GB2367798A

GB2367798A - Packaging and supporting of flat articles

Info

Publication number: GB2367798A
Application number: GB0024548A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Aulden Dunipace
Original assignee: MAISON D ART Ltd
Current assignee: MAISON D ART Ltd
Priority date: 2000-10-06
Filing date: 2000-10-06
Publication date: 2002-04-17
Also published as: GB0024548D0

Abstract

Packaging 10 for an article, eg a flat work of art, comprises two packaging members 12, 14 between which an article can be received and securing means 16 for securing the packaging members together, the securing means being adjustable so that the distance between the packaging members can be adjusted and the packaging members with the securing means attached being collapsible. Each packaging member may consist of at least three interconnected frame portions and a support member 20 made from a continuous sheet of material may be attached to the frame portions to provide further protection of the article. The packaging may include one or more additional packaging members which could be secured to the first or second members (figs 5 and 6). The securing means may be provided by a male (38, fig 4B) and female (40, fig 4B) connection and may also be telescopic (30, fig 4A).

Description

PACKAGING

This invention relates to packaging. More particularly, the invention relates to packaging for artistic works, such as paintings, drawings and the like.

The packaging and transportation of works of art involves a number of problems. It is important that the work of art is well packaged to prevent damage. It is also important to be able to package works of art of different shapes and sizes, and to package more than one work simultaneously. In addition, it is desirable for the packaging to be storable in a small amount of space when it is not being used for packaging purposes.

I have now found a way of providing packaging, especially packaging for works of art, which meets these objectives.

According to a first aspect of the invention there is provided packaging for an article, comprising first and second packaging members adapted to receive the article therebetween, and a securing means for securing the first and second packaging members together, wherein said securing means is adjustable so that the distance between the first and second packaging members can be adjusted to accommodate different sizes of article.

According to a second aspect of the invention there is provided packaging for an article, comprising first and second packaging members adapted to receive the article therebetween, and a securing means for securing the first and second packaging members together, wherein said first and second packaging members are movable between a collapsed position in which the article cannot be disposed therebetween and an uncollapsed position in which the article can be disposed therebetween.

According to a third aspect of the invention there is provided packaging for an article, comprising first and second packaging members adapted to receive the article therebetween, a securing means for securing the first and second packaging members together, and a third packaging member, securable to one of said first and second packaging members, whereby a second article can be disposed between said third packaging member and the first or second packaging member.

The third packaging member may be secured either to the first or the second packaging member. Furthermore, one or more additional packaging members may be provided and secured to the first, second or third packaging members.

The packaging may comprise any combination of the packaging according to the first, second and third aspects of the invention. Thus, the packaging may comprise the features of the packaging according to the first and second, the first and third, or the second and third aspects of the invention. Most preferably the packaging comprises the features of the packaging according to the first, second and third aspects of the invention.

Each packaging member preferably includes a frame comprising at least three, and preferably four, interconnected frame portions. When three interconnected frame portions are provided, the preferred arrangement is generally triangular; when four interconnected frame portions are provided, the preferred arrangement is generally square or rectangular. The interconnected frame portions are preferably hinged relative to one another to permit movement from the collapsed to the uncollapsed position, and vice versa, in accordance with the second aspect of the invention.

Each packaging member preferably includes a support member which provides support and protection for the article. The support member is preferably secured to the frame, adjacent thereto, and is preferably a substantially continuous sheet of material. The support member may be flexible, but it is preferably sufficiently rigid to support its own weight.

The securing means preferably comprises a securing member having formations which are securable to formations provided in the first and second packaging members. Preferably the packaging members have apertures which are provided with the formations therein. It is preferred that the formations on the packaging members are such that there is a male formation on one side of the

packaging member, and a female formation on the other side thereof Similarly the securing member is preferably provided with a male formation at one end thereof, which can be secured to the female formation on the packaging member, and a female formation at the opposite end thereof, which can be secured to the male formation of the packaging member.

The male and female formations in the packaging members may be formed integrally with the packaging members. However, it is preferred that these formations are provided by means of a separate securing member, having male and female ends, which is fixed in the apertures of the packaging members. In this embodiment, the separate securing member may form the hinge about which the frame portions can pivot to facilitate movement from the collapsed to the uncollapsed positions, and vice

versa. The frame portions preferably each have one of the apertures at each end thereof, so that two frame portions can be joined together by means of said separate securing member extending through the adjacent apertures in said two frame portions.

The formations in the packaging members are preferably securable to one another, whereby one of the packaging members can be secured directly to another of the packaging members. This enables the first or second packaging member to be secured directly to the third packaging member.

The securing member of the securing means is preferably adjustable in length to provide the adjustability in accordance with the first aspect of the invention. Most preferably the securing member of the securing means comprises two telescopically adjustable portions. It is preferred that a positioning means is provided to position and fix the relative positions of the telescopically adjustable portions. The positioning means provides at least two relative positions of the telescopically adjustable portions, thereby providing at least two fixed lengths of the securing means. More preferably there are at least three of said relative positions, thereby providing three fixed lengths.

