Wheeling device for a packaged article

The invention provides a wheeling device for a packaged article which may be directly attached to the packaging of the article and which comprises wheeling means.The invention also provides a wheelable package for an article comprising at least one wheeling device according to the present invention, the wheeling device being directly attached to the package.The invention further provides a method of improving the handlability of a packaged article comprising directly attaching to the packaging of the article one or more wheeling devices of the invention.

BACKGROUND

The present invention is directed to wheeling devices that may be directly attached to the packing of packaged articles, to packaged articles incorporating such wheeling devices, and to methods for improving the handlability of packaged articles by attaching wheeling devices directly to the packaging of the articles. In particular, the present invention is directed to wheeling devices that may be easily attached to packaged articles, and which may be conveniently recycled or disposed of after use.

The use of packaging materials to protect goods during transport is widespread, and the types of goods that may be transported in packaging range from small lightweight articles (for example multiple packs of confectionary that may be transported in a single box for convenience) to industrial products (including electronic equipment, automotive products and heavy duty mechanical machinery). In addition, relatively large and bulky articles may also be transported in packaging, for example mattresses for beds, which may be shrink wrapped and then rolled and enclosed in packaging for transport. Furthermore, small articles contained in individual packaging boxes may be enclosed in larger containers, again for ease of transport or to aid distribution within supermarkets and large retail stores (so called “shelf-ready” packaging). Packaging may also be used in the form of “wardrobe cases” for transporting clothing etc. during household removals. However, although the use of packaging materials generally aids in the transport of items, when the packages are heavy and/or awkward in shape they may still be difficult to transport by hand, and in many countries health and safety legislation will require that packages above a certain weight and/or above a certain size may only be lifted by two or more people working together, which can significantly increase the cost of moving and handling such packages.

One means for overcoming the above disadvantages of handling large and/or heavy packaged articles has been to transport such articles using wheeled devices, such as trolleys, wheeled pallets or wheeled platforms. However, this is only possible if a suitable wheeled device is available whenever required. In addition, it is still necessary for the packaged articles to be lifted in order to be placed on to the wheeled devices, and there may also be difficulties in retaining the packaged articles on the wheeled devices during transport (for example, if the packages are unstable).

A further approach has been to attach castors to packaged articles, and this is done by inserting a sheet of additional material (normally wood) into the package and attaching the castors to the inserted material through the packaging. This procedure is very labour intensive, however, particularly if it is necessary to open the package to insert the material to which the castors will be attached and to then reclose it, and also has a number of environmental drawbacks. In particular, although most packaging materials are recyclable, a package containing an additional sheet of attachment material, plus castors attached thereto, will be difficult to recycle because of the different materials present. This will require any user wishing to recycle the package to remove the castors (which themselves will be difficult to recycle) and also the sheet of attachment material (which in many cases may be permanently attached to the packaging), and to dispose of each component separately. Thus, in practice, many such wheeled containers are simply disposed of to landfill, rather than dismantled and recycled. This not only has an unwelcome environmental impact, but may also have cost implications, either for the end user, or for the local authority responsible for disposing of the packaging.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention therefore provides a wheeling device for a packaged article which may be directly attached to the packaging of the article and which comprises wheeling means.

Because wheeling devices according to the present invention may be directly attached to the packaging of an article, they are convenient to attach whenever required. In addition, they will also be simple to remove from the packaging, and will therefore allow the packaging to be recycled, and for the devices themselves to be reused or disposed of for recycling.

Devices according to the present invention may comprise wheeling means in the form of wheels, castors or rollers, but most preferably the wheeling means will be a roller, i.e a cylinder having a round cross section, and most preferably having a length greater than its diameter.

Devices according to the present invention may be directly attached to the packaging of an article by any conventional means; however, preferred devices according to the present invention comprise a base plate comprising means to enable the device to be attached to the packaging of the packaged article.

