US20080093430A1

Movatterモバイル変換

Info

Publication number: US20080093430A1
Application number: US11/550,625
Authority: US
Inventors: Gene E. Wethington
Original assignee: Woods Industries Inc
Current assignee: Coleman Cable LLC
Priority date: 2006-10-18
Filing date: 2006-10-18
Publication date: 2008-04-24

Abstract

A pleated, expandable, package for a coiled extension cord is expandable to accommodate different size extension cords and supports the extension cord in an upright orientation to display the extension cord.

Description

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

(1) Field of the Invention

The present invention pertains to a pleated, expandable, wedge-shaped package for a coiled cord product, for example an extension cord. More specifically, the invention pertains to a pleated, expandable, package for a coiled extension cord that is expandable to accommodate different size extension cords and supports the extension cord in an upright orientation to display the extension cord.

(2) Description of the Related Art

Cord products, for example electrical wiring, coaxial cable, and in particular, extension cords, are typically packaged with the cord being folded back on itself several times or with the cord being wrapped in a coil. When displayed for sale, the typical cord in the folded configuration is packaged in a sleeve or wrapper and the typical cord that has been coiled is packaged in a box. In the prior art packaging of cords, the packaging often hides a desirable feature of the cord that would influence a consumer in purchasing the cord. Additionally, the prior art packaging of a cord is often primarily designed to hold the cord in its folded or coiled configuration, and secondarily to display a trademark or advertising message associated with the cord. The cord and its packaging typically lay flat on a store shelf or on other cords in a stack when the cord is displayed for consumers.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention provides a novel construction of a package for coiled cord products, and in particular, extension cords, where the package firmly holds the cord in a coiled configuration and supports the coiled cord uprightly, thereby displaying the cord for consumers. The packaging is economically manufactured from a single blank of foldable material, for example, plastic, paper board, corrugated paper materials, or other equivalent materials. The construction of the package also makes the package expandable, whereby the package can be used for various different sizes of coiled cords. The design of the package blank also requires no gluing or other securing devices separate from the blank to assemble the blank into the package that holds and supports the coiled cord.

The foldable blank material of the package is formed with a center rectangular base that is dimensioned to be set on a surface for the package to hold the coiled cord uprightly on the surface. A trapezoidal front end panel is connected along a fold line to the front edge of the base, and a trapezoidal rear end panel is connected along a fold line to the rear edge of the base.

Left and right rectangular side panels are connected along fold lines to the respective left side edge and right side edge of the base. A plurality of parallel fold lines are formed in each of the left and right side panels, giving the panels a pleated configuration.

Pairs of triangular panels are connected along fold lines to the front and rear end panels and the left and right side panels at each corner of the base. The triangular panels of each pair are separated by a fold line that is the reverse of the fold lines connecting the pair of triangles to the adjacent end panel and side panel.

A rectangular top panel is connected along a fold line to a top edge of the front end trapezoidal panel, and a rectangular top panel is connected along a fold line to a top edge of the rear end trapezoidal panel.

The blank described above is folded around a portion of the coiled cord to form a package containing the portion of the cord. In folding the package to display the coiled cord, the coiled cord is first positioned uprightly on top of the rectangular base. The left and right side panels are then folded upwardly with the pleated fold lines in the side panels conforming around the opposite sides of the coiled cord. The pairs of triangular panels at the opposite sides of each panel are folded inwardly across the front and rear of the coiled cord.

The front and rear trapezoidal end panels are then folded upwardly across the front and rear of the coiled cord. The front and rear top panels are then folded inwardly through the center of the coiled cord. A tab on the rear top panel is inserted into a slot of the front top panel, thereby connecting the two top panels and completing the folding of the package.

With the package folded as described above, the package supports the coiled cord uprightly on end, where a majority of the coiled cord is positioned outside and above the package for viewing by a consumer. The package design exposes a large portion of the coiled cord while securely holding the cord in the upright position, with the package being sufficiently flexible to withstand consumer interaction with the product. No gluing or other types of adhesives or connectors are required in assembling the package. The reverse fold lines at the pair of corners and the plurality of parallel fold lines on the side panels create an elastic-acting action of the package that allows the sides to expand and contract as pressure is applied and removed.

