Patent Publication Number: US-7913847-B2

Title: Packaging system for an object and method of packaging an object

Description:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     1. Field of the Invention 
     This invention relates to packaging, and, more particularly, to a system and method for packaging one or more discrete objects for safe shipping thereof. 
     2. Background Art 
     Transportation of discrete objects that are prone to being damaged presents a challenge to individuals, businesses, and shipping companies worldwide. It is an age old practice to place an object within a shell, that may be made from paper, plastic, wood, metal, etc., and to protect the objects with cushioning materials that are interposed between the objects and shell. Cushioning materials have evolved and continue to evolve to address a number of different objectives. 
     First and foremost, the cushioning material must be effective in protecting objects as they are transported and handled. 
     Second, the packaging systems must be designed to be implemented in a manner that is reasonable both from the standpoint of logistics and cost. 
     Third, environmental considerations dictate packaging design. Once shipping components are utilized, they are ideally either disposed of without significant environmental impact or recycled for reuse. 
     These objectives have caused the development of numerous different types of cushioning materials. In the most primitive form, paper, such as newspaper, is crumbled and pressed between an object and a surrounding shell. At the destination location, the paper is commonly burned or recycled. 
     This practice has some inherent limitations. If there is a substantial gap between the object and the surrounding shell, a substantial amount of time and effort may be required to fill that space so as to effect proper cushioning. Depending upon the effort put forth by the individual carrying out the packaging, the effectiveness thereof may vary considerably from one package to the next. 
     Further, given the effort involved in recycling, shortcuts may be taken to dispose of the paper at the destination location, that may have an adverse environmental impact. 
     Still further, it is inconvenient, and potentially impractical, to keep on hand the necessary quantity of paper, particularly in high volume operations. 
     Still further, this packaging technique requires that the user press the paper somewhat firmly around the object that is being shipped. It is possible that with delicate objects a significant amount of damage may be inflicted at the point of packaging, as the paper is compacted in an attempt to conform it around the objects. 
     Bubble wrap has been used in a similar manner as paper and has some of the inherent drawbacks associated therewith. Bubble wrap is generally more effective than paper by reason of the fact that there are captured air pockets that contribute to the cushioning effect, whereas paper relies on inconsistently formed gaps between folds in the paper. 
     Bubble wrap is also relatively expensive and may have to be kept on site in large sheets or rolls. For individuals, it is an inconvenience to have to purchase the bubble wrap. For businesses and shipping companies, the needed supply of bubble wrap may take up valuable and expensive office and warehouse space. 
     While bubble wrap is often capable of being reused, it is often disposed of with common waste. This contributes detrimentally to the accumulation of plastics in landfills. 
     One of the most common packaging techniques utilizes discrete components, often referred to as “peanuts” made from styrofoam or other light-weight material. The peanuts are particularly desirable from the standpoint that they can be poured into a space around an object within a shell and are very light in weight. Nonetheless, a certain amount of skill is required to install the peanuts so there are no gaps that might allow shifting of the stored object. 
     One particular problem with the peanuts is that they potentially take up a large volume and are relatively difficult to store and deliver. A container of some sort must be provided to confine large volumes of the peanuts at shipping facilities. Equipment may also be required at the site where the peanuts are introduced to facilitate controlled delivery thereof into shells. Overhead funneling mechanisms are commonly used with a large hopper for this purpose. Commonly, bags of the peanuts are purchased and must be loaded into the delivery structure from overhead. This is potentially an awkward and time consuming process. 
     Because of the light weight of the peanuts, there is a tendency of the peanuts to be moved in response to even a slight draft. This may cause the peanuts to scatter undesirably in facilities in which they are used. Their light weight also makes it difficult to accumulate the peanuts during cleanup. This may be aggravated in the event that the peanuts become electrostatically charged, which commonly occurs. The peanuts in this condition tend to cling to shipped objects, and surfaces in the vicinity of where the objects are placed into, and removed from, a shell. 
     The light weight of the peanuts also creates a problem for the end user. Normally when one removes an object from a shell, a volume of the peanuts is usually caused to be discharged as well. The user is thus faced with the inconvenience of accumulating these peanuts and then effecting disposal thereof. 