In devices according to the present invention comprising a base plate, the base plate preferably comprises means to enable the device to be attached to the packaging of an article by at least one method selected from: adhering the base plate to the outer surface of the packaging; sandwiching the base plate between two layers of the packaging; attaching the base plate to the packaging by screws, bolts or rivets; attaching the base plate to the packaging by cable ties or strapping; attaching the base plate to the packaging by staples, or attaching the base plate to the packaging by means of a clamp connector which engages an inner surface of the packaging. The means for enabling the base plate to be adhered to the outer surface of the packaged article may comprise a continuous area of the base plate of sufficient surface area to permit the base plate to be adhered to the surface of the packaged article sufficiently firmly to prevent accidental removal during use. Similarly, the means to permit the base plate to be attached to a packaged article by sandwiching the base plate between two layers of the packaging may comprise one or more areas of the base plate which are free from projections, and which may be inserted between two layers of packaging and thereby maintain the base plate in contact with the packaging. The means to permit the base plate to be attached to the packaging by screws, bolts, rivets, cable ties, strapping or staples may comprise holes in the base plate having suitable shapes and distributions; for example, 2, 3 or 4 evenly spaced circular holes permitting attachment by screws, bolts or rivets; or 2 or 4 evenly spaced rectangular holes for attachment by cable ties, strapping or staples.

In particularly preferred embodiments of devices according to the present invention comprising a base plate comprising means to enable the device to be attached to the packaging of a packaged article, the base plate comprises means suitable to enable the device to be attached to the packaging of a packaged article by each of the following methods: adhering the base plate to the outer surface of the packaging; sandwiching the base plate between two layers of the packaging; attaching the base plate to the packaging by screws, bolts or rivets; attaching the base plate to the packaging by cable ties or strapping; attaching the base plate to the packaging by staples, and attaching the base plate to the packaging by means of a clamp connector which engages an inner surface of the packaging.

In devices according to the present invention comprising a base plate comprising means to enable the device to be attached to the packaging of a packaged article by attaching the base plate to the packaging by means of a clamp connector, the clamp connector may be an integral part of the device. Thus, for example, the base plate may incorporate two or more flaps hingedly connected thereto, the flaps being movable between a first position in which they may be inserted through a hole in the packaging, and a second position in which they engage the inner surface of the packaging, the base plate also incorporating means to lock the flaps in the second position and to thereby clamp the base plate to the packaging.

In an alternative preferred embodiment, the means for attaching the device to the packaging of a packaged article by means of a clamp connector which engages the inner surface of the packaging, may comprise an aperture in the base plate suitable to allow a clamp connector engaging the inner surface of the packaging to also engage the surface of the base plate that is not in contact with the packaging when the device is attached to the packaging.

In the preferred embodiment of the present invention in which the base plate comprises an aperture suitable to allow a clamp connector engaging the inner surface of the packaging of a packaged article to also engage the surface of the base plate that is not in contact with the packaging when the device is attached to the packaging, the device preferably further comprises a clamp connector. A suitable clamp connector may comprise a first surface suitable to engage the inner surface of the packaging of a packaged article, and two or more hinged flaps which may be arranged in a first position in which they may be inserted through an aperture in the packaging and the corresponding aperture in the base plate of a device according to the present invention, and which may then be rotated and locked into a second position in which they are in contact with the surface of the base plate that is not in contact with the packaging, to thereby lock the base plate into contact with the packaging. This use of the clamp connector will require access to the inside of the packaging; however, as will be appreciated, such a clamp connector may also be used by inserting the hinged flaps firstly through the aperture in the base plate and then through the aperture in the packaging while in the first position, before locking the flaps into the second position so that they are locked into contact with the inner surface of the packaging, and so that the clamp itself is locked in contact with the surface of the base plate that is not in contact with the packaging.

Most preferably, clamps connectors for use in the present invention will comprise means to conveniently release the hinged flaps from the locked position, so that the clamp connector and the device according to the present invention may be easily removed from the packaged article.

