PACKAGING AID FOR UNITS OF OUTER PACKAGING OF UNITS OF SALES PACKAGING WITH HANGING TABS, PARTICULARLY UNITS OF WINDSHIELD WIPER PACKAGING AND CONFIGURATION WITH SUCH A PACKAGING AID

Abstract

A packaging aid for units of outer packaging of units of sales packaging with hanging tabs, in particular for units of windshield wiper packaging. A base body is provided, which has a length (L) and a height (H) perpendicular to the length (L). A plurality of receiving slots are provided, which extend partially over the height (H) of the base body from a longitudinal side of the base body for at least partial insertion of the hanging tabs into the receiving slots. The receiving slots are spaced apart from one another along the length (L) of the base body.

Claims

1. A packaging aid (1) for units of outer packaging (2) of units of sales packaging (3) with hanging tabs (4), wherein a base body (5) is provided, which has a length (L) and a height (H) perpendicular to the length (L), a plurality of receiving slots (6, 7, 8, 9) are provided, which extend partially over the height (H) of the base body (5) from a longitudinal side (15) of the base body (5) for at least partial insertion of the hanging tabs (4) into the receiving slots (6, 7, 8, 9), and the receiving slots (6, 7, 8, 9) are spaced apart from one another along the length (L) of the base body (5).

2. The packaging aid according to claim 1, wherein adjacent receiving slots (6, 7, 8, 9) are spaced apart from one another along the length (L) of the base body (5) at approximately equal distances (a2, a3, a4).

3. The packaging aid according to claim 1, wherein a distance (a1, a5) along the length (L) of the base body (5) between a high side (16, 17) of the base body (5) and a nearest receiving slot (6, 9) is greater than a distance (a2, a3, a4) between adjacent receiving slots (6, 7, 8, 9), and/or wherein a distance (a1, a5) along the length (L) of the base body (5) between a further high side (16, 17) of the base body (5) and a nearest further receiving slot (6, 9) is greater than a distance (a2, a3, a5) between adjacent receiving slots (6, 7, 8, 9).

4. The packaging aid according to claim 1, wherein the base body (5) has at least one inclined corner (20), which is provided a) on a high side (16, 17) or on a further high side (16, 17) and b) on a further longitudinal side (18) facing away from the longitudinal side (15).

5. The packaging aid according to claim 1, wherein the receiving slots (6, 7, 8, 9) extend at least over more than half of the height (H).

6. The packaging aid according to claim 1, wherein the receiving slots (6, 7, 8, 9) are rounded at a slot bottom (26, 27, 28, 29) away from the longitudinal side (15).

7. The packaging aid according to claim 1, wherein the base body (5) has an insertion slope (32, 33) between the longitudinal side (15) and a slot side (30, 31) of at least one receiving slot (6, 7, 8, 9), and/or the base body (5) has a further insertion slope (32, 33) between the longitudinal side (15) and a further slot side (30, 31) of at least one receiving slot (6, 7, 8, 9).

8. The packaging aid according to claim 1, wherein the receiving slots (6, 7, 8, 9) have at least approximately equal slot widths (b1, b2, b3, b4) along the length (L) of the base body (5).

9. The packaging aid according to claim 1, wherein a width (B) of the base body (5) is not greater than a slot width (b1, b2, b3, b4) of the receiving slots (6, 7, 8, 9).

10. The packaging aid according to claim 1, wherein a) the base body (5) is made at least substantially from cardboard (40) as a material, and/or b) each receiving slot (6, 7, 8, 9) serves to insert exactly one hanging tab (4) of sales packaging (3).

11. A configuration (10) with at least one packaging aid (1) according to claim 1, a plurality of units of sales packaging (3) with hanging tabs (4), and an outer packaging (2) for the units of sales packaging (3), wherein, in a packaged state, the units of sales packaging (3) are arranged next to one another in the outer packaging (2) and the hanging tabs (4) of the units of sales packaging (3) are inserted into the receiving slots (6, 7, 8, 9) of the base body (5) of the packaging aid (1).

12. The configuration according to claim 11, wherein a) the receiving slots (6, 7, 8, 9) are configured to be higher than the hanging tabs (4) along the height (H) of the base body (5), wherein the hanging tabs (4) project into rounded slot bottoms (26, 27, 28, 29) of the receiving slots (6, 7, 8, 9) and/or b) the hanging tabs (4) each have at least one through-opening (45) which is configured such that a hanger (46) of a retail facility (47) can be guided through the through-opening (45) to hang the sales packaging (3) on the hanging tab (4) in the retail facility.

13. The packaging aid according to claim 1, wherein the units of outer sales packaging (3) are for windshield wiper packaging.

14. The packaging aid according to claim 5, wherein the receiving slots (6, 7, 8, 9) extend at least over 70% of the height (H).

15. The packaging aid according to claim 14, wherein the receiving slots (6, 7, 8, 9) extend at least over 80% of the height (H).

16. The packaging aid according to claim 15, wherein the receiving slots (6, 7, 8, 9) extend at least over 85% of the height (H).

