RETENTION PACKAGING SYSTEM

Abstract

A packaging assembly for packaging and maintaining an article within a container can include a retention member configured to engage the sidewalls of the container so as to releaseably retain the retention member in the open interior space of the container. The retention member can include a releasable latching mechanism for securing the retention member in the container. The latching mechanism can be formed with foldable panels that are biased towards an extended position.

Claims

1. A packaging assembly for packaging an article and maintaining the article therein, the packaging assembly comprising: a container comprising: a top, a bottom, and first, second, third and fourth sidewalls; wherein the top is configured to be moved between opened and closed positions; wherein in the closed position, the top, bottom, first sidewall, second sidewall, third sidewall, and fourth sidewall form an enclosed interior space and in the opened position form an open interior space; wherein the top comprises first, second, third and fourth top panels that are foldable between the opened and closed positions; a first projection fixed to an inner surface of the first sidewall, the first projection comprising a first projection side surface facing toward the second sidewall and a first latching surface extending perpendicular to the first sidewall and parallel to the bottom such that the first latching surface faces toward the bottom; wherein the first projection is formed monolithically with the first top panel; a second projection fixed to an inner surface of the second sidewall which is opposite to the first sidewall, the second projection comprising a second projection side surface facing toward the first sidewall and a second latching surface extending perpendicular to the second sidewall and parallel to the bottom such that the second latching surface faces toward the bottom of the container; wherein the second projection is formed monolithically with the second top panel; wherein the first and second projection side surfaces are spaced apart by a first spacing and the inner surfaces of the first and second sidewalls are spaced apart by a second spacing that is larger than the first spacing; an article comprising a first side portion, a second side portion, a top portion and a bottom portion, wherein the article is positioned in the enclosed interior space, between the top, bottom, first sidewall, second sidewall, third sidewall, and fourth sidewall, with the first side portion juxtaposed to the first sidewall, the second side portion juxtaposed to the second sidewall, the top portion juxtaposed to the top, and the bottom portion juxtaposed to the bottom; and a retention member configured to engage the first and second projections to retain the article within the open interior space, the retention member comprising: a central panel portion including first and second edges, the central panel portion further comprising a resiliently deflectable portion configured to resiliently deform about at least the top portion of the article; a first panel portion attached to the first edge so as to be foldable between extended and folded positions; a second panel portion attached to the second edge so as to be foldable between extended and folded positions; wherein the first and second panel portions are biased towards the extended position; wherein the central panel portion comprises a central panel width extending between the first and second edges that is approximately equal to or less than the first spacing; wherein the central, first, and second panel portions are sized such that then the first and second panel portions are in the folded position, an overall effective width of the retention member is about equal to or less than the first spacing; wherein the central, first, and second panel portions are sized such that then the first and second panel portions are in the extended position, an overall effective width of the retention member is about larger than the first spacing; wherein the retention member is sized and configured such that during insertion of the retention member into the container having the article positioned in the open interior space, the first and second panel portions make contact with the first and second projections so as to fold the first and second panel portions towards the folded position, then after the resiliently deflectable portion of the central panel portion makes contact with the top portion of the article, the first and second panel portions snap outwardly towards the extended position so as to be positioned in opposing juxtaposition to the first and second latching surfaces of the first and second projections, respectively; wherein the retention member is configured with sufficient structural strength to retain the article within the open interior space when the container, in the open position, is turned upside down with the article positioned between the retention member and the bottom of the container and with the retention member engaged with the first and second projections.

2. The packaging assembly of claim 1 additionally comprising a platform member between the bottom portion of the article and the bottom of the container, the platform member maintaining a spacing between the bottom portion of the article and the bottom of the container, and wherein the platform member is formed monolithically with the top, bottom, and first, second, third and fourth sidewalls of the container.

3. The packaging assembly of claim 1, first and second panel portions comprise first and second finger grip cutouts sized to allow a user to insert a finger below the first and second latching surfaces to fold the first and second panel portions toward the folded position for disengaging the retention member from the first and second projections.

4. A packaging assembly for packaging an article and maintaining the article therein, the packaging assembly comprising: a container comprising: a top, a bottom, and first, second, third and fourth sidewalls; wherein the top is configured to be moved between opened and closed positions; wherein in the closed position, the top, bottom, first sidewall, second sidewall, third sidewall, and fourth sidewall form an enclosed interior space and in the opened position form an open interior space; wherein the top comprises first, second, third and fourth top panels that are foldable between the opened and closed positions; a first projection fixed to an inner surface of the first sidewall, the first projection comprising a first projection side surface facing toward the second sidewall and a first latching surface extending perpendicular to the first sidewall and parallel to the bottom such that the first latching surface faces toward the bottom; a second projection fixed to an inner surface of the second sidewall which is opposite to the first sidewall, the second projection comprising a second projection side surface facing toward the first sidewall and a second latching surface extending perpendicular to the second sidewall and parallel to the bottom such that the second latching surface faces toward the bottom of the container; wherein the first and second projection side surfaces are spaced apart by a first spacing and the inner surfaces of the first and second sidewalls are spaced apart by a second spacing that is larger than the first spacing; a retention member configured to engage the first and second projections to retain an article within the open interior space, the retention member comprising: a central panel portion including first and second edges, the central panel portion further comprising a resiliently deflectable portion configured to resiliently deform about at least the top portion of the article; a first panel portion attached to the first edge so as to be foldable between extended and folded positions; a second panel portion attached to the second edge so as to be foldable between extended and folded positions; wherein the first and second panel portions are biased towards the extended position; wherein the central, first, and second panel portions are sized such that then the first and second panel portions are in the extended position, an overall effective width of the retention member is about larger than the first spacing; wherein the retention member is configured with sufficient structural strength to retain the article within the open interior space when the container, in the open position, is turned upside down with the article positioned between the retention member and the bottom of the container and with the retention member engaged with the first and second projections.

