Technical Field

The present invention relates to modular compressor transport separators consisting of more than one part, especially to molded fiber separators manufactured from recycled materials.

State of the Art

Compressors used in refrigerators are shipped from the companies manufacturing the compressors to the refrigerator manufacturers where the compressors are mounted in the refrigerators. In this process, each compressor manufacturer uses different types of packaging with their own designs. Generally, expanded polystyrene (EPS) is widely used in different designs. Expanded Polystyrene (EPS) is a solid, closed-cell, thermoplastic foam material manufactured from solid polystyrene polymerized from styrene monomer and containing an expansion gas (pentane) dissolved in a polystyrene bead.

Using 100% recycled and 100% recyclable packaging instead of said method, which is harmful to nature, creates a great opportunity to prevent global warming and to minimize or even eliminate the damage to nature. The production of such a separator is possible with the molded fiber method, as said method is close to EPS designs in such a manner to enable the compressors to support each other and uses 100% recycled material.

Molded fiber, also called molded cellulose or molded pulp, is a packaging material consisting mainly of recycled paper and cardboard. Although its industrial production began more than a century ago, molded fiber has only recently become a reference material for packaging various products. Molded fiber materials are generally used for egg boxes, but due to sustainability, are now used in many other sectors thanks to their protective and ecological properties. For example, in the food industry, porous fiber trays absorb moisture from the fruit and provide continuous ventilation through micropores to keep the fruit fresh. This solution is also regularly used to protect and block electronic or everyday consumer products.

However, when stacked due to their size, the molded fiber separators to be used for transporting compressors cause difficulties in separating from each other in the production areas, and when manufactured too hard, the molded fiber separators become deformed, tom and unusable.

Definition of the Figures Figure 1: is a perspective view of the transport package consisting of the lower pallet, compressor and outer box, where the molded fiber separator is used in an embodiment of the present invention.

Figure 2: is the view of the one-piece molded fiber separator in an embodiment of the present invention.

Figure 3: is the view of the two -piece molded fiber separator in an embodiment of the present invention.

Figure 4: is the view of the four -piece molded fiber separator in an embodiment of the present invention.

Figure 5: a view showing the molded fiber separator connection configuration in an embodiment of the present invention.

Numbers of the Elements Illustrated in the Figures

1. Transport packaging

2. Molded fiber separator

3. Outer packaging box

4. Lower pallet

5. Male connection component

6. Female connection component

7. Joint

8. Connection structure

Detailed Description of the Invention

By means of the present invention, it is aimed to eliminate the molded fiber deformation and to reduce the waste of the molded fiber separator (2). As the cycle time is improved thanks to ease of production, cost advantage is also provided. In case the molded fiber separator (2) is manufactured in one piece, the molded fiber separator (2) cannot be separated from each other due to the flexible structures and reinforcement forms thereof. By means of the present invention, this problem is eliminated as a result of the production of the molded fiber separator (2) in two or more pieces. By means of the embodiment of the present invention, the problem of long process times due to the molded fiber separators not being separated from each other is also solved.

The flexibility of the molded fiber material makes it difficult to separate the separators from each other after being stacked. This problem is overcome by the combinable multi-piece solution of the present invention. However, ensuring that the complementary pieces can be joined and not easily separated is important for the durability of the compressors to be transported. Joining multiple pieces in separators manufactured from plastic material is easier due to the rigidity of the material, while the flexibility of the molded fiber material may make it difficult to obtain a strong joining. This problem is also solved by the connection structure (8) disclosed in the present invention. The molded fiber separators (2) of the present invention both eliminate the problem of non- separation during stacking and ensure that the pieces of the molded fiber separator (2) form a strong support member.

In Figure 1, the embodiment of the present invention is shown as the whole packaging (1) during transportation. The compressors and the outer packaging (3) are placed in multiple molded fiber separators (2) placed one above the other on the lower pallet (4). In the molded fiber separators (2), the compartment where the compressor is to be placed changes according to the size and structure of the compressor.

Figure 2 shows the one-piece separator. This separator is in the state of the art.

The molded fiber separator (2), which consists of two pieces in a structure that can be combined, is shown in Figure 3, and the molded fiber separator (2), which consists of four complementary pieces in a structure that can be combined, is shown in Figure 4.

The present invention discloses a molded fiber separator (2) consisting of at least two complementary pieces. Each piece is joined by at least one connection structure (8) located at the joints (7). The connection configuration comprises a male connection component (5) and a female connection component (6) which engages with the male connection component (5). The connection structures (8) can be interlocking structures, also known as "snap fastener" mechanisms, or engaging structures with protrusions. The molded fiber separator (2) pieces to be joined may contain either only female (6) or both female (6) and male connection components (5) at the joints (7). An embodiment of the present invention is shown in Figure 5. In this embodiment, the joining process is performed with protrusions that can engage each other. At least one male connection component (5) located on the joints edges (7) of the pieces to be joined is a hollow or solid protuberance. The female connection component (6) on the joint (7) of the molded fiber separator (2) on the opposite side consists of a hollow protuberance configured to engage with said protuberance and receive the male connection component (5). Optionally, a lock configuration to enable the locking of the male and female connection components (5, 6) is also included in the components. This lock configuration is at least one claw on the surface where the female connection component (6) comes into contact with the male connection component (5). Preferably, there are a plurality of connection mechanisms along the joint (7).

In an embodiment of the present invention, in case the molded fiber separator (2) consists of two pieces, at least one male connection component (5) or at least one female connection component (6) is provided on the joint (7) of the first molded fiber separator (2). Either a male (5) or female connection component (6) is provided on the joint (7) of the complementary molded fiber separator (2) so as to complement the connection structure (8) in the other first molded fiber separator (2).

In another embodiment where the molded fiber separator (2) consists of two pieces, there are consecutive male (5) and female connection components (6) along the joint (7) of the first separator (2). In other words, a male connection component (5) and a female connection component (6) are successively arranged along the joint (7). In the other complementary separator (2), there are also consecutive male and female connection components (5, 6). The multiple connection structures (8) obtained accordingly provide stronger connection.

In a preferred embodiment, a locking structure is used so as to prevent the male and female connection components (5, 6) from separating from each other. In the locking structure, there is at least one claw or equivalent component and at least one notch or groove which receives the claw. Said claw may be on the male connection component (5) and the notch which receives the claw may be on the female connection component (6), or the claw may be on the female connection component (6) and the notch or groove which receives the claw may be on the male connection component (5). Having claws on both male (5) and female (6) connection components is an alternative embodiment.