Liner
11713180 · 2023-08-01
Assignee
Inventors
- Greg Sollie (Sharpsburg, GA, US)
- Jamie Waltermire (Peachtree City, GA, US)
- Shifeng Chen (Newport News, VA, US)
Cpc classification
B65D5/60
PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
B65D81/3858
PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
B65D81/3848
PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
B31B2120/402
PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
International classification
Abstract
A liner comprising a body portion and a flap portion. The body portion comprises a front, a back, a first side, a second side, and a bottom. The body portion defines a cavity. The flap portion is hingedly connected to a top end of the back of the body portion. The flap portion is sized to cover the cavity. The body portion and the flap portion comprise a single piece of insulative material.
Claims
1. A liner configured for placement within a box, the liner comprising: a single piece of insulative material; and a corrugated cardboard panel adjacent to the single piece of insulative material, the corrugated cardboard panel defining a central body, a first bend line, a second bend line, and an end portion hingedly connected to the central body by the second bend line, the single piece of insulative material extending across a bend line defining a connection of a single liner flap portion with a liner body portion, the liner body portion comprising a plurality of sub-portions, the single piece of insulative material and the corrugated cardboard panel together reconfigurable between a flattened arrangement and an expanded arrangement, the corrugated cardboard panel extending beyond opposite ends of at least one of the sub-portions for providing structure to the sub-portions to at least partially define a memory retaining substantially block-shaped cavity in the expanded arrangement, the substantially block-shaped cavity defining an opening, the single liner flap portion covering an entirety of the opening of the substantially block-shaped cavity; wherein the plurality of sub-portions comprises a bottom and a side, and wherein the liner body portion further comprises a pleat formed from excess liner body portion material gathered along the bottom proximate the side, the pleat configured to exert a spring force on the end portion of the corrugated cardboard panel to cause the end portion to rotate outwardly along the second bend line of the corrugated cardboard panel.
2. The liner of claim 1, wherein the liner is recyclable.
3. The liner of claim 1, wherein the insulative material comprises a paper-based material.
4. The liner of claim 1, wherein the bend line is a first bend line, and wherein the plurality of sub-portions of the liner body portion further comprises a front, the single piece of insulative material extending across a second bend line defining connection of the front with the bottom of the liner body portion.
5. The liner of claim 4, wherein the plurality of sub-portions of the liner body portion further comprises a back, the single piece of insulative material extending across a third bend line defining connection of the back of the liner body portion with the bottom of the liner body portion.
6. The liner of claim 1, wherein the insulative material is a paper-based material.
7. The liner of claim 1, wherein the liner flap portion and the bottom of the liner body portion are in substantially parallel planes upon the liner flap portion covering the cavity.
8. A packaging assembly comprising: a box comprising a front, a back, a first side, a second side, a bottom, and a plurality of top flaps hingedly coupled to the front, the back, the first side, and the second side; and a liner configured for placement within the box, the liner comprising: a single piece of insulative material, and a corrugated cardboard panel adjacent to the single piece of insulative material, the corrugated cardboard panel defining a central body, a first bend line, a second bend line, and an end portion hingedly connected to the central body by the second bend line, the single piece of insulative material extending across a bend line defining a connection of a single liner flap portion with a liner body portion, the liner body portion comprising a plurality of sub-portions, the corrugated cardboard panel extending beyond opposite ends of at least one of the sub-portions for providing structure to the sub-portions to at least partially define a memory retaining substantially block-shaped cavity, the substantially block-shaped cavity defining an opening, the single liner flap portion covering an entirety of the opening of the substantially block-shaped cavity; wherein the plurality of sub-portions comprises a bottom and a side, and wherein the liner body portion further comprises a pleat formed from excess liner body portion material gathered along the bottom proximate the side, the pleat configured to exert a spring force on the end portion of the corrugated cardboard panel to cause the end portion to rotate outwardly along the second bend line of the corrugated cardboard panel.
9. The packaging assembly of claim 8, wherein the liner is recyclable.
10. The packaging assembly of claim 8, wherein the insulative material comprises a paper-based material.
11. The packaging assembly of claim 8, wherein the side is a first side, and wherein the plurality of sub-portions of the liner body portion further comprises a front, a back, and a second side.
