FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The invention relates to a packaging structure, more particularly to a packaging structure suitable for packaging a relatively heavy and/or large product, such as a consumer electronics (CE) product, particularly a flat panel display television or monitor.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

A packaging structure for packaging a flat panel display is disclosed in the patent application publication US 2008/0112115 Al . This known packaging structure comprises an external box, a lower box and two cushions for packing a display panel. The lower box is disposed at the bottom in the external box and is comprised of a box body made of a paper cardboard and two chunks disposed inside the box body at both ends thereof. The top of each chunk has a hollow groove for accommodating the junction of the top and both lateral sides of the display panel. The two cushions are installed at the top in the external box for wrapping the top of the panel display.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

An object of the invention is to provide a packaging structure which is both suitable for packaging a relatively heavy and/or large product and very environmentally friendly.

This object is achieved by the packaging structure according to the invention, as defined in claim 1. More particularly, the packaging structure according to the invention is provided with a tray assembly comprising a support body having a support area for supporting a product, and having protruding support portions, which tray assembly further comprises at least one reinforcing body having at least one reinforcing rib, wherein the support body is made of molded paper pulp and wherein the at least one reinforcing body is configured for cooperation with the support body in an operational position of the tray assembly, in which position the at least one reinforcing rib is at least partly inserted into a space being present between said protruding support portions. The packaging structure according to the invention is particularly

characterized by the use of a molded paper pulp support body in combination with at least one cooperating reinforcing body. Molded paper pulp is known per se and is a sustainable material made from recycled materials, typically from paperboard, such as corrugated board, and office papers and/or newsprints, and is both recyclable and bio-degradable. The loading capacity of molded paper pulp and packaging structures made of this material is limited. For this reason packaging trays made from molded paper pulp are used for packaging small and light-weight products, such as food products, e.g. eggs, and small industrial products, like disposable medical products. The packaging structure according to the invention is provided with a means, i.e. one or more reinforcing bodies for cooperation with the support body, by means of which the loading capacity of the packaging structure is substantially improved. In the operational position of the tray assembly the at least one reinforcing rib may be in touch with its adjacent protruding support portions. It has been experimentally proven that the packaging structure according to the invention is suitable for packaging a product, particularly a CE product such as a flat panel display device, having a weight in the range of 12 to 26 kg. Obviously, the packaging structure is also very suitable for packaging a lighter product. In addition to a good load capacity of the packaging structure according to the invention, the packaging structure has good protective properties resulting in providing a well-satisfying cushioning for a product put on the support area of the support body.

The packaging structure, being a protective packaging structure, according to the invention may have a complex shape, adapted to the product to be packaged. In a preferred embodiment of the packaging structure according to the invention the protruding support portions are formed by depressions. Such depressions form cavities in the support area and contribute to improve protection to the packaged product. For a similar reason the at least one reinforcing rib of the at least one reinforcing body may also be formed by depressions.

A preferred embodiment of the packaging structure according to the invention is characterized in that the at least one reinforcing body is made of molded paper pulp. This embodiment is completely environment-friendly. It is fully produced from recycled materials and can be recycled again after its useful life-cycle. Moreover the molded paper pulp reinforcing body or bodies substantially contribute to the protection of the packaged product.

In a preferred embodiment of the packaging structure according to the invention the at least one reinforcing body is movably connected to the support body. An advantage of this embodiment is that the support body and the reinforcing body or bodies can be manufactured as an integral unit made of molded paper pulp. This provides a reduction of manufacturing costs as well as facilitates handling of the packaging structure. The packaging structure can be brought into the operational position by moving the at least one reinforcing body from a non-operational position.

A practical embodiment of the packaging structure according to the invention is characterized in that the at least one reinforcing body is movably connected to the support body by means of a hinge connection. In this embodiment the packaging structure can be brought into the operational position by simply rotating the at least one reinforcing body around the hinge connection from a non-operational position. The hinge connection is preferably an integral part of the tray assembly.

An alternative embodiment of the packaging structure according to the invention is characterized in that the at least one reinforcing body is a separate body. This embodiment facilitates the use of one or more reinforcing bodies made of a material different from the material of the support body. Irrespective the use of molded paper pulp, the reinforcing body or bodies may be advantageously manufactured from e.g. a kraft paperboard, a corrugated board, a folded cardboard, a thermally formed recycled form sheet or a recycled foam block, such as a recycled expanded polystyrene (R-EPS) foam block, a recycled expanded polyethylene (R-EPE) foam block or a recycled expanded polypropylene (R-EPP) foam block.

A preferred embodiment of the packaging structure according to the invention is characterized in that the support body is provided with a main support portion having a main support area and is further provided with an additional support portion having an additional support area, wherein the main support area and the additional support area make an angle with each other, at least in the operational position of the tray assembly. The angle between the main support area and the additional support area depends among others on the shape of the product to be packaged. In this embodiment support and protection can be provided to different sides of the packaged product, thereby further improving the qualities of the packaging structure according to the invention.

