FORM 2
THE PATENTS ACT 1970
(39 of 1970)
&
The Patent Rules, 2003
Provisional Specification
(See section 10 and rule 13)
A Novel Tear Away Packaging System For Large Appliances
Whirlpool of India Limited.
A-4 MIDC Ranjangaon, Taluka Shirpur, Pune 419204, Maharashtra State, India
An Indian company registered under the Companies Act, 1956
The following specification describes the invention:

A Novel Tear Away Packaging System For Large Appliances
Field of invention:
This invention generally relates to large appliances used in homes and small shops and offices and more particularly to protective packaging of products using cartons.
Background of the invention:
Appliances such as refrigerators, washing machines, beverage dispensers, etc.
require careful handling during their shipment and transport. Significant packaging is used in order that these do not get damaged during this operation. The packaging which is made from sturdy material and put together in industrial environment is often difficult to remove. The delivery personnel is often in hurry and careless. A packaging system that is not designed for easy removal can cause further duress to the consumer who is already anxious that the appliance should not get damaged during the delivery and installation process
Packaging is normally in the form of box cartons made of corrugated paper or cardboard and is in the form of boxes that are open at one end and closed by multiple flaps at the other. To unpack products packaged in this manner, the cartons have to be lifted upwards to take off from the product. More often than not, the cartons strike ceiling fans or overhead lights during the unpacking operation.
Furthermore some tall products need to be tilted to have the carton taken off. Tilting heavy products is cumbersome and may result in the packed product falling and damage to the product and the surrounding furniture, walls and flooring etc. More importantly, it may pose hazard to the delivery personnel and
other people in the vicinity.
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Some attempts have been made to provide packaging that is easy to tear open.
Figure 1 illustrates the general principle on which some of the existing packaging
systems work.
US patent 6988615 describes packaging using transparent polyethylene material. Although this provides a view of the product, it is susceptible to damage such as cuts and tears when transported on poor roads and also from careless handling.
Clear view packaging is capital intensive and usage of plastic film is not environment friendly.
It is therefore necessary to provide for large and tall household goods a packaging that is environment friendly, easy to unpack and of low cost design.
Objects and advantages of the invention
Accordingly, one of the objects of the invention is to invention is to provide packaging that can be used with appliances that are used in homes or small shops and offices.
Another object of the present invention is to provide a packaging that is'easy to remove
Yet another object of the invention is to provide a packaging that is environmentally friendly.
A further object of the present invention is to provide a packaging that will allow unpacking without causing damage to the property and personnel or people.
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A still further object of the present invention is to provide a packaging that is low in cost for the consumer and doesn't require large capital investment for the manufacturer.
Summary of the invention:
The present invention provides a packaging system for appliances used in homes, small shops and offices. The system is easy to use, made of environmentally friendly materials, and doesn't pose operational hazard or harm to people or property. The system comprises a box type carton made of cardboard and contains strategically situated perforations which allows formation of a tear in the packaging system. This allows subsequent easy removal of the entire packaging.
Brief Description of Figures:
Figure 1 shows some of the cartons currently used in the industry. Figure 2 shows the perforated lines of the present invention. Figure 3 shows the operation of the present invention.
Detailed description of the invention:
The present application describes a novel tear-away packaging system designed for use with appliances that are used in homes, small shops or offices. The invention is in the form of a box type carton that is made from sheets of sturdy material. The inventors have observed that facilitation of a controlled peeling or tearing of the material of the carton leads to a systematic, easy and safe removal of the packaging of any appliances.
Accordingly the box carton of the present invention is made by putting together sheets of sturdy material. As a key feature of the present invention the sheets are provided with perforations at predetermined locations. Small holes are provided at
predetermined locations so that a controlled tear can be made at a desirable
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location. Subsequently the perforated joints in the sheets are opened and the packaging system dismantled.
A preferred embodiment of the present invention is now described. The preferred embodiment of the invention is a sleeve type box carton with a lid at the top side and open at the bottom, and further comprises at least a single line of perforations made in the longitudinal direction on any one side of the box carton. The top lid is attached to the box by any suitable means. The perforations are of a predetermined size and shape and spaced at a predetermined interval. Figure 1 shows various configurations of the perforated lines in accordance with the preferred embodiment. Mechanism for making controlled tear, which is in the form of a hole, is provided at least at one location along the line of perforation.
The distance between the individual perforations is variable and known to the person skilled in the art. The perforations used in the preferred embodiment are preferably in the form of slits. The material used in the preferred embodiment is cardboard of a type and thinkness suitable for safe transport of the appliance from the source to destination. The mechanism to facilitate a controlled tear is in the form of a hole of a suitable size and shape for insertion of at least one finger or any other small holding instrument such as a pair of pliers. The joints in the box may be made by glueing, stapling, stitching, or by any other suitable means.
Figure 3 shows the operation of a packaging system of the present invention. During the unpacking operation, the packaged appliance is placed at a suitable location. The top lid is removed followed by making a controlled tear in the packaging at predetermined locations or at any point along the lines of perforations. The entire line of perforations is subsequently teared open, facilitating the easy removal of the entire packaging box.
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In another embodiment of the present invention, the material used for packaging is selected from a group comprising plastic or polymers.
In yet another embodiment of the present invention, the perforations are of a form selected from a group comprising circulat, square, rectangular, or any other curvilinear shape that can be easily made in comman packaging materials.
In a still another embodiment of the present invention, the main packaging material may be lined by another material.
In a further embodiment of the present invention, the a plurality of lines of perforations are used on any side of the box carton.
In a still further embodiment of the present invention, perforation lines are provided in a directionperpendicular to the longitudinal direction of the appliance. These lines may be provided incombination with the longitudinal perforations, either in singularity of plurality.
In another embodiment of the present invention the box carton has onventional flaps at the top end. It further comprises at least one panel with at least one line of longitudinal perforations, and at least one line of perforation in perpendicular direction, referred to as cross-perforations. The cross perforations begin at the line of longitudinal perforations, extend across all sides of the box carton, and end on the line of longitudinal perforations. The cross perforations are provided with mechanism for controlled tear at suitable locations. The invention of this embodiment is operated by first making a controlled tear at the line of cross preforations. Subsequently the top portion of the box carton is removed by finishing the tear along the cross perforations. The remainder of the packaging is
then removed as discussed in the preferred embodiment.
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As is clear from the foregoing description, that there are several advantages of the invention. The chief among these are that the appliance doesn't need to be tilted in order to perform unpacking activity. This in turn removes the risk of the appliance toppling over and causing damage to the people around it, or the property such as furniture/walls, or the appliance itself. The other advantage is that the unpacking remains a tidy operation that can be carried out swiftly. The overall efficiency of the unpacking process also means that the consumers are under relatively less duress during the delivery and installation of the appliance.
Dated this 29th day of December, 2006

Mr. Vijay Sharatchandra Tase (Patent Agent for the Applicant) Registration No. IN/PA 987
To
The Controller of Patents,
The Patent Office Branch at Mumbai
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