In an alternative embodiment of a device according to the present invention comprising a base plate having means to enable the device to be attached to the packaging of a packaged article, the base plate may comprise a snap connector shaft, and the device may further comprise a collar suitable to attach to the packaging of a packaged article and to receive the snap connector shaft, so that when the collar is attached to the packaging and the snap connector shaft is received in the collar, the base plate may rotate therein, allowing the packaged article to be steered more conveniently. Most preferably, devices according to this embodiment of the invention will also comprise means to allow the snap connector shaft to be removed from the collar when required, and/or means to allow the collar to be removed from the packaging when required.

Preferably in devices according to the present invention comprising a base plate, the base plate will comprise two arms located on the face of the base plate that does not contact the packaging when the device is attached to a packaged article, the arms being positioned on opposing edges of the base plate and extending perpendicular therefrom, and comprising means to connect the wheeling means thereto. Optionally, the means to connect the wheeling means to the arms may comprise a generally circular aperture in each arm, so that an axle about which the wheeling means rotates may be received in each arm.

Wheeling devices according to the present invention may comprise braking means to prevent packages incorporating the wheeling devices from moving unless the braking means are released.

Wheeling devices according to the present invention may be composed of any suitable materials; preferably, however, the devices are substantially composed of recyclable materials. It is also preferred that devices according to the present invention are substantially composed of a single material. Suitable materials include plastics, polypropylenes and nylons, and a particularly preferred material is nylon (for example, nylon 6).

Wheeling devices according to the present invention may be of any size, depending upon the size and weight of the packages with which they are to be used.

Wheeling devices according to the present invention may be attached to all types of packaging material, particularly corrugated board or corrugated plastic.

Wheeling devices according to the present invention may be attached to packaging enclosing all sorts of goods, ranging from mattresses, single or multiple electrical goods, bulky lightweight food products and also to point of sale items and wardrobe cases for hanging garments.

Wheeling devices according to the present invention may be attached to packages for articles either by the manufacturer of the packages (i.e at any stage during the manufacture of the packages) or by the user of the packages, either before or after articles have been added to the packages. Attaching wheeling devices according to the present invention to packages before they have been filled will avoid the need to lift the filled packages before transporting them.

Wheeling devices according to the present invention may be manufactured by any conventional means, but are preferably manufactured by injection moulding.

The present invention further provides a wheelable package for an article comprising at least one wheeling device according to the present invention, the wheeling device being directly attached to the package.

Wheelable packages according to the present invention may comprise any number of wheeling devices according to the present invention. For example, a single wheeling device may be sufficient to improve the handlability of light-weight packages or packages having relatively small lower surfaces. Alternatively, particularly large articles may require numerous wheeling devices, for example up to 10 or more. Most preferably however, wheelable packages according to the present invention comprise 1, 2, 3 or 4 wheeling devices according to the present invention.

Wheelable packages according to the present invention may comprise any suitable rigid or semi-rigid packaging materials; however preferred packaging materials comprise corrugated board or corrugated plastic (for example Correx and derivatives). The packaging may be of any thickness, for example 3 mm, 5 mm or 25 mm.

Wheelable packages according to the present invention preferably have weights of between 5 kg and 100 kg, more preferably between 10 kg and 50 kg.

Packages according to the present invention are preferably closed containers (i.e boxes), but may also include open containers or materials that partially enclose an article.

Packages according to the present invention may be used to package a wide range of goods, including mattresses, single or multiple electrical goods (for example washing machines or fridge/freezers), bulky lightweight food products (for example multiple packets of crisps etc), or they may comprise point of sale items or wardrobe cases for hanging garments.

Wheelable packages according to the present invention may comprise combinations of different embodiments of wheeling devices according to the present invention. For example, the packages may comprise one or more wheeling devices attached in a fixed orientation and one or more wheeling devices rotatably attached to the package to improve the steerability of the package (for instance, a package may comprise four wheeling devices arranged in a rough square on the lower surface of the package, two adjacent wheeling devices being fixed in their orientation, and the other two wheeling devices being rotatable).

