PACKAGING AID FOR UNITS OF OUTER PACKAGING OF UNITS OF SALES PACKAGING WITH HANGING TABS, PARTICULARLY UNITS OF WINDSHIELD WIPER PACKAGING AND CONFIGURATION WITH SUCH A PACKAGING AID

Description

BACKGROUND

The invention relates to an outer packaging for units of sales packaging, in particular units of windshield wiper packaging. A windshield wiper packaging may in particular contain one or more windshield wipers for a passenger vehicle (car) or truck.

The units of sales packaging considered here have a hanging tab. The hanging tabs are used, particularly in retail stores, for hanging the sales packaging on a sales shelf. For this purpose, hangers may be attached to the sales shelf to allow the sales packaging to be displayed hanging. A plurality of the same units of sales packaging can then be hung on the hanger, in particular a plurality of units of sales packaging with the same contents, so that the units of sales packaging can be removed from the hanger one after the other. It is advantageous for function and an attractive presentation if the hanging tabs are undamaged, and are in particular free of creases or cracks. This particularly relates to an area around a through-opening in the hanging tab, through which is used for the hanger. Damage caused by a crease or a crack, for example, can affect the function. Furthermore, the impression of a new packaging will be compromised. A coating, lettering, graphical representation, or the like provided on the hanging tab may also be negatively affected, if applicable.

SUMMARY

The packaging aid according to the invention having the features and the configuration of the disclosure have the advantage of improving design and function. As a result, damage to the hanging tabs of the units of sales packaging, for example during transport or storage, can be avoided or entirely prevented.

The measures listed in the disclosure permit advantageous further developments and improvements of the packaging aid and the configuration.

The term windshield wiper packaging is broadly understood. For example, one or more wiper blades may be packaged in such sales packaging for windshield wipers. In this case, one or more accessories, such as assembly aids, can additionally be packaged in the sales packaging. In addition, one or more wipers with hangers, comprising a hanger and a wiper blade, may be packaged in the sales packaging. However, it is also possible that only one or more wiper edges are packaged in the sales packaging.

Advantageously, the adjacent receiving slots are at least approximately equally spaced apart along the length of the base body. This allows for an advantageous arrangement of the sales packages one behind the other (next to each other). The distance between adjacent receiving slots may also be greater than the distance between the hanging tabs of adjacent units of sales packaging. In that case, the packaging aid may be oriented at a certain angle to the units of sales packaging one behind the other when the hanging tabs are inserted into the receiving slots.

It is advantageous that a distance along the length of the base body between a height side of the base body and the nearest receiving slot is greater than the distance between adjacent receiving slots. This enables the packaging aid to be positioned or supported on an inner wall of the outer packaging. This positioning or support can occur on the high side.

It is advantageous that a distance considered along the length of the base body between a further high side of the base body and the nearest further receiving slot is greater than a distance between adjacent receiving slots. This enables the packaging aid to be positioned or supported on an inner wall of the outer packaging. This positioning or support can occur on the further high side.

It is advantageous that the base body has at least one inclined corner, which is provided on the one hand on a high side or on a further high side and on the other hand, on a further longitudinal side facing away from the longitudinal side. This allows a preferred position to be determined during a packaging process. The inclined corner may also be used to create a free space that makes it easier to close the lid of the outer packaging.

It is advantageous that the receiving slots extend at least over more than half of the height, in particular at least 70% of the height, more particularly at least 80% of the height, and even more particularly at least approximately 85% of the height. This allows a particularly compact design to be achieved. Damage to the hanging tabs can be avoided, for example, when closing a lid of the outer packaging.

It is advantageous that the receiving slots are rounded at a slot bottom away from the longitudinal side. This allows for improved support of the hanging tabs.

It is advantageous for the base body to have an insertion slope between the longitudinal side and a slot side of at least one receiving slot, preferably all receiving slots. This allows a packaging process to be performed in an improved manner. Damage to the hanging tabs can be avoided when attaching the packaging aid.

It is advantageous for the base body to have a further insertion slope between the longitudinal side and a further slot side of at least one receiving slot, preferably all receiving slots. This allows a packaging process to be performed in a further improved manner. Damage to the hanging tabs can be avoided when attaching the packaging aid in a further improved manner.

It is advantageous for the receiving slots to have at least approximately equal slot widths considered along the length of the base body. This allows a plurality of identical units of packaging, which can be hung together on a hanger on a sales shelf, to be arranged one behind the other in the outer packaging.

