DESC:FIELD OF INVENTION

The present invention relates generally to packaging of moulded case circuit breaker. More particularly, present invention provides packaging pads which will protect the moulded case circuit breaker from vibration and jerk during transportation and providing flexibility to packaging of the moulded case circuit breaker.

BACKGROUND OF ART

The circuit breakers, which are electrical switching apparatus, find their application in diverse capacities in power distribution systems such as, providing protection for electrical equipment from electrical fault conditions (e.g. without limitation, current overloads, short circuits, abnormal level voltage conditions).. There are many types of Circuit breakers like Low voltage Circuit breakers, magnetic circuit breakers, common trip breakers, Moulded Case Circuit Breakers (MCCB’s) etc.

The basic function of a circuit breaker which is essentially a mechanical switching device, and is capable of making, carrying and breaking currents under normal circuit conditions and also enabling, carrying for a specified time and breaking currents under specified abnormal circuit conditions such as those of overload, short circuit etc.

It can be clearly seen that circuit breaker is an important device for the safety and protection of the connected equipment and safety of humans while dealing with electrical components and appliances, gadgets etc. One can see that of late, the trend is increasingly towards use of more number of plastic components for the circuit breaker as they provide higher insulation and thus enhancing safety of the product.

But, it must also be borne in mind that plastics have inherent characteristic of being breakable and brittle in nature, and this property is characterised by its constituent materials. Especially, it can be observed that breakage can occur, while transportation of the MCCB’s from the manufacturing utility to retail dealers, outlets from where they reach the end user of the MCCB’s. Hence it must be ensured that the MCCB’s are imparted with meticulous packaging, so that the occurrence of breakage and subsequent damage of the constituent plastic components of the MCCB’s are reduced to the barest minimum for it would not only be an economical loss for the company / organization, which is involved in the production and manufacture of the MCCB’s, but also, a potential threat to the safety of the end user of the MCCB’s as well as loss of trust among the customers towards the company which would entail in undesired consequences such as loss of business in the longer run.

Further, one can see on careful analysis, it is mostly the corners and edges of the MCCB are which are prone to incidences of breakage in many cases. This phenomenon is known as ‘localized stress concentration’ as one can infer from various theories involving in principles of mechanical engineering and solid mechanics. It has been clearly proved beyond doubt that any mechanical element, irrespective of the material with which it is made, either composite or other materials, the condition of failure occurs when subjected to various stresses, is predominantly found near the edges which have lesser radius of curvature. It can be thus inferred that edges of such components are prone to breakage, buckling etc., which can be attributed to the action of ‘localized stress concentration’.

Hence it is always advisable to reinforce the corners and edges of such components, with padding etc. by materials, which can withstand the action of unexpected stresses and act as shield to the component from breakage and failure.

Further, Proof resilience, which is defined as the tensile strength which is necessary for stretching an elastomer, (which can be the basic material for manufacturing of the material of the MCCB’s) from zero elongation to the breaking point can be found to be markedly low in edges and corners by the theory of ‘localized stress concentration’

Taking in view the above consideration it is very important to carry/transport MCCB with utmost care. Generally the weakest part of circuit breaker is identified as its corners. In most of cases during transportation it is found that damage occurs on corners. Conventionally packaging materials are made up of card board, leads deforestation.

During the transportation, corner breakage is one of the reasons caused mainly due to faulty handling of product either by layman labors if they are not aware of MCCB, which may lead to rejection of breakers. So it seems very important to provide proper corner protection to MCCB.

Given the above factors it is clearly evident that while carrying and transporting of MCCB’s, from the place of manufacture, adequate reinforcement by means of a packaging is to be given for the edges of the MCCB’s to prevent from the occurrence of breakage and failure. Also, the packaging, provided, should not be prohibitively costly which would result in escalation of costs of the basic component i.e., MCCB and it must be capable of being recycled and reused thus giving due consideration to the environmental friendly principles of modern day manufacture and production.

OBJECT OF THE INVENTION

A principleobject of the present invention is to overcome the disadvantages/drawbacks of the knownart.