The positioning means may comprise a movable pin in one of the telescopically adjustable portions and a plurality of apertures in the other of the telescopically adjustable portions, the pin being received in one of the apertures in order to fix the telescopically adjustable portions in a particular position. The pin is movable so that it can be released from the aperture (for example by applying pressure thereto), then moved into engagement with another of the apertures. The pin can be urged into the selected aperture by means of a biasing force, such as a spring biasing force.

The support member of each packaging member is preferably provided with apertures which are aligned with the apertures in the frame portion, whereby the securing means and/or the securing members in the apertures of the frame portions, can extend through the apertures in the support members.

The packaging according to the invention is especially well adapted for the packaging and transportation of relatively flat works of art, such as paintings. The adjustability of the distance between the packaging members makes it possible to accommodate paintings of different thicknesses. The ability to add additional packaging members makes it possible to package and transport more than one painting at a time.

The collapsibility of the packaging makes it possible to store the packaging efficiently when it is not being used for packaging. Furthermore, the frame portions of the frame may be disconnected from each other, if desired, to further reduce storage space; however, the increase in space obtained by doing this is minimal.

The packaging according to the invention is modular in the sense that only one construction of packaging member and securing means is required to achieve all the objects of the invention. Thus, the first, second, third and any additional packaging members are preferably all of substantially identical construction. In addition, each securing member of the securing means is preferably also of substantially identical construction. In another aspect of the invention there is provided packaging for an article, which comprises modular packaging members arranged in juxtaposition, each being adapted to receive a respective article therebetween, and securing means for securing the packaging members together, the securing means comprising a plurality of modular, substantially identical securing members.

Reference is now made to the accompanying drawing, in which: Figures 1 to 3 illustrate packaging according to the invention respectively in a collapsed state, in a semi-collapsed state and in an uncollapsed state; Figures 4A and 4B are respectively a cross sectional view and a perspective view of the packaging according to the invention; and Figures 5 and 6 illustrate the use of the packaging according to the invention.

Referring first to Figures 1 to 3, packaging according to the invention is generally designated 10.

The packaging 10 comprises first and second packaging members 12 and 14, which are spaced from each other, and which are secured together, by means of a securing means in the form of a telescopically adjustable securing member 16.

The packaging members 12 and 14 are substantially identical and each comprises a frame 18 and a support member 20. The frame 18 comprises four frame portions 22 which are hinged together to facilitate movement between a collapsed position, as illustrated in Figure 1, and an uncollapsed position, as illustrated in Figure 3. The support member 20 comprises a protective sheet of a rigid material such as a lightweight plastics board.

The end of each frame portion 22 is provided with an aperture 24 which is alignable with the aperture 24 of another of the frame portions 22, the arrangement being such as to provide a quadrilateral construction which is substantially rectangular

in the uncollapsed position. A securing member 26, which is described below, is provided in the apertures 24 in order to hold the frame portions 22 together and to facilitate the pivotal movement necessary to move from the collapsed to the uncollapsed position and vice versa.

It will be seen that a separate securing member 16 is provided for each of the four pairs of apertures 24 at the corners of the frame 18. In addition, an additional aperture 28 is provided about halfway along each frame portion 22, to facilitate securing to an additional securing member 16. The apertures 28 and securing members 16 provide the frame with extra strength. Only three of the frame portions 22 are provided with the additional securing members 16, to facilitate easy insertion of the article to be packaged.

Figures 4A and 4B illustrate the securing member 16 in more detail. It comprises to telescopically adjustable members 30 and 32, one of which is provided with a male connector 34 at the end thereof, and the other of which is provided with a female connector (not shown) at the end thereof. The telescopically adjustable member 30 is provided with a pin (not shown) which can extend through a selected on of a plurality of apertures 36 provided in the telescopically adjustable member 32. The pin is spring biased, so that it will project through one of the apertures 36 when aligned therewith. However, the spring force can be overcome in order to push the pin out of the aperture 36 to facilitate relative movement of the telescopically adjustable members 30 and 32. It will be appreciated that the provision of the pin and the apertures 36 makes it possible to adjust the length of the securing member 16, and to temporarily fix the securing member 16 at a preselected length.

As mentioned above, a securing member 26 is disposed in each of the apertures 24, and, possibly, in each of the apertures 28. Each securing member 26 comprises a male connector 38 at one end thereof and a female connector 40 at the opposite end thereof The male connector 38 is adapted to be secured to the female connector of the telescopically adjustable member 32, and the female connector is adapted to be secured to the male connector 34 of the telescopically adjustable member 30. In addition, the male connector 38 of one of the securing members 26 can be secured to the female connector of another one of the securing members 26.

