PACKAGING FOR WHEEL RIMS

Abstract

Packaging for a wheel 10 is provided that has a cylindrical rim 11 and first and second cylindrical flanges 12, 13 extending from opposite axial ends of the rim 11. The packaging comprising first and second sleeves 22, 44 in which the first sleeve 22 extends about the rim 11 and bears against a facing surface of the first flange 12 and the second sleeve 44 extends about the rim 11 and extends through the first sleeve 22, extending past the first flange 12 to form a support surface 66 spaced from the first flange 12. A method of packaging a wheel and a bulk package for shipping is also provided.

Claims

1. Packaging for a wheel that has a cylindrical rim and first and second cylindrical flanges extending from opposite axial ends of the rim, the packaging comprising first and second sleeves: i. the first sleeve extending about the rim and bearing against a facing surface of the first flange, ii. the second sleeve extending about the rim and extending through the first sleeve extending past the first flange to form a support surface spaced from the first flange.

2. (canceled)

3. (canceled)

4. Packaging according to claim 1, the second sleeve being cut from a sheet blank, such as a cardboard blank and having end engagements at each end of the blank to connect opposite ends together.

5. Packaging according to claim 1, the second sleeve being configured for bearing against or resting on the same surface as the second flange rests.

6. Packaging according to claim 1, the second sleeve being configured for bearing against or resting on a facing surface of the second flange.

7. Packaging according to claim 1, the first sleeve being a generally cylindrical sleeve of a greater diameter than the cylindrical rim of the wheel, and being inclined or tapered so that one edge of the first sleeve can engage the inside of the first flange and the opposite edge can extend past the second flange to engage or rest on the surface on which the wheel rests.

8. Packaging according to claim 1, the first sleeve being a generally cylindrical sleeve of a greater diameter than the cylindrical rim of the wheel, and being inclined or tapered so that one edge of the first sleeve can engage the inside of the first flange and the opposite edge can extend past the second flange to engage or rest on a supporting or loading surface and to elevate or suspend the wheel above the supporting or loading surface.

9. Packaging according to claim 1, the second sleeve being releasably connectable to or interactive with the first sleeve.

10. Packaging according to claim 9, one of the first and second sleeves including an opening and the other of the first and second sleeves including an engagement member suitable to enter the opening for connection or interaction between the first sleeve and the second sleeve.

11. Packaging according to claim 10, the engagement member entering the opening axially by the second sleeve being lowered over the wheel relative to the first sleeve.

12. (canceled)

13. (canceled)

14. (canceled)

15. Packaging according to claim 10, a leading end of each engagement member bearing against or resting on a facing surface of the second flange.

16. Packaging according to claim 1, the second sleeve being a generally cylindrical sleeve of a greater diameter than the cylindrical rim of the wheel, and being inclined or tapered so that it can bear against a facing surface of the second flange and so that it can extend past the first flange to form a support surface spaced from the first flange.

17. A method of packaging a wheel that has a cylindrical rim and first and second cylindrical flanges extending from opposite axial ends of the rim, including: i. placing a wheel on a surface so that the axis of the wheel about which the wheel will rotate when fitted to a vehicle is generally vertical and so the first flange is spaced from the surface and the second flange proximal to or rests on the surface, ii. fitting a first sleeve about the cylindrical rim so that it bears against a facing surface of the first flange of the wheel, iii. bringing the second sleeve into connection or interaction with the first sleeve so that the second sleeve extends about the rim and extends through the first sleeve and past the first flange to form a support surface above the first flange.

18. A method of packaging a wheel according to claim 17, the step of fitting a first sleeve about the cylindrical rim so that it bears against a facing surface of the first flange of the wheel including lifting the wheel above the surface and placing the first sleeve on the surface so that the wheel is elevated or suspended above the surface.

19. A packaged wheel in which the wheel has a cylindrical rim and first and second axially spaced flanges extending from opposite edges of the rim, the wheel being oriented such that the axis about which the wheel will rotate when fitted to a vehicle is generally vertical and so the first flange is spaced from the surface and the second flange proximal to or rests on the surface, the packaging comprising first and second sleeves: i. the first sleeve extending about the rim and bearing against a facing surface of the first flange, ii. the second sleeve extending about the rim and extending through the first sleeve and bearing against a facing surface of the second flange or against a loading surface on which the packaged wheel is loaded, the second sleeve extending past the first flange and forming a support surface to support an object placed on the support surface spaced from the first flange.

