The invention relates to a method for packaging an object, in particular a fragile object, like a thin-walled glass, in a cylindrically shaped packaging case while using a rather thin flexible packaging material which for that purpose is applied around the circumference of the object. Furthermore the invention relates to a packaging material for crack-free package and it also relates to the construction of a packaging case and an auxiliary device to secure an object in the packaging case.

This known method of packaging requires a large amount of foam foil material and yet is not always sufficient to prevent cracking. Furthermore, when a narrow fitting packaging case is being used, it is often difficult to take out the object or it is required that the enclosing packaging case must be removed piece by piece.

According to the invention these disadvantages are avoided and while using a small amount of packaging material, which prevents cracking, an optimal packaging is guaranteed. The method according to the invention is characterized in that the first packaging phase is that the object is being placed inside a fitting part of a packaging case in an axial direction, the second packaging phase consists of providing a flexible packaging material, particularly a narrow strip of packaging material, which preferably can adopt the shape of cylindrical or annular shaped flexible packaging material which is applied along the circumference of the object in such a way that the remaining free space between the object and the side of the case is occupied for its majority, after which in the third packaging phase this flexible packaging material can be fixed further in an axial direction with respect to the previously mentioned space in the case so that the object in the case on the one hand is secured against axial displacement and on the other hand is floatingly and clampingly fixed in relation to the wall side of the case.

This new method is especially applied while simultaneously packaging a liquor bottle in a cardboard case, a fragile drinking glass being located above and on top of the bottle. According to the invention for this purpose a packaging case closed on both sides, known per se, is applied, consisting

of a first part of the packaging case, in which the bottle is located, as well as a second part of the packaging case functioning as a lid, in which the drinking glass is provided according to the previously mentioned new method, in which the first part of the packaging case at the location of its open end is provided with a part of a closable packaging case having a smaller portion to be inserted in the inner circumference of the lid, whereas its protruding edge, in an axial direction, while closing the case portions automatically, effects the previously mentioned floating and clamping action respectively of the drinking glass with respect to the lid case.

Further details of the invention will appear from the claims and the invention will be exemplified hereafter by some embodiments of a packaging case whereupon the method can be applied.

Fig. 1 partially shows a front view and a longitudinal cross sectional view of a packaging case provided at its interior with a floatingly attached drinking glass; Fig. 2 is an embodiment of an auxiliary device for attaching the drinking glass and Fig. 3 is partially a front view and a longitudinal cross sectional view of a packaging case which is composed of a number of identical modules.

In the Fig. 1-3 a cylindrically shaped packaging case 1 is shown, closed from underneath, which essentially may have a polygonal cross section, but has a circular cross section in this embodiment. This packaging case may be made of synthetic material or of cardboard which offers sufficient stiffness to protect its content. In this case a liquor bottle 2 with label 3 is provided on the bottom 4 of the packaging case 1. The diameter of the packaging case 1 differs slightly from the inner diameter of the packaging case 1, in such a way that there is only a narrow tolerance 5 between bottle 2 and the interior side of the packaging case 1. As a result it will be possible to slide the bottle 2 in place in the packaging case 1, and while doing so it only meets the friction of the escaping trapped air. Reversely drawing the liquor bottle 2 out of its housing, its packaging case 1, will cause air to be suctioned until under the bottom of the bottle. The upper side of the packaging case 1 has an edge 6 and a part 7 which narrows to the inside having here a decreasing wall thickness. In the shown embodiment a drinking glass 9 is located in the lid 8 which fits over the

part 7, its foot 10 being located against the bottom 11 in the position in which the lid 8 is located on its bottom 11 and the drinking glass is placed on its opposite side. The body 12 of the drinking glass 9 has a diameter which is slightly larger than the inner diameter of the packaging case 1, so this body 12 defines the limit of the extent in which the drinking glass 9 may possibly move with respect to the packaging case 1. After placing the drinking glass 9 inside the lid 8 a strip or a band of flexible foam foil packaging material 13 may be applied from above against the inner circumference of the lid 8 around the drinking glass 9 and it is located somewhat to the right of the line A-A. This flexible foam foil packaging material 13 feels somewhat smooth from its outside and it is also air permeable. Another structure of the surface of the packaging material may also be possible and it could be determined experimentally, like its required thickness. By means of its own flexibility this material"rests"against the interior side of the lid 8. By now subsequently placing lid 8 with the drinking glass 9 on the receding course 7 of the packaging case 1 with the bottle 2 e. g. in a somewhat horizontal position, the front edge 14 automatically pushes the applied foam foil in the space 15 thus creating a floating camping grip and suspension which completely holds the body 12 of the drinking glass 9 within the lid 8 in place. If thereafter one takes off the lid 8 of the packaging case, which involves the creation of a slight vacuum, then the drinking glass 9 remains pending in the lid 8, but can be removed easily from there by hand. Alternatively a strip of foam foil 13 can be provided with such a length that when taking off the lid 8 the end of that strip 13 emerges and it can be pulled to remove the drinking glass 9 off its fixed position. When the flexibility of the foam foil packaging material is sufficiently durable, the automatic function of the fixing operation of the drinking glass 9, while closing the lid 8 on the packaging case 1, can be used multiple times.

Fig. 2 schematically shows a shape for an axially slidable pressure element 17 by which the new method can also be performed. To that purpose e. g. the part 18 which is located on the left side of line B-B is suitable and in the packaging case 19 a drinking glass (not shown) can be fixed with it.

If the pressure element 17 is extended to the right than it may as well serve to fix a drinking glass on the left hand side as subsequently a drinking glass to be placed on the right hand side. The middle part 20 basically need not to be present, it could however serve to indicate the

limit of the course of the packaging case 19 or it may serve as a colour indication for the content of coloured objects and the like.

Fig. 3 shows a packaging case composed of several modules 21-24, where each time a loose pressure element 18 can be operated to package several drinking glasses according to the new method.

The floating attachment of drinking glasses and/or other objects in a packaging case according to the invention and while using the method, takes place in such a way that on the desired points of contact the floating attachment is provided in relation to the packaging for transport. The principle of the camping therefore applies also for all shapes which are in a cross sectionally polygonal of which than the most protruding parts in relation to the interior side of the packaging case are attached each time whereas the less protruding parts are e. g. also touching the flexible packaging material, however the pressure effect will be less than on the actual points of contact.

It is noted that by the packaging of thin fragile objects also packaging of all types of lamps are included, as well for domestic uses as for industrial application (medical equipment and the like).

In the application according to Fig. 1 the lid 8 has a height of 14 cm, whereas the height of the drinking glass is 13 cm. The inner diameter of the lid 8 is 4 cm whereas the strip of the flexible foam foil packaging material has a length of over 20 cm and a width of 10-12 mm and a thickness of 2 mm. The cutting edges in longitudinal direction of the strip may also alternatively be cut obliquely. The longitudinal length of the part 7 is 5,5 cm having a wall thickness of approximately 3 mm, performed in cardboard.