Corner protector

Abstract

A corner protector for protecting a corner of merchandise, comprising a first portion contacting a first surface of the merchandise. A second portion is interconnected with the first portion, and contacts a second surface of the merchandise. A third portion is interconnected with the first portion and the second portion, and contacts a third surface of the merchandise, in such a way that a corner of the merchandise at the intersection of the first, second and third surfaces is covered by the corner protector. A first zone of protection is located at the intersection of the second portion and the third portion, the first zone of protection having a corner protrusion defining a hollow recess so as to form an empty space along an edge of the corner of merchandise, whereby an impact on the corner protrusion will have its energy distributed by the corner protrusion to the second and third portions so as to generally prevent contact between said edge of the corner of merchandise and an inner surface of the corner protrusion.

1 . A corner protector for protecting a corner of merchandise, comprising: 
 a first portion contacting a first surface of the merchandise;    a second portion interconnected with the first portion, and contacting a second surface of the merchandise;    a third portion interconnected with the first portion and the second portion, and contacting a third surface of the merchandise, in such a way that a corner of the merchandise at the intersection of the first, second and third surfaces is covered by the corner protector; and    a first zone of protection located at the intersection of the second portion and the third portion, the first zone of protection having a corner protrusion defining a hollow recess so as to form an empty space along an edge of the corner of merchandise, whereby an impact on the corner protrusion will have its energy distributed by the corner protrusion to the second and third portions so as to generally prevent contact between said edge of the corner of merchandise and an inner surface of the corner protrusion.    
   
   
       2 . The corner protector as defined in  claim 1 , wherein the corner protector is made of a resilient material whereby a portion of impact energy is resiliently absorbed by the corner protector.  
   
   
       3 . The corner protector as defined in  claim 1 , wherein the first portion defines a second zone of protection adjacent to the corner of merchandise, the second zone of protection being adapted to at least partially distribute and partially absorb the energy of an impact.  
   
   
       4 . The corner protector as defined in  claim 3 , wherein the second zone of protection has at least one hollow protrusion defining an empty space between the inner surface of the hollow protrusion and the first surface of the corner of merchandise, whereby the resilience of the hollow protrusion allows the second zone of protection to deform thereby at least partially distributing and absorbing the energy of an impact.  
   
   
       5 . The corner protector as defined in  claim 1 , wherein the second portion and the third portion defines a third zone of protection adapted to at least partially distribute and partially absorb the energy of an impact.  
   
   
       6 . The corner protector as defined in  claim 5 , wherein the third zone of protection has at least one solid protrusion on an outside surface whereby a resilience of the solid protrusion allows the third zone of protection to at least partially absorb the energy of an impact.  
   
   
       7 . The corner protector as defined in  claim 5 , wherein the third zone-of protection has at least one hollow protrusion defining an empty space between the inner surface of the hollow protrusion and the protected surface of the corner of merchandise, whereby the resilience of the hollow protrusion and the empty space allows the zone of protection to expand thereby at least partially distributing and absorbing the energy of an impact.  
   
   
       8 . The corner protector as defined in  claim 5 , wherein the first portion defines a deformation zone adapted to stretch as a result of the expansion of the third zone of protection, thereby further distributing and absorbing the energy of an impact.  
   
   
       9 . The corner protector as defined in  claim 8 , wherein the deformation zone comprises at least one opening, thereby increasing the elasticity of the deformation zone.  
   
   
       10 . The corner protector as defined in  claim 1 , wherein the corner protector is made of an impact-absorbing polymer.  
   
   
       11 . The corner protector as defined in  claim 1 , wherein the corner protrusion has three protrusion portions to absorb impact energy, with two of the three protrusion portions respectively aligned with the first portion and the second portion.  
   
   
       12 . A corner protector for protecting a corner of merchandise, comprising: 
 a first portion contacting a first surface of the merchandise;    a second portion interconnected with the first portion, and contacting a second surface of the merchandise;    a third portion interconnected with the first portion and the second portion, and contacting a third surface of the merchandise, the second portion and the third portion having a first zone of protection adapted to at least partially distribute and partially absorb the energy of an impact by expanding upon receiving an impact; and    a deformation zone in the first portion for stretching as a result of an expansion of the first zone of protection, thereby further distributing and absorbing the energy of an impact.    
   
   
       13 . The corner protector as defined in  claim 12 , wherein the first portion defines a second zone of protection adjacent to the corner of merchandise adapted to at least partially distribute and partially absorb the energy of an impact.  
   
   
       14 . The corner protector as defined in  claim 13 , wherein the second zone of protection has at least one hollow protrusion defining an empty space between the inner surface of the hollow protrusion and the first surface of the corner of merchandise, whereby the resilience of the hollow protrusion allows the zone of protection to deform thereby at least partially distributing and absorbing the energy of an impact.  
   
   
       15 . The corner protector as defined in  claim 12 , wherein the first zone of protection comprises at least one solid protrusion on an outside surface whereby a resilience of the solid protrusion allows the zone of protection to at least partially absorb the energy of an impact.  
   
   
       16 . The corner protector as defined in  claim 12 , wherein the first zone of protection has at least one hollow protrusion defining an empty space between the inner surface of the hollow protrusion and the protected surface of the corner of merchandise, whereby the resilience of the hollow protrusion and the empty space allows the zone of protection to stretch thereby at least partially distributing and absorbing the energy of an impact.  
   
   
       17 . The corner protector as defined in  claim 12 , wherein the deformation zone comprises at least one opening, thereby increasing the elasticity of the deformation zone.  
   
   
       18 . The corner protector as defined in  claim 12 , wherein the corner protector is made of an impact-absorbing polymer.