It is advantageous that the width of the base body is not greater than the slot width of the receiving slots. As a result, the packaging aid can be positioned at a certain inclined position to the units of packaging arranged one behind the other during packaging. A certain width of the base body allows for a degree of stability, in particular if the base body is made of cardboard. By limiting the width as proposed, the inclined position can then be adapted to different packaging sizes if necessary, resulting in a wider range of applications.

It is advantageous that the base body is made at least substantially of cardboard as a material. This enables a stable and lightweight design, cost-effective production, and recycling of the materials. The cardboard may be at least partially made of corrugated cardboard.

It is advantageous if each receiving slot serves to insert exactly one hanging tab of the sales packaging. This prevents damage from the outset by, for example, hanging tabs rubbing against each other.

It is advantageous that the receiving slots considered along the height of the base body are designed somewhat higher than the hanging tabs, wherein the hanging tabs preferably project into rounded slot bottoms of the receiving slots. This results in an advantageous support of the hanging tabs, preventing damage during packaging and unpackaging.

It is advantageous if the hanging tabs each have at least one through-opening configured so that a hanger can be inserted through the through-opening in order to hang the sales packaging at the hanging tab in the retail store. This allows for an advantageous presentation of the retail packaging, particularly in retail stores.

Depending on the configuration, one or more of the following features and advantages may be realized.

A configuration of the packaging aid made of cardboard (carton material) can be realized. The sales packaging may comprise a hanging tab having a through-opening, for example, for a hanger for hanging in retail stores. Such a through-opening can in particular be configured in a manner corresponding to a Euro hole.

For example, during transport, impacts or similar forces may act on the units of sales packaging packaged in the outer packaging, which are capable of displacing the units of sales packaging within the outer packaging. Without the packaging aid such forces could possibly act on the hanging tabs and, as they are comparatively flimsy, the hanging tabs could bend and, for example, crease. Weak points on a hanging tab are located in particular around a possibly present Euro hole or the like.

Deformations, such as creases on the hanging tab, then reduce the stability of the hanging tab. Furthermore, creases or tears are also undesirable for optical reasons. In particular, a graphical representation on the hanger tab may be negatively affected. Accordingly, a solid-colored, in particular black, printing, in particular high-gloss printing, or the like, can also be negatively affected. The high-gloss printing can then already be damaged by creasing in such a way that bright strips show up or that the high-gloss printing peels off in sections. There may also be partial disengaging and spreading of a layer of a thin, multi-ply cardboard box of the sales packaging on the hanging tab. The packaging aid can be used to provide support for the sales packaging against the outer packaging, wherein the forces mentioned do not act on the hanging tabs, but at least substantially on the packaging aid.

Thus, possible damage during transportation can be reliably prevented, specifically in a logistics chain. In one possible embodiment, for example, five units of sales packaging may be arranged one behind the other in an outer packaging, wherein the hanging tabs are arranged at one end of the outer packaging. The packaging aid may then be attached to this end during packaging. The packaging aid then supports the said forces at this end, which occur, for example, due to impacts during transportation. Furthermore, the packaging aid may additionally hold the hanging tabs in their orientation with respect to the respective sales packaging.

The packaging material can be based on a cardboard (carton material), in particular made of a cardboard. Specifically, such a cardboard may be a cardboard with a B-wave or E-wave.

The packaging aid may be provided, preferably at the top in the outer packaging with respect to a optionally predetermined orientation of the outer packaging.

The packaging aid may preferably be inserted diagonally into the outer packaging. In this case, the packaging aid may be arranged at least approximately between two diagonally opposite edges of the outer packaging.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Preferred exemplary embodiments of the invention are explained in more detail in the following description with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which corresponding elements are shown with the same reference numerals. Shown are:

FIG. 1 a packaging aid in a schematic section according to an exemplary embodiment;

FIG. 2 a configuration with the packaging aid shown in FIG. 1 in a schematic, spatial representation according to the exemplary embodiment;

FIG. 3 a detail of a sales packaging with possible damage to a hanging tab of the sales packaging after transportation in an outer packaging to explain the exemplary embodiment, wherein such damage can be avoided by a configuration with the packaging aid according to the exemplary embodiment;

FIG. 4 the detail shown in FIG. 3 from the viewing direction designated IV; and

FIG. 5 a schematic illustration showing the hanging of units of sales packaging on a hanger of a retail facility, for example, in retail stores.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

FIG. 1 shows a packaging aid 1 in a schematic section according to an exemplary embodiment. FIG. 2 shows a configuration 10 with the packaging aid 1 shown in FIG. 1 in a schematic, spatial representation according to the exemplary embodiment.