     Styrofoam peanuts have not been routinely recycled. Unless the styrofoam peanuts are appropriately confined, they may scatter at curbside pick up locations and landfills where, if not recycled, they ultimately may end up. Styrofoam, and like composition components, have a detrimental environmental impact. 
     There are known types of peanuts that can be dissolved in water, or the like. Those at the ultimate destination may not take the time to dissolve the peanuts as intended and, in any event, contend with the problems associated with the lightweight nature of those peanuts. 
     It is also known to apply an adhesive to peanuts to maintain an aggregate shape after the peanuts are introduced. While this practice avoids the problem of scattering, some liner may be required to avoid unwanted exposure of the objects to the adhesive. Additionally, the unpacking process may be complicated by having to break loose the adhered peanuts without risking damaging of the objects within the shell. Re-use of the peanuts may be impractical. Proper disposal thereof thus becomes a problem. 
     Another known packaging technique utilizes a foam material that is formed at the packaging site about an object within a shell. A flexible liner is conformed around the object preparatory to introducing the foam which expands to conform to the space between the object and the shell. This technique is effective, but relatively costly by reason of requiring relatively expensive chemicals and components to store and control introduction thereof. This system may also generate large blocks of hardened foam that must be disposed of at the destination location. 
     Another technique for packaging utilizes loose, self-contained bladders, each with a predetermined quantity of air therewithin. The bladders are stuffed into the space between the objects and the shell to afford the desired cushioning. Commonly, the bladders are made from plastic. Multiple different sizes and shapes of bladders may have to kept on hand to meet all the different needs. 
     Additionally, there is a problem with reusing/recycling of these bladders which makes them often times an impractical option. 
     These bladders also suffer from the same limitations as do the basic components, discussed above, that require the user to strategically pack the cushioning components in the space between the objects and the shell. 
     As the volume of packages continues to increase on a worldwide level, the need to devise packaging systems that meet the above noted objectives increases. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     In one form, the invention is directed to a packaging system in which an object can be maintained for shipping. The packaging system has a shell defining a space for reception of an object in a shipping state and an object engaging surface assembly that bounds at least a part of the space. The packaging system further has a fluid chamber assembly and a fluid within the fluid chamber assembly that has a variable pressure that is increased, thereby to cause the object engaging surface assembly to resiliently bear with increasing force against an object in the shipping state. The fluid within the fluid chamber assembly remains in a flowable state with the packaging system in a final state for shipping. 
     In one form, the packaging system is provided in combination with an object in the shipping state. 
     In one form, the fluid is in a gaseous form within the fluid chamber assembly. 
     In one form, the object engaging surface assembly has at least a portion that conforms against the object in the shipping state. 
     In one form, the fluid chamber is a part of the object engaging surface assembly and the object engaging surface assembly has: a) a first bladder with a first chamber and a first object engaging surface portion that bounds a first part of the space; and b) a second bladder with a second chamber and a second object engaging surface portion that bounds a second part of the space. 
     The object in the shipping state may reside captively between the first and second object engaging surface portions. 
     In one form, the shell has a plurality of panels that are folded relative to each other. 
     In one form, the shell is formed from a flat blank with a plurality of panels joined together at fold lines. 
     In one form, the shell is defined by a collapsible wall. 
     In one form, the fluid is air. 
     In one form, the first chamber is not in fluid communication with the second chamber. 
     Alternatively, the first chamber may be in fluid communication with the second chamber. 
     In one form, the first bladder is attached to the shell. 
     In one form, the shell has first and second panels with first and second surfaces that bound the space and the first bladder is provided on the first surface. 
     In one form, the second bladder is provided on the second surface. 
     In one form, the packaging system is provided in combination with a master carton for receiving the shell. 
     The invention is also directed to a method of packaging an object. The method includes the steps of: providing a packaging system with a shell, an object engaging surface assembly, and a fluid chamber assembly; placing an object in a pre-packaging position relative to the shell; and changing pressure of a fluid within the fluid chamber assembly thereby to cause the object engaging surface assembly to resiliently bear with increasing force against the object to thereby resiliently maintain the object in a shipping state in relationship to the shell while maintaining the fluid in a flowable state. 
     In one form, the step of providing a packaging system involves providing a packaging system with a shell in the form of a blank with a plurality of panels and folding the panels relative to each other to define a geometric shape with a plurality of flat surfaces bounding a space within which the object is maintained in the shipping state. 
