of manufacturing and using a corner support for shipping an appliance comprising:

extruding a corner support from plastic; and

positioning the corner support adjacent the appliance and within a shipping container.

48. The method of claim 47 wherein the corner support includes a generally tubular first lobe connected to a generally tubular second lobe by and angular beam.

49. A corner support structure for use in the packing of an appliance, comprising:

a hollow angular channel of a predetermined length; and

the channel including at least one internal support vane.

50. The corner support structure of claim 49 wherein the channel and the support are plastic.

51. The corner support structure of claim 49 wherein the channel and the support are extruded.