Suspension packaging system

Abstract

A packaging assembly can include a container comprising a top, a bottom and a plurality of sidewalls, a first frame and a second frame. The first frame can include a first support panel including a first surface configured to face an article and a second surface opposite to the first surface, and a first leg portion pivotably connected to the first support panel and located between the first support panel and the bottom. The first leg portion can cause a resilient force to bias the first support panel away from the bottom when the first leg portion is located at a third rotational position between the first rotational position and the second rotational position. The second frame can include a second support panel. The second frame can nest with the first frame within the container so as to retain an article between the first and second support panels.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A packaging assembly for packaging an article and maintaining the article therein, the assembly comprising:
 a container comprising a top, a bottom and a plurality of sidewalls;   a first frame contained within the container, the first frame comprising:
 a first support panel comprising a first surface configured to face an article and a second surface opposite to the first surface, and 
 a first leg portion pivotably connected to the first support panel and located between the first support panel and the bottom, wherein the first leg portion is rotatable relative to the first support panel between a first rotational position and a second rotational position so as to allow movement of the first support panel relative to the bottom, wherein the first leg portion is configured to cause a resilient force to bias the first support panel away from the bottom when the first leg portion is located at a third rotational position between the first rotational position and the second rotational position; and 
   a second frame comprising a second support panel, the second frame being configured to nest with the first frame within the container so as to retain an article between the first and second support panels.   
     
     
         2 . The assembly of  claim 1 , wherein the first frame further comprises:
 an first anchor panel extending between the top and bottom of the container; and   a first connecting portion interconnecting the first support panel and the first anchor panel and comprising at least one fold line configured to allow movement of the first support panel relative to the bottom of the container.   
     
     
         3 . The assembly of  claim 2 , wherein the first connecting portion comprises at least two panels pivotably connected to each other along the at least one fold line. 
     
     
         4 . The assembly of  claim 2 , wherein the first connecting portion comprises a first side panel pivotally connected to the first support panel, and a ridge panel pivotably connected to each of the first anchor panel and the first side panel, wherein the first anchor panel and the first side panel are substantially parallel to each other. 
     
     
         5 . The assembly of  claim 2 , wherein the first frame further comprises:
 a second anchor panel extending between the top and the bottom of the container; and   a second connecting portion interconnecting the first support panel and the second anchor panel and comprising at least one fold line configured to allow movement of the first support panel relative to the bottom of the container.   
     
     
         6 . The assembly of  claim 2 , wherein the first frame further comprises a second connecting portion interconnecting the first support panel and one of the plurality of sidewalls of the container and comprising at least one fold line configured to allow movement of the first support panel relative to the bottom of the container. 
     
     
         7 . The assembly of  claim 1 , wherein the first leg portion comprises a distal end contacting the bottom and configured to slide with respect to the bottom when the first leg portion moves between the first and second rotational positions. 
     
     
         8 . The assembly of  claim 1 , wherein the first frame further comprises a second leg portion pivotably connected to the first support panel such that the first support panel is interposed between the first and second leg portions. 
     
     
         9 . The assembly of  claim 1 , wherein the second support panel of the second frame comprises at least one foldable flap configured to resiliently support an article retained between the first and second frames. 
     
     
         10 . The assembly of  claim 1 , wherein the second frame is sized such that the second frame substantially fits into a space defined by the container and first frame. 
     
     
         11 . The assembly of  claim 1 , wherein the assembly has no resilient retention sheet configured to engage with one of the first and second frames. 
     
     
         12 . The assembly of  claim 1 , where the assembly is configured to provide substantial cushioning without a resilient retention sheet configured to engage with one of the first and second frames. 
     
     
         13 . The assembly of  claim 1 , further comprising a retention member which comprises a resilient body and an end portion configured to engage with the at least one folded portion such that the resilient body disposed over the second support panel, wherein the resilient body is configured to resiliently support an article retained between the first and second frames. 
     
