Abstract:
A package for a metal coil to prevent condensation of moisture on the metal coil comprises a lower sleeve and an upper sleeve. The lower sleeve comprises a cushion, a moisture barrier secured to the cushion, and a generally cylindrical insulating wrapper secured to the moisture barrier. The upper sleeve comprises a moisture barrier and a generally cylindrical insulating wrapper secured to the moisture barrier of the upper sleeve. The lower sleeve and the upper sleeve are sized to matingly engage one another to encase the metal coil.

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
     Not Applicable 
     STATEMENT REGARDING FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCH OR DEVELOPMENT 
     Not Applicable 
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     1. Field of Invention 
     This invention pertains to a package for metal coils. 
     More particularly, this invention pertains to a moisture resistant package with thermal insulating features for metal coils. 
     2. Description of the Related Art 
     When metal coils, such as sheet aluminum or steel, for example, are shipped via truck or train, they are frequently covered with a protective cover to prevent damage, especially from weather such as snow or rain. A single coil of aluminum, for example can have a value in excess of $20,000.00. Moisture from rain snow or sleet can cause corrosion of the metal, a substantial loss of value for such a coil. However, there are other ways in which moisture can damage a coil, even inside protective cover. 
     In particular, as a vehicle moves through rapidly changing climate conditions, as frequently happens during travel through mountainous regions, the metal coil maintains a temperature that varies from the ambient temperature. As a result of the temperature variation, particularly when the temperature of the metal is less than the ambient temperature, moisture condenses on the exposed metal surface or on the inside of the protective cover. Just like rain, condensed moisture can damage the coil of metal. Furthermore, the damage is not just limited to the outer cylindrical surface, but also to the edges of the entire coil. 
     It is therefore an object of the present invention to provide an insulating, protective cover for metal coils. 
     It is also an object to provide an insulating, protective cover for metal coils that is resistant to tears if the coil shifts upon the surface of the cover. 
     Further objects and advantages will be apparent to those skilled in the art. 
     BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     According to one embodiment of the present invention, an insulating protective cover is provided for a coil of metal sheeting. The protective cover includes a generally cylindrical lower sleeve adapted to receive the cylindrical coil and a generally cylindrical upper sleeve adapted to matingly engage the lower sleeve. 
     The lower sleeve includes a bottom cushion to which is secured a lower moisture barrier. A generally cylindrical, insulating lower wrapper surrounds the coil, having an open end and an engaged end. The engaged end of the inner wrapper is secured to the lower moisture barrier. A secondary lower moisture barrier is secured within the wrapper adjacent to the engaged end of the lower wrapper and the lower moisture barrier. 
     The upper sleeve includes an upper moisture barrier. A generally cylindrical, insulating upper wrapper has an open end and an engaged end. The engaged end of the upper wrapper is secured to the upper moisture barrier. 
     When the metal coil is deposited within the lower sleeve, the upper sleeve is matingly engaged over the lower sleeve, encasing the metal coil within an insulating protective cover. 
    
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE DRAWINGS 
     The above-mentioned features of the invention will become more clearly understood from the following detailed description of the invention read together with the drawings in which: 
     FIG. 1 is an exploded perspective view of an insulating, protective cover embodying various of the features of the present invention. 
     FIG. 2 is a perspective view, partially in cutaway, of an insulating, protective cover embodying various of the features of the present invention. 
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
     Referring to the drawings, wherein like numbers represent like parts, there is disclosed an insulating protective cover  10  for a coil  12  of metal. The insulating protective cover  10  includes a lower sleeve  14 , adapted to matingly receive the coil  12  and partially surround the coil  12 , and an upper sleeve  16  adapted to matingly receive the lower sleeve  14  to complete the enclosure of the coil  12 . 
     The lower sleeve  14  includes a bottom cushion  18  comprising shoddy, a fibrous material obtained by shredding unfelted rags or carpet waste, for example, in the depicted embodiment. The shoddy bottom cushion  18  is approximately ⅜ inch thick and is cut in a circular shape having a diameter approximating the diameter of the coil  12 . 
     A lower moisture barrier  20  is secured to the top surface  22  of the cushion  18 . In the depicted embodiment, the moisture barrier comprises a sheet of polypropylene or polyethylene film about 2 mils in thickness, and is cut in a circular shape having a diameter approximating the diameter of the coil  12 . Preferably, the lower barrier  20  is secured to the cushion  18  with a hot melt glue, well known to those skilled in the art, and in a pattern that is generally circular and adjacent to the periphery of the cushion  18  to leave the central area of the lower barrier  20  unsecured to the cushion  18 . 
