Article packaging kit, system and method

Abstract

An article packaging kit, system and method which system includes a flat, corrugated, cardboard sheet material having a central horizontal fold line and two vertical fold lines to define a base and two end portion. The system includes a flexible plastic sleeve or tube which loosely fits about a portion of the base of the sheet material in the flat condition. The sheet material moves between a horizontal line folded position when an article to be packaged is inserted within the sleeve and a flat, article hugging, immobilizing position when the end portions are folded upwardly causing the base portion to become flat. The system includes optionally inserting the immobilized article on the folded sheet material into a packaging or shipping container.

What is claimed is: 
     
       1. A packaging kit for the immobilization of an article to be packaged within an outer container, and which kit comprises in combination; a) a relatively stiff sheet material of defined width and length, having a base portion to hold the article and end portions on opposite sides of the base portion adapted to be folded upwardly at either end of the base portion, the sheet material having a horizontal fold line along its length to permit the sheet material to move between a first, generally flat, non-use position and a second, folded article insertion position and having first and second, spaced-apart, generally parallel vertical fold lines to define and permit the end portions to move between a generally non-use flat position and a folded up position .Iadd.wherein the sheet material includes a horizontal fold line substantially the length of the sheet material.Iaddend.; and   b) a means including film tube dimensioned and adapted to be placed about the exterior sheet material and about the base portion, in a generally loose fit when the sheet material is in the flat position, and to fit snugly about the article on the base portion in the article-immobilization position, whereby the article may be inserted between the base portion and the material of the film tube means, when the sheet material is in the folded article insertion position and when the end portions are folded upwardly and the sheet material is placed in a generally flat position to immobilize the article by the film tube means by hugging the article on the base portion.   
     
     
       2. The kit of claim 1 wherein the sheet material comprises a corrugated cardboard sheet material. 
     
     
       3. The kit of claim 1 wherein the sheet material includes a central horizontal fold line substantially the length of the sheet material. 
     
     
       4. The kit of claim 1 wherein the base and each end portion are generally equal in length. 
     
     
       5. The kit of claim 1 wherein the means including a film tube comprises a flexible, stretchable, plastic film tube. 
     
     
       6. The kit of claim 1 wherein the film tube means has a length which is about the length of the base, portion. 
     
     
       7. The kit of claim 1 wherein the film tube means has a length slightly greater than the length of the base portion, so that each end of the film tube is folded over when the end portions are placed in an upright position. 
     
     
       8. The kit of claim 1 wherein the means including a film tube comprises a flexible, transparent polyethylene film. 
     
     
       9. The kit of claim 1 which includes a container for the insertion of the immobilized article on the sheet material into the container. 
     
     
       10. The kit of claim 1 wherein the fold lines comprises pre-scored lines on a corrugated cardboard sheet material. 
     
     
       11. A method for the immobilization of an article for packaging within an outer container, which method comprises: a) providing a packaging kit as set forth in claim 1;   b) placing the means including a film tube about the base portion of the sheet material;   c) folding the sheet material on the horizontal fold line to place the sheet material in an article-insertion position and to permit the means including a film tube to blouse outwardly from the base portion of the sheet material;   d) inserting the article to be immobilized between the base portion and the interior of the bloused-out film tube means; and   e) folding the end portions of the sheet material upwardly and general perpendicularly on the first and second vertical score lines to place the sheet material in a generally flat position, and to cause the means including a film tube to move against and hug the inserted articles, and thereby to immobilize the article on the base portion of the sheet material.   
     
     
       12. The method of claim 11 wherein the sheet material comprises a relatively stiff, corrugated cardboard sheet material and which includes folding the sheet material into an article insertion position along the generally central horizontal fold line. 
     
     
       13. The method of claim 11 which includes inserting the immobilized article on the base portion, with the end portions in an upright position and placing the sheet material with the immobilized article into a outer container for shipment. 
     
     
       14. The method of claim 11 wherein the means including a film tube comprises a transparent, stretchable, flexible plastic film material and which includes slidably positioning the film tube material over the base portion, with the length of the film tube material extending slightly beyond the first and second vertical fold lines, so that on folding the end portions upwardly, the extending portions of the means including a film tube are placed against a lower portion of the end portions. 
     
