PACKAGING FOR THIN, FRAGILE PLANAR MEMBERS

Abstract

A low cost and durable package for use in shipping thin, fragile planar members, such as protective tempered glass screen protectors for electronic devices. The package may include a rectangular box having a sidewall that defines an interior portion. A support insert having two outer sidewall members and a middle wall portion is configured and adapted to fit within the interior portion of the box. The middle portion may include cutouts for restraining a glass screen protector for an electronic device. A flap configurable between an open position and a closed position may provide further protection.

Description

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Application No. 61/869,583, filed Aug. 23, 2013, which is hereby incorporated by reference herein in its entirety, including but not limited to those portions that specifically appear hereinafter, the incorporation by reference being made with the following exception: In the event that any portion of the above-referenced provisional application is inconsistent with this application, this application supercedes said above-referenced provisional application.

STATEMENT REGARDING FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCH OR DEVELOPMENT

Not Applicable.

BACKGROUND

1. The Field of the Present Disclosure

The present disclosure relates generally to packaging, and more particularly, but not necessarily entirely, to packaging for shipping thin, fragile planar members, such as glass, used on electronic devices.

2. Description of Related Art

The rise of e-commerce websites has led to a dramatic increase of good being shipped by common carrier to consumers. One popular product commonly bought on e-commerce websites is screen protectors for electronic devices. In the past, screen protectors comprised a thin, flexible sheet of plastic. More recently, the use of thin, fragile planar members, such as tempered glass, as screen protectors for electronic devices has become more popular.

Durable and low-cost packaging for shipping glass screen protectors, however, has proven challenging. In particular, tempered glass, while somewhat less prone to breaking than regular glass, may still break or shatter if not handled properly. Thus, it would be an advantage over the prior art to provide a low-cost, durable, and easy-to-manufacture package design for shipping tempered glass.

The features and advantages of the present disclosure will be set forth in the description which follows, and in part will be apparent from the description, or may be learned by the practice of the present disclosure without undue experimentation. The features and advantages of the present disclosure may be realized and obtained by means of the instruments and combinations particularly pointed out in the appended claims.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The features and advantages of the disclosure will become apparent from a consideration of the subsequent detailed description presented in connection with the accompanying drawings in which:

FIG. 1 is a front view of a support insert in an unfolded configuration according to an exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure;

FIG. 2 is a rear view of the support insert shown in FIG. 1 in an unfolded configuration according to an exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure;

FIG. 3 is a front view of the support insert shown in FIG. 1 in a folded configuration with its protective front flap in an open configuration and a thin, fragile planar member mounted thereon according to an exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure;

FIG. 4 is a front view of a support insert shown in FIG. 1 in a folded configuration with its protective front flap in a partially open configuration and a thin, fragile planar member mounted thereon according to an exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure;

FIG. 5 is a front view of a support insert in a folded configuration with its protective front flap in a closed configuration according to an exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure;

FIG. 6 is a perspective view of the support insert shown in FIG. 1 partially installed into an interior of a box according to an exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure; and

FIG. 7 is a top view showing the interior of the box showing a top profile of the support insert.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

For the purposes of promoting an understanding of the principles in accordance with the disclosure, reference will now be made to the embodiments illustrated in the drawings and specific language will be used to describe the same. It will nevertheless be understood that no limitation of the scope of the disclosure is thereby intended. Any alterations and further modifications of the inventive features illustrated herein, and any additional applications of the principles of the disclosure as illustrated herein, which would normally occur to one skilled in the relevant art and having possession of this disclosure, are to be considered within the scope of the disclosure claimed.

In describing and claiming the present disclosure, the following terminology will be used in accordance with the definitions set out below. It must be noted that, as used in this specification and the appended claims, the singular forms “a,”“an,” and “the” include plural referents unless the context clearly dictates otherwise. As used herein, the terms “comprising,” “including,” “having,” “containing,” “characterized by,” and grammatical equivalents thereof are inclusive or open-ended terms that do not exclude additional, unrecited elements or method steps.

