RELATED APPLICATIONS

[0001] This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Application No.

61/532,815, filed September 9, 201 1, and which is incorporated herein by reference.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

[0002] The present invention relates to storage and shipping containers, and more particularly to shock and vibration dampening devices for such containers.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[0003] Fragile articles require special packaging when stored and/or shipped inside shipping containers. Conventional container packaging used to protect such articles includes paper, nuggets of expanded foam, preformed polystyrene foam or beads, etc. Ideally, the packaging absorbs and dissipates shocks and vibrations impinging the shipping container to minimize the shocks and vibrations experienced by the fragile article(s).

[0004] Conventional container packaging materials have proved inadequate to meet the more stringent shock and vibration absorption requirements for modern articles of commerce. In order to satisfy such requirements, large volumes of conventional container packaging is required around the article. Voluminous packaging materials are expensive and take up excessive warehouse space before use and trash/recycling space after use. Further, larger shipping containers are necessitated by the voluminous container packaging, which are more expensive to purchase and to ship. The shock/vibration dissipation performance of paper, nugget and bead packaging materials can depend in large part on how the user actually packages the particular article(s). If a particular conventional container packaging is deemed to provide inadequate shock/vibration protection, there is no predictable way to modify such packaging material to meet such shock/vibration dissipation requirements, except for adding more packaging material and increasing the shipping container size.

[0005] More recently, unitary packaging structures have been developed that are made of flexible polymeric materials to allow shocks to dissipate through flexing of the structure walls. Examples of such unitary structures can be found in U.S. Pat. Nos. 5,226,543, 5,385,232, 5,515,976, and 5,799,796. However, these solutions must be custom made for each fragile article. Moreover, all these solutions fail to protect shipping containers from external shocks and vibrations, and instead attempt to absorb such shocks/vibrations inside the shipping container. Lastly, many fragile articles are shipped or stored on pallets, which lack walls to contain packaging materials.

[0006] There is a need for a dampening device that protects storage and/or shipping containers, pallets, etc. from shocks and vibrations using minimal storage space before and after use, and which uses minimal packaging material to reduce cost and shipping weight.

BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0007] A dampening device includes opposing top and bottom walls, an annular inner side wall extending between the top and bottom walls, and an annular outer side wall extending between the top and bottom walls and around the annular inner side wall wherein at least one portion of the outer side wall has an outwardly protruding convex cross sectional shape. The inner and outer side walls are formed of a resilient material that flexes as the top and bottom walls are compressed toward each other.

[0008] A dampening assembly includes a bracket having a first member extending in a first plane, a second member extending in a second plane, and a third member extending in a third plane. The second and third members are connected to or extend from the first member, and the first, second and third planes are orthogonal to each other. First, second and third dampening devices are mounted to the first, second and third members, respectively. Each of the first, second and third dampening devices includes opposing top and bottom walls, an annular inner side wall extending between the top and bottom walls, and an annular outer side wall extending between the top and bottom walls and around the annular inner side wall. At least one portion of the outer side wall has an outwardly protruding convex cross sectional shape. The inner and outer side walls are formed of a resilient material that flexes as the top and bottom walls are compressed toward each other.

[0009] A dampening device includes opposing top and bottom walls, a coil spring extending between the top and bottom walls, and an annular outer side wall extending between the top and bottom walls and around the coil spring, wherein at least a portion of the outer side wall has an outwardly protruding convex cross sectional shape. The outer side wall is formed of a resilient material that flexes as the top and bottom walls are compressed toward each other.

[0010] Other objects and features of the present invention will become apparent by a review of the specification, claims and appended figures.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0011] Fig . 1 is a side cross section view of an embodiment of the dampening device.

[0012] Fig . 2 is a side cross section view of an embodiment of the dampening device.

[0013] Fig . 3 is a side cross section view of an embodiment of the dampening device.

[0014] Fig . 4 is a side cross section view of an embodiment of the dampening device.

[0015] Fig . 5 is a side cross section view of an embodiment of the dampening device.

[0016] Fig . 6 is a side cross section view of an embodiment of the dampening device.

[0017] Fig . 7 is a side cross section view of an embodiment of the dampening device.

[0018] Fig . 8 is a side cross section view of an embodiment of the dampening device.

[0019] Fig . 9 is a side cross section view of an embodiment of the dampening device.

[0020] Fig . 10 is a side cross section view of an embodiment of the dampenin] 1 device.