     In one form, the step of providing a packaging system involves providing a packaging system with a shell having a flexible wall that is selectively collapsible and expandable. 
     In one form, the step of changing a pressure of the fluid involves introducing a fluid under pressure into the fluid chamber. 
     In one form, the step of providing a packaging system involves the step of discharging fluid from the fluid chamber assembly to facilitate separation of the object from the packaging system. 
     In one form, the step of providing a packaging system involves providing a packaging system with a fluid chamber assembly with first and second bladders, respectively with first and second chambers. The first and second bladders have first and second object engaging surfaces which bear against the object in the shipping state. 
     In one form, the step of changing pressure of a fluid involves introducing a fluid under pressure into the first chamber and causing the fluid under pressure to flow from the first chamber into the second chamber. 
     In one form, the step of changing pressure of a fluid involves introducing a fluid under pressure separately into each of the first and second chambers. 
     In one form, the step of providing a packaging system involves providing a packaging system having a fluid chamber assembly with a first bladder defining a first fluid chamber. The method may further include the step of attaching the first bladder to the shell. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         FIG. 1  is a schematic representation of one form of packaging system, according to the present invention, and including a shell, an associated object engaging surface assembly and fluid chamber assembly; 
         FIG. 2  is a schematic representation of the object engaging surface assembly on the packaging system in  FIG. 1  with the fluid chamber assembly shown as a part thereof; 
         FIG. 3  is a schematic representation of the shell on the packaging system in  FIG. 1 ; 
         FIG. 4  is a perspective view of one form of shell, according to the invention, that is collapsible and shown in an expanded state; 
         FIG. 5  is a side elevation view of the shell in  FIG. 4  in a collapsed state; 
         FIG. 6  is a schematic representation of a pair of bladders on the object engaging surface assembly on the packaging system in  FIG. 2 , with the bladders having chambers that communicate independently with a fluid supply; 
         FIG. 7  is schematic representation of another form of bladder pair wherein fluid from a supply is introduced to the chamber within one bladder and flows therefrom into the other bladder; 
         FIG. 8  is a flow diagram representation of a method of packaging an object according to the present invention; 
         FIG. 9  is a perspective view of one specific form of packaging system, according to the invention, with a shell having an object engaging surface assembly associated therewith preparatory to forming the shell into an operative state; 
         FIG. 10  is a perspective view of the packaging system in  FIG. 9  in an operative state; 
         FIG. 11  is a cross-sectional view of the packaging system taken along lines  11 - 11  of  FIG. 10 ; 
         FIG. 12  is a schematic representation of another form of packaging system, according to the present invention, in the form of a clam shell arrangement; 
         FIG. 13  is a perspective view of another form of packaging system, according to the invention, consisting of a shell and object engaging surface assembly preparatory to forming the shell into an operative state; 
         FIG. 14  is a perspective view of the packaging system in  FIG. 13  with the shell in an operative state; 
         FIG. 15  is a plan view of yet another form of packaging system, according to the invention, consisting of a shell and object engaging surface assembly; 
         FIG. 16  is a plan view of the object engaging surface assembly separated from the shell in  FIG. 15 ; 
         FIG. 17  is a perspective view of a further modified form of packaging system according to the invention, similar to that in  FIG. 9 , wherein a plurality of panels on the shell each has a plurality of bladders shown in a collapsed, flattened state; 
         FIG. 18  is a view as in  FIG. 17  with its bladder pressurized to an expanded state; 
         FIG. 19  is a schematic representation of two panels, as shown in  FIG. 18 , with bladders on the two panels intermeshed; and 
         FIG. 20  is a view as in  FIG. 19  with an object captively between bladders on the two panels. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
     In one form, the invention is directed to a packaging system as shown schematically at  10  in  FIG. 1 . The packaging system  10  consists of a shell  12  defining a space  14  for reception of an object  16  placed therein in a shipping state. An object engaging surface assembly  18  bounds at least a part of the space  14 . A fluid chamber assembly  20 , that may be separate from or a part of the object engaging surface assembly  18 , and shown in the former state in  FIG. 1 , has a fluid  22  therewithin that has a variable pressure that is increased, thereby to cause the object engaging surface assembly  18  to resiliently bear with increasing force against the object  16  in the shipping state. The fluid  22  within the fluid chamber assembly  20  remains in a flowable state with the packaging system  10  in a final state, wherein the object  16  is maintained by the packaging system  10  ready for shipping. 
