Protective packaging product

Abstract

A protective packaging product (10) has a first portion (12) and a second portion (14), the first portion (12) comprising a foamed polysaccharide material and being adjacent the second portion (14). The invention proposes that the first portion (12) comprises at least one corrugated layer (16) having a plurality of corrugations (18) formed essentially in parallel to a first corrugation axis (20), the corrugated layer (16) having a corrugated edge (22) facing to and being adjacent the second portion (14).

Description

[0001] Title : Protective packaging product

[0002] Specification

[0003] The present invention relates to a protective packaging product according to the preamble of claim 1 .

[0004] It is known from the market to manufacture speci fically shaped protective packaging products by stacking polyethylene layers one above the other, and by fixing the polyethylene layers to each other by heat welding . Such protective packaging products are used to receive an obj ect in order to protect this obj ect for example against shock loads during transport . Such obj ects may be TV screens and other fragile obj ects . WO 2022 / 171714 Al discloses a protective packaging product comprising a plurality of corrugated and stacked layers , at least some layers comprising a foamed polysaccharide material , and at least some layers being adhered to an adj acent layer .

[0005] It is an obj ect of the present invention to provide a protective packaging product having good protection and environmental characteristics .

[0006] This obj ect is achieved by means of a protective packaging product having the features of claim 1 . Further embodiments are given in the dependent claims .

[0007] The invention has the advantage that a protective packaging product is provided which is very stable and which has good shock absorbing properties for example in order to protect an obj ect during shipment . The selected material allows to easily recycle the protective packaging product . Moreover, the protective packaging product according to the invention shows an improved resistance against moisture . Its manufacturing costs are relatively low .

[0008] More speci fically, the invention proposes a protective packaging product having a first portion and a second portion . Both portions are near or adj acent , respectively, each other . The first portion comprises at least one corrugated layer made of a polysaccharide material . The at least one corrugated layer may have a generally flat shape . However, it is not excluded that it has a curved shape . While it is generally claimed that the first portion comprises " at least one" corrugated layer, it is preferred that the first portion comprises a plurality, i f not to say a multitude of corrugated layers which are arranged side- by-side one after the other or one upon the other, respectively, in order to form a vertically or hori zontally stacked arrangement .

[0009] The at least one corrugated layer has a plurality of corrugations formed essentially in parallel to a first corrugation axis . I f a plurality of corrugated layers is provided with the first portion, then - in a flat panel arrangement - the corrugations of these layers are typically essentially parallel to the same first corrugation axis . Typically, in the example of a vertically stacked arrangement of a plurality of essentially hori zontally extending corrugated layers with hori zontal corrugation axes , the layers being one upon the other, the bottom of a corrugation of an upper layer may abut or touch, respectively, the top of a corrugation of a lower layer . Typically, in case of a plurality of adj acent corrugated layers , this plurality of adj acent corrugated layers is stacked in a direction perpendicular to a plane of the layers and perpendicular to the first corrugation axis . However, in speci fic applications , alternatively or additionally the plurality of adj acent corrugated layers may be stacked in a direction longitudinally to a plane of the layers .

[0010] The at least one corrugated layer is regionally - namely seen in the direction of the first corrugation axis - delimited by a corrugated edge . Since the thickness of the layer material typically is low, the corrugated edge has typically the shape more or less of a corrugated line . I f a plurality of corrugated layers is provided, then there is a plurality of corrugated edges extending essentially and generally parallel to each other and being arranged - in the above mentioned example of a vertically stacked arrangement - one above the other . The corrugated edge or the corrugated edges lie more or less in a common plane and thus form an end face of the first portion .

[0011] The at least one corrugated edge faces to the second portion and is adj acent the second portion . Typically, the corrugated edge ( s ) of the corrugated layer ( s ) abut ( s ) or touch, respectively, the second portion .

[0012] According to a further embodiment of the protective packaging product the first portion is connected to the second portion at least regionally at the corrugated edge of the at least one corrugated layer . This provides for a firm and solid compound consisting at least of the first portion and the second portion . Handling as well as protection properties of such a product are improved .

