PACKAGE FOR ROD-SHAPED ARTICLES ALONG WITH ACCESSORIES COMPRISING INSPECTION WINDOWS

Abstract: The package comprises a primary package element (3) for accommodation of the product (1) together with at least one secondary package element (4) for accommodation of accessories of the product. The primary package element (3) comprises two tubular stiffening parts (5, 6) each having a cross section essentially corresponding to that of the package and being placed at a mutual distance in the longitudinal direction of the package. The primary package element comprises a transparent part (7) surrounding the tubular parts over the entire length of the package such that also in packed condition, it will be possible to see the product.

Description: Package for rod-shaped articles along with accessories comprising inspection windows. The present invention relates to a package for the packaging of a product together with accessories belonging to the product, comprising a primary package element for accommodation of the product and at least one secondary package element for accommodation of the accessories, where the package has an essentially elongated form and extends between a first end and a second end, and where the package has a predetermined cross section essentially over the entire length of the package . When packaging of e.g. screening products, such as awning blinds, light awning blinds, roller blinds, pleated blinds and other similar' products with associated installation and mounting components for windows, in individμal packages, one of at least two different principles is generally used. In a first type of package which is often char- acterized as a transport package, the main interest is that the package must protect the product against damage during transport. This is usually obtained by choosing a relatively stiff cardboard box which is elongated and e.g. quadratic or rectangular in cross section. Subsequently, supporting blocks of e.g. polystyrene are placed in each end of the product which is then put down in the cardboard box. In addition, a number of different fittings, screws and tools, together with an installation and mounting manual for use during the mounting of the screening product, are usually gathered in a plastic bag and put down with the screening in the package which is then closed. In a second type of package which is often characterized as a sales package, the main interest is that the package must be inexpensive and at the same time permit the consumer to see the product through the package without having to open it . This is usually obtained by choosing an elongated tubular plastic bag, placing the screening product in the bag and heat seal the ends of the bag. One end might be welded together with a suspension hook, such that the package can be suspended in a rack. As in the above- mentioned type, a number of different fittings, screws and tools, etc. to be used for the mounting of the screening product are generally gathered in a plastic bag and put down together with the screening in the package which is then closed. The use of conventional packaging methods re- quires a definition of the basic practical demands to be satisfied by the package, since a special type of package is used for each of the two said methods with their individual advantages and inconveniences, and the compliance with the practical demands of both types goes to a certain extent in opposite directions . Where the individual package is primarily suitable for transport, the production comprises making and assembling of several different sub-elements and thus demands considerable resources both as to time and costs of production. As it is in general not immediately possible to see the product packed in such packages, a consumer will be inclined to open the package, watch the contents, perhaps close the pack- age again and take a new unbroken package. This entails that the subsequent consumers cannot be sure that the package that they buy contains a complete product . Where the individual package is primarily meant for sale, the package is not suitable for transport as the screening product is easily damaged in the simple bag packages. Therefore, an object of the present invention is to provide a package which eliminate above draw- backs . This object is obtained according to the invention by a package of the initially stated kind, which is characterized in that that the primary package element comprises at least two tubular stiffening parts, each having a cross section essentially corresponding to that of the package, that the tubular parts have predetermined lengths and are positioned at a mutual distance in the longitudinal direction of the package, and that the primary package element further comprises at least one transparent part which surrounds the tubular parts over the entire length of the package . This way of designing the primary package element as an integrated transport and sales package combines exactly the advantages related to each of the above-mentioned packaging principles, as a sturdy package of a simple construction is provided, but where it is nevertheless possible to examine the product contained in the packaging. Provided that the tubular stiffening parts are designed with an information print concerning the product, the transparent part will also protect this print against outside impact . A tubular stiffening part is appropriately placed in the vicinity of each end of the package such that a package is obtained which is stable when subject to loads, and at the same time, the central area of the package provides visual access from all sides of the product . In an embodiment technically simple to construct, the package further comprises a bottom cover and a top cover for connection with the primary package element. A suspension hook can preferably be con- nected to the top cover. In an inexpensive embodiment, the tubular stiffening elements are formed by folding a cardboard blank. Alternatively, the tubular stiffening elements can be designed as components of plastics or similar material. The length of each tubular stiffening element may constitute between 10% and 40%, preferably between 20% and 30%, especially 25%, of the total length of the primary package element. The cross section of the package may be varied depending on the properties of the product and e.g. the transport conditions, but is preferably circular- cylindrical, quadrangular, preferably quadratic or rectangular, of another polygonal form, especially triangular, pentagonal, hexagonal, heptagonal or octagonal, oval, elliptical or superelliptical . The secondary package elements are preferably formed by folding a cardboard blank or formed as components made of plastics or similar material and are appropriately placed at one or each end of the package outside the tubular stiffening part in question. In order to permit also to examine the contents of the secondary package element or elements, it or they may be provided with at least one window por- tion. The length of each secondary package element may constitute between 5% and 20%, preferably between 10% and 15%, of the total length of the package. In order to assure that the package permits to examine the contents thoroughly and at the same time is stable, the area which is merely covered by the transparent part may constitute between 10% and 60%, preferably between 20% and 50%, especially between 30% and 40%, of the total length of the package. The transparent part comprises in one embodiment a plastic foil, preferably with a thickness of between 0.1 and 1.5 mm. Alternatively, the transparent part can be designed as a plastic pipe, preferably made by extrusion. In the