Abstract: A storage system is described where goods are stored in containers and the containers are stored in stacks. Above the stacks runs a grid network of tracks on which load handling devices run. The load handling devices take containers from the stacks and deposit then at alternative locations in the stacks or deposit then at stations where goods may be picked out. The containers comprise liners formed from flame retardant or flame suppressant material. Containers comprising liner means are used to store ignitable items within the storage system.

Abstract: A container and systems to safely store cans of ammunition or other military gear that may be mounted on a military vehicle. Ammo containers may include one or more of a variety of compression devices to secure loaded materials (e.g., cans). The compression device may be operated manually or through an electric motor, or other means. A roof rack may include telescoping overlapping plates for variable sizes of rack. A clasp may include automatic spring-guided engagement. A harness system may be used to hold down a container, and a latch mechanism may be used to secure the harness(es).

Abstract: A storage system is described where goods are stored in containers and the containers are stored in stacks. Above the stacks runs a grid network of tracks on which load handling devices run. The load handling devices take containers from the stacks and deposit then at alternative locations in the stacks or deposit then at stations where goods may be picked out. The containers comprise liners formed from flame retardant or flame suppressant material. Containers comprising liner means are used to store ignitable items within the storage system.

Abstract: A steel pipe support and a steel pipe supporting device. The steel pipe support comprises a steel pipe supporting part, a supporting inner core arranged inside the steel pipe supporting part, steel pipe storage grooves formed in the steel pipe supporting part and arranged along the length direction of the steel pipe supporting part and spacing parts arranged between every two adjacent steel pipe storage grooves; and each of the steel pipe storage grooves is internally provided with at least two first supporting rib plates located at one side of the center section of the steel pipe storage groove and/or at least two second supporting rib plates located at the other side of the center section of the steel pipe storage groove, first recessed grooves are formed between every two adjacent first supporting rib plates, and second recessed grooves are formed between every two adjacent second supporting rib plates.

Abstract: A carrier tape system, in some embodiments, comprises: a tape; a series of index holes along a length of said tape; a series of pockets along said length; a first series of standoff units along said length; and a second series of standoff units along said length, wherein the series of pockets is positioned between the first series of standoff units and the second series of standoff units, wherein the standoff units create a clearance space between the bottom surfaces of said pockets and the tape when said tape is wound on a reel.

Abstract: Spill and contaminant resistant dispensers and measuring cap devices and methods for measuring and dispensing a desired amount of a bulk particulate, powdery, granular or viscous liquid substance from a storage container through a cap or a dispenser are provided. A dispenser and measuring cap is attached to a storage container or comprises an integral storage container. The dispenser and measuring cap has one or more measuring chamber ducts, each having a different predetermined volume. The measuring chamber ducts are selectively and separately operationally aligned with an internal funnel stem and a dispensing spout. A selected measuring chamber duct is filled with the substance by inverting the cap and attached container. A measured amount of the substance is captured and dispensed, and the unused portion of the substance retained in the storage container without exposure to outside contaminants or implements, by rotating the duct into operational alignment with the spout.

Abstract: A supporting structure (2) that stacks and supports solar cell modules in the horizontal state includes a base portion (23) stacked in the up-and-down direction, a reception portion (28) that supports the corner portions of the solar cell module that are projectingly formed in the lateral direction from the inner side wall surface (23c) of the base portion (23), an engaging convex portion (25) formed on the upper end surface of the base portion (23) and engaged with one of supporting structures adjacently arranged up and down, and an engaging concave portion (26) formed on the lower end surface (23b) of the base portion (23) and engaged with the engaging convex portion of the other of supporting structures adjacently arranged up and down, and wherein the engaging concave portion (26) is opened on the external side wall surface (23d) of the base portion (23).

