Abstract:
A reusable packaging device for protecting an object during shipment may include at least four end caps and strap assemblies configured to selectively hold the end caps in a desired expanded position relative to one another during shipment of the object and to hold the end caps in contact with one another after the object has been received. In one embodiment the object may be clamped between two of the packaging devices for shipment.

Description:
RELATED APPLICATIONS 
       [0001]    This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 61295552 filed Jan. 15, 2010. 
     
    
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
       [0002]    The present invention generally relates to packaging and shipping systems. More particularly, the invention relates to such systems in which packaging devices may be re-used for successive shipments of materials. 
         [0003]    Many articles must be protected from damage as they are transported from one location to another. Typically, protection is provided with packaging materials that are constructed and shaped particularly for the article to be transported. For example, an object such a particular model of television set may be transported in a box that is specifically designed for that model. Specially shaped inserts may be added to the box to protect the television set from damage that may result from sudden movement of the box during transport. Some objects such as metal, glass or stone panels may be shipped on wooden pallets or crates which may be uniquely configured for a particular size of the panel. These uniquely shaped packaging materials are discarded after the transported object reaches its destination. 
         [0004]    As can be seen, there is a need for a packaging and shipping system in which a wide variety of items may shipped without a need to construct a correspondingly wide variety of specially shaped packaging devices. Additionally, there is a need for such a system in which packaging devices may be re-used for subsequent shipping activity and not discarded after a single use. 
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
       [0005]    In one aspect of the present invention, A reusable packaging device for protecting an object during shipment may comprise: at least four end caps; and strap assemblies configured to selectively hold the end caps in a desired expanded position relative to one another during shipment of the object and to hold the end caps in contact with one another after the object has been received. 
         [0006]    In another aspect of the present invention, a reusable container for shipping an object may comprise: first and second packaging devices, each of the packaging devices comprising: at least four end caps; and strap assemblies configured to selectively hold the end caps in a desired expanded position relative to one another during shipment of the object and to hold the end caps in contact with one another after the object has been received, wherein the first and second packaging devices are configured to be clamped against first and second sides of the object with clamping bolts. 
         [0007]    In still another aspect of the invention, a method for packaging and shipping an object comprising the steps of: configuring first and a second reusable packaging devices into planar configurations larger than the object; placing the object between the first and second packaging devices; clamping the first and second packaging devices against the object with clamping bolts that interconnect the first and second packaging devices; shipping the object and the packaging devices; removing the object from the packaging devices; re-configuring the first and second packaging device to a minimal planar size; clamping the first and second packaging devices to one another with the clamping bolts; and storing or returning the clamped packaging devices for subsequent re-use. 
         [0008]    These and other features, aspects and advantages of the present invention will become better understood with reference to the following drawings, description and claims. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0009]      FIG. 1  is a perspective view of a reusable container holding a first object in accordance with an embodiment of the invention; 
           [0010]      FIG. 2  is a sectional view of the reusable container of  FIG. 1  holding a second object in accordance with an embodiment of the invention; 
           [0011]      FIG. 3  is a perspective view of the reusable container of  FIG. 1  in a collapsed state in accordance with an embodiment of the invention; 
           [0012]      FIG. 4  is a sectional view, taken along the lines  4 - 4 , of the reusable container in accordance with an embodiment of the invention; and 
           [0013]      FIG. 5  is an exploded view of various elements of the reusable container of  FIG. 1  in accordance with an embodiment of the invention. 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
       [0014]    The following detailed description is of the best currently contemplated modes of carrying out exemplary embodiments of the invention. The description is not to be taken in a limiting sense, but is made merely for the purpose of illustrating the general principles of the invention, since the scope of the invention is best defined by the appended claims. Various inventive features are described below that can each be used independently of one another or in combination with other features. 
         [0015]    Broadly, embodiments of the present invention generally provide a packaging and shipping system in which universal packaging devices may be used to package a wide variety of items to be shipped and in which the packaging devices may be re-used for subsequent shipping activity and not discarded after a single use. 
         [0016]    Referring now to  FIGS. 1 and 2 , two packaging devices  10  are shown supporting objects  34  and  36  to be shipped. Collectively, the two packaging devices may be considered to be a reusable container  100 . Each of the packaging devices  10  may comprise mid caps  12 ; left end caps  14 ; right end caps  16 ; bottom cross members or straps  18 ; top cross members or straps  20 ; double lead nuts  22 ; cross member nuts  24 ; clamping screws  26 ; double lead screws  28 ; cross member screws  30  and gap screws  32 . In an exemplary embodiment, the end caps  14  and  16 , the mid caps  12  and the straps  18  and  20  may be constructed from recyclable plastic. The end caps  14  and  16  may be adjustably positioned relative to one another and relative to the mid cap  12 . The strap members  18  may be employed to hold the end caps  14  in a desired position relative to one another and relative to the mid caps  12 . An upper one of devices  10  may be secured to a lower one of the devices  10  with the clamping screws  26 . 
         [0017]    In  FIG. 1 , it may be seen that the object  34  may be securely held between the upper and lower packaging devices  10 . In  FIG. 2 , the object  36  may be held in position with the gap screws  32 . The packaging devices  10  may expanded to a planar size larger than that of the object to be shipped and may therefore provide a protective frame around the objects  34  or  36 . The end caps  14  and  16  may be positioned to accommodate a wide range of sizes and shapes of the shipped objects  34  or  36 . More than one of the objects  34  or  36  may be shipped within one of the reusable containers  100 . 
         [0018]    The bottom straps  18  and top straps  20  may be provided with toothed-surface areas  18 - 1  and  20 - 1  which may be engageable with each other. In that regard, one of the top straps  20  and one of the bottom straps  18  may be considered to be a strap assembly. The end caps  14  and  16  may be provided with the threaded holes double lead nuts  22  and the cross member nuts  24  into which the double lead screws  28  and the cross member screws  30  may be inserted and tightened against the strap members  18  and  20  to hold them in position. The top strap members  20  may be provided with slots  20 - 2  so that the cross member screws  30  may be tightened against the strap members  20  at any point along their length. 
         [0019]    Referring now to  FIGS. 3 and 4 , the packaging devices  10  are shown in a collapsed state as they might be configured by a receiving party for storage or for return to a sending party. After the shipped object  34  Or  36  of  FIGS. 1 and 2  has been removed, the end caps  14  and  16  may be moved together against one another and against the mid caps  12 . The end caps  14  and  16  may be held in this collapsed state with the straps  18  and  20 . Two of the packing devices  10  may be held together as a set with the clamping screws  26 . 
         [0020]    After the packaging devices  10  are used to protect one or more of the objects  34  or  36  during shipment, the devices  10  may be collapsed into a convenient size (i.e., a minimal planar size) and then returned to the sender. 
         [0021]    Alternatively, the devices  10  may be used by the receiver to ship other objects to a second receiver. The receiver may configure the device  10  to accommodate an object having a different size and shape than that of the objects  34  or  36 . 
         [0022]    It should be understood, of course, that the foregoing relates to exemplary embodiments of the invention and that modifications may be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention as set forth in the following claims.