Packaging for edge-sensitive cargo

Abstract

A packaging for edge-sensitive cargo. The abstract of the disclosure is submitted herewith as required by 37 C.F.R. §1.72(b). As stated in 37 C.F.R. §1.72(b): A brief abstract of the technical disclosure in the specification must commence on a separate sheet, preferably following the claims, under the heading “Abstract of the Disclosure.” The purpose of the abstract is to enable the Patent and Trademark Office and the public generally to determine quickly from a cursory inspection the nature and gist of the technical disclosure. The abstract shall not be used for interpreting the scope of the claims. Therefore, any statements made relating to the abstract are not intended to limit the claims in any manner and should not be interpreted as limiting the claims in any manner.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A protective packaging to protect panes of glass or other plate-shaped objects from damage during transport, handling, or storage, said packaging comprising:
 an edge protector configured to cover perimeter edge portions of at least one pane of glass or other plate-shaped object;   said edge protector comprising a yielding material and a reinforcing material disposed within said yielding material;   said yielding material being divided into separate sections;   each of said sections of yielding material comprising an opening therein configured to permit said sections of yielding material to be moved onto said reinforcing material, or to permit said reinforcing material to be moved into said sections of yielding material; and   each of said sections of yielding material comprising a recess configured to receive therein an edge portion of the at least one pane of glass or other plate-shaped object upon installation of said edge protector on the at least one pane of glass or other plate-shaped object.   
     
     
         2 . The protective packaging according to  claim 1 , wherein said reinforcing material is sufficiently firm to reinforce and hold said yielding material in a desired position. 
     
     
         3 . The protective packaging according to  claim 1 , wherein said sections of yielding material comprise:
 side pieces configured to cover side edges of the pane of glass or other plate-shaped object;   corner pieces configured to cover corner edges of the pane of glass or other plate-shaped object; and   said side pieces and said corner pieces are configured to be connected or joined together to form a single structure.   
     
     
         4 . The protective packaging according to  claim 1 , wherein:
 each of said sections of yielding material comprises an interior surface configured to face the pane of glass or other plate-shaped object upon installation; and   said recess is disposed at said interior surface and to run the length thereof.   
     
     
         5 . The protective packaging according to  claim 1 , wherein the packaging is configured to hold one or more panes of glass or other plate-shaped objects. 
     
     
         6 . The protective packaging according to  claim 1 , wherein the packaging is reusable to protect additional panes of glass or other plate-shaped objects. 
     
     
         7 . The protective packaging according to  claim 1 , wherein the packaging further comprises an insert configured to be inserted into said recess of one or more of said sections of yielding material to adapt each said recess to receive and hold the glass or other plate-shaped object to be protected. 
     
     
         8 . A method of using the protective packaging according to  claim 1 , wherein said method comprises:
 connecting sections of said yielding material to said reinforcing material by at least one of (A) and (B):
 (A) moving each of said sections of yielding material, via said opening therein, onto said reinforcing material; and 
 (B) moving said reinforcing material into said openings in each of said sections of yielding material; 
   placing said sections of yielding material onto side edges and corners of a pane of glass or other plate-shaped object, such that an edge portion of said pane of glass or other plate-shaped object is disposed in said recess of each of said sections of yielding material; and   forming an edge protector which covers all perimeter edge portions of said pane of glass or other plate-shaped object.   
     
     
         9 . A method of using the protective packaging according to  claim 6 , wherein said method comprises:
 removing the packaging from said pane of glass or other plate-shaped object;   placing said sections of yielding material onto side edges and corners of an additional pane of glass or other plate-shaped object, such that an edge portion of said additional pane of glass or other plate-shaped object is disposed in said recess of each of said sections of yielding material; and   forming an edge protector which covers all perimeter edge portions of said additional pane of glass or other plate-shaped object.   
     
     
         10 . A protective packaging to protect panes of glass or other plate-shaped objects from damage during transport, handling, or storage, said packaging comprising:
 an edge protector configured to cover perimeter edge portions of a pane of glass or a plate-shaped object;   said edge protector comprising a yielding material and a reinforcing material disposed within said yielding material;   said yielding material being divided into separate sections; and   a holding arrangement being configured to hold at least two of said sections of yielding material in place upon installation, said holding arrangement comprising either:
 at least one strap or band; or 
 a covering comprising a shrinkable material or fabric. 
   
     
     
         11 . A method of using the protective packaging according to  claim 10 , wherein said method comprises:
 connecting sections of said yielding material to said reinforcing material by at least one of (A) and (B):
 (A) moving each of said sections of yielding material, via said opening therein, onto said reinforcing material; and 
 (B) moving said reinforcing material into said openings in each of said sections of yielding material; 
   placing said sections of yielding material onto side edges and corners of a pane of glass or other plate-shaped object, such that an edge portion of said pane of glass or other plate-shaped object is disposed in said recess of each of said sections of yielding material;   forming an edge protector which covers all perimeter edge portions of said pane of glass or other plate-shaped object; and   holding at least two of said sections of yielding material in place using said holding arrangement.   
     
     
         12 . A protective packaging to protect panes of glass or other plate-shaped objects from damage during transport, handling, or storage, said packaging comprising:
 an edge protector configured to cover perimeter edge portions of at least one pane of glass or other plate-shaped object;   said edge protector comprising a yielding material and a reinforcing material disposed within said yielding material; and   said yielding material being sufficiently thick and sufficiently compressible, and said reinforcing material comprising sufficient dimensions, to protect the at least one pane of glass or other plate-shaped object from damage due to drops from a height of up to two and a half meters.   
     
     
         13 . The protective packaging according to  claim 12 , wherein said yielding material is divided into separate sections. 
     
     
         14 . The protective packaging according to  claim 13 , wherein said sections of yielding material comprise:
 side pieces configured to cover side edges of the pane of glass or other plate-shaped object;   corner pieces configured to cover corner edges of the pane of glass or other plate-shaped object; and   said side pieces and said corner pieces are configured to be connected or joined together to form a single structure.   
     
     
         15 . The protective packaging according to  claim 13 , wherein:
 each of said sections of yielding material comprises an interior surface configured to face the pane of glass or other plate-shaped object upon installation; and   each of said sections of yielding material comprises a recess disposed at said interior surface and to run the length thereof, which recess is configured to receive therein an edge portion of the at least one pane of glass or other plate-shaped object.   
     
     
         16 . The protective packaging according to  claim 15 , wherein the packaging further comprises an insert configured to be inserted into said recess of one or more of said sections of yielding material to adapt each said recess to receive and hold the glass or other plate-shaped object to be protected. 
     
     
         17 . The protective packaging according to  claim 12 , wherein the packaging is configured to hold one or more panes of glass or other plate-shaped objects. 
     
     
         18 . The protective packaging according to  claim 12 , wherein the packaging is reusable to protect other panes of glass or other plate-shaped objects. 
     
     
         19 . A method of using the protective packaging according to  claim 12 , wherein said method comprises:
 connecting said yielding material to said reinforcing material; placing said yielding material onto side edges and corners of a pane of glass or other plate-shaped object; and   forming an edge protector which covers all perimeter edge portions of said pane of glass or other plate-shaped object.   
     
     
         20 . The method according to  claim 19 , wherein said method further comprises protecting said pane of glass or other plate-shaped object from damage due to drops from a height of up to two and a half meters by sufficiently absorbing impact forces upon an accidental drop of said pane of glass or other plate-shaped object.