Applicants have invented a low cost and durable package for shipping thin, fragile planar members, such as members formed of glass. The applicants' invention is particularly suited for packaging glass screen protectors for electronic devices, such as smart phones. In an embodiment, the applicants' invention comprises a support insert and a box. The support insert may be operable between an unfolded configuration and a folded configuration. In the unfolded configuration, the support insert may be substantially flat. In this regard, the support insert may be formed of paper stock having a thickness less than a millimeter. In the folded configuration, the support insert may define a mounting surface for an object, such as a thin, fragile planar member, and a protective flap having a living hinge interposed between them. The protective flap may be operable between an open configuration and a closed configuration with respect to the mounting surface.

Referring now to FIGS. 1 and 2, a front and back view, respectively, of a support insert 100 is shown. The support insert 100 may comprise a substantially planar member 102. In an embodiment, the member 102 is formed of a paper or card stock having a thickness less than 1 millimeter. In an embodiment, the thickness of the member 102 may be about 1 millimeter or greater.

The member 102 may comprise a flap portion 104 and a back portion 106. In an embodiment, a length, L1, of the flap portion 104 is less than a length, L2, of the back portion 106.

Interposed between the flap portion 104 and the back portion 106 may be a first portion 110 and a second portion 112. In particular, the first portion 110 is adjacent the flap portion 104 and the second portion 112 is adjacent the back portion 106. Interposed between the flap portion 104 and the first portion 110 is a fold 114 as indicated by the dashed line. Interposed between the first portion 110 and the second portion 112 is a fold 116 as indicated by the dashed line. Interposed between the second portion 112 and the back portion 106 is a fold 118 as indicated by the dashed line. As seen in FIG. 1, the first portion 110 includes a surface A1 and the second portion 112 includes a surface A2.

Disposed along an outside edge of the back portion 106 is a third portion 120 and a fourth portion 122. Interposed between the back portion 106 and the third portion 120 is a fold 124 as indicated by the dashed line. Interposed between the third portion 120 and the fourth portion is a fold 126 as indicated by the dashed line. As seen in FIG. 1, the third portion 120 includes a surface B1 and the fourth portion 122 includes a surface B2.

It will be appreciated that the folds 114, 116, 118, 124, and 126 may include perforations that form fold lines. In an embodiment, the folds 114, 116, 118, 124, and 126 may be formed by hand or by a machine. In addition, the back portion 106 may include tabs 130. The tabs 130 may be formed by slits formed in the back portion 106.

Referring now to FIGS. 1 and 3, the first portion 110 and the second portion 112 may be folded together along fold 116 such that the surfaces A1 and A2 matingly engage to form a double folded portion. In an embodiment, an adhesive is utilized to join the surfaces A1 and A2 together. In an embodiment, a mechanical fastener, such as a staple, may be utilized. In an embodiment, the surfaces A1 and A2 are not joined together but are held in place due to the stiffness of the member 102. The third portion 120 and the fourth portion 122 may be folded together along fold 126 such that the surfaces B1 and B2 matingly engage. In an embodiment, an adhesive is utilized to join the surfaces B1 and B2 together. In an embodiment, a mechanical fastener, such as a staple, may be utilized. In an embodiment, the surfaces B1 and B2 are not joined together and are held in place by the stiffness.

Referring now to FIGS. 3-5, with the surfaces A1 and A2 joined, the fold 114 forms a living hinge that allows the flap portion 104 to operate between an open position (FIG. 3), an intermediate position (FIG. 4) and a closed position (FIG. 5). An object, such as a thin, fragile planar member 150 may be installed onto a top surface 152 of the back portion 106. Two of the tabs 130 may be utilized to hold the planar member 150 in place. As observed in FIG. 5, with the planar member 150 in place, the flap portion 104 may be closed and secured in place by another one of the tabs 130.