A preferred embodiment of the packaging structure according to the invention is characterized in that the additional support portion is movably connected to the main support portion. This embodiment is favorable as to production costs and handling.

In a practical embodiment of the packaging structure according to the invention the additional support portion is movably connected to the main support portion by means of a hinge joint. The hinge joint is preferably an integral part of the tray assembly. A practical embodiment of the packaging structure according to the invention is characterized in that the tray assembly comprises several reinforcing bodies.

A practical embodiment of the packaging structure according to the invention is characterized in that the reinforcing body has a plurality of reinforcing ribs.

A preferred embodiment of the packaging structure according to the invention is characterized in that the tray assembly is configured for supporting a product having a weight in the range of 12 to 26 kg.

The invention also relates to an assembly comprising the packaging device according to the invention and comprising a product provided on the support area of the tray assembly.

With reference to the claims it is noted that any possible combination of features mentioned in the claims constitutes an embodiment of the invention, irrespective the references used in the claims.

These and other aspects of the invention are apparent from and will be elucidated with reference to the examples described hereinafter.

DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Fig.l is a perspective view of a first embodiment of the packaging structure according to the invention, which packaging structure is provided with a tray assembly, wherein the tray assembly is in an operational position.

Fig. 2A is a top view of the first embodiment, wherein the tray assembly is in a non-operational position.

Fig. 2B is a side view on a first side of the first embodiment, wherein the tray assembly is in a non-operational position.

Fig. 2C is a side view on a second side of the first embodiment, wherein the tray assembly is in a non-operational position.

Fig. 2D is a side view on a third side of the first embodiment, wherein the tray assembly is in a non-operational position.

Fig. 2E is a side view on a fourth side of the first embodiment, wherein the tray assembly is in a non-operational position.

Fig. 3A is a top view of a schematic second embodiment of the packaging structure of the invention, wherein the tray assembly is in a non-operational position.

Fig. 3B is a side view according to arrow III A in Fig. 3A. Fig. 3C is an underneath and perspective view of the second embodiment, wherein the tray assembly is in an operational position.

Fig. 4A is a top view of a schematic third embodiment of the packaging structure of the invention, wherein the tray assembly is in a non-operational position.

Fig. 4B is a side view according to arrow IV A in Fig. 4A.

Fig. 4C is an underneath and perspective view of the third embodiment, wherein the tray assembly is in an operational position.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

It is expressly noted that the disclosed embodiments are to be regarded as schematically depicted examples of the packaging structure according to the invention. With reference to the figures it is noted that the same reference signs have been used for the same or corresponding parts in the several embodiments.

The packaging structure depicted in Fig. 1 and Figs. 2A to 2E is provided with a tray assembly 1. The tray assembly 1 comprises a support body 3 and reinforcing bodies 5, 7 and 9. In this example the support body 3 is provided with a main support portion 3 A and an additional support portion 3B. The main support portion 3 A has a main support area 13A and the additional support area 3B has an additional support area 13B. The support body 3, i.e. the main support portion 3 A as well as the additional support portion 3B, has protruding support portions 23, in this example mainly formed by depressions 23A. Each of the reinforcing bodies 5, 7 and 9 has reinforcing ribs 15, 17 and 19, respectively, configured for cooperation with the support body 3 in the operational position of the tray assembly 1. More particularly, in the operational position of the tray assembly 1, as shown in Fig. 1, the reinforcing ribs 15 and 17 of the reinforcing bodies 5 and 7, respectively, insert into spaces 33 being present between protruding support portions 23 of the main support portion 3 A, while the reinforcing ribs 19 of the reinforcing body 9 insert into spaces 33 being present between protruding support portions 23 of the additional support portion 3B. It is noted that not all the reference signs relating to present protruding support portions 23, depressions 23 A and reinforcing ribs 15, 17 and 19 have been introduced into Figs. 1 and 2A to 2E.

The support body 3 and the reinforcing bodies 5, 7 and 9 are made of molded paper pulp. In this example the molded paper pulp is made of 30 % recycled white paper and 70 % recycled kraft paper.

The reinforcing body 9 is connected to the additional support portion 3B by means of a hinge connection 43. A hinge joint 41 is provided between the main support portion 3 A and the additional support portion 3B, by means of which hinge joint 41 the additional support portion 3B together with the reinforcing body 9 can be rotated from their position depicted in the Figs. 2A to 2E. By this rotational movement, which can be regarded as an upward movement with regard to the main support area 13A of the main support portion 3A, the additional support portion 3B is brought into its position as depicted in the Fig. 1. By performing said rotational movement the reinforcing body 9 is brought into a not depicted intermediate position. The reinforcing body 9 can be rotated from this intermediate position to its position as depicted in the Fig. 1 by means of the hinge connection 43. This rotational movement can be regarded as a backward movement with regard to the additional support area 13B of the additional support portion 3B. In the operational position as shown in Fig. 1 the reinforcing ribs 19 of the reinforcing body 9 insert in spaces 33 being present between protruding support portions 23 of the additional support portion 3B for improving the strength and stability of the additional support portion 3 as well as providing additional cushioning material. In the operational position as shown in Fig. 1 the additional support area 13B makes an angle of substantially 90 degrees with the main support area 13 A. However, each other angle is possible.