     The precise fluid  22  that is used is not critical to the invention. In a preferred form, the fluid is in a gaseous form within the fluid chamber assembly  20 . It is possible, but not preferred, for the fluid  22  to be in a liquid form, such as water. 
     The packaging system  10  is shown in schematic form given that the components described above may have a virtually unlimited number of variations consistent with the teachings herein. For example, the shell  12  may completely surround the space  14 . Alternatively, the shell  12  may extend around only a part of the space  14 . The shell  12  may be made from a relatively rigid material or one that is flexible and/or collapsible. The shell  12  may be made in a fixed configuration, or have relatively movable parts/panels that may be flat or contoured to make squared boxes, cylindrical tubes, or virtually any shape that may be generic in nature or designed specifically for a particular type of configuration of object or objects. 
     The pressure of the fluid  22  in the fluid chamber assembly  20  may be varied by introduction of the fluid  22 , as from a pressurized source. Alternatively, by providing a discrete quantity of fluid  22  in the fluid chamber assembly  20 , a part thereof may be reconfigured to increase pressure in a manner that causes the object engaging surface assembly to resiliently bear with an increasing force against the object  16 . 
     The fluid  22  in the fluid chamber assembly  20  may act directly against the object engaging surface assembly  18  or optionally indirectly thereagainst through an intermediate member or members, as shown in dotted lines at  24  in  FIG. 1 . 
     The object engaging surface assembly  18  may be fully within the space  14  or partially outside thereof. 
     The object engaging surface assembly  18  has a surface  26  that directly engages the object  16 . The surface  26  may be fixed in shape and resiliently urged against the object  16 , or otherwise capable of conforming to contours of the object  16 . More preferably, the surface  26  that defines at least a portion of the object engaging surface assembly  18  is constructed to readily conform against the object  16  in the shipping state therefor. 
     The nature of the object  16  is not in any way limiting. Any object, that can be placed in the space  14  such that there is a region within the space  14  around the object  16 , in between the object  16  and shell  12 , that is capable of receiving a cushioning material, in this case defined by the object engaging surface assembly  18  and fluid chamber assembly  20 , is contemplated. 
     In one form, as shown in  FIG. 2 , the fluid chamber assembly is shown to be a part of the object engaging surface assembly  18  and the object engaging surface assembly  18  consists of a first bladder  28  with a first chamber  30  and first object engaging surface portion  32  that surrounds a first part of the space  14 . The object engaging surface assembly  18  further includes a second bladder  34  with a second chamber  36  and a second object engaging surface portion  38  that bounds a second part of the space  14 . 
     Within the space  14 , the object engaging surface portions  32 ,  38  are borne against different regions of the object  16 . In one preferred form, the object  16  resides captively between the first and second object engaging surface portions  32 ,  38 . 
     As noted above, the shell  12  is not limited in its configuration or construction. All that is required is that there be some surface structure around the space  14  which allows the object engaging surface assembly  18  to act against the object  16  to maintain the same resiliently supported in the shipping state. 
     As but one example, as shown in  FIG. 3 , the shell  12  may consist of two panels  40 ,  42 , and potentially any additional number of panels, that can be folded relative to each other, as in a predetermined manner around fold lines, to extend around the space  14 . The panels  40 ,  42  may be made from a hard material, such as wood, metal or plastic, or a more pliable material, such as cardboard, or the like. The panels  40 ,  42  are not limited in terms of their shape. They may be flat, curved, etc. 
     Alternatively, as shown in  FIGS. 4 and 5 , a packaging system  10 ′, with a modified form of shell  12 ′, may be formed as an open, cup-shaped container with a peripheral wall  44  bounding a space  14 ′ for an object  49  (see  FIG. 20 ). The peripheral wall  44  may be changed from an expanded state, as shown in  FIG. 4 , to a collapsed state, as shown in  FIG. 5 . In the expanded state, an access opening  46  is provided for introduction of an object into the space  14 ′. The peripheral wall  44  may remain in the expanded state, allowing the user to carry the same through spaced handles  48 ,  50 . 
