Bulk packaging system and method for packaging printing plates

Abstract

In a bulk package system the stack of plates having a height Hplate is contacted and stabilized by an internal packaging structure with a height Hint which is higher than the stack to aid in protection of the plates from forces from above. A separate external packaging structure is provided with a height Hext being equal or larger than Hint. Forces acting upon the external packaging structure caused by e.g., collisions are not transferred to the stack of plates. The external packaging structure is assembled after the internal packaging structure.

1 - 13 . (canceled) 
   
   
       14 . A bulk package system for packaging a stack of printing plates, the package system comprising:
 a bottom plate arranged to support the stack of printing plates, the stack of printing plates having a height Hplate above the bottom plate;   an internal packaging structure arranged to contact and stabilize the stack of printing plates, the internal packaging structure having a height Hint above the bottom plate;   an external packaging structure, separate from the internal packaging structure, and defining an outer envelope of the bulk package system, the external packaging structure having a height Hext above the bottom plate; wherein   the height of the stack of printing plates, the internal packaging structure, and the external packaging structure satisfy the condition Hext Hint>Hplate.   
   
   
       15 . The bulk package system according to  claim 14 , wherein Hext=Hint. 
   
   
       16 . The bulk package system according to  claim 14 , wherein Hint Hplate+5 cm. 
   
   
       17 . The bulk package system according to  claim 14 , wherein the external packaging structure includes:
 separate edge pieces attached to the bottom plate to define a contour of the external packaging structure;   a single piece outer casing, having the height Hext, located on the bottom plate, in contact with and restricted in movement by the edge pieces and defining the outer envelope of the bulk package system; and   a cover arranged to close a top side of the bulk package.   
   
   
       18 . The bulk packaging system according to  claim 17 , wherein the edge pieces include corner pieces defining lower corners of the external packaging structure. 
   
   
       19 . The bulk packaging system according to  claim 17 , wherein the edge pieces are attached to the bottom plate by fastening flaps of the edge pieces under the bottom plate. 
   
   
       20 . The bulk packaging system according to  claim 18 , wherein the edge pieces are attached to the bottom plate by fastening flaps of the edge pieces under the bottom plate. 
   
   
       21 . The bulk packaging system according to  claim 17 , wherein some of the edge pieces are attached to the outer casing to connect the outer casing to the bottom plate. 
   
   
       22 . The bulk packaging system according to  claim 18 , wherein some of the edge pieces are attached to the outer casing to connect the outer casing to the bottom plate. 
   
   
       23 . The bulk packaging system according to  claim 19 , wherein some of the edge pieces are attached to the outer casing to connect the outer casing to the bottom plate. 
   
   
       24 . The bulk packaging system according to  claim 20 , wherein some of the edge pieces are attached to the outer casing to connect the outer casing to the bottom plate. 
   
   
       25 . The bulk packaging system according to  claim 21 , wherein the edge pieces attached to the outer casing include a tear strip arranged to enable easy separation of the outer casing from the bottom plate. 
   
   
       26 . The bulk packaging system according to  claim 22 , wherein the edge pieces attached to the outer casing include a tear strip arranged to enable easy separation of the outer casing from the bottom plate. 
   
   
       27 . The bulk packaging system according to  claim 23 , wherein the edge pieces attached to the outer casing include a tear strip arranged to enable easy separation of the outer casing from the bottom plate. 
   
   
       28 . The bulk packaging system according to  claim 24 , wherein the edge pieces attached to the outer casing include a tear strip arranged to enable easy separation of the outer casing from the bottom plate. 
   
   
       29 . The bulk package system according to  claim 14 , further comprising an immobilizing device arranged to immobilize the stack of printing plates relative to the bottom plate. 
   
   
       30 . The bulk packaging system according to  claim 29 , where the immobilizing device includes cardboard pads, abutting the stack of plates, attached to the bottom plate. 
   
   
       31 . The bulk packaging system according to  claim 30 , wherein the cardboard pads immobilizing the stack of printing plates are adhered to the bottom plate by glue. 
   
   
       32 . The bulk package system according to  claim 14 , wherein the internal and external packaging structures substantially consists of cardboard material. 
   
   
       33 . A method for making a bulk package containing a stack of printing plates, the method comprising the steps of:
 providing a bottom plate arranged to support the stack of printing plates;   placing the stack of printing plates, having a height Hplate on the bottom plate;   stabilizing the stack of printing plates with an internal packaging structure in contact with the stack of printing plates and having a height Hint>Hplate;   immobilizing the stack of printing plates relative to the bottom plate;   attaching separate edge pieces to the bottom plate to define a contour of an outer packaging structure;   placing a single piece outer casing, having a height Hext Hint>Hplate, on the bottom plate, the outer casing being in contact with and restricted in movement by the edge pieces, the outer casing defining a lateral envelope of the bulk package; and   closing the bulk package with a cover.