Abstract: The present invention provides a package cushioning structure for module, which includes a cushioning bottom board and a cushioning band extending through and interlaced with the cushioning bottom board. The cushioning bottom board forms a plurality of spaced hollow sections. A bar is arranged between every two of the hollow sections. The cushioning band includes a plurality of cushioning air columns mounted thereto at interval. The cushioning air columns are arranged alternately on the bars. To package, modules are each positioned on and born by each of the bars between two of the cushioning air columns. An alternate package cushioning structure includes a cushioning bottom board having a surface forming slots and a cushioning band arranged in the cushioning bottom board through a mounting channel extending through the bottom board from a side surface thereof. Air columns of the cushioning band are located in the slots to support modules.

Abstract: Described herein is a package assembly for stacks of imaging material. The packaging assembly comprises a master carton that retains stacks of imaging material and a separation access band. The separation access band separates the stacks from one another within the master carton.

Abstract: A protection and containment system for co-packaged containers is provided which includes a hollow primary container, a top protector complementally configure to fit atop the primary container, and at least one retainer coupled to the top protector for holding a secondary container. The primary container has a circumscribing upright sidewall and an opening configured for receiving material to be stored in the container. The top protector includes a side wall and at least a pair of spaced-apart opposed risers, most preferably provided as one of four corner modules, the risers extending upwardly from the primary container above the opening and presenting a gap between the risers which is sized and configured for receiving the secondary container. Several retainers can be provided, either to hold the secondary containers in different gaps, or provided in tandem to hold two secondary containers adjacent to one another in or proximate a single gap.

Abstract: An article holder for holding a cylindrical article in a packaging container includes an upper face, a lower face, an inner face on a center side in a longitudinal direction of the cylindrical article, and an outer face on an outer side in the longitudinal direction, and at least one first article receiver formed in the upper face of the article holder to support a lower side of the end portion of the cylindrical article. The first article receiver includes a first recess semilunar in vertical cross section, forming, a semilunar opening in the inner face of the article holder as well as a rectangular opening continuous with the semilunar opening in the upper face of the article holder, and a first arc-shaped projection projecting from an inner circumferential surface of the first recess, having a radius smaller than a radius of the first recess.

Abstract: An apparatus for receiving and protecting interchangeable camera lenses which includes a cylindrical body shell, having an outer rigid casing with inner and outer diameters, and having an inner soft-lined receptacle within the inner diameter of the body shell for receiving the camera lens; a base end cap; a ringed shaped mouth member having inner and outer diameters; a lid cap assembly; a first visco-elastic material bonded to the lid cap assembly; a second visco-elastic material bonded to the base end cap; and, the first and second visco-elastic materials conform to the shape of the lens when the lid cap assembly is engaged with the mouth member.

Abstract: A munitions container includes an inner container and an outer container formed of a fibrous material. A form is positioned within the inner container and receives munitions. The outer container is placed on a rigid baseplate.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a stackable packaging insert for storing and transporting articles, such as foiled food tubs. The insert is formed from a blank that can be folded into a tray-like packaging insert with individual compartments. Each compartment has a base and support tabs. Between adjacent bases, the support tabs meet at a triangular connector. When positioned within a container, the support tab ends and triangular connectors rest against the interior walls of the container. Articles within the positioned insert are suspended on the support tabs and triangular connectors.

Abstract: The invention relates to a pipette tip package, which has one pipette tip (1) in an enclosure (2) with a closed bottom end and a top end tightly closed by a lid.

Abstract: A packaging system for a printer/copier or other large article that uses less material than conventional packaging systems. In one embodiment the system comprises a pair of elongated foam braces that slide over pairs of vertically oriented corner posts for holding and cushioning the packaged article. In another embodiment the system comprises four foam braces wedged between the four vertical edges of the article and vertical corner posts.

Abstract: A package structure prevents an optical sheet from being brought into contact with a display panel and making scratches on the display panel due to motion caused during transport of a display device, thereby minimizing cost increase. A package structure for a thin display device is the structure for storing the thin display device in a package case. The thin display device includes at least one optical sheet situated in approximately parallel with its display surface, and the package case includes a storage member for holding a thin display device with the optical sheet having a surface inclined relative to a vertical direction.

