Reusable packing for consumer goods in transit

Abstract

A package for protecting consumer goods from damage in transit is provided. Such package is defined by a sheet material, such as recycled polyethylene terephthalate felt and other recycled plastics. Edges of the sheet of material are bonded to form a package defining an open top end configured to receive fragile consumer goods therethrough. Means for cinching the open top end around or about the goods, either partially or completely are provided. The sheet of material may define some thickness that provides padding or cushioning between any item stored with the package and any items outside of it. It is contemplated that the packaging may be reused indefinitely to protect items such as glass bottles and others from damage which might otherwise occur between the point of sale and its intended destination.

Claims

1. A reusable package for protecting consumer goods from damage in transit, comprising: a sheet of material, comprising recycled polyethylene terephthalate (“rPET”) configured as a nonwoven felt, operative to cushion the consumer goods during transit, having a parallel top and bottom edge separated from one another by parallel first and second edges a first half of the bottom edge bonded to a second half of the bottom edge; the top edge folded over itself and bonded to a main body portion of the sheet of material to define a channel for receiving means for adjustably cinching the top edge, wherein the package is sized to accommodate a bottle from about 500 ml to about 750 ml.

2. The package of claim 1, wherein the first and second half of the bottom edge, the first and second edge, and the top edge and main body are respectively bonded to one another by stitching.

3. The package of claim 1, wherein the means for adjustably cinching the top edge is an elongated cord.

4. The package of claim 1, wherein the sheet of material is about 1 mm to about 5 mm thick.

5. The package of claim 1, wherein the sheet of material is about 2 mm thick.

6. The package of claim 1, wherein the sheet of material is about 4 inches to about 16 inches long between the top and bottom edges.

7. The package of claim 1, wherein the sheet of material is about 6 inches to about 30 inches wide between the first and second edges.

8. The package of claim 1, wherein the height of the channel defined by the folded top edge is about 0.25 to about 1.0 inches.

9. The package of claim 1, wherein the sheet is sized to permit the bottle to at least partially extend from the top edge of the package and the means for adjustably cinching the top edge is operative to secure around a portion of the bottle extending from the top edge of the package.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

(1) FIG. 1 shows a perspective view of reusable packaging in accordance with one embodiment of the invention.

(2) FIG. 2 shows a front plan view of reusable packaging in accordance with one embodiment of the invention.

(3) FIG. 3 shows another perspective view of reusable packaging in accordance with one embodiment of the invention.

(4) FIG. 4 shows an exploded perspective view of reusable packaging in accordance with one embodiment of the invention.

(5) The disclosed embodiments may be better understood by referring to the figures in the attached drawings, as provided below. The attached figures are provided as non-limiting examples for providing an enabling description of the method and system claimed. Attention is called to the fact, however, that the appended drawings illustrate only typical embodiments of this invention and are therefore not to be considered as limiting of its scope. One skilled in the art will understand that the invention may be practiced without some of the details included in order to provide a thorough enabling description of such embodiments. Well-known structures and functions have not been shown or described in detail to avoid unnecessarily obscuring the description of the embodiments.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

(6) Having summarized various aspects of the present disclosure, reference will now be made in detail to that which is illustrated in the drawings. While the disclosure will be described in connection with these drawings, there is no intent to limit it to the embodiment or embodiments disclosed herein. Rather, the intent is to cover all alternatives, modifications and equivalents included within the spirit and scope of the disclosure as defined by the appended claims.

(7) With reference to FIGS. 1-3, a sheet of material is formed to define an outside 102, an inside 104, a closed bottom 106, and an open top 108 configured to receive an item therethrough. In an embodiment, means for cinching the open top may be provided as a cord 110 capable of being drawn and tied or, as pictured, set into a desired position by way of one or more toggles 112 or cord locks. It is noted, however, that in some embodiments a zipper, buttons, hook and loop fasteners, or even snaps may be provided in lieu of a cord to maintain any items within the package.

(8) Turning to FIG. 3, an exemplary consumer good which may need protection from breakage is provided as a wine bottle 114. As such, it is contemplated that the package may be sized to accommodate a wine bottle, olive oil bottle, liquor bottle, or the like itself sized to hold about 500 ml to about 750 ml, as may be desired by a consumer. It may be seen that a neck portion of the wine bottle 114 extends from the opening 108 of the package. This may ensure that the packaged item is easy for the consumer to grip or even identify while packaged.

(9) It is contemplated that the package may be configured to envelope the entirety of the enclosed item, however, permitting a portion of the item to extend from the package is not considered to hinder overall cushioning and protective effect of the package. Indeed, it is also contemplated that the package may be provided in various sizes in order to allow the consumer flexibility with the packaging of his purchases. It should be clear that the package may be sized to accommodate any variety of fragile items. For instance, olive oil, wine bottles, liquor bottles, various jarred goods, and home goods such as glassware, dishes, and even trinkets frequently benefit from padding during transportation. The package may be used to prevent damage to fragile containers or objects but may also protect other items from damage by enclosing items featuring sharp edges, spikes, protrusions, damaging textures, and the like.

(10) In some instances, the package may be sized to snuggly accommodate a selection of commonly purchased fragile items since it is contemplated that a snug wrap may effectively absorb the shock of impact, reducing such item's susceptibility to damage.