     
       15. The article immobilizing package prepared by the method of claim 11. .Iadd. 
     
     
       16.  A method for the immobilization of an article to be packaged within a container, comprising: sliding a film tube over a relatively stiff sheet material having a central base portion and outer end portions on opposite ends of the base portion so that at least the central base portion is encircled by the film tube;   folding the sheet material along at least one horizontal fold line substantially the length of the sheet material between a generally flat orientation and an angled orientation so that an article receiving space is formed between the sheet material and the film tube;   inserting the article into the article receiving space and placing the article on the base portion;   folding at least one of the end portions into an article immobilizing position along at least one vertical fold line between the end portion and the base portion so that the sheet material is returned to the generally flat position relative to the at least one horizontal fold line and the film tube is tightened against the article so that the article is immobilized between the film tube and the base portion; and   inserting the immobilized article, sheet material with the at least one end portion in the generally vertical position, and film tube into the container. .Iaddend..Iadd.17. The method of claim 16 wherein the at least one of the end portions is folded into the article immobilizing position by folding the at least one of the end portions into a generally vertical orientation. .Iaddend..Iadd.18. The method of claim 16 wherein each of the end portions are folded into a generally vertical orientation along at least one vertical fold line. .Iaddend..Iadd.19. The method of claim 17 wherein each of the end portions are folded into a generally vertical orientation along at least one vertical fold line. .Iaddend..Iadd.20. The method of claim 16 wherein each of the end portions is folded along two vertical fold lines between the end portions and the base portion so that the central base portion is suspended by the end portions. .Iaddend..Iadd.21. The method of claim 16 wherein the film tube is slid over the central base portion and at least a part of each of the outer end portions of the relatively stiff sheet material. .Iaddend..Iadd.22. The method of claim 17 wherein the end portions are folded upwardly along the second vertical fold line so that the end portions extend above the article, base portion and film tube, thereby protecting the article from contact from above. .Iaddend..Iadd.23. A packaging kit for the immobilization of an article, comprising:   a relatively stiff sheet of material of defined width and length, having a base portion adapted to support the article and end portions on opposite sides of the base portion adapted to be folded into an article immobilizing orientation, the sheet material having at least one horizontal fold line along its length, substantially the length of the sheet material, to permit the sheet material to move between a first, generally flat, position and a second, article insertion folded position, and having at least first and second, spaced-apart, generally parallel vertical fold lines to define and permit the end portions to move between a generally flat position and an article immobilizing oriented folded position; and   tube means for flexibly encircling at least a part of the base portion of the sheet material in a generally loose fit when the sheet material is in the generally flat position and to fit snugly about the article on the base portion when the end portions are in the article immobilizing oriented folded position;   whereby the article may be inserted between the base portion and the tube means when the sheet material is in the second, article insertion folded position and when the end portions are folded to their article immobilizing oriented folded position, the sheet material returns to its generally flat first position relative to the at least one horizontal fold line to immobilize the article by the tube means hugging the article on the base portion. .Iaddend..Iadd.24. The packaging kit of claim 23, wherein the article immobilizing orientation folded position of the end portions is a generally vertical orientation substantially perpendicular to the generally flat first position of the sheet material.   
     
     
        .Iaddend..Iadd.5.  The packaging kit of claim 24, wherein the relatively stiff sheet of material has first and second pairs of spaced-apart generally parallel vertical fold lines to define and permit the end portions to move between a generally flat position and a vertically oriented folded position. .Iaddend..Iadd.26. The packaging kit of claim 23, wherein the tube means is dimensioned to encircle substantially all of 
     
     
        the base portion. .Iaddend..Iadd.27.  The packaging kit of claim 23, wherein the tube means is dimensioned to encircle the base portion of the sheet material and some of each of the end portions. .Iaddend..Iadd.28. The packaging kit of claim 23, wherein the relatively stiff sheet of material is formed of corrugated cardboard. .Iaddend..Iadd.29. The packaging kit of claim 23, wherein the tube means includes a flexible, stretchable, plastic film tube. .Iaddend..Iadd.30. The packaging kit of claim 29, wherein the film tube is formed of a transparent poly-ethylene film. .Iaddend..Iadd.31. The packaging kit of claim 23, further including a container adapted to receive the packaging kit when the end portions are in the vertical orientation. .Iaddend..Iadd.32. The packaging kit of claim 23 wherein the horizontal fold line runs down the center of the sheet material. .Iaddend..Iadd.33. The packaging kit of claim 23 wherein the end portions have a width dimension, perpendicular to the length of the sheet material substantially the same as the base portion's width dimension. 
     
