Expandable packing end cap

The packing end cap includes a collar defining an interior cavity into which an item to be packaged may extend. The collar is comprised of longitudinal leg members interconnected at opposite ends by lateral leg members. An expansion joint is integrated within each lateral and longitudinal leg member. A plurality of blocks can also be disposed within the interior cavity hinged across an interior edge of a lateral member. Each block can pivot about the interior edge, enabling it to be positionable in a first position substantially parallel to a plane defined by the collar, and a second position perpendicular to the plane.

BACKGROUND

This application relates generally to packing cushions for use in protecting and positioning an item within a container during shipping or storage. More particularly, this application pertains to a packing end cap construction expandible to fit a variety of differently sized and shaped items.

Packing end caps or cushions have long been used to protect and position an item stored within a container. One type of cap is formed of a lightweight, highly shock-absorbent material, such as a suitable expanded or foamed plastic material. Such a cap may be in the form of a collar having recesses and/or abutments arranged to mateably receive an end of the associated item. Packing end caps are usually used in pairs, respectively fitted on opposite ends of an item. The end of an item is typically disposed within and is supported by the collar, which acts as a spacer between the ends of the item and the adjacent ends of the container.

The problem with current packing end cap designs is that they are often sized to fit only one particular item. As a result, a plurality of different packing end caps are typically needed to ship differently sized and shaped items. Also, many packing end cap constructions are bulky and require large amounts of storage space to store.

Consequently, significant improvement in packing end cap design can be achieved by providing a packing end cap which can adjust to fit a plurality of different items. Furthermore, significant improvement can also be achieved by providing a packing end cap which can be easily stacked without occupying excessive storage space.

SUMMARY

Therefore, it is a general object of the invention to provide an improved packing end cap construction which avoids the disadvantages of prior packing end cap designs, while affording additional structural and operating advantages.

An important feature of the invention is the provision of a packing end cap which is expandable to fit a variety of differently sized items.

Another important feature of the invention is the provision of a packing end cap which occupies minimal storage space and facilitates stacking when not in use.

Another feature of the invention is the provision of a packing end cap of the type set forth, which is of relatively simple and economical construction.

The invention consists of certain novel features and a combination of parts hereinafter fully described and illustrated in the accompanying drawings, it being understood that various changes in the details maybe made without departing from the spirit, or sacrificing any of the advantages of the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Referring to FIG. 1 , a preferred embodiment of the packing end cap 10 is disclosed. The packing end cap 10 includes a collar 11 defining an interior cavity 19 into which an item to be packaged may extend. The collar 11 is comprised of longitudinal leg members 13 and lateral leg members 14 . The longitudinal leg members 13 are preferably interconnected to each other at opposite ends by the lateral leg members 14 . Expansion joints 15 , in the form of generally accordion-pleated sections, are preferably integrated within each longitudinal 13 and lateral 14 leg members.

Referring to FIGS. 2 and 4 , in the preferred embodiment, the expansion joints 15 are defined by corrugations 16 which extend through both the longitudinal and lateral leg members. Since the expansion joints are aligned to different axes, the collar is also expandable along different, substantially mutually perpendicular axes. Alternate forms of expansion joints may be readily substituted. However, it is essential to the subject invention that the collar be expandible along different axes, so as to enable the end cap 10 to easily accommodate items of varying sizes and shapes.

Referring to FIGS. 1 , 2 , 3 and 4 , a plurality of blocks 12 can also be disposed within the interior cavity 19 , preferably hinged. As by a living hinge, across an interior edge 20 of a lateral member 14 . The block can pivot about the interior edge 20 , enabling it to be positionable between a first position, substantially parallel to a plane defined by the collar, and a second position, substantially perpendicular to the plane. In the first position, the space occupied by the end cap is minimized, reducing its required storage space and facilitating stacking of end caps when not in use. In the second position, the end cap extends out of the collar plane, enabling it to define abutment surfaces for engaging portions of the end of an item which project into the cavity 19 .

Preferably, a wing 18 is located on each block 12 . When the block 12 is in the second position, the wing 18 overlaps and engages the longitudinal member 13 and prevents the block 12 from pivoting back to the first position. In the disclosed arrangement, the block 12 also has a slit 17 cut therethrough, dividing it into two halves which separate when the lateral leg member is expanded.

The sizes of the blocks 12 , their lines of attachment to the collar 11 , and their shapes may vary, depending upon the particular application. Alternate arrangements can include smaller blocks, having blocks attached to the longitudinal leg members 13 , having the blocks attached to an exterior edge of any leg member, and having blocks attached simultaneously to both lateral and longitudinal leg members. However, the block arrangement should not interfere with the expansion of the collar, and the block arrangement should be positionable between a first position substantially parallel to the collar and a second substantially perpendicular position.

The end cap 10 is preferably made of a resilient, vibration-damping and shock-absorbing material. The material should be lightweight as well. A form of expanded or foamed plastic will typically satisfy the characteristics required by an end cap 10 , but other materials can be used to suit particular application requirements.