Another object of the present invention is to provide shockproof packaging pads for protecting the moulded case circuit breakers (MCCB’s) from vibration and jerks caused during transportation.

Yet another object of the present invention is to provide shockproof packaging pads which provide flexibility to packaging for protecting of MCCB’s from jerks and vibration during transportation which leads to cracks in moulded case circuit breaker.

Further, it is another object of the present invention is to provide an eco-friendly packaging pads for moulded case circuit breaker, which can be reusable and also utilizing green technology.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

According to the invention shockproof packaging pads which are made of composite plastic material are provided, which will protect the moulded case circuit breaker (MCCB) which would in fact be made to rest between two such pads, from actions of vibration and jerk during transportation and providing flexibility to packaging of the moulded case circuit breaker.

It can be observed that due to property of high Flexural Rigidity or Bending Stiffness exhibited by material of the packaging pads would get flexible when subjected to the jerking action due to axial or lateral stresses during transportation of the MCCB’s.

Further, it can be seen that the pads are provided with rib type of constructions on their rear portion, which would prevent the pads from breakage due to any type of action of stresses and act as reinforcement.
Also, the walls of the packaging pad, are provided with hollow gaps, which facilitate in the absorption of stresses while being transported instead of transmitting of the stresses / forces to the material of the MCCB’s which are packed inside, the packaging.

Finally, the packaging assembly is made in such a way, that surface contact, between the packaging and the MCCB is never established to the corners and edges of the MCCB’s which are highly susceptible and prone to external stresses resulting in failure and breakage.

Accordingly, in one implementation, a packaging assembly for providing protection to a circuit breaker (4) is disclosed. The packaging assembly includes at least two packaging pads (3), and a plurality of rib(s) (1) connected to a wall (2) of said at least two packaging pads (3). The circuit breaker (4) is snugly seated within the said package assembly. The two packaging pads (3) having a wavy surface at the side for absorbing shocks and vibrations is provided. The plurality of rib(s) (1) connected to a wall (2) provides mechanical strength to said at least two packaging pads (3).

In one implementation, an apparatus for packaging a circuit breaker (4) for providing protection is disclosed. The apparatus comprises at least two packaging pads (3); a plurality of rib(s) (1) connected to a wall (2) of said at least two packaging pads (3). The apparatus enables snugly seating said circuit breaker (4), within an assemblage of said at least two packaging pads (3) made of reusable material is provided. The at least two packaging pads (3) being provided with a rib arrangements in their posterior side for maintaining flexibility is provided. The at least two packaging pads (3) ensures that a hollow space is provided between said walls (2) of the packaging and a material of the pack and a surface contact is provided, only on the lateral sides of said at least two packaging pads (3) with said circuit breakers (4) leaving behind the edges / corners of said circuit breaker (4), without any surface contact with said apparatus.

Conventionally card board materials were used to hold the product inside the carton. The present invention relates to the use of a thermo plastic which can be recycled and can be eco-friendly.

In one implementation, the walls of packaging pads are kept hollow to facilitate the pad flexibility so that it will add cushioning effect to the pad. Further, during transportation if sudden jerks or shocks are interfered or faced then outer walls will flex in, which will help absorb shocks and vibrations without letting any damage to MCCB. This feature makes this pad lighter in weight than conventional packagings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE ACCOMPANYING DRAWINGS

Figure 1shows the front view of plastic packaging pads in which MCCB (4) will rest between two such pads (3);

Figure 2 shows the rear view of plastic packaging pads;

Figure 3 shows the cross sectional view of plastic packaging pad provided for MCCB;

Figure 4 andFigure 5 shows assembly of packaging pads (3) andMCCB (4), in combination with product which is packed inside;

Persons skilled in the art will appreciate that elements in the figures are illustrated for simplicity and clarity and may have not been drawn to scale. For example, the dimensions of some of the elements in the figure may be exaggerated relative to other elements to help to improve understanding of various exemplary embodiments of the present disclosure.