Abstract: A package for a disk drive includes: an outer corrugated carton having: sidewall; a bottom attached to the sidewalls; and, and a cover pivotally attached to pivot about one of the sidewalls; a pair of frame members, each one having four sidewalls affixed to a corresponding one of the cover and the bottom disposed about a receiving region of the frame members; an air-filled bubble-like packing device having check valves incorporated therein for providing a plurality of air filled chamber, such chambers being arranged to provide a shock absorbing pocket; and a container for receiving therein the disk drive. The plastic container with the disk rive therein are disposed within the pocket of the air-filled bubble-like packing device.

Abstract: A protection and containment system for co-packaged containers is provided which includes a hollow primary container, a top protector complementally configure to fit atop the primary container, and at least one retainer coupled to the top protector for holding a secondary container. The primary container has a circumscribing upright sidewall and an opening configured for receiving material to be stored in the container. The top protector includes a side wall and at least a pair of spaced-apart opposed risers, most preferably provided as one of four corner modules, the risers extending upwardly from the primary container above the opening and presenting a gap between the risers which is sized and configured for receiving the secondary container. Several retainers can be provided, either to hold the secondary containers in different gaps, or provided in tandem to hold two secondary containers adjacent to one another in or proximate a single gap.

Abstract: Nestable packaging lids are described. Generally, the packaging lids include a generally planar lid member having an upper surface and a lower surface, a plurality of dome expansions extending upwardly from the lid member, and a plurality of elongate projections extending downwardly from the lower surface of the lid member. Each dome expansion defines a downwardly facing recess and includes a base perimeter defining a base center, and the dome expansions are arranged in longitudinal rows and transverse columns. In an implementation, at least one projection is disposed transversely between a longitudinally adjacent pair of dome expansions and at least one projection is disposed longitudinally between a transversely adjacent pair of dome expansions.

Abstract: Trays for securing an article of manufacture within a container include a recess for receiving at least a portion of the article of manufacture therein. The trays also may include one or more sidewalls extending from an edge of the tray towards a container-bearing surface of the tray. At least a portion of the sidewalls may comprise a plurality of generally curved regions defining a plurality of steps leading from the edge of the tray towards the container-bearing surface of the tray. Methods of packaging an article of manufacture include providing such a tray into a container, causing a surface of the tray to abut against a corner or edge of the container, and inserting the article of manufacture into the recess in the tray. Packages for shipping and/or storing such articles of manufacture may include one or more of such trays disposed within a container.

Abstract: The packaging of the present invention is provided with a printing paper roll to which printing paper is wound; an ink ribbon unit having a sending roll, a winding roll arranged in parallel to the sending roll and an ink ribbon wound around the sending roll; a container for storing the printing paper roll and the ink ribbon unit; a partition member disposed in the container for partitioning the printing paper roll from the ink ribbon unit, wherein the partitioning member comprises a pair of plate-like holding members for holding the printing paper roll at its ends in the axial direction and a plate-like connecting member for connecting the holding members; and the connecting member obliquely extending relative to the axial direction, and partitioning the container in the radial direction of the printing paper roll into first and second storage regions in which the printing paper roll and the ink ribbon unit are accommodated respectively.

Abstract: A shipping system comprises an article of furniture and a packaging assembly. The packaging assembly includes a container and a protective insert. The container houses the article of furniture. The protective insert is disposed within the container and is positioned to help protect the article of furniture from damage. The protective insert has at least one convertible portion that is adapted to be removed from a surrounding portion of the protective insert, transition between a first configuration and a second configuration, and form at least a portion of an accessory product for the article of furniture when the convertible portion is in the second configuration.