20. A bulk package for shipping comprising: i. a pallet supporting on an upper base surface thereof, a first set of six packaged wheels according to claim 19 in a pattern of 32, a first divider supported on the support surfaces of the second sleeves of each packaged wheel of the first set of packaged wheels, ii. a second set of six packaged wheels according to claim 19 in a pattern of 32 supported on an upper surface of the first divider, a second divider supported on the support surfaces of the second sleeves of the second set of packaged wheels, iii. optionally, a third set of six packaged wheels according to claim 19 in a pattern of 32 supported on an upper surface of the second divider.

21. A bulk package according to claim 20, a tray being supported on the upper base surface of the pallet and first set of six packaged wheels being placed within the tray.

22. A bulk package according to claim 21, the divider between layers of packaged wheels being a lid that closes a tray within which the 32 packaged wheels are contained.

23. (canceled)

24. A bulk package according to claim 20, including a bulk sleeve that extends about the full height of the stacked sets of packaged wheels.

25. A bulk package according to claim 24, a tray being supported on the upper base surface of the pallet and first set of six packaged wheels being placed within the tray and a divider being placed between the first and second sets of six packaged wheels and between the second and the optional third sets of six packaged wheels, a lid being placed over the uppermost set of packaged wheels and the bulk sleeve extending fully about the stacked sets of packaged wheels and upper and lower edges being secured within the tray and lid.

26. Packaging for a vehicle wheel that has a visible facing surface that is to be protected during transport, the packaging including a sleeve that extends about the wheel in general coaxial alignment with the axis of the wheel about which the wheel will rotate when fitted to a vehicle, the sleeve having a bottom edge for resting on the surface on which the wheel rests, or on a flange or lip of the wheel that rests on that surface, the sleeve also having an upper edge that is positioned above the visible facing surface of the wheel for supporting an object placed on the upper edge spaced from the visible facing surface of the wheel to protect the visible facing surface from contact with the object.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

[0053] In order that the invention may be more fully understood, some embodiments will now be described with reference to the figures in which:

[0054] FIG. 1 is a perspective side view of a wheel of the kind which can be packaged by packaging of the present invention.

[0055] FIG. 2 is a plan view of a first sleeve blank forming part of the packaging of the present invention.

[0056] FIG. 3 is a partially assembled view of the sleeve of FIG. 2.

[0057] FIG. 4 is a view of the wheel of FIG. 1 with the sleeve of FIGS. 2 and 3 applied to it.

[0058] FIG. 5 is a plan view of a second sleeve blank forming part of the packaging of the present invention.

[0059] FIG. 6 is a partially assembled view of the sleeve of FIG. 5.

[0060] FIG. 7 shows the wheel of FIG. 1 with the sleeves of FIGS. 2 and 5 applied to it.

[0061] FIG. 8 is a plan view of an example pattern of packaged wheels applied to a pallet.

[0062] FIG. 9 is a perspective exploded view of an example stacking of packaged wheels on a pallet.

[0063] FIG. 10 shows an example stacking pattern of packaged wheels within a shipping container.

[0064] FIG. 11 is a perspective exploded view of a second example stacking of packaged wheels on a pallet.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0065] FIG. 1 is a view of an example wheel of the kind to be packaged by the packaging of the present invention. The wheel 10 of FIG. 1 has a cylindrical barrel or rim 11, a first flange or lip 12 and a second flange or lip 13. The wheel 10 has an axis A about which the wheel 10 will rotate when fitted to a vehicle and in FIG. 1, the axis A is generally horizontal. In the orientation of the wheel 10 shown in FIG. 1, in which the axis A is generally horizontal, the wheel 10 can be said to be in a standing up orientation.

[0066] The respective first and second flanges 12 and 13 have approximately the same outer diameter and each flange has inner surfaces 14 and 15 against which a tyre which is fitted to the wheel 10 presses. A person skilled in the art would be familiar with the fitting of a tyre to the wheel 10.

[0067] The second flange 13 is largely obscured from view when the wheel 10 is fitted to a vehicle as it is positioned well inside the wheel well of the vehicle. Accordingly, there is little concern about the aesthetic appearance of the flange 13 and so protection of the flange 13 during transport is not a primary consideration.