[0013] According to a further embodiment of the protective packaging product it comprises a plurality of adj acent corrugated layers , and at least some of adj acent corrugated layers of the first portion at least regionally are connected to each other . Typically, in an exemplary vertically stacked arrangement , the connection is provided between a bottom of a corrugation of an upper layer and the top of a corrugation of a lower layer . Again, this provides for a firm and solid compound consisting at least of the first portion and the second portion . Handling as well as protection properties of the product according to the invention are improved .

[0014] According to a further embodiment of the protective packaging product the connection between the first and second portions and / or the layers within a portion is made using a polysaccharide bonding material . This improves the ecological footprint of the inventive product .

[0015] According to a further embodiment of the protective packaging product the polysaccharide material of the first portion and / or the polysaccharide bonding material comprises at least one of starch, alginate , chitin, and speci fic cellulose . Starch is particularly preferred, because it is an ecologically valuable material that can easily be obtained . By way of example , when using starch as the polysaccharide material of the layer ( s ) , bonding may be achieved by humidi fying the contact surfaces with water, which dissolves the starch of the layer at the humidi fied surface and creates the starch bonding material . However, it might be replaced with the mentioned alginate , chitin, and speci fic cellulose , the latter being an unbranched polysaccharide and not paper or cardboard .

[0016] According to a further embodiment of the protective packaging product the material of the second portion comprises at least one of paper and cardboard . These materials typically are much more rigid than polysaccharide or starch and have a high tensional strength and thus allow to form an overall product having good material properties . Such a protective packaging product is lightweight and ecologically reasonable .

[0017] According to a further embodiment of the protective packaging product the material of the second portion comprises at least one of starch, alginate , chitin, and speci fic cellulose . Starch is particularly preferred, because it is an ecologically valuable material that can easily be obtained . However, it might be replaced with the mentioned alginate , chitin, and speci fic cellulose , the latter being an unbranched polysaccharide and not paper or cardboard .

[0018] According to a further embodiment of the protective packaging product the second portion at least regionally comprises a plurality of corrugations formed essentially in parallel to a second corrugation axis , the second corrugation axis being at least essentially orthogonal to the first corrugation axis . This further enhances the shock absorbing properties . Furthermore , with such a protective packaging product cavities or recesses may be formed for securely lodging an obj ect to be protected which may have a more or less complex shape .

[0019] According to a further embodiment of the protective packaging product it comprises at least two first portions between which is arranged a second portion . Or, in other words : the second portion is sandwiched between two first portions . The second portion can contribute to the overall stability of the protective packaging product . The two first portions enhance the shock absorbing properties .

[0020] According to a further and particularly preferred embodiment of the protective packaging product it comprises at least two second portions between which is arranged a first portion . Such a protective packaging product is therefore formed as a typical sandwich structure with a lightweight core and two outer cover layers providing the typical increased flexural strength .

[0021] According to a further embodiment the protective packaging product is essentially flat . Or, in other words : the protective packaging product forms and essentially flat and even played . Such a protective packaging product can be easily handled and stored and used for a great variety of applications .

[0022] According to a further embodiment of the protective packaging product it is curved . Or, in other words : the protective packaging product forms a curved or wavy plate . Such a protective packaging product may be manufactured by first giving the first portion the desired curved or wavy shape and then applying and connecting the second portions to the first portion .

[0023] According to a further embodiment of the protective packaging product at least one of the second portions comprises a weakened region, preferably a slit . Such a weakened region may be manufactured by cutting or punching . It helps to vary the sti f fness of the overall protective packaging product in a speci fically desired region . The protective packaging product thus can be adapted to speci fic requirements of an application .

[0024] According to a further embodiment of the protective packaging product at least one slit of the second portion does not extend into the first portion . The weakening of the overall sti f fness therefore is relatively low .

[0025] According to a further embodiment of the protective packaging product at least one slit extends into the first portion . The weakening of the overall sti f fness therefore is relatively high .

[0026] According to a further embodiment of the protective packaging product the second portion comprises at least one region which is not adj acent a corrugated edge of the corrugated layer of the first portion . Or, in other words : the sandwich panel comprises at least one region without a core formed by the first portion . This reduces the manufacturing costs .

[0027] According to a further embodiment of the protective packaging product it comprises at least one depressed region . Such a depressed region can be manufactured by applying a compressive force onto one of the second portions after their connection to the first portion, the compressive force exceeding the elastic limit of the material of the first portion and thus plastically deforming the second portion . That is , the foamed first portion will not be destroyed but rather deformed in such a way that many of even all corrugations under the depressed region will no more be parallel to each other . With such a depressed region speci fically desired shapes may be reali zed .

