Packaging for fragile items
View Patent ↗One or more unique hinges are provided within panels of a fragility packaging article for use in retaining one or more fragile articles within a container (e.g., a corrugated box). The unique hinges provide predicted deformation paths that assist in protecting one or more fragile items stored in the container. One of the unique hinges is a diamond shaped hinge that provides at least two predicted deformation paths. Other unique hinges of the present invention includes a gusset hinge, a step hinge, and a v-hinge, each of which provides at least one predicted deformation path. The predicted deformation paths reduce permanent deformation and provide for improved overall cushioning, thereby increasing protection of fragile items and significantly reducing damage that may occur to the fragile items. The unique hinges of the present invention also improve the cosmetic appearance of a fragility packing article because a majority of crushing occurs along the unique hinges, preventing random unsightly crush points from occurring throughout the packaging article.
1. A fragility packaging article panel for use in retaining and protecting at least one fragile item within a container, the panel comprising:
a base having a peripheral edge including generally parallel front and rear edges and generally parallel first and second side edges, said base for resting on or against an inner surface of the container;
a platform for supporting at least a portion of the at least one item, said platform including generally parallel front and rear edges and generally parallel first and second side edges;
a front wall rising from said front edge of said base to said front edge of said platform;
a rear wall rising from said rear edge of said base to said rear edge of said platform;
a first side wall rising from said first side edge of said base to said first side edge of said platform;
a second side wall rising from said second side edge of said base to said second side edge of said platform;
said front wall, said rear wall, said first side wall and said second side wall defining a skirt that suspends said platform above said base so that a shock absorbing air cushioning space is defined between the inner surface of the container and said platform; and
a diamond hinge located in a corner area where said platform, one of said front and rear walls and one of said side walls all meet, said diamond binge being defined by four substantially planer and substantially triangular surfaces that meet at a point located below said platform, said diamond hinge providing at least two predicted paths for deformation.
2. The panel according to claim 1 , further comprising a plurality of ribs projecting from said platform to define at least one item-supporting cell, each said cell configured to receive one fragile item.
3. The panel according to claim 1 , wherein an outer edge of said diamond hinge has a generally diamond shape, said diamond shape being divided into said four triangular surfaces by a pair of cross-hairs.
4. The panel according to claim 3 , wherein:
a first of said cross-hairs defines a line along which a first pair of said triangular surfaces bend toward a second pair of said triangular surfaces during a first predicted deformation path; and
a second of said cross-hairs defines a line along which a third pair of said triangular surfaces bend toward a fourth pair of said triangular surfaces during a second predicted deformation path.
5. The panel according to claim 4 , wherein a base of one or more of said triangular surfaces is curved, each said base being an edge of one of said triangular surfaces opposite said point where said triangular surfaces meet, said bases of said four triangular surfaces collectively defining said outer edge of said diamond hinge.
6. The panel according to claim 1 , wherein said panel includes at least a pair of said diamond hinges; a first said diamond hinge located in a corner area where said platform, said front and said first side wall all meet; a second said diamond hinge located in a corner area where said platform, said rear wall and said first side wall all meet.
7. A fragility packaging article panel for use in retaining and protecting at least one fragile item within a container, the panel comprising:
a base having a peripheral edge including generally parallel front and rear edges and generally parallel first and second side edges, said base for resting on or against a panel of the container;
a platform for supporting at least a portion of the at least one fragile item, said platform including generally parallel front and rear edges and generally parallel first and second side edges;
a front wall rising from said front edge of said base to said front edge of said platform;
a rear wall rising from said rear edge of said base to said rear edge of said platform;
a first side wall rising from said first side edge of said base to said first side edge of said platform;
a second side wall rising from said second side edge of said base to said second side edge of said platform;
said front wall, said rear wall, said first side wall and said second side wall defining a skirt that suspends said platform above said base so that a shock absorbing air cushioning space is defined between the inner surface of the container and said platform; and
a v-hinge extending into said front wall and into said platform, said v-hinge including:
a first v-shaped end in said front wall with a tip pointing generally toward said front edge of said base;
a second v-shaped end in said platform with a tip pointing generally away from said front edge of said base;
generally parallel edges that extend between said first v-shaped end and said second v-shaped end; and
first and second walls extending down from said edges and meeting at a trough to thereby form a v-shaped channel.
8. The panel according to claim 7 , further comprising a plurality of ribs projecting from said platform to define at least one item-supporting cell, each said cell configured to receive one fragile item.
9. The panel according to claim 7 , wherein said v-hinge provides a predicted path for deformation, wherein during deformation said first and second walls of said v-hinge bend toward one another along said trough.