     
        .Iaddend..Iadd.34.  A packaging kit for the immobilization of an article, comprising: a relatively stiff sheet of material of defined width and length, having a base portion adapted to support the article and end portions on opposite sides of the base portion adapted to be folded into an article immobilizing orientation, the sheet material having at least one horizontal fold line along its length substantially the length of the sheet material to permit the sheet material to move between a first, generally flat, position and a second, article insertion folded position, and having at least first and second, spaced-apart, generally parallel vertical fold lines to define and permit the end portions to move between a generally horizontal position and an article immobilizing oriented folded position;   tube means for flexibly encircling at least a part of the base portion of the sheet material in a generally loose fit when the sheet material is in the generally flat position without the article being present on the base portion and when the article is on the base portion in the article insertion folded position and in a snug fit about the article on the base portion when the end portions are in the article immobilizing oriented folded position and the base portion is in the flat position; and   container means for receiving the immobilized article, sheet material and tube means when the article rests on the base portion of the material sheet, the tube means encircles the at least a part of the base portion and the end portions are in the article immobilizing oriented folded position;   whereby the article may be inserted between the base portion and the tube means when the sheet material is in the second, article insertion folded position and the article is immobilized when the end portions are folded to their article immobilizing oriented folded position and the sheet material returns to its generally flat first position relative to the at least one horizontal fold line, by the tube means hugging the article on the base portion, and the immobilized article, tube means and sheet material may be received within the container means. .Iaddend..Iadd.35. The packaging kit of claim 34, wherein the article immobilization orientation is a generally vertical orientation substantially perpendicular to the generally flat first position of the sheet material.   
     
     
        .Iaddend..Iadd.36.  The packaging kit of claim 35, wherein the relatively stiff sheet of material has at least first and second pairs of spaced-apart generally parallel vertical fold lines to define and permit the end portions to move between a generally flat position and a vertically oriented folded position. .Iaddend..Iadd.37. The packaging kit of claim 34, wherein the tube means is dimensioned to encircle substantially all of the base portion. .Iaddend..Iadd.38. The packaging kit of claim 34, wherein the tube means is dimensioned to encircle the base portion of the sheet material and some of each of the end portions. .Iaddend..Iadd.39. The packaging kit of claim 34, wherein the relatively stiff sheet of material is formed of corrugated cardboard. 
     
     
        .Iaddend..Iadd. 0.  The packaging kit of claim 34, wherein the tube means includes a flexible, stretchable, plastic film tube. .Iaddend..Iadd.41. The packaging kit of claim 40, wherein the film tube is formed of a transparent poly-ethylene film. .Iaddend..Iadd.42. The packaging kit of claim 34, wherein the container means is dimensioned to snugly contain the sheet material when the end portions are in the vertical orientation. .Iaddend..Iadd.43. The packaging kit of claim 34 wherein the horizontal fold line runs down the center of the sheet material. .Iaddend..Iadd.44. The packaging kit of claim 34 wherein the end portions have a width dimension, perpendicular to the length of the sheet material substantially 
     
     
        the same as the base portion's width dimension. .Iaddend..Iadd.45.  A packaging kit for the immobilization of an article to be packaged within an outer container, and which kit comprises in combination; (a) a relatively stiff sheet material of defined width and length, having a base portion to hold the article and end portions on opposite sides of the base portion adapted to be folded upwardly at either end of the base portion, the sheet material having a horizontal fold line along its length to permit the sheet material to move between a first, generally flat, non-use position and a second, folded article insertion position and having first and second, spaced-apart, generally parallel vertical fold lines to define and permit the end portions to move between a generally non-use flat position and a folded up position; and   (b) a means including film tube dimensioned and adapted to be placed about the exterior sheet material and about the base portion, in a generally loose fit when the sheet material is in the flat position, and to fit snugly about the article on the base portion in the article-immobilization position, wherein the film tube means has a length slightly greater than the length of the base portion, so that each end of the film tube is folded over when the end portions are placed in an upright position, whereby the article may be inserted between the base portion and the material of the film tube means, when the sheet material is in the folded article insertion position and when the end portions are folded upwardly and the sheet material is placed in a generally flat position to immobilize the article by the film tube means by hugging the article on   
     
