Insert for container packaging

Abstract

A container insert for taking up extra space may be placed in a container intended for storage and/or shipment of material to an end user. The insert may be generally longitudinal having a helical configuration that may be expanded and constricted for taking up different volumes of space within the container respective of the amount of material stored therein. The insert may also be elastically deformable or generally pliable and may absorb impact forces for preventing or minimizing damage to the material.

1 . A container insert used in packaging one or more associated articles in an associated container having at least a first wall, comprising:
 an insert body being operable to substantially tightly pack associated material with respect to the at least a first wall of the associated container, wherein the insert body is capable of expanding and contracting responsive to the amount of associated material placed into the associated container.   
   
   
       2 . The container insert as defined in  claim 1 , wherein the insert body is resiliently deformable for storing elastic energy used to tightly pack the associated material. 
   
   
       3 . The container insert as defined in  claim 1 , wherein at least a first portion of the insert body is coiled for storing elastic energy. 
   
   
       4 . The container insert as defined in  claim 1 , wherein the insert body is generally longitudinal having a longitudinal axis, and,
 wherein the insert body is helically configured substantially along the entire length of the longitudinal axis.   
   
   
       5 . The container insert as defined in  claim 4 , wherein the insert body is unitary and contiguously formed. 
   
   
       6 . The container insert as defined in  claim 1 , wherein the insert body is constructed from a polymer material. 
   
   
       7 . The container insert as defined in  claim 1 , wherein the insert body is constructed from polypropylene material. 
   
   
       8 . The container insert as defined in  claim 1  wherein the insert body does not encapsulate fluid substances. 
   
   
       9 . The container insert as defined in  claim 1 , wherein the insert body includes a generally open center portion. 
   
   
       10 . The container insert as defined in  claim 9 , wherein the generally open center portion of the insert body is operable to receive an accessory while tightly packing associated material with respect to the at least a first wall of the associated container. 
   
   
       11 . The container insert as defined in  claim 10 , further comprising:
 means for fixedly holding the accessory in place.   
   
   
       12 . A system for packaging associated material, comprising:
 a container having one or more wall members for containing the associated material; and,   means for packing the associated material in the container, wherein said means for packing stores elastic energy to substantially tightly pack the associated material with respect to the one or more wall members.   
   
   
       13 . The system as defined in  claim 12 , wherein said means for packing automatically expands and contracts responsive to the amount of associated material stored in the container. 
   
   
       14 . The system as defined in  claim 12 , wherein said means comprises at least a first portion of elastically deformable material. 
   
   
       15 . The system as defined in  claim 14 , wherein the at least a first portion of elastically deformable material comprises a band of contiguously formed thermoplastic material. 
   
   
       16 . The system as defined in  claim 12 , wherein said means comprises a coil of material spirally configured with respect to a central axis. 
   
   
       17 . The system as defined in  claim 12 , wherein the container is hermetically sealed. 
   
   
       18 . A method for tightly packing welding rod into a canister, comprising the steps of:
 providing an canister having one or more walls;   placing an amount of welding rod into the canister; and,   inserting a resiliently deformable container insert into the canister, wherein the container insert is operable to automatically expand and contract responsive to the amount of associated material stored in the canister.   
   
   
       19 . The method as defined in  claim 18 , wherein the resiliently deformable container insert comprises a coil of contiguously formed material, and wherein before the step of inserting a resiliently deformable container insert into the canister, the step further comprising:
 substantially tightly winding the coil of contiguously formed material around an insertion member.   
   
   
       20 . A container insert used in packaging one or more associated articles in an associated container having at least a first wall, comprising:
 an insert body being operable to substantially tightly pack associated material with respect to the at least a first wall of the associated container; and,   means for attaching an associated accessory to the insert body.   
   
   
       21 . The container insert as defined in  claim 20 , wherein said means comprises an adhesive applied between the insert body and the associated accessory. 
   
   
       22 . The container insert as defined in  claim 20 , wherein the insert body is capable of expanding and contracting responsive to the amount of associated material placed into the associated container. 
   
   
       23 . The container insert as defined in  claim 22 , wherein the insert body is a contiguously formed helical insert body.