5. The packaging assembly of claim 4 additionally comprising a platform member positioned in the container and between the bottom portion of the container and the first and second projections, the platform member being configured to maintain a spacing between the bottom of the container and an article within the container and wherein the platform member is formed monolithically with the container.

6. The packaging assembly of claim 4, wherein the first and second panel portions comprise first and second finger grip cutouts sized to allow a user to insert a finger below the first and second latching surfaces to fold the first and second panel portions toward the folded position for disengaging the retention member from the first and second projections.

7. The packaging assembly of claim 4 additionally comprising an article comprising a first side portion, a second side portion, a top portion and a bottom portion, wherein the article is positioned in the enclosed interior space, between the top, bottom, first sidewall, second sidewall, third sidewall, and fourth sidewall, with the first side portion juxtaposed to the first sidewall, the second side portion juxtaposed to the second sidewall, the top portion juxtaposed to the top, and the bottom portion juxtaposed to the bottom of the container.

8. The packaging assembly of claim 4, wherein the first and second projections are formed monolithically with the container.

9. The packaging assembly of claim 4, wherein the central panel portion comprises a central panel width extending between the first and second edges that is approximately equal to or less than the first spacing.

10. The packaging assembly of claim 4, wherein the central, first, and second panel portions are sized such that then the first and second panel portions are in the folded position, an overall effective width of the retention member is about equal to or less than the first spacing.

11. The packaging assembly of claim 4, wherein the retention member is sized and configured such that during insertion of the retention member into the container having an article positioned in the open interior space, the first and second panel portions make contact with the first and second projections so as to fold the first and second panel portions towards the folded position, then after the resiliently deflectable portion of the central panel portion makes contact with the top portion of the article, the first and second panel portions snap outwardly towards the extended position so as to be positioned in opposing juxtaposition to the first and second latching surfaces of the first and second projections, respectively.

12. A packaging assembly for packaging an article and maintaining the article therein, the packaging assembly comprising: a container comprising: a top, a bottom, and first, second, third and fourth sidewalls; wherein the top is configured to be moved between opened and closed positions; wherein in the closed position, the top, bottom, first sidewall, second sidewall, third sidewall, and fourth sidewall form an enclosed interior space and in the opened position form an open interior space; a retention member configured to engage the first and second sidewalls of the container so as to releaseably retain the retention member in the open interior space of the container, the retention member comprising: a central panel portion including first and second edges, the central panel portion being configured to retain an article within open interior space.

13. The packaging assembly of claim 12 additionally comprising a platform member positioned in the container, the platform member being configured to maintain a spacing between the bottom of the container and an article within the container and wherein the platform member is formed monolithically with the container.

14. The packaging assembly of claim 12, wherein the container comprises first and second projections spaced apart by a first spacing, the retention member being configured to engage the first and second projections.

15. The packaging assembly of claim 14, wherein the retention member comprises first and second panel portions sized such that then the first and second panel portions are in a folded position, an overall effective width of the retention member is about equal to or less than the first spacing.

16. The packaging assembly of claim 15, wherein the retention member is sized and configured such that during insertion of the retention member into the container having an article positioned in the open interior space, the first and second panel portions make contact with the first and second projections so as to fold the first and second panel portions towards the folded position, then after the central panel portion makes contact with a top portion of the article, the first and second panel portions snap outwardly towards an extended position so as to be positioned in opposing juxtaposition to the first and second projections, respectively.

17. The packaging assembly of claim 12, wherein the container further comprises: a first projection fixed to an inner surface of the first sidewall, the first projection comprising a first projection side surface facing toward the second sidewall and a first latching surface extending perpendicular to the first sidewall and parallel to the bottom such that the first latching surface faces toward the bottom; and a second projection fixed to an inner surface of the second sidewall which is opposite to the first sidewall, the second projection comprising a second projection side surface facing toward the first sidewall and a second latching surface extending perpendicular to the second sidewall and parallel to the bottom such that the second latching surface faces toward the bottom of the container.

18. The packaging assembly of claim 12, wherein the retention member comprises a releaseable latch configured to releaeasbly secure the retention member to the open interior space of the container.

19. The packaging assembly of claim 12, wherein the retention member comprises a first panel portion attached to the first edge so as to be foldable between extended and folded positions, a second panel portion attached to the second edge so as to be foldable between extended and folded positions, wherein the first and second panel portions are biased towards the extended position, and wherein the central, first, and second panel portions are sized such that the first and second panel portions engage the first and second sidewalls of the container when they are in the extended position.

20. The packaging assembly of claim 12, wherein the retention member is configured with sufficient structural strength to retain an article within the open interior space when the container, in the open position, is turned upside down with the article positioned between the retention member and the bottom of the container.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0033] These and other features of the inventions disclosed herein are described below with reference to the drawings of several embodiments of the present packaging assembly kits which are intended to illustrate, but not to limit, the inventions. The drawings contain the following figures:

[0034] FIG. 1 is top plan view of a retention assembly in accordance with embodiment, having a frame member and a resilient member.

[0035] FIG. 2 is a schematic, exploded, and perspective view of a retention packaging system in accordance with an embodiment, including the retention assembly of FIG. 1, an object to be packaged, and a container.