[0068] The first flange 12 is positioned adjacent to the spokes 16 and it is the spokes 16 which are largely visible when the wheel 10 is fitted to a vehicle. The spokes 16 form a decorative feature of the wheel 10 and the vehicle itself and it is therefore important that the visible surfaces of the spokes 16 (hereinafter referred to as the visible facing surfaces), are protected from defects or blemishes until the wheel is fitted to a vehicle and the vehicle owner takes responsibility for the condition of the wheel 10. The visible facing surfaces of the spokes 16 are often highly polished and scratches and marks are easily visible.

[0069] The spokes 16 have outward facing visible surfaces 17 and inclined or perpendicular facing surfaces 18, all of which are visible to an outside observer of a vehicle to which the wheel 10 is fitted. It is these surfaces that are the prime concern for protection during transport and storage by the packaging of the present invention.

[0070] It is to be noted that the visible facing surfaces of the wheel 10 could be other than formed on spokes, although spokes are a very common in the types of wheels that the present invention has been developed for. Other examples of visible facing surfaces include disc surfaces in which the circular area between the flange 12 and the hub 19 is formed solid with a pattern applied to the outwardly facing surface. The pattern could be a series of openings formed in the disc.

[0071] Each of the spokes 16 extends from the rim 11, or the first flange 12 (or a combination of the two), inwardly to the hub 19 and in FIG. 1, it can be seen that the hub 19 includes five stud openings 20 for receipt of studs to secure the wheel 10 to a stub axle of a vehicle. The hub 19 also includes surfaces that require protection.

[0072] The packaging according to the present invention comprises first and second sleeves that connect together to surround the wheel 10 about the rim 11 and to protect the visible facing surfaces of the wheel 10. The first and second sleeves can be formed of any suitable material, but they have been designed in prototypes to be made from corrugated or fluted cardboard and to be die cut from cardboard blanks. FIG. 2 shows the first sleeve 22 in blank form, while FIG. 3 shows the sleeve 22 in a substantially curved configuration, while finally, FIG. 4 shows the sleeve 22 applied to the wheel 10.

[0073] The first sleeve 22 includes a first edge 24, a second edge 26 and connectable opposite ends 28 and 30. The sleeve 22 includes a series of vertical slits 32 and between adjacent slits, ten rectangular openings 34 are provided. The vertical slits facilitate folding of the sleeve 22 in the manner shown in FIGS. 3 and 4.

[0074] The ends 28 and 30 are formed with cooperating connectors 36 and 38 and it will be readily apparent to a person skilled in the art, that the groove 40 formed in the connector 36 can cooperate with the groove 42 formed in the connector 38 to connect the connectors 36 and 38 together and thus to form the sleeve 22 into a circular sleeve.

[0075] FIG. 4 shows that the axis A of the wheel 10 has been shifted 90 degrees from the position of FIG. 1, so that the wheel 10 can be said to be in a lying down orientation. FIG. 4 also shows the sleeve 22 extending about the rim 11 of the wheel 10 with the connectors 36 and 38 connected (although the actual connection is obscured in FIG. 4), and it can be seen that the second edge 26 of the sleeve 22 is positioned in contact or engagement with the inner facing surface 14 of the first flange 12 of the wheel 10. The first edge 24 is positioned past the second flange 13 and would be seated or resting on or bearing against the surface on which the wheel 10 is positioned. The second edge 26 of the sleeve 22 can be arranged to support the flange 13 above that surface, thus suspending the wheel 10 above the surface, or the second edge 26 and the flange 13 can both rest on the surface. The latter arrangement is appropriate if protection of the surfaces of the flange 13 is not a priority. In those circumstances, it is not necessary for the sleeve 22 to elevate the wheel 10 above the supporting surface, but it is important that there be firm engagement between the edge 26 of the sleeve 22 and the inner surface 14 of the flange 12.

[0076] A second sleeve of the packaging according to the present invention is illustrated in FIG. 5 in the same flat, blank form that the sleeve 22 is shown in FIG. 2. In FIG. 5, the sleeve 44 has a continuous sleeve portion 46 that includes a series of adjacent and generally vertical slits 48 and the sleeve 44 further has a plurality of equidistantly spaced apart engagement members 50. The sleeve 44 has opposite ends 52 and 54 and those opposite ends include respective connectors 56 and 58 and each of the connectors includes a respective groove 60, 62. The connectors 56 and 58 are intended to connect together in the same way as the connectors 36 and 38 of the sleeve 22 when the sleeve 44 is curved into a substantially cylindrical shape as shown in FIG. 6.