[0021] Fig . 11 is a side cross section view of an embodiment of the dampenin] 1 device.

[0022] Fig . 12 is a side cross section view of an embodiment of the dampenin] 1 device.

[0023] Fig . 13 is a side cross section view of an embodiment of the dampenin] 1 device.

[0024] Fig . 14 is a side cross section view of an embodiment of the dampenin] 1 device.

[0025] Fig . 15 is a side cross section view of an embodiment of the dampenin] 1 device.

[0026] Fig . 16 is a side cross section view of an embodiment of the dampenin] 1 device.

[0027] Fig . 17 is a side cross section view of an embodiment of the dampenin] 1 device.

[0028] Fig . 18 is a side cross section view of an embodiment of the dampenin] 1 device.

[0029] Fig . 19 is a side cross section view of an embodiment of the dampenin] 1 device.

[0030] Fig . 20 is a side cross section view of an embodiment of the dampenin] 1 device. [0031] Fig . 21 is a side cross section view of an embodiment of the dampening device.

[0032] Fig . 22 is a side cross section view of an embodiment of the dampening device.

[0033] Fig . 23 is a side cross section view of an embodiment of the dampening device.

[0034] Fig . 24 is a side cross section view of an embodiment of the dampening device.

[0035] Fig . 25 is a perspective view of an implementation of the dampening devices.

[0036] Fig . 26 is a perspective view of an assembly of the dampening devices.

[0037] Fig . 27 is a perspective view of an assembly of the dampening devices.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0038] The present invention is a dampening device for protecting shipping and storage containers and/or pallets from shocks and vibrations. A first embodiment of the dampening device 10 is illustrated in Fig. 1, and includes an annular outer side wall 12 surrounding an annular inner side wall 14. Both side walls 12/14 extend between a top wall 16 and bottom wall 18. The outer side wall 12 has an outwardly protruding convex cross sectional shape, while the inner side wall 14 has a cylindrical shape (i.e. a rectangular cross sectional shape). The bottom wall 18 rests on, and is preferably bolted to, a support panel 20 (e.g. such as the deck of a pallet or other support structure) by a bolt 22 engaged with the support panel 20 and a threaded hole 24 in bottom wall 18. The top wall 16 supports, and is preferably bolted to, a floating panel 26 (i.e. the bottom of the shipping and/or storage container, or other structure, which supports the fragile article(s) being protected) by a bolt 28 engaged with the floating panel 26 and a threaded hole 30 in top wall 16. Threaded holes 24 and 30 preferably include a nut (e.g. a t-nut) mounted in a hole passing through the respective wall.

[0039] Dampening device 10 is made of a resilient material that allows outer and inner side walls 12/14 to flex and absorb energy from shocks and vibrations. Examples of suitable materials include polymeric material such as rubber, low-density or linear low density polyethylene, high density polyethylene, polyester, polypropylene, the family of polyolefin resins, vinyl acetate split or spun into synthetic fibers or modified to take on the elastic properties of a rubber or to produce a number of copolymers, fiberboard, molded fiber, molded urethane, molded ethylene, molded styrene, and/or ecology friendly materials such as corn starch or maze starch. Low density poly ethylene has been determined to work exceedingly well. The dampening device 10 can be made by molding two halves separately and attaching them together. Inner side wall 14 can be integrally formed with top/bottom walls 16/18, or formed separately and assembled together (and held in place by annular ridges 32 extending inwardly from top and bottom walls 16/18).

[0040] It has been discovered that two concentric side walls of different cross sectional size and/or shape provide superior shock and vibration dampening (both vertical and horizontal components) between top and bottom walls 16/18, while at the same time supporting the weight of the floating panel 26 with the desired flexure of the outer/inner side walls 12/14 in a static state (under the weight of the supported floating panel 26 without shocks and vibrations). As damping device 10 compresses under the weight and shock of a load, the curved outer side wall 12 flexes, with portions of the outer side wall 12 closest to the floating panel 26 and support panel 20 engaging therewith as device 10 compresses to provide increased resilient support and dampening. The increase in resilient support and dampening is gradual with the compression of the device 10 because of the convex shape of the outer side wall 12. The majority of the weight is supported by the inner side wall 14, which can flex inwardly or outwardly under heavy loads. The dimensions and materials can be tailored to provide the desired dampening and load requirements (e.g. vibration dampening up to 300 Hz, shock dampening up to 25g's, shock dampening up to certain drop heights, total load support up to two tons, etc.). For example, the outer and inner side walls 12/14 can have equal or different thicknesses. Additional dampening features can be added as needed. For example, Fig. 2 illustrates the addition of a spiral- shaped channel 34 along inner side wall 14, and a spring 36 engaged with the channel and top/bottom walls 16/18 for providing additional elastic force and dampening between top and bottom walls 16/18 (in addition to the elastic force and dampening provided by inner and outer side walls 14/12).