The support member 20 has apertures 42 which are sized to be a close fit with the securing members 26. This arrangement ensures that the support member 20 is automatically arranged in the correct alignment relative to the frame 18.

The securing members 16 and the securing members 26 can be made of a resilient plastic material, such as a polyurethane, so that the securing members 16 are releasable from the securing members 26.

Additional packaging members 44 can be added to the packaging 10, as illustrated in Figures 4 and 5. Figures 5 and 6 also illustrate the way in which paintings 46 can be packaged using the packaging 10.

It will be noted that the frame portions 22 of the packaging member 12 (or 14) can be secured to the frame 22 of the additional packaging member 44 by interengaging the male and female connectors 38 and 40 of the frame portions 22.

It will be appreciated that modifications may be made to the invention described above. For example, although the invention has been described with respect to works of art, especially paintings, the packaging may be used to package a wide variety of different articles. In the above description, the securing members 26 have been described as separate from, and removable from, the frame portions 22; it will be appreciated that the securing members 26 could be integral with the frame portions 22.

Furthermore, in the embodiment shown in the drawings, some of the packaging members are directly adjacent to one another, connected by the securing members 26, without any article therebetween. This arrangement is preferred, in order to provide an optimum strength for the packaging and the protection it affords to the packaged articles. However, it will be appreciated that the securing members 16 can be provided between each of the packaging members, whereby an article can be packaged between each adjacent pair of the packaging members.

Claims

CLAIMS :

1. Packaging for an article, comprising first and second packaging members adapted to receive the article therebetween, and a securing means for securing the first and second packaging members together, wherein said securing means is adjustable so that the distance between the first and second packaging members can be adjusted to accommodate different sizes of article, and wherein said first and second packaging members are movable between a collapsed position in which the article cannot be disposed therebetween and an uncollapsed position in which the article can be disposed therebetween.

2. Packaging according to claim 1, further a third packaging member, securable to one of said first and second packaging members, whereby a second article can be disposed between said third packaging member and the first or second packaging member.

3. Packaging according to claim 2, wherein the third packaging member is secured to the first or the second packaging member.

4. Packaging according to claim 2 or 3, further comprising one or more additional packaging members which are securable to the first, second or third packaging members.

5. Packaging according to any preceding claim, wherein each packaging member includes a frame comprising at least three interconnected frame portions.

6. Packaging according to claim 5, comprising four of said interconnected frame portions

7. Packaging according to claim 5 or 6, wherein the interconnected frame portions are hinged relative to one another to permit movement from the collapsed to the uncollapsed position, and vice versa.

8. Packaging according to any preceding claim, wherein each packaging member includes a support member which provides support and protection for the article.

9. Packaging according to claim 8, when dependent upon claim 5,6 or 7, wherein the support member is secured to the frame, adjacent thereto, and is a substantially continuous sheet of material.

10. Packaging according to any preceding claim, wherein the securing means z : l comprises a securing member having formations which are securable to formations provided in the first and second packaging members.

11. Packaging according to claim 10, wherein the packaging members have apertures which are provided with the formations therein.

12. Packaging according to claim 11, when dependent upon claim 8 or 9, wherein the support member of each packaging member is provided with apertures which are alignable with a respective one of the apertures in the frame portions.

13. Packaging according to claim 10, 11 or 12, wherein the formations in the packaging members are such that there is a male formation on one side of the packaging member, and a female formation on the other side thereof

14. Packaging according to claim 13, wherein the formations in the packaging members are securable to one another, whereby one of the packaging members can be secured directly to the other of the packaging members.

15. Packaging according to claim 13 or 14, wherein the securing member is provided with a male formation at one end thereof, which can be secured to the female formation on the packaging member, and a female formation at the opposite end thereof, which can be secured to the male formation of the packaging member.

16. Packaging according to claim 13,14 or 15, when dependent upon claim 7, wherein the male and female formations in the packaging members comprise a separate securing member, having male and female ends, which is fixed in the

apertures of the packaging members, wherein the separate securing member forms the hinge about which the frame portions can pivot to facilitate movement from the collapsed to the uncollapsed positions, and vice versa.

17. Packaging according to claim 16, wherein the frame portions each have one of the apertures at each end thereof, so that two frame portions can be joined together by means of said separate securing member extending through the adjacent apertures in said two frame portions.

18. Packaging according to any one of claims 10 to 17, wherein the securing member of the securing means is adjustable in length.

19. Packaging according to claim 18, wherein the securing member of the securing means comprises two telescopically adjustable portions.

20. Packaging according to claim 19, further comprising a positioning means for ZD positioning and fixing the relative position of the telescopically adjustable portions.

21. Packaging according to any preceding claim, wherein the first and second packaging members are of identical construction.

22. Packaging according to claim 3, wherein the first, second and third packaging members are of identical construction.

23. Packaging according to claim 4, wherein the first, second, third and additional packaging members are of identical construction.

24. Packaging for an article substantially as herein described with reference to and as shown in the accompanying drawings.