Corner protector

Abstract

A corner protector for protecting a corner of merchandise, comprising a first portion contacting a first surface of the merchandise. A second portion is interconnected with the first portion, and contacts a second surface of the merchandise. A third portion is interconnected with the first portion and the second portion, and contacts a third surface of the merchandise, in such a way that a corner of the merchandise at the intersection of the first, second and third surfaces is covered by the corner protector. A first zone of protection is located at the intersection of the second portion and the third portion, the first zone of protection having a corner protrusion defining a hollow recess so as to form an empty space along an edge of the corner of merchandise, whereby an impact on the corner protrusion will have its energy distributed by the corner protrusion to the second and third portions so as to generally prevent contact between said edge of the corner of merchandise and an inner surface of the corner protrusion.

Description

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION [0001] 1. Field of the Invention [0002] The present invention relates to a corner protector for protecting merchandise, such as furniture, appliances and raw materials, from being damaged by impact during shipping or other transportation. [0003] 2. Background Art [0004] The storing, shipping and handling of manufactured goods such as furniture and appliances can damage the edges, corners and surfaces of the goods if they are not otherwise protected. Collisions can cause edges and corners to be scratched or crushed, and surfaces to be damaged, and this often results in a devaluation of the goods. Consequently, it is desirable to provide a low-cost device that can protect these manufactured goods during shipping and handling. [0005] Prior-art devices have been developed to help protect goods during shipping and handling. For example, U.S. Pat. No. 5,175,041, issued on Dec. 29, 1992 to Webb et al., describes a corner protector, which is formed entirely of pa...

AI Technical Summary

Benefits of technology

[0010] Therefore, in accordance with the present invention, there is provided a corner protector for protecting a corner of merchandise, comprising a first portion contacting a first surface of the merchandise; a second portion interconnected with the first portion, and contacting a second surface of the merchandise; a third portion interconnected with the first portion and the second portion, and contacting a third surface of the merchandise, in such a way that a corner of the merchandise at the intersection of the first, second and third surfaces is covered by the corner protector; and a first zone of protection located at the intersection of the second portion and the third portion, the first zone of protection having a corner protrusion defining a hollow recess so as to form an empty space along an edge of the corner of merchandise, whereby an impact on the corner protrusion will have its energy distributed by the corner protrusion to the second and third portions so as to generally prevent contact between said edge of the corner of merchandise and an inner surface of the corner protrusion.

Problems solved by technology

The storing, shipping and handling of manufactured goods such as furniture and appliances can damage the edges, corners and surfaces of the goods if they are not otherwise protected.

Collisions can cause edges and corners to be scratched or crushed, and surfaces to be damaged, and this often results in a devaluation of the goods.

These prior-art devices are not durable and suffer from minimal reusability due to the material from which they are made.

This has the disadvantage of potentially damaging the surface of the structure being protected.

The adhesive also makes the device cumbersome in an industrial setting and limits its reusability.

The described device has a bulbous portion rendering it impractical for packaging, stacking and shipping.

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