12. The packaging assembly of claim 8, wherein the insulative material is a paper-based material.
13. The packaging assembly of claim 8, wherein the plurality of sub-portions of the liner body portion comprises a front and a bottom; the single piece of insulative material and the panel together extend across a second bend line defining connection of the front of the liner body portion with the bottom of the liner body portion; and the liner flap portion and the bottom of the liner body portion are in substantially parallel planes upon the liner flap portion covering the cavity.
14. A method of assembling a packaging assembly comprising the steps of: providing a box comprising a front, a back, a first side, a second side, and a bottom; providing a support comprising a corrugated cardboard material, the support defining a central body, a first support bend line, a second support bend line, and an end portion hingedly connected to the central body by the second support bend line, the first support bend line being perpendicular to the second support bend line; providing a liner comprising: a single piece of insulative material; and a panel coupled to the single piece of insulative material and adjacent to the support, the panel comprising a fiber-based material, the single piece of insulative material and the panel defining a plurality of bend lines, the single piece of insulative material and the panel together extending across at least two bend lines, the liner comprising a plurality of sub-portions, the plurality of sub-portions comprising a bottom of the liner and a pleat proximate the bottom, the pleat creating a region of excess material along a portion of the bottom, the panel extending beyond opposite ends of at least one of the sub-portions for providing structure to the sub-portions to at least partially define a memory retaining substantially block-shaped cavity, the substantially block-shaped cavity defining an opening; providing a single lid sized to cover an entirety of the opening of the substantially block-shaped cavity; inserting the liner and the support within the box so that the liner is adjacent to the front of the box, the back of the box, the first side of the box, and the second side of the box, so that the pleat exerts a spring force on the end portion of the support to cause the end portion to rotate outwardly along the second support bend line, and so that the support is adjacent to the bottom of the box, while the sub-portions of the liner maintain a shape of the substantially block-shaped cavity; and positioning the single lid over the substantially block-shaped cavity to cover the entirety of the opening.
15. The method of assembling a packaging assembly of claim 14, wherein the liner is recyclable.
16. The method of assembling a packaging assembly of claim 14, wherein the insulative material comprises a paper-based material.
17. The method of claim 14, wherein the plurality of sub-portions further comprises a front, a back, a first side, and a second side.
18. The method of claim 14, wherein the insulative material is a paper-based material.
19. The method of assembling a packaging assembly of claim 14, wherein at least one bend line of the plurality of bend lines is a bend line defining a connection of a liner flap portion with a liner body portion, and the liner flap portion is sized to cover the substantially blocked shaped cavity.
20. A packaging assembly comprising: a box defining a front, a back, a first side, a second side and a bottom; a liner configured for placement within the box, the liner comprising a plurality of sub-portions, the plurality of sub-portions comprising a bottom and a side, and wherein the liner further comprises a pleat formed from excess liner material gathered along the bottom proximate the side, the liner comprising a single piece of bendable insulative material coupled to a panel, the panel comprising a fiber-based material, wherein the single piece of bendable insulative material and the panel define a plurality of bend lines, the single piece of bendable insulative material and the panel together extending across at least two bend lines; and a support comprising a corrugated cardboard material, the support defining a central body, a first support bend line, a second support bend line, and an end portion hingedly connected to the central body by the second support bend line, the support situated between the liner defining a substantially cube-shaped cavity and the bottom of the box, the corrugated cardboard support extending beyond opposite ends of at least one of the sub-portions of the liner for providing structure to the sub-portions to at least partially define a memory retaining substantially block-shaped cavity, the substantially block-shaped cavity defining an opening, the support defining a first support bend line and a second support bend line, the first support bend line being perpendicular to the second support bend line; and a single lid covering an entirety of the opening of the substantially block-shaped cavity; wherein the pleat is configured to exert a spring force on the end portion of the support to cause the end portion to rotate outwardly along the second support bend line.
21. The packaging assembly of claim 20, wherein the side is a first side, and wherein the plurality of sub-portions of the liner further comprises a front, a back, and a second side; each of the front, the back, the first side or the second side of the liner is adjacent to one of the front, the back, the first side or the second side of the box; and at least one bend line of the plurality of bend lines is a vertical bend line.
22. The packaging assembly of claim 20, wherein the single piece of bendable insulative material and the panel together extends across a first bend line in the plurality of bend lines, the first bend line connecting a first sub-portion with a second sub-portion and across a second bend line in the plurality of bend lines, the second bend line connecting the second sub-portion with a third sub-portion.
