Packaging scheme for portable electronics
An insert and packaging system for a box may include a pliable body defining a void. The void is dimensioned to receive an end of a portable computer. The void is characterized by a height and a width. The body that defines the void has at least two removable portions, such that removal of the portions alters the height and width of the void, thereby permitting the void to receive a portable computer of varying dimensions.
The present invention relates generally to packaging schemes for portable consumer electronics, and more particularly to an improved box and set of inserts for packaging of portable consumer electronics, such as a portable computer.
BACKGROUNDConsumer electronics, such as personal computers, are typically purchased at a commercial outlet, where knowledgeable employees of the outlet may assist an individual in understanding the product offerings, and in deciding which particular product to purchase. At the time of purchase, customers may be offered a warranty for purchase that supplements the warranty offered by the manufacturer of the product. For example, a purchaser of a portable computer may be offered a multi-year warranty for a price that is determined as a given fraction of the purchase price of the computer. Commercial outlets often maintain a service department to handle warranty claims or other service claims that their customers may have. Thus, for example, when an owner of a portable computer returns his or her computer to the commercial outlet for service, the service department may attempt to remedy the problem exhibited by the portable computer. If the service department is unable to remedy the problem, the service department may ship the computer to a central location for servicing.
As a necessary condition of shipping the computer from the outlet to the service center (and vice versa), the personal computer must be properly packaged within a cardboard box. To protect the computer during shipping, the box may include foam inserts that surrounds and suspends the computer, so that if the box were to be dropped, a surface of one or more of the foam inserts absorbs the impact and generally “cushions” the blow. Therefore, the computer is spared damage from the occasionally harsh handling incurred during the shipping process.
One particular problem encountered during boxing a personal computer for shipping is that personal computers come in different dimensions, which generally necessitates the need for different sized boxes and different sized inserts to accommodate the various possible dimensions of portable computers. In ad hoc shipping environments, such as outlets for consumer electronics, maintaining an inventory of various sized boxes and inserts for boxes is cumbersome and expensive.
An opportunity for improvement of the packaging scheme used during shipping of portable electronics, such as portable computers exists. An improved scheme may reduce the need for different size boxes and/or inserts for different sized computers. It is desirable that such a scheme be relatively inexpensive and easy to use.
SUMMARYAgainst this backdrop, the present invention was developed. According to one embodiment, an insert for a box may include a pliable body defining a void. The void is dimensioned to receive an end of a portable computer. The void is characterized by a height and a width. The body that defines the void has at least two removable portions, such that removal of the portions alters the height and width of the void, thereby permitting the void to receive a portable computer of varying dimensions.
According to another embodiment, an insert includes a body of foam having a first surface and an opposed second surface. The insert also includes a first plurality of incisions extending from the first surface to second surface. The insert further includes a second plurality of incisions extending from the first surface and stopping short of the second surface. The first and second pluralities of incisions cooperate to form first and second legs that are foldably joined to the second surface of the body of foam, and a third detachable leg. The first, second, and third legs abut one another, so that when the first and second legs are unfolded, and when the third leg is detached, a void is created. The void is dimensioned for receiving an end of a portable computer.
According to another embodiment, a packaging system for a portable computer includes a box and a means for suspending a portable computer within the computer. The suspending means is adjustable to permit suspension of a portable computer of varying dimensions.
Various embodiments presented herein will be described in detail with reference to the drawings, wherein like reference numerals represent like parts and assemblies throughout the several views. Reference to various embodiments should not be construed as limiting the scope of covered subject matter, which is limited only by the scope of the claims attached hereto. Additionally, any examples set forth in this specification are not intended to be limiting and merely set forth some of the many possible embodiments.
