Abstract: The invention is concerned with a packaging insert device adapted to prevent contact between a product and its container so as to support the product in a position in which shocks to the packaged product caused by, for example, dropping the package, are absorbed by the resilient properties of stiffly resilient lightweight plastics spacer devices received in apertures formed in end panel pieces, collars and the like formed of cardboard or other suitable insert material. A spacer device may comprise at least one protuberance projecting from a plate member and passing through a respective aperture of the plate member. Preferably multiple spacer devices comprise two or more plate members joined at a hinge line so that the plate members can be arranged, for example, into an L-shape to bridge corners and abutting edges of said end pieces or collars.