DEVICES FOR SHIPPING PRODUCTS

Abstract

Devices for shipping products are provided. In some embodiments, devices for shipping at least one product are provided, the devices comprising: a main holder body formed from corrugated cardboard having at least one opening in which the at least one product can be placed, wherein the corrugated cardboard has an inner surface; and a reinforcement panel that that provides support to the inner side of the corrugate cardboard and includes at least one of a cut-out and a hole corresponding to the at least one opening in the corrugated cardboard. In some of these embodiments, the reinforcement panel is secured to the corrugated cardboard panel. In some such embodiments, the reinforcement panel is glued to the corrugated cardboard panel. In some of these embodiments, the corrugated cardboard has a thickness of E-flute.

Description

BACKGROUND

[0001] In an effort to reduce environment waste and damage, there is a push to use environmentally friendly materials in packaging for products. However, using environmentally friendly materials in product packaging is difficult because, in many instances, such environmentally friendly materials do not adequately protect products during shipping.

[0002] According, new devices for shipping products are desirable.

SUMMARY

[0003] In accordance with some embodiments, devices for shipping products are provided. In some embodiments, devices for shipping at least one product are provided, the devices comprising: a main holder body formed from corrugated cardboard having at least one opening in which the at least one product can be placed, wherein the corrugated cardboard has an inner surface; and a reinforcement panel that that provides support to the inner side of the corrugate cardboard and includes at least one of a cut-out and a hole corresponding to the at least one opening in the corrugated cardboard.

[0004] In some of these embodiments, the reinforcement panel is secured to the corrugated cardboard panel. In some such embodiments, the reinforcement panel is glued to the corrugated cardboard panel.

[0005] In some of these embodiments, the corrugated cardboard has a thickness of E-flute.

[0006] In some of these embodiments, the reinforcement panel has a thickness of 2 mm.

[0007] In some of these embodiments, the reinforcement panel is formed from greyboard.

[0008] In some of these embodiments, the devices further comprise a sleeve that at least partially surrounds the main body holder. In some such embodiments, the sleeve has a thickness of 18 pt paperboard. In some such embodiments, the sleeve is formed from paperboard. In some such embodiments, the sleeve is formed from polyethylene terephthalate.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0009] FIG. 1 is an example of an illustration of a first product holder and a sleeve in accordance with some embodiments.

[0010] FIG. 2 is an example of an illustration of the first product holder within the sleeve in accordance with some embodiments.

[0011] FIG. 3 is an example of an illustration of the first product holder within the sleeve with a box bottom and a box top in which the first product holder and the sleeve can be placed in accordance with some embodiments.

[0012] FIG. 4 is an example of a picture of a sleeve in accordance with some embodiments.

[0013] FIG. 5 is an example of a die-cut diagram for the sleeve in accordance with some embodiments.

[0014] FIG. 6 is an example of a picture of a first product holder in accordance with some embodiments.

[0015] FIG. 7 is an example of a die-cut diagram for a main holder body of the first product holder in accordance with some embodiments.

[0016] FIG. 8 is an example of a die-cut diagram for two reinforcement panels of the first product holder in accordance with some embodiments.

[0017] FIG. 9 is an example of a die-cut diagram for a first insert of the first product holder in accordance with some embodiments.

[0018] FIG. 10 is an example of a die-cut diagram for a second insert of the first product holder in accordance with some embodiments.

[0019] FIG. 11 is an example of a picture of a second product holder in accordance with some embodiments.

[0020] FIG. 12 is an example of a die-cut diagram for the second product holder in accordance with some embodiments.

[0021] FIG. 13 is an example of a die-cut diagram for a reinforcement panel of the second product holder in accordance with some embodiments.

[0022] FIG. 14 is an example of a die-cut diagram for a first insert of the second product holder in accordance with some embodiments.

[0023] FIG. 15 is an example of a die-cut diagram for a second insert of the second product holder in accordance with some embodiments.

[0024] FIG. 16 is an example of a diagram showing placement of the first insert and the second insert in the second product holder in accordance with some embodiments.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0025] In accordance with some embodiments, devices for shipping products are provided.

[0026] Turning to FIG. 1-3, in accordance with some embodiments, a product holder 102 and a sleeve 104 for wrapping the product holder are shown. As illustrated in FIG. 1, products 106 and 108 can rest in product holder 102 and sleeve 104 can be slid over the product holder (in some embodiments products 106 and 108 may need to be removed to slide sleeve 104 over product holder 102, but products 106 and 108 then may be inserted into and removed from product holder 102 once sleeve 104 is in place over product holder 102 in some embodiments).