The packaging aid 1 is used for units of outer packaging 2 of units of sales packaging 3 with hanging tabs 4. Specifically, the packaging aid 1 relates to configurations 10 in which units of sales packaging designed as units of windshield wiper packaging 3 are packaged together in an outer packaging 2.

The packaging aid 1 has a base body 5. The base body 5 has a length L and a height H considered perpendicular to the length L. In addition, the base body 5 has a width B (FIG. 2), in particular a thickness B. The packaging aid 1 can be formed at least substantially by the base body 5. In a modified design, a coating, an adhesive film, or similar can also be attached to the base body 5, for example.

The base body has several receiving slots 6, 7, 8, 9. In this exemplary embodiment, four receiving slots 6, 7, 8, 9 are provided. Depending on the application, in particular the size of the outer packaging 2 and the size of the sales packaging 3, a different number of receiving slots 6, 7, 8, 9 can also be provided. Preferably, the number of receiving slots 6, 7, 8, 9 is one less than the number of units of sales packaging 3 arranged in an outer packaging 2.

The receiving slots 6, 7, 8, 9 serve to at least partially insert the hanging tabs 4 into the receiving slots 6, 7, 8, 9. The receiving slots 6, 7, 8, 9 extend from a longitudinal side 15 of the base body 5 partially over the height H of the base body 5. In this exemplary embodiment, the receiving slots 6, 7, 8, 9 are at least approximately geometrically congruent.

The receiving slots 6, 7, 8, 9 are spaced apart from one another considered along the length L of the base body 5. Distances a2, a3, a4 are predetermined between adjacent receiving slots 6, 7, 8, 9. In this exemplary embodiment, adjacent receiving slots 6, 7, 8, 9 are spaced apart from one another considered along the length (L) of the base body (5) at approximately equal distances a2, a3, a4. As a result, multiple equally sized units of sales packaging 3 can be inserted one behind the other in the outer packaging 2, wherein the packaging aid 1 supports the hanging tabs 4 inserted into its receiving slots 6, 7, 8, 9.

In this exemplary embodiment, distances a1, a5 considered along the length L of the base body 5 between mutually modified high sides 16, 17 of the base body 5 and a respective nearest receiving slot 6, 9 are greater than the equal distances a2, a3, a4 between adjacent receiving slots 6, 7, 8, 9 predetermined in this exemplary embodiment. In this exemplary embodiment, the distances a1, a5 are also predetermined to be at least approximately equal.

In this exemplary embodiment, the base body 5 has an inclined corner 20, which is provided on the one hand on the high side 17 and on the other hand, on a further longitudinal side 18 facing away from the longitudinal side 15. In a modified embodiment, such an inclined corner 20 can additionally be provided on a further high side 16.

The inclined corner can in particular facilitate the closing of a lid 21 of the outer packaging 2. In particular, the inclined corner 20 can be realized by an insertion aid or insertion slope for a tab 22 of the lid. For this purpose, the inclined corner 20 is attached to the longitudinal side 18 facing away from the longitudinal side 15 on which the receiving slots 6, 7, 8, 9 are open. In the packaged state, the longitudinal side 15 faces the top side 23 of a receiving box 24, for example, for windshield wipers.

In this exemplary embodiment, the receiving slots 6, 7, 8, 9 extend over at least approximately 85% of the height H of the base body 5. However, modified embodiments are also possible and advantageous in the respective application. Preferably, the receiving slots 6, 7, 8, 9 extend over at least more than half of the height H, in particular at least 70% of the height H, and more particularly at least 80% of the height H, of the base body 5.

In this exemplary embodiment, the receiving slots 6, 7, 8, 9 are rounded at a slot bottom 26, 27, 28, 29 away from the longitudinal side 15. This can achieve, if necessary, a central positioning of the hanging tabs 4 in the receiving slots 6, 7, 8, 9, so that during transportation, contact between the hanger tabs 4 and the slot sides 30, 31 of the receiving slots 6, 7, 8, 9 configured on the base body 5 is reduced.