23. The packaging assembly of claim 20, wherein the side is a first side, and wherein the plurality of sub-portions of the liner comprises a front, a back, and a second side, and wherein the plurality of bend lines includes a first bend line connecting the front with the first side, a second bend line connecting the first side to the back and a third bend line connecting the back to the second side.
24. The packaging assembly of claim 20, wherein the single piece of bendable insulative material and the panel together extend across at least three bend lines.
25. The packaging assembly of claim 24, wherein at least one bend line of the plurality of bend lines is a vertical bend line.
26. The packaging assembly of claim 20, wherein the panel is inward of the bendable insulative material.
27. The packaging assembly of claim 20, wherein the insulative material is a paper-based material.
28. The packaging assembly of claim 20, wherein the liner is recyclable.
29. The packaging assembly of claim 20, wherein the insulative material comprises a paper-based material.
30. The packaging assembly of claim 20, wherein the insulative material comprises a paper and fiber combination.
31. The packaging assembly of claim 20, wherein the box further comprises a plurality of top flaps hingedly coupled to the front, the back, the first side, and the second side.
Description
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
(1) The features and components of the following figures are illustrated to emphasize the general principles of the present disclosure. Corresponding features and components throughout the figures may be designated by matching reference characters for the sake of consistency and clarity.
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DETAILED DESCRIPTION
(18) The present disclosure can be understood more readily by reference to the following detailed description, examples, drawings, and claims, and the previous and following description. However, before the present devices, systems, and/or methods are disclosed and described, it is to be understood that this disclosure is not limited to the specific devices, systems, and/or methods disclosed unless otherwise specified, and, as such, can, of course, vary. It is also to be understood that the terminology used herein is for the purpose of describing particular aspects only and is not intended to be limiting.
(19) The following description is provided as an enabling teaching of the present devices, systems, and/or methods in its best, currently known aspect. To this end, those skilled in the relevant art will recognize and appreciate that many changes can be made to the various aspects of the present devices, systems, and/or methods described herein, while still obtaining the beneficial results of the present disclosure. It will also be apparent that some of the desired benefits of the present disclosure can be obtained by selecting some of the features of the present disclosure without utilizing other features. Accordingly, those who work in the art will recognize that many modifications and adaptations to the present disclosure are possible and can even be desirable in certain circumstances and are a part of the present disclosure. Thus, the following description is provided as illustrative of the principles of the present disclosure and not in limitation thereof.
(20) As used throughout, the singular forms “a,” “an” and “the” include plural referents unless the context clearly dictates otherwise. Thus, for example, reference to “an element” can include two or more such elements unless the context indicates otherwise.
(21) Ranges can be expressed herein as from “about” one particular value, and/or to “about” another particular value. When such a range is expressed, another aspect includes from the one particular value and/or to the other particular value. Similarly, when values are expressed as approximations, by use of the antecedent “about,” it will be understood that the particular value forms another aspect. It will be further understood that the endpoints of each of the ranges are significant both in relation to the other endpoint, and independently of the other endpoint.
(22) For purposes of the current disclosure, a material property or dimension measuring about X or substantially X on a particular measurement scale measures within a range between X plus an industry-standard upper tolerance for the specified measurement and X minus an industry-standard lower tolerance for the specified measurement. Because tolerances can vary between different materials, processes and between different models, the tolerance for a particular measurement of a particular component can fall within a range of tolerances.
(23) As used herein, the terms “optional” or “optionally” mean that the subsequently described event or circumstance can or cannot occur, and that the description includes instances where said event or circumstance occurs and instances where it does not.
(24) The word “or” as used herein means any one member of a particular list and also includes any combination of members of that list. Further, one should note that conditional language, such as, among others, “can,” “could,” “might,” or “may,” unless specifically stated otherwise, or otherwise understood within the context as used, is generally intended to convey that certain aspects include, while other aspects do not include, certain features, elements and/or steps. Thus, such conditional language is not generally intended to imply that features, elements and/or steps are in any way required for one or more particular aspects or that one or more particular aspects necessarily include logic for deciding, with or without user input or prompting, whether these features, elements and/or steps are included or are to be performed in any particular aspect.
