Corner protectors and related systems and methods

Patent metadata

Field	Value
Publication number	US-2024300722-A1
Application number	US-202418598102-A
Country	US
Kind code	A1
Filing date	Mar 7, 2024
Priority date	Mar 8, 2023
Publication date	Sep 12, 2024
Grant date	—

Abstract

A product packaging includes a box blank having panels, flaps, creases, and cuts. An intersection of multiple creases and a cut defines an unfolded corner of the box blank. The product packaging also includes a corner protector attachable to the box blank adjacent to the unfolded corner. The corner protector includes a primary panel, a first leg panel, and a second leg panel that are arranged in a non-linear configuration. A packaging system includes a conveyor system with a gap therein, a corner protector placement mechanism for placing corner protectors on the box blank, and a transfer mechanism for positioning to-be-packaged item on the box blank. The gap allows for the box blank and to-be-packaged item to pass at least partially therethrough and facilitates folding of the box blank at least partially around the to-be-packaged item.

First claim

We claim:

1 . A product packaging, comprising:
a box blank comprising a plurality of panels, a plurality of flaps, a plurality of creases, and a plurality of cuts, with an intersection of multiple creases and a cut defining an unfolded corner; and a corner protector attachable to the box blank adjacent to the unfolded corner, the corner protector comprising a primary panel, a first leg panel, and a second leg panel, the primary panel, the first leg panel, and the second leg panel being arranged in a non-linear configuration.

2 . The product packaging of claim 1 , wherein the corner protector has an L-shape.

3 . The product packaging of claim 1 , wherein the corner protector comprises a crease formed between the primary panel and the first leg panel.

4 . The product packaging of claim 3 , wherein the corner protector comprises a crease formed between the primary panel and the second leg panel.

5 . The product packaging of claim 4 , wherein the creases formed between the primary panel and the first and second leg panels are oriented at a right angle relative to one another.

6 . The product packaging of claim 4 , wherein the creases formed between the primary panel and the first and second leg panels are offset from the plurality of creases.

7 . The product packaging of claim 4 , wherein the creases formed between the primary panel and the first and second leg panels are parallel to the plurality of creases.

8 . The product packaging of claim 1 , wherein the primary panel of the corner protector is attachable to a first panel of the plurality of panels of the box blank, with the first leg panel extending from the primary panel and onto a second panel of the plurality of panels.

9 . The product packaging of claim 1 , wherein the primary panel of the corner protector is attachable to a first panel of the plurality of panels of the box blank, with the second leg panel extending from the primary panel and onto a first flaps of the plurality of flaps.

10 . A packaging system, comprising:
a conveyor system configured to transport a box blank there along, the conveyor system having a gap formed therein; a corner protector placement mechanism configured to place corner protectors on the box blank; and a transfer mechanism configured to position a to-be-packaged item onto a portion of the box blank that is positioned over the gap in the conveyor system, such that the box blank and the to-be-packaged item pass at least partially through the gap and the box blank folds at least partially around the to-be-packaged item.

11 . The packaging system of claim 10 , further comprising a second conveyor system, the second conveyor system having a portion positioned below the gap in the conveyor system.

12 . The packaging system of claim 10 , wherein the transfer mechanism comprises a movable arm and a clamp, the clamp being configured to clamp onto the to-be-packaged item and the arm being configured to move the to-be-packaged item onto the box blank.

13 . The packaging system of claim 10 , wherein the corner protector placement mechanism comprises a repository configured to hold a stock of corner protectors.

14 . The packaging system of claim 13 , wherein the repository comprises a conveyor mechanism configured to advance the corner protectors therethrough.

15 . The packaging system of claim 13 , wherein the corner protector placement mechanism comprises a gripper configured to retrieve a corner protector from the repository and place the corner protector on the box blank.

16 . The packaging system of claim 15 , wherein the gripper is movable between a retrieval position and a placement position.

17 . The packaging system of claim 15 , wherein the gripper comprises a securing mechanism for selectively securing to a corner protector.

18 . A corner protector, comprising:
a primary panel; a first leg panel separated from the primary panel by a first crease; and a second leg panel separated from the primary panel by a second crease, the first crease and the second crease being oriented non-parallel to one another such that the primary panel, the first leg panel, and the second leg panel are arranged in a non-linear configuration.

19 . The corner protector of claim 18 , wherein the first leg panel comprises a first edge and the second leg panel comprises a second edge, the first and second edges defining an interior corner of the corner protector.

20 . The corner protector of claim 19 , wherein the first edge is colinear or parallel to the second crease and the second edge is colinear or parallel to the first crease.

Assignees

• Packsize Llc

Inventors

• Alpine John

Classifications

• B65D81/056 Primary

  the surfaces being generally perpendicular to each other, e.g. three-sided corner protectors · CPC title

• B65B43/52

  using roller-ways or endless conveyors · CPC title

• B65B55/00 Primary

  Preserving, protecting or purifying packages or package contents in association with packaging (by packaging under special atmospheric or gaseous conditions B65B31/00; devices for placing protecting sheets, plugs, or wads over contents B65B61/22) · CPC title

• B65D2581/051

  Details of packaging elements for maintaining contents at spaced relation from package walls, or from other contents · CPC title