[0028] According to a further embodiment of the protective packaging product the shape of at least some of the corrugations of the first portion and / or the second portion is essentially triangular, rectangular, semicircular or irregular . These shapes can be easily manufactured .

[0029] A typical thickness of a layer of a polysaccharide material , for example starch in the still flat form ( i . e . before the corrugations are generated) can be in the range of 2- 8 mm, wherein about 6 mm is particularly preferred . For the foam, a density in the range of 20-30 g / liter may be suitable , wherein about 25 grams / liter is particularly preferred .

[0030] A typical overall thickness of a protective packaging product according to the present invention is in the range of 10- 100 mm, preferably in the range of 20-50 mm . I f the protective packaging product is used for wrapping an obj ect to be protected, a typical thickness of a corrugated polysaccharide foam layer is in the range of 10- 15 mm, preferably approximately 13 mm, with a grammage in the range of 220-280 g / m2, preferable approximately 255 g / m2. I f the protective packaging product is used for thermally protecting an obj ect , it may typically comprise 1- 6 corrugated polysaccharide foam layers stacked one above the other leading to a typical overall thickness of the stack in the range of 60- 90 mm, preferably of approx . 75 mm, and a grammage in the range of 1300- 1800 g&m2, preferably of approximately 1500 g / m2.

[0031] I f the protective packaging product is used as a shaped form part for receiving a speci fic obj ect to be protected, up to approximately 30 corrugated polysaccharide foam layers stacked one above the other may be used leading to a maximum overall thickness in the range of 250-350 mm, preferably of approx . 300 mm, with a grammage in the range of 5500- 6500 g / m2, preferably of approximately 6000 g / m2 .

[0032] Embodiments of the invention are now described in further detail with reference to the attached drawing . In the drawing is shown by

[0033] Figure 1 a schematic explosion drawing of a first embodiment of a protective packaging product having a first portion and two second portions ;

[0034] Figure 2 a schematic perspective drawing of a second embodiment of a protective packaging product having a plurality of first portions and two second portions ; Figure 3 a schematic sectional view of a detail of the embodiments of figures 1 and 2 ;

[0035] Figure 4 a schematic side view of the embodiment of figure 2 ;

[0036] Figure 5 a side view similar to that of figure 4 of a third embodiment ;

[0037] Figure 6 a side view similar to that of figure 4 of a fourth embodiment ;

[0038] Figures 7- 10 schematic front views on di f ferent types of corrugated layers of first and / or second portions ;

[0039] Figure 11 a schematic side view of a fi fth embodiment ;

[0040] Figure 12 a schematic side view of a sixth embodiment ;

[0041] Figure 13 a schematic side view of a seventh embodiment ;

[0042] Figure 14 a schematic side view of an eighth embodiment ;

[0043] Figure 15 a plane view of a ninth embodiment ;

[0044] Figure 16 a plane view of a tenth embodiment ; Figure 17 a sectional side view of the embodiment of figure 16 ;

[0045] Figure 18 a sectional side view of an eleventh embodiment ,

[0046] In the following detailed description functionally equivalent elements and regions are designated in di f ferent embodiments and figures with the same reference numerals . Furthermore , for the sake of clarity it may happen that not in all figures all possible reference numerals are shown . In addition, elements and regions may be described in detail only when they are mentioned for the first time .

[0047] In figure 1 , a protective packaging product is generally designated with reference numeral 10 . The protective packaging product 10 has a first portion 12 and two second portions 14 . In the present exemplary embodiment , the second portions are generally rectangular, flat and thin, similar to a sheet or web . The first portion 12 comprises a foamed polysaccharide material or is made of such a foam material , respectively . In an assembled condition, the first portion 12 is adj acent both second portions 14 , namely sandwiched between both second portions 14 . Moreover, the second portions 14 are firmly connected to the first portion 12 .

