Fragile item packaging

Abstract

A blank includes a main body; at least one support connected to the main body; and at least one support brace connected to at least one of the main body and at least one support. A packaging system includes a blank, the blank including a main body, at least one support connected to the main body, and at least one support brace connected to at least one of the main body and at least one support; and shrinkwrapping. A support may be a panel. A box may be included.

That which is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A method of packaging comprising:
 obtaining a blank, the blank comprising
 a main body with a front surface and a back surface, 
 a first body end, 
 a first support at the first body end, the first support comprising
 an outer end defining a straight edge, 
 a first side end defining a straight edge, the first side end adjacent to the outer end and angled at a square angle with respect to the outer end, and 
 a second side end defining a straight edge, the second side end adjacent to the outer end and angled at a non-square angle with respect to the outer end, and 
 
 a second support comprising
 an outer end defining a straight edge, 
 a first side end defining a straight edge, the first side end adjacent to the outer end and angled at a square angle with respect to the outer end, and 
 a second side end defining a straight edge, the second side end adjacent to the outer end and angled at a square angle with respect to the outer end; and 
 
   placing the blank in a box.   
     
     
         2 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the blank further comprises a support brace at the first body end, the method further comprising:
 placing an item proximate the front surface of the blank;   folding the support brace at the first body end at an angle with respect to the main body;   folding the support brace around the item; and   folding the first support at an angle with respect to the main body.   
     
     
         3 . The method of  claim 2 , wherein placing the blank in the box comprises placing the item in the box, wherein the box comprises a front lateral side and a back lateral side distal from the front lateral side, wherein the blank and item are placed in the box such that the blank contacts each of the front lateral side and the back lateral side and the item is in contact with the front surface of the blank and not in contact with the front lateral side of the box. 
     
     
         4 . The method of  claim 3 , wherein the blank and item are placed in the box such that the front surface of the main body of the blank faces the front lateral side of the box and the back surface of the main body of the blank faces the back lateral side of the box, wherein the front surface is not in contact with the front lateral side, and wherein the back surface is not in contact with the back lateral side. 
     
     
         5 . The method of  claim 2 , further comprising placing shrinkwrap around the item and the blank. 
     
     
         6 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein placing the blank in the box comprises sliding the blank into the box at a side end of the box, wherein the box comprises a front lateral side, a back lateral side distal from the front lateral side, and the side end between the front lateral side and the back lateral side, wherein a width of the side end is less than a width of the front lateral side and less than a width of the back lateral side. The method of  claim 1 , wherein the blank further comprises a second body end adjacent to the first body end, wherein the blank further comprises a third support at the second body end, wherein the method further comprises:
 folding the third support at an angle with respect to the main body, the third support extending from the main body in a direction opposite to a direction the first support extends from the main body, wherein placing the blank in the box includes placing the first support in contact with a front lateral side of the box and placing the third support in contact with a back lateral side of the box.   
     
     
         8 . The method of claim  7 , wherein the third support includes an end that is angled at a non-square angle with respect to another end of the third support. 
     
     
         9 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein a support brace is connected to at least one of the main body and the support by a bend line. 
     
     
         10 . The method of  claim 9 , wherein the support brace includes a plurality of adjustability contours bend lines. 
     
     
         11 . A method of erecting and packaging a blank, the method comprising:
 obtaining a blank comprising
 a main body with a front surface and a back surface, 
 a first body end, 
 a second body end, 
 a first support at the first body end, the first support comprising
 an outer end defining a straight edge, 
 a first side end defining a straight edge, the first side end adjacent to the outer end and angled at a square angle with respect to the outer end, and 
 a second side end defining a straight edge, the second side end adjacent to the outer end and angled at a non-square angle with respect to the outer end, and 
 
 a second support at the second body end, the second support comprising
 an outer end defining a straight edge, 
 a first side end defining a straight edge, the first side end adjacent to the outer end and angled at a square angle with respect to the outer end, and 
 a second side end defining a straight edge, the second side end adjacent to the outer end and angled at a square angle with respect to the outer end; and 
 
   folding the first support at an angle with respect to the main body.   
     
     
         12 . The method of  claim 11 , further comprising placing and securing the blank and an item in a box, the box including a front lateral side and a back lateral side distal from the front lateral side, wherein:
 the blank is placed in the box such that the blank contacts each of the front lateral side and the back lateral side,   the back surface of the main body faces the back lateral side,   the front surface of the main body faces the front lateral side,   the back surface is not in contact with the back lateral side, and   the front surface is not in contact with the front lateral side.   
     
     
         13 . The method of  claim 12 , wherein the blank further comprises a first support brace at the first body end and a second support brace at the second body end, the method further comprising:
 folding the first support brace at an angle with respect to the main body; and   folding the second support brace at an angle with respect to the main body.   
     
     
         14 . The method of  claim 11 , wherein each support is a panel. 
     
     
         15 . The method of  claim 11 , wherein each support is oriented orthogonal to the main body. 
     
     
         16 . The method of  claim 11 , wherein the blank further comprises a support brace at the first body end, the method further comprising:
 placing an item on a blank;   folding a support brace at the first body end around the item on the blank;   folding the support at an angle with respect to the main body; and   placing the blank and the item in a box.   
     
     
         17 . The method of  claim 16 , further comprising placing shrinkwrap around the item and the blank. 
     
     
         18 . The method of  claim 16 , wherein the item is auto glass. 
     
     
         19 . The method of  claim 16 , further comprises folding the second support at an angle with respect to the main body, the angle of the second support opposite to the angle of the first support, wherein placing the blank in the box comprises placing the first support in contact with a front lateral side of the box and placing the second support in contact with a back lateral side of the box. 
     
     
         20 . The method of  claim 19 , wherein placing the blank in the box comprises sliding the blank into the box at a side end of the box between the front lateral side and the back lateral side, wherein a width of the side end is less than a width of the front lateral side and less than a width of the back lateral side.