Abstract:
An improved package insert, made from folded panelboard or cardboard, provides reduced risk of damage to various goods during shipping, while being inexpensive to manufacture.

Description:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION  
         [0001]    1. Field of the Invention  
           [0002]    The present invention relates to packaging. More specifically, the invention relates to folded panel packaging inserts designed to provide cushioning to goods during shipment.  
           [0003]    2. Description of the Related Art  
           [0004]    Electronic components being shipped from one location to another can potentially be damaged when components are stacked on top of each other, accidentally dropped, or otherwise roughly handled during transportation. Various forms of cushioning these components within their shipping containers have been proposed.  
           [0005]    There is a need for a packaging insert providing superior strength to resist being crushed when packages are stacked or dropped, and that is less expensive to manufacture.  
         SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION  
         [0006]    The present invention provides an improved packaging insert for providing cushioning for the packaged components. The insert is particularly useful for protecting electronic components during shipment, although not limited to such use.  
           [0007]    A packaging insert of the present invention is made from inexpensive, semi-rigid material, for example, corrugated panelboard or cardboard. The panelboard is folded to provide a rectangular first end portion, an elongated central portion, and a second end portion. The second end portion and rectangular first end portion are dimensioned and configured to maintain a spaced relationship between the central portion and the side of the packaging container. Additionally, the rectangular first end portion is dimensioned and configured to provide a spaced relationship between the packaged contents and the side of the package.  
           [0008]    A packaging insert of the present invention will typically be used in pairs, with one insert located on each end of a package. Additional filler material may optionally be used within the rectangular first end portion of the insert, or between the insert&#39;s central portion and the end of the container. Alternatively, additional goods may be packaged within the space between the main goods to be packaged and the side and/or ends of the container. The various folds within the insert provide strength, preventing the insert from being crushed if one package is stacked on top of another. Additionally, the gaps between the packages&#39; containers and the sides and ends of the package resist damage to the package&#39;s contents if the package is dropped.  
           [0009]    These and other aspects of the invention will become apparent through the following description and drawings. 
       
    
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS  
       [0010]    [0010]FIG. 1 is a top view of a cushioning insert according to the present invention.  
         [0011]    [0011]FIG. 2 is a front view of a panelboard or cardboard section, showing the locations wherein it must be folded to form an insert of the present invention.  
         [0012]    [0012]FIG. 3 is an exploded top isometric view of a package and the electronic components therein, illustrating the use of the inserts of the present invention.  
         [0013]    [0013]FIG. 4 is a top isometric view of a packaged electronic components utilizing a pair of cushioning inserts of the present invention to provide the necessary cushioning. 
     
    
       [0014]    Like reference numbers denote like elements throughout the drawings.  
       DETAILED DESCRIPTION  
       [0015]    The present invention provides an improved packaging insert for providing cushioning for packaged components, such as electronic devices.  
         [0016]    [0016]FIG. 1 illustrates a cushioning insert  10  according to the present invention. The cushioning insert  10  includes a first end portion  12 , having a rectangular configuration. The illustrated example includes a first inside layer  14 , an inner side  16 , a base  18 , an outer side  20 , and a second inside layer  22 . The first and second inside layers  14 ,  22 , sides  16 ,  20 , and base  18  define an end cavity  24 , dimensioned and configured to receive additional cushioning material.  
         [0017]    At the opposite end of the cushioning insert  10 , a second end  26  is formed from an outside end  28 , and an inside end  30 . A central portion  32  extends between the first end portion  12  and second end portion  26 . The tip  34  of the outside end layer  28  and outer side  20  of the first end portion  12  define an outside edge  35 . The central portion  32  is inwardly spaced from the outer edge  35 , thereby defining a central open area  36  between the outside end layer  28 , central portion  32 , and second inside layer  22  of the first end portion  12 . The central open area  36 , like the end cavity  24 , is dimensioned and configured to receive additional cushioning material.  
         [0018]    Referring to FIG. 2, a semi-rigid panel  38  from which a cushioning insert  10  may be made is illustrated. The semi rigid panel  38  may be any suitable semi rigid material, for example, corrugated panelboard. The semi rigid panel  38  is folded at the appropriate locations to form the cushioning insert  10 . Specifically, folding the panel  38  at the fold location  40  brings the outside end layer  28  adjacent to the inside end layer  30 . Folding the panel  38  at the location  42  defines the second end of the central portion  32 , and positions the second end portion  26  substantially perpendicular to the central portion  32 . Folding the panel  38  at the fold location  44  defines the first end of the central portion  32 , and brings the first inside layer  14  of the first end portion  12  substantially perpendicular with the central portion  32 . Folding the panel  38  at the fold location  46  brings the inner side  16  substantially perpendicular to the first inside layer  14 . Folding the panel  38  at the fold location  48  brings the base  18  substantially perpendicular to the inner side  16 . Folding the panel  38  at the fold location  50  brings the outer side  20  perpendicular to the base  18 . Lastly, folding the panel  38  at the fold location  52  brings the second inside layer  22  perpendicular to the outer side  20 , and substantially parallel and adjacent to the first inside layer  14 .  
         [0019]    A pair of cushioning inserts  10  will typically be utilized to protect electronic components within their packaging during shipment. Referring to FIGS. 3 and 4, a typical packaging arrangement is illustrated. An electronic component  54  will be packaged within a shipping box  56  having a first end  58 , a second end  60 , a first side  62 , and a second side  64 . A pair of cushioning inserts  10  will be utilized, with one cushioning insert  10  sitting between the electronic component  54  and first end  58 , and the second cushioning insert  10  fitting between the electronic component  54  and second end  60 . The central portion  32  of each cushioning insert  10  will be positioned between the electronic component  54  and ends  58 ,  60 . The first end portion  12  of each cushioning insert  10  will be positioned between the electronic component  54  and the second side  64  of the box  56 . The second end  26  of the cushioning inserts  10  will be positioned between the electronic component  54  and the first side  62  of the box  56 . Additional electronic components  66 ,  68  may be positioned between the first end portions  12  of the cushioning inserts  10 . Additional cushioning materials  70  may, if desired, be placed within the central open area  36 , and additional cushioning material  72  may, if desired, be placed within the cavities  24 .  
         [0020]    When the electronic components  54 ,  66 , and  68  are packaged in this manner, the components, particularly the component  54 , are protected from impacts to the box  56  from the ends  58 ,  60 , and from the second side  64 . The components  54 ,  66 ,  68  are protected to a lesser degree from impacts on the first side  62  of the box  56 . The folds  40 - 52  add rigidity to the cushioning inserts  10  in the direction or arrow A, thereby preventing the cushioning inserts  10  from being crushed when boxes  56  are stacked on top of each other.  
         [0021]    While a specific embodiment of the invention has been described in detail, it will be appreciated by those skilled in the art that various modifications and alternatives to those details could be developed in light of the overall teachings of the disclosure. Accordingly, the particular arrangements disclosed are meant to be illustrative only and not limiting as to the scope of the invention which is to be given the full breadth of the appended claims and any and all equivalents thereof.