Abstract: The invention relates to protective devices for use in packaging and seeks to improve on known padded packaging and those employing deformable members such as plastics beads. The object of the invention is to provide packaging employing deformable members that can be manufactured employing conventional machinery. The object is met by a construction comprising a number of cushions of non-porous plastics material containing resiliently deformable members and connected together to enable an item to be protected to be embraced between the cushions, the connection between the cushions allowing movement of air between the cushions, and a valve in the outer face of one of the cushions, to enable air to be extracted from the cushions when an item is embraced between them and cause the resiliently deformable members to form into a rigid state.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a protective device. The protective device includes a fluid sealable envelope of a non-porous material. The envelope has a plurality of resiliently deformable members and is designed to have a fluid evacuated state in which the plurality of resiliently deformable members forms into a rigid state within the envelope. The device includes sealing means to retain the envelope in the fluid evacuated state. The device also includes a porous inner lining designed to accommodate an object to be protected.