Wheelable packages according to the present invention will generally comprise wheeling devices according to the present invention attached to their lower surface, so that the packages rest on the wheeling devices at all times. However, in an alternative embodiment, the wheelable packages may comprise an angled surface linking the lower surface of the package to one of the vertical walls thereof, and to which one or more wheeling devices are attached, so that when the wheelable package is not being wheeled, the lower surface of the package is in contact with the ground and the wheeling device or devices either also touch the ground or are not in contact with the ground, but also so that when the wheelable package is titled, the weight of the package is taken by the wheeling device or devices, and the lower surface of the package no longer contacts the ground so that the wheelable package may be wheeled.

The present invention also provides a method of improving the handlability of a packaged article comprising directly attaching to the packaging of the article one or more wheeling devices according to the present invention.

Embodiments of the invention will now be described by way of example, with reference to the drawings in which:

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

FIG. 1shows a chassis3forming part of a wheeling device1according to a first embodiment of the present invention. The chassis3comprises a base plate5, having a first side7, and a second side9(shown inFIG. 3). The base plate5includes various means to permit the wheeling device1to be connected to the packaging of a packaged article. These means include four circular holes11, one positioned at each corner of the base plate5. The circular holes11are suitable to permit the base plate5to be attached to the packaging of a packaged article by means of screws, bolts or rivets. The attachment means also include four rectangular holes13, two of the rectangular holes being positioned along a first side15of the base plate5, and the other two rectangular holes13being positioned along the opposing second side17of the base plate5. The rectangular holes13are suitable to permit the base plate5to be attached to the packaging of a packaged article by means of staples, cable ties or strapping. Further means for permitting the wheeling device1according to the first embodiment of the present invention to be attached to the packaging of a packaged article include a rectangular aperture19positioned in the centre of the base plate5, and which permits the base plate5to be attached to the packaging of the packaged article by means of clamp connector21(seeFIGS. 4 and 5). As will be appreciated fromFIGS. 1 and 3, the base plate5of the wheeling device1according to the first embodiment of the present invention may also be connected to the packaging of a packaged article by sandwiching the base plate5between two layers of the packaging material, or by adhering the second side9of the base plate5to the packaging of a packaged article by use of an adhesive material. The wheeling device1according to the first embodiment of the present invention may also be connected to the packaging of a packaged article by the use of strapping passing across the first side7of the base plate5and around the packaged article.

The chassis3shown inFIG. 1is also provided with two arms23, one arm23being located at the third side25of the base plate5, and the other arm23being located at the opposing fourth side27of the base plate5. The arms23are perpendicular to the base plate5, and are each provided with a circular hole29suitable to receive the axle31of a roller33(seeFIGS. 2 and 3). Each of the arms23comprise a supporting ledge35and a recess37(discussed below).

The length of the first and second sides15,17of the base plate5is 78 mm, and the length of the third and fourth sides25,27is 80 mm. The base plate has a thickness of 3 mm.

FIG. 2shows a roller33for use in combination with the chassis3shown inFIG. 1. The roller33has a cylindrical surface39, and a central axle31to which the cylindrical surface39is permanently attached. The cylindrical surface39has a length of 70 mm. The diameter of the roller is 40 mm. The axle31comprises two ends41, each end41projecting beyond the cylindrical surface39of the roller33. Each end41of the axle31is sized to engage the circular hole29in one of the arms23of the chassis3, so that (as shown inFIG. 3) the roller33may be attached to the chassis3of the wheeling device1with each end41of the axle31being supported by an arm23. Insertion of the ends41of the axle31into the circular holes29is facilitated by the recesses37in each of the arms23. The length of the axle31, including the ends41, is 76 mm, which is greater than the distance between the circular holes29of the arms23, and therefore the ends41of the axle31will project through the arms23, so that the roller33is retained in the chassis3and can rotate freely with respect to the chassis3. Optionally, retaining clips or washers (not shown) may be inserted over the ends41of the axle31once the roller33is positioned in the chassis3to help retain the roller33in this position.