[0027] In some embodiments, once sleeve 104 is over product holder 102 as shown in FIG. 2, the product holder and the sleeve can be placed inside a box bottom 110 and a box top 112 can be placed over the box bottom to provide a closed box as shown in FIG. 3.

[0028] FIG. 4 shows an example photograph of a sleeve 104 in accordance with some embodiments.

[0029] Turning to FIG. 5, an example of a die-cut layout that can be used to create sleeve 104 is shown in accordance with some embodiments. Sleeve 104 may be formed from any suitable materials in some embodiments. For example, in some embodiments, the sleeve may be formed from paperboard, polyethylene terephthalate (PET), corrugated cardboard, chipboard, bookbinding material, kraft paper, mylar board, metalized paperboard, polyurethane, polyvinyl chloride, or any other suitable substrate sleeve. Sleeve 104 can have any suitable dimensions and thickness. For example, in some embodiments, the sleeve can have dimensions corresponding to the overall dimensions shown in FIG. 5. As another example, in some embodiments, the sleeve can have a thickness of 18 pt paperboard.

[0030] In order to manufacture sleeve 104 based on FIG. 5, the sleeve may be cut from paperboard (or polyethylene terephthalate (PET), corrugated cardboard, chipboard, bookbinding material, kraft paper, mylar board, metalized paperboard, polyurethane, polyvinyl chloride, or any other suitable material) as shown by solid lines 502, 503, and 505. The resulting material may then be folded as shown at dotted lines 504, 506, 508, and 510. Finally, the sleeve may be glued as shown by the cross hatching at 512 to the underside of end 514. In some embodiments, additionally or alternatively to gluing, the sleeve can be secured in the general shape shown in FIG. 4 in any suitable manner.

[0031] FIG. 6 shows an example photograph of a product holder 102 in accordance with some embodiments.

[0032] Turning to FIGS. 7-10, examples of die-cut layouts that can be used to create product holder 102 is shown in accordance with some embodiments. The product holder may be formed from any suitable materials in some embodiments. For example, in some embodiments, the product holder can be formed from a combination of materials as described further below.

[0033] In order to manufacture product holder 102 based on FIGS. 7-10, in some embodiments, five components need to be cut from a corresponding material: 1) a main holder body needs to be cut as shown in FIG. 7; 2) & 3) two reinforcing panels need to be cut as shown in FIG. 8; 4) a first insert needs to be cut as shown in FIG. 9; and 5) a second insert needs to be cut as shown in FIG. 10.

[0034] In some embodiments, the first insert and the second insert can be omitted or altered if less support is needed, or altered or supplemented if more support is needed.

[0035] To cut the main holder body, any suitable material (e.g., corrugated cardboard or folding carton paperboard) can be cut along solid lines 702-726 as shown in FIG. 7. The main body holder can have any suitable dimensions and thickness. For example, in some embodiments, the main body holder can have dimensions corresponding to the overall dimensions shown in FIG. 7. As another example, in some embodiments, the main body holder can have a thickness of E-flute, micro-flute, or double-walled.

[0036] Next, to cut the two reinforcing panels, any suitable material (e.g., greyboard, paperboard (claycoat newsback or non-bending chip), or plastic sheets) can be cut along solid lines 802-806 as shown in FIG. 8. The two reinforcing panels can have any suitable dimensions and thickness. For example, in some embodiments, the two reinforcing panels can have dimensions corresponding to the overall dimensions shown in FIG. 8. As another example, in some embodiments, the two reinforcing panels can have a thickness of 2 mm.

[0037] Once cut, pieces 808 and 810 can be glued to the top surface of the main holder body shown in FIG. 8. More particularly, piece 808 can be glued in place so that its cut-out 812 aligns with folds points 746, 748, and 752 and cut-outs 704 and 710 and so that its cut-out 814 aligns with fold points 760 and 762 and cut-outs 714, 718, and 720. Similarly, piece 810 can be glued in place so that its cut-out 816 aligns with folds points 778 and 780 and cut-out 724 and so that its cut-out 818 aligns with fold points 780 and 782 and cut-out 726. In some embodiments, additionally or alternatively to gluing, the reinforcement panels can be secured into the main holder body in any suitable manner. In some embodiments, the reinforcement panels can be provided as inserts that are not secured to the main body holder, but provide support to the main body holder.