Throughout the drawings, it should be noted that like reference numbers are used to depict the same or similar elements, features, and structures.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PRESENT INVENTION

The following description with reference to the accompanying drawings is provided to assist in a comprehensive understanding of exemplary embodiments of the invention as defined by the claims and their equivalents. It includes various specific details to assist in that understanding but these are to be regarded as merely exemplary. Accordingly, those of ordinary skill in the art will recognize that various changes and modifications of the embodiments described herein can be made without departing from the scope and spirit of the invention. In addition, descriptions of well-known functions and constructions are omitted for clarity and conciseness.

The terms and words used in the following description and claims are not limited to the bibliographical meanings, but, are merely used by the inventor to enable a clear and consistent understanding of the invention. Accordingly, it should be apparent to those skilled in the art that the following description of exemplary embodiments of the present invention are provided for illustration purpose only and not for the purpose of limiting the invention as defined by the appended claims and their equivalents.

It is to be understood that the singular forms “a,” “an,” and “the” include plural referents unless the context clearly dictates otherwise.

By the term “substantially” it is meant that the recited characteristic, parameter, or value need not be achieved exactly, but that deviations or variations, including for example, tolerances, measurement error, measurement accuracy limitations and other factors known to those of skill in the art, may occur in amounts that do not preclude the effect the characteristic was intended to provide.

Accordingly, present invention relates to packaging with cushioning feature which will protect circuit breaker from vibration and jerk during transportation. The present invention provides an eco-friendly packaging which will replace conventional use of card board packaging. This will provide flexible, cost effective, corner protected packaging

The detail of the invention i.e. how this packaging helps to protect the circuit breaker is described pictorially in figure 1 to figure 5.

The front view as shown in figure 1 depicts the plastic packaging pads in which MCCB (4) will rest between two such pads (3). These pads (3) are kept sidewise with MCCB (4).

In one implementation, the feature (1) shows curves or wavy surface provided on pads. The curves of wavy surface are designed to offer flexibility to the component upon action of force. This flexibility helps in absorption of shocks. During transportation if sudden jerks or shocks are interfered or faced then walls (1) will flex, which will help to absorb shocks and vibrations. The strength of the component is sufficient to absorb the shock when the product falls from specified height in the drop test as per standard IS7028.

As shown in figure 2, detailing the rear view of plastic packaging pads. The pads are designed with optimum thickness in order to make it light in weight and allow it to flex when subjected to jerk. While the pads are designed with optimum thickness and flexible material, there is a chance of breakage of the plastic pads themselves when acted upon by external stress during transportation. To overcome this problem, ribs (1) have been provided at back surface which will strengthen the pads providing reinforcement against the action of external stresses.

The cross section view of the plastic packaging pad is as shown in figure 3, inwhich the walls of packaging pad (2) are depicted. The walls are specifically provided with hollow enclosure to facilitate the pad flexibility so that it will add cushioning effect to the pad. During transportation if sudden jerks or shocks are encountered due to action of external stresses then outer walls (2) exhibit flexing action due to flexural rigidity, which in turn, would help to absorb shocks and vibrations. This feature makes this pad lighter in weight than conventional packaging.

As shown in figures 4 and 5, an assembled view of packaging pads (3) and MCCB (5),resembling to finished product (of MCCB) which is packed inside is shown. In figure 5, the surface contact is made by the packaging pad only with lateral portion of the circuit breaker, MCCB (5) and not with the corner portion which may tend to deform or get damaged by action of external stresses. Also it will beeasy to insert this packaged MCCB assembly in carton by holding it as shown in figure 5.

This packaging assembly will be finally packed in the carton containing a specified number of MCCB’s. This arrangement of packaging pad with MCCB is user friendly also.

As it has been observed that during the transportation, the main damage occurs because of heavy jerks is to the corner of MCCB. And hence to avoid this damage the corner of MCCB is protected from making surface contact with any part including packing pads so that impact will never get transferred to the corners, represented by (6).

