Abstract:
Aspects and techniques of the present disclosure relate to a cable packaging arrangement (e.g., reel-in-box package) including a plurality of tabs appending to the top and bottom portions of the arrangement which are individually shaped to be easily assembled together, respectively, so that the top and bottom portions of the cable packaging arrangement will be closed.

Description:
CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
       [0001]    This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Application No. 62/331,106, filed May 3, 2016, the disclosure of which is hereby incorporated herein by reference. 
     
    
     TECHNICAL FIELD 
       [0002]    The present disclosure relates generally to packaging, and more specifically to packaging of cable. 
       BACKGROUND 
       [0003]    Communications cable may be packaged in a number of ways. Often communications cable is wound onto a reel or spool, from which it can easily be unwound for use as needed. 
         [0004]    One packaging technique employs a “reel-in-box” configuration. As the name implies, the package includes a box in which a reel of cable is mounted. Inside the box, a reel wound with cable is mounted onto a horizontal post, which is in turn mounted onto plastic endplates within the box. The reel is free to rotate on the post. In use, cable can be fed from the reel through an opening in the box (for example, the lid may be removed from the box or opened). Reel-in-box packaging can be advantageous for shipping and for feeding of the cable, as the box can provide a stationary location from which the cable is fed. 
         [0005]    Improvements in assembly of reel-in-box packages are desirable. 
       SUMMARY 
       [0006]    An aspect of the present disclosure relates to a cable packaging arrangement (e.g., reel-in-box package) including a plurality of tabs appending to the top and bottom portions of the arrangement which are individually shaped to be easily assembled together, respectively, so that the top and bottom portions of the cable packaging arrangement will be closed. The cable packaging arrangement has structural stiffness and integrity, so that the arrangement may bear the weight of spooled fiber optic cable. 
         [0007]    According to another aspect of the present disclosure, the cable packaging arrangement has a number of fold lines such that the arrangement will fold in a flat manner for easy shipment. 
         [0008]    According to a further aspect of the present disclosure, a perforation opening is provided within a side of the cable packaging arrangement to secure an end of the fiber optic cable therein. 
         [0009]    According to a further aspect of the present disclosure, a large, perforated, payout window is provided to determine the amount of fiber optic cable remaining in the coil and to rewind fiber optic cable without opening the top of the cable packaging arrangement. 
         [0010]    A variety of additional aspects will be set forth in the description that follows. These aspects can relate to individual features and to combinations of features. It is to be understood that both the foregoing general description and the following detailed description are exemplary and explanatory only and are not restrictive of the broad concepts upon which the embodiments disclosed herein are based. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0011]      FIG. 1  is a perspective view of an example box in accord with the principles of the present disclosure. 
           [0012]      FIG. 2  is a top plan view of a blank for the box shown in  FIG. 1 . 
           [0013]      FIG. 3  is a top plan view of the blank shown in  FIG. 2  depicting a shipping configuration in accord with the principles of the present disclosure. 
           [0014]      FIG. 4  is a top plan view of the blank shown in  FIG. 3  depicting an opposite side thereof. 
           [0015]      FIG. 5  is a top view of the box shown in  FIG. 1  depicting an inside thereof. 
           [0016]      FIG. 6  is a perspective view of the box shown in  FIG. 1  depicting features of the box, for example, a cable dispensing window, in accord with the principles of the present disclosure. 
           [0017]      FIGS. 7-9  are sequential views of the box shown in  FIG. 1  showing a bottom portion of the box being assembled in accord with the principles of the present disclosure. 
           [0018]      FIGS. 10-11  are sequential views of the box shown in  FIG. 1  showing a top portion of the box being assembled in accord with the principles of the present disclosure. 
           [0019]      FIG. 12  is a perspective view of the box shown in  FIG. 1  depicting a reinforcement tape positioned about a top perimeter of the box in accord with the principles of the present disclosure. 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
       [0020]    A feature of the present disclosure relates to an easy assembled cable packaging arrangement. The cable packaging arrangement can include a plurality of parallel, linear or substantially straight scores for providing an easy fold and ship configuration. 