(25) Disclosed are components that can be used to perform the disclosed methods and systems. These and other components are disclosed herein, and it is understood that when combinations, subsets, interactions, groups, etc. of these components are disclosed that while specific reference of each various individual and collective combinations and permutation of these may not be explicitly disclosed, each is specifically contemplated and described herein, for all methods and systems. This applies to all aspects of this application including, but not limited to, steps in disclosed methods. Thus, if there are a variety of additional steps that can be performed it is understood that each of these additional steps can be performed with any specific aspect or combination of aspects of the disclosed methods.
(26) Disclosed is a liner and associated methods, systems, devices, and various apparatus. The liner can include insulation in various implementations. It would be understood by one of skill in the art that the disclosed liner is described in but a few exemplary aspects among many. No particular terminology or description should be considered limiting on the disclosure or the scope of any claims issuing therefrom.
(27) One embodiment of a liner 1000 is disclosed and described with reference to
(28) The body portion 1005 can define an upper end 1041 and a lower end 1042. The lower end 1042 of the body portion 1005 can comprise a bottom (not shown). In the current aspect, the bottom can be substantially similar in construction and materials as the front 1020, back 1030, and sides 1025,1035.
(29) The flap portion 1010 can comprise a body connection end 1043 that can serve the connection of the flap portion 1010 to the body portion 1005. The flap portion 1010 can comprise a flap end 1044 that can serve as an end of the flap portion 1010.
(30) The liner 1000 can comprise a skin material and a filler material. The skin material can be of various constructions, materials, shapes, and purposes, including but not limited to plastic films, paper materials, cloth, and like materials. In the current aspect, the skin material can be kraft paper. In various aspects, the filler material can be a variety of materials, including thermally insulative and/or protective materials. In the current aspect, the insulative material can be paper fill material. In various aspects, the insulative material can be loose fill insulation such as paper, cellulose, or various foam materials such as polystyrene. In various aspects, the insulative material can be open-cell or closed-cell foams. In various aspects, the insulative material can be a paper and fiber combination and can be in loose fill form or in batt form. In various aspects, the insulative material can be loose fill, batt, board, or other applications.
(31) In the current aspect, the skin material can be joined at a seam such as seam 1046 seen at the upper end 1041 of the body portion. In certain aspects, the liner 1000 of the current disclosure can be formed of two pieces of kraft paper comprising an inner panel and an outer panel. In such aspects, the seam 1046 can continue along the flap portion 1010 to the flap end 1044 in various aspects. In various aspects, the liner 1000 can comprise three panels, comprising an inner panel and two outer panels. In the current aspect, the liner 1000 can comprise four panels. Two panels can be joined together to form a front half 1050 of the liner 1000 and two panels can be joined together to form a rear half 1060 of the liner 1000; the two halves can then be joined at a seam in the body portion 1005. In the current aspect, the liner 1000 can comprise an outer front panel 1070, and inner front panel 1075, an outer rear panel 1080 (shown in
(32) The various panels can be joined at seams (such as seams 1046, 1052, 1062, 1072) by adhesive, chemical joining, mechanical joints, welds such as sonic welding, sewing, or various other joint mechanisms known in the art. In various aspects, the seams can be joined using staples, key fit arrangements, interference, or co-forming. In various aspects, the joints or seams can be eliminated in favor of integrated construction, and various modifications to the arrangements of joints or seams can be utilized without departing from the scope of this disclosure. Additional numbers of panels or seams may be utilized to modify the structure of the liner 1000 within the scope of the current disclosure.
(33) The front half 1050 and the rear half 1060 can be comprised within a liner subassembly 1090 that can form the portions of the liner 1000 previously described. The liner 1000 in the current aspect can be a liner assembly and can comprise a support 1100 connected to or abutting the bottom of the liner subassembly 1090. The support 1100 can be of varying constructions and can be designed to provide structure and support to the liner 1000 and as separate from the liner subassembly 1090, which can in some aspects be unstructured. In various aspects, the liner subassembly 1090 can comprise structures connected to or within the front half 1050 and/or the rear half 1060 to provide support. In the current aspect, the support 1100 can be connected to the bottom of the liner subassembly 1090 to provide structure and support that can be lacking.
(34) The support 1100 can be connected to the bottom of the liner subassembly 1090 by adhesive or mechanical joints as described elsewhere in this disclosure. The support 1100 can be formed of corrugated cardboard material. In various aspects, the support 1100 can be formed of cardboard, paperboard, wood, plastic, or various other rigid or semi-rigid materials. In various aspects, the support 1100 can comprise a framework. In various aspects, the support 1100 can comprise mechanical joints or hinges.
