Packaging

Abstract

A packaging component comprises a first block including a first support member having a first protective layer disposed on an external surface thereof and a second block opposite the first block and including a second support member having a second protective layer disposed on an external surface thereof. A spacer is coupled between the first block and the second block, and defines a longitudinal axis therebetween. The spacer is adjustable in length along the longitudinal axis so that the packaging component can be adjusted to a desired size within a range provided by the spacer to enable the packaging component to provide an interference fit within a product.

1 . A packaging component comprising:
 a first block including a first support member having a first protective layer disposed on an external surface thereof;   a second block opposite the first block and including a second support member having a second protective layer disposed on an external surface thereof;   a spacer coupled between the first block and the second block, and defining a longitudinal axis therebetween, the spacer being adjustable in length along the longitudinal axis;   whereby the packaging component can be adjusted to a desired size within a range provided by the spacer to enable the packaging component to provide an interference fit within a product.   
   
   
       2 . A packaging component according to  claim 1 , wherein the first protective layer disposed on an external surface of the first support member comprises a foam block. 
   
   
       3 . A packaging component according to  claim 1 , wherein the spacer comprises a threaded sleeve and a corresponding bolt, so that when the first block is rotated relative to the second block the spacer extends or contracts longitudinally, depending on the direction of rotation. 
   
   
       4 . A packaging component according to  claim 1 , wherein the spacer comprises a telescopic arrangement of sleeves, each sleeve rotatable relative to another sleeve to lock the rotating sleeve in place. 
   
   
       5 . A packaging component according to  claim 1 , wherein the spacer comprises a pair of arm linkages, each arm linkage comprising a plurality of linked arm members, where corresponding arm members cross each other and have a pivot at the crossing point, so that a scissor action is provided, thereby enabling the first and second support members to be pushed together or pulled. 
   
   
       6 . A packaging component according to  claim 1 , wherein the spacer comprises a concertina type of arrangement. 
   
   
       7 . A packaging component according to  claim 1 , wherein the spacer comprises an inner sleeve slidably mounted within an outer sleeve, the outer sleeve having detent apertures disposed longitudinally therealong, and the inner sleeve including a resiliently-biased stub for protruding through a detent aperture to lock the inner sleeve and outer sleeve in place. 
   
   
       8 . A packaged product including the packaging component of  claim 1 . 
   
   
       9 . A kit of packaging components comprising:
 a first packaging component including a first block having a first protective layer, a second block opposite the first block and having a second protective layer, a first spacer coupled between the first block and the second block, and defining a longitudinal axis therebetween, the first spacer being adjustable in length along the longitudinal axis up to a first maximum length; and   a second packaging component including a third block having a third protective layer, a fourth block opposite the third block and having a fourth protective layer, a second spacer coupled between the third block and the fourth block, and defining a longitudinal axis therebetween, the second spacer being adjustable in length along the longitudinal axis up to a second maximum length, where the second maximum length is at least fifty percent greater than the first maximum length.   
   
   
       10 . A kit according to  claim 9 , wherein the kit of packaging components further comprises:
 a third packaging component including a fifth block having a fifth protective layer, a sixth block opposite the fifth block and having a sixth protective layer, a third spacer coupled between the fifth block and the sixth block, and defining a longitudinal axis therebetween, the third spacer being adjustable in length along the longitudinal axis up to a third maximum length, where the third maximum length is at least fifty percent greater than the second maximum length.   
   
   
       11 . A method of packaging a component, the method comprising:
 providing a packaging component comprising a first block having a first protective layer disposed on an external surface thereof coupled to a second block having a second protective layer disposed on an external surface thereof by a spacer including a spacer sleeve and a spacer bolt;   rotating the first block in a clockwise direction relative to the second block to drive the spacer bolt into the spacer sleeve;   measuring a length from the first protective layer to the second protective layer;   comparing the measured length with a distance in a product to be filled;   rotating the first block in either a clockwise or anticlockwise direction until the length from the first protective layer to the second protective layer matches the distance to be filled; and   inserting the packaging component into the distance to be filled to provide an interference fit therein.