Abstract: A packaging apparatus for forming a film about a foldable sheet material and an article immobilized on the base portion of the sheet material. The sheet material and article on a load board are moved sequentially by the apparatus through a load station, a film wrap station and a film seal and cut station.

Abstract: A thermoformer, which produces zero scrap during the heating, forming and cutting of a blister package uses a precut roll having a series of adjacent webs connected by a cut area. Each of the webs are defined by an overall length L, a width W, and a radius R. Each of the cut areas are defined by a cut depth D1, said cut depth D1 being in the range of about 25% to 90% of the width W of the webs. The thermoformer further comprises a heating station adapted to heat each of the webs, a forming station adapted to form each of the webs, and a cutting station adapted to separate the webs from each other, by making a cut along each of the cut areas connecting the webs.

Abstract: The present invention is a thermoformer which produces zero scrap during the heating, forming and cutting of a blister package. In one embodiment, the thermoformer comprises a precut roll having a series of adjacent webs connected by a cut area. Each of the webs are defined by an overall length L, a width W, and a radius R. Each of the cut areas are defined by a cut depth D1, said cut depth D1 being in the range of about 25% to 90% of the width W of the webs. The thermoformer further comprises a heating station adapted to heat each of the webs. The thermoformer further comprises a forming station adapted to form each of the webs. The thermoformer further comprises a cutting station adapted to separate the webs from each other, by making a cut along each of the cut areas connecting the webs.

Abstract: A package kit to immobilize and package an article, which kit comprises a sheet material with a base portion for the article and a film tube. The sheet material has fold lines to provide for box sections at each end, which are arranged and constructed to move between a planar, nonuse position and a raised, use position to retain an article there between and on the surface of the film material of the film tube.

Abstract: The present invention is an article packaging system which can be easily recycled. In one embodiment, the packaging of an article comprises a sheet member comprising a base portion and first and second end portions foldable with respect to the base portion, and a film member comprising a first end portion and a second end portion, the first and second end portions being removably attached to the first and second end portions of the sheet member, respectively. More particularly, the first and second end portions of the film member comprise a pocket adapted to engage with the first and second end portions of the sheet material, respectively. In operation, the film member and the sheet member may be separated from each other after use for recycling.

Abstract: An article packaging kit, system and method which includes a stiff sheet material (30), with a base portion (49), with a longitudinal fold line (32), and foldable, longitudinal, opposing end portions (35, 37), and a film tube containing (28) a sealable envelop for the insertion and sealing of an article (40). The article is inserted and sealed in the envelope of the film tube, and is immobilized by the film material of the film tube on the base portion of the sheet material.

Abstract: A package, system and method for the protective covering and immobilization of an article for packaging. The package comprises a base with tension-biased flaps to support the article within the base and side panels from the base to extend above the packaged article. The package includes end-secured, overlapped film layers with an overlap area and an overlap slot to permit the article to be inserted in or removed from the suspension position in the base.