Packaging for components of a roof window product

Description

TECHNICAL FIELD

The present invention relates to a packaging for a set of components of a roof window product, said packaging comprising a cardboard box with a bottom side and a top side, which are spaced apart along a height axis, and side walls extending between the bottom side and the top side of the cardboard box along the height axis, in which the cardboard box defines an external side and an internal side, and in which the bottom side, the top side and the side walls delimit an internal space of the cardboard box, which internal space accommodates a set of components of the roof window product in a supply condition, and in which an instruction manual is provided with the set of components.

BACKGROUND ART

Roof windows to be installed in inclined roof surfaces come in a variety of types and sizes and include various components and auxiliary equipment required to provide the desired weather-tight transition to the roofing, insulating properties etc.

When installing windows in a roof it is vital to ensure that the roof window itself is securely attached to the roof structure and that the joint between the roof window and the roof structure is properly weather-proofed. It is therefore important that all components of roof window products, such as the roof window itself and other products such as underroof collars, vapour barrier collars, and flashing assemblies for the roof window, are used and are used in the right way. To facilitate this, the components of the roof window product are typically arranged in the box in an intended order of use and small components, such as screws, are kept in plastic bags, or paper bags in recent developments.

As the installation process is relatively complex and sometimes performed by DYI installers, an instruction, or installation, manual of some length is typically delivered as a printed manual in the form of a leaflet laid within the internal space of the box in which is readily accessible to the installer.

Efforts to support the installer and facilitate the installation procedure are continuously being made; one such attempt is shown and described in Applicant's international application WO 2021/180287 A1. While this prior art packaging contributes to facilitating the installation process, there is still room for improvement on various parameters.

SUMMARY OF INVENTION

With this background, it is therefore an object of the invention to provide a packaging for a set of components of a roof window product, which has a smaller climate footprint, while increasing the ease of installation. It is noted that “roof window product” is intended to cover not only a roof window, but also products associated with the installation of a roof window, such as flashing assemblies, and products intended for being installed on a roof window, such as shutters.

This and further objects are achieved with a packaging for a set of components of a roof window product of the kind mentioned in the introduction, which is furthermore characterised in that the instruction manual comprises a plurality of parts, and that at least a first part of the instruction manual is provided on the external side of the cardboard box of the packaging.

By providing a first part of the instruction manual on the external side of the packaging, it is possible to avoid that the first part of the instruction manual is provided as a separate leaflet printed on paper but is provided on the cardboard material itself. Thereby, the first part of the instruction manual obtains a better durability in comparison to instruction manuals traditionally printed on paper. When installing a roof window product, the installation manual may be subjected to weather conditions, such as wind and precipitation. Therefore, a better durability is appreciated.

A still further potential advantage of providing the first part of the instruction manual on an external side of the packaging made from cardboard is that the instruction manual may be made biologically degradable. As the instruction manual may be caught by wind during the installation process of a roof window product, it may end up in places where it cannot be collected later by the installer. While it is not the intention to leave the manual behind, the biodegradable cardboard does little harm if needed to be left behind.

Furthermore, by providing at least a part of the instruction manual on the cardboard box means that the need to print and provide further instruction on paper which is then put into the internal space of the packaging is reduced or even made completely redundant. Thereby, providing a first part of the instruction manual on an external side of the packaging may contribute to a reduction in the total material consumption.

All in all, with the packaging according to the invention it is possible to improve the carbon footprint and provide a sustainable solution, not only of the components of the roof window product but also of the packaging itself.

In an embodiment the first part of the instruction manual is provided on an external surface of a removable section of the cardboard box, the first part of the instruction manual being preferably printed on the external surface of the removable section of the cardboard box or provided on a label applied to the removable section by adhesion. In this way, the removable section may be provided as a tear-off or cut-off section which is separated from the remaining parts of packaging and for instance fastened to a nearby wall or part of the roof structure such that the person carrying out the installation and any assisting persons may conveniently consult the first part of the instruction manual. Printing the first part of the instruction manual on the material of the cardboard box itself saves on material and contributes to sustainability in general. On the other hand, the use of labels provides for an improved flexibility that one and the same packaging type may be used for various sizes and product varieties.