following, the invention will be described in more detail with reference to the schematic drawing, in which Fig. 1 shows an exploded perspective view of a first embodiment of the package according to the in- vention, and Fig. 2 shows a corresponding view of a second embodiment of the invention. In Fig. 1, a screening product is shown in the form of a roller blind 1 of a type known per se with the screening cloth in a rolled up condition and with an associated package generally indicated by the referential number 2. The package 2 comprises a primary package element 3 which is in the packed condition of the screening product 1, essentially corresponding to the one shown in Fig. 1, adapted to accommodate the product and in the shown embodiment one secondary package element 4 for accommodation of accessories not shown in detail . The package 2 has an essen- tially elongated form and extends between a first end 2a and a second end 2b, and has a predetermined cross section over essentially the entire length of the package which is almost quadratic in the shown embodiment . The primary package element 3 comprises two tubular stiffening parts 5 and 6, also with essentially quadratic cross section, positioned in the vicinity of a corresponding end, respectively 2a and 2b, however, the second tubular part 6 is placed at such a distance from the end 2b that the secondary package element is accommodated in the primary package element 3 of the package 2 between the second tubular part 6 and the end 2b. The primary package element 3 further comprises a transparent part 7 which encloses the tubular parts 5 and 6 over the entire length of the package. The tubular stiffening parts 5 and 6 are in this embodiment formed by a cardboard sheet, e.g. with a thickness of 1-5 mm, which is folded to the desired form, whereupon the ends of the sheet facing each other are fastened to each other by means of adhesion. In this connection it should be observed that the term tubular is to be understood as comprising any element with a circumferential wall and with an arbitrary cross section, and such an element may further comprise an end wall. The cardboard sheets can be provided with different forms of information prints, such as information on the nature of product, etc., and as an additional advantage of the inven- tion, such an information print will be protected from outside impact by the transparent part 7. In the embodiment shown in Fig. 1, the transparent part 7 comprises a foil sheet of a suitable plastic material with a thickness which is typically in the area of 0.1-1.5 mm, and which is wrapped or wound tightly around the two tubular stiffening parts 5 and 6, after these have been placed at the desired mutual distance on the foil sheet, after which the ends of the plastic foil sheet facing each other are fastened to each other by means of adhesion. Adhesion may also be used as a supplementary securing of the tubular stiffening parts 5 and 6 to the transparent part 7. The transparent part 7 can by a suitable choice of material also contribute to the stiffness and strength of the package. After the shaping of the primary package element 3, the screening product 1 is placed herein and may be secured in relation to the tubular stiffening parts 5 and 6, e.g. by polystyrene blocks or another mechanical securing, or by a releasable adhesive joint. The transparent part 7 covers in the shown embodiment an area which constitutes about 30% of the entire length of the package and provides visual access to the product over the entire circumfer- e ce of the package in this area. Accessories in the form of e.g. fittings, screws and tools are placed in the secondary package element 4 which can be designed as a conventional cardboard package, i.e. as a punched plane blank which is folded up and fastened by means of adhesion to form an openable cardboard box which in the shown embodiment has essentially the same cross section form as the primary package element 3 and the package 2. The secondary package element 4 is placed in the primary package element 3, and as the secondary package element 4 is provided with two window portions 8, 9 and because of the placement of the secondary package element 4 outside the second tubular stiffening element 6, it is thus possible also to see the accessories in packed condition. Finally, the package 2 is closed with a cover 10, 11 in each end of the primary package element 3. The covers 10, 11 can be connected e.g. to the transparent part 7 or to the two tubular stiffening parts 5, 6 and can also be formed of a plastic foil sheet which can be folded and fastened by adhesion to the desired form. Alternatively, one of the tubular stiffening parts 5 and 6 can be provided with an integrated cover and/or the transparent part 7 can be used for closure of the package in one or both ends . The screening product 1 with associated accessories is then packed for transport and subsequent sale . In the following, the embodiment shown in Fig. 2 will be described, and only differences related to the embodiment in Fig. 1 will be explained in details, as parts with identical or analogous function carry the same referential number added with 100. For the sake of clarity, the screening product itself is not shown in this figure. In this embodiment, the primary package element 103 has an essentially circular-cylindrical cross section and comprises two tubular stiffening parts 105 and 106 which are designed as components of a plastic material or the like which can be produced e.g. by casting or extrusion, and a transparent part 107 which is designed as an extruded plastic pipe. The tubular stiffening parts 105 and 106 are e.g. inserted from one end of the transparent part 107 formed as a plastic pipe and placed in the desired position, after which the non-shown screening product is placed in the primary package element 103. Accessories are placed in the secondary package element 104 which in the shown embodiment comprises two separate units 104a and 104b, e.g. for accommodation of two different types of accessories in the form of various installation and mounting components and which in packed condition as indicated can be placed such that they are situated above each other and thus take no further space in the longitudinal direction of the package. The package 102 is closed by means of a top cover 110 and a bottom cover 111, and with a view to suspending the package in a sales point, a suspension hook 112 can be connected to the top cover 110. The suspension hook 112 can either form an integrated part of the top cover 110 or an independent part which is secured to the top cover, perhaps in such a way that is sunk or hidden in this cover during transport and/or storage for a subsequent release with a view to suspension. The cross section of the package can be varied depending on the type of the product and the desired properties and taking into consideration the conditions during transport and sales. For instance, an adaptation of the dimensions of the package to the size and form of the product can besides the optimized material consumption result in an exceedingly stable package which provides a good securing of the product in the package. The invention is not to be considered as being limited to the shown and described embodiments as various combinations of the relevant parts are con- ceivable just as the form and the number of the individual parts in the package can varied within the scope of the succeeding claims. It is thus also possible to pack a main product comprising more parts or more products of the same type just as the invention is not limited to be used with packaging of the shown and described screening product, either.

