Patent ID: 7290662

Claim:
A suspension package comprising: a product-supporting platform having first and second opposed faces; two end panels configured to pivot towards and contact the second face of the product-supporting platform, thereby tensioning an elastomeric enclosure mounted between the two end panels; two side panels configured to pivot towards the first face of the product-supporting platform and to be substantially perpendicular thereto, wherein at least a portion of the two end panels are configured to contact at least a portion of the two side panels when the two side panels are perpendicular; and an elastomeric enclosure mounted between the two end panels and extending over the first face of the product-supporting platform; wherein the product-supporting platform has no opening; wherein the elastomeric enclosure comprises a first portion configured to contact the product-supporting platform and a second portion, at least a portion of which is configured to overlie the first portion; and wherein the elastomeric enclosure is selected from the group consisting of (a) a bellows-fold hammock, (b) a pair of first and second film materials, (c) a structure in which the first portion comprises a polymeric film at least a portion of which is attached to the first face of the product-supporting platform, and the second portion comprises an inverted C-fold hammock, such that an opening in the inverted C-fold hammock is configured to receive a product positioned on the first portion, (d) a structure in which the first portion comprises a C-fold hammock at least a portion of which is attached to the first face of the product-supporting platform, and the second portion comprises an inverted C-fold hammock, such that an opening in the inverted C-fold hammock is configured to face an opening in the C-fold hammock, and (e) combinations thereof.