17. The packaging aid according to claim 7, wherein the base body (5) has an insertion slope (32, 33) between the longitudinal side (15) and a slot side (30, 31) of all receiving slots (6, 7, 8, 9), and the base body (5) has a further insertion slope (32, 33) between the longitudinal side (15) and a further slot side (30, 31) of all receiving slots (6, 7, 8, 9).

18. The configuration according to claim 11, wherein the sales packaging (3) is windshield wiper packaging.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0028] Preferred exemplary embodiments of the invention are explained in more detail in the following description with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which corresponding elements are shown with the same reference numerals. Shown are:

[0029] FIG. 1 a packaging aid in a schematic section according to an exemplary embodiment;

[0030] FIG. 2 a configuration with the packaging aid shown in FIG. 1 in a schematic, spatial representation according to the exemplary embodiment;

[0031] FIG. 3 a detail of a sales packaging with possible damage to a hanging tab of the sales packaging after transportation in an outer packaging to explain the exemplary embodiment, wherein such damage can be avoided by a configuration with the packaging aid according to the exemplary embodiment;

[0032] FIG. 4 the detail shown in FIG. 3 from the viewing direction designated IV; and

[0033] FIG. 5 a schematic illustration showing the hanging of units of sales packaging on a hanger of a retail facility, for example, in retail stores.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0034] FIG. 1 shows a packaging aid 1 in a schematic section according to an exemplary embodiment. FIG. 2 shows a configuration 10 with the packaging aid 1 shown in FIG. 1 in a schematic, spatial representation according to the exemplary embodiment.

[0035] The packaging aid 1 is used for units of outer packaging 2 of units of sales packaging 3 with hanging tabs 4. Specifically, the packaging aid 1 relates to configurations 10 in which units of sales packaging designed as units of windshield wiper packaging 3 are packaged together in an outer packaging 2.

[0036] The packaging aid 1 has a base body 5. The base body 5 has a length L and a height H considered perpendicular to the length L. In addition, the base body 5 has a width B (FIG. 2), in particular a thickness B. The packaging aid 1 can be formed at least substantially by the base body 5. In a modified design, a coating, an adhesive film, or similar can also be attached to the base body 5, for example.

[0037] The base body has several receiving slots 6, 7, 8, 9. In this exemplary embodiment, four receiving slots 6, 7, 8, 9 are provided. Depending on the application, in particular the size of the outer packaging 2 and the size of the sales packaging 3, a different number of receiving slots 6, 7, 8, 9 can also be provided. Preferably, the number of receiving slots 6, 7, 8, 9 is one less than the number of units of sales packaging 3 arranged in an outer packaging 2.

[0038] The receiving slots 6, 7, 8, 9 serve to at least partially insert the hanging tabs 4 into the receiving slots 6, 7, 8, 9. The receiving slots 6, 7, 8, 9 extend from a longitudinal side 15 of the base body 5 partially over the height H of the base body 5. In this exemplary embodiment, the receiving slots 6, 7, 8, 9 are at least approximately geometrically congruent.

[0039] The receiving slots 6, 7, 8, 9 are spaced apart from one another considered along the length L of the base body 5. Distances a2, a3, a4 are predetermined between adjacent receiving slots 6, 7, 8, 9. In this exemplary embodiment, adjacent receiving slots 6, 7, 8, 9 are spaced apart from one another considered along the length (L) of the base body (5) at approximately equal distances a2, a3, a4. As a result, multiple equally sized units of sales packaging 3 can be inserted one behind the other in the outer packaging 2, wherein the packaging aid 1 supports the hanging tabs 4 inserted into its receiving slots 6, 7, 8, 9.

[0040] In this exemplary embodiment, distances a1, a5 considered along the length L of the base body 5 between mutually modified high sides 16, 17 of the base body 5 and a respective nearest receiving slot 6, 9 are greater than the equal distances a2, a3, a4 between adjacent receiving slots 6, 7, 8, 9 predetermined in this exemplary embodiment. In this exemplary embodiment, the distances a1, a5 are also predetermined to be at least approximately equal.

[0041] In this exemplary embodiment, the base body 5 has an inclined corner 20, which is provided on the one hand on the high side 17 and on the other hand, on a further longitudinal side 18 facing away from the longitudinal side 15. In a modified embodiment, such an inclined corner 20 can additionally be provided on a further high side 16.

[0042] The inclined corner can in particular facilitate the closing of a lid 21 of the outer packaging 2. In particular, the inclined corner 20 can be realized by an insertion aid or insertion slope for a tab 22 of the lid. For this purpose, the inclined corner 20 is attached to the longitudinal side 18 facing away from the longitudinal side 15 on which the receiving slots 6, 7, 8, 9 are open. In the packaged state, the longitudinal side 15 faces the top side 23 of a receiving box 24, for example, for windshield wipers.

[0043] In this exemplary embodiment, the receiving slots 6, 7, 8, 9 extend over at least approximately 85% of the height H of the base body 5. However, modified embodiments are also possible and advantageous in the respective application. Preferably, the receiving slots 6, 7, 8, 9 extend over at least more than half of the height H, in particular at least 70% of the height H, and more particularly at least 80% of the height H, of the base body 5.