     The peripheral wall  44  may be made from a flexible collapsible material and/or may include fold lines  52 ,  54  which facilitate collapsing in a predetermined manner without otherwise reconfiguring the peripheral wall  44 . 
     The object engaging surface assembly  18  can be placed within the space  14 ′ to function as previously described. The inside surface  56  of the peripheral wall provides a support upon which the object engaging surface assembly  18  can be attached or braced to facilitate maintaining of the object in the shipping state. For additional safety and security, the packaging system  10 ′, like other packaging systems herein described, may be placed in a master carton  57 . 
     As shown in  FIG. 6 , the chambers  30 ,  36  on the bladders  28 ,  34 , respectively, may be independent so as not to be in fluid communication with each other. Fluid from a supply  58  is separately delivered through inlets  60 ,  62 , associated respectively with the chambers  30 ,  36 . 
     Alternatively, as shown in  FIG. 7 , a modified form of corresponding bladders  28 ′,  34 ′ is shown with chambers  30 ′,  36 ′ that are in fluid communication with each other through a conduit  64 . Fluid from the supply  58  is delivered through an inlet  60 ′ to the chamber  30 ′ and flows through the conduit  64  into the chamber  36 ′. 
     Any number of chambers can be provided into which fluid is supplied individually or where the fluid flows from one to the next. The structure shown in  FIG. 7  is desirable from the standpoint that it allows a simplified reconfiguration of the packaging system to cause the packaging system to be placed in a final state for shipping. 
     The exemplary bladders  28 ,  34  may be attached each to one of the panels  40 ,  42  on the shell  12  shown in  FIG. 3 . As one example, the panels  40 ,  42  may, with the packaging system in a final state, have surfaces  66 ,  68 , respectively, that bound the space  14 , to which the bladders  28 ,  34  are attached, or against which the bladders  28 ,  34  bear without any type of fixed attachment. For example, the bladder  28  might be adhesively bonded to the surface  66 , on the panel  40 , with the bladder  34  adhesively bonded to the surface  68  on the panel  42 . 
     This same arrangement can be used with the shell  12 ′ shown in  FIGS. 4 and 5 . For example, bladders (not shown) can be attached to any of the portions  70 ,  72 ,  74 ,  76  of the inside surface  56 . 
     With the structure described above, the following method of packaging an object can be performed, as shown in flow diagram form in  FIG. 8 . As shown at block  78 , a packaging system is provided, which may be one consisting of the aforementioned shell  12 , object engaging surface assembly  18 , and fluid chamber assembly  20 . As shown at block  80 , the object is placed in a pre-packaging position. Thereafter, as shown at block  82 , the pressure of the fluid within the fluid chamber assembly  20  is changed, thereby to cause the object engaging surface assembly  18  to resiliently bear with increasing force against the object  16 , to thereby resiliently maintain the object  16  in a shipping state in relationship to the shell  12 . The fluid is maintained in the flowable state with the packaging system  10  in its final state for shipping. 
     A more specific form of the basic packaging system  10  is shown in  FIGS. 9-11 . In this embodiment, the shell  12  is formed from a blank  90  of flat material, that may be cardboard, or the like. The blank  90  is formed into a “T” shape with side panels  40 ,  42 ,  92 ,  94  and a bottom panel  96 . The panels  90 ,  92 ,  94 ,  96  are each foldable relative to the bottom panel  96  about fold lines  98 ,  100 ,  102 ,  104 , respectively, at which locations the blank  90  may be locally weakened to cause consistent folding to take place between the side panels  40 ,  42 ,  90 ,  92  and bottom panel  96 . 
     The object engaging surface assembly  18  consists of a plurality of bladders  28 ,  34 ,  106 ,  108 , each associated with one of the panels  40 ,  42 ,  92 ,  94 , respectively. The bottom panel  96  has an associated bladder  110 . Each of the bladders  28 ,  34 ,  106 ,  108 ,  110  bounds a chamber  30 ,  36 ,  112 ,  114 ,  116 . 
     The bladders  28 ,  34 ,  106 ,  108 ,  110  have the same general construction. Exemplary bladder  28  has a truncated pyramidal shape with a base  118  having a flat surface  120  that is attached to a surface  122  on the panel  40 . A flat surface  124  faces oppositely to the surface  120  on the base  118 . A peripheral wall  126  extends continuously around the base  118  and flat surface  124  and connects therebetween. The peripheral wall  126  has flat, angled wall portions  128 ,  130 ,  132 ,  134 . 
