Insert for protecting a product within a box

• US 7,648,031 B2
• Filed: 12/12/2005
• Issued: 01/19/2010
• Est. Priority Date: 12/16/2004
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Veritiv Operating Company (Pixelle Specialty Solutions LLC)
• Original Assignee: International Paper Company
• Inventors: Kari, David F.
• Primary Examiner(s): Gartenberg; Ehud
• Assistant Examiner(s): Stephens, III; Jose S
• Application Number:
  US11/299,978
• Publication Number:
  US 20060131207A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,499 Days
• Field of Search: 206586-590, 206/594, 206/45.2, 206/45.21, 206/45.28, 206/4.29, 206/454, 206/320, 206/591, 206/529, 206/593
• US Class Current: 206/591
• CPC Class Codes: B65D 5/5045 Tubular lining and supporting elements
• CPC Class Codes: B65D 81/05 maintaining contents at spaced relation from package walls, or from other contents B65D81/022, B65D81/025, B65D81/03 take precedence

Abstract

The invention provides a symmetrical, corrugated fibreboard blank which can be folded into an insert configured to be received within a shipping container. A product can be protected and secured by the insert. The symmetrical design results in ease and speed of assembly regardless of the orientation of the blank along the end user'"'"'s packaging assembly line. The 5-sided shape of the insert produces void spaces that the products cannot reach, thus creating natural air cells within the insert. The ends, tabs and panels of the insert also provide for minimal movement of the product within the insert and further provide layers of cushioning upon impact. The insert can secure a variety of different sized products, is environmentally friendly, inexpensive and space-saving.

Claims

1. A blank configured to be folded into an insert for protecting a product, said blank comprising:

a base panel generally having first, second, third and fourth sides, said first and second sides being positioned opposite one another, said third and fourth sides being positioned opposite one another, said first and second sides being positioned generally perpendicular to said third and fourth sides;

first and second intermediate panels, said first intermediate panel being joined to said first side of said base panel, said second intermediate panel being joined to said second side of said base panel;

first and second bellows panels, said first bellows panel being joined to said third side of said base panel, said second bellows panel being joined to said fourth side of said base panel;

first and second top panels, said first top panel being joined to said first intermediate panel along a side of said first intermediate panel which is opposite said first side of said base panel, said second top panel being joined to said second intermediate panel along a side of said second intermediate panel which is opposite said second side of said base panel;

first, second, third and fourth end panels, said first and second end panels being joined to opposite sides of said first top panel, said opposite sides of said first top panel being generally perpendicular to said side of said first intermediate panel which is opposite said first side of said base panel, said third and fourth end panels being joined to opposite sides of said second top panel, said opposite sides of said second top panel being generally perpendicular to said side of said second intermediate panel which is opposite said second side of said base panel;

wherein said base panel has a fold line which generally extends from said third side thereof to said fourth side thereof, generally equidistantly between said first side thereof and said second side thereof; and

wherein each said bellows panel comprises first and second portions divided by a fold line, said second portions of said bellows panels comprising fist and second segments divided by a bellows fold line, said first segment being separated from said first portion by said fold line.

2. A blank as defined in claim 1, wherein said base panel has a V-panel which includes first and second elongated panels which are secured to one another along a portion of said fold line.

3. A blank as defined in claim 1, further comprising at least one flap member which is partially provided on said base panel and partially provided on said first intermediate panel.

4. A blank as defined in claim 1, further comprising at least one flap member which is partially provided on said base panel and partially provided on said second intermediate panel.

5. A blank as defined in claim 1, wherein said base panel, said first and second intermediate panels, and said first and second lop panels are configured to be folded to form a five-sided structure having an opening provided therethrough.

6. A blank as defined in claim 5, wherein said first bellows panel is configured to be folded to close off a first end of said opening, said second bellows panel configured to be folded to close off a second, opposite end of said opening, said first and second bellows panels further configured to be at least partially positioned within said opening in order to decrease an interior dimension of said five-sided structure such that the product may be secured within said opening of said five-sided structure with minimal movement.

7. A blank as defined in claim 6, wherein said first and third end panels arc configured to be folded such that said first and third end panels are positioned between said first bellows panel and a sidewall of a box when the insert is packed inside the box, and wherein said second and fourth end panels are configured to be folded such that said second and fourth end panels are positioned between said second bellows panels and an opposite sidewall of the box when the insert is packed inside the box.

8. A blank as defined in claim 5, wherein said first and second top panels are secured to one another by an adhesive in order to form said five-sided structure.

9. A blank as defined in claim 5, wherein said first and second top panels are secured to one another by a tab member provided on one of said first and second top panels being locked into an aperture formed during the folding of said blank.

10. A blank as defined in claim 1, wherein said blank is formed of corrugated fiberboard.