Abstract:
One embodiment of a paper cushioning structure includes a corrugated, hollow support member of H cross-section having two open ends, the support member comprising a hollow, intermediate plate interconnecting both hollow sides; and two fixing members shaped to securely assemble at both ends of the support member respectively so as to form a packing space defined by the fixing members, the intermediate plate, and upper portions of the sides of the support member.

Description:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     1. Field of Invention 
     The invention relates to cushioning materials and more particularly to a paper-based cushioning structure with improved characteristics. 
     2. Description of Related Art 
     Package cushioning is inside a shipping container. It is known that the high price articles (e.g., laptop computers) are required to be fully protected during transport. 
     Various type and styles of paper cushions are commercially available. Paper cushions are more environmentally friendly. However, conventional paper cushions do not provide sufficient resiliency or offer complete protection to articles packaged in a paper container. Thus, the need for improvement still exists. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     It is therefore one object of the invention to provide a paper cushioning structure comprising an elongated, corrugated, hollow support member of H cross-section having two open ends, the support member comprising a hollow, intermediate plate interconnecting both hollow sides; and two fixing members shaped to securely assemble at both ends of the support member respectively so as to form a packing space defined by the fixing members, the intermediate plate, and upper portions of the sides of the support member. 
     The above and other objects, features, and advantages of the invention will become apparent from the following detailed description taken with the accompanying drawings. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         FIG. 1  is a perspective view of a first preferred embodiment of paper cushion according to the invention; 
         FIG. 2  is an exploded view of the paper cushion in  FIG. 1 ; 
         FIG. 3  is a top plan view of the paper cushion in  FIG. 1 ; 
         FIG. 4  is a front view of the paper cushion in  FIG. 1 ; 
         FIG. 5  is a top plan view of the support member in  FIG. 2 ; 
         FIG. 6  is a front view of the support member in  FIG. 2 ; 
         FIG. 7  is a perspective view of a second preferred embodiment of paper cushion according to the invention; 
         FIG. 8  is an exploded view of the paper cushion in  FIG. 7 ; 
         FIG. 9  is a top plan view of the paper cushion in  FIG. 7 ; 
         FIG. 10  is a front view of the paper cushion in  FIG. 7 ; 
         FIG. 11  is a top plan view of the support member in  FIG. 8 ; 
         FIG. 12  is a front view of the support member in  FIG. 8 ; 
         FIG. 13  is a perspective view of a third preferred embodiment of paper cushion according to the invention; 
         FIG. 14  is an exploded view of the paper cushion in  FIG. 13 ; 
         FIG. 15  is a top plan view of the paper cushion in  FIG. 13 ; 
         FIG. 16  is a front view of the paper cushion in  FIG. 13 ; 
         FIG. 17  is a top plan view of the support member in  FIG. 14 ; 
         FIG. 18  is a front view of the support member in  FIG. 14 ; 
         FIG. 19  is a perspective view of a fourth preferred embodiment of paper cushion according to the invention; 
         FIG. 20  is an exploded view of the paper cushion in  FIG. 19 ; 
         FIG. 21  is a top plan view of the paper cushion in  FIG. 19 ; 
         FIG. 22  is a front view of the paper cushion in  FIG. 19 ; 
         FIG. 23  is a top plan view of the support member in  FIG. 20 ; 
         FIG. 24  is a front view of the support member in  FIG. 29 ; 
         FIG. 25  is a perspective view of a fifth preferred embodiment of paper cushion according to the invention; 
         FIG. 26  is an exploded view of the paper cushion in  FIG. 25 ; 
         FIG. 27  is a top plan view of the paper cushion in  FIG. 25 ; 
         FIG. 28  is a front view of the paper cushion in  FIG. 25 ; 
         FIG. 29  is a top plan view of the support member in  FIG. 26 ; 
         FIG. 30  is a front view of the support member in  FIG. 26 ; 
         FIG. 31  is a perspective view of a sixth preferred embodiment of paper cushion according to the invention; 
         FIG. 32  is an exploded view of the paper cushion in  FIG. 31 ; 
         FIG. 33  is a top plan view of the paper cushion in  FIG. 31 ; 
         FIG. 34  is a front view of the paper cushion in  FIG. 31 ; 
         FIG. 35  is a top plan view of the support member in  FIG. 32 ; and 
         FIG. 36  is a front view of the support member in  FIG. 32 . 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
     Referring to  FIGS. 1 to 6 , a paper cushion in accordance with a first preferred embodiment of the invention comprises the following components as discussed in detail below. 
