US3389786A - Packaging for frangible sheets - Google Patents

Description

June 25, 1968 UDGARD PACKAGING FOR FRANGIBLE SHEETS 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed May 5, 1967 NVENTOR' 0W/9/?0 I Z/06/9fi0 ATTORNEYS United States Patent 3,389,786 PACKAGING FOR FRANGIBLE SHEETS Edward J. Lidgard, Lathrup Village, Mich., assigncr to Flotepak Corporation, Southfield, Mich., a corporation of Michigan Filed May 5, 1967, Ser. No. 636,388 4 Claims. (Cl. 206-62) ABSTRACT OF THE DISCLOSURE A packaging device for handling individual frangible plates such as glass which comprises an enclosure and a supporting panel within the enclosure carrying unique locking devices engageable with the edge of the plates for spacing the plates from the walls of the enclosure and also assuring against side or endwise displacement such that the edges of the plate are well protected within the enclosure.

This invention relates to a packaging system for handling material such as glass which is used particularly in automobiles. There are a number of occasions when glass panels must be shipped individually to various points for replacement purposes and it is desirable to have a simple package unit which can withstand the shocks of shipment.

The present invention contemplates simple packaging structure for individual sheets of laminate or tempered glass which can be readily adapted to various shapes and sizes of sheets and which affords inherent protection to all edges. Tempered glass in general needs edge protection but stands up well against side blows. Laminate glass requires more protection against blows. Optional package units can be used for each type of glass.

It is an object, therefore, of the invention toprovide a packaging unit which adapts to various shapes and sizes of glass and which inherently produces a suitable edge protection and spacing in a package unit for shipping.

Another object of the invention is the provision of a packaging system which is extremely simple and one which utilizes stabilizing or locating units which can be made from fiat sheets and which will assume three-dimensional shapes upon installation.

Other objects and features of the invention will be ap parent in the following description and claims in which the principle of the invention and the operation is described in connection with the best mode contemplated.

Drawings accompany the disclosure and the various views thereof may be briefly described as:

FIGURE 1, a layout of a structural unit of the device.

FIGURE 2, a view of the structural unit in proper shape for installation.

FIGURE 3, a perspective view of a package utilizing the locating components.

FIGURE 4, a sectional view on line 44 of FIG- URE 3.

FIGURE 5, a view of a modified structure to provide a wider bottom spacing dimension.

FIGURE 6, a fragmentary view of an alternative structure with a double top fold.

Referring to the drawings, in FIGURE 1 an elongate sheet of cardboard material is shown at and this sheet is formed with two transverse fold creases 12 and 14 and additional fold creases 16 which extend partially across the sheet. Joining the fold creases 16 are L-shaped cuts 18 spaced to each side of the transverse folds 12. The device as precut and precreased can then be shaped into a structure shown in FIGURE 2 wherein the two portions on either side of the fold 12 form angled panels 20' and the folding elevates the edges 22 of the cuts 18 so that they become spaced upwardly from the base panel formed by the sections 24, 26 and 28 to form recesses.

3,389,786 Patented June 25, 1968 As shown in FIGURE 3, when the base panels are stapled as at 29 to a supporting sheet of a box-like construction 30, the notches or recesses formed by the raised portions of the panel 10 will receive the edge of a plate 32 and space it away from the bottom panel 34 of the box as well as away from the side walls 36 and 38. The bottom panel 34 may have depending edges 35 to space it from the box bottom 37. The crown portions 20 also serve to space the cover member 40 from the glass panel so that the panel is actually contained in the box spaced from all walls thereof and thus protected.

In FIGURE 5, a modified structure is shown wherein end tabs 46 are provided on the ends of the blank 50, these tabs being folded on the ends 24 and 28 and stapled at 52 to provide additional thickness underlying the plate which is supported by the unit. The notch 54 would be then cut a little deeper to provide the necessary clearance for the edge of the glass plate and the plate would support on the folded tabs 46. The staples for the tabs are preferably spaced behind the base edge 56 of the notches to avoid scratching the glass panel, but the tabs preferably do not extend the full width of the blank 50 since this would interfere with the normal stapling to the bottom of the container.

It will thus be seen that the blanks 10 can be readily shaped on the job by reason of the directional folds which are provided and stapled in position by an operator while engaging securely the edges of the glass panel. Thus, the panel will be secured against shifting in all directions and spaced from the walls of the container to permit safe shipment.

It will be appreciated that the package described can be used either for tempered glass or laminated glass. Tempered glass needs less protection against side blows and the spacing from the walls of the carton is not especially critical. Thus, the tray bottom 34 with sides 35 would preferably be used with laminate glass which is more subject to cracking from side blows. Tempered glass is highly resistant to side shock and accordingly the elements 10 can be stapled directly to the side wall of a carton as shown in FIGURES 5 and 6.

In FIGURE 6, a modified construction is shown wherein a double fold is provided in the edge holding unit. In this figure, the base unit 60 on the box side 37 has two up folds 62 at the base and two spaced down folds 64 to form a raised panel 66, the notches or recesses being formed in the usual manner.

What is claimed as new is as follows:

1. A packaging device for handling frangible sheets such as glass which comprises a supporting panel in a shipping container and a plurality of locating units adapted for edge contact with a sheet to be shipped comprising an elongate plate of relatively rigid material adapted to be folded at spaced transverse lines, one or more pairs of L-shaped cuts positioned with the Us reversed with respect to each other in spaced relation, the plate being folded on said lines at the L-shaped cuts to form a ridge with a triangular cross-section, the edges of one end of said ridge being spaced by reason of said cuts from the plate to provide a retaining slot, said units being disposed around a sheet of glass or the like on said supporting panel to receive and lock the edges of the sheet to be anchored to said panel for shipment.

2. An edge plate for locating a sheet of frangible material in a direction parallel to the plane of said sheet and transverse thereto which comprises a plate of material such as cardboard folded on a plurality of spaced parallel lines, the two outside folds being in one direction and one or more center folds being in the opposite direction to create a raised portion in said plate, and an L- shaped cut at the ends of said outside folds originating at short distance inside each outside fold and progressing inwardly substantially in the direction of said folds a short distance and then outwardly to said outside folds to create an edge slot bounded on one side by the edges of said panel and on the other side by edges of the raised p0rtions of the plate at said cut.

3. A device as defined in claim 2 in which the ends of the plate are doubled back on themselves to raise a second sheet above a support on which the plate is located.

4. A packaging assembly for frangible sheets and the like which comprises a box having a bottom panel forming a part of an enclosure, a secondary bottom on said bottom panel having depending sides to space the secondary panel upwards from said bottom, and a plurality of edge plates for locating a sheet of frangible material to be shipped in said box comprising a plate of material such as cardboard folded between two edges to create a raised References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 2,005,967 6/1935 Berdan 20662 2,598,492 5/1952 Boes 206-65 2,663,417 12/1953 Kincaid 20662 MARTHA L. RICE, Primary Examiner.

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