Suspension packages

Abstract

Suspension packages are described that include (a) a first holding member; (b) a second holding member, wherein the second holding member is pivotably connected to the first holding member along a living hinge, such that the first and second holding members are configured to pivot between open and closed positions; (c) a first mounting ring detachably connectable to the first holding member, wherein the first mounting ring comprises a first film-mounting surface; (d) a second mounting ring detachably connectable to the second holding member, wherein the second mounting ring comprises a second film-mounting surface; (e) a first suspension film mounted to the first film-mounting surface; and (f) a second suspension film mounted to the second film-mounting. The first suspension film is recessed with respect to an upper peripheral surface of the first holding member, and the second suspension film protrudes beyond an upper peripheral surface of the second holding member.

1 . A suspension package comprising: 
 a first holding member;    a second holding member pivotably connected to the first holding member along a living hinge, such that the first and second holding members are configured to pivot between open and closed positions;    a first mounting ring detachably connectable to the first holding member, wherein the first mounting ring comprises a first film-mounting surface;    a second mounting ring detachably connectable to the second holding member, wherein the second mounting ring comprises a second film-mounting surface;    a first suspension film mounted to the first film-mounting surface; and    a second suspension film mounted to the second film-mounting; 
 wherein the first suspension film is configured to be recessed with respect to an upper peripheral surface of the first holding member, and wherein the second suspension film is configured to protrude beyond an upper peripheral surface of the second holding member.  
   
   
   
       2 . The invention of  claim 1  wherein the first holding member comprises a first locking member, and wherein the second holding member comprises a complementary second locking member.  
   
   
       3 . The invention of  claim 2  wherein one of the first and second locking members comprises a protruding element, and wherein the other comprises a gripping element, wherein the gripping element is configured to hold the protruding element by a snap fit.  
   
   
       4 . The invention of  claim 3  wherein the first locking member comprises the protruding element, and wherein the second locking member comprises the gripping element.  
   
   
       5 . The invention of  claim 3  wherein the gripping element is pivotably connected to one of the first and second holding members by a living hinge.  
   
   
       6 . The invention of  claim 1  wherein at least the upper peripheral portions of the first and second holding members' are substantially rectangular.  
   
   
       7 . The invention of  claim 1  wherein each of the first and second mounting rings comprises at least one mounting leg, and wherein each of the first and second holding members comprises at least one complementary socket configured to receive and hold the at least one mounting leg by a friction fit.  
   
   
       8 . The invention of  claim 7  wherein each of the first and second mounting rings comprises a plurality of mounting legs, and wherein each of the first and second holding members comprises a plurality of complementary sockets.  
   
   
       9 . The invention of  claim 1  wherein each of the first and second mounting rings comprises six mounting legs, and wherein each of the first and second holding members comprises six complementary sockets configured to receive and hold the six mounting legs by a friction fit.  
   
   
       10 . The invention of  claim 9  wherein the first and second mounting rings are substantially rectangular, wherein two mounting legs are connected to each side portion thereof, and wherein one mounting leg is connected to each end portion thereof.  
   
   
       11 . The invention of  claim 1  wherein the first holding member and the second holding member comprise a contiguous piece of polymeric material.  
   
   
       12 . The invention of  claim 11  wherein the polymeric material comprises a styrene-butadiene copolymer.  
   
   
       13 . The invention of  claim 12  wherein the first and second mounting rings comprise a polyurethane resin.  
   
   
       14 . The invention of  claim 13  wherein the first and second suspension films comprise a polyurethane resin.  
   
   
       15 . The invention of  claim 11  wherein the first holding member and the second holding member are formed by injection molding.  
   
   
       16 . The invention of  claim 11  wherein the first holding member and the second holding member are formed by thermoforming.  
   
   
       17 . The invention of  claim 1  wherein the first holding member comprises a first locking member, the second holding member comprises a complementary second locking member, and the first holding member, the second holding member, the first locking member, and the second locking member comprise a contiguous piece of polymeric material.  
   
   
       18 . The invention of  claim 17  wherein the polymeric material comprises a styrene-butadiene copolymer.  
   
   
       19 . The invention of  claim 18  wherein the first and second mounting rings comprise a polyurethane resin.  
   
   
       20 . The invention of  claim 19  wherein the first and second suspension films comprise a polyurethane resin.  
   
   
       21 . The invention of  claim 17  wherein the first holding member, the second holding member, the first locking member, and the second locking member are formed by injection molding.  
   
   
       22 . The invention of  claim 17  wherein the first holding member, the second holding member, the first locking member, and the second locking member are formed by thermoforming.  
   
   
       23 . The invention of  claim 1  wherein one or both of the first holding member and the second holding member defines a product-receiving well.  
   
   
       24 . The invention of  claim 1  wherein each of the first holding member and the second holding member defines a product-receiving well.  
   
   
       25 . The invention of  claim 24  wherein the first suspension film is configured to extend over at least a portion of the first product-receiving well, and wherein the second suspension film is configured to extend over at least a portion of the second product-receiving well.  
   
   
       26 . The invention of  claim 25  wherein the first and second product-receiving wells are substantially rectangular.  
   
   
       27 . The invention of  claim 25  wherein at least a portion of the first suspension film is configured to contact at least a portion of the second suspension film in the closed position.  
   
   
       28 . The invention of  claim 1  wherein the first holding member comprises first means for locking, and wherein the second holding member comprises complementary second means for locking.  
   
   
       29 . The invention of  claim 1  wherein each of the first and second mounting rings comprises first means for mounting, and wherein each of the first and second holding members comprises complementary second means for mounting.  
   
   
       30 . The invention of  claim 28  wherein each of the first and second mounting rings comprises first means for mounting, and wherein each of the first and second holding members comprises complementary second means for mounting.  
   
   
       31 . A suspension package comprising: 
 a first mounting ring comprising a first film-mounting surface;    a second mounting ring comprising a second film-mounting surface, wherein the second mounting ring is pivotably connected to the first mounting ring along a living hinge, such that the first and second mounting rings are configured to pivot between open and closed positions;    a first suspension film mounted to the first film-mounting surface; and    a second suspension film mounted to the second film-mounting surface.    
   
   
       32 . The invention of  claim 31  wherein at least a portion of the first suspension film is configured to contact at least a portion of the second suspension film in the closed position.  
   
   
       33 . The invention of  claim 32  wherein the suspension package is configured for detachable connection to at least one interior surface of an outer container.  
   
   
       34 . The invention of  claim 31  wherein each of the first and second mounting rings comprises at least one mounting leg configured for detachable connection to a complementary socket in the at least one interior surface.  
   
   
       35 . The invention of  claim 31  wherein the first and second mounting rings are substantially rectangular.  
   
   
       36 . The invention of  claim 31  wherein the first and second mounting rings are substantially oval.