[0048] In the exemplary embodiment of figure 1 , the first portion

[0049] 12 comprises a corrugated layer 16 having a plurality of corrugations 18 . The corrugated layer 16 may have a generally flat or even shape , respectively . However, it is not excluded that it has a curved shape . Moreover, in the exemplary embodiment of figure 1 , the corrugations 18 have a triangular shape such that a generally fanfold type layer 16 is formed . The corrugations are formed essentially in parallel to a first corrugation axis 20 .

[0050] As can be seen from figure 1 , a thickness of the material of the layer 16 is rather low . By consequence , a corrugated edge 22 of the layer 16 present on both sides of the layer in the present exemplary embodiment has the shape of a corrugated line , in the present embodiment of a zigzag line . A respective corrugated edge 22 faces to a respective one of the second portions 14 and, in the assembled state is adj acent and abutting or touching, respectively, the respective second portion 14 . The corrugated edge 22 generally forms and end face 24 of the first portion 12 .

[0051] In the embodiment of a protective packaging product 10 of figure 2 , the first portion 12 comprises a plurality, i f not to say a multitude of corrugated layers 16 such that the layers 16 form a hori zontally stacked side by side arrangement . Left extremities of corrugations 18 of a right corrugated layer 16 abut or touch, respectively, right extremities of corrugations 18 of a left corrugated layer 16 . Adj acent layers 16 of the first portion 12 may be bonded together, by way of example at said extremities , that is at their corrugation tops and corrugation bottoms , respectively . While in the representation of figure 2 the layers 16 of the first portion form a hori zontally stacked side by side arrangement , the first portion 12 and the two second portions 14 form a vertically stacked arrangement .

[0052] As can be seen from figure 3 , the first portion 12 is connected to the second portion 14 at the corrugated edge 22 using a polysaccharide bonding material 26 . The polysaccharide bonding material 26 as well as the polysaccharide material of the corrugated layers 16 may comprise starch or may be made essentially from starch . The material of the second portion ( s ) 14 may comprise paper or cardboard, or may also comprise starch .

[0053] The schematic embodiment of figure 4 corresponds to that of figure 2 with the first portion 12 being sandwiched between two second portions 14 . As can be seen from figure 4 , the protective packaging product 10 essentially corresponds to a flat and even plate . In the schematic representation of figure 5 , the protective packaging product 10 comprises two first portions 12 which are each covered by a second portion 14 and between which is arranged a second portion 14 . By consequence , this protective packaging product 10 comprises three second portions 14 .

[0054] The schematically represented embodiment of figure 6 comprises a first portion 12 having a plurality of corrugated layers 16 with corrugations (not shown) parallel to a first corrugation axis 20 . It further comprises in figure 6 left and right second portions 14 connected to the end faces 24 of the corrugated layers 16 . The second portions 14 also comprise a plurality of corrugations 28 formed essentially in parallel to a second corrugation axis 30 , which is perpendicular to the plane of figure 6 . By consequence , this second corrugation axis 30 is essentially orthogonal to the first corrugation axis 20 . As can be seen from figure 6 , the arrangement is used to provide a recess or cavity 32 which may receive a portion of an obj ect to be protected by the protective packaging product 10 .

[0055] As can be seen from figures 7 to 10 , the corrugations 18 and 28 may have various shapes , such as triangular ( figure 7 ) , rectangular ( figure 8 ) , semicircular ( figure 9 ) or irregular, such as the wave line of figure 10 .

[0056] The embodiment of a protective packaging product 10 shown in figure 11 is of the type having two second portions 14 between which a first portion 12 is sandwiched, which is connected / bonded at its corrugated edges 22 to the second portions 14 . However, other than in figure 4 , the protective packaging product 10 is not flat but rather curved . Similarly, the embodiment shown in figure 12 is curved having to bends in opposite directions . The protective packaging product 10 of figure 13 comprises a depressed region 33 which is obtained by applying a compressive force ( arrow 34 in figure 13 ) onto the upper second portion 14 in a direction essentially perpendicular to the plane of the protective packaging product 10 such that the foam of the first portion 12 is plastically deformed . By consequence , it is likely that the corrugations 18 of the first portion 12 under the depressed region 33 will no more be parallel .

[0057] The embodiment of a protective packaging product 10 shown in figures 14 and 15 comprises regions 36 of the second portion 14 which are not adj acent a corrugated edge 22 of the corrugated layer 16 of the first portion 12 . Or, in other words : inside the protective packaging product 10 there are cavities between the two second portions 14 which are not filled by a first portion 12 .