Abstract: A packaged body includes: a prism-shaped packaging box 1 having a bottom; a pair of top and bottom shock absorbers 30 accommodated inside packaging box 1 for sandwiching a substrate storage container 10; elastic members 50 disposed between substrate storage container 10 and each shock absorber 30; and reinforcements 60 for reinforcing each of shock absorbers 30. Further, shock absorber 30 is formed as a shock absorbing element 31 that fits substrate storage container 10, a surrounding wall 32 of the shock absorbing element 31 is constructed of an inner wall 35 that is bent and formed along the periphery of shock absorbing element 31, a protrusion 36 that is formed from inner wall 35 so as to project outwards and an outer wall 37 that is formed from protrusion 36 so as to be spaced from, and oppose, inner wall 35 of shock absorbing element 31.

Abstract: A packaging case (C;C?) erected by folding from a one-piece vacuum-formed molded sheet, has rectangular walls (1-4;71-74) that fold, and are clipped closed, about an article (A;S) to be protected from shock. The ends of the case are almost-completely closed by conformal edge-to-edge abutment of end-flanges (8-11;78-81) of serpentine profile that are upstanding from the walls (1-4;71-74). The flange-edges are each molded with ridges (13, 15) and grooves (14, 16) that nest ridge-within-groove with those of the abutting edges, for absorbing shock. The walls (1-4;71-74) are hinged together edge-to-edge, and at their edges rise in steps (23,24,33.34,43,44) to a central plinth (22,32,42). The steps (23,24,33,34,43,44) of adjacent walls abut one another within the erected case for shock absorption, and each wall (1-4;71-74) is strengthened by circular recesses (25-28,35-38,45-49) of reducing diameter with depth, let into its plinth (22,32.42).

Abstract: Packaging for reliably fixing an irregularly shaped ink ribbon unit includes few components, including a printing paper roll wound with printing paper, an ink ribbon unit having both a sending roll that is wound with an ink ribbon and a winding roll disposed in parallel to the sending roll, a container for holding the printing paper roll and ink ribbon unit, and a partition member that partitions the container into first and second storage regions, into which the printing paper roll and ink ribbon unit are respectively stored. The ink ribbon unit is arranged in such a manner that the direction of the shafts of the sending and winding rolls is parallel to the bottom surface of the second storage region, and the partition member extends with an inclination relative to a direction perpendicular to the bottom surface of the second storage region.

Abstract: A tray for loading substrates includes a base, an outer frame, plural lateral supporters and plural corner bumps. The base has an upper surface with one or more grooves. The outer frame is located around four edges of the upper surface to thereby form a first space, and has two oppositely arranged first cavities. The lateral supporters are arranged on the base at four edges defining the first space against the outer frame, have second cavities arranged on internal surfaces of the lateral supporters and corresponding to the grooves. The corner bumps are arranged at corners of the outer frame, and are adjacent to the lateral supporters, the base and the outer frame. The corner bumps each have buffer openings to prevent a loaded substrate from damage by collision with the corner bumps. A package box is also disclosed, which can save cost and space in carrying the trays.

Abstract: A packaging body for a honeycomb structure including two trays formed with a pocket having a shape complementary to an end face portion of a honeycomb structure and a shallow box-like tray pack surrounding from the outside and containing the one on the side of a lower end face portion of the honeycomb structure of the two trays, the packaging body for a honeycomb structure enables a lateral access from a side (side face) so that a robot arm and hand can easily put in or take out the honeycomb structure.

Abstract: A packing box includes a plurality of cushioning members, a plurality of carrier members and a cover member. Each of the cushioning members includes multiple length-wise retaining plates and multiple width-wise retaining plates arranged in a staggered form to define a plurality of receiving portions for receiving the articles therein. The carrier members are arranged in a stack form and having respective confining spaces for confining the cushioning members in position. The cover member shelters the cushioning members, the carrier members and the articles.

