Packaging material and method and device for producing the same

Abstract

A packaging material for cushioning an object packed in a container is disclosed herein. The packaging elements making up the packaging material may be made from sheets of paper, and be cup-shaped with a floor and thickened walls having irregular folds created by crushing the walls. Also disclosed herein is a method for manufacturing the packaging material that includes the steps of unrolling a paper roll, cutting the paper into paper sheets, pressing the cut paper sheets to form a cup, and crushing the walls of the cup towards the floor of the cup. A machine for implementing this method is also disclosed, and includes a mandrel for pressing the cut paper sheets, a sleeve for crushing the walls of the cup, and a stop block for holding the paper sheets.

Description

CLAIM FOR PRIORITY[0001] The present application claims priority of U.S. Provisional Patent Application Serial No. 60 / 430,874, filed Dec. 4, 2002, the disclosure of which being incorporated by reference herein in its entirety.[0002] A. Field of the Invention[0003] The present invention relates generally to packaging material, and, more particularly, to a packaging material that protects objects by cushioning and absorbing the shock or pressure experienced by the objects, and a method and device for producing the same.[0004] B. Description of the Related Art[0005] Various packaging materials and systems have been proposed in the past. The primary conventional packaging material consists of polymer foams or expanded synthetic materials. These materials have been used since they fill the irregular spaces formed between the packed object and the packaging container. Unfortunately, such materials need to be manufactured by specialist companies, and require large shipping and storage spac...

AI Technical Summary

Benefits of technology

"The present invention provides a packaging material that protects objects by cushioning and absorbing the shock or pressure experienced by the objects, resists crushing, and is easily manufactured. The packaging material is economical, inexpensive, simple to manufacture, and requires low volume for shipping and storage. It can be prepared from rolls of paper and is easily manufactured at the location where it is to be used. The technical effects of the invention include improved shock absorption, resistance to crushing, and ease of manufacture."

Problems solved by technology

Unfortunately, such materials need to be manufactured by specialist companies, and require large shipping and storage space.

Other shock absorbing systems have been proposed, but are not adapted for filling the irregular spaces between the packed object and the packaging container.

However, such materials make for poor inner packaging and are easily crushable since the strips more or less overlap one another.

These materials offer little resistance to crushing and flatten too readily.

WO 94 / 07765, and European Patent Application No. 0 667 304 exhibit poor resistance to crushing, notably under the effects of forces running transversely to the lateral walls, and they flatten easily.

The rigid floor disclosed in European Patent Application No. 0 667 304 improves resistance to crushing, but is still inadequate.

WO 94 / 07765 also improves resistance to crushing, but manufacturing a large number of these thimbles, in view of their smallness, complicates the manufacturing process.

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