| 20040256267 | Sterile screw delivery system | December, 2004 | Roger |
| 20050051461 | Folding carton | March, 2005 | Bryant |
| 20040011680 | Stabilization of wipes, pads and applicators in conjunction with flexible and non-flexible barrier packaging | January, 2004 | Wilkman |
| 20020195356 | Compact disc storage box | December, 2002 | Huang |
| 20090065376 | MEDICAL IMPLANT PACKAGE | March, 2009 | Donahoe et al. |
| 20090250360 | Pocket-size container for consumer items | October, 2009 | Bellamah et al. |
| 20070199847 | Container For The Transport Of Blades | August, 2007 | Llorente Gonzalez et al. |
| 20080105592 | PACKAGING CUSHION ASSEMBLY HAVING ONE FOLDABLE/UNFOLDABLE SIDE | May, 2008 | Cheng et al. |
| 20090188817 | CIGARETTE PACK WITH INTEGRAL TEAR AWAY CARD | July, 2009 | Margolis |
| 20040211693 | Toilet tissue storage container | October, 2004 | Dotson |
| 20090134052 | STACKABLE UNIT | May, 2009 | Cadoret et al. |
[0001] This is a continuation-in-part of International Application PCT/AU02/01229, with an international filing date of Sep. 4, 2002 and published in English under PCT Article 21(2), which claims priority under Article 4 of the Paris Convention to Australian Patent Application No. PR 7492, filed Sep. 5, 2001.
[0002] This invention relates to a packaging assembly and to a method of packaging.
[0003] The invention relates in particular to packaging assemblies which are reusable.
[0004] The invention has particular but not exclusive application to packaging assemblies and methods for the transport of furniture and the like. The packaging assemblies and methods are particularly suitable for the transport of lounges, sofas, sofa-beds and the like and illustrative examples will be given in relation to such items of furniture. However it is to be understood that the invention is not limited to such applications, and is not limited to the transport of furniture per se.
[0005] It is known for furniture and the like to be wrapped for transportation in clear plastic sheeting which is usually damaged during removal from the furniture after being transported, and is then discarded.
[0006] The present invention aims to provide an alternative to known packaging assemblies and methods.
[0007] This invention in one aspect resides broadly in a reusable packaging assembly for the transport of furniture or the like, the assembly including:—
[0008] a durable and flexible tube-like member adapted to receive the furniture therein and support the weight of the furniture;
[0009] the packaging assembly being adapted to be grasped by a lifter at each end thereof for lifting the furniture.
[0010] In another aspect this invention resides broadly in a method of transporting furniture or the like, the method including:—
[0011] providing a reusable packaging assembly including a durable and flexible tube-like member adapted to receive the furniture therein and support the weight of the furniture, the packaging assembly being adapted to be grasped by a lifter at each end thereof for lifting the furniture;
[0012] positioning the furniture within the packaging assembly;
[0013] transporting the packaged furniture;
[0014] removing the furniture from the packaging assembly, and reusing the packaging assembly to transport other furniture.
[0015] It is preferred that the tube-like member is open at each end. In an alternative embodiment, the tube like member can be closed at one of the ends.
[0016] It is preferred that the packaging assembly includes a pocket at one end of the tube-like member adapted to receive the assembly when stuffed therein to thereby constitute a carry bag or the like for the assembly when not in use.
[0017] It is also preferred that the packaging assembly includes tie means proximate each open end of the tube-like member for tying together or closing the open ends when in use.
[0018] It is also preferred that the tube-like member has an upper and a lower portion, the upper portion being made from light weight material and the lower portion being made from more durable material than the upper portion.
[0019] It is also preferred that the packaging assembly includes reinforcing means on the tube-like member for supporting the furniture. The reinforcing means may include a plurality of strap-like members extending longitudinally therealong. The strap like members preferably extend longitudinally along the lower portion.
[0020] In one embodiment the strap-like members extend beyond the ends of the tube-like member to constitute lifting means. The strap-like members extending beyond the ends of the tube-like member can be adapted to constitute a lifting sling.
[0021] In order that this invention may be more easily understood and put into practical effect, reference will now be made to the accompanying drawings which illustrate a preferred embodiment of the invention, wherein:—
[0022]
[0023] As can be seen in
[0024] It should be noted as mentioned above that the particular configuration of the tube
[0025] Being made from completely flexible fabric-like material, tube
[0026] Reinforcing means in the form of a pair of straps
[0027] Tube
[0028] Tube
[0029] The tube
[0030] In use, pocket tie
[0031] Thus it will be appreciated that in the method according to the invention, a reusable packaging assembly
[0032] The packaging assembly and method of the present invention has a number of advantages and benefits over known systems.
[0033] These include financial benefits, occupational health and safety benefits, workplace benefits, protection benefits and company image and presentation benefits.
[0034] Financial benefits include not only direct financial savings, but a saving on disposal costs of used plastic, a saving in capital outlay by avoiding the necessity of purchasing sealing machines and packing machines, and a saving on consumable costs.
[0035] The occupational health and safety benefits derive from the furniture being easier to lift as a result of the durable nature of the packaging assembly, with the packaging of the wrapped furniture being able to be grasped 50 cm from the ground which significantly increases the ability of the lifters to keep their backs straight. The packaging of the present invention enables the heavies items of furniture such as sofas to be lifted without the lifters having to bend down and place their hands under the sofas.
[0036] Improvements in the workplace result by the removal of messy adhesive tape or dangerous packaging machines. The packaging assemblies of the present invention are colour coded for ease of use, can be easily stored when not in use and are easier to organise.
[0037] Furniture thus packaged is less likely to sweat when packaged than if wrapped in plastic, is less likely to be damaged which easily occurs if plastic wrapping is ripped or torn. Moreover the furniture is more easily slidable through tight doorways, further reducing the potential for damage.
[0038] “Green” and “eco-sensitive” advertising on the packaging associated with the Company name presents a positive recycling image. For retailers, delivery people are able to unwrap furniture in front of the customer and return the packaging for reuse—thus avoiding the need of the customer having to unwrap the furniture and dispose of the wrapping. The delivery system can thus become an overall part of customer service.
[0039] It will of course be realised that whilst the above has been given by way of an illustrative example of this invention, all such and other modifications and variations hereto, as would be apparent to persons skilled in the art, are deemed to fall within the broad scope and ambit of this invention as is herein set forth.