Package handling system

Abstract

A package handling system for handling and transporting a load comprises two spaced apart skid runners molded from an expandable polystyrene or other polyolefin expanded bead, and a high impact polystyrene film. Each runner has a first surface designed to contact a load supporting surface and second surface contoured to accommodate a specific load, and a polystyrene skid applied coextensive with the first side. Optionally, the length of the first side has a plurality of grooves. The system can be used in combination with corner post supports and/or one or more top pieces. A method of packaging a load is also disclosed.

1 . A package handling system for a load comprising at least two spaced apart skid runners for supporting a load to be carried by said skid runners, each of said skid runners being comprised of an expanded polystyrene molded to have at least a first and second surface, said first surface being substantially coextensive the length and width of said skid runner for contact with a supporting surface, said second surface being configured to support said load, and a polystyrene film laminated substantially coextensive with said first surface.  
   
   
       2 . A package handling system as set forth in  claim 1  wherein at least one of said runners is located at least at a supporting position of said load.  
   
   
       3 . A packaging handling system as set forth in  claim 1  wherein said system includes a third skid runner positioned between and substantially parallel with said at least two spaced apart skid runners.  
   
   
       4 . A package handling system as set forth in  claim 1  wherein said skid runners have at least a pair of sides and ends positioned between said first and second surfaces and wherein at least a portion of said sides and ends includes said polystyrene film bonded thereto at least adjacent to an intersection with said first surface.  
   
   
       5 . A packaging handling system as set forth in  claim 1  wherein said first surface comprises a plurality of grooves.  
   
   
       6 . A packaging handling system as set forth in  claim 4  wherein said first surface comprises a chamfered edge extending along one end or both of said pair of ends.  
   
   
       7 . A package handling system as set forth in  claim 4  wherein said first surfaces comprises a chamfered edge extending along one side or both of said pair of sides.  
   
   
       8 . A package handling system as set forth in  claim 4  further comprising a side wall generally aligned with and extending from one of said sides and protruding from said second surface.  
   
   
       9 . A package handling system as set forth in  claim 4  wherein said second surface further comprises at least one bearing area generally aligned with and extending along one of said sides and being positioned between said ends.  
   
   
       10 . A package handling system as set forth in  claim 1  wherein said second surface further includes one or more openings or indents having the general shape of a square, circle or rectangle suitable to accommodate protruding contact surfaces on said load.  
   
   
       11 . A package handling system as set forth in  claim 1  wherein said skid runners are spaced apart a distance less than the relative dimension of said load to be supported on said second surface.  
   
   
       12 . A package handling system as set forth in  claim 1  wherein said skid runners comprise of an expanded polystyrene having a density of from about 1.25 to 3.5 pounds per cubic foot.  
   
   
       13 . A package handling system as set forth in  claim 1  wherein said polystyrene film is a high impact film and is located over at least said first surface.  
   
   
       14 . A package handling system as set forth in  claim 13  wherein said high impact film is located by lamination.  
   
   
       15 . A package handling system as set forth in  claim 14  wherein said lamination is prepared substantially simultaneously with molding said skid runner.  
   
   
       16 . A package handling system as set forth in  claim 4  wherein said polystyrene film is located over at least a portion of said sides and ends.  
   
   
       17 . A packaging system for a load comprising a plurality of spaced apart expanded polystyrene skid runners, each of said skid runners comprising a first surface for contact with a load supporting surface and second surface for contacting support of said load, each of said skid runners having a polystyrene film substantially coextensively bonded to said first surface, and a plurality of corner supports configured to support a corner of said load, each of said corner supports extending at least from an outer edge of said second surface to a point adjacent the extent of said load.  
   
   
       18 . A packaging system for a load as set forth in  claim 17  wherein said system further includes one or more top pieces each said top piece being removably attached to an end of said corner support.  
   
   
       19 . A method of packaging a load, said method comprising the steps of: 
 a. molding expanded polystyrene to form at least two elongated generally rectangular skid runners, each of said runners having first and second surfaces and at least two side walls and two ends;    b. bonding a polystyrene film substantially coextensive with said first surface and a portion of said sides and ends adjacent to an intersection with said first surface; and    c. placing the supporting position of said load on said second surfaces of said at least two skids runners.    
   
   
       20 . A method of packaging a load, further comprising the step of: 
 d. positioning a first end of each of at least two corner posts into one of said at least two skid runners, and positioning each second end of each of at least two corner posts into opposite ends of a top piece.