In this exemplary embodiment, the base body 5 has an insertion slope 32, 33 between the longitudinal side 15 and the slot side 30, 31 of the receiving slots 6, 7, 8, 9, for each slot side 30, 31 of each receiving slot 6, 7, 8, 9. However, in a modified embodiment, fewer insertion slopes 32, 33 can also be provided. In particular, only one insertion slope can be provided on either the slot side 30 or the slot side 31 for each receiving slot 6, 7, 8, 9, wherein the receiving slots 6, 7, 8, 9 are not necessarily geometrically identical.

In this exemplary embodiment, the insertion slopes 32, 33 are at least approximately straight. However, other configurations, in particular rounded insertion slopes 32, 33, can also be realized.

In this exemplary embodiment, the receiving slots 6, 7, 8, 9 have at least approximately equal slot widths b1, b2, b3, b4 considered along the length L of the base body 5.

In this exemplary embodiment, the base body 5 has an at least approximately constant width B, in particular a thickness. In this exemplary embodiment, the width B of the base body 5 is not predetermined greater than a slot width b1, b2, b3, b4 of the receiving slots 6, 7, 8, 9. Preferably, the width B is smaller than the slot width b1, b2, b3, b4.

In a preferred embodiment, the base body 5 is made of cardboard 40 as a material, i.e. a cardboard material. However, in this case, the cardboard 40 can also be printed and/or coated and/or at least partially covered with a film or the like, for example.

In this exemplary embodiment, the configuration is realized so that exactly one hanging tab 4 is inserted into each receiving slot 6, 7, 8, 9. Accordingly, the base body 5 is designed so that each receiving slot 6, 7, 8, 9 serves to insert exactly one hanging tab 4 of a unit of sales packaging 3.

The assembly 10 comprises at least one packaging aid 1, multiple units of sales packaging 3 with hanging tabs 4, and an outer packaging 2 for the units of sales packaging 3. In the packaged state, the units of sales packaging 3 are arranged next to each other (one behind the other) in the outer packaging 2. Here, the hanging tabs 4 of the units of sales packaging 3 are inserted into the receiving slots 6, 7, 8, 9 of the base body 5 of the packaging aid 1.

The receiving slots 6, 7, 8, 9 are designed to be slightly higher than the hanging tabs 4 considered along the height H of the base body 5. The hanging tabs 4 project into rounded slot bottoms 26, 27, 28, 29 of the receiving slots 6, 7, 8, 9.

In the following, the configuration and operation of the exemplary embodiment are further described in relation to FIGS. 3 to 5. FIGS. 3 and 4 show typical damage that can be avoided with a configuration 10 using the packaging aid 1.

FIG. 3 shows a detail of a unit of sales packaging 3 with possible damage 41, 42 in areas 43, 44 of a hanging tab 4 of the sales packaging 3 after transportation in an outer packaging to explain the exemplary embodiment, wherein such damage 41, 42 can be avoided by a configuration with the packaging aid 1 according to the exemplary embodiment. FIG. 4 shows the detail shown in FIG. 3 from the viewing direction designated IV, wherein in particular the damage 42 in area 44 is shown.

FIG. 5 shows a schematic illustration showing the hanging of units of the units of sales packaging 3 on a hanger 46 of a retail facility 47, for example, in a retail store.

The hanging tabs 4 each have at least one through-opening 45. The through-opening 45 is configured such that, the hanger 46 of the sales facility 47 can be inserted through the through-opening 45 in order to hang the sales packaging 3 on the hanging tab 4 in the retail store. Multiple units of sales packaging 3 can be hung on the hanger one behind the other.

However, the through-opening 45 weakens the stability of the hanging tab 4, specifically in the areas 43 and 44, as only webs 48 and 49 remain here. Without the packaging aid 1, there could be some compression of the hanging tab 4 in the direction of its height H. The hanging tab 4 can therefore crease at the webs 48 and 49. If the hanging tab 4 is made from a multi-layer material, the individual layers can separate slightly from each other at the respective web 48 or 49 of the hanging tab 4, as illustrated in FIG. 4.

Such damage 41 and 42 can be avoided by the packaging aid 1 and by the configuration 10 with the packaging aid, as creasing of the hanging tabs 4 is prevented and forces caused by, for example, impacts during transportation can be directed via the packaging aid 1 from the top 23 of the receiving box 24 onto the lid 21 of the outer packaging 2 and vice versa.

The invention is not limited to the embodiments described.