Abstract: A method and apparatus are disclosed for locking at least two safety retainers together. Each safety retainer has a pallet-attached base and a ramp-attached mating bracket. Each safety retainer includes a base and a bracket. Each bracket is coupled to a ramp that is can be removably attached to a pallet. Each base includes a retaining arm for locking the base to the bracket when the ramp is coupled to the pallet. A locking mechanism is capable of being temporarily coupled to a first retaining arm in a first safety retainer and a second retaining arm in a second safety retainer for locking the retaining arms together. The first and second retaining arms must operate as a single unit, and cannot be moved independently, when the locking mechanism is coupled to the first and second retaining arms. The first and second retaining arms operate independently as separate units when the locking mechanism is not coupled to the first and second retaining arms.

Abstract: A product package clip has tamper evident protection which is formed integrally with the clip. Breakage of frangible connectors indicates that the clip, and thus the package, has been the target of tampering.

Abstract: A method for using a rollover shipping cushion is presented. The cushion is formed by folding, in a specific manner, a single sheet of die-cut corrugated fiberboard to create the cushion. When properly folded, the cushion includes a central shipping cavity that is surrounded by shock-absorbing tubes on all six sides of the central shipping cavity. An item is then placed within the central shipping cavity for shipment.

Abstract: A method and system is presented for ensuring that a latch securing a ramp to a pallet is properly aligned and seated before a product can be offloaded from the pallet and down the ramp. The system uses a latching system that has a pallet-attached base and a ramp-attached mating bracket. The pallet-attached base has two rods. The first rod has a retainer arm that is restricted by the second rod to a vertical position, thus preventing a shipment on the pallet from reaching the ramp. The second rod has a thin portion and a thick portion. The second rod must be laterally moved such that the mating bracket mates only with the thin portion of the rod. This lateral movement moves the second rod away from the first rod's retainer arm, thus allowing the retainer arm to fold down.

Abstract: A cushion apparatus that may be advantageously utilized as an end cap for packaging shock sensitive products is disclosed herein. In one embodiment, the cushion apparatus includes a base member having one or more side walls having inner product bearing surfaces defining a product receiving cavity. The product receiving cavity has an open bottom end through which the product is received and an opposing top end. An axial deflection member is disposed over the top end of the receiving cavity. The axial deflection member is an arc-shaped elastic material member arching over the top end of the product receiving cavity. In one embodiment, the cushion apparatus further includes multiple radial deflection members extending radially from the base member to define a multi-sided bearing support perimeter having multiple corners.

Abstract: A packaging material which impart fragility capability and is easily manufactured and handled in preparing a product for shipment. The material is fabricated as a planar body having fold lines on which the body may be folded to encircle a product being packaged. The planar body is formed with locking features which enable a handler to easily secure the material about the packaged product and with defined openings facilitating handling.

Abstract: An apparatus and method are disclosed for cutting a corner post. The apparatus includes a blade disposed within the apparatus. A piston is coupled to the blade for actuating the blade. A trigger switch is coupled to the piston. The piston causes the blade to actuate when the trigger is depressed. The apparatus includes an opening through the apparatus for receiving the corner post through the opening. The blade is actuated to move through the opening and cut through the corner post.

Abstract: A method and apparatus are disclosed for locking at least two safety retainers together. Each safety retainer has a pallet-attached base and a ramp-attached mating bracket. Each safety retainer includes a base and a bracket. Each bracket is coupled to a ramp that is can be removably attached to a pallet. Each base includes a retaining arm for locking the base to the bracket when the ramp is coupled to the pallet. A locking mechanism is capable of being temporarily coupled to a first retaining arm in a first safety retainer and a second retaining arm in a second safety retainer for locking the retaining arms together. The first and second retaining arms must operate as a single unit, and cannot be moved independently, when the locking mechanism is coupled to the first and second retaining arms. The first and second retaining arms operate independently as separate units when the locking mechanism is not coupled to the first and second retaining arms.