     
        the base portion. .Iaddend..Iadd.46.  A method for the immobilization of an article to be packaged within a container, comprising: sliding a film tube over a relatively stiff sheet material having a central base portion and outer end portions on opposite ends of the base portion so that at least the central base portion is encircled by the film tube, wherein the film tube is slid over the central base portion and at least a part of each of the outer end portions of the relatively stiff sheet material;   folding the sheet material along at least one horizontal fold line so that an article receiving space is formed between the sheet material and the film tube;   inserting the article into the article receiving space and placing the article on the base portion;   folding at least one of the end portions into an article immobilizing position along at least one vertical fold line between the end portion and the base portion so that the sheet material is returned to the generally flat position relative to the at least one horizontal fold line and the film tube is tightened against the article so that the article is immobilized between the film tube and the base portion; and   inserting the immobilized article, sheet material with the at least one end portion in the generally vertical position, and film tube into the   
     
     
        container. .Iaddend..Iadd.47.  A packaging kit for the immobilization of an article, comprising: a relatively stiff sheet of material of defined width and length, having a base portion adapted to support the article and end portions on opposite sides of the base portion adapted to be folded into an article immobilizing orientation, the sheet material having at least one horizontal fold line along its length to permit the sheet material to move between a first, generally flat, position and a second, article insertion folded position, and having at least first and second, spaced-apart, generally parallel vertical fold lines to define and permit the end portions to move between a generally flat position and an article immobilizing oriented folded position wherein the article immobilizing orientation folded position of the end portions is a generally vertical orientation, wherein the relatively stiff sheet of material has first and second pairs of spaced-apart generally parallel vertical fold lines to define and permit the end portions to move between a generally flat position and a vertically oriented folded position; and   tube means for flexibly encircling at least a part of the base portion of the sheet material in a generally loose fit when the sheet material is in the generally flat position and to fit snugly about the article on the base portion when the end portions are in the article immobilizing oriented folded position;   whereby the article may be inserted between the base portion and the tube means when the sheet material is in the second, article insertion folded position and when the end portions are folded to their article immobilizing oriented folded position, the sheet material returns to its generally flat first position relative to the at least one horizontal fold line to immobilize the article by the tube means hugging the article on the base portion. .Iaddend..Iadd.48. A packaging kit for the immobilization of an article, comprising:   a relatively stiff sheet of material of defined width and length, having a base portion adapted to support the article and end portions on opposite sides of the base portion adapted to be folded into an article immobilizing orientation, the sheet material having at least one horizontal fold line along its length to permit the sheet material to move between a first, generally flat, position and a second, article insertion folded position, and having at least first and second, spaced-apart, generally parallel vertical fold lines to define and permit the end portions to move between a generally flat position and an article immobilizing oriented folded position; and   tube means for flexibly encircling at least a part of the base portion of the sheet material in a generally loose fit when the sheet material is in the generally flat position and to fit snugly about the article on the base portion when the end portions are in the article immobilizing oriented folded position, wherein the tube means is dimensioned to encircle the base portion of the sheet material and some of each of the end portions;   whereby the article may be inserted between the base portion and the tube means when the sheet material is in the second, article insertion folded position and when the end portions are folded to their article immobilizing oriented folded position, the sheet material returns to its generally flat first position relative to the at least one horizontal fold line to immobilize the article by the tube means hugging the article on the base portion. .Iaddend..Iadd.49. A packaging kit for the immobilization of an article, comprising:   a relatively stiff sheet of material of defined width and length, having a base portion adapted to support the article and end portions on opposite sides of the base portion adapted to be folded into an article immobilizing orientation, the sheet material having at least one horizontal fold line along its length to permit the sheet material to move between a first, generally flat, position and a second, article insertion folded position, and having at least first and second, spaced-apart, generally parallel vertical fold lines to define and permit the end portions to move between a generally horizontal position and an article immobilizing oriented folded position, wherein the article immobilizing orientation is a generally vertical orientation, wherein the relatively stiff sheet of material has at least first and second pairs of spaced-apart generally parallel vertical fold lines to define and permit the end portions to move between a generally flat position and a vertically oriented folded position;   tube means for flexibly encircling at least a part of the base portion of the sheet material in a generally loose fit when the sheet material is in the generally flat position without the article being present on the base portion and when the article is on the base portion in the article insertion folded position and in a snug fit about the article on the base portion when the end portions are in the article immobilizing oriented folded position and the base portion is in the flat position; and   container means for receiving the immobilized article, sheet material and tube means when the article rests on the base portion of the material sheet, the tube means encircles the at least a part of the base portion and the end portions are in the article immobilizing oriented folded position;   whereby the article may be inserted between the base portion and the tube means when the sheet material is in the second, article insertion folded position and the article is immobilized when the end portions are folded to their article immobilizing oriented folded position and the sheet material returns to its generally flat first position relative to the at least one horizontal fold line, by the tube means hugging the article on the base portion, and the immobilized article, tube means and sheet   
     