In a further development of this embodiment, the removable section is delimited by a weakened contour such as a perforation, scoring and/or tear strip. In this way, the use of tools for cutting out the removable section with the first part of the instruction manual is avoided.

While the first part of the instruction manual may in principle be provided at an arbitrary position on the external side of the cardboard box of the packaging, it is presently preferred that the first part is provided on an external top surface of the top side of the cardboard box. In this way, the first part of the instruction manual is immediately identifiable which contributes to facilitating the installation process.

In one embodiment, the removable section is provided in the top side of the cardboard box, and wherein the weakened contour of the top side of the cardboard box comprises a perforated outline around the first part of the instruction manual to delimit the removable section of the cardboard box. Perforations constitute a well-proven and reliable mode of providing sections intended for separation.

In a development of the presently preferred embodiment, the perforated outline further outlines a part of the top side of the cardboard box adjacent to the first part of the instruction manual configured to form a tab comprised within the removable section of the cardboard box. The provision of such a tab makes it possible to provide a suitable spot for initial breakage of the removable section.

To ease the tearing-off even further, the removable section advantageously comprises a folding line between the part of the top side configured to form the tab and the first part of the instruction manual, which allows the tab to act as a handle during the tearing-off.

In a further embodiment, the removable section comprises a marking indicating the part configured to form a tab, preferably a visual marking. This marking will improve the accessibility of the removable section and hence facilitate the installation even further. In one embodiment, a second part of the instruction manual is provided on an internal top surface of the top side of the cardboard box, directly opposite the first part of the instruction manual. In this way, the installer may first consult the external side of the cardboard box for the initial steps and then turn to the internal side for second or even further steps. Using both surfaces reduces or even eliminates the need for any separate paper brochures or leaflets to be placed among the components in the internal space of the packaging.

The second part of the instruction manual provided on the internal top surface of the top side of the cardboard box may be printed on the internal top surface or provided as at least one loose sheet connected to the internal top surface for instance by adhesion. This embodiment offers optimum flexibility since some components may require only a few steps of instructions whereas others contain more complex instructions which may then be torn off one after the other in the style of a tear-off calendar.

In a development of embodiments comprising a removable section on which the first part of the instruction manual is provided on an external surface of the removable section, a second part of the instruction manual is provided on an internal surface of the removable section. In this way, the first and second parts are contained in a single unit which is readily manageable.

As an alternative, a second part of the instruction manual is provided in the internal space of the cardboard box in connection with the set of components.

In a further embodiment, the packaging comprises a handle section which makes it possible to carry the packaging with the accommodated set of components as a suitcase, thus contributing to facilitating the installation conditions.

In a still further embodiment, the packaging comprises an opening indication in the top side, the opening indication being located at distance from an associated side wall, and wherein the opening indication is configured to cooperate with a tear line. This measure contributes to the ease of installation by facilitated opening of the box and allows inspection of the internal space in comparison to prior art packages in which the entire lid section needs to be swung out or removed.

Other presently preferred embodiments and further advantages will be apparent from the subsequent detailed description and drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

In the following description embodiments of the invention will be described with reference to the schematic drawings, in which

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a general packaging comprising a cardboard box;

FIG. 2 corresponds to FIG. 1, wherein the cardboard box contains a set of components of a roof window product;

FIG. 3 is perspective view of a prior art packaging;

FIG. 4 is a perspective top view of a closed packaging in an embodiment of the invention;

FIG. 5 is a second perspective top view of the packaging of FIG. 4, including a first part of an instruction manual;

FIG. 6 is a top view of an external side of an unfolded packaging in an embodiment of the invention;

FIG. 7 is a top view of an internal side of an unfolded packaging in an embodiment of the invention;

FIG. 8 is a partial top view of a detail of an external side of an unfolded packaging of an embodiment of the invention;

FIG. 9 is a partial top view of an internal side of an unfolded packaging in an embodiment of the invention; and

FIG. 10 is a view corresponding to FIG. 9 of a detail of an alternative embodiment of the invention.

DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENTS

In the following detailed description, presently preferred embodiments of the present invention will be described. However, it is to be understood that features of the different embodiments are exchangeable between the embodiments and may be combined in different ways, unless anything else is specifically indicated. It may also be noted that, for the sake of clarity, the dimensions of certain components illustrated in the drawings may differ from the corresponding dimensions in real-life implementations.

It is noted that terms such as “up”, “down”, “left-hand”, “right-hand”, “exterior”, “interior”, “external”, “internal”, “outer”, “inner” are relative and refers to the viewpoint in question. In general, when referred to an exterior side, this relates to a side of a packaging or of a roof window in the mounted condition facing the outdoors or external side of the building. Conversely, an interior side refers to a side facing the internal side of the building, i.e. typically a subjacent room including any light shaft. Terms such as “outwards” and “inwards” are directions generally perpendicular to an interior-exterior direction, taking as its base point a centre of the roof window or the packaging.

General Description of a Packaging for a Roof Window—FIGS. 1 and 2

FIGS. 1 and 2 shows a general packaging for a roof window product. The packaging comprises a cardboard box 1 of a configuration corresponding to a rectangular prism. The cardboard box 1 has two major sides, namely a top side 12 and a bottom side 11 which are spaced apart along a height axis H, and four minor sides, or side walls 13, extending between the bottom side 11 and the top side 12. The side walls 13 extend in planes spanned by the height axis H and a width axis W and a length axis L, respectively. Sets of side walls 13 are associated to the bottom side 11 and the top side 12 so as to form a bottom section and a lid section, respectively.

It is to be understood that the cardboard box 1 shown in FIGS. 1 and 2 is merely an example, and that the cardboard box in embodiments of the invention may have another shape to better fit the shape and dimensions of the roof window product.

The cardboard box 1 defines an external or outwards facing side and an internal or inwards facing side. The external side is composed by external surfaces of the bottom side 11, the top side 12 and the side walls 13. In case two or more overlapping side walls 13 are present, the external surface of the side wall is the outwards facing side of the outermost side wall 13. Correspondingly, the internal side is composed by internal surfaces of the bottom and top sides 11, 12 and of the inwards facing surface of the innermost side wall 13.

The bottom side 11, the top side 12 and the side walls 13 delimit an internal space of the cardboard box 1 to accommodate a set of components of the roof window product.

In FIG. 2, the cardboard box 1 is packed with a roof window product comprising a set of components 3. Such components may be a flashing assembly, which is typically less heavy than a roof window and consists of a number of components. The packaging is, however, generally applicable to any roof window product.

In a supply condition of the packaging, the cardboard box 1 is closed, i.e. the top side 12 overlaps the bottom side 11 and side walls 13 of the lid section connected to the top side 12 typically overlap counterpart side walls 13 of the bottom section connected to the bottom side 11.

Description of Prior Art Instructions on Packaging—FIG. 3

In FIG. 3, a prior art packaging 4 is illustrated as indicated in the embodiment of FIG. 2 of Applicant's above-mentioned WO 2021/180287 A1. The packaging 4 comprises three compartments 41, 42, 43 and the compartments are ranked in order of an intended opening sequence by being provided with a visual indication in the form of the numbers “1”, “2”, “3”, respectively.

Each compartment 41, 42, 43 is covered by a respective lid 41a, 42a, 43a and a base section forms the bottom of the packaging. The base section is adapted for supporting the packaging during unpacking and the packaging is therefore shown resting on the base section. Partitions are separating the compartments 41, 42, 43 from each other.

The lids 41a, 42a, 43a may be sections of one piece of sheet material, which is configured for being interrupted, so that the lid sections can be opened one by one. When all lid sections have been opened, the packaging will be in the state shown in FIG. 3.

Alternatively, the packaging could be provided with separate lids each covering a compartment so that it would not be necessary to separate one lid section from another before being able to open the respective compartment.

As may been seen in FIG. 3, the separate compartments with separate lid sections mean that when the packaging 4 has been arranged on a roof, it can serve as a toolbox for an installer working with the installation of a roof window.