Referring now to FIGS. 6 and 7, with the planar member 150 in place and the flap portion 104 in the closed position over the planar member 150, the insert 100 may be slidably inserted into an interior portion 202 of a box 200. As seen in FIG. 7, a horizontal cross section of the interior portion 202 of the box 200 may be rectangular shaped. In an embodiment, the interior portion 202 comprises a pair of opposing sidewalls 204 and 206. The interior portion 202 further comprises a pair of opposing sidewalls 208 and 210. In an embodiment, sidewalls 204 and 206 are longer than the sidewalls 208 and 210.

As perhaps best seen in FIG. 7, when installed into the interior 202 of the box 200, the insert 100 may have a Z-shaped horizontal cross section. In particular, the first portion 110 and the second portion 112, which together may form a double folded sidewall or leg, may extend parallel and adjacent to the sidewall 208. The third portion 120 and the fourth portion 122, which together may form a double folded sidewall or leg, may extend parallel and adjacent to the sidewall 210. The double folded portion created by the first portion 110 and the second portion 112 may be substantially parallel to the double folded portion created by third portion 120 and the fourth portion 122.

As can be further observed, the back portion 206 and the flap portion 204, which together may define a middle wall portion, may extend diagonally between an interior corner 212 formed at the intersection of the sidewalls 204 and 208 and an interior corner 214 formed at the intersection of the sidewalls 206 and 210.

The insert 100 may also include a hang tag 216 for use in retail displays. In an embodiment, the hang tag 216 may be integrally formed with the insert or not. In an embodiment, the hang tag 216 may extend through a slot in the box 200.

It will be appreciated that the configuration of the insert 100 within the box 200 prevents damage to the planar member 150. In particular, the insert 100 suspends the planar member 150 between, but away from, the walls of the box 200.

In an embodiment, the middle wall portion formed by the back portion 206 and the flap portion 204 may intersect the sidewall formed by the first portion 110 and the second portion 112 at an angle between 35 degrees and 60 degrees. In an embodiment, the middle wall portion formed by the back portion 206 and the flap portion 204 may intersect the sidewall formed by the third portion 120 and the fourth portion 122 at an angle of intersection, θ, between 35 degrees and 60 degrees. In an embodiment, the angles of intersection, θ, are about 45 degrees. In an embodiment, the angles of intersection, θ, are greater than 90 degrees. In an embodiment, the angles of intersection, θ, are between 90 degrees and 120 degrees. In an embodiment, the angles of intersection, θ, are between 95 degrees and 105 degrees. In an embodiment, the angles of intersection, θ, is about 100 degrees.

In an embodiment, the support insert 100 is die cut into the shape shown in FIG. 1. In an embodiment, the support insert 100 and box 200 and the planar member 150 may form a kit for packaging a thin, fragile planar member. In an embodiment, the planar member 150 comprises a thin piece of pre-cut tempered glass that may be applied to a screen of an electronic device, such as a smart phone.

It will be appreciated that the structure and apparatus disclosed herein is merely one example of a means for packaging a thin, fragile planar member, and it should be appreciated that any structure, apparatus or system for a thin, rigid planar member which performs functions the same as, or equivalent to, those disclosed herein are intended to fall within the scope of a means for a thin, rigid planar member, including those structures, apparatus or systems for a thin, rigid planar member which are presently known, or which may become available in the future. Anything which functions the same as, or equivalently to, a means for a thin, rigid planar member falls within the scope of this element.

Those having ordinary skill in the relevant art will appreciate the advantages provide by the features of the present disclosure. For example, it is a feature of the present disclosure to provide a package for use with thin, fragile planar members, such as glass screen protectors for use on electronic devices. Another feature of the present disclosure is to provide a kit for protecting a display of an electronic device. It is a further feature of the present disclosure, in accordance with one aspect thereof, to provide a shipping package for screen protectors for electronic devices.

It will be further appreciated that the support insert may be utilized in packaging for various objects, including thin, fragile planar members. The support insert may be utilized with non-planar members.