With the package being able to expand and contract, the package allows the consumer to handle the coiled cord without damaging the package by tearing or the package popping open. One size package accommodates multiple size coiled cords. Because the package is formed from a single blank and does not require a separate attachment device to hold the package in its folded configuration, manufacturer of the package uses simple fixtures or jigs which results in less labor cost in manufacturing the package.

DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING FIGURES

Further features of the invention are set forth in the following detailed description of the invention and in the drawing figures.

FIG. 1 is a top perspective view of the package of the invention in its folded configuration.

FIG. 2 is a top plan view of the single sheet, foldable blank that forms the package of the invention.

FIG. 3 is a view similar to that ofFIG. 1, but showing the folded package supporting a coiled cord on end in an upright displayed position.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

FIG. 1 shows the pleated,expandable package12 for the upright support of a coiled cord product, in particular an extension cord.FIG. 2 shows the flat blank of folding material that is folded to form thepackage12. As stated earlier, the foldable material of the package blank12 may be plastic, paper board, corrugated paper material, or other equivalent types of materials. As described herein, the package blank12 is formed with a plurality of fold lines. Each of the fold lines are straight, unless otherwise described. The fold lines provide a resilient connection between two adjacent panels of thepackage12 that enable the adjacent panels to be easily moved relatively to each other. The package blank12 shown inFIG. 2 is cut from a larger web of material, with the outer periphery of the package blank12 being defined by a free edge of the blank that is not connected to any other material of the blank. In describing the panels of the package blank12, the lower portion of the package blank12 shown inFIG. 2 is referred to as the front or forward portion, and the upper portion of thepackage blank12 is referred to as the rear or rearward portion. The left hand portion of the package blank12 shown inFIG. 2 is referred to as the left side, and the right hand portion of the package blank12 is referred as the right side. These terms are used in referring to the orientation of the package blank12 shown inFIG. 2, and should not be interpreted as limiting the construction of the package of the invention or the use of the package of the invention to any particular orientation.

The package blank12 has a centerrectangular base panel14. Thebase panel14 has a front edge defined by a firstend fold line16, and an opposite rear edge defined by a secondend fold line18. The first and second

end fold lines

16,18 are parallel to each other and have the same length dimensions. Thebase panel14 also has a left hand edge defined by a firstside fold line22 and an opposite right hand edge defined by a secondside fold line24. The first and second

side fold lines

22,24 are parallel to each other and have the same length dimension.

Although thebase panel14 is shown having a rectangular configuration inFIG. 2, in alternate embodiments of the invention the base panel could have a square configuration.

A left side orfirst side panel26 is connected to thebase panel14 along the firstside fold line22. Thefirst side panel26 has a rectangular configuration, but could have a square configuration. Afree edge28 extends along thefirst side panel26 opposite and parallel to the firstside fold line22. A plurality offold lines32 are formed in thefirst side panel26. Thefold lines32 are spaciously arranged across thefirst side panel26, are parallel to each other, and are perpendicular to the firstside fold line22.

A right side orsecond side panel36 is connected to thebase panel14 along the secondside fold line24. Thesecond side panel36 is a mirror image of thefirst side panel26. Thisside panel36 also has a rectangular configuration, but could have a square configuration. The panel has afree edge38 on the opposite side of the panel from the secondside fold line24. Thefree edge38 is parallel to the secondside fold line24. A plurality offold lines42 are formed in thesecond side panel36. The plurality offold lines42 are spaciously arranged across the panel, are parallel to each other, and are perpendicular to the secondside fold line24.

A front,first end panel46 is connected to thebase panel14 along the firstend fold line16. Thefirst end panel46 has a trapezoidal shape. A top,first edge48 of the first end panel opposite the firstend fold line16 is parallel to the firstend fold line16 and has a length dimension that is larger than the length dimension of the firstend fold line16. The length dimension of the top,first edge48 being greater than the length dimension of the firstend fold line16 gives the front,first end panel46 its trapezoidal configuration. The shape of thefirst end panel46 is also defined by a pair of

fold lines

52,54 at the opposite sides of thepanel46 that extend between the top,first edge48 of the panel and the firstend fold line16.

