Radiator packaging system

Abstract

A package for a radiator or similar product is provided wherein the radiator is affixed to a portion of the package having a reinforcing web laminated thereto. The reinforcing web extends to a pair of flaps which are bendable or foldable about opposed edges of the radiator. Spacer blocks and cushioning pads are pre-affixed to the package. The flaps include friction pads which assist in the retention of the radiator. Once the flaps are folded or bent over opposed edges of the radiator, one or more bands are applied to maintain the radiator within the grasp of the flaps. The radiator is then covered to complete the packaging.

1 . A packaging system for an article comprising: 
 packaging configured to receive the article therein,    a pair of oppositely-extending flaps formed in a portion of the packaging, the flaps being bendable about opposed edges of the article; and    constriction means for compressing the flaps against the edges of the article with sufficient force so as to retain the article therebetween by friction.    
   
   
       2 . The packaging system as defined in  claim 1 , further comprising a bendable reinforcing web laminated to and extending between the flaps.  
   
   
       3 . The packaging system as defined in  claim 1 , wherein a bendable friction material is disposed on the flaps such that the friction material engages the opposed edges of the article when the flaps are bent thereabout.  
   
   
       4 . The packaging system as defined in  claim 1 , wherein the packaging comprises a coverable tray member.  
   
   
       5 . The packaging system as defined in  claim 4 , wherein the portion of the packaging in which the flaps are formed is the tray member.  
   
   
       6 . The packaging system as defined in  claim 4 , wherein the portion of the packaging in which the flaps are formed comprises a base unit configured to be received in the tray member.  
   
   
       7 . The packaging system as defined in  claim 1 , wherein the packaging comprises a closeable, box-like enclosure.  
   
   
       8 . The packaging system as defined in  claim 7 , wherein the portion of the packaging in which the flaps are formed comprises a base unit configured to be received in the box-like enclosure.  
   
   
       9 . The packaging system as defined in  claim 1 , wherein cushioning blocks are disposed on the portion of the packaging in which the flaps are formed, said cushioning blocks being positioned so as to abut against a surface of the article extending between the opposed edges.  
   
   
       10 . The packaging system as defined in  claim 1 , wherein cushioning spacers are positioned on a portion of the flaps which forms the exterior thereof when bent around the opposed edges of the article, said cushioning spacers being of sufficient thickness so as to abut an adjacent inner portion of the packaging.  
   
   
       11 . The packaging system as defined in  claim 1 , wherein the constriction means comprises at least one retention member encircling the article exteriorly of the flaps.  
   
   
       12 . The packaging system as defined in  claim 11 , wherein the at least one retention member comprises a band securable to itself.  
   
   
       13 . The packaging system as defined in  claim 12 , wherein the band is secured to itself using an automatic banding machine.  
   
   
       14 . The packaging system as defined in  claim 1 , wherein the packaging is made at least in part from a material selected from the group consisting of: single-ply corrugated paperboard, single-ply corrugated cardboard, single-ply corrugated plastic, multi-ply corrugated paperboard, multi-ply corrugated cardboard, and multi-ply corrugated plastic.  
   
   
       15 . The packaging system as defined in  claim 2 , wherein the bendable reinforcing web is made from polypropylene.  
   
   
       16 . The packaging system as defined in  claim 3 , wherein the bendable friction material is made from polyethylene.  
   
   
       17 . A packaging system for an article comprising: 
 packaging configured to receive the article therein,    a pair of oppositely-extending flaps formed in a portion of the packaging, said flaps being bendable about opposed edges of the article;    a bendable reinforcing web laminated to and extending between the flaps;    friction material disposed on a portion of the bendable reinforcing web on the flaps such that the friction material engages the opposed edges of the article when the flaps are bent thereabout; and    constriction means for compressing the flaps against the edges of the article with sufficient force so as to retain the article therebetween by friction.    
   
   
       18 . The packaging system as defined in  claim 17 , wherein the packaging is made at least in part from a material selected from the group consisting of: single-ply corrugated paperboard, single-ply corrugated cardboard, single-ply corrugated plastic, multi-ply corrugated paperboard, multi-ply corrugated cardboard, and multi-ply corrugated plastic.  
   
   
       19 . The packaging system as defined in  claim 18 , wherein the packaging comprises a coverable tray member.  
   
   
       20 . The packaging system as defined in  claim 19 , wherein the portion of the packaging in which the flaps are formed is the tray member.  
   
   
       21 . The packaging system as defined in  claim 19 , wherein the portion of the packaging in which the flaps are formed comprises a base unit configured to be received in the tray member.  
   
   
       22 . The packaging system as defined in  claim 18 , wherein the packaging comprises a closeable, box-like enclosure.  
   
   
       23 . The packaging system as defined in  claim 22 , wherein the portion of the packaging in which the flaps are formed comprises a base unit configured to be received snugly in the box-like enclosure.  
   
   
       24 . A method of packaging an article, comprising: 
 providing packaging configured to receive the article therein, there being formed in a portion of the packaging a pair of oppositely-extending, bendable flaps;    positioning the article adjacent the portion of packaging and bending the flaps over opposed edges of the article; and    applying at least one retention member over and around the bent flaps and article to compress the flaps against the edges of the article with sufficient force so as to retain the article therebetween by friction.    
   
   
       25 . A method of packaging an article in accordance with  claim 24 , wherein the portion of the packaging with the flaps includes one or more cushioning blocks, and wherein the article abutted against the cushioning blocks before the flaps are bent over the opposed edges of the article.  
   
   
       26 . A method of packaging an article in accordance with  claim 24 , wherein the packaging comprises a tray and a cover therefor, and cushioning spacers are positioned on a portion of the flaps which forms the exterior thereof when bent around the opposed edges of the article, the further step of 
 covering the tray with the cover so that the cushioning spacers abut the cover.    
   
   
       27 . A method of packaging an article in accordance with  claim 24 , wherein the retention member is a band applied by an automatic banding machine.  
   
   
       28 . A method of packaging an article in accordance with  claim 27 , wherein the automatic banding machine applies the bands with a predetermined and pre-settable tension.  
   
   
       29 . A method of packaging according to  claim 24 , wherein the article is a radiator.  
   
   
       30 . A method of packaging a radiator, comprising: 
 providing a packaging comprising a closeable, outer enclosure and a base unit adapted to be received within the enclosure, the base unit having a pair of oppositely-extending, bendable flaps formed therein;    positioning the radiator adjacent the base unit and bending the flaps over opposed edges of the radiator;    applying one or more retention members over and around the bent flaps and radiator to compress the flaps against the edges of the radiator with sufficient force so as to retain the radiator therebetween by friction; and    positioning the base unit and retained radiator within the enclosure and closing.    
   
   
       31 . A method of packaging a radiator, comprising: 
 providing a packaging comprising a coverable tray, the tray having a pair of oppositely-extending, bendable flaps formed therein;    positioning the radiator adjacent the tray and bending the flaps over opposed edges of the radiator;    applying one or more retention members over and around the bent flaps and radiator to compress the flaps against the edges of the article with sufficient force so as to retain the radiator therebetween by friction; and    covering the tray.