초록 ▼

The invention is directed to a suspension package that is used to support and protect sensitive articles such as prosthetics and other medical implants when such articles are being shipped. The suspension package is comprised of a pouch, and a tray member and a cover member. The pouch is designed to

The invention is directed to a suspension package that is used to support and protect sensitive articles such as prosthetics and other medical implants when such articles are being shipped. The suspension package is comprised of a pouch, and a tray member and a cover member. The pouch is designed to be connected to and suspended between the tray member and the cover member. During shipping, the tray member and the cover member protect the packaged article to prevent damage. The pouch includes apertures around its perimeter that allow the pouch to be attached to suspension posts of the tray member. The suspension posts are tapered and include detent grooves that are designed to stretch and retain the pouch to prevent movement during shipping.

대표청구항 ▼

The invention claimed is: 1. A suspension package for protecting and supporting an article comprising: a pouch adapted to contain and support the article, said pouch having a first layer connected at its outer edge to a second layer to form a product receiving chamber therebetween, said pouch inclu

The invention claimed is: 1. A suspension package for protecting and supporting an article comprising: a pouch adapted to contain and support the article, said pouch having a first layer connected at its outer edge to a second layer to form a product receiving chamber therebetween, said pouch including a plurality of apertures positioned on the perimeter of said pouch; a tray member having a recess defining a pouch receiving chamber with a flange surrounding said recess, said recess having at least two curvilinear side walls; a plurality of outwardly extending tapered posts extending from said flange, said posts including detent grooves adapted to engage and retain the edges of said apertures of said pouch; a cover member adapted to be connected to said tray member wherein said pouch receiving chamber is suspended between said cover member and said tray member to prevent damage to the article within said pouch receiving chamber. 2. The suspension package of claim 1, wherein said pouch containing the article is sealed to enclose said product receiving chamber. 3. The suspension package of claim 1, wherein said tray member includes a tab to aid in the separation of said tray member from said cover member. 4. The suspension package of claim 1, wherein said at least two curvilinear side walls of said recess include at least one traction rib. 5. The suspension package of claim 1, wherein said cover member includes a tab to aid in the separation of said cover member from said tray member. 6. The suspension package of claim 1, wherein said first and second pouch layers are formed from a barrier film. 7. The suspension package of claim 6, wherein said barrier film is selected from the group of films consisting of EVOH, PE and PP. 8. The suspension package of claim 1 wherein said tray member includes a first lip along an outer edge of said flange, said first lip adapted to engage and retain said cover member. 9. The suspension package of claim 1 wherein said cover member includes a second lip along an outer edge of said raised rim, said second lip adapted to engage and retain said first lip of said tray member. 10. The suspension package of claim 1, wherein said cover member includes a central recess with at least two curvilinear side walls, said cover member further having a rim with a plurality of recesses adapted to receive said posts. 11. A suspension package for protecting and supporting an article comprising: a pouch adapted to contain and support the article, said pouch having a first film layer connected at an outer edge to a second film layer to form a product receiving chamber, said pouch including a plurality of apertures positioned along two edges of said pouch; a tray member having a first recess and a second recess positioned within said first recess, said first recess having a surrounding flange with outwardly extending posts, said posts adapted to engage said apertures of said pouch, and said flange having a lip above said flange; means for retaining said pouch to said tray member, said retaining means limited to elements on said tray member and created create tension across said pouch and to prevent movement of said pouch with respect to said tray member; and a cover member secured to said lip. 12. The suspension package of claim 11 wherein said cover member is heat sealed to said tray member. 13. The suspension package of claim 11 wherein said pouch containing the article is sealed to enclose said product receiving chamber. 14. The suspension package of claim 11 wherein said first and second film layers are formed from a barrier film. 15. The suspension package of claim 14 wherein said barrier film is selected from the group of films consisting of EVOH, PE and PP. 16. The suspension package of claim 11 wherein said pouch includes a tear notch and a score line to aid in the opening of said pouch. 17. The suspension package of claim 11, wherein said retaining means is in the form of an adhesive layer. 18. The suspension package of claim 17, wherein said adhesive layer is adapted to be adhered to said surrounding flange of said first recess and to said pouch to secure said pouch to said tray member. 19. A suspension package for protecting and supporting an article comprising: a pouch adapted to contain and support the article, said pouch having a first layer connected to a second layer at their outer edges to form a product receiving chamber therebetween; a tray member having a first recess, a flange surrounding said first recess, a lip above said flange, and a second recess positioned within said first recess to receive said pouch and article; means for securing said pouch to said tray member to create tension across said pouch and to limit movement of said pouch within said second recess, wherein said means for securing are limited to elements on said tray member; and a cover member secured to said lip, wherein the article is supported between said tray member and said cover member to prevent damage to the article. 20. The suspension package of claim 19, wherein said pouch is sealed to enclose the article within said product receiving chamber. 21. The suspension package of claim 19, wherein said first and second pouch layers are formed from barrier film. 22. The suspension package of claim 21, wherein said barrier film is selected from the group of films consisting of EVOH, PE and PP. 23. The suspension package of claim 21, wherein said barrier film is aluminum oxide coated oriented polyester, laminated to biaxially oriented nylon, laminated to a heat sealable polymeric layer. 24. The suspension package of claim 19, wherein said cover member is secured to said tray member by heat sealing. 25. The suspension package of claim 19, wherein said cover member is secured to said tray member by use of an adhesive. 26. The suspension package of claim 19, wherein said securing means is in the form of an adhesive that secures said pouch to said tray member. 27. The suspension package of claim 19, wherein said securing means is in the form of a plurality of suspension posts that are adapted to engage and retain said pouch.