         [0021]    An example cable packaging arrangement  10 , for example, a reel-in-box package, is depicted in  FIG. 1 . This cable packaging arrangement  10  includes a box  12  with a side panel arrangement  14 . Referring to  FIG. 2 , a top plan view of a blank  16  for the box  12  is depicted. The blank  16  can be made from fiberboard (e.g., cardboard) or the like. The fiberboard can include a corrugated layer  11  (see  FIG. 12 ). The solid lines can represent fold lines and the broken lines can represent a perforated line. The blank  16  can be folded along certain fold lines such that the blank  16  can be easily shipped as two layers as shown in  FIGS. 3-4 . Details of the fold lines will be described below. 
         [0022]    As depicted in  FIG. 2 , the side panel arrangement  14  of the box  12  includes a first side panel  18 , a second side panel  20 , a third side panel  22 , and a fourth side panel  24 . The first, second, third, and fourth side panels  18 ,  20 ,  22 , and  24  can be consecutively positioned about a rectangular perimeter  26  (see  FIG. 5 ) of the box  12  when the box  12  is assembled. The first side panel  18  is shown opposed to the third side panel  22  when the box  12  is assembled. The second side panel  20  is shown opposed to the fourth side panel  24  when the box  12  is assembled. 
         [0023]    In the example shown, the first and second side panels  18 ,  20  are connected at a first side panel fold line  28 . The second and third side panels  20 ,  22  are connected at a second side panel fold line  30 . The third and fourth side panels  22 ,  24  are connected at a third side panel fold line  32 . The side panel arrangement  14  can also include an attachment tab  34  connected to the first side panel  18  at a fourth side panel fold line  36 . The attachment tab  34  can be adhesively bonded to an interior side  38  of the fourth side panel  24 . In the depicted example, the first, second, third, fourth side panels  18 ,  20 ,  22 ,  24  can be integrally formed, although alternatives are possible. The first, second, third and fourth side panel fold lines  28 ,  30 ,  32 , and  36  can be parallel to one another. 
         [0024]    The first and third side panels  18 ,  22  define centrally located circular openings  40 . The second and fourth side panels  20 ,  24  define hand hold openings  42  (see  FIGS. 1 and 6 ). The second side panel  20  can include a removable section  44  defined by a boundary  46  including perforations, slits or the like configured for allowing the removable section  44  to be removed smoothly from a main body  48  of the second side panel  20 . In certain examples, the perforations, slits of the boundary  46  can be dimensioned to include ⅛ inch cuts by ⅛ inch gaps. The boundary  46  can define a cable dispensing window  50  (see  FIG. 6 ) when the removeable section  44  has been removed from the main body  48  of the second side panel  20 . The cable dispensing window  50  can be dimensioned in the second side panel  20  such that there are two ¼ inch cuts by ⅛ inch gaps, although alternatives are possible. The cable dispensing window  50  shown can have an area that coincides with at least 15 percent of a total area defined by a perimeter  52  (see  FIG. 6 ) of the second side panel  20 . The cable dispensing window  50  is generally rectangular, with slightly rounded lower corners and much more prominently rounded upper corners. 
         [0025]    The size of the cable dispensing window  50  can provide customers with access to fiber optic cable  54  or other types of wire being paid out. The size of the cable dispensing window  50  further allows the fiber optic cable  54  to be rewind without opening a top of the box  12 . For example, if too much fiber optic cable  54  has been paid out and the operator wishes to return the excess fiber optic cable  54  to the reel, the cable dispensing window  50  may be sufficiently spacious to allow an operator&#39;s hands to manipulate the reel. The cable dispensing window  50  may also be sufficiently large to provide visual access to the fiber optic cable  54  remaining on the reel, which can enable the operator to quickly assess the amount of fiber optic cable  54  remaining. The cable dispensing window  50  can include a small tab  56  (see  FIG. 2 ). The small tab  56  can be used as a gripping element to tear away the removable section  44  from the main body  48 . 
         [0026]    The second side panel  20  can include a starburst cut  58  to help prevent a loose end of the fiber optic cable  54  from inadvertently retracting into the box  12 . The starburst cut  58  is an asterisk-shaped cut in the second side panel  20  to hold/park an end of the fiber optic cable  54  to help prevent a loose end of the fiber optic cable  54  from dangling to be damaged, tangled or hung-up. The fiber optic cable  54  can be fed out of the box  12  through the cable dispensing window  50  and then back into the box  12  through the starburst cut  58 . 