In FIG. 3 all three lid sections 41a, 42a, 43a are shown open in order to illustrate how the packaging looks in the fully opened state, but it is to be understood that the compartment 43 is intended to remain closed until the compartment 42 has been emptied. This contributes to ensuring that a roof window is installed correctly.

Description of the Instruction Manual of the Invention—FIGS. 4 to 10

FIGS. 4 and 5 show a perspective view of a cardboard box 1 in an embodiment of the packaging according to the invention. Elements having the same or analogous function as in the general description of the cardboard box 1 of FIGS. 1 and 2 carry the same reference numerals.

Thus, the cardboard box 1 is in both FIGS. 4 and 5 shown in a closed condition, resting on its bottom side (not shown) with its top side 12 facing upwards. Although not shown, it is apparent that the cardboard box 1 accommodates a set of components as in the above general description of a packaging. As for the general description, it is to be understood that the shown shape of the cardboard box 1 is merely an example, and that the cardboard box may have another shape than the shown rectangular prism shape to better fit the shape and dimensions of the roof window product.

The cardboard box 1 of the packaging according to the invention is provided with an instruction manual 2, of which at least a first part 2a is provided on the external side of the cardboard box 1 as will be described in the following.

In the embodiment shown, the first part 2a of the instruction manual 2 is positioned on the top side 12 of the cardboard box 1 as shown in FIG. 5. Alternatively, the first part 2a of the instruction manual 2 may be provided on the external surface of any other side of the external side of the packaging, including on a combination of external surfaces of for instance the top side 11 and one of the side walls 13.

Furthermore, in the embodiment of FIGS. 4 and 5, the cardboard box 1 is provided with a removable section 20 best shown in FIG. 4. The removable section 20 is here formed in its entirety within the top side 12 of the cardboard box 1 to comprise the first part 2a of the instruction manual.

The removable section 20 may in principle be cut from the remaining part of the packaging, i.e., here from the top side 12 of the cardboard box 1. However, it is preferred to delimit the removable section 20 by a weakened contour 21 as indicated.

The weakened contour 21 may as shown extend to further outline a part of the top side 12 of the cardboard box 1 adjacent to the first part 2a of the instruction manual 2 configured to form a tab 22 comprised within the removable section 20 of the cardboard box 1.

The tab 22 may as indicated be separated from the area configured to contain the second part 2a of the instruction manual 2 by a folding line 23.

Further details shown in FIGS. 4 and 5 include a handle section 14 in one of the side walls 13, such that the packaging containing the set of components of the roof window product may easily be carried as a suitcase, for instance from a supply location to an installation location.

An opening indication 15 is here provided in the top side 12 of the cardboard box 1. The opening indication 15 is located at distance from an associated side wall 13, here the side wall 13 comprising the handle section 14. The opening indication 15 may be formed as a pattern of cuts in the top side 12 and is configured to cooperate with a tear line 16 (indicated in FIG. 6) so as to bring the cardboard box 1 to an open condition. Visual opening instructions may as shown be present.

FIGS. 6 and 7 show the cardboard box 1 of FIGS. 4 and 5 in an unfolded state, corresponding to a paper blank in a manufacturing step. The cardboard box 1 is seen with an external top surface 12a facing upwards in FIG. 6 and an internal top surface 12b facing upwards in FIG. 7.

In the embodiment shown, in which the cardboard box 1 of the packaging is provided with the first part 2a of the instruction manual 2 on the removable section 20 of the cardboard box 1, the first part 2a may be printed on the removable section 20 or provided as a label provided separately and applied on the removable section 20 by for instance adhesion. The first part 2a of the instruction manual 2 is typically provided on the external top surface 12a of the top side 12 during manufacturing of the packaging.

The weakened contour delimiting the removable section 20 of the cardboard box 1 is in the embodiment shown a perforated outline 21. As an alternative to perforation, the weakened contour may be formed by scoring and/or tear strips. The weakened contour comprising the perforated outline 21 makes it possible for the user to remove the first part 2a of the instruction manual 2 from the top side 12 of the cardboard box 1 of the packaging.