(11) Construction of the package may be further clarified with reference to FIG. 4. In an embodiment, the package comprises a nonwoven material such as felt. The felt may be rugged, flexible, and reusable. In an embodiment, the felt comprises recycled plastic material, such as recycled polyethylene terephthalate (“rPET”). It is contemplated that this may be considered a sustainable option as its use diverts plastic waste which might otherwise sit in landfills indefinitely. Additionally, it may be washed, folded, stored, and reused by the consumer indiscriminately. The material may be about 1 mm to about 5 mm thick. In some embodiments, the material may be about 2 mm thick up to about 4 mm thick. In some embodiments, the material may be about 1 mm, about 2 mm, or about 3 mm thick. It is contemplated that the material may be thick enough to absorb some of the shock of impact between the enclosed item and additional items, but also thin enough to maintain flexibility.

(12) In an embodiment, the material may comprise a parallel top and bottom edge 120, 122 separated from one another by parallel first and second edges 124, 126. To form the package, a first half of the bottom edge 122 may be bonded to a second half of the bottom edge 122, drawing the parallel first and second edges 124, 126 together to be bonded to one another. In another embodiment, two identically sized pieces of material may be provided. In such cases, a bottom edge from a first piece of material may be bonded to a bottom edge of a second piece, a first edge from the first piece of material may be bonded to a first edge of the second piece, and a second edge of the first piece of material may be bonded to a second edge of the second piece to define a pocket open along corresponding top edges.

(13) In FIG. 4, stitching lines 132 are shown to demonstrate where each edge of the package may be bonded. Indeed, each of these edges may be bonded by way of stitching with a needle and thread. However, it is contemplated that the edges may be as effectively bonded to one another with certain adhesives capable of bonding fibers to one another. Edges of the package may be bonded to one another in any order desired. When configured for use, seams or bonded edges may be arranged on either an inside of the package or outside without any effect on the utility of the device.

(14) Of course, it should be noted that in some embodiments, an additional piece or sheet of material (not pictured) may be provided which itself comprises a main body and one or more edges. Such one or more edges may be bonded to the bottom edge 122 of the material. In some embodiments, the additional piece or sheet of material may be smaller than the material earlier described. In such cases, it is contemplated that the package may be gusseted or otherwise involve the use of additional sheets of material to define a planar base when bonded to the sheet of material.

(15) In addition to bonding the edges as described, it should be noted that the top edge 120 may be folded over itself and bonded to a main body portion 128 of the material to define a channel 130 for receiving means for adjustably cinching the top edge. An exemplary embodiment of the channel 130 is also visible in FIGS. 1-3, for reference.

(16) In some embodiments, the material may be about 4 inches to about 16 inches long between the top and bottom edges 120, 122. In some embodiments, the material may be about 6 inches to about 30 inches wide between the first and second edges 124, 126. Of course, these measurements are provided by way of example only and not limitation.

(17) It should be emphasized that the above-described embodiments are merely examples of possible implementations. Many variations and modifications may be made to the above-described embodiments without departing from the principles of the present disclosure. All such modifications and variations are intended to be included herein within the scope of this disclosure and protected by the following claims.

(18) Moreover, embodiments and limitations disclosed herein are not dedicated to the public under the doctrine of dedication if the embodiments and/or limitations: (1) are not expressly claimed in the claims; and (2) are or are potentially equivalents of express elements and/or limitations in the claims under the doctrine of equivalents.

CONCLUSIONS, RAMIFICATIONS, AND SCOPE

(19) While certain embodiments of the invention have been illustrated and described, various modifications are contemplated and can be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention. For example, the types of items which may be protected by the package may vary depending on the particular needs and interests of the end user. Accordingly, it is intended that the invention not be limited, except as by the appended claim(s).

(20) The teachings disclosed herein may be applied to other systems, and may not necessarily be limited to any described herein. The elements and acts of the various embodiments described above can be combined to provide further embodiments. All of the above patents and applications and other references, including any that may be listed in accompanying filing papers, are incorporated herein by reference. Aspects of the invention can be modified, if necessary, to employ the systems, functions and concepts of the various references described above to provide yet further embodiments of the invention.

(21) Particular terminology used when describing certain features or aspects of the invention should not be taken to imply that the terminology is being refined herein to be restricted to any specific characteristics, features, or aspects of the reusable packaging for protecting consumer goods in transit with which that terminology is associated. In general, the terms used in the following claims should not be constructed to limit the reusable packaging for protecting consumer goods in transit to the specific embodiments disclosed in the specification unless the above description section explicitly define such terms. Accordingly, the actual scope encompasses not only the disclosed embodiments, but also all equivalent ways of practicing or implementing the disclosed system, method and apparatus. The above description of embodiments of the reusable packaging for protecting consumer goods in transit is not intended to be exhaustive or limited to the precise form disclosed above or to a particular field of usage.

(22) While specific embodiments of, and examples for, the method, system, and apparatus are described above for illustrative purposes, various equivalent modifications are possible for which those skilled in the relevant art will recognize.

(23) While certain aspects of the method and system disclosed are presented below in particular claim forms, various aspects of the method, system, and apparatus are contemplated in any number of claim forms. Thus, the inventor reserves the right to add additional claims after filing the application to pursue such additional claim forms for other aspects of the reusable packaging for protecting consumer goods in transit.