     An elongated, hollow support member  1  of H cross-section has two opposite open ends and comprises two hollow rectangular side walls  11  each comprising a lengthwise elongated trough  111  terminating at both ends. One side wall  11  further comprises a flat top surface  12  and a flat bottom surface  12 ′ and the other side wall  11  further comprises a flat top surface  13  and a flat bottom surface  13 ′. The support member  1  further comprises a hollow, rectangular intermediate plate  14  interconnecting both side walls  11 . The intermediate plate  14  has a flat top surface  141 , a flat bottom surface  142 , and a hollow H 1  between the top and bottom surfaces  141  and  142 . The intermediate plate  14  has an elevation slightly less than that of the trough  111 . 
     Each of two fixing members  2  has a rectangular end surface and two 90-degree bent rectangular sides. The fixing member  2  comprises a top recess  21 . Length of the side wall  11  is more than twice of that of the side of the fixing member  2 . 
     In assembly, both sides of each fixing member  2  are inserted into the hollows of the side walls  11  as indicated by arrows P to frictionally secure to either end of the support member  1 . The tops of the sides of the fixing member  2  are slightly below the top surface  12  or  13 . As a result, a paper cushion is assembled and has a packing space V 1  having an open top. The packing space V 1  is defined by the fixing members  2 , the intermediate plate  14 , and upper portions of the side walls  11 . An article thus can be packed in the packing space V 1  for transport. 
     Referring to  FIGS. 7 to 12 , a paper cushion in accordance with a second preferred embodiment of the invention comprises the following components as discussed in detail below. 
     An elongated, hollow support member  1  of H cross-section has two opposite open ends and comprises two hollow rectangular side walls  11  each comprising a lengthwise elongated trough  111  terminating at both ends. One side wall  11  further comprises a flat top surface  12  and a flat bottom surface  12 ′ and the other side wall  11  further comprises a flat top surface  13  and a flat bottom surface  13 ′. The support member  1  further comprises a hollow, rectangular intermediate plate  14  interconnecting both side walls  11 . The intermediate plate  14  has a flat top surface  141 , a flat bottom surface  142 , and a hollow H 2  between the top and bottom surfaces  141  and  142 . The intermediate plate  14  has an elevation slightly less than that of the trough  111 . 
     A first fixing member  2  has a rectangular end surface and two 90-degree bent rectangular sides. The first fixing member  2  comprises a top recess  21 . 
     A second fixing member  3  has a rectangular end surface  31  and two 90-degree bent rectangular sides. The second fixing member  3  comprises an inverted L-shaped brace plate  32  extending inward from about top edge of the end surface  31 . Either side of the brace plate  32  is spaced from either side of the second fixing member  3  by a distance substantially the same as the thickness of the inner surface of the upper portion of the side wall  11 . Top of the brace plate  32  is disposed slightly below top of the second fixing member  3 . A recess  321  is formed on a bending edge of the brace plate  32  distal the end surface  31 . Length of the side wall  11  is more than addition of the sides of the first and second fixing members  2 ,  3 . 
     In assembly, both sides of the first fixing member  2  are inserted into the hollows of the side walls  11  from one end as indicated by one arrow P and both sides of the second fixing member  3  are inserted into the hollows of the side walls  11  from the other end as indicated by the other arrow P to frictionally secure to both ends of the support member  1 . The inner surface of the upper portion of the side wall  11  is inserted into the gap between the brace plate  32  and either side of the second fixing member  3  and fastened together. The bottom edge of the brace plate  32  is rested upon the intermediate plate  14 . The tops of the sides of each of the first fixing member  2  and the second fixing member  3  are slightly below the top surface of the side wall  11 . As a result, a paper cushion is assembled and has a packing space V 2  having an open top. The packing space V 2  is defined by the first and second fixing members  2  and  3 , the intermediate plate  14 , and upper portions of the side walls  11 . An article thus can be packed in the packing space V 2  for transport. 
     Referring to  FIGS. 13 to 18 , a paper cushion in accordance with a third preferred embodiment of the invention comprises the following components as discussed in detail below. 
     An elongated, hollow support member  1  of H cross-section has two opposite open ends and comprises two hollow rectangular side walls  11  each comprising a lengthwise elongated trough  111  terminating at both ends. One side wall  11  further comprises a flat top surface  12  and a flat bottom surface  12 ′ and the other side wall  11  further comprises a flat top surface  13  and a flat bottom surface  13 ′. The support member  1  further comprises a hollow, rectangular intermediate plate  14  interconnecting both side walls  11 . The intermediate plate  14  has a flat top surface  141 , a flat bottom surface  142 , and a hollow H 3  between the top and bottom surfaces  141  and  142 . The intermediate plate  14  has an elevation slightly less than that of the trough  111 . 