     In this embodiment, the object engaging surface assembly  18  is shown as a single unit that can be secured to the blank  90  on one side  136  thereof. Conduits  138 ,  140 ,  142 ,  144  respectively establish fluid communication between the chambers  30 ,  36 ,  112 ,  114  and the chamber  116  on the bladder  110  on the bottom panel  96 . As noted above, it is possible for all of the chambers to be isolated from each other so that the pressure variation must be separately accomplished for each. 
     The bladders  28 ,  34 ,  106 ,  108 ,  110  may be made from a readily foldable and collapsible material, such as plastic sheet material, that will retain the operating fluid, which is preferably air. The object engaging surface assembly  18  need not be secured to the blank  90 . However, in a preferred form, the object engaging surface assembly  18  is secured to the blank  90  through an appropriate attaching structure  146 , which may be an adhesive, or any other means known to those skilled in the art. 
     In one exemplary operation, the object engaging surface assembly  18  is attached to the blank  90  as shown, whereupon the side panels  40 ,  42 ,  92 ,  94  are folded upwardly about their respective fold lines  98 ,  100 ,  102 ,  104  in the direction of the arrows  148  to produce a generally squared geometric shape shown in FIGS.  10  and  11 , thereby cooperatively defining the space  14  for reception of the object  16  in a shipping state, as shown in  FIGS. 10 and 11 . This represents the operative state for the packaging system  10  and shell  12 . 
     The panels  40 ,  42 ,  92 ,  94 ,  96  can be maintained in the operative state, shown in  FIGS. 10 and 11 , by any suitable joining structure  150 . The joining structure  150  may be cooperating flaps between the panels  40 ,  42 ,  92 ,  94 ,  96  that are secured as by an adhesive, a band, tape, etc. The forming of panels into an operative state may be accomplished in a multitude of different manners, all of which are contemplated, and none of which is critical to the present invention. 
     With the shell  12  in the operative state, the bladders  28 ,  34 ,  106 ,  108 ,  110  interact with each other to produce a continuous surface bounding the space  14  that is defined cooperatively by the surface  124  on the bladder  28 , and corresponding surfaces  152 ,  154 ,  156 ,  158 , respectively on the bladders  34 ,  106 ,  108 ,  110 . The angled arrangement of the peripheral wall  126  on the bladder  28 , and corresponding peripheral walls  160 ,  162 ,  164 ,  166  on the bladders  34 ,  106 ,  108 ,  110 , causes the bladders  28 ,  34 ,  106 ,  108 ,  110  to interengage through complementary wall portions and thereby become mutually reinforcing. That is, with the shell  12  in the operative state, the flat, angled wall portion  132  facially engages a flat, complementarily angled wall portion  168  on the peripheral wall  166  on the bladder  110 . The flat, angled wall portion  130  facially engages a flat, complementarily angled wall portion  170  on the peripheral wall  162  on the bladder  106 . The flat, angled wall portion  134  facially engages a flat, complementarily angled wall portion  172  on the bladder  108 . The bladders  28  and  34 ,  106 ,  108 ,  110  can be configured to interact in a like manner. 
     The bladders  28 ,  34 ,  106 ,  108 ,  110  can initially be in a flattened state as the shell  12  is placed in the operative state. Alternatively, a preliminary low pressure can be established for the fluid in each of the bladder chambers  30 ,  36 ,  112 ,  114 ,  116  to facilitate their interconnection. Before the object  16  is placed in a shipping state, it is preferred that the chamber  116  on the bladder  110  be filled with the pressurized fluid sufficiently that the weight of the object  16 , placed thereagainst in a pre-packaged position, does not cause the surface  158  to deflect downwardly into close proximity to the side  136  of the blank  90 . By increasing the pressure in some, and preferably all, of the chambers  30 ,  36 ,  112 ,  114 ,  116 , the surfaces  124 ,  152 ,  154 ,  156 ,  158  bear against the object  16  and are caused to be conformed therearound to closely envelop the object  16  and maintain the object  16  in spaced relationship from the side  136  of the blank  90  around the entire peripheral extent of the object  16 . The fully enveloped object  16  “floats” on a cushion of the pressurized fluid within the space  14 . The object  16  is prevented from shifting by reason of the captive engagement thereof between the facing surface pairs  124 ,  152 ,  154 , and  156 . 