[0077] FIG. 7 shows the connectors 56 and 58 connected together (although the actual connection is obscured in FIG. 7), so that the sleeve 44 is now circular and in FIG. 7, the sleeve 44 is connected to the sleeve 22 by the engagement members 50 having been inserted through the openings 34 of the sleeve 22. This forms a packaged wheel 68. What is not visible in FIG. 7 because the bottom ends of the engagement members 50 of the sleeve 44 are obscured, is that the engagement members 50 extend all the way into contact with the inner surface 15 of the second flange 13, so that the distal ends 64 of the engagement members 50 (see FIG. 5), bear against the inner surface 15 of the second flange 13. With that bearing contact, the sleeve 44 is able to support a load that is placed on the upper edge 66 of the sleeve 44, so that the upper edge 66 forms a support surface for supporting a load that is placed onto it.

[0078] Further, it can be seen that the edge 66 of the sleeve 44 is positioned above the surfaces 17 and 18 of the spokes 16 of the wheel 10, so that a load can therefore be supported on the edge 66 spaced away from or above the surfaces 17 and 18. By this arrangement, the surfaces 17 and 18 can be protected during transport and storage.

[0079] It can be seen from FIG. 7, that the sleeve 44 is inclined or conical, and this occurs as a result of the need for the ends 64 of the engagement members 50 to seat on the inner surface 15 of the flange 13 of the wheel 10, but to extend upwardly and past the outer edge of the flange 12. The sleeve 44 therefore needs to have a slightly conical shape to position the edge 66 in the position shown in FIG. 7, spaced above the spoke surfaces 17 and 18. FIG. 12 described later herein shows the interaction between the two sleeves and the wheel and shows an embodiment of the invention in which the wheel is suspended above a loading surface rather than resting on the loading surface.

[0080] The packaged wheel 68 as shown in FIG. 7 has been developed for efficient transport within a shipping container and FIG. 8 shows six packaged wheels 68 of FIG. 7 which are arranged on a pallet 70 (see FIG. 9) within a tray 72. The tray 72 includes upstanding end and side walls 74 which extend upwardly to just below the upper edge 66 (see FIG. 7) of the sleeve 44 so that the upper edge 66 extends higher than the upper edge of the walls 72. FIG. 8 shows that the packaged wheel of FIG. 7 is arranged in three pairs and that inserts 76 are positioned between the respective pairs.

[0081] With respect to FIG. 9, a lid 78 can be placed over the tray 72, with the side walls 80 of the lid 78 extending about the outside of the walls 74 of the tray 72 and the lid rests on the edges 66 of the six packaged wheels 68.

[0082] The upper edges 66 of the panels 44 thus support the lid 78 and the lid 78 is located on the tray 72. The tray 72 confines the packaged wheels 68 to the pattern shown in FIG. 8, which has a footprint of about the same size as the pallet 70.

[0083] Several layers of packaged wheels 68 can be loaded onto the pallet 70 as shown in FIG. 9. Accordingly, a second tray 82, lid 84 and inserts 86 is shown in exploded view above the lid 78. The tray 82 can be placed on top of the lid 78 when the lid 78 is supported on the edges 66 of the packaged wheels 68 and a further six packaged wheels 68 can be inserted into the tray 82 with the inserts 86 interposed between pairs of packaged wheels in the same pattern as shown in FIG. 8. The lid 84 can be lowered onto the tray 82 to rest on the upper edges 66 of the packaged wheels 68 located within the tray 82. A further layer of packaged wheels 68 can be loaded into the tray 88, with the lid 90 and inserts 92 being provided in the same manner as the tray 82, lid 84 and inserts 86 described below. The stacked trays can be strapped or shrink wrapped to secure the three layers together.

[0084] In a shipping container, the layered stack shown in FIG. 9 can be stacked two high, so that a second assembly of FIG. 9 can be placed on the first assembly of FIG. 9, so that six layers of packaged wheels 68 are stacked vertically together. As shown in FIG. 10, a shipping container 94 can accommodate nine pallets 70 along its length and with the pallets stacked two high within the container 94, 16 pallets with a total of 288 wheels can be packaged within the container 94.

