Patent ID: 8061522

Claim:
A reusable shipping container, comprising: an outer clamshell container comprising a first outer section and a second outer section connected to each other along an outer section hinge, each outer section comprising a floor; a first inner cushion connected to the first outer section along a first cushion hinge; and a second inner cushion connected to the second outer section along a second cushion hinge, wherein the first inner cushion comprises a first convex pillow and an open bottom side, and the second inner cushion comprises a second convex pillow and an open bottom side, wherein the first inner cushion is foldable along the first cushion hinge to position the first convex pillow inside the first outer section with a perimeter edge of the first convex pillow removably resting on the floor of the first outer section, the perimeter edge of the first inner cushion resting at an outer periphery of the floor such that the open bottom side of the first inner cushion has substantially the same dimensions as the floor of the first outer section, and wherein the second inner cushion is foldable along the second cushion hinge to position the second convex pillow inside the second outer section, with a perimeter edge of the second convex pillow removably resting on the floor of the second outer section, the perimeter edge of the second inner cushion resting at an outer periphery of the floor such that the open bottom side of the second inner cushion has substantially the same dimensions as the floor of the second outer section, wherein the first and second convex pillows each comprise a deflectable, continuous convex surface extending substantially across a length and a width of the respective outer section, wherein the first and second convex pillows face each other when the first and second outer sections are folded together along the outer section hinge, wherein the first and second convex pillows are deflectable into concave bowls to receive an item between them and have shape memory that returns the pillows to their convex shape when such item is removed, the pillows retaining their convex shape when removed from the outer sections, and wherein the outer clamshell container, the first and second outer sections, the outer section hinge, the first and second inner cushions, the first and second convex pillows, and the first and second cushion hinges are integrally formed from one common material.