Patent ID: 6039184
Filing Date: 2000-03-21
Classification: B65D,Y10T

Abstract:
A flexible protective article for engaging a surface of a product for protecting the product from shock during shipment comprising a member formed of a molded sheet of material of molded pulp having a substantially uniform thickness throughout, said member having a plurality of generally parallel spaced apart flutes formed therein by the molding of said molded pulp and of a substantially uniform thickness extending at an angle between 15.degree. and 75.degree. with respect to a first imaginary plane extending through the flutes and extending inwardly and outwardly with respect to the first imaginary plane to provide flutes on opposite sides of the molded sheet, each of said flutes in a normal unloaded condition having first and second legs angled with respect to each other and terminating in an apex, said first leg having a first length and said second leg having a second length, said second length being less in length than the first length, said first and second legs extending at angles on the same side of a second imaginary plane extending perpendicular to the first imaginary plane and extending through the apex, said apex being rounded to provide rounded apices on the plurality of flutes, said flutes on opposite sides being free and being capable of bending from the normal unloaded position through the second imaginary plane and serving as shock absorbing dampers to absorb shock forces applied to the product when the foldable protective article is disposed between the product and the shipping container by being capable of bending during absorption of shock forces and springing back after the shock forces have passed.