[0038] The resulting material may then be folded as shown at dotted lines 730-782 to achieve the general shape shown in FIG. 6. The main holder body may next be glued as shown by the cross hatching at 784 and 786 (the glue would actually be applied on the bottom face of the material, not the top face shown) so that the cross hatching adheres to black regions 788 and 790, respectively. In some embodiments, additionally or alternatively to gluing, the main holder body can be secured in the general shape shown in FIG. 6 in any suitable manner.

[0039] Note that the tabs formed with folds 732, 734, 740, 742, 768, 770, 772, and 774 would still be open at this point.

[0040] Next, to cut the first insert, any suitable material (e.g., corrugated cardboard, paperboard, chipboard, greyboard, claycoat newsback, foam (expanded polystyrene), aircell, plastic, crumpled paper) can be cut-out as shown by solid line 902 of FIG. 9. The first insert can have any suitable dimensions and thickness. For example, the first insert can have dimensions corresponding to the overall dimensions shown in FIG. 9. As another example, in some embodiments, the first insert can have a thickness of E-flute, micro-flute, or double-walled.

[0041] Once cut, the portions outside the box formed by dashed line 904 can be folded downward to create something generally shaped like box-top 112 of FIG. 3. This piece can then be placed inside the compartment formed between folds 764, 766, 776, and 778, and the tabs formed by folds 768 and 770 and by folds 772 and 774 can be tucked into the same compartment to form the sides of the compartment.

[0042] Then, to cut the second insert, any suitable material (e.g., corrugated cardboard, paperboard, chipboard, greyboard, claycoat newsback, foam (expanded polystyrene), aircell, plastic, crumpled paper) can be cut-out as shown by solid line 1002 of FIG. 10. The second insert can have any suitable dimensions and thickness. For example, the second insert can have dimensions corresponding to the overall dimensions shown in FIG. 10. As another example, in some embodiments, the second insert can have a thickness of E-flute, micro-flute, or double-walled.

[0043] Once cut, the portions outside the box formed by dashed line 1004 can be folded downward to create something generally shaped like box-top 112 of FIG. 3. This piece can then be placed inside the compartment formed between folds 730, 744, 736, and 738, and the tabs formed by folds 740 and 742 and by folds 732 and 734 can be tucked into the same compartment to form the sides of the compartment.

[0044] FIG. 11 shows an example photograph of an alternate product holder 1102 that can be used in accordance with some embodiments.

[0045] Turning to FIGS. 12-15, examples of die-cut layouts that can be used to create product holder 1102 is shown in accordance with some embodiments. The product holder may be formed from any suitable materials in some embodiments. For example, in some embodiments, the product holder can be formed from a combination of materials as described further below.

[0046] In order to manufacture product holder 1102 based on FIGS. 12-15, in some embodiments, four components need to be cut from corresponding material: 1) a main holder body needs to be cut as shown in FIG. 12; 2) a reinforcing panel needs to be cut as shown in FIG. 13; 3) a first insert needs to be cut as shown in FIG. 14; and 4) a second insert needs to be cut as shown in FIG. 15.

[0047] In some embodiments, the first insert and the second insert can be omitted or altered if less support is needed, or altered or supplemented if more support is needed.

[0048] To cut the main holder body, any suitable material (e.g., corrugated cardboard) can be cut along solid lines 1202-1226 as shown in FIG. 12. The main holder body can have any suitable dimensions and thickness. For example, the main holder body can have dimensions corresponding to the overall dimensions shown in FIG. 12. As another example, in some embodiments, the main body holder can have a thickness of E-flute, micro-flute, or double-walled.

[0049] Next, to cut the reinforcing panel, any suitable material (e.g., greyboard, paperboard (claycoat newsback or non-bending chip), or plastic sheets) can be cut along solid lines 1302-1306 as shown in FIG. 13. The reinforcing panel can have any suitable dimensions and thickness. For example, the reinforcing panel can have dimensions corresponding to the overall dimensions shown in FIG. 13. As another example, in some embodiments, the reinforcing panel can have a thickness of 2 mm.

[0050] Once cut, piece 1308 can be glued to the bottom surface of the main holder body shown in FIG. 12. More particularly, piece 1308 can be glued in place so that its cut-outs 1310 and 1312 align with the cut-outs in the main holder body. In some embodiments, additionally or alternatively to gluing, the reinforcement piece can be secured to the main holder body in any suitable manner. In some embodiments, the reinforcement panels can be provided as inserts that are not secured to the main body holder, but provide support to the main body holder.

