WO2022201189A1

WO2022201189A1 - An apparatus for supporting and packaging of an article of manufacture

Info

Publication number: WO2022201189A1
Application number: PCT/IN2022/050277
Authority: WO
Inventors: Achal Anil BAKERI
Original assignee: Symphony Limited
Priority date: 2021-03-23
Filing date: 2022-03-22
Publication date: 2022-09-29

Abstract

Disclosed is an apparatus (102) for an article having at least two states. The apparatus (102) includes a first state (302) that enables the apparatus (102) to support the article and a second state (402) that enables the apparatus (102) to receive the article. The first state (302) and the second state (402) of the apparatus (102) allows to house at least a component of the article in the apparatus (102).

Description

AN APPARATUS FOR SUPPORTING AND PACKAGING OF AN ARTICLE OF MANUFACTURE

TECHNICAL FIELD

The present embodiment relates to an apparatus for supporting and packaging an article of manufacture and more specifically to support and pack an evaporative air cooler.

BACKGROUND

An evaporative air cooler (also swamp cooler, swamp box, desert cooler and wet air cooler) has been studied and developed for a long. It is an efficient and sustainable method of cooling through the evaporation of water. In extremely dry climates, evaporative cooling of air has the added benefit of conditioning the air with more moisture for the comfort of building occupants.

Conventional evaporative air coolers include a housing for a fan/blower installed generally inside a squirrel cage type. A water tub having a pump assembly usually forms a part of the housing and the housing is positioned over a stand or supporting stmcture/frame where the air cooler operates.

Since the stand or the supporting structure/frame is only meant for supporting the air cooler when the air cooler is in working configuration that adds up a lot of space consumption. But when the cooler is not in use, there is a requirement for a separate cover or box for storing the air cooler. It is sometimes a cringe- worthy moment for the user to use and store the air cooler with such a complex arrangement of stand and a separate storage box that consume more space. The pump of the air cooler remains at the same position while the air cooler is working or not working and thereby enhancing rigidity in arrangement of the conventional air cooler that leads to improper handling of the air cooler during usage or storage of the air cooler. Furthermore, the complex arrangement of the prior art adds up to the cost for transportation of the air cooler. The packaging boxes of the conventional art are generally used while transporting the air cooler and are usually disposed after transportation. The packaging boxes when disposed after transportation adds up to the garbage and pollute the environment. In view of foregoing, there is a need for the compact packaging of the air cooler with a flexible arrangement for the components of the evaporative air cooler.

SUMMARY

In view of the foregoing, an apparatus for an article having at least two states is disclosed. The apparatus includes a first state that enables the apparatus to support the article; a second state that enables the apparatus to receive the article wherein the first state and the second state of the apparatus allows to house at least a component of the article in the apparatus.

In an embodiment, the apparatus further includes a first end of the apparatus allows the apparatus to receive the article in the second state; and a second end of the apparatus allows the apparatus to support the article in the first state.

In another embodiment, the article is an evaporative air cooler and at least a component of the article is an air moving device of the evaporative air cooler.

In another embodiment, the first state of the apparatus allows working of the evaporative air cooler and the second state of the apparatus allows storing or packing of the evaporative air cooler.

In another embodiment, the second end of the apparatus includes a guide strip and the evaporative air cooler includes a guide slot positioned at the base of the evaporative air cooler such that the guide strip of the second end is configured to receive within the guide slot of the evaporative air cooler in the first state of the apparatus.

In another embodiment, the first end of the apparatus includes: a number of legs that are configured to unfold - to extract out the evaporative air cooler from the first end of the apparatus and - to support the first end of the apparatus on the surface of a ground in the first state of the apparatus.

In another embodiment, the apparatus further includes a cap that is configured to cover the second end of the apparatus in the first state and the second state of the apparatus.