[0036] FIG. 3 is a perspective view of the retention system of FIG. 2.

[0037] FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view of FIG. 3.

[0038] FIG. 5 is a perspective view of a modification of the container illustrated in FIG. 2.

[0039] FIG. 6 is cross-sectional view of the retention assembly of FIG. 1 inserted into the container of FIG. 5;

[0040] FIG. 7 is a plan view modification of the container illustrated in FIG. 5 in which the container is unfolded and disassembled state.

[0041] FIG. 8 is a perspective view of the container of FIG. 7, in an assembled state.

[0042] FIG. 9 is top plan view of a modification of the retention member of FIG. 1.

[0043] FIG. 10 is a perspective view of the retention member of FIG. 9 in a folded state.

[0044] FIG. 11 is a perspective view of the retention member of FIG. 9 inserted into the container of FIG. 8, with an object captured there between.

[0045] FIG. 12 is a sectional view of the assembly of FIG. 11.

[0046] FIG. 13 is a plan view of an optional cradle member.

[0047] FIG. 14 is a plan view of a modification of the cradle member of FIG. 13.

[0048] FIG. 15 is a perspective view of the retainer member of FIG. 13 in a folded state.

[0049] FIG. 16 is a schematic perspective and exploded view of a packaging assembly including the retention member of FIG. 10, an object to be packaged, the cradle member of FIG. 15, and the container of FIG. 2.

[0050] FIG. 17 is a perspective view of the assembled retention assembly of FIG. 16.

[0051] FIG. 18 is a sectional view of the assembly of FIG. 17.

[0052] FIG. 19 is a plan view of a modified container that can be used in conjunction with the retention assemblies illustrated in FIGS. 1-18.

[0053] FIG. 20 is an exploded view of a modified packaging system including the container of FIG. 19 and the retention assembly of FIGS. 16-18.

[0054] FIG. 21 is a plan view of an another unassembled modified container that can be used in conjunction with the retention assemblies of FIGS. 1-20.

[0055] FIG. 22 is an exploded perspective view of the modified container of FIG. 21 with the retention assembly of FIGS. 16-18.

[0056] FIG. 23 is a plan view of an unassembled container including an embodiment of at least one of the inventions disclosed herein.

[0057] FIG. 24 is a perspective view of the container of FIG. 23 in the assembled form.

[0058] FIG. 25 is a sectional view of the container of FIGS. 23 and 24 with an article supported therein.

[0059] FIG. 26 is a plan view of a modification of the container illustrated in FIGS. 23-25, in an unassembled state.

[0060] FIG. 27 is a perspective view of the container of FIG. 26 in an assembled state.

[0061] FIG. 28 is a sectional view of a retention system including the container of FIGS. 26-27 and supporting an article therein.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0062] Embodiments of improved retention packaging systems are disclosed herein. The retention packaging systems include various combinations of one or more improved structures which can provide new alternatives to and advantages over known retention packaging systems.

[0063] In the following detailed description, terms of orientation such as top, bottom, front, upper, lower, longitudinal, horizontal, vertical, lateral, midpoint, and end may be used here to simplify the description in the context of the illustrated embodiments. Because other orientations are possible, however, the present inventions should not be limited to the illustrated orientations. Additionally, the term suspension is not intended to require that anything, such as an article to be packaged, is suspended above anything. Rather, the terms suspended as used herein, is only intended to reflect that such an article is held in a position spaced from another member, such as at least some of the walls of a container or box. Those skilled in the art will appreciate that other orientations of various components described herein are possible.

[0064] FIGS. 1-4 illustrate an embodiment of a retention packaging system 100. The retention packaging system can include a retention member 110 and a container 150 configured for packaging an article 102.

[0065] With reference to FIG. 1, the retention member 110 can be in the form of a relatively rigid frame member 112 and a resilient member 114.

[0066] The resilient member 114 can be made from any type of resilient material. In some embodiments, the resilient member 114 can be formed of one or more layers of polyethylene films, low density polyethylene (LDPE), polyurethane, TPU, or virtually any polymer, or plastic film. Density of the layers used for the resilient member 114 can be varied to provide the desired retention characteristics such as overall strength, resiliency, and vibrational response. Preferably, the density of the material used to form the resilient member 114 is chosen such that the resilient member 114 is substantially resilient when used to package a desired article 104 and subject to the loads and accelerations commonly accommodated for typical shipping applications. Such loads and accelerations are well known in the art.

[0067] The frame member 112 can be made from any kind of rigid material. In the environment of use of packaging, plain and corrugated cardboard is often appropriate. Thus, in some embodiments, the frame member 112 can be made from a corrugated structure which would normally have an inner layer, an outer layer, and an internal, corrugated structure, including, but not limited to, A-flute, B-flute, C-flute, D-flute, and E-flute cardboard. Other types of corrugated structures using cardboard packaging similar devices can also be used

[0068] In the illustrated embodiment, the frame member 112 is generally rectangular or square. Additionally, the frame member 112 can include a generally continuous outer frame portion 116 which can be considered as including end sections 118, 120 and side sections 122, 124.