         [0027]    Turning again to  FIG. 2 , the box  12  can include a bottom flap arrangement  60  for closing a bottom  62  (see  FIG. 1 ) of the box  12  when the box  12  is assembled. The bottom flap arrangement  60  shown includes a first bottom flap  64 , a second bottom flap  66 , a third bottom flap  68 , and a fourth bottom flap  70 . The first bottom flap  64  can be connected to the first side panel  18  by a first bottom flap fold line  72 . The second bottom flap  66  can be connected to the second side panel  20  by a second bottom flap fold line  74 . The third bottom flap  68  can be connected to the third side panel  22  by a third bottom flap fold line  76 . The fourth bottom flap  70  can be connected to the fourth side panel  24  by a fourth bottom flap fold line  78 . The first, second, third and fourth bottom flap fold lines  72 ,  74 ,  76 ,  78  can be perpendicular relative to the first, second, third and fourth side panel fold lines  28 ,  30 ,  32 ,  36 . 
         [0028]    The first bottom flap  64  can be generally rectangular and can be configured to include a rectangular notch  80  positioned between first and second rectangular extensions  82 ,  84 . Referring to  FIGS. 7-9 , the rectangular notch  80  can be centered between the second and fourth side panels  20 ,  24  when the box  12  is assembled. The first rectangular extension  82  can be adjacent to the fourth side panel  24  when the box  12  is assembled. The second rectangular extension  84  can be adjacent to the second side panel  20  when the box  12  is assembled. 
         [0029]    The second bottom flap  66  can include a third rectangular extension  86  that is positioned adjacent to the third side panel  22  when the box  12  is assembled. The second bottom flap  66  can also include a first angled edge  88  aligned at an oblique angle θ 1  relative to the second bottom flap fold line  74  that extends generally from the first side panel fold line  28  to the third rectangular extension  86 . The third bottom flap  68  can include a bottom retaining tab  90  that is centered between the second and fourth side panels  20 ,  24  when the box  12  is assembled (see  FIGS. 7-9 ). 
         [0030]    The third bottom flap  68  can also include a second angled edge  92  aligned at an oblique angle θ 2  relative to the third bottom flap fold line  76  that extends generally from the second side panel fold line  30  to the bottom retaining tab  90 . The third bottom flap  68  can further include a third angled edge  94  aligned at an oblique angle θ 3  relative to the third bottom flap fold line  76  that extends generally from the third side panel fold line  32  to the bottom retaining tab  90 . 
         [0031]    The fourth bottom flap  70  can include a fourth rectangular extension  96  that is positioned adjacent to the third side panel  22  when the box  12  is assembled (see  FIGS. 7-9 ). The fourth bottom flap  70  can also include a fourth angled edge  98  aligned at an oblique angle θ 4  relative to the fourth bottom flap fold line  78  that extends generally from a terminal edge  100  of the fourth side panel  24  to the fourth rectangular extension  96 . The terminal edge  100  of the fourth side panel  24  can be parallel to the first, second, third, and fourth side panel fold lines  28 ,  30 ,  32 ,  36 . 
         [0032]    The bottom retaining tab  90  can be arranged and configured to fit within the rectangular notch  80  of the first bottom flap  64  when the box  12  is assembled (see  FIGS. 7, 9 ). The second and fourth bottom flaps  66 ,  70  can be sandwiched between the first and third bottom flaps  64 ,  68  when the bottom  62  of the box  12  is assembled closed. The bottom  62  of the box  12  can be self-locking such that no tape or the like is required to hold the bottom  62  of the box  12  closed. The first, second, third, and fourth bottom flaps  64 ,  66 ,  68 ,  70  are shaped and configured to be easily assembled thus reducing significant labor and associated cost by eliminating the need to tape or stable the bottom  62  of the box  12 . 
         [0033]    Turning again to  FIG. 2 , the box  12  can include a top flap arrangement  102  for closing a top  104  of the box  12  when the box  12  is assembled (see  FIG. 1 ). The top flap arrangement  102  shown includes a first top flap  106 , a second top flap  108 , a third top flap  110  and a fourth top flap  112 . The first top flap  106  can be connected to the first side panel  18  by a first top flap fold line  114 . The second top flap  108  can be connected to the second side panel  20  by a second top flap fold line  116 . The third top flap  110  can be connected to the third side panel  22  by a third top flap fold line  118 . The fourth top flap  112  can be connected to the fourth side panel  24  by a fourth top flap fold line  120 . The first, second, third and fourth top flap fold lines  114 ,  116 ,  118 ,  120  can be arranged and configured perpendicular relative to the first, second, third and fourth side panel fold lines  28 ,  30 ,  32 ,  36 . 