     It should be understood that the depicted configuration of the bladders  28 ,  34 ,  106 ,  108 ,  110  is not intended to be limiting. As one example, rather than a truncated pyramidal shape, one or all of the bladders  28 ,  34 ,  106 ,  108 ,  110 , might be shaped as a portion of a sphere. There can be individual, discrete bladders associated with one or more of the panels  40 ,  42 ,  92 ,  94 ,  96  having a completely different shape. All that it is critical to the present invention is the ability to change the pressure of the chambers associated with the bladders to allow the object  16  to be at least partially enveloped and held in the shipping state on a cushion of the fluid, which remains in a flowable state. Only limited shifting of the object  16  within the space  14  is made possible by the flowable nature of the fluid. 
     In  FIG. 10 , a cover panel  174  is shown to be formed either as part of the blank  90 , or as a separate element that is attached after the shell  12  is placed in the operative state and the final fluid pressure set for the bladder chambers. The cover panel  174  may have a bladder  176  containing fluid with a fixed or variable pressure. The bladder  176  may be complementary in shape to the peripheral walls  126 ,  160 ,  162 ,  164  so that the bladder  176  nests thereagainst with the cover panel  174  in place. 
     The pressurized fluid may be introduced to any one of the chambers  30 ,  36 ,  112 ,  114 ,  116  for distribution into the remaining chambers. As just one example, a fluid inlet  60 ″ may be provided to communicate pressurized fluid from the fluid supply  58  into the chamber  30 , associated with the bladder  28 . The fluid inlet  60 ″ may have a one way valve  178  that can be actuated by a needle, or the like, in communicating fluid from the supply  58 . The valve  178  may also be reconfigurable to allow release of the pressurized fluid from the chamber  30 . This may be accomplished to relieve the pressure in the bladders  28 ,  34 ,  106 ,  108 ,  110  to facilitate separation of the object  16  from the space  14  once the object  16  within the packaging system  10  arrives at the desired destination. 
     The structure shown in  FIGS. 9-11  represents one of virtually a limitless number of different foldable shapes that might be utilized for the shell and associated object engaging surface assembly. All that is desired is that there be some form of shell, with a plurality of panels that can be moved relative to each other to define a geometric shape with a plurality of surfaces, that may be flat or any other shape, bounding a space within which an object can be captively enveloped by a cushion of the fluid. Of course, the shell could be pre-formed in a desired geometric shape without the requirement of folding. 
     As just one example, the panels  92 ,  94 , and associated bladders  106 ,  108  might be eliminated so that the shell in its operative state is simply U-shaped. The U-shaped shell might be shipped in that manner or surrounded by a separate component, such as a master carton  179  that defines a part of the shell. 
     As a further alternative form, as shown in  FIG. 12 , a packaging system  10 ″ may consist of joinable shell parts  180 ,  182  that are joinable in a clam shell arrangement. Each of the shell parts  180 ,  182  has one or more associated bladders  184 ,  186 , respectively. Through a suitable maintaining structure  188  the shell parts  180 ,  182  are held together in an operative state wherein the associated object  16  in its shipping state is captive between the shell parts  180 ,  182  and supported on a cushioning fluid around its peripheral extent. 
     In  FIGS. 13 and 14 , a further form of packaging system is shown at  10 ′″ with a shell  12 ′″ and object engaging surface assembly  18 ′″. The packaging system  10 ″ consists of a blank  90 ′″ with twelve (12) relatively foldable, generally flat panels (P 1 -P 12 ). Chambered bladders B 1 , B 2 , B 3 , B 4 , B 5 , B 6  are associated one each with the panels P 1 -P 6 . The panels P 1 -P 12  are folded relative to each other from the  FIG. 13  orientation to the  FIG. 14  orientation, wherein a space  14 ′″ is defined for the object  16 . Once the object  16  is introduced into the space  14 ′″, the panel P 3 , which serves as the cover panel, and its associated bladder B 3 , is pivoted in the direction of the arrow  190  over the top of the space  14 ′″. The panel P 8  is then folded over the panel P 3 . The panels P 7  and P 9  are in turn folded over the panel P 8 , thereby to place the packaging system  10 ′″ in a final state for shipping. The panels P 7 , P 9 , P 10  and P 12  have cutouts C that facilitate access to any fluid inlet/outlet valve at the top and bottom of the completed packaging system  10 ′″. In  FIGS. 15 and 16  a further modified form of packaging system is shown at  10 ″″ with an object engaging surface assembly  18 ″″. The packaging system  10 ″″ is designed to produce substantially the same configuration as the packaging system shown at  10 ′″ in  FIGS. 13 and 14 . The packaging system  10 ″″ uses a slightly different folding arrangement. 