Once the ends41of the axle31of the roller33are located in the holes29in the arms23of the chassis3, as shown inFIG. 3, the roller33will overlap, but will not contact, the supporting ledges35located on the arms23. However, once the wheeling device1is attached to a package so that the weight of the package is supported by the roller33, excessive weight in the package will cause the roller33to contact the supporting ledges35before the engagement between the roller33and the arms23of the chassis3is disrupted, which will prevent the roller33being accidentally removed from the chassis3.

FIG. 3shows a wheeling device1according to the first embodiment of the present invention comprising a roller33as shown inFIG. 2attached to a chassis3as shown inFIG. 1. As discussed with respect toFIGS. 1 and 2, the ends41of the axle31of the roller33are located in, and project through, the circular holes29in the arms23of the chassis3, so that the roller33is retained in the chassis3and is free to rotate. As discussed with respect toFIG. 1, the wheeling device1may be attached to the packaging of a package by numerous means, including any of: adhering the second side9of the base plate5of the chassis3to the packaging, sandwiching the base plate5between two layers of packaging, screwing, bolting or riveting the base plate to the packaging by use of the circular hole11in each corner of the base plate5, attaching the base plate5to the packaging by the use of staples, cable ties or strapping inserted through the rectangular holes13located on the first and second sides15,17of the base plate5, or by use of a clamp connector21inserted through the central rectangular aperture19of the base plate5.

The chassis3and roller33of the wheeling device1are all made from Nylon 6, although other plastic materials (preferably easily recyclable materials) could be used. The chassis3and roller33are both preferably formed by injection moulding.

FIG. 4shows a clamp connector21for use in attaching a wheeling device1as shown inFIG. 3to the packaging of a packaged article. The clamp connector21comprises a first component43and a second component45linked by a hinge47. The first component43comprises a collar49inside which are located two hinged flaps51. The hinged flaps51are positioned within the collar49so that, in a first position, they are retained completely within the circumference of the collar49, but they may also be rotated into a second position, in which they project outwards from the collar49. The first component43also comprises a rim53surrounding the collar49.

The second component45of the clamp connector21comprises an internal collar55sized to fit within the collar49of the first component43so that, when the internal collar55is inserted into the collar49of the first component43the hinged flaps51are moved from the first position within the collar49to the second position extending beyond the collar49. In addition, the internal collar55of the second component45comprises locking means57enabling the internal collar55to be locked within the collar49, and to thereby lock the hinged flaps51in the second position. The locking means57also comprises release means (not shown) so that, when required, the second component45may be released and rotated around the hinge47, removing the internal collar55from inside the collar49of the first component43, and allowing the hinged flaps51to be moved from the second position into the first position.

The clamp connector21shown inFIG. 4is made from polypropylene, but could be made from any other (preferably recyclable) plastic material, for example Nylon 6. The clamp connector21is preferably produced by injection moulding. Clamp connectors as shown inFIG. 4are commercially available, for example from Item Products (NPD) Limited, UK.

As shown inFIG. 5, the clamp connector21shown inFIG. 4may be used to connect a wheeling device1according to a first embodiment of the present invention to the packaging of a packaged article. For such use, the size of the collar49of the clamp connector21is selected to match the size of the rectangular aperture19in the base plate5of the chassis3of the wheeling device1, and the height of the collar49of the clamp connector21is selected to correspond to the thickness of the packaging to which the wheeling device1is to be attached. In addition, the packaging of the packaged article will be provided with one or more pre-cut holes corresponding in size to the dimensions of the collar49of the clamp connector21.