     Each of two fixing members  3  has a rectangular end surface  31  and two 90-degree bent rectangular sides. The fixing member  3  comprises an inverted L-shaped brace plate  32  extending inward from about top edge of the end surface  31 . Either side of the brace plate  32  is spaced from either side of the fixing member  3  by a distance substantially the same as the thickness of the inner surface of the upper portion of the side wall  11 . Top of the brace plate  32  is disposed slightly below top of the fixing member  3 . A recess  321  is formed on a bending edge of the brace plate  32  distal the end surface  31 . Length of the side wall  11  is more than twice of that of the side of the fixing member  3 . 
     In assembly, both sides of each fixing member  3  are inserted into the hollows of the side walls  11  from either end as indicated by arrows P to frictionally secure to both ends of the support member  1 . The inner surface of the upper portion of the side wall  11  is inserted into the gap between the brace plate  32  and either side of the fixing member  3  and fastened together. The bottom edge of the brace plate  32  is rested upon the intermediate plate  14 . The tops of the sides of each fixing member  3  are slightly below the top surface of the side wall  11 . As a result, a paper cushion is assembled and has a packing space V 3  having an open top. The packing space V 3  is defined by the fixing members  3 , the intermediate plate  14 , and upper portions of the side walls  11 . An article thus can be packed in the packing space V 3  for transport. 
     Referring to  FIGS. 19 to 24 , a paper cushion in accordance with a fourth preferred embodiment of the invention comprises the following components as discussed in detail below. 
     An elongated, hollow support member  1 ′ of H cross-section has two opposite open ends and comprises two hollow rectangular side walls  11  each comprising a lengthwise elongated trough  111  terminating at both ends. One side wall  11  further comprises a flat top surface  1 ′ 2  and a flat bottom surface  1 ′ 2 ′ and the other side wall  1 ′ 1  further comprises a flat top surface  1 ′ 3  and a flat bottom surface  1 ′ 3 ′. The support member  1 ′ further comprises a hollow, rectangular intermediate plate  1 ′ 4  interconnecting both side walls  1 ′ 1 . The intermediate plate  1 ′ 4  has a flat top surface  1 ′ 41 , a flat bottom surface  1 ′ 42 , and a hollow H 4  between the top and bottom surfaces  1 ′ 41  and  1 ′ 42 . The intermediate plate  1 ′ 4  has an elevation slightly less than that of the trough  1 ′ 11 . 
     Each of two fixing members  4  has a rectangular end surface  42  and two 90-degree bent rectangular sides. The fixing member  4  comprises an inverted L-shaped brace plate  41  extending inward from about top edge of the end surface  42 , and a curved cavity  421  on a bottom edge of the end surface  42 . Either side of the brace plate  41  is spaced from either side of the fixing member  4  by a distance substantially the same as the thickness of the inner surface of the upper portion of the side wall  1 ′ 1 . Top of the brace plate  41  is disposed slightly below top of the fixing member  4 . A recess  411  is formed on a bending edge of the brace plate  41  distal the end surface  42 . Length of the side wall  11  is more than twice of that of the side of the fixing member  4 . 
     In assembly, both sides of each fixing member  4  are inserted into the hollows of the side walls  1 ′ 1  from either end as indicated by arrows P to frictionally secure to both ends of the support member  1 ′. The inner surface of the upper portion of the side wall  1 ′ 1  is inserted into the gap between the brace plate  41  and either side of the fixing member  4  and fastened together. The bottom edge of the brace plate  41  is rested upon the intermediate plate  1 ′ 4 . The tops of the sides of each fixing member  4  are slightly below the top surface of the side wall  1 ′ 1 . As a result, a paper cushion is assembled and has a packing space V 4  having an open top. The packing space V 4  is defined by the fixing members  4 , the intermediate plate  1 ′ 4 , and upper portions of the side walls  1 ′ 1 . An article thus can be packed in the packing space V 4  for transport. 
     Referring to  FIGS. 25 to 30 , a paper cushion in accordance with a fifth preferred embodiment of the invention comprises the following components as discussed in detail below. 
     An elongated, hollow support member  2 ′ of H cross-section has two opposite open ends and comprises two hollow rectangular side walls  2 ′ 1  each comprising a lengthwise elongated trough  2 ′ 11  terminating at both ends. One side wall  2 ′ 1  further comprises a flat top surface  2 ′ 2  and a flat bottom surface  2 ′ 2 ′ and the other side wall  2 ′ 1  further comprises a flat top surface  2 ′ 3  and a flat bottom surface  2 ′ 3 ′. The support member  2 ′ further comprises a hollow, rectangular intermediate plate  2 ′ 4  interconnecting both side walls  2 ′ 1 . The intermediate plate  2 ′ 4  has a flat top surface  2 ′ 41 , a flat bottom surface  2 ′ 42 , a hollow H 5  between the top and bottom surfaces  2 ′ 41  and  2 ′ 42 , and a rectangular opening  2 ′ 43  through the top surface  2 ′ 41 , the hollow H 5 , and the bottom surface  2 ′ 42 . The intermediate plate  2 ′ 4  has an elevation slightly less than that of the trough  2 ′ 11 . 