[0069] The frame member 112 can also optionally include deflectable petal portions that can be configured to be effectively resiliently bendable with a bias towards a flat configuration, such as the configuration illustrated in FIGS. 1 and 2. For example, the frame member 112 can include the first concentric fold line 126 that extends around the inner periphery of the continuous frame portion 116 and a plurality of scores or cut lines 128. Together, the fold line 126 and cut lines 128 can generate four petal portions 130, 132, 134, 136. Under load, the petal portions 130, 132, 134, 136 can bend about the fold line 126 and the cut lines 128 allow the petal portions to separate from one another. As such, the petal portions 130, 132, 134, 136 can act as leaf springs in use. This can provide additional resilient retention and a centering effect on the article 102, in use.

[0070] Optionally, the frame member can include additional fold lines for enhancing the progressive deflection of the petal portions 130, 132, 134, 136. For example, but without limitation, member 112 can include additional fold lines 137, 138, 140, and 142. These additional fold lines 137, 138, 140, 142 provide an additional segmentation and articulation of the petal portions 130, 132, 134, 136 providing a more progressive deflection and resilient effect in use.

[0071] The resilient member 114 can be attached to the frame member 112 in any known manner. For example, the resilient member 114 can be heat sealed, stapled, or glued to the frame member 112, or the resilient member 114 can be provided with pockets extending over a portion of the frame member 112. In the illustrated embodiment, ends of the resilient member 112 are secured to the end portions 118, 120 of the frame member 112 at secured portions 144, 146, respectively.

[0072] The frame member 112 can have overall dimensions, such as a length 113 and a width 115, that a configured to cooperate with the container 150 to provide optional advantages.

[0073] With continued reference to FIG. 2, the container 150 can have any type of configuration including those with boxes designed as display boxes, shipping boxes, or boxes for temporary storage. The illustrated container 150 includes a bottom 152, a first side wall 154, a second side wall 156, a third side wall 158, and a fourth side wall 160.

[0074] The container 150 can also include a top 162 that can be considered as being formed by a plurality of foldable panels. In the illustrated embodiment, top 162 includes foldable panels 164, 166, 168, and 170. The bottom 152 can also be made up of a plurality of foldable panels referred to generally as panels 172.

[0075] The illustrated embodiment of the container 150 can be a conventional design.

[0076] The container 150 can be considered as including an internal cavity having an inner length 74 and an inner width 176. As noted above, optionally, the outer dimensions 113, 115 of the retention member 110 can be sized so as to form an advantageous engagement with the container 150. For example, in some embodiments, one or both of the length and width 113, 115 of the retention member 110 can be approximately the same as or slightly larger than the inner length and width 174, 176 of the container 150. For example, the length and width 113, 115 could be one to three millimeters larger than the length and width 174, 176 of the container 150. Other dimensions can also be used to provide the desired amount of engagement.

[0077] With such a configuration, the retention member 110 can be used to capture an article 102 between the resilient member 114 and the bottom 152 of the container 150. For example, as shown in FIG. 3, the retention member 110 has been inserted into the container 150 with the article 102 captured between the resilient member 114 and the bottom 152. Due to the configuration of the length and width 113, 115 noted above, the retention member 110 is engaged with the inner walls of the container 150 so as to be contained within the container 150 in the illustrated position (FIG. 3) due to the interference between the side edges of the retention member 110 and the inner surfaces of the container 150.

[0078] For example, as shown in FIG. 4, because the width 115 is slightly larger than the width 176, the continuous portion 116 of the frame member 112 generates an interference fit in the areas as identified generally by the reference numerals 180, 182. The interference is illustrated as a slight compression and bulging outwardly of the container walls 154 and 158 due to the width 115 being larger than the width 176. The magnitude of the deflection and compression presented in FIG. 4 is exaggerated for purposes of illustration. The strength of the engagement of the retention member 110 can be controlled by the magnitude of the difference at i.e. the magnitude of the amount by which width 115 is greater than width 176.

[0079] With continued reference to FIGS. 3 and 4, with the retention member 110 engaged in the position illustrated in FIGS. 3 and 4, in which the article 102 is captured between the resilient member 114 and the bottom 152, the system 100 (FIG. 3) can be moved along and continue a packaging process, for example, along a conveyor belt (not shown) during which additional object might be inserted into the open container 150.

[0080] In such an environment, the retention member 110, in the open configuration illustrated in FIG. 3, can be bumped and subject to other impacts and loads which could potentially cause items within the container 150 to be dislodged. However, by configuring the retention member 110 and the container 150 so as to generate the preferred amount of engagement, the retention member 110 and the article 102 can remain stationary during the associated packaging process, during which additional items may be placed within the container 150. After the container 150 has been filled with the desired items, the top panels 164, 166, 168, 170 can be folded downwardly and closed to form a top 162, in a manner known in the art.

[0081] One of the optional advantages of system 100 is that the retention member 110 can be engaged with the container 150, as described above, without the need for any additional adhesives, fasteners, tape, or anything further. Rather, once inserted into the position illustrated in FIGS. 3 and 4, retention member 110 can remain in place, even when subjected to impacts or other loads.

[0082] FIGS. 5 and 6 illustrate a modification of the retention packaging system 100, identified generally by the reference numeral 200. Parts, features, and components of the retention system 200 can be the same or similar to those of the retention packaging system 100, and thus are identified with the same reference numeral, except that the quantity 100 has been added thereto.

[0083] As illustrated in FIGS. 5 and 6, the retention system 200 can include a container 250 having essentially the same configuration as the container 150, except that side walls 254, 258 include projecting portions 255, 259, respectively. On each of the side walls 254, 258, two different projections are illustrated, one illustrated in solid line at a lower position, and one at an upper position, to illustrate that the projecting portions 255, 259 can be in any location on the side walls 254, 258. In the illustrated embodiment, the protruding portions 255, 259 extend inwardly from the inner surfaces of the walls 254, 258. Thus, as illustrated in FIG. 6, the projecting portions 255, 259 define an inner width 277 that is smaller than the inner width 276 between the inner surfaces of the side walls 254, 258. In some embodiments, the projecting portions 255, 259 can be in the form of a small amount of glue applied to the inner surfaces of the side walls 254, 258. In such embodiments, the glue itself can be hardened into a sufficiently large projection to engage the retention member 210, as described herein.

[0084] Additionally, as shown in FIG. 6, the width 215 of the retention member 210 is greater than the width 277, but smaller than the width 276. As such, the retention member 210 can be captured within the container 250 by the protruding portions 255, 259. For example, in use, the article 102 can be placed in the container 250, on the bottom wall 252 and then the retention member 210 can be placed over the article 102. By angling and/or pressing the outer peripheral frame portion 216 of the retention member 210, the retention member 210 can generate a snap fit with the protruding portions 255, 259, snapping into place and the retention member 214 stretches over the article 102, until the orientation illustrated in FIG. 6 is reached.

[0085] In the configuration illustrated in FIG. 6, the article 102 is captured between the resilient member 214 and the bottom wall 252 of the container 250. Thus, as with the system 100, the container 250, article 102 and retention member 210 can progress in a packaging process in which additional items may be placed within the interior space of the container 250 before the top 262 is closed, with the article 102 remaining securely captured between the bottom wall 252 and the retention member 210.

[0086] The protruding portions 255, 259 can be formed in any manner. For example, additional objects can be mounted to the side walls 254, 258 with any known technique, for example, but without limitation, bonding with adhesive, fasteners, heat sealing, staples, or other techniques. Additionally, other protruding portions can also be provided, for example, on side walls 256 and 260.

[0087] FIGS. 7-12 illustrate yet another modification of the retention system 100, identified generally by the reference numeral 300. Parts, features, components of the retention system 300 can be the same or similar to that of the retention systems 100, or 200, and thus are identified with the same reference numerals, except that quantity 100 has been added thereto.

[0088] With reference to FIG. 8, the container 350 includes protruding portions 355, 359 (FIG. 12) optionally formed with integrated portions of the side walls 354, 358.

[0089] With reference to FIG. 7 the container 350 can be formed from a single piece of material, such as corrugated cardboard which is common in the packaging industry. FIG. 7 shows a layout of a flat piece of corrugated cardboard that can be used to form the container 350. As shown in FIG. 7, the side walls 354, 356, 358, 360 can all be generally formed of a single continuous piece of material. The top foldable panels 364, 366, 368, 370 and the bottom panels 372 can all be cut so that they are separated from one another but remining connected to the side walls 354, 356, 358, 360 along fold lines, as is typical in the packaging arts.

[0090] The top panel 364, 368 can be subdivided into three folding panels for example, the top panel 364 is subdivided into portions 364A, 364B and 364C. Similarly, the top panel 368 is subdivided into panel portions 368A, 368B, and 368C. Ultimately, the free edges of portions 364C and 368C will form the protruding portions 355 and 359, respectively.

[0091] Additionally, optionally, the portion 364C can include a clearance notch 365 and the panel portion 368C can include a similar or the same clearance notch 369. Clearance notches 365, 369 can provide clearance for a user to insert their finger to remove the retention member 310 from the container 350, described in greater detail below. An anchor tab 351 can extend from one end of the panel for purposes of forming the container 350 into an assembled state, such as that illustrated in FIG. 8, as is well known in the art.

[0092] With reference to FIG. 8, when assembled, the panel of cardboard illustrated in FIG. 7 is folded at the side walls, 354, 356, 358, 360 form a rectangular interior space, with the anchor tab 351 secured to the side wall 360.

[0093] Additionally, in order to orient the protruding portion 355 in the operative orientation, the portion 364B is folded onto the panel portion 364A and the portion 364C is partly overlapped with a portion of side wall 354. Optionally, the panel 364 can be folded and secured as such with glue, for example, adhering the portion 364C to the portion of side wall 354 in the hatched area as illustrated in FIG. 7. The panel 368 can also be folded in a similar manner.

[0094] With reference to FIG. 12, with the panels 364, 368 folded as such, the protruding portions 355, 359 are oriented with a free edge facing generally downwardly, as viewed in FIGS. 8, 11, and 12. Additionally, where optional clearance notches 365, 369 are included, the clearance notches 365, 369 face downwardly as viewed in FIG. 12.

[0095] The retention system 300 can also include a modified retention member, identified generally by the reference numeral 310 in FIG. 9. As shown in FIG. 9, the retention member can be formed of a retention frame 312 which includes a continuous frame portion 316 and petal portions 330, 332, 334, 336 as described above with reference to FIG. 1.

[0096] Additionally, the retention member 310 can include additional side wall panels 341, 343, 345, and 347. The side panels 341, 343, 345, 347 can all be connected to the peripheral frame portion 316 by fold lines. Additionally, in the illustrated embodiment, the resilient member 314 is secured to the panels 341, 345 at portions 318, 320, respectively.

[0097] With reference to FIG. 10, when the panels 341 and 345 are folded to put tension into the resilient member 314, the retention member 310 can be considered as forming a length 313 and a width 315.

