Packaging and display system
View Patent ↗A packaging is provided for the transport, storage and display of rounded articles. The packaging may include an elongated arm, a gripping portion and a mounting portion. The packaging may be configured to be stacked onto other packagings of like structure. The packaging may also be configured for mounting to a vertical surface.
1. A method for shipping a plurality of balls comprising the steps of:
providing a plurality of balls for shipment at a first location;
packaging each ball in a ball packaging that includes an elongated arm, a top gripping portion having a protruded area and a bottom gripping portion having a cavity formed within that corresponds in shape to the protruded area of the top gripping portion;
stacking the plurality of balls during shipment so that the cavity of a bottom gripping portion engages the protruded area of a top gripping portion of an adjacent ball packaging;
shipping the plurality of balls to a second location; and
attaching one or more ball packagings to a vertical surface at the second location.
2. The method of claim 1 , further comprising the step of detaching one or more ball packagings from a vertical surface at the second location and attaching the one or more ball packagings to a different vertical surface at the second location.
3. The method of claim 1 ; further comprising the steps of:
i. detaching one or more ball packaging a vertical surface at the second location;
ii. shipping the one or more ball packagings to a third location; and
iii. attaching the one or more ball packagings to a vertical surface at a third location.
4. The method of claim 1 , wherein the elongated arm is curved and induces a stress state by partially surrounding the ball.
5. The method of claim 1 , wherein the ball packaging includes exactly two gripping portions.
6. The method of claim 1 , wherein the ball packaging includes a mounting structure located on the arm between the first and second gripping portions.
7. The method of claim 6 , wherein the mounting structure includes an aperture for receiving a fastener located along the arm.
8. The method of claim 1 , wherein when attached to the vertical surface, the elongated arm is generally vertically aligned.
9. The method of claim 1 , wherein the first and second gripping portions are aligned generally axially with each other along an axis generally parallel to the vertical surface.
10. The method of claim 1 , wherein the gripping structures include one or more openings that receive an insert and prevent the insert from dislodging.
11. The method of claim 1 , wherein the elongated arm is generally arcuate and has a substantially constant crass-sectional profile between the first and second gripping portions.
12. The method of claim 1 , wherein the elongated arm extends no greater than 180° about the ball when inserted.
13. The method of claim 6 , wherein the mounting structure is integrally formed in the arm.
14. The method of claim 1 , wherein the ball packaging is symmetrical about at least two axes.
15. The method of claim 1 , wherein the gripping portions lie in a common plane.