Folded expand-on-site paper packaging

Abstract

A series of interconnected packing chip precursors that can be formed and transported economically to a packager as a flat sheet and then expanded at the site where they will be used into individual packing chips by folding and separation from the other chips. Preferably, the precursors are formed on a chipboard sheet by forming fold lines and lines of separation and by adding securing means, such as bonding media or connecting features to secure the sides of the expanded packing chip in its final shape. The fold lines and lines of separation can be configured to form jagged or serrated edges on the expand-on-site packing chip, and the chip may also include apertures; the jagged and serrated edges and the apertures cooperating with each other and other aspects of adjacent chips to interlock the chips when they are placed around an item in a package for shipment.

We claim:  
     
         1 . An intermediate sheet of two or more packing chip precursors, each chip precursor being separably connected to at least one adjacent chip precursor and the precursor further comprising: 
 three sections each of which is foldably attached to at least one other section which sections upon folding each form a side of the packing chip;    securing means for securing the sides of the packing chip in a completed shape selected from the group consisting of bonding media or connecting features, said shape having a triangular cross-section; and    wherein the chip precursor contains one or more apertures on at least one section configured such that the expanded packing chip forms interlocking engagement with portions of adjacent packing chips when employed as packaging.