These and other aspects of the embodiments herein will be better appreciated and understood when considered in conjunction with the following description and the accompanying drawings. It should be understood, however, that the following descriptions, while indicating preferred embodiments and numerous specific details thereof, are given by way of illustration and not of limitation. Many changes and modifications may be made within the scope of the embodiments herein without departing from the concept thereof, and the embodiments herein include all such modifications.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

Other objects, features, and advantages of the embodiment will be apparent from the following description when read with reference to the accompanying drawings. In the drawings, wherein like reference numerals denote corresponding parts throughout the several views:

Fig 1 is a front view of an apparatus for storing and supporting an article, according to an embodiment herein;

Fig. 2 is a front view of an evaporative air cooler that is to be packed in the apparatus, according to an embodiment;

Fig. 3 is a front view of the apparatus supporting the evaporative air cooler, according to an embodiment herein;

Fig. 4 is a front view of the apparatus storing the evaporative air cooler, according to an embodiment herein; and Fig. 5A, 5B, and 5C illustrate a front view of the apparatus provided with a cap, according to another embodiment herein.

To facilitate understanding, like reference numerals have been used, where possible, to designate like elements common to the figures.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The embodiments herein and the various features and advantageous details thereof are explained more fully with reference to the non-limiting embodiments that are illustrated in the accompanying drawings and detailed in the following description. Descriptions of well-known components and processing techniques are omitted so as to not unnecessarily obscure the embodiments herein. The examples used herein are intended merely to facilitate an understanding of ways in which the embodiments herein may be practiced and to further enable those of skill in the art to practice the embodiments herein. Accordingly, the examples should not be construed as limiting the scope of the embodiments herein.

It is understood that when an element or layer is referred to as being “on,” “connected to,” or “coupled to” another element or layer, it can be directly on, connected to, or coupled to the other element or layer or intervening elements or layers that may be present. As used herein, the term “and/or” includes any and all combinations of one or more of the associated listed items.

Spatially relative terms, such as “top,” “bottom,” and the like, may be used herein for ease of description to describe one element or feature's relationship to another element(s) or feature(s) as illustrated in the figures. It is to be understood that the spatially relative terms are intended to encompass different orientations of the structure in use or operation in addition to the orientation depicted in the figures.

Embodiments described herein refer to plan views and/or cross-sectional views by way of ideal schematic views. Accordingly, the views may be modified depending on simplistic assembling or manufacturing technologies and/or tolerances. Therefore, example embodiments are not limited to those shown in the views but include modifications in configurations formed on basis of assembling process. Therefore, regions exemplified in the figures have schematic properties and shapes of regions shown in the figures exemplify specific shapes or regions of elements, and do not limit the various embodiments including the example embodiments.

As mentioned, there remains a need for compact packaging of an evaporative air cooler with a flexible arrangement for number of components of the evaporative air cooler such as pump assembly, therefore: the embodiment herein provides an apparatus that supports the evaporative air cooler in a first state and store the evaporative air cooler in a second state.

Referring now to the drawings, and more particularly to FIGS. 1 through FIG. 5(C), where similar reference characters denote corresponding features consistently throughout the figures, there are shown several embodiments.

The terms “normal configuration” or “original configuration” as used herein the context of the present disclosure refers to the original configuration of the apparatus such that the first end of the apparatus is in upward position with respect to the second end i.e., the first end is above the surface of the ground and the second end of the apparatus abuts the surface of the ground.

The term “upside-configuration” as used herein the context of the present disclosure refers to the upside-down configuration of the apparatus, when the apparatus is flipped from its normal configuration.

Fig. 1 illustrates a front view of an apparatus (102) such that the apparatus (102) exhibits original configuration. The apparatus (102) includes a first end (104), a second end (106), a guide strip (108), and a number of legs (110).

The number of legs (110) are arranged at the first end (104) of the apparatus (102). The guide strip (108) is arranged at the second end (106) of the apparatus (102).

The first end (104) and the second end (106) of the apparatus (102) are spaced apart to define height of the apparatus (102). While supporting an article in a first state of the apparatus (102), the apparatus (102) is configured to exhibit an upside-down configuration such that the first end (104) abuts surface of a ground and the second end (106) shifts to upward position with respect to the first end (104) i.e., the second end (106) is above the surface of the ground. The number of legs (110) are configured to expand such that the number of legs (110) abuts the surface and thereby enabling support for the apparatus (102) on the ground. The article is adapted to be positioned on the second end (106) such that a guide slot of the article is configured to match/receive the guide strip (108) of the second end (106) of the apparatus (102). The article, when supported on the apparatus (100) forms a second state of the apparatus (100). While storing/packing the article in a second state of the apparatus (102), the number of legs (110) are configured to unfold in order to receive the article, from the first end (104), into the apparatus (102) such that the article is packed inside the apparatus (102). The first end (104) of the apparatus (100) is configured to house at least a component of the article in either of the first state and second state.