A rear,second end panel56 is connected to thebase panel14 along the secondend fold line18. Thesecond end panel56 is a mirror image of thefirst end panel46. Thesecond end panel56 has a top,second edge58 on an opposite side of the panel from the secondend fold line18. Thesecond edge58 is parallel to the secondend fold line18 and has a length dimension that is larger than the length dimension of the secondend fold line18. This gives thesecond end panel56 its trapezoidal configuration. The trapezoidal configuration is also defined by a pair of

fold lines

62,64 at the opposite sides of thesecond end panel56 that extend from the top,second edge58 of the panel to the secondend fold line18.

Pairs of oblique

triangular panels

86,88,72,74,76,78,82,84 are connected between thefirst side panel26 and thesecond side panel36 and the front,first end panel46 and the rearsecond end panel56. Each of the triangular panels has an oblique triangular shape, meaning that each panel does not have a 90° corner. Each of the pairs of triangular panels has a

center fold line

86,88,92,94. One pair of the

triangular panels

66,68 is connected between the front,first end panel46 and the left,first side panel26. Another pair of the

triangular panels

72,74 is connected between the left,first side panel26 and the rear,second end panel56. Another pair of the

triangular panels

76,78 is connected between the rear,second end panel56 and the right,second side panel36. The last pair of triangular panels,82,84 is connected between the right,second side panel36 and the front,first end panel46.

A rectangular first,top panel102 is connected to the front,first end panel46 along thefirst edge48. A first,top fold line104 connects the firsttop panel102 to thefirst end panel46. The first toppanel fold line104 has a length dimension that is smaller than the length dimension of thefirst edge48 of thefirst end panel46. Aslot106 is formed between the firsttop panel102 and thefirst end panel46 along the first toppanel fold line104.

A rear, secondtop panel112 is connected to the rear,second end panel56 along the top,second edge58 of the panel. A second toppanel fold line114 extends between the rear, secondtop panel112 and the rear,second end panel56. The second toppanel fold line114 has a length dimension that is smaller than the length dimension of the top,second edge58 of thesecond end panel56.

Atab116 is connected to the rear, secondtop panel112 along atab fold line118. Thetab116 is dimensioned to fit throughslot106.

In use of the coiledcord package12, the package blank is first positioned flat as shown inFIG. 2. The coiled cord, for example andextension cord122, is then positioned on end on thecenter base panel14. The oppositefirst side panel26 andsecond side panel36 are then folded upwardly about the respective firstside fold line22 and secondside fold line24. The plurality offolds32 on thefirst side panel26 and the plurality offolds42 on thesecond side panel36 are formed around the coils of the extension cord. At about the same time, the pairs of

triangular panels

66,68,72,74,76,78,82,84 are folded across their

center fold lines

86,88,92,94 and positioned across the front and rear of thecord122. The front,first end panel46 and rear,second end panel56 are then folded upwardly across the respective firstend fold line16 and secondend fold line18. Thefirst end panel46 is positioned across the front of the coiledcord122, and thesecond end panel56 is positioned across the rear of the coiledcord122. The front, firsttop panel102 is then folded across itsfold line104 into the center of the coiled cord. The rear, secondtop panel112 is then folded across itsfold line114 to a position over the firsttop panel102. Thetab116 on the secondtop panel112 is inserted into theslot106 along the first toppanel fold line104 in completing the assembly of thepackage12 around the coiledcord122.FIG. 3 shows the completed assembly of thepackage12 around the coiledcord122.

InFIG. 3 thebase panel14 of thepackage12 is set on a surface to position the foldedpackage12 and coiledcord122 upright on the surface as shown. The engagement of thefirst side panel26 and thesecond side panel36 around the opposite sides of the coiledcord122 hold the cord in its upright orientation. InFIG. 3 it can be seen that the

triangular panels

66,68,72,74,76,78,82,84 and the pluralities of

folds

32,42 in their respectivefirst side panel26 andsecond side panel36 will allow thepackage12 to flex in response to forces being exerted on the coiledcord122. Thus, the construction of thepackage12 allows the coiledcord122 to be handled and moved in most any manner without thepackage112 separating from its assembled position on the coiledcord122.

Although the package of the invention has been described above by reference to a specific embodiment, it should be understood that modifications and variations could be made to the package without departing from the intended scope of the following claims.

