Patent ID: 12187519

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

FIG.1illustrates an edge protector10constructed in accordance with the present disclosure. The edge protector10includes a main body12that extends between a first end14and a second end16. The main body12has a generally 90° right angle cross section formed by a first leg18and a second leg20joined to each other along an apex22. The first leg18extends from the apex22to an outer edge24while the second leg20extends from the apex22to an outer edge26. The main body12, including the first and second legs18,20, is preferably formed from a plurality of paperboard plies laminated together and formed into the generally V-shaped right-angle configuration shown inFIG.1. However, it is contemplated that the main body could be formed from other materials, such as corrugated cardboard, plastic, chipboard, recycled pulp or other similar materials. In addition to the V-shaped profile, other types of edge protectors, such a U-shaped channel, could be utilized with the subject matter of the present disclosure. The manufacture and creation of the main body of the right-angle edge protector is well known in the industry.

As illustrated inFIGS.1and2, in accordance with the present disclosure, a cover layer28is applied over the outer face30of the first leg18and the outer face32of the second leg20and passes over the apex22. The cover layer28can be formed from different types of material, such as paper, plastic or similar materials. The cover layer28includes an adhesive29along the inner surface31such that the cover layer28is adhesively attached to the outer face surface of the main body. The cover layer28wraps over the outer edge24of the first leg18and the outer edge26of the second leg20to create a first attachment portion34and a second attachment portion36. The first attachment portion34overlays a portion of the inner face surface38of the first leg18while the second attachment portion36overlays a portion of the inner face surface40of the second leg20. Both of the first and second attachment portions34and36of the cover layer28include the adhesive.

Referring now toFIG.3, a section view of the first leg18is thereshown. As illustrated, the cover layer28is securely attached to the outer face30of the first leg by the adhesive29such that the cover layer28is securely held in place along the entire outer face30and the outer edge24. In the embodiment illustrated, a release liner42is adhesively attached by a layer of adhesive43to the inner face38at a location near the outer edge24. The release liner42and the layer of adhesive are formed from materials that allow the adhesive29on the attachment portion34of the cover layer28to be separated from the release liner42while the release liner remains attached to the main body when desired. In the embodiment shown, a release tab44is formed as a portion of the release liner42that does not include the layer of adhesive43. The release tab44has a dimension shown by the distance X. The release tab44creates a section of the attachment portion34that can be grasped by a user to pull the attachment portion34away from the rest of the release liner42during use as will be described in greater detail below. In the embodiment shown, the layer of adhesive43is not present along the inner surface of the release liner42at the release tab44or includes a coating that renders the adhesive ineffective.

In the embodiment shown, a score line45is formed in the release liner42to define the release tab44. The score line45is generally aligned with end of the layer of adhesive43. The score line45aids in separating a tab portion47of the release liner42from the remaining portion of the release liner42. The remaining portion of the release liner42stays attached to the inner face38when the attachment portion34is removed from the release liner42. Although a score line45is shown in the drawings, the score line45could be removed or replaced with another similar element, such as a line of perforations.

FIGS.1and2show the edge protector10in the storage condition in which the adhesive on each of the first and second attachment portions are place in contact with one of the release liners. In the storage condition, the edge protectors10can be stacked on top of each other and can easily be separated when needed since none of the adhesive is exposed.

When a user wishes to attach the edge protector10of the present disclosure to an article, the user first grasps the release tabs44and pulls the attachment portions34,36away from the release liners42attached to the first and second legs18,20, as shown inFIGS.4and5. The tab portion47remains attached to the cover layer28while the rest of the release liner42stays on the first and second legs18,20. The attachment portions34,36extend a length Y from the respective outer edges24,26of the first and second legs18,20. When the attachment portions34,36have been removed, the edge protector is in the attachment condition. In this condition, the release liner42remains attached to the inner surface,38,40of the first and second legs18,20. Both of the first and second attachment portions34,36include the adhesive29applied to the inner surface46. The adhesive29applied to the inner surface46initially holds the attachment portion in contact with one of the release liners42. When the attachment portion34,36has been separated as shown inFIG.5, the adhesive along the inner surface46can be used to attach the edge protector10to a product.

As an illustrative example,FIG.6shows an elongated package48that is protected utilizing multiple sections of the edge protector10of the present disclosure. In the embodiment illustrated inFIG.6, each outer edge surface49of the package48receives a section of the edge protector cut to the desired shape. In the condition shown inFIG.6, each of the attachment portions34,36have been separated from the release line such that the adhesive material formed along the attachment portion can be pressed into contact with the outer surface of the package.FIG.7illustrates the series of edge protectors10adhered to the package48such that each edge surface49and corner of the package is protected by one section of the edge protector10.

In the embodiment shown inFIG.3, the release liner42is shown along only a portion of the inner face38of each of the two legs18,20. However, it is contemplated that the release liner could be located between the entire cover layer28and the main body of the edge protector. In such an embodiment, when the first or second attachment portion34,36is pulled away from the release liner, the user would need to ensure that the entire cover layer is not removed in undesired locations, such as along the outer face30.

FIG.8is an illustration of the edge protector10in which the first attachment portion34has been separated from the release liner42while the second attachment portion36remains attached to the release liner.

FIG.9is a magnified view showing the mounting of the edge protector10to and outer edge49of the package48. As illustrated, the attachment portions34and36extend past the outer edges24and26. The attachment portions34and36each include the adhesive that holds the edge protector10in place as shown.

Although the embodiment of the edge protector10shown in the Figures is designed for use on an outer edge49of a package, it is contemplated that the edge protector10could be modified in accordance with the present disclosure for use on an inside corner of a package. In such an alternate embodiment shown inFIG.10, the cover layer28is adhered along the entire inner face surfaces38,40of the two legs18and20. The two sections of the release liner42are adhesively attached to the outer face surfaces30,32of each leg near each of the outer edges24and26. In this alternate embodiment, the attachment portions34and36would wrap around the outer edges24and26and would be releasable attached to the sections of the release liners42in the same manner as described in the first embodiment. However, since the cover layer28in the second embodiment is attached to the inner face surface of the main body, the adhesive29on each of the attachment portions34and36faces outward. Such second embodiment would allow the edge protector to be adhered to protect an inner corner of a box or package.

Various alternatives and embodiments are contemplated as being within the scope of the following claims particularly pointing out and distinctly claiming the subject matter regarded as the invention.