[0085] FIG. 11 shows an alternative packaging method, which includes a pallet 96 and a tray 98 which are similar to, or the same as the pallets 74 and the tray 72 of FIG. 9. Six packaged wheels 68 are loaded within the tray 98 in the same configuration as shown in FIG. 8. A sleeve 100 can then be placed on the edges 66 of the packaged wheels 68 and with inserts 102 in place, a second layer of packaged wheels 68 can be loaded onto the sleeve 100. A second sleeve 104 and inserts 106 can be placed over the second layer of packaged wheels 68 and a further layer of packaged wheels 68 can be applied to the sleeve 104. With the three layers now in place on the pallet 96, a sleeve 108 can be placed inside the tray 98 interposed between the side wall 110 of the tray 98 and the packaged wheels 68 and the sleeve 108 extends upwardly to a position which is just below the edges 66 of the third layer of packaged wheels 68. One sleeve 108 is shown in FIG. 11, and this can be an L-shaped sleeve and so a second L-shaped sleeve can be added so that all four sides of the packaged wheels 68 are enclosed.

[0086] Once the sleeves 108 have been positioned, the lid 112 can be fitted over the upper level of packaged wheels 68 to rest on the edges 66 of those packaged wheels 68 and then the stacked pallet can be strapped or shrink wrapped. Again, a second pallet having the same stacked arrangement as shown in FIG. 11 can be stacked on top of the lid 112. The assembly as shown in FIG. 11 can be loaded into the container 94 of FIG. 10 to contain the same number of packaged wheels 68 as in the packaging arrangement of FIG. 9.

[0087] FIG. 12 shows a wheel 120 which can be of the same form as the wheel 10 of the earlier figures. The wheel 120 has a cylindrical barrel or rim 121, a first flange or lip 122 and a second flange or lip 123. A visible facing surface 124 is formed adjacent the first flange 122.

[0088] The wheel 120 has a protective foam wrap 125 that extends about the rim 121 and the first and second flanges 122, 123. The foam is a thin flexible foam that can be wrapped around the wheel 120 and secured by tape (not shown).

[0089] First and second sleeves 126 and 128 are shown in place against the wheel 120 in a similar manner to the first and second sleeves 22 and 44 shown in FIG. 7. However, FIG. 12 shows that the top edge 130 of the first sleeve 126 extends above the visible facing surface 124 to create a gap G1 so that the top edge 130 forms a support surface spaced from the visible facing surface 124. This is the same arrangement as shown in FIG. 7.

[0090] The bottom edge 132 of the first sleeve 126 engages the inner facing surface of the second flange 123 so that load placed on the first sleeve 126 is transferred to the second flange 123.

[0091] The top edge of the second sleeve 128 engages the inner facing surface of the first flange 122 while the bottom edge 140 of the second sleeve 128 extends below the bottom face 134 of the wheel 120 and engages the loading surface 136 to create a gap G2 so that the bottom edge 140 suspends the wheel 120 above the loading surface 136.

[0092] FIG. 12 thus shows how a wheel 120 can be completely suspended above a loading surface 136 to protect both the visible facing surface and the bottom surface opposite the visible facing surface from surface damage during transport.

[0093] Moreover, testing has established that the arrangement of FIG. 12 can protect a packaged wheel during significant transport of hundreds and even thousands of kilometres road transport. The same result is expected for sea transport. In particular and with reference to FIG. 7, it has been found that if the engagement members 50 and the openings 34 are arranged so that the (see also FIG. 5) bear against the corner edges 144 (see also FIG. 4) of the openings 34, there can be a cushioning or vibration dampening during movement of the packaged wheel. What is thought to occur is that at least some of the load that is imposed on the first sleeve 126 is transmitted through the shoulders 142 to the corner edges 144 so that load transfers to the second sleeve 128 and that load pushes up against the first flange 122. This load transfer seems to minimise the load applied to the as the expected damage to the foam wrap 125 has not occurred. The expectation is that by the interacting as discussed above, load applied to the first and second sleeves 126 and 128 is low so that the majority of load must be transferring to the loading surface 136. The absence of damage to the foam wrap 125 at the first and second sleeves 126 and 128 means that surface damage to the first and second sleeves 126 and 128 is unlikely, thus adding to the benefit provided by the present invention.

[0094] Where any or all of the terms comprise, comprises, comprised or comprising are used in this specification (including the claims) they are to be interpreted as specifying the presence of the stated features, integers, steps or components, but not precluding the presence of one or more other features, integers, steps or components.

[0095] Those skilled in the art will appreciate that the invention described herein is susceptible to variations and modifications other than those specifically described. It is understood that the invention includes all such variations and modifications which fall within the spirit and scope of the present invention.