To provide still greater flexibility in the range of heights and widths of computers receivable by the insert 100, one or more of the surfaces 302, 304, 306, and 308 that partially define the void or cavity 300 may be removable. For example, surfaces 304, 306, and 308 may be removable along the dashed lines depicted in
The aforementioned incisions cooperate to create the various features of the insert described previously. For example, portions 600 and 602 may be rotated about the dotted lines (one of which has been identified by reference numeral 604), which represent incisions extending through about 90% of the foam body, to form legs projecting outwardly from the body. The legs formed by such rotation correspond to the legs 106, 108, 110, and 112 described with reference to
Next, as shown in
It should be noted, that the distal portions 900 and 902 of legs 600 and 602 are removable, by virtue of the scoring indicated by the dashed lines (this scoring is also shown in
Turning to
The various embodiments described above are provided by way of illustration only and should not be construed to limit the invention. Those skilled in the art will readily recognize various modifications and changes that may be made to the present invention without following the example embodiments and applications illustrated and described herein, and without departing from the true spirit and scope of the present invention, which is set forth in the following claims.
Claims
1. An insert for a box, the insert comprising:
- a pliable body defining a void, the void being dimensioned to receive an end of a portable computer, the void being characterized by a height and a width,
- wherein the body defining the void has at least two removable portions, such that removal of the portions alters the height and width of the void, thereby permitting the void to receive a portable computer of varying dimensions.
2. The insert of claim 1, wherein the body has oppositely disposed first and second surfaces, and wherein the void extends from the first surface to the second surface.
3. The insert of claim 1, wherein the void is bounded by a plurality of surfaces of the body, and wherein at least one of the surfaces exhibits a sawtooth shape.
4. The insert of claim 1, wherein the body comprises foam.
5. The insert of claim 1, further comprising:
- at least two legs projecting a distance from the body.
6. The insert of claim 5, wherein the body has a first surface and an oppositely disposed second surface, wherein the void extends from the first surface to the second surface, and wherein the two legs project from the first surface,
7. The insert of claim 6, wherein the legs each have a distal end that is remote from the first surface of the body and a proximal end that is near the first surface of the body.
8. The insert of claim 7, wherein the proximal end of each leg is joined to the first surface of the body.
9. The insert of claim 7, wherein the distal end of each leg includes a removable portion for altering the distance each leg projects from the body.
10. The insert of claim 5, further comprising a third leg projecting from the body.
11. An insert for a box, the insert comprising:
- a body of foam having a first surface and an opposed second surface;
- a first plurality of incisions extending from the first surface to second surface; and
- a second plurality of incisions extending from the first surface and stopping short of the second surface;
- wherein the first and second pluralities of incisions cooperate to form first and second legs that are foldably joined to the second surface of the body of foam, and a third detachable leg, and wherein the first, second, and third legs abut one another, so that when the first and second legs are unfolded, and when the third leg is detached, a void is created, the void dimensioned for receiving an end of a portable computer.
12. The insert of claim 11, wherein the void is characterized by a height and a width, wherein the first and second pluralities of incisions cooperate to form at least two removable portions, such that removal of the portions alters the height and width of the void, thereby permitting the void to receive a portable computer of varying dimensions.
13. The insert of claim 11, wherein the first, second, and third legs each have a distal end that is remote from the first surface of the body and a proximal end that is near the first surface of the body.
14. The insert of claim 13, wherein the distal end of each leg includes a removable portion for altering the distance each leg projects from the body.
15. The insert of claim 11, wherein the void is bounded by a plurality of surfaces of the body, and wherein at least one of the surfaces exhibits a sawtooth shape.
16. A packaging system for a portable computer, the system comprising:
- a box; and
- a means for suspending a portable computer within the computer, wherein the suspending means is adjustable to permit suspension of a portable computer of varying dimensions.
17. The packaging system of claim 16, wherein the box includes a compartment dimensioned to hold electrical cords.
18. The packaging system of claim 16, wherein the suspension means includes a first piece and a second piece, each piece defining a void.
19. The packaging system of claim 18, wherein the suspension means includes a means for adjusting a distance between the first and second piece.
20. The packaging system of claim 18, wherein the suspension means includes a means for adjusting a height and width of the void of at least one of the voids.
Type: Application
Filed: Jul 24, 2006
Publication Date: Jan 24, 2008
Inventors: Brian Joseph Miller (Maple Grove, MN), Steven James Benzschawel (Minneapolis, MN)
Application Number: 11/491,780
International Classification: B65D 81/02 (20060101); B65D 85/00 (20060101);