Claims

1) A foldable blank for packaging and supporting a coiled cord, the blank comprising:

a base panel having a rectangular shape that is bounded by opposite first and second side fold lines and opposite first and second end fold lines;

a first side panel connected to the base panel along the fist side fold line;

a second side panel connected to the base panel along the second side fold line;

a first end panel having a trapezoidal shape, the first end panel being connected to the base panel along the first end fold line; and

a second end panel having a trapezoidal shape, the second end panel being connected to the base panel along the second end fold line.

2) The blank ofclaim 1, further comprising:

a pair of triangular shaped panels separated by a fold line connected between the first side panel and the first end panel;

a pair of triangular shaped panels separated by a fold line connected between the first side panel and the second end panel;

a pair of triangular shaped panels separated by a fold line connected between the second side panel and the first end panel; and,

a pair of triangular shaped panels separated by a fold line connected between the second side panel and the second end panel.

3) The blank ofclaim 2, further comprising:

each of the triangular shaped panels of the pairs of triangular shaped panels having an oblique triangular shape.

4) The blank ofclaim 1, further comprising:

the first side panel having a first free edge opposite the first side fold line; and,

the second side panel having a second free edge opposite the second side fold line.

5) The blank ofclaim 4, further comprising:

the first free edge and the first side fold line being parallel; and, the second free edge and the second side fold line being parallel.

6) The blank ofclaim 1, further comprising:

the first side panel having a plurality of fold lines that extend across the first side panel from the first side fold line; and,

the second side panel having a plurality of fold lines that extend across the second side panel from the second fold line.

7) The blank ofclaim 6, further comprising:

the first side panel plurality of fold lines being parallel; and,

the second side panel plurality of fold lines being parallel.

8) The blank ofclaim 1, further comprising:

the first end panel having a first top fold line on an opposite side of the first end panel from the first end fold line;

a first top panel connected to the first end panel along the first top fold line;

the first end fold line having a length dimension; and,

the first top fold line having a length dimension that is smaller than the first end fold line length dimension.

9) The blank ofclaim 8, further comprising:

the second end panel having a second top fold line on an opposite side of the second end panel from the second end fold line;

a second top panel connected to the second end panel along the second top fold line;

the second end fold line having a length dimension; and, the second top fold line having a length dimension that is smaller than the second end fold line length dimension.

10) A foldable blank for packaging and supporting a coiled cord, the blank comprising:

a first side panel connected to the base panel along the first side fold line, the first side panel having a plurality of parallel fold lines that are parallel with the first and second end fold lines;

a second side panel connected to the base panel along the second side fold line, the second side panel having a plurality of parallel fold lines that are parallel with the first and second end fold lines;

a first end panel connected to the base panel along the first end fold line; and,

a second end panel connected to the base panel along the second end fold line.

11) The blank ofclaim 10, further comprising:

12) The blank ofclaim 11, further comprising:

the first free edge and the first side fold line being parallel; and,

the second free edge and the second side fold line being parallel.

13) The blank ofclaim 10, further comprising:

a pair of oblique triangle shaped panels separated by a fold line connected between the first side panel and the first end panel;

a pair of oblique triangle shaped panels separated by a fold line connected between the first side panel and the second end panel;

a pair of oblique triangle shaped panels separated by a fold line connected between the second side panel and the first end panel; and,

a pair of oblique triangle shaped panels separated by a fold line connected between the second side panel and the second end panel.

14) The blank ofclaim 10, further comprising:

the first side panel having a rectangular shape; and, the second side panel having a rectangular shape.

15) The blank ofclaim 10, further comprising:

the first end fold line having a length dimension; and,

16) The blank ofclaim 15, further comprising:

the second end fold line having a length dimension; and,

the second top fold line having a length dimension that is smaller than the second end fold line length dimension.

17) A foldable blank for packaging and supporting a coiled cord, the blank comprising:

a first side panel connected to the base panel along the first side fold line;

a first end panel connected to the base panel along the first end fold line, the first end panel having a first top fold line on an opposite side of the first end panel from the first end fold line;

a second end panel connected to the base panel along the second end fold line, the second end panel having a second top fold line on an opposite side of the second end panel from the second end fold line;

the first end fold line having a length dimension; and,

18) The blank ofclaim 17, further comprising:

the second end fold line having a length dimension; and,

19) The blank ofclaim 17, further comprising:

20) The blank ofclaim 17, further comprising: