Sleeve for protecting a corner portion of a product

Abstract

Corner sleeves are used for protecting corner portions of products. Each sleeve has a pair of cushioning members formed in an L-shaped configuration that define a generally triangular space therebetween. Top and bottom panel members of the sleeve are positioned to cover a top and a bottom of the triangular space. Top and bottom fold-over panel members of the sleeve are folded relative to the top and bottom panel members to be positioned within the triangular space and are biased toward one another. In use, upon insertion of the corner portion of the product between the top and bottom fold-over panel members, the fold-over panel members hold the product in place therebetween and the cushioning members protect the corner portion of the product. L-shaped channels may be provided within the sleeves to further assist in holding the product in place.

1 . A sleeve for protecting a corner portion of a product, said sleeve comprising:
 first and second cushioning members formed in an L-shaped configuration such that said first cushioning member is generally perpendicular to said second cushioning member and such that said first and second cushioning members define a generally triangular space therebetween;   top and bottom panel members which are each secured to at least said first cushioning member, said top panel member being positioned to at least partially cover a top of said generally triangular space, said bottom panel member being positioned to at least partially cover a bottom of said generally triangular space; and   top and bottom fold-over panel members, said top fold-over panel member being folded downwardly relative to said top panel member and being positioned within said generally triangular space, said bottom fold-over panel member being folded upwardly relative to said bottom panel member and being positioned within said generally triangular space, said top and bottom fold-over panel members being biased toward one another;   whereby, upon insertion of the corner portion of the product between said top and bottom fold-over panel members, said fold-over panel members will hold the product in place therebetween and said first and second cushioning members will protect the corner portion of the product.   
   
   
       2 . The sleeve as defined in  claim 1 , wherein said first cushioning member, said top and bottom panel members and said top and bottom fold-over panel members are formed from a corrugated cardboard material. 
   
   
       3 . The sleeve as defined in  claim 1 , wherein said second cushioning member is formed from a corrugated cardboard material. 
   
   
       4 . The sleeve as defined in  claim 1 , wherein said second cushioning member is formed from a polyethylene foam material. 
   
   
       5 . The sleeve as defined in  claim 1 , wherein said first cushioning member, said top and bottom panel members and said top and bottom fold-over panel members are all formed from a single blank. 
   
   
       6 . The sleeve as defined in  claim 1 , wherein said bottom panel member has a tab member extending therefrom, and wherein said first cushioning member has an aperture provided therethrough, said tab member configured to be inserted into said aperture in order to secure said bottom panel member to said first cushioning member. 
   
   
       7 . The sleeve as defined in  claim 1 , wherein said top panel member has a tab member extending therefrom, and wherein said first cushioning member has an aperture provided therethrough, said tab member configured to be inserted into said aperture in order to secure said top panel member to said first cushioning member. 
   
   
       8 . The sleeve as defined in  claim 1 , wherein said bottom panel member is secured to one or both of said first and second cushioning members by an adhesive. 
   
   
       9 . The sleeve as defined in  claim 1 , wherein said top panel member is secured to one or both of said first and second cushioning members by an adhesive. 
   
   
       10 . The sleeve as defined in  claim 1 , wherein said first cushioning member is generally formed in a shape of a rectangular tube. 
   
   
       11 . The sleeve as defined in  claim 1 , wherein said second cushioning member is generally formed in a shape of a rectangular tube. 
   
   
       12 . The sleeve as defined in  claim 1 , wherein said second cushioning member is generally formed in a shape of a rectangular block. 
   
   
       13 . The sleeve as defined in  claim 1 , wherein an L-shaped channel is defined between said first and second cushioning members, said top and bottom panel members and said top and bottom fold-over panel members, said L-shaped channel configured to receive and trap edges of the corner portion of the product therein such that the corner portion of the product cannot be pulled out of the sleeve without separate manipulation of one or both of said top and bottom fold-over panel members. 
   
   
       14 . The sleeve as defined in  claim 1 , further comprising a side panel member which connects said top panel member to said bottom panel member, said side panel member configured to abut against at least one of said first and second cushioning members. 
   
   
       15 . The sleeve as defined in  claim 1 , wherein a cut-out is formed along said folded connection between said top panel member and said top fold-over panel member, said cut-out configured to receive at least a portion of an insert therein. 
   
   
       16 . The sleeve as defined in  claim 1 , wherein a cut-out is formed along said folded connection between said bottom panel member and said bottom fold-over panel member, said cut-out configured to receive at least a portion of an insert therein. 
   
   
       17 . The sleeve as defined in  claim 1 , wherein said top and bottom panel members are generally parallel to one another. 
   
   
       18 . The sleeve as defined in  claim 1 , wherein said second cushioning member can be removed from between said top and bottom panel members. 
   
   
       19 . A method of forming a sleeve used for protecting a corner portion of a product, said method comprising the steps of:
 a) providing a blank having a plurality of air cell panels, top and bottom panels, a side panel, and top and bottom fold-over panels;   b) folding said plurality of air cell panels into a rectangular tube positioned on said bottom panel;   c) folding said bottom fold-over panel relative to said bottom panel such that a first edge of said bottom fold-over panel faces a first portion of said rectangular tube;   d) folding said side panel to a position generally perpendicular to said bottom panel such that said side panel faces a second portion of said rectangular tube;   e) folding said top panel to a position generally perpendicular to said side panel and generally parallel to said bottom panel such that said top panel faces a third portion of said rectangular tube;   f) folding said top fold-over panel relative to said top panel such that a first edge of said top fold-over panel faces said first portion of said rectangular tube and is generally parallel to said first edge of said bottom fold-over panel; and   g) securing said top panel to said rectangular tube.   
   
   
       20 . The method as defined in  claim 19 , further comprising the step of:
 securing said rectangular tube to said bottom panel.   
   
   
       21 . The method as defined in  claim 19 , further comprising the step of:
 providing a filler which upon completion of step (g) is positioned between second edges of said top and bottom fold-over panels, said rectangular tube, said side panel, and said top and bottom panels, said rectangular tube and said filler being generally L-shaped in configuration.   
   
   
       22 . The method as defined in  claim 21 , further comprising the step of:
 securing said filler to at least one of said top and bottom panels.   
   
   
       23 . The method as defined in  claim 21 , wherein said folding of said top and bottom fold-over panels provides a generally L-shaped channel between said rectangular tube, said filler, said first and second edges of said top fold-over panel and said first and second edges of said bottom fold-over panel. 
   
   
       24 . A method of securing a protective sleeve to a corner portion of a product, said method comprising the steps of:
 a) providing a protective sleeve having first and second cushioning members provided in a generally L-shaped configuration such that a generally triangular space is provided therebetween, top and bottom panel members covering said generally triangular space, and top and bottom fold-over panels folded relative to said top and bottom panel members, respectively, that are positioned within said generally triangular space and which are biased toward one another;   b) inserting said corner portion of said product into said protective sleeve between said top and bottom fold-over panels until a first edge of said corner portion of said product is provided proximate to said first cushioning member and until a second edge of said corner portion of said product is provided proximate to said second cushioning member; and   c) allowing said top and bottom fold-over panels to be biased against said corner portion of said product in opposite directions in order to hold said corner portion of said product within said protective sleeve.   
   
   
       25 . The method as defined in  claim 24 , further comprising the steps of:
 providing said protective sleeve with an L-shaped channel defined between said first and second cushioning members and said top and bottom fold-over panels; and   inserting said corner portion of said product into said protective sleeve until said edges of said corner portion of said product are positioned within said L-shaped channel.