[0098] With reference to FIG. 12, the width 315 can be greater than, about the same as, or less than the width 376. Where the width 315 is less than the width 376, the panels 341, 345 can be configured with an outward bias, so as to maintain the panels 341, 345 in an outwardly deflected orientation, e.g., into contact with the side walls 354, 358, respectively. Thus, in any of the embodiments where the width 315 is greater than, about the same as, or less than the width 376, the protruding portions 355, 359 would be in an abutting orientation with upper edges of the panels 341, 345, as illustrated in FIG. 12.

[0099] Optionally, fold lines 321, 323 can be configured to provide an outward bias of the panels 341, 345. This can be accomplished by using one of many known techniques for forming cardboard boxes and predetermined fold lines with various different techniques. For example, cardboard can be crushed with a straight edge from a localized deformation of the corrugated inner layer of the cardboard, which thereby causes the cardboard to be preferentially folded along the fold line where the fold line acts more or less like a hinge. Depending on how the fold line is created, the material can still have a bias towards an unfolded state. Thus, in the orientations in FIG. 12, when the panels 341, 345 are bent towards about the fold lines, 321, 323, they can remain with an outward bias. Other types of fold lines or biasing structures can also be used.

[0100] With reference to FIG. 12, when the panels 341, 345 are folded upwardly, as viewed in FIG. 12, material at the fold lines 321, 323 tends to gather and interfere, thereby providing resistance against the panels 341, 345 to being bent inwardly. Thus, depending on the configuration of the fold lines 321, 323, the panels 341, 345 can be biased by the fold lines 321, 323 outwardly, against the side walls 354, 358 with a desired magnitude of bias, sufficient to maintain the panels 341, 345 in the desired, e.g., latched position, even when subject to significant loads. Thus, the magnitude of the bias can be sufficiently large that the effect of a g-force applied and the mass of the panels 341, 345 does not result in the panels 341, 345 from moving inwardly into an unlatched position that would allow the article 102 and/or the retention member 310 from being dislodged from the container 350.

[0101] This can provide an optional additional benefit. For example, as the retention member 310 is inserted into the container 350, the protruding portions 355, 359 can cause the panels 341, 345 to bend inwardly about the fold lines 321, 323, respectively. Then, as the retention member 310 is pushed further downwardly into the position illustrated in FIG. 12, the outward bias of the panels 341, 345 would cause the panels 341, 345 to snap into the latched or interfering position in which the upper edges of the panels 341, 345 are oriented in an abutting juxtaposed orientation relative to the protruding portion 355, 359. For example, during such an insertion procedure, the panels 341, 345 can snap into place, thereby providing a biased-latching function for retaining the retention member 310 in the position illustrated in FIG. 12. Thus, the article 102 remains captured between the stretched resilient member 314 and the bottom wall 352.

[0102] As noted above with reference to FIG. 7, the container 350 can include clearance notches 365, 369 which would be downward-facing in the orientation of FIG. 12. As such, the clearance notches 365, 369 can be sized to allow a user to insert their finger between the protruding portion 355 and the upper edge of the panel 341 to thereby facilitate the inward deflection of the panel 341 for removal of the retention member 310 from the container 350.

[0103] FIGS. 13-18 illustrate yet another modification of the retention packaging system 100, identified generally by the reference numeral 400 (FIGS. 17 and 18). The system 400 can include an optional cradle member 500 that can fit within the container 450 and provide protruding portions 455, 459 for retaining the retention member 410 within the container 450.

[0104] With reference to FIGS. 13-14, the cradle member 500 can be formed from the same material as the retention member 410 or the container 450, or a different material. In the illustrated embodiment, the cradle member 500 is made from corrugated cardboard. As shown in FIG. 13, the cradle member includes a central panel 510, intermediate panels 512, 514 attached to the central panel with fold lines 516 and 518 respectively. Additionally, the cradle member includes end panels 520 and 522 connected to the intermediate panels 512 and 514 with fold lines 524, 526 respectively. Optionally, the cradle member 500 can include clearance notches 565, 569. The central panel 510 can have generally the same dimensions as the bottom wall 452. In some embodiments, the cradle member 500 can be sized such that when folded, the outer dimensions of the central panel 510 have a width 516 that is about the same as or slightly larger than the inner width 476 of the container 450 and/or the length 513 can be the same as or slightly larger than the inner length 474 of the container 450. As such, the cradle member 500 can be configured to form an interference fit with the container 450 when inserted, similar to the manner described above with reference to FIG. 4. As such, the cradle member 500 can be inserted into a flat-walled box or container and form protruding portions 455, 459 in an orientation that can cooperate with the retention member 410 such that the retention member 410 can be inserted into the container 450 and into the cradle member 500, so as to form a latching and optionally removable engagement therewith, described in greater detail below with reference to FIG. 18.

[0105] For example, with reference to FIG. 16, cradle member can be folded and inserted into the container 450 with the intermediate panels 512, 514 generally parallel and juxtaposed to the side walls 454, 458 of the container 450, respectively. As such, the article 102 can be placed onto the central panel 510 of the cradle member 500 and the retention member 410 can be inserted into the container 450 so as to capture the article 102 between the upper surface of the central panel 510 and the resilient member 414.

[0106] As shown in FIG. 18, with the cradle member 500 slip-fit into the container 450, the retention member 410 can be inserted into the cradle member 500 in the same manner described above with regard to the retention member 310 being inserted into the container 350. As such, during insertion, the side panels 441, 445 of the retention member 410 can be bent inwardly, and then as the retention member 410 is pressed downwardly into the container 450, the outward bias of the panels 441, 445 cause them to snap into place, into the orientation illustrated in FIG. 18, and thus latch the retention member 410 into the cradle member 500 and thereby secure the retention member 410 and article 102 within the container 450.