10. The panel according to claim 9 , further comprising a second v-hinge extending into said rear wall and into said platform, said second v-hinge including:
a first v-shaped end in said rear wall with a tip pointing generally toward said rear edge of said base;
a second v-shaped end in said platform with a tip pointing generally away from said rear edge of said base;
generally parallel edges that extend between said first v-shaped end and said second v-shaped end; and
first and second walls extending down from said edges and meeting at a trough to thereby form a v-shaped channel.
11. A fragility packaging article panel for use in retaining and protecting at least one fragile item within a container, the panel comprising:
a base having a peripheral edge including generally parallel front and rear edges and generally parallel first and second side edges, said base for resting on or against a panel of the container;
a platform for supporting at least a portion of the at least one fragile item, said platform including generally parallel front and rear edges and generally parallel first and second side edges;
a front wall rising from said front edge of said base to said front edge of said platform;
a rear wall rising from said rear edge of said base to said rear edge of said platform;
a first side wall rising from said first side edge of said base to said first side edge of said platform;
a second side wall rising from said second side edge of said base to said second side edge of said platform;
said front wall, said rear wall, said first side wall and said second side wall defining a skirt that suspends said platform above said base so that a shock absorbing air cushioning space is defined between the inner surface of the container and said platform; and
a v-hinge extending into said front wall, into and across and entire width of said platform, and into said rear wall, said v-hinge including:
a first v-shaped end in said front wall with a tip pointing generally toward said front edge of said base;
a second v-shaped end in said rear wall with a tip pointing generally toward said rear edge of said base;
generally parallel edges that extend between said first v-shaped end and said second v-shaped end; and
first and second walls extending down from said edges and meeting at a trough to thereby form a v-shaped channel.
12. The panel according to claim 11 , wherein said v-hinge provides a predicted path for deformation, wherein during deformation said first and second walls of said v-hinge bend toward one another along said trough.
13. A fragility packaging article panel for use in retaining and protecting at least one fragile item within a container, the panel comprising:
a base having a peripheral edge including generally parallel front and rear edges and generally parallel first and second side edges, said base for resting on or against a panel of the container;
a platform for supporting at least a portion of the at least one fragile item, said platform including generally parallel front and rear edges and generally parallel first and second side edges;
a front wall rising from said front edge of said base to said front edge of said platform;
a rear wall rising from said rear edge of said base to said rear edge of said platform;
a first side wall rising from said first side edge of said base to said first side edge of said platform;
a second side wall rising from said second side edge of said base to said second side edge of said platform;
said front wall, said rear wall, said first side wall and said second side wall defining a skirt that suspends said platform above said base so that a shock absorbing air cushioning space is defined between the inner surface of the container and said platform;
a plurality of ribs projecting from said platform to define at least one item-supporting cell, each said cell configured to receive one fragile item, at least one of said ribs including a gusset portion projecting from one of said front and rear walls to provide additional strength to said at least one of said ribs and to said one of said front and rear walls; and
a gusset hinge located in said gusset portion for providing a path of deformation for said gusset.
14. The panel according to claim 13 , wherein said gusset hinge comprises a notch in an outer peripheral wall of said gusset portion.
15. The panel according to claim 14 , wherein said notch includes a ledge and a face meeting at a corner, and wherein said ledge and said face bend toward one another along said corner during deformation.
16. The packing article as define in claim 15 , wherein said ledge is substantially parallel to said platform.
17. A fragility packaging article panel for use in retaining and protecting at least one fragile item within a container, the panel comprising:
a base having a peripheral edge including generally parallel front and rear edges and generally parallel first and second side edges, said base for resting on or against an inner surface of the container;
a platform for supporting at least a portion of the at least one fragile item, said platform including generally parallel front and rear edges and generally parallel first and second side edges;
a front wall rising from said front edge of said base to said front edge of said platform;
a rear wall rising from said rear edge of said base to said rear edge of said platform;
a first side wall rising from said first side edge of said base to said first side edge of said platform;
a second side wall rising from said second side edge of said base to said second side edge of said platform;
said front wall, said rear wall, said first side wall and said second side wall defining a skirt that suspends said platform above said base so that a shock absorbing air cushioning space is defined between the inner surface of the container and said platform; and
a step hinge within said front wall and extending at least a portion of a length of said front wall, said step hinge including a ledge and a face meeting at a corner, and wherein said ledge and said face bend toward one another along said corner during deformation.
18. The packing article as define in claim 17 , wherein said ledge is substantially parallel to said platform.
19. The panel according to claim 17 , further comprising a plurality of ribs projecting from said platform to define at least one item-supporting cell, each said cell configured to receive one fragile item.
20. The panel according to claim 19 , wherein at least one of said ribs including a gusset portion projecting from said front wall to provide additional strength to said at least one of said ribs and to said front wall.
21. The panel according to claim 20 , wherein each said gusset portion splits said step hinge into separate sections.