초록 ▼

One or more unique hinges are provided within panels of a fragility packaging article for use in retaining one or more fragile articles within a container (e.g., a corrugated box). The unique hinges provide predicted deformation paths that assist in protecting one or more fragile items stored in the

One or more unique hinges are provided within panels of a fragility packaging article for use in retaining one or more fragile articles within a container (e.g., a corrugated box). The unique hinges provide predicted deformation paths that assist in protecting one or more fragile items stored in the container. One of the unique hinges is a diamond shaped hinge that provides at least two predicted deformation paths. Other unique hinges of the present invention includes a gusset hinge, a step hinge, and a v-hinge, each of which provides at least one predicted deformation path. The predicted deformation paths reduce permanent deformation and provide for improved overall cushioning, thereby increasing protection of fragile items and significantly reducing damage that may occur to the fragile items. The unique hinges of the present invention also improve the cosmetic appearance of a fragility packing article because a majority of crushing occurs along the unique hinges, preventing random unsightly crush points from occurring throughout the packaging article.

대표청구항 ▼

What is claimed is: 1. A fragility packaging article panel for use in retaining and protecting at least one fragile item within a container, the panel comprising: a base for resting on or against a panel of the container; a platform for supporting at least a portion of the at least one item; a ski

What is claimed is: 1. A fragility packaging article panel for use in retaining and protecting at least one fragile item within a container, the panel comprising: a base for resting on or against a panel of the container; a platform for supporting at least a portion of the at least one item; a skirt that suspends said platform above said base so that a shock absorbing air cushioning space is defined between the inner surface of the container and said platform; and a diamond hinge located in a corner area where said platform and said skirt meet, said diamond hinge being defined by four substantially triangular surfaces that meet at a point located below said platform, said diamond hinge providing at least two predicted paths for deformation. 2. The panel according to claim 1, further comprising a plurality of ribs projecting from said platform to define at least one item-supporting cell, each said cell configured to receive a fragile item. 3. The panel according to claim 1, wherein an outer edge of said diamond hinge has a generally diamond shape, said diamond shape being divided into said four triangular surfaces by a pair of cross-hairs. 4. The panel according to claim 3, wherein: a first of said cross-hairs defines a line along which a first pair of said triangular surfaces bend toward a second pair of said triangular surfaces during a first predicted deformation path; and a second of said cross-hairs defines a line along which a third pair of said triangular surfaces bend toward a fourth pair of said triangular surfaces during a second predicted deformation path. 5. The panel according to claim 4, wherein a base of one or more of said triangular surfaces is curved, each said base being an edge of one of said triangular surfaces opposite said point where said triangular surfaces meet, said bases of said four triangular surfaces collectively defining said outer edge of said diamond hinge. 6. The panel according to claim 1, wherein said panel includes at least a pair of said diamond hinges. 7. A fragility packaging article panel for use in retaining and protecting at least one fragile item within a container, the panel comprising: a base having a peripheral edge including generally parallel front and rear edges and generally parallel first and second side edges, said base for resting on or against a panel of the container; a platform for supporting at least a portion of the at least one fragile item, said platform including generally parallel front and rear edges and generally parallel first and second side edges; a skirt that suspends said platform above said base so that a shock absorbing air cushioning space is defined between the inner surface of the container and said platform; and a v-hinge extending into said skirt and into said platform, said v-hinge including: a first v-shaped end in said skirt with a tip pointing generally toward said base; a second v-shaped end in said platform with a tip pointing generally away from said first v-shaped end; generally parallel edges that extend between said first v-shaped end and said second v-shaped end; and first and second walls extending down from said edges and meeting at a trough to thereby form a v-shaped channel, wherein said v-shaped channel is generally parallel to said first and second side edges of said platform. 8. The panel according to claim 7, further comprising a plurality of ribs projecting from said platform to define at least one item-supporting cell, each said cell configured to receive a fragile item. 9. The panel according to claim 7, wherein said v-hinge provides a predicted path for deformation, wherein during deformation said first and second walls of said v-hinge bend toward one another along said trough. 10. The panel according to claim 9, further comprising a second said v-hinge extending into said skirt and into said platform. 11. The panel according to claim 10, wherein said v-shaped channels of both said v-hinges are generally in line with one another. 12. The panel according to claim 10, wherein said v-shaped channels of both said v-hinges are generally parallel to one another. 13. A fragility packaging article panel for use in retaining and protecting at least one fragile item within a container, the panel comprising: a base having a peripheral edge including generally parallel front and rear edges and generally parallel first and second side edges, said base for resting on or against a panel of the container; a platform for supporting at least a portion of the at least one fragile item, said platform including generally parallel front and rear edges and generally parallel first and second side edges; a skirt that suspends said platform above said base so that a shock absorbing air cushioning space is defined between the inner surface of the container and said platform; and a v-hinge extending into a side of said skirt, into and across an entire width of said platform, and into an opposite side of said skirt, said v-hinge including: a first v-shaped end including a tip pointing generally toward said front edge of said base; a second v-shaped end including a tip pointing generally toward said rear edge of said base; generally parallel edges that extend between said first v-shaped end and said second v-shaped end; and first and second walls extending down from said edges and meeting at a trough to thereby form a v-shaped channel; wherein said v-shaped channel is generally parallel to said first and second side edges of said base; wherein said v-hinge provides a predicted path for deformation, wherein during deformation said first and second walls of said v-hinge bend toward one another along said trough. 14. A fragility packaging article panel for use in retaining and protecting at least one fragile item within a container, the panel comprising: a base for resting on or against a panel of the container; a platform for supporting at least a portion of the at least one fragile item; a skirt that suspends said platform above said base so that a shock absorbing air cushioning space is defined between the inner surface of the container and said platform; a plurality of ribs projecting from said platform to define at least one item-supporting cell, each said cell configured to receive a fragile item, at least one of said ribs including a gusset portion projecting from said skirt to provide additional strength to said at least one of said ribs and to said skirt; and a gusset hinge located in said gusset portion for providing a path of deformation for said gusset. 15. The panel according to claim 14, wherein said gusset hinge comprises a notch in an outer peripheral wall of said gusset portion. 16. The panel according to claim 15, wherein said notch includes a ledge and a face meeting at a corner, and wherein said ledge and said face bend toward one another along said corner during deformation. 17. The packing article as define in claim 16, wherein said ledge is substantially parallel to said platform. 18. A fragility packaging article panel for use in retaining and protecting at least one fragile item within a container, the panel comprising: a base for resting on or against an inner surface of the container; a platform for supporting at least a portion of the at least one fragile item; a skirt that suspends said platform above said base so that a shock absorbing air cushioning space is defined between the inner surface of the container and said platform; and a step hinge within at least a portion of said skirt, said step hinge including a ledge and a face meeting at a corner, and wherein said ledge and said face bend toward one another along said corner during deformation. 19. The packing article as define in claim 18, wherein said ledge is substantially parallel to said platform. 20. The panel according to claim 18, further comprising a plurality of ribs projecting from said platform to define at least one item-supporting cell, each said cell configured to receive one fragile item. 21. The panel according to claim 20, wherein at least one of said ribs including a gusset portion projecting from said skirt to provide additional strength to said at least one of said ribs and to said skirt. 22. The panel according to claim 21, wherein each said gusset portion splits said step hinge into separate sections.