[0041] The shapes of outer and/or inner side walls 12/14 can be tailored to meet the desired dampening and load requirements. For example, Figs. 3 and 4 are alternate embodiments of Figs. 1 and 2, respectively, where the inner side wall 14 has an outwardly projecting convex cross sectional shape instead of a cylindrical shape, which is easier to flex and compress for lighter loads (i.e. provides less compression strength). With this configuration, under load conditions that compress the dampening device 10, both the inner and outer side walls 14/12 flex outwardly to absorb the weight of the load as well shocks and vibrations to the load. Changing the radius of curvature of inner and/or outer side walls 14/12 changes the resiliency of the overall device 10. A spring 38 can additionally be provided inside of inner side wall 14 (and extending between top and bottom walls 16/18), as illustrated in Fig. 5. Figs. 6 and 7 are alternate embodiments of Figs. 1 and 2, respectively, where the inner side wall 14 has a conical shape (i.e. with a smaller lateral dimension at the top wall 16 than at the bottom wall 18) to direct the direction of flex and affect the overall resiliency of the device 10.

[0042] Fig. 8 is an alternate embodiment of Fig. 1, where the inner side wall 14 has a double conical shape, with two conical portions 14a and 14b with the wider ends meeting each other and the narrower ends disposed at the top/bottom walls 16/18 (i.e. reverse hourglass). The point at which the two conical portions 14a/14b meet provides a point of flexure 15 at which the diameter of inner side wall 14 expands as the dampening device 10 is compressed. Point of flexure 15 is an abrupt angle change in the direction of the wall, which will exhibit a reduced resistance to flexing (i.e. flex more readily) compared to curved or straight portions of the wall. Therefore, the angled portions 14a/14b of inner side wall 14 will flex easier about the point of flexure 15 compared to the straight portions of inner side wall 14.

[0043] Fig. 9 is an alternate embodiment of Fig. 1, where the inner side wall 14 has a double arcuate cross sectional shape, with inwardly curved concave portions 14c and 14d extending from the top and bottom wall 16/18 respectively, and meeting together to provide a point of flexure 15. Increased compression resistance can be achieved if the dimensions of the inner/outer side walls 14/12 are such that point of flexure 15 of inner side wall 14 contacts the outer side wall 12 during the compression of device 10.

[0044] Fig. 10 is an alternate embodiment of Fig. 1, where the inner side wall 14 is replaced with spring 38.

[0045] Figs. 1 1-12 are alternate embodiments of Figs. 3 and 6, where the cross section of the outer side wall 12 includes a straight portion 12a. A straight wall portion will be harder to flex than a curved wall portion, providing more compression strength. The cross sectional straight portion 12a reduces the amount of the outer side wall 12 that is curved (which is what flexes more during compression, shock and vibration), and thus increases the resilience of the outer side wall 12 for heavier loads. Fig. 13 is an alternate embodiment of Fig. 5, where the inner side wall 14 has a double conical shape (see Fig. 8) and the cross section of the outer side wall 12 includes a straight portion 12a.

[0046] Fig. 14 is an alternate embodiment of Fig. 3, where outer side wall 12 has a double arcuate cross sectional shape, with inwardly curved concave portions 12c and 12d extending from the top and bottom walls 16/18 respectively, and meeting together to provide a point of flexure 15. The point of flexure 15 in outer side wall 12 reduces the compression strength for the outer side wall 12 without affecting the compression strength for the inner side wall 14.

[0047] Fig. 15 is an alternate embodiment of Fig. 9, where outer side wall 12 has a triple arcuate cross sectional shape, with outwardly curved convex portions 12e and 12f and an inwardly curved concave portion 12g therebetween. In this configuration, the outer side wall 12 includes two points of flexure 15, and the inner side wall 14 includes a single point of flexure 15. The center portions of inner and outer walls 14/12 flex in opposite directions as device 10 is compresses. Point of flexure 15 of inner side wall 14 can abut inwardly moving concave portion 12g of outer side wall 12, to provide increased compression strength and resistance should device 10 be compressed beyond a predetermined amount.