In order to attach the wheeling device1according to a first embodiment of the present invention to a package by use of the clamp connector21, the roller33is removed from the chassis3of the wheeling device1and the clamp connector21is opened as shown inFIG. 4. The collar49of the first component43of the clamp connector21is inserted through the rectangular aperture19of the base plate5from the direction of the first side7, until the rim53of the first component43of the clamp connector contacts the first side7of the base plate5. The collar49is then inserted into the hole provided in the packaging material of the packaged article until the second side9of the base plate5contacts the outer surface of the packaging material. At this stage the hinged flaps51are retained within the collar49of the clamp connector21, so that they do not interfere with the passage of the collar49through the packaging. The second component45of the clamp connector21is then rotated around the hinge47so that the internal collar55of the second component45is inserted into the collar49of the first component40, and so that the hinged flaps51are rotated out of the collar49and into engagement with the internal surface of the packaging. The locking means57locks the second component45in this position, so that the internal collar55is retained within the collar49of the first component, and so that the hinged flaps51are retained in contact with the internal surface of the packaging, locking the chassis in contact with the packaging of the packaged article.

The roller33is then inserted into the arms23of the chassis, so that the ends41of the axle31engage, and are retained by, the circular holes29in the arms23. The wheeling device1may then support the weight of the package and improve the handlability thereof. If required, a number of wheeling devices1may be attached to the same surface of the packaged article.

In order to remove the wheeling device1from the package, the roller33is removed from the arms23of the chassis3, and the locking means57of the clamp connector21is released, so that the internal collar55of the second component45may be rotated out of the collar49of the first component, releasing the hinged flaps51. The clamp connector21, or the chassis3, is then pulled away from the packaging, which will cause the hinged flaps51to move from the second position into the first position within the collar49of the first component43of the clamp connector21, allowing the chassis3and the clamp connector21to be removed from the packaging. The clamp connector21may then be removed from the chassis3and the roller33may be reinserted into the chassis3so that the wheeling device1may be re-used, or the roller33and/or the chassis3may be disposed of for recycling. Similarly, the package may either be reused or may be disposed of. If the package is disposed of it will be simple to recycle because the wheeling means were removed before disposal.

Wheeling devices1as shown inFIGS. 1 to 3may be connected to packages by packaging manufacturers, or may be provided separately for attachment to packages by end users. They may also be provided in conjunction with clamp connectors of the type shown inFIG. 4.

FIG. 6shows the components of a wheeling device61according to a second embodiment of the present invention. The wheeling device61comprises a chassis63, a roller65, a locking pin67, a collar69and a locking ring71.

The chassis63of the wheeling device61according to the second embodiment of the present invention comprises a base plate73having a first side75and a second side (not shown). The base plate73also comprises a snap connector shaft77located in the centre of its first side75. The base plate73further comprises two arms79located at opposing edges of the second side of the base plate73, and extending perpendicularly therefrom. Each of the arms79incorporates a circular hole81.

The roller65comprises a cylindrical surface83and a hollow central shaft85connected to the cylindrical surface83. The roller65may be attached to the chassis63by positioning it between the two arms79of the chassis63and inserting the locking pin67through the circular hole81in one of the arms79, then through the central shaft85of the roller65and finally through the circular hole81in the second arm79. The locking pin67and the arms79of the chassis63comprise mutually engaging locking means, so that the locking pin67may be retained in the chassis63during normal use of the wheeling device61, but also so that, when required, the locking pin67may be removed from the chassis63to release the roller65. When the roller65is attached to the chassis63by the locking pin67it may rotate freely around the locking pin67.

The collar69of the wheeling device61comprises a receiving shaft87and a surrounding rim89. The receiving shaft87is sized to accommodate the snap connector shaft77of the chassis63, and the collar69and snap connector shaft77comprise complimentary engaging means, so that when the snap connector shaft77is inserted into the receiving shaft87of the collar69, it will be retained therein during normal use of the wheeling device61, and so that the snap connector shaft77may rotate within the collar69.

The outer surface of the receiving shaft87of the collar69and the locking ring71comprise mutually engaging screw threads, so that the locking ring71may be attached to the collar69, and so that the distance between the locking ring71and the rim89of the collar65may be varied by rotating the locking ring71.