[0107] As an alternative to the use of adhesive for securing the panels 520, 522 to the panels 512, 514, respectively, as shown in FIG. 14, a variation of the cradle member 500, identified generally by the reference numeral 570 can include other fastening techniques.

[0108] As shown in FIG. 14, the cradle member 570 can include locking apertures 571 on the panel portions 573 and 574 and locking tabs 575 on the end panel portions 576, 577. Thus, when folded as described above with reference to FIGS. 13 and 15, the locking tabs 575 can be inserted into the apertures 571 and thus retain the cradle member 570 in the folded configuration described above with reference to cradle member 500 in FIGS. 16, 17 and 18.

[0109] FIGS. 19-20 illustrate yet another modification of the retention system 100, identified generally by the reference numeral 600 (FIG. 20). Parts, features, components of the retention system 600 can be the same or similar to that of the retention assemblies 100-500 and, thus, are identified with the same reference numerals, except that the quantity 100 has been added thereto.

[0110] FIG. 19 shows a layout of a flat piece of corrugated cardboard that can be used to form a container 650. As shown in FIG. 19, the cardboard member forming the container 650 includes sidewall portions 654, 656, 658, 660 and a lid portion 662. The sidewall portions 654 and 658 are configured to form protruding portions 655 and 659 (FIG. 20), described in greater detail below.

[0111] In the illustrated configuration of FIG. 19, the lid portion 662 is configured as a tab-lock lid. Thus, the lid portion 662 includes a main central panel 664 and a sidewall engaging portion 668 with arcuately-shaped tabs 670 that are configured to slide into slots formed by the sidewall portions 654, 658, which is a configuration that is well known in the art.

[0112] Optionally, the sidewall portions 656, 660 can include adhesive portion 672 or tab configuration 674 for securing the container 650 in the assembled state as illustrated in FIG. 20.

[0113] To assemble the container 650, the flattened member of FIG. 19 is first folded such that the sidewall portions 656, 660 are folded upwardly with their end-tab portions folded inwardly such that the sidewall portions 656, 660 are perpendicular to a bottom panel portion 661. Then, the sidewall portions 654, 658 are folded upwardly, and the extreme ends of the sidewall portions 658, 654 are folded downwardly over the end-tab portions of the sidewall portions 656, 660 in a manner known in the art. In this configuration, the container 650 includes open slots 680, 682 (FIG. 20) formed between the sidewall portions 654, 658 and the end tabs of the sidewall portions 656, 660, as is well known in the art. In this configuration, the lid portion 662 can then be folded over the top edges of the sidewalls with the arcuately-shaped tabs 670 inserted into the slots 680, 682.

[0114] Additionally, this configuration, as noted above, with the sidewall portions 654, 658 folded as described above, the edges of the sidewall portions 654, 658 form the protruding portions 655, 659 which can be used to retain the retention member 410, in the same manner described above with regard to the preceding embodiments, for packaging an article 102.

[0115] FIGS. 21-22 illustrate yet another modification of the retention system 100, identified generally by the reference numeral 700 (FIG. 22). Parts, features, components of the retention assembly 700 can be the same or similar to that of the retention systems 100-600 and thus, are identified with the same reference numerals, except that quantity 100 has been added thereto.

[0116] FIG. 21 illustrates a layout of a flat piece of corrugated cardboard that can be used to form the container 750. As shown in FIG. 21, the container includes sidewall portions 754, 756, 758, and 760. The container 650 also includes a lid portion 762.

[0117] In this embodiment, the container 750 is provided with locking tabs for the sidewall portions 754, 758. For example, the bottom wall portion 761 includes apertures 761a, 761b. The sidewall portions 754, 758 include locking tab protrusions 754a and 758a. Additionally, the sidewall portions 754, 758 include lateral extensions 755 and 759, respectively.

[0118] In the assembled configuration, the sidewalls 756, 760 are folded upwardly relative to the bottom panel 761, and the side tabs are folded inwardly. Additionally, the sidewall portions 754, 758 are then folded upwardly, and the end portions of the sidewall portions 754, 758 are folded downwardly over the side tabs of the sidewall portions 756, 760 such that the locking tabs 754a, 758a are engaged with the apertures 761a, 761b, respectively, in a manner well known in the art. In this configuration, the arcuate side tabs 770 of the lid portion 762 can be inserted into slots 780, 782, so as to lock the lid 762 in the closed orientation.

[0119] With continuing reference to FIG. 22, the side tab protrusions 755, 759 form protruding portions 655, 659, along the sidewalls 756, 760 which can be used to engage with the retention member 410 for packaging the article 102.

[0120] FIGS. 23-25 illustrate yet another modification of the retention system 100, identified generally by the reference number 800. Parts, features, components of the retention assembly 800 can be the same or similar to that of the retention assemblies 100-700 and, thus, are identified with the same reference numerals, except that the quantity 100 has been added thereto.

[0121] With reference to FIGS. 24 and 25, the container 850 of the retention system 800 includes optional cushioning structures 851, 853 that can be incorporated into the container as integrated components.

[0122] With reference to FIG. 23, the container 850 can be formed from a single piece of material, such as corrugated cardboard which is commonly used in the packaging industry. FIG. 23 illustrates a layout of a flat piece of corrugated cardboard that can be used to form the container 850. As shown in FIG. 23, the sidewalls 854, 856, 858, 860 can all be generally formed of a single, continuous piece of material. The top foldable panels 864, 866, 868, 870 and the bottom panels 872a, 872b, 872c and 872d can all be cut so that they are separated from one another but remaining connected to the sidewalls 854, 856, 858, 860 along fold lines, as is typical in the packaging arts.