Fig. 2 illustrates a front view of an evaporative cooler (202). The evaporative air cooler (202) includes a guide slot (204) that is provided at the base of the evaporative air cooler (202).

Fig. 3 illustrates a first state (302) of the apparatus (102). The first state (302) allows the apparatus (102) to support the evaporative air cooler (202) on the second end (106) such that the evaporative air cooler (202) is in operative state (working state) while being supported on the second end (104) of the apparatus (102).

While supporting the evaporative air cooler (202) in the first state (302), the apparatus (102) is configured to exhibit an upside-down configuration such that the first end (104) abuts surface of a ground and the second end (106) shifts to upward position with respect to the first end (104) i.e., the second end (106) is above the surface of the ground. The number of legs (110) are configured to expand such that the number of legs (110) abuts the surface and thereby enabling support for the apparatus (102) on the ground. The guide strip (108) of the second end (106) of the apparatus (102) is configured to be received within the guide slot (204) of the evaporative air cooler (202) such that the evaporative air cooler (202) is retained or locked on the apparatus (102). Since, the evaporative air cooler (202) is working in the first state (302) of the apparatus (102), therefore: there may be vibrations produced by the evaporative air cooler (202). The locking between the apparatus (102) and the evaporative air cooler (202) prevents falling of the evaporative air cooler (202) due to the vibrations of the evaporative air cooler (202) in the first state (302) of the apparatus (102).

Fig. 4 illustrates a second state (402) of the apparatus (102). The second state (402) of the apparatus (102) allows to store or pack the evaporative air cooler (202) inside the apparatus (102) such that the evaporative air cooler (202) is received inside the apparatus (102).

While storing/packing the evaporative air cooler (202) in the second state (402), the apparatus (102) is configured to exhibit original configuration. The number of legs (110) of the apparatus (102) are configured to unfold in order to receive the evaporative air cooler (202), from the first end (104), into the apparatus (102) such that the evaporative air cooler (202) is packed or stored inside the apparatus (102).

The first end (104) of the apparatus (102) acts as a housing (chamber) for a component of the evaporative air cooler (202). For example, the component of the evaporative air cooler (202) enclosed in the housing of the apparatus (102) is an air moving device such as a blower, a fan or a motor etc of the evaporative air cooler (202).

In some embodiments, the lower end (106) of the apparatus (102) acts as a housing for a pump assembly (not shown) of the evaporative air cooler (202). The housing for the pump assembly is formed by placing a block or a slab (not shown) inside the apparatus (102) near the lower end (106) of the apparatus (102). Fig. 5A, 5B and 5C illustrates another embodiment of the apparatus (102) such that the apparatus (102) includes a cap (502).

While supporting the evaporative air cooler (202) in the first state (302), the evaporative air cooler (202) is configured to support on the first end (104) of the apparatus (102) as can be clearly seen through Fig. 5A. The cap (502) is removed from the base of the apparatus (102) in order to extract the evaporative air cooler (202) out from the apparatus (102). Upon extracting the evaporative air cooler (202) out from the apparatus (102), the evaporative air cooler (202) is able to support on the first end (104) of the apparatus (102). The frustum shape of the apparatus (102) is designed such that the second end (106) is broader than the first end (104) of the apparatus (102), therefore: the second end (106) is configured to provide a stable base for the apparatus (102) while the evaporative air cooler (202) is supported on the first end (104) of the apparatus (102).

While storing the evaporative air cooler (202) in the apparatus (102) in the second state (402), the apparatus (102) allows the second end (106) to receive the evaporative air cooler (202) in order to store the evaporative air cooler (202) as can be seen through the Fig. 5B. The cap (502) is provided underneath the apparatus (102) that is adapted to cover the second end (106) of the apparatus (102), when the evaporative air cooler (202) is stored inside the apparatus (102) as can be seen through the Fig. 5C.

In an embodiment, the evaporative air cooler (202) is configured to work or operate while being supported on the apparatus (102) or while being supported on the surface of the ground.