Abstract: A photosensitive printing plate supplying apparatus for supplying a photosensitive printing plate to an automatic plate making machine for a photosensitive printing plate includes a printing plate packaging device which accommodates a bundle of photosensitive printing plates; a printing plate accommodating portion to which the printing plate packaging device is removably attached and which can completely shield light from the exterior; and a taking-out/conveying device which takes out the photosensitive printing plates from an interior of the printing plate packaging device in the light-shielded accommodation portion and conveys the photosensitive printing plates to a predetermined position. When the printing plate packaging means has an opening/closing lid, the photosensitive printing plate supplying apparatus may further include a lid opening/closing device.

Abstract: The present invention discloses a combinational storable decoration structure that combines detachable components including a head portion, a shoulder portion, a body portion, a leg portion, and a hand portion into a decoration structure. The storing characteristic of the decoration structure allows users to store each detachable component into the body portion to form a cylindrical body so as to facilitate the storage and transportation of the decoration structure.

Abstract: A grenade container includes a box having a bottom and four sides; a first foam layer disposed on the bottom of the box; a second foam layer disposed on the first foam layer and having a plurality of openings formed therein for receiving grenades; a plurality of grenades placed in the openings in the second foam layer; a first partition disposed on the grenades placed in the openings in the second foam layer; a third foam layer disposed above the first partition and having a plurality of openings formed therein for receiving grenades; a plurality of grenades placed in the openings in the third foam layer; a second partition disposed on the grenades placed in the openings in the third foam layer; a fourth foam layer disposed above the second partition; and a lid and a latch for closing the box.

Abstract: Provided is a shipping container having a flexible outer casing, a shell insert that is removeably received within the casing's interior and a tillable insert removeably disposed within an interior of the shell for receiving a shipping parcel. The fillable insert structure may be filled with a medium, such as air, to provide a cushioned environment for the parcel, and the shell insert may include a shelf panel which supports an accessory compartment for receiving selected items to accompany the parcel.

Abstract: Dunnage for supporting elongated products arranged in layers in storage or shipping containers comprises elongated plastic strips having openings for receiving the goods and also having reinforcing members extending along their undersides which are removably received in dunnage supports attached to the sides of the container. The dunnage supports are so arranged that the reinforcing members are supported out of contact with subjacent and superjacent layers of the products and dunnage. For returnable containers or boxes whose walls are collapsed inwardly over the floor of the box, space may be provided beneath the inwardly folded walls to accommodate the dunnage for return shipment. Wall brackets for supporting opposite ends of the dunnage strips may be shallow and the dunnage provided with flanges for reception between the box walls and the brackets thereby permitting use of shallow brackets allowing the box walls to be folded in bypass relation thereto.

Abstract: A packing material has a plurality of separable layers of pliable material. Each layer has a region containing a plurality of domes in a pattern extending in two directions. The plurality of domes are nested together in the region. The plurality of domes each have a top, a base and a side extending from the top to the base at an angle of divergence exceeding 10°. The plurality of domes have a dome height of at least ? inch. Adjacently nested pairs of the domes have between them an overhead gap no greater than 10% of the dome height. The plurality of separable layers with the plurality of domes can be separated and disoriented to occupy a larger volume. These separable layers may be discrete layers, pleats in a web, or sections of a web.

Abstract: Dunnage for supporting elongated products arranged in layers in storage or shipping containers comprises elongated plastic strips having openings for receiving the goods and also having reinforcing members extending along their undersides which are removably received in dunnage supports attached to the sides of the container. The dunnage supports are so arranged that the reinforcing members are supported out of contact with subjacent and superjacent layers of the products and dunnage. For returnable containers or boxes whose walls are collapsed inwardly over the floor of the box, space may be provided beneath the inwardly folded walls to accommodate the dunnage for return shipment. Wall brackets for supporting opposite ends of the dunnage strips may be shallow and the dunnage provided with flanges for reception between the box walls and the brackets thereby permitting use of shallow brackets allowing the box walls to be folded in bypass relation thereto.

