Device for use in a carton or container holding a flanged window frame

Abstract

A precursor for forming a spacer and the spacer itself for protecting and holding a window frame within a carton or container. The window frame includes a flange. The precursor is a generally planar blank of corrugated paper having plural fold lines to facilitate the folding of the blank to form the spacer. The spacer has an elongated body having a first side and a second side opposed to each other. The first side includes a recess formed by confronting portions of the blank and is arranged to receive a portion of the flange of the window frame therein. The second side of the elongated spacer body is arranged to closely engage an adjacent interior surface of the carton or container.

1 . A precursor for a spacer for protecting and holding a window frame within a carton or container, the window frame including a flange extending along at least a portion of the periphery thereof, the carton or container having plural wall portions, each of which includes an inner surface, the window frame being disposed within the carton or container so that a portion of the flange is spaced from an immediately adjacent and juxtaposed interior surface of the carton or container, said precursor comprising a first generally planar blank of corrugated paper having plural fold lines therein constructed to facilitate the folding of said blank along respective ones said fold lines, whereupon said blank forms said spacer, said spacer having an elongated spacer body having a first side and a second side, said first and second sides being opposed to each other, said first side including a recess formed by confronting portions of said blank, said recess being arranged to closely receive a portion of the flange of the window frame therein, said second side of said elongated spacer body being arranged to closely engage the adjacent interior surface of the carton or container to facilitate the holding of the window frame at a predetermined position within the carton or container while protecting the flange of the window frame. 
   
   
       2 . The precursor of  claim 1  wherein one portion of said blank is arranged to include an adhesive thereon for securing it to another portion of said blank so that when said blank is folded said one portion of said blank cannot move with respect to said other portion of said blank. 
   
   
       3 . The precursor of  claim 1  wherein said blank has a generally rectangular or square shape having a first side edge, a second side edge, a third side edge and a fourth side edge, said first side edge being disposed opposite and generally parallel to said third side edge, said second side edge being disposed opposite and generally parallel to said fourth side edge, said fold lines extending generally parallel to said first and third side edges. 
   
   
       4 . The precursor of  claim 3  wherein said fold lines comprise a sequence of fold lines comprising a first fold line, a second fold line, a third fold line, a fourth fold line, a fifth fold line, a sixth fold line and a seventh fold line, said sequence of fold line starting adjacent said first side edge of said blank and terminating adjacent said third side edge of said blank. 
   
   
       5 . The precursor of  claim 4  wherein said one of said confronting portions of said blank forming said recess is the portion of said blank between said first fold line and said second fold line, and wherein the other of said confronting portions of said blank forming said recess is the portion of the blank between said seventh fold line and said third edge. 
   
   
       6 . The precursor of  claim 1  comprising plural blanks constructed like said first blank, said plural blanks being releasably secured to one another and arranged when separated and folded to form respective spacers. 
   
   
       7 . The precursor of  claim 4  comprising plural blanks constructed like said first blank, said plural blanks being releasably secured to one another and arranged when separated and folded to form respective spacers, and wherein at least one of the portion of each of said blanks between said first side edge and said first fold line and the portion of said blank between said fourth fold lines and said fifth fold line is arranged to include an adhesive thereon so that when said blank is folded said portion of said blank between said first side edge and said first fold line and said portion of said blank between said fourth fold lines and said fifth fold line cannot move with respect to each other. 
   
   
       8 . The precursor of  claim 4  comprising plural blanks constructed like said first blank and wherein said plural blanks comprise first, second, third and fourth blanks releasably secured to one another and arranged when separated and folded to form respective spacers. 
   
   
       9 . The precursor of  claim 8  wherein said third side edge of said first blank is releasably secured to said third side edge of said second blank by a frangible or otherwise severable line, said third side edge of said third blank is releasably secured to said third side edge of said fourth blank by a frangible or otherwise severable line, said second side edge of said first blank is releasably secured to said second side edge of said third blank by a frangible or otherwise severable line, and said second side edge of said fourth blank is releasably secured to said second side edge of said second blank by a frangible or otherwise severable line. 
   
   
       10 . The precursor of  claim 9  wherein at least one of the portion of each of said blanks between said first side edge and said first fold line and the portion of said blank between said fourth fold line and said fifth fold line is arranged to include an adhesive thereon so that when said blank is folded said portion of said blank between said first side edge and said first fold line and said portion of said blank between said fourth fold lines and said fifth fold line cannot move with respect to each other. 
   
   
       11 . The precursor of  claim 9  wherein the distance between said second side edge and said fourth side edge of said third and fourth blanks is shorter than the distance between said second side edge and said fourth side edge of said first and second blanks. 
   
   
       12 . The precursor of  claim 1  wherein said spacer includes an inner surface and an outer surface and wherein said outer surface includes visible indicia thereon. 
   
   
       13 . The precursor of  claim 1  wherein said third side edge includes a tab projecting therefrom and wherein a portion of said first blank adjacent said first edge includes a slot arranged to receive said tab. 
   
   
       14 . The precursor of  claim 5  wherein said third side edge includes a tab projecting therefrom and wherein a said first fold line includes a slot arranged to receive said tab. 
   
   
       15 . A spacer for protecting and holding a window frame within a carton or container, the window frame including a flange extending along at least a portion of the periphery thereof, the carton or container having plural wall portions, each of which includes an inner surface, the window frame being disposed within the carton or container so that a portion of the flange is spaced from an immediately adjacent and juxtaposed interior surface of the carton or container, said spacer being formed of a blank of corrugated paper folded along respective fold lines to produce an elongated spacer body having a first side and a second side, said first and second sides being opposed to each other, said first side including a recess formed by confronting portions of said blank, said recess being arranged to closely receive a portion of the flange of the window frame therein, said second side of said elongated spacer body being arranged to closely engage the adjacent interior surface of the carton or container to facilitate the holding of said window frame at a predetermined position within the carton or container while protecting the flange of the window frame. 
   
   
       16 . The spacer of  claim 15  wherein one portion of said blank is secured securing it to another portion of said blank so that said one portion of said spacer cannot move with respect to said other portion of said spacer. 
   
   
       17 . The spacer of  claim 19  wherein said fold lines comprise a sequence of parallel fold lines comprising a first fold line, a second fold line, a third fold line, a fourth fold line, a fifth fold line, a sixth fold line and a seventh fold line and wherein said first fold line forms an inner corner, and said second, third, fourth, fifth, sixth and seventh fold lines form respective outer corners. 
   
   
       18 . The spacer of  claim 17  wherein said one of said confronting portions of said blank forming said recess is the portion of said blank between said first fold line and said second fold line, and wherein the other of said confronting portions of said blank forming said recess is the portion of the blank between said seventh fold line and said third edge. 
   
   
       19 . The spacer of  claim 18  wherein said blank includes a first side edge, said first fold line being located adjacent said first side edge and wherein the portion of said blank between said first side edge and said first fold line is secured to a portion of said blank between said fourth and fifth fold lines, so that said secured portions cannot move with respect to each other. 
   
   
       20 . The spacer of  claim 15  wherein said spacer includes an exterior surface bearing indicia. 
   
   
       21 . The spacer of  claim 18  wherein said blank includes a third side edge located adjacent said seventh fold line, wherein said third side edge includes a tab projecting therefrom and wherein a said first fold line includes a slot receiving said tab.