Abstract: A formed piece comprises a substantially cylindrical outer surface layer of sheet material extending along a longitudinal axis of the formed piece from a first end to a second end of the formed piece, and inner layers of sheet material within the outer surface layer randomly arranged and creating air gaps between at least a portion of the inner layers. The surface layer and inner layers of sheet material are twisted around the longitudinal axis of the formed piece and along the length of the longitudinal axis.

Abstract: A package blank is provided including a wrapping material and a substantially deformable inner material. The wrapping material consists of a resilient film having a sealed inner space. The inner material consists of particles accommodated within the sealed inner space. At least one article is surrounded by the package blank. During a package forming process, pressure is reduced within the inner space and the article is surrounded by the blank. The pressure reduction causes the wrapping material to tightly encircle the article, the inner material to be stiffened, and the particles to be substantially immobilized relative to each other. A stiffening plate included on a surface of the wrapping material is adapted to receive a piercing device during the package forming process. The piercing device penetrates the wrapping material and the stiffening plate and establishes a communication between the sealed inner space and a vacuum creating mechanism.