     Each of two fixing members  5  has a rectangular end surface  52  and two 90-degree bent rectangular sides. The fixing member  5  comprises an inverted L-shaped brace plate  51  extending inward from about top edge of the end surface  52 , and a curved cavity  521  on a bottom edge of the end surface  52 . Either side of the brace plate  51  is spaced from either side of the fixing member  5  by a distance substantially the same as the thickness of the inner surface of the upper portion of the side wall  2 ′ 1 . Top of the brace plate  51  is disposed slightly below top of the fixing member  5 . A recess  511  is formed on a bending edge of the brace plate  51  distal the end surface  52 . Length of the side wall  2 ′ 1  is more than twice of that of the side of the fixing member  5 . 
     In assembly, both sides of each fixing member  5  are inserted into the hollows of the side walls  2 ′ 1  from either end as indicated by arrows P to frictionally secure to both ends of the support member  2 ′. The inner surface of the upper portion of the side wall  2 ′ 1  is inserted into the gap between the brace plate  51  and either side of the fixing member  5  and fastened together. The bottom edge of the brace plate  51  is rested upon the intermediate plate  2 ′ 4 . The tops of the sides of each fixing member  5  are slightly below the top surface of the side wall  2 ′ 1 . As a result, a paper cushion is assembled and has a packing space V 5  having an open top. The packing space V 5  is defined by the fixing members  5 , the intermediate plate  2 ′ 4 , and upper portions of the side walls  2 ′ 1 . An article thus can be packed in the packing space V 4  for transport. 
     Referring to  FIGS. 31 to 36 , a paper cushion in accordance with a sixth preferred embodiment of the invention comprises the following components as discussed in detail below. 
     An elongated, hollow support member  1 ′ of H cross-section has two opposite open ends and comprises two hollow rectangular side walls  11  each comprising a lengthwise elongated trough  111  terminating at both ends. One side wall  11  further comprises a flat top surface  1 ′ 2  and a flat bottom surface  1 ′ 2 ′ and the other side wall  11  further comprises a flat top surface  1 ′ 3  and a flat bottom surface  1 ′ 3 ′. The support member  1 ′ further comprises a hollow, rectangular intermediate plate  1 ′ 4  interconnecting both side walls  1 ′ 1 . The intermediate plate  1 ′ 4  has a flat top surface  1 ′ 41 , a flat bottom surface  1 ′ 42 , and a hollow H 4  between the top and bottom surfaces  1 ′ 41  and  1 ′ 42 . The intermediate plate  1 ′ 4  has an elevation slightly less than that of the trough  1 ′ 11 . 
     Each of two fixing members  6  has a rectangular end surface  62  and two 90-degree bent rectangular sides. The fixing member  6  comprises an inverted L-shaped brace plate  61  extending inward from about top edge of the end surface  62 , a curved well  611  on an intermediate portion of the brace plate  61 , and a curved cavity  621  on a bottom edge of the end surface  62 . Either side of the brace plate  61  is spaced from either side of the fixing member  6  by a distance substantially the same as the thickness of the inner surface of the upper portion of the side wall  1 ′ 1 . Top of the brace plate  61  is disposed slightly below top of the fixing member  6 . Length of the side wall  1 ′ 1  is more than twice of that of the side of the fixing member  6 . 
     In assembly, both sides of each fixing member  6  are inserted into the hollows of the side walls  1 ′ 1  from either end as indicated by arrows P to frictionally secure to both ends of the support member  1 ′. The inner surface of the upper portion of the side wall  1 ′ 1  is inserted into the gap between the brace plate  61  and either side of the fixing member  6  and fastened together. The bottom edge of the brace plate  61  is rested upon the intermediate plate  1 ′ 4 . The tops of the sides of each fixing member  6  are slightly below the top surface of the side wall  1 ′ 1 . As a result, a paper cushion is assembled and has a packing space V 6  having an open top. The packing space V 6  is defined by the fixing members  6 , the intermediate plate  1 ′ 4 , and upper portions of the side walls  1 ′ 1 . An article thus can be packed in the packing space V 6  for transport. 
     While the invention herein disclosed has been described by means of specific embodiments, numerous modifications and variations could be made thereto by those skilled in the art without departing from the scope and spirit of the invention set forth in the claims.