         [0034]    The second top flap  108  can include a top retaining tab  122  that has a central main tab portion  124  positioned between folding retention flaps  126 . The fourth top flap  112  can define a top retention slot  128  that receives the top retaining tab  122  to close the top  104  of the box  12  when the box  12  is assembled. The second top flap  108  can be locked into position by bending the central main tab portion  124  about 90° and folding the folding retention flaps  126  inwardly such that the folding retention flaps  126  tuck inside the top retention slot  128  along with the central main tab portion  124 . When the top retaining tab  122  is secured within the top retention slot  128 , the folding retention flaps  126  can extend outwardly to opposite sides of the hand hold openings  42  to secure the second top flap  108  in a closed position. The second top flap  108  can be moved to an open position by reaching through the hand hold openings  42  to fold the folding retention flaps  126  inwardly such that the folding retention flaps  126  and the central main tab portion  124  can be pulled out from the top retention slot  128 . Once the top retaining tab  122  is pulled out of the top retention slot  128 , the second top flap  108  can be released and lifted. The first and third top flaps  106 ,  110  can be sandwiched between the fourth top flap  112  and the second top flap  108  when the top  104  of the box  12  is closed. The top  104  of the box  12  can be self-locking such that no tape or the like is required to hold the top  104  of the box  12  closed. The first, second, third, and fourth top flaps  106 ,  108 ,  110 ,  112  are shaped and configured to be easily assembled thus reducing significant labor and associated cost by eliminating the need to tape or stable the top  104  of the box  12 . As depicted in  FIG. 2 , a tape  130  extends around the perimeter  26  of the box  12  at a location between the hand hold openings  42  and the first, second, third and fourth top flap fold lines  114 ,  116 ,  118 ,  120 . Referring to  FIG. 12 , the tape  130  can be embedded between corrugated layers of the fiberboard of the box  12 . The tape  130  helps to reinforce the box  12  and provide integrity when the box  12  is lifted at the hand hold openings  42 . For example, the box  12  can be arranged and configured to hold at least 100 lbs., although alternatives are possible. The tape  130  helps to prevent the box  12  from tearing when lifting such loads. The tape  130  can have a dimension X 1  within the range of 0.45 inches to 0.85 inches. Typically, the dimension X 1  of the tape  130  is 0.63 inches, although alternatives are possible. The dimension X 2  of the tape  130  can be positioned about 0.125 inches above the hand hold openings  42 , although alternatives are possible. 
         [0035]    The second and fourth side panels  20 ,  24  can include a removable portion  132  having a boundary  134  including perforations  136 , slits or the like configured for allowing the removable portion  132  to be removed smoothly from the main body  48  of the second side panel  20  and from the fourth side panel  24 . The boundary  134  of the removeable portion  132  defines the hand hold openings  42  when the removeable portion  132  has been removed from the second and fourth side panels  20 ,  24 . A user need only to push with a finger against the removable portion  132  to break the perforations  136  and utilize the hand hold openings  42 . 
         [0036]    Turning again to  FIGS. 10-11 , the example box  12  includes a spool assembly  138  that mounts within the box  12  when the box  12  is assembled. The spool assembly  138  shown includes a spool  140  supported on a frame  142  such that the spool  140  can rotate within the box  12  relative to the frame  142 . Inside the box  12 , the spool  140  is wound with fiber optic cable  54  and is mounted onto the frame  142 . For example, the spool  140  can be mounted onto plastic endplates within the box  12 . The spool  140  can be free to rotate. The spool  140  can be arranged and configured such that it does not mount onto a horizontal post; although alternatives are possible. 
         [0037]    The spool assembly  138  includes a tensioner  144  that controls a force required to rotate the spool  140  relative to the frame  142 . The spool assembly  138  may include dual tensioners  144  positioned on opposite sides of the frame  142 . The dual tensioners  144  can extend through the central circular openings  40  of the box  12  and can be visible in or out of the box  12 . The dual tensioners  144  can have three adjustable settings for customizing the fiber optic cable  54  payout. 