[0058] The embodiment of a protective packaging product 10 shown in figures 16 and 17 comprises weakened regions 38A and 38B, which may be generally designated with 38 . In the present exemplary embodiment , the weakened regions 38A and 38B are reali zed as slits . Slits 38A are present only in the upper second portion 14 and do therefore not extend into the first portion 12 . Slits 38B extend into the first portion 12 . The slits 38 may be manufactured by cutting or punching .

[0059] The embodiment of a protective packaging product 10 of figure 18 comprises a plurality of stacked and connected corrugated layers 16 , the layers 16 being stacked in a direction essentially parallel to the corrugation axis 20 of the corrugations 18 . The plurality of stacked corrugated and connected layers 16 form the first portion 12 . As can be seen from figure 18 , the lateral extensions of the stacked corrugated layers 16 are di f ferent from one layer 16 to another layer 16 . This leads to a stepped central recess 40, which optionally may be covered by a rigid insert 42, for example made of wood or of cardboard.

Claims

Claims1. A protective packaging product (10) having a first portion (12) and a second portion (14) , the first portion (12) comprising a foamed polysaccharide material and being adjacent the second portion (14) , characterized in that the first portion (12) comprises at least one corrugated layer (16) having a plurality of corrugations (18) formed essentially in parallel to a first corrugation axis (20) , the corrugated layer (16) being regionally delimited by a corrugated edge (22) facing to and being adjacent the second portion (14) .

2. The protective packaging product (10) of claim 1, characterized in that the first portion (12) is connected to the second portion (14) at least regionally at the corrugated edge (22) of the at least one corrugated layer (16) .

3. The protective packaging product (10) of any of the preceding claims, characterized in that the first portion (12) comprises a plurality of adjacent corrugated layers (16) , and that at least some of adjacent corrugated layers (16) of the first portion (12) at least regionally are connected to each other.

4. The protective packaging product (10) of any of the preceding claims 2-3, characterized in that the connection is made using a polysaccharide bonding material (26) .

5. The protective packaging product (10) of any of the preceding claims, characterized in that the polysaccharide material of the first portion (12) and / or the polysaccharide bonding material (26) comprises at least one of starch, alginate, chitin, and specific cellulose.

6. The protective packaging product (10) of any of the preceding claims, characterized in that the material of the second portion (14) comprises at least one of paper and cardboard.

7. The protective packaging product (10) of any of the preceding claims, characterized in that the material of the second portion (14) comprises at least one of starch, alginate, chitin, and specific cellulose.

8. The protective packaging product (10) of any of the preceding claims, characterized in that the second portion (14) at least regionally comprises a plurality of corrugations (28) formed essentially in parallel to a second corrugation axis (30) , the second corrugation axis (30) being at least essentially orthogonal to the first corrugation axis (20) .

9. The protective packaging product (10) of any of the preceding claims, characterized in that it comprises at least two first portions (12) between which is arranged a second portion (14) .

10. The protective packaging product (10) of any of the preceding claims, characterized in that it comprisesat least two second portions (14) between which is arranged a first portion (10) .

11. The protective packaging product (10) of claim 10, characterized in that it is essentially flat.

12. The protective packaging product (10) of claim 10, characterized in that it is curved.

13. The protective packaging product (10) of any of the preceding claims 10-12, characterized in that at least one of the second portions (14) comprises a weakened region (38) , preferably a slit.

14. The protective packaging product (10) of claim 13, characterized in that at least one slit (38) does not extend into the first portion (12) .

15. The protective packaging product (10) of any of the preceding claims 13-14, characterized in that at least one slit (38) extends into the first portion (12) .

16. The protective packaging product (10) of any of the preceding claims, characterized in that the second portion (14) comprises at least one region (36) which is not adjacent a corrugated edge (22) of a corrugated layer (16) of the first portion (12) .

17. The protective packaging product (10) of any of the preceding claims 10-16, characterized in that it comprises at least one depressed region (33) .

18. The protective packaging product (10) of any of the preceding claims, characterized in that the shape of at least some of the corrugations (18, 28) of the first portion (10) and / or the second portion (14) is essentially triangular, rectangular, semicircular or irregular .

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