[0051] The resulting material may then be folded as shown at dotted lines 1130-1182 to achieve the general shape shown in FIG. 11. In doing so, the pieces to the left, top, and right of folds 1232, 1230, and 1234, respectively, can first be folded downward 90 degrees. Next, region 1288 can be folded downward so that 90-degree angles are formed at each of folds 1236 and 1238. This will result in region 1288 being behind region 1290. Then, regions 1288 and 1290 can then collectively be folded behind region 1292 by folding folds 1240 and 1242 at 90-degree angles each.

[0052] Next, the tab formed by fold 1282 can be folded downward 90 degrees, and the main holder body can be secured in the general shape of what is shown in FIG. 11 by gluing the cross hatching at 1284 so that the cross hatching adheres to the back of region 1286. In some embodiments, additionally or alternatively to gluing, the main holder body can be secured in the general shape shown in FIG. 11 in any suitable manner.

[0053] Note that the tabs formed with folds 1244, 1246, 1248, and 1250 would still be open at this point.

[0054] Next, to cut the first insert 1400, any suitable material (e.g., corrugated cardboard, paperboard, chipboard, greyboard, claycoat newsback, foam (expanded polystyrene), aircell, plastic, crumpled paper) can be cut-out as shown by solid line 1402 of FIG. 14. The first insert can have any suitable dimensions and thickness. For example, the first insert can have dimensions corresponding to the overall dimensions shown in FIG. 14. As another example, in some embodiments, the first insert can have a thickness of E-flute, micro-flute, or double-walled.

[0055] Once cut, the portion above line 1404 and the portion below line 1406 can each be folded downward to create something generally shaped like an up-side-down U-shaped extrusion. This piece can then be placed inside the space between regions 1292 and 1288 in the area shown by 1400 in FIG. 16. Note that the hashing shown in FIGS. 14 and 16 is intended to indicate the top surface in the view of FIG. 16.

[0056] Then, to cut the second insert 1500, any suitable material (e.g., corrugated cardboard, paperboard, chipboard, greyboard, claycoat newsback, foam (expanded polystyrene), aircell, plastic, crumpled paper) can be cut-out as shown by solid lines 1502 and 1504 of FIG. 15. The second insert can have any suitable dimensions and thickness. For example, the second insert can have dimensions corresponding to the overall dimensions shown in FIG. 15. As another example, in some embodiments, the second insert can have a thickness of E-flute, micro-flute, or double-walled.

[0057] Once cut, the portions above dashed lines 1506 and 1510 and the portions below dashed lines 1508 and 1512 can be folded downward to create something generally shaped like an up-side-down U-shaped extrusion except that one portion of the up-side-down U is taller than another. This piece can then be placed inside the space between regions 1292 and 1288 in the area shown by 1500 in FIG. 16. Note that the dotting shown in FIGS. 15 and 16 is intended to indicate the top surface in the view of FIG. 16.

[0058] Finally, the tabs formed by folds 1244, 1246, 1248, and 1250 can be tucked into the sides of the compartment formed between 1288 and 1290.

[0059] While specifically shaped product holders are shown herein for purposes of illustration of the inventive techniques, it should be understood that the inventive techniques described herein can be applied to any suitable product holders for holding any suitable product(s) having any suitable shape(s) and size(s).

[0060] Although the invention has been described and illustrated in the foregoing illustrative embodiments, it is understood that the present disclosure has been made only by way of example, and that numerous changes in the details of implementation of the invention can be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention, which is limited only by the claims that follow. Features of the disclosed embodiments can be combined and rearranged in various ways.

Claims

1. A device for shipping at least one product, comprising: a main holder body formed from corrugated cardboard having at least one opening in which the at least one product can be placed, wherein the corrugated cardboard has an inner surface; and a reinforcement panel that that provides support to the inner side of the corrugate cardboard and includes at least one of a cut-out and a hole corresponding to the at least one opening in the corrugated cardboard.

2. The device of claim 1, wherein the reinforcement panel is secured to the corrugated cardboard panel.

3. The device of claim 2, wherein the reinforcement panel is glued to the corrugated cardboard panel.

4. The device of claim 1, wherein the corrugated cardboard has a thickness of E-flute.

5. The device of claim 1, wherein the reinforcement panel has a thickness of 2 mm.

6. The device of claim 1, wherein the reinforcement panel is formed from greyboard.

7. The device of claim 1, further comprising a sleeve that at least partially surrounds the main body holder.

8. The device of claim 7, wherein the sleeve has a thickness of 18 pt paperboard.

9. The device of claim 7, wherein the sleeve is formed from paperboard.

10. The device of claim 7, wherein the sleeve is formed from polyethylene terephthalate.