[0044] In this exemplary embodiment, the receiving slots 6, 7, 8, 9 are rounded at a slot bottom 26, 27, 28, 29 away from the longitudinal side 15. This can achieve, if necessary, a central positioning of the hanging tabs 4 in the receiving slots 6, 7, 8, 9, so that during transportation, contact between the hanger tabs 4 and the slot sides 30, 31 of the receiving slots 6, 7, 8, 9 configured on the base body 5 is reduced.

[0045] In this exemplary embodiment, the base body 5 has an insertion slope 32, 33 between the longitudinal side 15 and the slot side 30, 31 of the receiving slots 6, 7, 8, 9, for each slot side 30, 31 of each receiving slot 6, 7, 8, 9. However, in a modified embodiment, fewer insertion slopes 32, 33 can also be provided. In particular, only one insertion slope can be provided on either the slot side 30 or the slot side 31 for each receiving slot 6, 7, 8, 9, wherein the receiving slots 6, 7, 8, 9 are not necessarily geometrically identical.

[0046] In this exemplary embodiment, the insertion slopes 32, 33 are at least approximately straight. However, other configurations, in particular rounded insertion slopes 32, 33, can also be realized.

[0047] In this exemplary embodiment, the receiving slots 6, 7, 8, 9 have at least approximately equal slot widths b1, b2, b3, b4 considered along the length L of the base body 5.

[0048] In this exemplary embodiment, the base body 5 has an at least approximately constant width B, in particular a thickness. In this exemplary embodiment, the width B of the base body 5 is not predetermined greater than a slot width b1, b2, b3, b4 of the receiving slots 6, 7, 8, 9. Preferably, the width B is smaller than the slot width b1, b2, b3, b4.

[0049] In a preferred embodiment, the base body 5 is made of cardboard 40 as a material, i.e. a cardboard material. However, in this case, the cardboard 40 can also be printed and/or coated and/or at least partially covered with a film or the like, for example.

[0050] In this exemplary embodiment, the configuration is realized so that exactly one hanging tab 4 is inserted into each receiving slot 6, 7, 8, 9. Accordingly, the base body 5 is designed so that each receiving slot 6, 7, 8, 9 serves to insert exactly one hanging tab 4 of a unit of sales packaging 3.

[0051] The assembly 10 comprises at least one packaging aid 1, multiple units of sales packaging 3 with hanging tabs 4, and an outer packaging 2 for the units of sales packaging 3. In the packaged state, the units of sales packaging 3 are arranged next to each other (one behind the other) in the outer packaging 2. Here, the hanging tabs 4 of the units of sales packaging 3 are inserted into the receiving slots 6, 7, 8, 9 of the base body 5 of the packaging aid 1.

[0052] The receiving slots 6, 7, 8, 9 are designed to be slightly higher than the hanging tabs 4 considered along the height H of the base body 5. The hanging tabs 4 project into rounded slot bottoms 26, 27, 28, 29 of the receiving slots 6, 7, 8, 9.

[0053] In the following, the configuration and operation of the exemplary embodiment are further described in relation to FIGS. 3 to 5. FIGS. 3 and 4 show typical damage that can be avoided with a configuration 10 using the packaging aid 1.

[0054] FIG. 3 shows a detail of a unit of sales packaging 3 with possible damage 41, 42 in areas 43, 44 of a hanging tab 4 of the sales packaging 3 after transportation in an outer packaging to explain the exemplary embodiment, wherein such damage 41, 42 can be avoided by a configuration with the packaging aid 1 according to the exemplary embodiment. FIG. 4 shows the detail shown in FIG. 3 from the viewing direction designated IV, wherein in particular the damage 42 in area 44 is shown.

[0055] FIG. 5 shows a schematic illustration showing the hanging of units of the units of sales packaging 3 on a hanger 46 of a retail facility 47, for example, in a retail store.

[0056] The hanging tabs 4 each have at least one through-opening 45. The through-opening 45 is configured such that, the hanger 46 of the sales facility 47 can be inserted through the through-opening 45 in order to hang the sales packaging 3 on the hanging tab 4 in the retail store. Multiple units of sales packaging 3 can be hung on the hanger one behind the other.

[0057] However, the through-opening 45 weakens the stability of the hanging tab 4, specifically in the areas 43 and 44, as only webs 48 and 49 remain here. Without the packaging aid 1, there could be some compression of the hanging tab 4 in the direction of its height H. The hanging tab 4 can therefore crease at the webs 48 and 49. If the hanging tab 4 is made from a multi-layer material, the individual layers can separate slightly from each other at the respective web 48 or 49 of the hanging tab 4, as illustrated in FIG. 4.

[0058] Such damage 41 and 42 can be avoided by the packaging aid 1 and by the configuration 10 with the packaging aid, as creasing of the hanging tabs 4 is prevented and forces caused by, for example, impacts during transportation can be directed via the packaging aid 1 from the top 23 of the receiving box 24 onto the lid 21 of the outer packaging 2 and vice versa.

[0059] The invention is not limited to the embodiments described.