Abstract: An end cap which imparts fragility capability and which derives favorable characteristics by combining several cushioning effects. In particular, the end cap of this invention achieves cushioning by combining the effects of material compression, deformation of an arch, an expansion of contact area as cushioning occurs.

Abstract: Apparatus and method is provided for reliably testing a quality level of bead fusion in molded foam parts. Such apparatus may be portable and hand-held, and the test procedure will not destroy or damage tested products. In a useful embodiment comprising apparatus for monitoring quality of a molded foam part, an insertion device introduces a stream of selected gas under pressure into the interior of the molded foam part. The insertion device may include a thin nozzle to be inserted into the part. Poorly fused beads allow a faster flow rate of the gas than well fused beads, since the poor fusion will provide more openings for the gas to escape. Accordingly, the embodiment includes a sensor for measuring the flow rate of the stream of gas, as the stream is introduced into the part interior.

Abstract: A pallet and a method of building a pallet is provided. The pallet includes a first deck, a second deck, and at least one pallet block connecting the first deck and the second deck. The pallet also includes a sleeve that is disposed around the at least one pallet block, wherein the sleeve comprises an inner wall having a first cross-sectional shape, and wherein the sleeve further comprises an outer wall having a second cross-sectional shape, wherein the first cross-sectional shape is different than the second cross-sectional shape.

Abstract: The aspects of the present invention provides for an apparatus for conveying air into foam so that the flow of air within the foam may be monitored to determine one or more characteristics of the foam. The apparatus includes a nozzle and an adjustable member having a substantially planar surface. The nozzle is configured for operative connection to an air flow meter. The nozzle includes a tube sized and dimensioned to be inserted easily into the foam. The tube has a wall and an aperture formed in the wall. The aperture is sized and dimensioned to allow air to flow through the aperture and into the foam, and the aperture extends partially about the circumference of the tube. The adjustable member is operatively connected to the nozzle. The member adjusts axially to control the depth of insertion into the foam.

Abstract: The aspects of the present invention provide for an apparatus for conveying air into foam so that the flow of air within the foam may be monitored to determine one or more characteristics of the foam. The apparatus includes a nozzle and a member having a substantially planar surface. The nozzle includes a tube sized and dimensioned to be inserted easily into the foam. The tube has a wall and an aperture formed in the wall. The aperture is sized and dimensioned to allow air to flow through the aperture and into the foam, and the aperture extends partially about the circumference of the tube. The member is mounted to the nozzle and is also connected to an air flow meter.

Abstract: A rollover shipping cushion is presented. The cushion is formed by folding, in a specific manner, a single sheet of die-cut corrugated fiberboard to create the cushion. When properly folded, the cushion includes a central shipping cavity that is surrounded by shock-absorbing tubes on all six sides of the central shipping cavity.

Abstract: A method and system is presented for ensuring that a latch securing a ramp to a pallet is properly aligned and seated before a product can be offloaded from the pallet and down the ramp. The system uses a latching system that has a pallet-attached base and a ramp-attached mating bracket. The pallet-attached base has two rods. The first rod has a retainer arm that is restricted by the second rod to a vertical position, thus preventing a shipment on the pallet from reaching the ramp. The second rod has a thin portion and a thick portion. The second rod must be laterally moved such that the mating bracket mates only with the thin portion of the rod. This lateral movement moves the second rod away from the first rod's retainer arm, thus allowing the retainer arm to fold down.

Abstract: A packaging assembly comprising a standard molded cushion solution that can accommodate variations in dimensions of predetermined products, including weight, while providing protection to an equipment component (or other fragile or breakable item) enclosed therein, ease in use during pre-packing and packing of an equipment component for transport, shock protection during transport, and is economically suited for its end use, is provided for. The present invention is a molded, cushion having interlocking columns which adjust the contacting areas of the cushion in relation to the product height and/or weight differences. The present invention is advantageously designed using specific geometries and interlocking columns which, contrary to traditional designs, benefit from the stressing and flexing characteristics of paper fiber.