Claims: P A T E N T C L A I M S 1. A package for the packaging of a product together with accessories belonging to the product, comprising a primary package element for accommoda- tion of the product and at least one secondary package element for accommodation of the accessories, in which the package has an essentially elongated form and extends between a first end and a second end, and in which the package has a predetermined cross sec- tion essentially over the entire length of the package, c h a r a c t e r i z e d in that the primary package element comprises at least two tubular stiffening parts, each having a cross section essentially corresponding to that of the package, that the tubu- lar parts have predetermined lengths and are positioned at a mutual distance in the longitudinal direction of the package, and that the primary package element further comprises at least one transparent part which surrounds the tubular parts over the en- tire length of the package. 2. A package according to claim 1, c h a r a c t e r i z e d in that a tubular stiffening part is placed in the vicinity of each end of the package. 3. A package according to claim 1 or 2, c h a r a c t e r i z e d in that the package further comprises a bottom cover and a top cover for connection to the primary package element. 4. A package according to claim 3, c h a r a c t e r i z e d in that a suspension hook is con- nected to said top cover. 5. A package according to any of the preceding claims, c h a r a c t e r i z e d in that the tubular stiffening elements are formed by folding a cardboard blank. 6. A package according to any of claims 1-4, c h a r a c t e r i z e d in that the tubular stiffening elements are designed as components of plastics or similar material . 7. A package according to any of the preceding claims, c h a r a c t e r i z e d in that the predetermined length of each tubular stiffening element constitutes between 10% and 40%, preferably between 20% and 30%, especially 25%, of the total length of the primary package element. 8. A package according to any of the preceding claims, c h a r a c t e r i z e d in that the cross section of the packaging is circular-cylindrical, quadrangular, preferably quadratic or rectangular, of another polygonal form, especially triangular, pentagonal, hexagonal, heptagonal or octagonal, oval, elliptical or superelliptical . 9. A package according to any of the preceding claims, c h a r a c t e r i z e d in that the said secondary package elements are formed by folding a cardboard blank or formed as components made of plastics or similar material. 10. A package according to any of the preceding claims, c h a r a c t e r i z e d in that the secon- dary package element or elements are placed at one end of the package outside the tubular stiffening part in question. 11. A package according to any of the preceding claims, c h a r a c t e r i z e d in that the secon- dary package element or elements are provided with at least one window portion. 12. A package according to any of the preceding claims, c h a r a c t e r i z e d in that the length of each secondary package element constitutes between 5% and 20%, preferably between 10% and 15%, of the total length of the package. 13. A package according to any of the preceding claims, c h a r a c t e r i z e d in that the area which is merely covered by the transparent portion constitutes between 10% and 60%, preferably between 20% and 50%, especially between 30% and 40%, of the total length of the package. 14. A package according to any of the preceding claims, c h a r a c t e r i z e d in that said transparent part comprises a plastic foil, preferably with a thickness of between 0.1 and 1.5 mm. 15. A package according to any of the claims 1- 13, c h a r a c t e r i z e d in that said transpar- ent part is designed as a plastic pipe, preferably made by extrusion.

Inventors: COGGAN ANDREW JAMES, SIMONSEN LARS, COGGAN, ANDREW, JAMES, SIMONSEN, LARS
Applicants: COGGAN ANDREW JAMES, SIMONSEN LARS, VKR HOLDING AS, COGGAN, ANDREW, JAMES, SIMONSEN, LARS, VKR HOLDING A/S
Application year: 2001
Main classification: B65D85
IPC codes: B65D3, B65D5, B65D77, B65D85