Abstract: A stacking support for at least one row of wine bottles is of sheet-like form with indentations (10) shaped to receive and locate at least one row of bottles in parallel relationship in a first layer. The indentations (10) are so arranged that when a second like support for carrying a second layer will be laterally offset with respect to those of the first layer so that the bottles of the second layer will be supported by the bottles of the first layer. The support is so configured that when it is used in conjunction with the second like support (16) the two supports (16) cooperate to ensure anti-sagging support in the zone of the endmost bottle-carrying indentation (10e) of the second layer only partially supported by the first layer.

Abstract: A support structure is provided for supporting a plurality of cylindrical objects. The support structure includes an elongated member having first and second sides and first and second edges. First and second rib sections extend from the first side of the elongated member. The rib sections are generally parallel to each other and are spaced from corresponding edges of the elongated member. Each rib section includes an alternating series of arches and depressions.

Abstract: A structure for supporting a plurality of objects having cylindrical characteristics. The structure includes a first side and a second side, the first side having at least two rib structures spaced apart from one another by valleys. The rib structures are formed as an alternating series of arches and depressions. The depressions define the retaining position for the objects. The arches include lands with cavities that enhance the structural characteristics of the ribs. The second side includes three or more spaced rib sections that are formed as an alternating series of peaks and depressions. The depressions of the second side correspond to the depressions of the first side. The rib sections of the second side correspond to the valleys of the first side. The arches of the first side are relatively higher than the equivalents in the prior art in order to provide greater surface area contact with the cylindrical objects to be retained.

Abstract: A packing material having a plurality of domes formed therein, and methods for forming same are provided. A plurality of layers of a substrate are placed together to form a composite material with a plurality of layers, and domes are formed in the plurality of layers. The domes can be formed in more than one direction and can be of different sizes and shapes. Thereafter, the materials can be cut to desired sizes or shapes. The domes formed in the layers are nested and accordingly, the packaging material takes up a minimal amount of space after same is manufactured. This serves to minimize the expense and space requirements for storage and shipping and disposal. In use, the sheets are separated and disoriented to achieve bulk and are utilized for packing. The domes are sized, shaped and positioned to tend against re-nesting.

Abstract: Dunnage for supporting elongated products arranged in layers in storage or shipping containers comprises elongated plastic strips having openings for receiving the goods and also having reinforcing members extending along their undersides which are removably received in dunnage supports attached to the sides of the container. The dunnage supports are so arranged that the reinforcing members are supported out of contact with subjacent and superjacent layers of the products and dunnage.

Abstract: A series of interconnected packing chip precursors that can be formed and transported economically to a packager as a flat sheet and then expanded at the site where they will be used into individual packing chips by folding and separation from the other chips. Preferably, the precursors are formed on a chipboard sheet by forming fold lines and lines of separation and by adding securing means, such as bonding media or connecting features to secure the sides of the expanded packing chip in its final shape. The fold lines and lines of separation can be configured to form jagged or serrated edges on the expand-on-site packing chip, and the chip may also include apertures; the jagged and serrated edges and the apertures cooperating with each other and other aspects of adjacent chips to interlock the chips when they are placed around an item in a package for shipment.

Abstract: The preferred embodiment protective packaging (10) is directed to a protective packaging for hard taco shells (27). It is understood, however, that the present invention may be modified to provide an improved packaging container for other brittle yet perishable food substances. The packaging (10) includes a pad (11) having legs (12, 13, 14, 15) that are compressed when a force is exerted upon them without breaking the taco shells (27). The pad (11) covers an area greater than the area covered by the taco shells (27). The taco shells (27) are packaged in a nested arrangement, and the packaging (10) also utilizes a paper board U-shaped insert (35) placed in the opening of the end taco shell, which protects the shells (27) from breaking in side to side impact. The shells (27) are shrink-wrapped onto the pad (11) and the pad (11) is then placed inside a protective carton.