[0048] Fig. 16 is an alternate embodiment of Fig. 6, where outer side wall 12 includes flat portion 12, and the bottom wall 18 is shaped as a ring with an opening 40 exposing the inner surface of inner side wall 14. Fig. 17 is an alternate embodiment of Fig. 16, where the top wall 16 is flat and extends further away from the threaded hole 30, and the curved portion of outer side wall 12 is smaller. This configuration gives the dampening device 10 a greater compression strength for larger loads. Fig. 18 illustrates the mounting of the embodiment of Fig. 16 between the floating panel 26 and support panel 20, with both a bolt 42 and spring 44 extending through opening 40. Fig. 19 illustrates an alternate mounting shown in Fig. 18, where the bolt 42 extends through opening 40, but spring 44 extends along that portion of the bolt 42 outside of opening 40. Screws 46 can be used to secure the ring shaped bottom wall 18 to the support panel 20, as illustrated in Fig. 20.

[0049] Fasteners 48 can be used to removably engage with one or more tabs 50 formed on bottom wall 18 to removably secure bottom wall 18 to support panel 20, as illustrated in Figs. 21-22. Fasteners can be stand alone, or formed within a continuous ring, and attached to support panel 20 via screws 46. Fasteners 48 can be configured with holes or slots such that the bottom wall 18 is secured to fasteners 48 by rotating device 10 to engage tabs 50 into holes/slots of fasteners 48, and bottom wall 18 is released from fasteners by rotating device 10 in the opposite direction to free tabs 50 from fasteners 48.

[0050] The flexing characteristics of inner and outer side walls 14/12 in any of the embodiments described herein can be optimized by selectively including dimples that form small points of flexure that increase the flexibility of select portions of each wall. For example, Fig. 23 is an alternate embodiment to Fig. 16, wherein dimples 52 are formed in both the inner and outer side walls 14/12. Those portions of the side walls containing dimples 52 are more flexible than other portions of the walls. The sizes, numbers and shapes of dimples can be varied to provide varying degrees of flexing characteristics, as illustrated in Fig. 24, to meet the dampening requirements of the fragile article being protected. Dimples 52 can be spot dimples (e.g. small discrete deformations in the wall in which it is formed) or elongated dimples (e.g. annular deformations that extend all the way around the wall in which it is formed).

[0051] Fig. 25 illustrates the implementation of dampening device 10. Specifically, multiple dampening devices 10 can be disposed between support panel 20 and floating panel 26. Alternately and/or additionally, dampening devices 10 can be disposed underneath support panel 20 (or underneath any panel that supports the weight of the fragile articles). Fig. 25 illustrates the use of dampening devices 10 in a nested fashion, where they are disposed both between panels 20 and 26, as well as underneath panel 20 for placement on the floor, to absorb shocks both externally and internally to the support panel 20.

[0052] Fig. 26 illustrates a bracket 54 that includes a horizontal member 54a and two orthogonal vertical members 54b and 54c (i.e. each member 54a/54b/54c extending in a different plane with all three planes orthogonal to each other). A dampening device 10 is mounted to each member 54a/54b/54c. The bracket 54 supports the corner of a floating panel, and cushions that corner from shocks and vibrations in the vertical direction and both orthogonal horizontal directions. Multiple brackets 54 can be integrally formed together, and extend along all four side corners of a container 56, as illustrated in Fig. 27, to position three devices 10 on each of thee sides of a corner, for two adjacent corners. [0053] The various shapes, points of flexure, and combinations thereof and of the various subcomponents of the device 10, dictate the effective spring constant and dampening effect for each element and the dampening device 10 as a whole.

[0054] It is to be understood that the present invention is not limited to the

embodiment(s) described above and illustrated herein, but encompasses any and all variations falling within the scope of the appended claims. For example, references to the present invention herein are not intended to limit the scope of any claim or claim term, but instead merely make reference to one or more features that may be covered by one or more of the claims. Materials, processes and numerical examples described above are exemplary only, and should not be deemed to limit the claims. All of the embodiments can be reversed in orientation (i.e. whereby the top wall 16 contacts and/or is mounted to the support panel 20, and the bottom wall 18 contacts and/or is mounted to the floating panel 26). Support panel 20 can be omitted, where the dampening device would rest on the floor.