     
        material may be received within the container means. .Iaddend..Iadd.50.  A packaging kit for the immobilization of an article, comprising: a relatively stiff sheet of material of defined width and length, having a base portion adapted to support the article and end portions on opposite sides of the base portion adapted to be folded into an article immobilizing orientation, the sheet material having at least one horizontal fold line along its length to permit the sheet material to move between a first, generally flat, position and a second, article insertion folded position, and having at least first and second, spaced-apart, generally parallel vertical fold lines to define and permit the end portions to move between a generally horizontal position and an article immobilizing oriented folded position;   tube means for flexibly encircling at least a part of the base portion of the sheet material in a generally loose fit when the sheet material is in the generally flat position without the article being present on the base portion and when the article is on the base portion in the article insertion folded position and in a snug fit about the article on the base portion when the end portions are in the article immobilizing oriented folded position and the base portion is in the flat position, wherein the tube means is dimensioned to encircle the base portion of the sheet material and some of each of the end portions; and   container means for receiving the immobilized article, sheet material and tube means when the article rests on the base portion of the material sheet, the tube means encircles the at least a part of the base portion and the end portions are in the article immobilizing oriented folded position;   whereby the article may be inserted between the base portion and the tube means when the sheet material is in the second, article insertion folded position and the article is immobilized when the end portions are folded to their article immobilizing oriented folded position and the sheet material returns to its generally flat first position relative to the at least one horizontal fold line, by the tube means hugging the article on the base portion, and the immobilized article, tube means and sheet   
     
     
        material may be received within the container means. .Iaddend..Iadd.51.  A packaging kit for the immobilization of an article, comprising: a relatively stiff sheet of material of defined width and length, having a base portion adapted to support the article and end portions on opposite sides of the base portion adapted to be folded into an article immobilizing orientation, the sheet material having at least one horizontal fold line along its length to permit the sheet material to move between a first, generally flat, position and a second, article insertion folded position, and having at least first and second, spaced-apart, generally parallel vertical fold lines to define and permit the end portions to move between a generally horizontal position and an article immobilizing oriented folded position, wherein the end portions have a width dimension, perpendicular to the length of the sheet material substantially the same as the base portion's width dimension;   tube means for flexibly encircling at least a part of the base portion of the sheet material in a generally loose fit when the sheet material is in the generally flat position without the article being present on the base portion and when the article is on the base portion in the article insertion folded position and in a snug fit about the article on the base portion when the end portions are in the article immobilizing oriented folded position and the base portion is in the flat position; and   container means for receiving the immobilized article, sheet material and tube means when the article rests on the base portion of the material sheet, the tube means encircles the at least a part of the base portion and the end portions are in the article immobilizing oriented folded position;   whereby the article may be inserted between the base portion and the tube means when the sheet material is in the second, article insertion folded position and the article is immobilized when the end portions are folded to their article immobilizing oriented folded position and the sheet material returns to its generally flat first position relative to the at least one horizontal fold line, by the tube means hugging the article on the base portion, and the immobilized article, tube means and sheet material may be received within the container means. .Iaddend.