The tab 22 comprised within the removable section 20 of the cardboard box 1 may aid in removing the first part 2a of the instruction manual 2 from the top side 12 of the cardboard box 1 without damaging the instruction manual 2.

The folding line 23 between the part of the external top surface 12a forming the tab 22 and the first part 2a of the instruction manual 2 may further aid in removing the first part 2a of the instruction manual 2 from the top side 12 without damaging the instruction manual 2 by creating a separation between the tab 22, on which a user may pull to remove the instruction manual 2 from the top side 12 and the first part 2a of the instruction manual 2. The folding line 23 may be provided by for instance scoring.

In the detailed view of FIG. 8, it is seen how the removable section 20 of the embodiment shown comprises a marking 24. The marking 24 is preferably a visual marking, such as the indicated hand. The marking 24 indicates for the user the tab 22, by which the user may remove the first part 2a of the instruction manual 2 from the external top side 12a of the cardboard box 1.

Turning now to FIG. 9, a second part 2b of the instruction manual 2 is in the embodiment shown provided on the internal top surface 12b of the top side 12 of the cardboard box 1. The second part 2b is here provided directly opposite the first part 2a of the instruction manual 2 of the embodiments of FIGS. 4 to 8. By providing the first part 2a and the second part 2b directly opposite each other on the external top surface 12a and the internal top surface 12b, respectively, of the top side 12 of the cardboard box 1, the second part 2b of the instruction manual 2 may also be provided on the removable section 20 and thereby outlined by the weakened contour, here the perforated outline 21. The first part 2a and the second part 2b of the instruction manual 2 may thereby be removed as one piece.

Just as the first part 2a of the instruction manual 2, the second part 2b of the instruction manual 2 may be printed on the internal top surface 12b, or be provided as a label applied to the internal top surface 12b of the top side 12.

The second part 2b may comprise a single side of instructions as indicated in FIG. 9 by the “2” and “3” markings to supplement the “1” marking of the first part 2a of the instruction manual 2 indicated in FIG. 8.

However, the second part of the instruction manual 2 may comprise a more complex set of instructions, or be followed by third, fourth etc. parts of an instruction manual.

As an alternative to the printed or adhesive label versions of the second part 2b of the instruction manual 2 described in the above, the second part may be provided as at least one loose sheet of paper connected to the internal top surface 12b, for instance in the form of a leaflet or brochure as indicated by alternative second part 2b′ in FIG. 10. The application of the second part 2b may for instance be by adhesion, such as by the use of glue.

The second part of the instruction manual 2 may as a further alternative be provided in an installation package in the form of a paper bag or a cardboard box fastened to the internal top surface 12b of the top side 12 of the cardboard box 1.

Alternatively, the second part 2b of the instruction manual 2 may be provided in the internal space of the cardboard box 1 in connection with the set of components 3. This may be preferred if the risk of damaging or losing the first part 2a of the instruction manual 2 during installation is increased, for instance by a long time elapsing between carrying out the initial step or steps indicated on the first part 2a of the instruction manual 2 and subsequent steps provided on the second part 2b or any further part(s) of the instruction manual 2.

Further modifications and combinations are conceivable. Such modifications and combinations include applying the principles of the invention to the prior art packaging shown and described in connection with FIG. 3 of the present application.

LIST OF REFERENCE NUMERALS

• • 1 packaging/cardboard box
    • 11 bottom side
    • 12 top side
      • 12a external top surface of top side
      • 12b internal top surface of top side
    • 13 side wall
    • 14 handle section
    • 15 opening indication
    • 16 tear line
  • 2 instruction manual
    • 2a first part
    • 2b second part
    • 2b′ second part
    • 20 removable section
    • 21 weakened contour/perforated outline
    • 22 tab
    • 23 folding line
    • 24 marking
  • 3 component/set of components
  • 4 prior art packaging
    • 41, 42, 43 compartment
    • 41a, 42a, 43a lid
  • H height axis
  • W width axis
  • L length axis