     A lower wrapper  24 , comprising an elongated sheet of ⅛ inch polypropylene foam or polyethylene foam laminated to 9×6 woven polyethylene or woven polypropylene, includes a secured edge section  26 , an opposed unsecured edge section  28 , a first end section  30  and an opposed second end section  32 . The lower wrapper  24  is secured to the lower barrier  20 . The secured edge section  26  is folded, crimped to form a cylindrical shape and attached, as with hot melt glue, well known to those skilled in the art, around the peripheral edge  36  of the lower barrier  20 . The first end section  30  overlaps the second end section  32 . The first end section  30  is secured with a hot melt glue, well known to those skilled in the art, to the second end section  32  in a continuous line from the barrier  20  to approximately the height of the lower sleeve  14 . In the depicted embodiment, the lower sleeve is approximately 22 inches in height. 
     A secondary upper moisture barrier  38 , circular in shape and comprising 2-ounce non-woven polypropylene with 1.5-mil polypropylene coating on each side, is secured within the lower wrapper  24  adjacent to the lower moisture barrier  20 . A circular pattern of an adhesive, such as hot melt glue, well known to those skilled in the art, secures the secondary lower moisture barrier  38  to the secured edge section  26  of the sheet  24 . The coil  12  rests upon the secondary moisture barrier, partially enclosed by the lower wrapper  24 . 
     An upper wrapper  40  comprising an elongated sheet of ⅛ inch polypropylene foam or polyethylene foam laminated to 9×6 woven polyethylene or woven polypropylene, includes a secured edge section  44 , an opposed unsecured edge section  46 , a first end section  48  and an opposed second end section  50 . The secured edge section  44  is folded, crimped to form a cylindrical shape and attached, as with hot melt glue, well known to those skilled in the art, around the peripheral edge  54  of an upper moisture barrier  52 . In the depicted embodiment, the upper moisture barrier  52  comprises wax coated 200 lb. C-flute corrugated paperboard. Wax coatings are well known to those skilled in the art. Suitable wax coatings are available from Michelman, Inc. The first end section  48  overlaps the second end section  50 . The first end section  48  is secured with a hot melt glue, well known to those skilled in the art, to the second end section  50  in a continuous line from the barrier  48  to the unsecured edge section  46 . In the depicted embodiment, the upper wrapper is approximately 46 inches in height. 
     The upper moisture barrier  52  is approximately ⅛ inch thick and is circular in shape, having a diameter approximating the diameter of the coil  12 . 
     A top secondary upper moisture barrier  56 , circular in shape and comprising 2-ounce non-woven polypropylene with 1.5-mil polypropylene coating on each side, is secured within the lower wrapper  24  adjacent to the upper moisture barrier  20 . 
     In use, the lower sleeve  14  is assembled as described hereinabove and a metal coil  12  is matingly inserted into the lower sleeve  14 . Thereafter, the upper sleeve  16  is assembled as described hereinabove and lowered over the metal coil  12  and the lower sleeve  14  to completely enclose the metal coil  12 . The joint between the lower sleeve  14  and the upper sleeve  16  is then peripherally sealed, as with an adhesive or tape  58 . The metal coil  12  is thus contained within a fully sealed, thermally insulated, moisture-proof package. 
     From the foregoing description, it will be recognized by those skilled in the art that a moisture resistant package has been provided for a metal coil. Sudden changes in temperature are minimized by the thermal insulating properties of the package. Moreover, ambient moisture is prevented from condensing on the metal coil by the moisture impermeable materials of the package. It has also been found that securement of the moisture barrier to the bottom cushion in a circular pattern about the respective peripheral edges prevents damage to the lower moisture barrier in the event of shifting of the metal coil  12 . 
     While the present invention has been illustrated by description of several embodiments and while the illustrative embodiments have been described in considerable detail, it is not the intention of the applicant to restrict or in any way limit the scope of the appended claims to such detail. Additional advantages and modifications will readily appear to those skilled in the art. The invention in its broader aspects is therefore not limited to the specific details, representative apparatus and methods, and illustrative examples shown and described. Accordingly, departures may be made from such details without departing from the spirit or scope of applicant&#39;s general inventive concept.