During transportation if sudden jerks or shocks are interfered or faced then outer walls will exhibit property of flexibility and cave in, resulting in absorption of shocks and vibrations without getting damage to MCCB. This particular feature makes the pad lighter in weight than conventional packaging methods employed for packing of MCCB’s. Another noteworthy feature is that the materials used for packaging are reusable in nature and recyclable grade too, thus well conforming to the Eco friendly norms of manufacture and usage of plastics.

ADVANTAGES OF THE PRESENT INVENTION:

1. In the present invention plastic material is used which is easily available and can be recycled.
2. The present invention provides flexibility to packaging so that it can resist against jerks and vibration during transportation, which leads to cracks in breaker.
3. The present invention using a plastic which is easily available and economic material, so it will be beneficial for product in making it cost effective, with advanced features.
4. The packaging material is made up of plastic which is cheaper in cost.

Although a shockproof packaging pads for moulded case circuit breaker (MCCB) is been described in language specific to structural features and/or methods, it is to be understood that the embodiments disclosed in the above section are not necessarily limited to the specific features or methods or devices described. Rather, the specific features are disclosed as examples of implementations of theshockproof packaging pads for moulded case circuit breaker (MCCB).
,CLAIMS:1. A packaging assembly for providing protection to a circuit breaker (4), said packaging assembly comprising:
at least two packaging pads (3);
a plurality of rib(s) (1) connected to a wall (2) of said at least two packaging pads (3); wherein
said circuit breaker (4) is snugly seated within the said package assembly;
said at least two packaging pads (3) having a wavy surface at the side for absorbing shocks and vibrations; and
said a plurality of rib(s) (1) connected to a wall (2) provides mechanical strength to said at least two packaging pads (3).

2. The packaging assembly as claimed in claim 1, wherein said at least two packaging pads (3) are essentially made up of recyclable elastomers, exhibiting flexural rigidity, ensuring the pads do not buckle when acted upon by external stresses while transporting.

3. The packaging assembly as claimed in claims 1 and 2, wherein said at least two packaging pads (3) which are said packaging assembly for said circuit breakers, ensures, the external stresses, do not cause damage to the material of the circuit breakers, especially the edges and corners and counter effect of localized stress concentration thereby maintaining the product of the circuit breaker, intact throughout transportation and safe till it reaches the end user.

4. The packaging assembly as claimed in claims 1 to 3, is characterized by said at least two packaging pads (3) made up of plasticmaterial covering said circuit breaker (4), in a manner, by which there exists a clear gap/enclosure between said walls (2) of said packaging pads (3) and said circuit breakers (4), to ensure that no transmission of external stresses occur into the circuit breakers, which might tend to damage said circuit breakers (4).

5. The packaging assembly as claimed in claims 1 to 4, is arranged in a manner so that said packaging pads (2) are encompassing over lateral regions of said circuit breaker (4) and avoiding surface contact with the edges and corners of the circuit breakers, thereby avoiding, possible stress to get transmitted from external sources while transportation, to the sides/ corners of the circuit breakers, which are prone to stress concentration effects like breakage or failure.

6. The packaging assembly as claimed in claims 1 to 5, is incorporated with reinforcements in the form of said ribs (1) arranged in posterior side of said packaging pads (2) for avoiding buckling of the packaging itself when they are subjected to action of external stresses during transportation and the flexural rigidity of the material of the packaging pad, prevents from becoming instable and collapsing due to external forces.

7. An apparatus for packaging a circuit breaker (4) for providing protection, said apparatus comprising:
at least two packaging pads (3);
a plurality of rib(s) (1) connected to a wall (2) of said at least two packaging pads (3); wherein
said apparatus enables snugly seating said circuit breaker (4), within an assemblage of said at least two packaging pads (3) made of reusable material;
said at least two packaging pads (3) being provided with a rib arrangements in their posterior side for maintaining flexibility;
said at least two packaging pads (3) ensures that a hollow space is provided between said walls (2) of the packaging and a material of the pack and
a surface contact is provided, only on the lateral sides of said at least two packaging pads (3) with said circuit breakers (4) leaving behind the edges / corners of said circuit breaker (4), without any surface contact with said apparatus.