Patent ID: 6010007
Filing Date: 2000-01-04
Classification: B65D

Abstract:
A unitary fragility packaging article for retaining a plurality of shock sensitive items, said article being configured for placement with the items within a container having multiple panels, comprising:a platform portion defining a floor for supporting at least a portion of the items and having a peripheral edge including generally parallel front and rear edges and generally parallel side edges;at least one of said front and rear edges of said platform portion is provided with a peripheral wall defined by an inner surface joined to said floor, an outer surface having a lower edge, and a bridge portion for joining corresponding upper ends of said inner surface to said outer surface, wherein said inner surface and said outer surface both extend in a direction generally transverse to said floor and said outer surface is taller than said inner surface so that when the article is placed upon a substrate or against a panel of the container, said floor is suspended above the substrate or panel to define a first air cushioning space;a plurality of ribs disposed on said platform portion to project from said floor, and to divide said floor into a plurality of item-supporting cells, each said cell configured for receiving one of the items, said ribs project above a plane defined by said floor to separate items located in adjacent cells and provide a shock absorbing air space between adjacent items; andat least one of said cells being provided with at least a portion of a crush depression depending from said floor to define a second air cushioning space between the plane defined by said floor and a plane defined by an adjacent panel of the container upon which said article is disposed, said first and second air cushioning spaces being configured to protect against shock forces generated in the same direction.