Packaging for thin, fragile planar members

Abstract

A low cost and durable package for use in shipping thin, fragile planar members, such as protective tempered glass screen protectors for electronic devices. The package may include a rectangular box having a sidewall that defines an interior portion. A support insert having two outer sidewall members and a middle wall portion is configured and adapted to fit within the interior portion of the box. The middle portion may include cutouts for restraining a glass screen protector for an electronic device. A flap configurable between an open position and a closed position may provide further protection.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A package for use with a thin planar member, said package comprising:
 a box having a sidewall that defines an interior portion;   a support insert having a first sidewall member, a second sidewall member, and a middle wall portion;   wherein the first sidewall member and the second sidewall member are spaced apart;   wherein the middle wall portion extends between the first sidewall member and the second sidewall member;   wherein the support insert is disposed within the interior portion of the box;   wherein the middle wall portion includes a location for receiving the thin planar member.   
     
     
         2 . The package of  claim 1 , wherein the support insert is formed from a single sheet of paper. 
     
     
         3 . The package of  claim 1 , wherein the support insert further comprises a flap portion configurable between an open position and a closed position. 
     
     
         4 . The package of  claim 4 , wherein the support insert further comprises at least one holding tab for securing the planar member. 
     
     
         5 . The package of  claim 4 , wherein the support insert further comprises at least one holding tab for securing the flap portion in a closed position. 
     
     
         6 . The package of  claim 1 , wherein the first sidewall member defines a first plane and the second sidewall member defines a second plane, wherein the first plane and the second plane are substantially parallel. 
     
     
         7 . The package of  claim 6 , wherein the middle wall portion defines a third plane, wherein the third plane intersects the first plane at an angle between 95 degrees and 105 degrees. 
     
     
         8 . The package of  claim 7 , wherein the third plane intersects the second plane at an angle between 95 degrees and 105 degrees. 
     
     
         9 . The package of  claim 8 , wherein the third plane intersects the first plane and the second plane at about 100 degrees. 
     
     
         10 . The package of  claim 1 , wherein the first sidewall and the second sidewall comprise a double folded portion. 
     
     
         11 . The package of  claim 1 , wherein the first sidewall portion and the middle portion are separated by a fold and wherein the second sidewall portion and the middle portion are separated by a fold. 
     
     
         12 . The package of  claim 11 , wherein the first sidewall portion extends from the middle portion in a first direction and the second portion extends from the middle portion in a second direction, wherein the first direction and the second direction are opposite of each other. 
     
     
         13 . The package of  claim 1 , wherein the support insert comprises a hang tag. 
     
     
         14 . The package of  claim 13 , wherein the box comprises a slot, wherein the hang tag extends through the slot. 
     
     
         15 . The package of  claim 1 , wherein the planar member is formed of glass. 
     
     
         16 . The package of  claim 15 , wherein the glass is tempered glass. 
     
     
         17 . The package of  claim 1 , wherein the box is rectangular. 
     
     
         18 . A method for packaging a thin planar member, said method comprising:
 providing a box having a sidewall that defines an interior portion;   providing a support insert, the support insert comprising:
 a first sidewall member, a second sidewall member, and a middle wall portion; 
 wherein the first sidewall member and the second sidewall member are spaced apart; 
 wherein the middle wall portion extends between the first sidewall member and the second sidewall member; 
 wherein the middle wall portion includes a location for receiving the thin planar member; 
 wherein the middle wall portion further includes a flap portion; and 
 wherein the flap portion is operable between an open position and a closed position; 
   installing the thin planar member onto the middle wall portion at the location for receiving the thin planar member;   closing the flap over the thin planar member; and   inserting the support insert into the box.   
     
     
         19 . The method of  claim 18 , wherein the first sidewall member and the second sidewall member are substantially parallel to each other when the support member is inserted into the box and wherein the middle wall portion extends diagonally between the first sidewall member and the second sidewall member when the support member is inserted into the box. 
     
     
         20 . The method of  claim 19 , wherein the support insert is formed from a single sheet of paper.