[0123] The top panels 864, 866, 868, 870 can be considered as serving as major and minor flaps, as referred to commonly in the packaging industry. For example, where the top panels 864 and 868 are folded inwardly first in use, they would form a first inner layer within the container, and the remaining top panels 866, 870 can be folded on top of panels 864, 868, and thereby serve as major flaps.

[0124] Similarly, the bottom panels 872a, 872b, 872c, 872d can be paired into major and minor flaps. In the illustrated embodiment, the flaps 872b and 872d serve as the minor flaps and include additional features for forming the cushioning structures 851, 853, respectively (FIG. 24).

[0125] For example, in some embodiments, minor flaps 872b and 872d can have an extended length compared to that of the major flaps 872a, 872c. Additionally, the minor flaps 872b, 872d can include additional fold lines to provide for convenient and preferential folding into a desired shape of the cushioning structures 851, 853. For example, in some embodiments, the minor flap 872b includes fold lines 872b1 and 872b2. Optionally, the minor flap 872b can include an additional fold line 872b3. In some embodiments, the minor panel 872b includes only a single additional fold line, for example, only one of fold lines 872b1 or 872b2 or other fold lines. Optionally, the minor flap 872d can also include optional combinations of additional fold lines 872d1, 872d2, and 872d3.

[0126] When assembled into the configuration illustrated in FIG. 24, the minor flaps 872b and 872d are first folded inwardly into the interior of the container 850, and the major flaps 872a, 872c are then folded beneath the minor flaps 872b, 872d, so as to form the outer wall of the bottom of the container 850.

[0127] The minor flap 872b can be folded along fold lines 872b1 and 872b2, so as to form a structure doubled back upon itself, thereby forming a first lower inner wall portion and a second upper inner wall portion spaced apart by the distance defined between the fold lines 872b1, 872b2. Further, optionally, the minor flap 872b can be folded along fold line 872b3, so as to form an additional surface that can be adhered to the inner sidewall 856 of the container 850, so as to secure the cushioning structure 851 in the desired configuration. The minor flap 872d can be folded in the same or a similar way to form the cushioning structure 853.

[0128] In the sectional view of FIG. 25, the major flaps 872a, 872b form the outer lower wall of the bottom of the container 850 (the top flaps 864, 866, 868, 870 are removed for simplicity).

[0129] In the assembled configuration of FIG. 25, the minor flap 872b1 forms a first lower inner wall 890 between the sidewall 856 and the fold line 872b1, a spacer wall 892 between the fold lines 872b1 and 872b2, and an upper wall portion 894 spaced from the lower wall 890 by the spacer wall 892. The optional fold line 872b3 can be used to form an engagement tab 896, for example, with optional attachment to sidewall 856 with an adhesive or other attachment structure, device or method. The cushioning structure 853 can be formed in a similar manner with the minor flap 872d.

[0130] In these configurations, the cushioning structures 851, 853 can be conveniently formed by simply folding portions of a single continuous piece of corrugated cardboard to form an entire container having fully enclosed sides and bottoms as well as integrated cushioning structures. The position and shape of the cushioning structures 851, 853 can vary in accordance with desired performance characteristics.

[0131] FIGS. 26-28 illustrate yet another modification of the retention system 100, identified generally by the reference numeral 900. Parts, features, and components of the retention system 900 can be the same or similar to that of retention systems 100-800 and, thus, are identified with the same reference numerals, except that quantity 100 has been added thereto.

[0132] The retention system 900 includes a container 950 having protruding portions 955, 959, such as those included in the retention system 300 (FIGS. 7-12), as well as the integrally formed cushioning structures 951, 953 of the embodiment of the retention system 800 of FIGS. 23-25.

[0133] For example, as shown in FIG. 26, the material forming the container 950 can include flaps 964, 966, 968, 970 attached to sidewalls 954, 956, 958, 960, respectively. In the illustrated embodiment, top flaps 964, 968 include a configuration for forming protruding portions 955, 959. Additionally, the top flaps 964, 968 can also include optional notches 965, 969.

[0134] Further, the lower flaps of the container 950 include major flaps 972a, 972c and minor flaps 972b, 972d. The minor flaps 972b can include any combination of optional fold lines 972b1, 972b2, 972b3. Similarly, the minor flap 972d can include any combination of optional fold lines 972d1, 972d2, 972d3.

[0135] In use, the material forming the container 950 can be folded, as described in previously described embodiments, to form a container including both optional cushion structures 951, 953 and protruding portions 955, 959 which can be used for engaging a retention member 410 for packaging an article 102.

[0136] For example, as shown in FIG. 28, the article 102 is supported by cushioning structures 951, 953 on the lower portion of the container 950 and retained in the illustrated position by the retention member 410, which is held in place by engagement with protruding portions 955, 959. The remainder of the upper flaps 964, 966, 968, 970 have been removed for simplicity.

[0137] While several embodiments are presented in the foregoing detailed description, a vast number of variations exist. The embodiments described herein are not intended to limit the scope, applicability, or configuration of the claimed subject matter in any way. Rather, the foregoing detailed description provides those skilled in the art with a convenient road map for implementing the described embodiments. Various changes can be made in the function and arrangement of elements without departing from the scope defined by any claims, which includes known equivalents and foreseeable equivalents at the time of filing this patent application.