The wheeling device61according to the second embodiment of the present invention may be attached to the packaging of a packaged article by inserting the receiving shaft87of the collar69through a pre-cut hole in the packaging material until the rim89engages the outer surface of the packaging. The locking ring71may then be attached to the receiving shaft87of the collar69and rotated until it engages the inner surface of the packaging, locking the collar in place. The locking ring71and collar69may optionally comprise releasable locking means, so that the locking ring71may be fixed in position until it is necessary for the wheeling device61to be removed from the packaging.

The chassis63may then be connected to the packaged article by inserting the snap connector shaft77of the chassis63into the central shaft87of the collar, so that the chassis63is retained in contact with the packaging but is free to rotate, and the roller65may then be attached to the chassis63by use of the locking pin67. It will be appreciated that the order in which the above operations are carried out may be varied as required.

All of the components of the wheeling device61according to the second embodiment of the present invention are constructed of Nylon 6, however it will be understood that other plastic materials or polypropylenes, particularly recyclable materials, may be used for any of the components. The components shown inFIG. 6are all formed by injection moulding.

Wheeling devices according to the first and second embodiments1,61of the present invention may be used singly or in combination with other wheeling devices. Thus, in some cases a single wheeling device1,61will be sufficient to enable the packaged article to be transported by wheeling; however, if required, multiple wheeling devices1,61may be attached to the same surface of the packaged article. For example, 2, 3, 4 or more wheeling devices1according to the first embodiment of the invention, or 2, 3, 4 or more wheeling devices61according to the second embodiment of the present invention may be attached to a packaged article. Alternatively, one or more wheeling devices61in accordance with the second embodiment of the present invention may be used in combination with one or more wheeling devices1according to the first embodiment of the present invention.

It will also be appreciated that various features of the first and second embodiments of the wheeling devices shown inFIGS. 1 to 6may be varied. For example, the base plate5of the wheeling device1according to the first embodiment of the present invention may be replaced by the base plate73of the wheeling device61according to the second embodiment to the invention, so that the roller33shown inFIG. 2may be attached to the packaging of packaged articles by use of a snap connector shaft, as discussed above with respect toFIG. 6. Alternatively, the base plate73of the wheeling device61according to the second embodiment of the invention may be replaced by the base plate5of the wheeling device1according to the first embodiment of the present invention, so that the roller65shown inFIG. 6may be attached to the packaging of packaged articles by use of the various connecting means discussed with respect toFIGS. 1 to 5.

FIG. 7shows a wheeling device1according to the first embodiment of the present invention attached to a package59for an article (only a portion of the package59is shown in the Figure).

The package59has a lower surface61and a verticle surface63, and the lower surface61and the verticle surface63are connected by an angled surface65. A wheeling device1according to the first embodiment of the present invention is attached to the angled surface65of the package59via the base plate5. The base plate5may be attached to the angled surface65of the package59by any of the means discussed with respect toFIGS. 1 to 5, for example by use of a clamp connector21as shown inFIGS. 4 and 5.

The wheeling device1is located on the angled surface65of the package59so that, when the lower surface61of the package59rests on a horizontal surface the roller33of the wheeling device1will also contact the horizontal surface and will help the stabilise the package59. When required however, the package59may be tilted (for example by using a handle, not shown) around the roller33of the wheeling device1, so that the lower surface61of the package59is moved out of contact with the horizontal surface, and so that the package59may then be transported by wheeling on the wheeling device1.

In the arrangement shown inFIG. 7the wheeling device1may be a single wheeling device, however preferably the package59will comprise two wheeling devices1located side by side on the angled surface65, so that the rollers33of each wheeling device1will both contact any horizontal surface on which the lower surface61of the package59is rested, and so that, when the package59is titled to move the lower surface61out of contact with the horizontal surface, the rollers33of each of the wheeling devices1engage the horizontal surface to the same extent and provide equal support to the package59.

The package59shown inFIG. 7may be composed of any suitable packaging material, for example corrugated board of 12 mm to 15 mm thickness, and the package59may be used to contain any suitable articles, for example a shrink wrapped and rolled mattress.