In another embodiment, the apparatus (102) is configured to support and receive electrical appliances including but not limited to a television, a table fan or the like.

In another embodiment, the apparatus (102) is made up of shock-proof material that allows the apparatus (102) to absorb/dampen the vibrations produced (if any) by the article.

Certain advantages of the apparatus (102) of the present disclosure are listed herein below: -

The apparatus (102) ensures supporting of the evaporative air cooler (202) and storing of the evaporative air cooler (202), when the evaporative air cooler (202) is not working or not required to be used.

The apparatus (102) eliminates the need of a separate stand or frame for the evaporative air cooler (202), while the evaporative air cooler (202) is working.

The apparatus (102) eliminates the need of a separate carton or container for storing the evaporative air cooler (202), when the evaporative air cooler (202) is not in use.

The apparatus (102) ensures compactness, while storing or while using the evaporative air cooler (102).

The apparatus (102) allows the user to quickly support the evaporative air cooler (202) and to store the evaporative air cooler (202).

The foregoing discussion of the present disclosure has been presented for purposes of illustration and description. It is not intended to limit the present invention to the form or forms disclosed herein. In the foregoing Detailed Description, for example, various features of the present invention are grouped together in one or more embodiments, configurations, or aspects for the purpose of streamlining the disclosure. The features of the embodiments, configurations, or aspects may be combined in alternate embodiments, configurations, or aspects other than those discussed above. This method of disclosure is not to be interpreted as reflecting an intention the present invention requires more features than are expressly recited in each claim. Rather, as the following claims reflect, inventive aspects lie in less than all features of a single foregoing disclosed embodiment, configuration, or aspect. Thus, the following claims are hereby incorporated into this Detailed Description, with each claim standing on its own as a separate embodiment of the present invention.

Moreover, though the description of the present disclosure has included description of one or more embodiments, configurations, or aspects and certain variations and modifications, other variations, combinations, and modifications are within the scope of the present invention, e.g., as may be within the skill and knowledge of those in the art, after understanding the present disclosure. It is intended to obtain rights which include alternative embodiments, configurations, or aspects to the extent permitted, including alternate, interchangeable and/or equivalent structures, functions, ranges or steps to those claimed, whether or not such alternate, interchangeable and/or equivalent structures, functions, ranges or steps are disclosed herein, and without intending to publicly dedicate any patentable subject matter.

Claims

WE CLAIM:

1. An apparatus (102) for an article having at least two states comprising; a first state (302) that enables the apparatus (102) to support the article; a second state (402) that enables the apparatus (102) to receive the article wherein the first state (302) and the second state (402) of the apparatus (102) allows to house at least a component of the article in the apparatus (102).

2. The apparatus (102) as claimed in claim 1, further comprises; a first end (104) of the apparatus (102) allows the apparatus (102) to receive the article in the second state (402); and a second end (106) of the apparatus (102) allows the apparatus (102) to support the article in the first state (302).

3. The apparatus (102) as claimed in claim 1, wherein the article is an evaporative air cooler (202) and at least a component of the article is an air moving device of the evaporative air cooler (202).

4. The apparatus (102) as claimed in claim 3, wherein the first state (302) of the apparatus (102) allows working of the evaporative air cooler (202) and the second state (302) of the apparatus (102) allows storing or packing of the evaporative air cooler (202).

5. The apparatus (102) as claimed in claim 3, wherein the second end (106) of the apparatus (102) comprises a guide strip (108) and the evaporative air cooler (202) comprises a guide slot (204) positioned at the base of the evaporative air cooler (202) such that the guide strip (108) of the second end (106) is configured to receive within the guide slot (204) of the evaporative air cooler (202) in the first state (302) of the apparatus (102).

6. The apparatus (102) as claimed in claim 3, wherein the first end (104) of the apparatus (102) comprises: a plurality of legs (110) that are configured to unfold

- to extract out the evaporative air cooler (202) from the first end (104) of the apparatus (102) and

- to support the first end (104) of the apparatus (102) on the surface of a ground in the first state (302) of the apparatus (102).

7. The apparatus (102) as claimed in claim 3, further comprises a cap (602) that is configured to cover the second end (106) of the apparatus (102) in the first state (302) and the second state (402) of the apparatus (102).