In the foregoing Detailed Description, various features of the present disclosure are grouped together in a single embodiment for the purpose of streamlining the disclosure. This method of disclosure is not to be interpreted as reflecting an intention that the claimed disclosure requires more features than are expressly recited in each claim. Rather, as the following claims reflect, inventive aspects lie in less than all features of a single foregoing disclosed embodiment. Thus, the following claims are hereby incorporated into this Detailed Description of the Disclosure by this reference, with each claim standing on its own as a separate embodiment of the present disclosure.

It is to be understood that the above-described arrangements are only illustrative of the application of the principles of the present disclosure. Numerous modifications and alternative arrangements may be devised by those skilled in the art without departing from the spirit and scope of the present disclosure and the appended claims are intended to cover such modifications and arrangements. Thus, while the present disclosure has been shown in the drawings and described above with particularity and detail, it will be apparent to those of ordinary skill in the art that numerous modifications, including, but not limited to, variations in size, materials, shape, form, function and manner of operation, assembly and use may be made without departing from the principles and concepts set forth herein.

Claims

1. A package for use with a thin planar member, said package comprising:

a box having a sidewall that defines an interior portion;

a support insert having a first sidewall member, a second sidewall member, and a middle wall portion;

wherein the first sidewall member and the second sidewall member are spaced apart;

wherein the middle wall portion extends between the first sidewall member and the second sidewall member;

wherein the support insert is disposed within the interior portion of the box;

wherein the middle wall portion includes a location for receiving the thin planar member.

2. The package of claim 1, wherein the support insert is formed from a single sheet of paper.

3. The package of claim 1, wherein the support insert further comprises a flap portion configurable between an open position and a closed position.

4. The package of claim 4, wherein the support insert further comprises at least one holding tab for securing the planar member.

5. The package of claim 4, wherein the support insert further comprises at least one holding tab for securing the flap portion in a closed position.

6. The package of claim 1, wherein the first sidewall member defines a first plane and the second sidewall member defines a second plane, wherein the first plane and the second plane are substantially parallel.

7. The package of claim 6, wherein the middle wall portion defines a third plane, wherein the third plane intersects the first plane at an angle between 95 degrees and 105 degrees.

8. The package of claim 7, wherein the third plane intersects the second plane at an angle between 95 degrees and 105 degrees.

9. The package of claim 8, wherein the third plane intersects the first plane and the second plane at about 100 degrees.

10. The package of claim 1, wherein the first sidewall and the second sidewall comprise a double folded portion.

11. The package of claim 1, wherein the first sidewall portion and the middle portion are separated by a fold and wherein the second sidewall portion and the middle portion are separated by a fold.

12. The package of claim 11, wherein the first sidewall portion extends from the middle portion in a first direction and the second portion extends from the middle portion in a second direction, wherein the first direction and the second direction are opposite of each other.

13. The package of claim 1, wherein the support insert comprises a hang tag.

14. The package of claim 13, wherein the box comprises a slot, wherein the hang tag extends through the slot.

15. The package of claim 1, wherein the planar member is formed of glass.

16. The package of claim 15, wherein the glass is tempered glass.

17. The package of claim 1, wherein the box is rectangular.

18. A method for packaging a thin planar member, said method comprising:

providing a box having a sidewall that defines an interior portion;

providing a support insert, the support insert comprising: a first sidewall member, a second sidewall member, and a middle wall portion; wherein the first sidewall member and the second sidewall member are spaced apart; wherein the middle wall portion extends between the first sidewall member and the second sidewall member; wherein the middle wall portion includes a location for receiving the thin planar member; wherein the middle wall portion further includes a flap portion; and wherein the flap portion is operable between an open position and a closed position;

installing the thin planar member onto the middle wall portion at the location for receiving the thin planar member;

closing the flap over the thin planar member; and

inserting the support insert into the box.

19. The method of claim 18, wherein the first sidewall member and the second sidewall member are substantially parallel to each other when the support member is inserted into the box and wherein the middle wall portion extends diagonally between the first sidewall member and the second sidewall member when the support member is inserted into the box.

20. The method of claim 19, wherein the support insert is formed from a single sheet of paper.