Patent Publication Number: US-6986421-B2

Title: Packaging system for coiled goods

Description:
This application is a continuation of Ser. No. 10/007,500 filed Oct. 18, 2001, now U.S. Pat. No. 6,581,763. 

   TECHNICAL FIELD 
   This invention relates generally to packaging system for coiled goods such as plastic lawn edging and similar products, and more particularly to a system which retains such products in the coiled configuration while facilitating transportation thereof by the consumer. 
   BACKGROUND AND SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
   Plastic lawn edging and similar products are typically wound into a coiled configuration to facilitate transportation from the manufacturer to the retailer, pre-sale storage, display, and transportation by the purchaser from the retailer to the location at which the product will be utilized. Heretofore such products have been retained in the coiled configuration by lengths of strapping which are tightly secured around the coil at multiple locations around its circumference. The strapping technique functions well insofar as securing the product in the coiled configuration is concerned, but does not provide a handle to facilitate transportation of the coiled product from the retailer to the point of utilization. 
   As is well known, plastic lawn edging is almost universally marketed in the above-described coiled configuration. Plastic lawn edging typically comprises a lower spear-tipped edge adapted to secure the lawn edging into engagement with the earth, and an upper hollow cylindrical edge which is aesthetically pleasing and which provides a clear line of demarcation between the lawn and an adjacent garden. Adjacent lengths of plastic lawn edging are secured together by plastic tubing sections which are received in the hollow, cylindrical upper edge of the lawn edging. Heretofore problems have been encountered because there has not been a reliable way to secure the connectors to the coiled plastic lawn edging prior to its utilization by the consumer. 
   The present invention comprises a packaging system for coiled goods which overcomes the foregoing and other problems which have long since been associated with the prior art. In accordance with the broader aspects of the invention, a length of product is wound into a coil. A hole is drilled diametrically through the multiple layers comprising the coiled product. A rod is extended through the hole from one side of the coiled product to the other, and fasteners are secured to both ends of the rod, thereby retaining the product in the coiled configuration. Lengths of strapping may be used to further secure the product in the coiled configuration, if desired. 
   In the case of plastic lawn edging and similar products, a connector for securing adjacent lengths of product end to end is located at the center of the coil and the rod which secures the product in the coiled configuration extends through the connector. This provides the dual benefit of affording a convenient handle for use in transportation of the product by the consumer and a convenient means of securing the connector to the coiled product and thereby assuring that it will not be lost or stolen. 

   
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
     A more complete understanding of the invention may be had by reference to the following Detailed Description when taken in conjunction with the accompanying Drawings, wherein: 
       FIG. 1  is a perspective view illustrating a prior art system for securing products in a coiled configuration; 
       FIG. 2  is a top view of the product securing system illustrated in  FIG. 1 ; 
       FIG. 3  is a top perspective view of a packaging system for coiled goods comprising the present invention; 
       FIG. 4  is a top view of the system of  FIG. 3  in which certain component parts have been broken away more clearly to illustrate certain features of the invention; and 
       FIG. 5  is a sectional view taken along the line  5 — 5  in  FIG. 4  in which certain parts have been broken away more clearly to illustrate certain features of the invention. 
   

   DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
   Referring to  FIGS. 1 and 2 , there is shown a prior art system  10  for securing elongated products in a coiled or spiral configuration.  FIGS. 1 and 2  illustrate a length of plastic lawn edging  12  which is retained in a coiled or spiral configuration by four lengths of strapping material  14  thereby forming an assembly  16 . The lengths of strapping material  14  are situated at more or less equally spaced intervals around the circumference of the coiled length of plastic lawn edging  12 . The lengths of strapping material  14  are tightly wound around the coiled length of plastic lawn edging  12  and are effective in retaining the coiled length of plastic lawn edging  12  in the spiral configuration illustrated in  FIGS. 1 and 2 . 
   However, the lengths of strapping material  14  do not afford a convenient method for the consumer to carry the coiled length of plastic lawn edging  12  from the retailer to the location at which it will be used. Another difficulty, which will be appreciated by those skilled in the art, comprises the fact that the lengths of strapping material  14  do not afford a convenient means of securing the connectors which are used to connect adjacent ends of plastic lawn edging to the assembly  16  in such a way as to prevent loss or theft of the connectors. 
   Referring to  FIGS. 3 and 4 , there is shown a packaging system for coiled goods  20  comprising the preferred embodiment of the present invention. In accordance with the invention, a length of flexible material  22  to be secured in a coiled or spiral configuration is first wound into the desired configuration as illustrated in  FIGS. 3 and 4 . Next, a hole is drilled diametrically through the spiral configuration of the flexible material  22 . A rod  24  is extended through the drilled hole and fasteners  26  are secured to the opposite ends of the rod  24  to retain the flexible material  22  in the coiled or spiral configuration. Depending upon the nature of the flexible material  22  and the size of the coil thereof to be secured, lengths of strapping material  28  may be positioned at spaced locations relative to the rod  24  to further secure the flexible material in the coiled or spiral configuration. 
   Referring particularly to  FIG. 5 , the present invention is particularly adapted for use in securing coils of plastic lawn edging. A length of plastic lawn edging  30  comprises a web of plastic material  32  which is doubled back at one end to provide a spear-tipped configuration  34  that is useful in securing the plastic lawn edging in engagement with the earth. The opposite end of the webbing  32  is coiled and secured to form a hollow cylinder. The cylindrical configuration is both aesthetically pleasing and serves as a clear line of demarcation between a lawn and an adjacent garden area. 
   A hole extending diametrically through the coil comprising the lawn edging  30  comprises a series of apertures  38  formed through the webbing  32  comprising each layer of the lawn edging  30  which makes up the spiral configuration thereof. A rod  40  extends through one of the apertures  38  and through the center opening  42  of the coil comprising the lawn edging  30 . Fasteners  44  are secured to the opposite ends of the rod  40  to secure the plastic lawn edging  30  into the coiled configuration. A handle  46  is positioned on the rod  40  within the center opening  42 . The handle  46  and the rod  40  facilitate transportation of the coil comprising the lawn edging  30  from a retailer to the location at which the lawn edging  30  will ultimately be used. 
   As will be appreciated by those skilled in the art, the rod  40  may have an enlarged portion at one thereof in which event only one fastener  44  is needed. The rod  40  may be formed from metal or plastic. Likewise, the fastener(s) may be formed from metal or plastic. The fastener(s) may be threaded or clipped into engagement with the rod  40 . In accordance with the preferred embodiment of the invention, the rod  40  is formed from plastic and the fasteners are formed from metal. The fasteners are preferably of the type which are pressed into engagement with the rod and are threadedly disengaged therefrom. 
   The hollow cylindrical configuration  36  at one end of the webbing  32  of the plastic lawn edging  30  has a predetermined inside diameter. The handle  46  has a predetermined outside diameter which is closely matched to the inside diameter of the hollow cylindrical configuration  36 . Prior to placing the lawn edging  30  in use, one or both of the fasteners  44  is removed and the rod  40  is withdrawn from the apertures  38 , thereby releasing the handle  46 . If two or more lengths of lawn edging  30  are utilized in a particular project, the handle  46  is inserted into the adjacent ends of the hollow cylindrical configurations  36  of the two lengths of lawn edging, and thereafter serves as a connector which joins the two lengths of lawn edging  30  one to the other. 
   It will therefore be understood that in accordance with the present invention there is provided a packaging system for coiled goods which provides a convenient handle for use by the consumer in transporting the coiled goods from the retailer to the location of ultimate utilization. In the case of plastic lawn edging, the invention further comprises a cylindrical member which serves as a convenient handle while the lawn edging remains in the coiled configuration and as a connector for adjacent lengths of lawn edging when the lawn edging is placed in use. 
   Although preferred embodiments of the invention have been illustrated in the accompanying drawings and described in the foregoing Detailed Description, it will be understood that the invention is not limited to the embodiments disclosed but is capable of numerous rearrangements, modifications, and substitutions of parts and elements without departing from the spirit of the invention.