Flexible packaging materials and methods of making and using same

Abstract

The present invention relates generally to packaging materials for packaging articles, and more particularly, but not by way of limitation, to a inflatable packaging material which includes, in one embodiment, a plurality of individual strips, strands, or units of material bondably connected to an exterior surface of a flexible, inflatable substrate. The flexible inflatable substrate having a decorative extension and the flexible inflatable substrate forming a cohesive supporting and cushioning unit for use as a packaging material.

1 . A packaging material, comprising: 
 a substratum adapted to support an object; and,    a printed pattern disposed on at least a portion of the substratum to provide the substratum with a grass-like appearance.    
   
   
       2 . The packaging material of  claim 1  wherein the substratum further includes an embossed pattern on at least a portion of the substratum.  
   
   
       3 . The packaging material of  claim 1  further including a decorative extension extending outwardly from at least a portion of the substratum.  
   
   
       4 . The packaging material of  claim 3  wherein the decorative extension is inflatable.  
   
   
       5 . The packaging material of  claim 3  wherein the decorative extension includes embossing on at least a portion of the decorative extension.  
   
   
       6 . The packaging material of  claim 3  further including a printed pattern simulating the appearance of decorative grass disposed on at least a portion of the decorative extension.  
   
   
       7 . The packaging material of  claim 1  wherein the substratum is constructed of sponge-like material.  
   
   
       8 . The packaging material of  claim 1  further including a mass of individual strips, strands or units of material connected to the substratum.  
   
   
       9 . The packaging material of  claim 8  wherein the packing material further includes a bonding material disposed on the mass of individual strips, strands or units of material to form a cohesive mass of strips, strands and units of material connected to the substratum.  
   
   
       10 . The packaging material of  claim 9  wherein the of individual strips, strands or units of material are intertwined to form a cohesive mass of strips, strands and units of material connected to the substratum.  
   
   
       11 . A packaging material, comprising: 
 a substratum adapted to support an object; and,    a mass of individual strips, strands, or units of material connected to the substratum.    
   
   
       12 . The packaging material of  claim 11  further including a decorative extension extending outwardly from at least a portion of the substratum.  
   
   
       13 . The packaging material of  claim 12  further including at least one of printing and embossing on at least a portion of the decorative extension.  
   
   
       14 . The packaging material of  claim 11  wherein the substratum further includes an embossed pattern on at least a portion of the substratum.  
   
   
       15 . The packaging material of  claim 11  wherein the substratum is constructed of sponge-like material.  
   
   
       16 . The packaging material of  claim 24  wherein the packing material further includes a bonding material disposed on the mass of individual strips, strands or units of material to form a cohesive mass of strips, strands and units of material connected to the substratum.  
   
   
       17 . A packaging material, comprising: 
 a substratum adapted to support at least one object,    at least one depression in the substratum, the at least one depression sized and configured to receive at least a portion of the at least one object; and    a mass of individual strips, strands or units of material connected to the substratum.    
   
   
       18 . The packaging material of  claim 17  wherein the packaging material further includes printed pattern simulating the appearance of decorative grass disposed on the substratum.  
   
   
       19 . The packaging material of  claim 17  further including an embossed pattern connected to the substratum.  
   
   
       20 . The packaging material of  claim 17  further including a decorative extension extending outwardly from the substratum.  
   
   
       21 . The packaging material of  claim 17  wherein the packing material further includes a bonding material disposed on the mass of individual strips, strands or units of material to form a cohesive mass of strips, strands and units of material connected to the substratum.  
   
   
       22 . The packaging material of  claim 17  wherein the depression is substantially elliptically configured and sized to receive at least a portion of at least one substantially egg-shaped object.  
   
   
       23 . A method of packaging an object, comprising the steps of: 
 providing a packaging material comprising at least one of: 
 (a) a substratum adapted to support an object; 
 a printed pattern disposed on at least a portion of the substratum to provide the substratum with a grass-like appearance;  
 
 (b) a substratum adapted to support an object; 
 a mass of individual strips, strands, or units of material connected to the substratum; and,  
 
   disposing an object on the packaging material, whereby the packing material supports and cushions the object.    
   
   
       24 . A method of packaging an object, comprising the steps of: 
 providing a packaging material comprising: 
 a substratum adapted to support at least one object,  
 at least one depression in the substratum, the at least one depression sized and configured to receive at least a portion of the at least one object;  
 a mass of individual strips, strands or units of material connected to the substratum; and,  
   disposing an objection on the packaging material such that at least a portion of the object is disposed in the at least one depression in the substratum of the packaging material.