Hinge connections 45 and 47 are provided between the main support portion 3A and the reinforcing bodies 5 and 7, respectively. By means of which hinge connections 45 and 47 the reinforcing bodies 45 and 47 can be rotated from their positions depicted in the Figs. 2A to 2E to their positions depicted in the Fig. 1. These rotational movements can be regarded as downward movements with regard to the main support area 13A of the main support portion 3. In the operational position as shown in Fig. 1 the reinforcing ribs 15 and 17 of the reinforcing bodies 5 and 7, respectively, insert into spaces 33 being present between protruding support portions 23 of the main support portion 3A for improving the strength and stability of the main support portion 3 as well as providing additional cushioning material. The hinge connections 43, 45, 47 may be similar to the hinge joint 41.

The support portions 3A and 3B together with the cooperating reinforcing bodies 5, 7 and 9 constitute in the operational position of the tray assembly 1 a firm, stable and save base for supporting a relatively heavy product, which is in Fig. 1 schematically denoted by the dashed lines p. In this example the product is a flat panel display apparatus having a weight of about 15 kg.

The schematic packaging structure depicted in Figs. 3A to 3C is provided with a tray assembly 1 made of molded paper pulp, which assembly comprises a support body 3 having a support area 13 for supporting a product, and having protruding support portions 23 being formed by depressions 23 A. The tray assembly 1 further comprises, in this example, one reinforcing body 5 having three reinforcing ribs 15 being formed by depressions, similar to the depressions 23 A. The reinforcing body 5 is movably connected to the support body 3 by means of a hinge connection, more particularly an integral hinge connection 45, and is configured for cooperation with the support body 3 in the operational position of the tray assembly. In the operational position, as depicted in Fig. 3C, the reinforcing body 5 inserts, as a consequence of a foregoing rotational movement around the hinge connection 45, into the support body 3, in such a way that each reinforcing rib 15 inserts into a space 33 provided between the protruding support portions 23, wherein the reinforcing ribs 15 touch the protruding support portions 23. The support body 3 and the reinforcing bodies 5 are made of molded paper pulp. In the operational position of the tray assembly 1 the reinforcing ribs 15 and the protruding support portions 23 are reversely oriented with respect to each other.

The schematic packaging structure depicted in Figs. 4A to 4C is provided with a tray assembly 1, which comprises a support body 3 having a support area 13 and protruding support portions 23. The tray assembly 1 further comprises a reinforcing body 5, which is not permanently connected to the support body 3, but can be separated from the support body 3 in a non-operational position, such as depicted in Fig. 4A, of the tray assemble 1. The reinforcing body 5, further also indicated as the separate reinforcing body 5, has e.g. three reinforcing ribs 15 and is configured for cooperation with the support body 3 in the operational position of the tray assembly 1. The tray assembly 1 is brought into the operational position, as depicted in Fig. 4C, by inserting the separate reinforcing body 5 into the support body 3, wherein each reinforcing rib 15 is inserted into a space 33 which is provided between the protruding support portions 23 of the support body 3. The support body is made of molded paper pulp. The reinforcing body 5 is also made of molded paper pulp, but may also be made of another material, preferably recycled packing material, such as a recycled form sheet or a recycled foam block.

Summarizing the following can be formulated. The invention relates to a packaging structure provided with a tray assembly made of molded paper pulp. The tray assembly comprises a support body for supporting a product and comprises a reinforcing body. The support body has a support area and protruding support portions. The reinforcing body has one or more reinforcing ribs. The reinforcing body is configured for cooperation with the support body in an operational position of the tray assembly, in which position the provided reinforcing ribs are inserted into spaces being present between the protruding support portions. In the operational position the tray assembly has a load capacity for packaging a relatively heavy product and has good cushioning properties for protecting the packaged product.

While the invention has been illustrated and described in detail in the drawings and foregoing description, illustration and description are to be considered illustrative or exemplary and not restrictive. The invention is not limited to the disclosed embodiments; for example, it is possible to vary the shape of the tray assembly, the number of additional support portions, the number of reinforcing portions, the number of protruding support portions and the number of reinforcing ribs. Other variations to the disclosed embodiments can be understood and effected by the skilled person in practicing the claimed invention, from a study of the drawings, the description and the claims. In the claims and the description the word "comprising" does not exclude other elements, and the indefinite article "a" or "an" does not exclude a plurality. Any reference sign in the claims should not be construed as limiting the scope.