     
         14 . The assembly of  claim 1 , wherein the second frame comprises a third leg portion pivotably connected to the second support panel and located between the second support panel and the top, wherein the third leg portion is rotatable relative to the second support panel between a first rotational position and a second rotational position so as to allow movement of the second support panel relative to the top, wherein the third leg portion is configured to cause a resilient force to bias the second support panel away from the top when the third leg portion is located at a third rotational position between the first rotational position and the second rotational position. 
     
     
         15 . The assembly of  claim 1 , wherein the container and the first frame are pivotably connected to each other and are formed of a single cardboard. 
     
     
         16 . A packaging kit for packaging an article and maintaining the article, the kit comprising:
 a container forming member comprising a plurality of foldable portions configured to form a container which comprises a top, a bottom and a plurality of sidewalls;   a first frame forming member comprising a plurality of foldable portions configured to form a first frame to be contained within the container, wherein the first frame comprises:
 a first support panel comprising a first surface configured to face an article and a second surface opposite to the first surface, and 
 a first leg portion pivotably connected to the first support panel and configured to be located between the first support panel and the bottom, wherein the first leg portion is rotatable relative to the first support panel between a first rotational position and a second rotational position so as to allow movement of the first support panel relative to the bottom, wherein the first leg portion is configured to cause a resilient force to bias the first support panel away from the bottom when the first leg portion is located at a third rotational position between the first rotational position and the second rotational position; and 
   a second frame forming member comprising a plurality of foldable portions and configured to form a second frame which comprises a second support panel and at least one side panel connected to the second support panel, the second frame being configured to nest with the first frame within the container so as to retain an article between the first and second support panels.   
     
     
         17 . The kit of  claim 16 , wherein the first frame further comprises:
 an first anchor panel extending between the top and bottom of the container when the first frame is contained in the container; and   a first connecting portion interconnecting the first support panel and the first anchor panel and comprising at least one fold line configured to allow movement of the first support panel relative to the bottom of the container.   
     
     
         18 . The kit of  claim 17 , wherein the first connecting portion comprises a first side panel pivotally connected to the first support panel and a ridge panel pivotably connected to each of the first anchor panel and the first side panel, wherein the first anchor panel and the first side panel are substantially parallel to each other. 
     
     
         19 . The kit of  claim 17 , wherein the first frame further comprises:
 a second anchor panel extending between the top and the bottom of the container when the first frame is contained in the container; and   a second connecting portion interconnecting the first support panel and the second anchor panel and comprising at least one fold line configured to allow movement of the first support panel relative to the bottom of the container.   
     
     
         20 . The kit of  claim 16 , wherein the kit has no resilient retention sheet member configured to engage with one of the first and second frames. 
     
     
         21 . The kit of  claim 16 , where the kit is configured to form a packaging assembly for packaging and maintaining the article therein, wherein the assembly is configured to provide substantial cushioning without a resilient retention member configured to engage with one of the first and second frames. 
     
     
         22 . A packaging kit for packaging an article and maintaining the article, the assembly comprising:
 a first foldable member comprising a plurality of foldable portions, the first foldable member being configured to form a container which comprises a top, a bottom and a plurality of sidewalls, and further configured to form a first frame to be contained within the container and pivotably connected to the container, wherein the first frame comprises:
 a first support panel comprising a first surface configured to face an article and a second surface opposite to the first surface, and 
 a first leg portion pivotably connected to the first support panel and configured to be located between the first support panel and the bottom, wherein the first leg portion is rotatable relative to the first support panel between a first rotational position and a second rotational position so as to allow movement of the first support panel relative to the bottom, wherein the first leg portion is configured to cause a resilient force to bias the first support panel away from the bottom when the first leg portion is located at a third rotational position between the first rotational position and the second rotational position; and 
   a second foldable member comprising a plurality of foldable portions and configured to form a second frame which comprises a second support panel and at least one side panel connected to the second support panel, the second frame being configured to nest with the first frame within the container so as to retain an article between the first and second support panels.   
     
     
         23 . The kit of  claim 22 , wherein the kit has no resilient retention member configured to engage with one of the first and second frames. 
     
     
         24 . The kit of  claim 22 , where the kit is configured to form a packaging assembly for packaging and maintaining the article therein, wherein the assembly is configured to provide substantial cushioning without a resilient retention member configured to engage with one of the first and second frames.