         [0038]    In certain examples, the frame  142  can have opposite projections  146  that fit within respective central circular openings  40  on opposite sides of the box  12 . The dual tensioners  144  can be arranged and configured to be incorporated into the respective projections  146  that fit in the central circular openings  40 , respectively. The spool assembly  138  can also include the fiber optic cable  54  coiled about the spool  140 . In order to dispense the fiber optic cable  54  from the box  12 , the fiber optic cable  54  can be pulled from the box  12  though the dispensing window  50  causing the spool  140  to rotate within the box  12 . The frame  142  can be constructed of a polymeric or plastic material, although alternatives are possible. Reference is made to one example frame available from Reel Options™ Vandor Corporation, EZ-Brake Boxed End Stands. It will be appreciated that other types of frames may be used in accord with the present disclosure. 
         [0039]    Typically, the blank  16  for the box  12  has a dimension in the horizontal direction H that is at least 40 inches, although variations are possible. The horizontal direction H can extend from the terminal edge  100  of the fourth side panel  24  to the attachment tab  34 . Often, the dimension in the horizontal direction H is at least 50 inches, although alternatives are possible. Usually, the dimension in the horizontal direction H is no more than 60 inches, although alternatives are possible. 
         [0040]    Typically, the blank  16  for the box  12  has a dimension in the vertical direction V that is at least 25 inches, although alternatives are possible. The vertical direction V can extend from an edge  148  of the top retaining tab  122  of the second top flap  108  to an edge  150  (see  FIG. 2 ) of the fourth rectangular extension  96  of the fourth bottom flap  70 . Often, the dimension in the vertical direction V is at least 35.68 inches, although alternatives are possible. Usually, the dimension in the vertical direction V is no more than 45 inches, although alternatives are possible. 
         [0041]    Typically, the first and third side panels  18 ,  22  of the box  12  has a dimension of (height) H 1 , that is at least 12 inches, although variations are possible. Often, the dimension of (height) H 1  is at least 13¼ inches, although alternatives are possible. Usually, the dimension of (height) H 1  is no more than 15 inches, although variations are possible. 
         [0042]    In the depicted example, the dimension of (width) W 1  of the first side panel  18  is typically at least 12 inches, although alternatives are possible. Often, the dimension of (width) W 1  of the first side panel  18  is at least 13.13 inches, but alternatives are possible. Usually, the dimension of (width) W 1  of the first side panel  18  is no more than 15 inches, although alternatives are possible. 
         [0043]    In the depicted example, the dimension of (width) W 2  of the second side panel  20  is typically at least 10 inches, although alternatives are possible. Often, the dimension of (width) W 2  of the first side panel  20  is at least 11.38 inches, but alternatives are possible. Usually, the dimension of (width) W 2  of the first side panel  20  is no more than 13 inches, although alternatives are possible. 
         [0044]    In the depicted example, the dimension of (width) W 3  of the third side panel  22  is typically at least 12 inches, although alternatives are possible. Often, the dimension of (width) W 3  of the first side panel  22  is at least 13.13 inches, but alternatives are possible. Usually, the dimension of (width) W 3  of the third side panel  22  is no more than 15 inches, although alternatives are possible. 
         [0045]    In the depicted example, the dimension of (width) W 4  of the fourth side panel  24  is typically at least 10 inches, although alternatives are possible. Often, the dimension of (width) W 4  of the fourth side panel  24  is at least 11.25 inches, but alternatives are possible. Usually, the dimension of (width) W 4  of the fourth side panel  24  is no more than 13 inches, although alternatives are possible. 
         [0046]    In the depicted example, the dimension of (height) H 2  of the edge  150  (see  FIG. 2 ) of the fourth rectangular extension  96  of the fourth bottom flap  70  to the tape  130  is typically at least 14 inches, although alternatives are possible. Often, the dimension of (height) H 2  is at least 18.81 inches, but alternatives are possible. Usually, the dimension of (height) H 2  is no more than 20 inches, although alternatives are possible. 
         [0047]    It will be appreciated that the arrangement and configuration of the side panel arrangement, the bottom flap arrangement, and the top flap arrangement can vary with the size of the cable packaging arrangement  10 . 
         [0048]    From the forgoing detailed description, it will be evident that modifications and variations can be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the disclosure.