(35) As seen with reference to
(36) As seen with specific reference to
(37) As seen with reference to
(38) As seen with reference to
(39) Assembly of the liner 1000 into a packaging assembly can be seen beginning with reference to
(40) As seen with reference to
(41) A finalized packaging assembly can be generated by fully assembling the box 1500 into completed form. Various shapes, sizes, and arrangements of box 1500 can be utilized without departing from the scope of the current disclosure.
(42) Another aspect can be seen with reference to
(43) A liner panel assembly 2150 can be seen with reference to
(44) A first panel section 2160 can comprise a lower end of the liner panel assembly 2150. A second panel section 2170 can comprise a central area of the liner panel assembly 2150. And a flap panel section 2180 can comprise a top end of the liner panel assembly 2150. The first panel section 2160 can be separated from the second panel section 2170 by a line 2161 and the second panel section 2170 can be separated from the flap panel section 2180 by a line 2171. In various aspects, the lines 2161, 2171 can be reference lines drawn on the inner panel 2075. In various aspects, the lines 2161, 2171 can be omitted entirely, and the lines 2161, 2171 as drawn in
(45) In the current aspect, the first panel section 2160 can be of a height 2163 that is about the same as a height 2173 of the second panel section 2170. The first panel section 2160 can comprise a first sealing edge 2167 and a second sealing edge 2168. Similarly, the second panel section 2170 can comprise a first sealing edge 2177 and a second sealing edge 2178. The first sealing edges 2167, 2177 can be adapted to abut and to seal against one another using various methods described elsewhere in this disclosure. Likewise, the second sealing edges 2168, 2178 can be similarly adapted as the first sealing edges 2167, 2177.
(46) As seen with reference to
(47) As seen with reference to
(48) As seen with reference to
(49) As can be seen with reference to
(50) As seen with reference to
(51) As seen elsewhere in this disclosure, the liner 3000 can be inserted into a box such as box 1500. When inserted within the box 1500, the end portions 1115, 1125 can be arranged such that the box 1500 can prevent the unbending along bend lines 1117, 1127, respectively. As such, bending along lengthwise bend line 2525 can be prevented, and the liner 3000 can be maintained in an opened relationship, allowing for ease of use in packaging items within the box 1500 and liner 3000.
(52) It would be noted by one of ordinary skill in the art that, although the end portions 1115, 1125 of the current disclosure are seen bent upwards, it would be equally possible to bend these end portions 1115, 1125 downward to achieve a similar result of preventing bending along lengthwise bend line 2525. Additionally, there may be advantages of bending downward that are not specifically discussed herein.
(53) It would be understood by one of skill in the art that various aspects and features can be utilized within various other aspects and features of the disclosure, and one should not consider the disclosure limited by the scope of one particularly disclosed element.
(54) One should note that conditional language, such as, among others, “can,” “could,” “might,” or “may,” unless specifically stated otherwise, or otherwise understood within the context as used, is generally intended to convey that certain embodiments include, while other embodiments do not include, certain features, elements and/or steps. Thus, such conditional language is not generally intended to imply that features, elements and/or steps are in any way required for one or more particular embodiments or that one or more particular embodiments necessarily include logic for deciding, with or without user input or prompting, whether these features, elements and/or steps are included or are to be performed in any particular embodiment.
(55) It should be emphasized that the above-described embodiments are merely possible examples of implementations, merely set forth for a clear understanding of the principles of the present disclosure. Any process descriptions or blocks in flow diagrams should be understood as representing modules, segments, or portions of code which include one or more executable instructions for implementing specific logical functions or steps in the process, and alternate implementations are included in which functions may not be included or executed at all, may be executed out of order from that shown or discussed, including substantially concurrently or in reverse order, depending on the functionality involved, as would be understood by those reasonably skilled in the art of the present disclosure. Many variations and modifications may be made to the above-described embodiment(s) without departing substantially from the spirit and principles of the present disclosure. Further, the scope of the present disclosure is intended to cover any and all combinations and sub-combinations of all elements, features, and aspects discussed above. All such modifications and variations are intended to be included herein within the scope of the present disclosure, and all possible claims to individual aspects or combinations of elements or steps are intended to be supported by the present disclosure.