Molded fiber packaging

Patent metadata

Field	Value
Publication number	US-2016009473-A1
Application number	US-201414328974-A
Country	US
Kind code	A1
Filing date	Jul 11, 2014
Priority date	Jul 11, 2014
Publication date	Jan 14, 2016
Grant date	—

Abstract

Packaging used to hold and ship consumer products may include components having complementary edges that are coupled together when the packaging is assembled. The packaging may also display a product in an aesthetically appealing way by holding the product in way that makes it appear as if the product is “floating.” The packaging may be made of recyclable and/or biodegradable material, such as molded fiber paper material that reduces the environmental impact of the packaging.

First claim

What is claimed is:

1 . Packaging for a product, the packaging comprising:
a lid comprising an exterior shell and a lid insert; and a pedestal comprising a frame, a base attached to the frame, and a pedestal insert disposed between the frame and the base and coupled to at least one of the frame or the base; wherein the lid is configured to receive at least a portion of the pedestal; and wherein at least one of the exterior shell, the lid insert, the frame, or the base is made of molded fiber paper.

2 . The packaging of claim 1 , wherein the frame includes a chamfered bottom edge and the base includes a chamfered side edge.

3 . The packaging of claim 2 , wherein the bottom edge of the frame and the side edge of the base are chamfered at complementary angles.

4 . The packaging of claim 1 , wherein the frame comprises:
a top wall; a side wall surrounding the top wall; and a convex curved wall connecting the top wall and the side wall.

5 . A packaged product comprising:
the packaging of claim 4 ; and a product in contact with the top wall.

6 . The packaged product of claim 5 , wherein a perimeter of the side wall is no greater than a perimeter of the product.

7 . The packaged product of claim 5 , wherein a perimeter of the side wall is equal to a perimeter of the product.

8 . The packaged product of claim 5 , wherein the projection area of a vertical orthographic projection of the top wall is less than the projection area of a vertical orthographic projection of the product.

9 . The packaged product of claim 5 , wherein a perimeter of an orthographic projection of the top wall and curved wall in a direction perpendicular to the top wall is greater than or equal to a perimeter of an orthographic projection of the product in a direction perpendicular to the top wall.

10 . The packaging of claim 4 , wherein at least a portion of the lid insert is in contact with at least a portion of the side wall when the packaging is assembled.

11 . The packaging of claim 1 , wherein the top wall defines at least one recess for receiving an accessory.

12 . The packaging of claim 1 , wherein the top wall defines a plurality of indentations configured to locate the product on the top wall.

13 . The packaging of claim 1 , wherein the exterior shell, the lid insert, the frame, and the base are made of molded fiber paper.

14 . The packaging of claim 1 , wherein the pedestal insert is adhesively bonded to at least one of the base or the frame.

15 . A packaged product comprising:
the packaging of claim 1 ; and a product.

16 . The packaged product of claim 15 , wherein the lid insert and the frame form a cavity when the packaging is assembled, the size and shape of the cavity corresponding to the size and shape of the product.

17 . The packaged product of claim 15 , wherein no portion of the pedestal surrounds a perimeter edge of the product.

18 . The packaging of claim 1 , wherein the frame is a monolithic piece.

19 . A pedestal for holding a product, the pedestal comprising:
a frame, the frame comprising
a top wall;
a side wall surrounding the top wall; and
a convex curved wall connecting the top wall and the side wall; and
a base attached to the frame; wherein the top wall of the pedestal is configured to hold the product; and wherein a perimeter of the side wall is no greater than a perimeter of the product.

20 . The pedestal of claim 19 , further comprising a pedestal insert disposed between the frame and the base and coupled to at least one of the frame or the base.

21 . The pedestal of claim 19 , wherein a perimeter of the side wall is equal to a perimeter of the product.

22 . The pedestal of claim 19 , wherein the projection area of a vertical orthographic projection of the top wall of the frame is less than the projection area of a vertical orthographic projection of the product.

23 . The pedestal of claim 19 , wherein a perimeter of a vertical orthographic projection of the top wall and curved wall is greater than or equal to a perimeter of a vertical orthographic projection of the product.

24 . The pedestal of claim 19 , wherein the pedestal is made of molded fiber paper.

25 . The pedestal of claim 19 , wherein the side wall includes a chamfered bottom edge and the base includes a chamfered side edge.

26 . The pedestal of claim 25 , wherein the bottom edge of the side wall and the side edge of the base are chamfered at complementary angles.

27 . The pedestal of claim 25 , wherein the chamfered bottom edge of the side wall is coupled to with the chamfered side edge of the base.

28 . The pedestal of claim 20 , wherein the base and frame together define a cavity, and
wherein the pedestal insert is disposed in the cavity.

29 . The pedestal of claim 28 , wherein the cavity is completely enclosed by the frame and the base.

30 . The pedestal of claim 19 , wherein the frame is a single monolithic piece.

31 . A method of making molded fiber packaging comprising:
forming a pedestal, wherein forming the pedestal comprises:
forming a molded fiber paper green body of a frame, the frame comprising a top wall surrounded by a side wall, the side wall having a bottom edge;
forming a molded fiber paper green body of a base, the base comprising a side edge;
drying the green body of the frame and the green body of the base;
chamfering the bottom edge of the fame;
chamfering the side edge of the base such that the chamfered side edge of the base is complimentary to the chamfered bottom edge of the frame; and
assembling the frame and the base by adhering the frame to the base such that the chamfered bottom edge of the side wall is coupled to the chamfered side edge of the base.

32 . The method of claim 31 , further comprising forming a lid, wherein forming the lid comprises:
forming a molded fiber paper green body of an exterior shell; forming a molded fiber paper green body of a lid insert; drying the green body of the exterior shell and the green body of the lid insert; and adhering the exterior shell to the lid insert.

33 . The method of claim 31 , further comprising forming a pedestal insert; and
adhering the pedestal insert to either the frame or the base before assembling the frame and the base.

34 . The method of claim 31 , wherein the green body of the frame and the green body of the base are formed using a first set of molds.

35 . The method of claim 34 , wherein the frame and the base are dried in a second set of molds while applying heat and pressure.

Assignees

• Apple Inc

Inventors

• Korinek Michael
• Silvanto Mikael

Classifications

• B65D77/26 Primary

  Elements or devices for locating or protecting articles · CPC title

• B65D65/14

  with areas coated with adhesive · CPC title

• B65D77/20

  by applying separate lids or covers {, i.e. flexible membrane or foil-like covers} · CPC title

• Y02W90/10

  Bio-packaging, e.g. packing containers made from renewable resources or bio-plastics · CPC title

• B65D2543/00537

  on the outside, or a part turned to the outside of the mouth of the container · CPC title