Shipping structure

Abstract

A shipping structure is formed from a mixture of small pieces of tumbled glass. The shipping structure can incorporate a wick element to allow the shipping structure to function as a candle. The glass and wax may be from post-consumer materials. The shipping structure can be chilled for use in shipping of materials where cooling of shipped materials will be beneficial. Multiple shipping structures can be combined to house or shield shipped items within a container.

1 - 20 . (canceled) 
     
     
         21 . A shipping structure for use in packing at least one item for shipment, the shipping structure comprising a block formed from a mixture of wax and glass fragments and having at least one void within the block configured to receive the item therein. 
     
     
         22 . The shipping structure of  claim 21  further comprising at least one wick disposed in the block. 
     
     
         23 . The shipping structure of  claim 21  wherein the block comprises a plurality of separable segments and the void is disposed between at least two separable segments. 
     
     
         24 . The shipping structure of  claim 23  further comprising scoring or perforations between at least a pair of separable segments configured to facilitate separation of the pair of segments from each other. 
     
     
         25 . The shipping structure of  claim 23  wherein one or more of the separable segments includes a wick disposed within the segment. 
     
     
         26 . The shipping structure of  claim 21  further comprising a decoration in or on the block, wherein the decoration is selected from the group consisting of paint, colored wax and colored glass. 
     
     
         27 . The shipping structure of  claim 21  further comprising an all-wax inner portion disposed within the block. 
     
     
         28 . The shipping structure of  claim 27  further comprising a wick disposed in the all-wax inner portion. 
     
     
         29 . The shipping structure of  claim 21  wherein the glass fragments comprise tumbled glass fragments. 
     
     
         30 . The shipping structure of  claim 21  further comprising a removable outer enclosure which substantially surrounds the block. 
     
     
         31 . The shipping structure of  claim 30  wherein the block and the outer enclosure have corresponding substantially rectangular outer shapes. 
     
     
         32 . The shipping structure of  claim 30  wherein the outer enclosure is selected from the group consisting of a box, a crate, a wrapper and a sleeve. 
     
     
         33 . The shipping structure of  claim 21  wherein the block comprises between about 10 percent and about 25 percent glass fragments by weight. 
     
     
         34 . The shipping structure of  claim 21  wherein the block comprises at least about 10 percent glass fragments and at least about 80 percent wax by weight. 
     
     
         35 . The shipping structure of  claim 21  wherein the block comprises at least about 15 percent glass fragments and at least about 80 percent wax by weight. 
     
     
         36 . The shipping structure of  claim 21  wherein the block comprises at least about 10 percent glass fragments and at least about 80 percent wax by weight. 
     
     
         37 . The shipping structure of  claim 21  wherein the block has a round cross-section. 
     
     
         38 . The shipping structure of  claim 21  wherein the block has a temperature of less than about zero degrees Celsius. 
     
     
         39 . A shipping structure for use in packing at least one item for shipment, the shipping structure comprising a block formed substantially of wax, at least one void in the block configured to receive the item therein, and a wick disposed within the block, wherein the block is capable of use as a candle once the shipment of the item is complete. 
     
     
         40 . The shipping structure of  claim 39  further comprising a plurality of glass fragments dispersed within the block. 
     
     
         41 . The shipping structure of  claim 39  wherein the block comprises a plurality of separable segments and the void is disposed between at least two separable segments. 
     
     
         42 . The shipping structure of  claim 41  further comprising scoring or perforations between at least a pair of the separable segments configured to facilitate separation of the pair of segments from each other. 
     
     
         43 . The shipping structure of  claim 41  wherein two or more of the separable segments include a wick disposed within each segment. 
     
     
         44 . The shipping structure of  claim 39  further comprising a decoration in or on the block, wherein the decoration is selected from the group consisting of paint, colored wax and colored glass. 
     
     
         45 . The shipping structure of  claim 40  wherein the glass fragments comprise tumbled glass fragments. 
     
     
         46 . The shipping structure of  claim 40  wherein the block comprises between about 10% and about 25 percent glass fragments by weight. 
     
     
         47 . The shipping structure of  claim 39  further comprising a removable outer enclosure which substantially surrounds the block. 
     
     
         48 . The shipping structure of  claim 47  wherein the block and the outer enclosure have corresponding substantially rectangular outer shapes. 
     
     
         49 . The shipping structure of  claim 47  wherein the outer enclosure is selected from the group consisting of a box, a crate, a wrapper and a sleeve. 
     
     
         50 . The shipping structure of  claim 39  wherein the block has a round cross-section. 
     
     
         51 . The shipping structure of  claim 39  wherein the block has a temperature of less than about zero degrees Celsius.