Patent Publication Number: US-2006000735-A1

Title: Higher strength box for reams of wrapped paper

Description:
FIELD OF THE INVENTION  
      The present invention relates to a higher strength box for wrapped reams of copier, printer, or computer papers.  
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION  
      Reams (i.e., 500 sheets) of cut paper (8-½×11, etc.) for copy machines, computers, printers, and other applications are most commonly packaged for shipping, storage, and retail sale in ream wrap made of various materials, which include papers, paper/film combinations, and solid plastic films. As more people have acquired home computers and printers, the use of copier, print and computer papers by individual consumers has increased. This has increased the amount of paper sold by ream or by box (5 or 10 ream boxes). These are typically sold through retail outlets or office supply catalogs and delivered via a delivery service (UPS, FEDEX, etc.). As these sales have increased the handling demands on the box have increased because each box may now be a shipping unit while previously large users purchased pallets and individual boxes were protected.  
      Currently, reams are wrapped and then packaged in a box (generally 5 or 10 reams per box). A cover is placed on the box that is 1 to 4 inches deep. The box and cover are then banded to hold the cover on the box.  
      With the increased handling in retail stores and by delivery services, the current box tends to break open often resulting in loss of containment of the reams. In addition, because of the weakness of the box, the ream wrapper inside tends to break open and sheets of paper scatter.  
      The ream wrapper and boxes for the finished reams are sold to paper mills, which make the copier, printer or computer paper and package the reams on packaging lines. The ream wrap and boxes are often printed with the name of the paper mill or some other corporate logo or marking denoting the name of the paper manufacturer. Reams also are sold under the names of equipment makers (i.e., Hewlett Packard, Xerox, etc.) or other private label resellers of reamed paper (i.e., Office Depot, Viking, Corporate Express, etc.). Such reams are wrapped in ream wrap and boxes printed with the name or corporate logo of the private label seller or equipment manufacturer.  
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION  
      The present invention relates to a package for reams of paper comprising a box having four side walls, a bottom wall and an open top. The box contains the reams of paper (generally 5 to 10 reams), a top cover approximately 1 to 8 inches deep designed to fit over the open end of the box, and a bottom cover approximately 1 to 8 inches deep that is designed to fit over the bottom of the box. It is an object of the present invention for the top cover and bottom cover to each extend approximately 4 to 8 inches up the side walls. It is an object of the present invention for the finished package to be banded to surround the top cover, box, and bottom cover. The top cover, box, or bottom cover may be printed. Various labels may be applied to the top cover, box, or bottom cover. An object of the present invention is to provide more support and protection to the box by adding the top cover and bottom cover and tightly banding the total package together.  
      It is an object of the present invention to fasten the top cover and the bottom cover to the box by using a fastening device, such as staples, glue, or adhesive.  
      It is an object of the invention to provide more protection for the reams inside and prevent ream wrapper breakage.  
      It is an object of the present invention to provide an area on the top cover, box, and bottom cover for promotional information.  
      The present invention relates to a method for boxing reams of paper comprising: placing reams of paper into a box which has four side walls, a bottom wall and an open top. A top cover is placed over the open top of the box, and a bottom cover is placed over the bottom wall. It is an object of the present invention for the method to further comprise fastening the top cover and the bottom cover to the box. It is an object of the present invention for a band to be used to fasten the top cover and the bottom cover to the box.  
      The present invention relates to a package for reams of paper comprising a box having a top wall, bottom wall, two side walls, and two side openings. The box contains the reams of paper (generally 5 to 10 reams), a two side covers approximately 1 to 8 inches deep designed to fit over the open ends of the box. It is an object of the present invention for the side covers to each extend approximately 4 to 8 inches over the box. It is an object of the present invention for the finished package to be banded to surround the side covers. The side covers, or box may be printed. Various labels may be applied to the side covers, or box. An object of the present invention is to provide more support and protection to the box by adding the side covers and tightly banding the total package together.  
      It is an object of the present invention to fasten the side covers to the box by using a fastening device, such as staples, glue, or adhesive.  
      It is an object of the present invention to provide an area on the side covers, and box for promotional information.  
      The present invention relates to a method for boxing reams of paper comprising: placing reams of paper into a box which has a top wall, bottom wall, two side walls, and two side openings. Two side covers are placed over the two side openings. It is an object of the present invention for the method to further comprise fastening the side covers to the box. It is an object of the present invention for a band to be used to fasten the side covers to the box. 
    
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS  
       FIG. 1  illustrates a side view of an embodiment of the present invention;  
       FIG. 2  illustrates reams inside the box with no top;  
       FIG. 3  illustrates reams inside the box having the top and bottom separated from the box;  
       FIG. 4  illustrates a side view of an embodiment of the present invention. 
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION  
      In an embodiment of the present invention  10 , shown in  FIGS. 1, 2  and  3 , reams of paper  60 , are packed in a box  30 . The packed box  30  is covered with a top cover  20  that fits over the box  30  and expends down the side approximately 1 to 8 inches to protect the top of the box. In an embodiment, the top cover  20  of the box is at least 5 to 8 inches. The box  30  also is covered on the bottom with a bottom cover  40  that fits over the box  30  and extends up the side 1 to 8 inches to protect the bottom of the box  30 . In an embodiment, the bottom  40  is at least 5 to 8 inches. The total package is then banded with one or more plastic or metal bands  50  to keep the package together.  
      In a further embodiment of the present invention package  100  comprises box  110  having reams  120  packaged inside. Side covers  130  and  140  close the box  110  from each side. The total package is then banded with one or more plastic or metal bands  150  to keep the package together.