Abstract: An improved egg tray is disclosed. The egg tray is comprised of a thin-walled body of rigid fiber pulp material and has a plurality of pockets and a plurality of posts. Each pocket has a bottom surrounded by a plurality of posts and each pocket has an egg-supporting surface for supporting an egg. The egg-supporting surface is a continuous part of a substantially ellipsoidal surface approximating the surface of the pointed part of an egg, and the pockets are within an egg size interval for which the egg tray is intended to be used. The egg-supporting surface has a continuous circular zone and a plurality of lower tongues extending downwardly from the continuous zone. Advantageously, the egg-supporting surface has a plurality of upper tongues extending upwardly on the sides of the posts from the continuous zone.

Abstract: In order to solve the aforementioned problems, the present invention provides an embossed carrier tape comprising a plurality of device holes defined in an embossed carrier tape material at predetermined intervals so as to hold electronic devices therein, and protective ribs provided between the adjacent device holes respectively. Another invention provides a taping method for an embossed carrier tape with electronic devices held therein, comprising the following steps of accommodating the electronic devices in a plurality of device holes defined in the embossed carrier tape respectively, and winding the embossed carrier tape around a tape reel with predetermined spaces respectively defined between lower surfaces of the overlapping one device holes and upper surfaces of the overlapping other device holes upon successively winding the same therearound.

Abstract: A transport container for fragile articles having a substantially rigid base member with a bottom planar surface. A plurality of flexible foamed plastic members having the same overall shape as the base member stacked and secured together forming a container body which is secured to the base member. Each of the flexible foamed plastic members defines a plurality of throughgoing substantially circular cutouts with a tooth assembly for each cutout extending inward toward the center point of each substantially circular cutout. The foamed plastic member cutouts axially aligned with cutouts of an adjacent foamed plastic member to form a stepped bore which can hold various sized articles.

Abstract: A package includes a protective band having a cavity for receiving a fragile food product unit. A wrap material is tightly secured around the food product unit and the protective band to form a package. The protective band may have alternating narrow segments and wide segments to ensure that the wrap material keeps the top and bottom extremities of the food product unit inside the protective band and spaced from the upper and lower edges of the wide segments of the protective band.

Abstract: Resilient wraparound cushion packing elements which can be fitted around and between miscellaneous articles in a container, said packing elements having resilient properties capable of maintaining a continuing cushioning pressure around and about said miscellaneous articles sufficient to separate and protect them from injurious contact with each other or with the walls of said container.

Abstract: The invention relates to a composite cushioning system for protecting articles, packaged within a box, from damage while being transported in the box. The composite structure includes an expansion sheet of expanded slit sheet, in combination with a separator sheet. The expanded sheet has a slit pattern which produces open cells, preferably of a hexagonal configuration. The separator sheet precludes the nesting of legs and lands of the slit sheet with other slit sheet of the same slit pattern. A variety of combinations of separator sheets and expansion sheets can be used, such as a pair of expansion sheets with a separator sheet between the pair of expansion sheets, or two such pairs of expansion sheets, with or without a separator sheet between the pairs. The separator sheet can be unslit, or tear-perforated or slit to accommodate expansion. Where the separator sheet is slit, the slits preferably produce the same amount of expansion as produced in the expansion sheets.

Abstract: A filling material for use in filling hollow spaces in packaging or the like comprising one or more pieces of flexible paper material. The paper material has a plurality of individual slits formed in parallel spaced rows extending transversely from one end of the paper material to the opposing end of the paper material. The slits in adjacent alternate rows are positioned adjacent the interval space between adjacent slits in the adjacent parallel row of slits. The flexible paper material is expandable by extending the opposing ends of the paper material which are parallel to the rows of slits whereby the slits form an array of openings, each opening being generally hexagonal in shape and of the same size. The length and width of the flexible filling paper material can be varied. The construction of the flexible paper filling material provides it to be easily stored in the non-expandable position and easily expanded for use in filling hollow spaces in packaging.