     More specifically, the packaging system  10 ″″ uses a blank  90 ″″ with eight (8) panels P 1 ′-P 8 ′ each having associated therewith one bladder B 1 ′-B 8 ′. Bladders B 5 ′-B 8 ′ have the same general configuration as the bladders B 1 ′-B 4 ′, but are cut in half to each fit a complementarily-shaped panel P 5 ′-P 8 ′. 
     The panel P 2 ′ defines the bottom of the packaging system  10 ″″. The panels P 5 ′, P 6 ′, P 1 ′, P 7 ′, P 8 ′ and P 3 ′ extend continuously around the bottom panel P 2 ′ to define a continuous peripheral wall. The bladders B 5 ′, B 6 ′, B 1 ′, B 7 ′, B 8 ′, B 3 ′ extend continuously within that peripheral wall and bound the space  14 ″″ for the object  16 . The panel P 9 ′, P 10 ′ project oppositely from the panel P 2 ′, and are foldable relative thereto to reinforce the peripheral wall. The panel P 9 ′ overlies a seam defined cooperatively by the edges  192 ,  194  on the panels P 5 ′, P 6 ′. The panel P 10 ′ similarly overlies a seam defined by adjacent edges  196 ,  198  on the panels P 7 ′, P 8 ′. 
     The panel P 4 ′ defines the cover panel. The panels P 11 ′, P 12 ′ project oppositely from the panel P 4 ′ and are foldable relative thereto. With the cover panel P 4 ′ closed, the panel P 11 ′ can be folded downwardly against a peripheral wall to overlie the seam defined at the edges  192 ,  194 . The panel P 12 ′ can be folded downwardly to likewise overlie the seam defined by the adjacent edges  196 ,  198 . A panel P 13 ′ can be folded over the cover panel P 4 ′ for additional reinforcement. 
     In  FIGS. 17 and 18 , a further modified form of packaging system is shown at 10 5x ′. The packaging system  10   5x ′ has a T-shaped blank  202  similar to the blank  90  in  FIGS. 9-11 , with panels  204 ,  206 ,  208 ,  210 ,  212  that are relatively foldable, from the state in  FIGS. 17 and 18 , to an operative state. 
     Instead of providing a single bladder on each panel, multiple bladders  214  are provided on each panel  204 ,  206 ,  208 ,  210 ,  212  and are changeable between a collapsed/flattened state, as shown in  FIG. 17 , and a pressurized state as shown in  FIG. 18 . The individual bladders  214  may be in fluid communication with each other or isolated. Alternatively, strategic fluid communication may be established between certain of the bladders  214  to facilitate enveloping of certain object shapes by the bladders  214 . 
     The individual bladders  214  act as discrete fingers that individually project from their respective panels to an extent to potentially conform more readily to different, complex shapes. Potentially, the bladders  214  on adjacent panels  204 ,  206 ,  208 ,  210 ,  212  intermesh to more firmly engage an object. 
     The bladders/fingers  214  each has: a) an elongate, generally cylindrical shape; b) a length projecting from its respective panel; and c) a rounded free end remote from the panel from which it projects. As seen in  FIG. 18 , the projecting lengths may be different. As seen in  FIG. 17 , the footprints of the bladders  214  on their respective panels are spaced from each other so that there is a gap between the footprints. As seen in  FIG. 18 , the inflated bladders  214 , in their pressurized states, are likewise spaced from each other along their lengths, including at their free ends. The bladders  214  have diameters transversely to their lengths. The lengths of the bladders  214  are substantially greater than their diameters. 
     The foregoing disclosure of specific embodiments is intended to be illustrative of the broad concepts comprehended by the invention.