Packaging system, apparatus, and method with extruded force absorbing truss members

Abstract

A system, apparatus, and method for use in the packing of an appliance containing a pallet, corner members, and truss members are provided. The pallet comprises first and second support members, a connecting cross member, and at least one truss member for providing peripheral and oblique force absorption, wherein the cross member is substantially perpendicular to the first and second support members. The first and second support members include attachment holes, wherein the attachment holes allow for the attachment of the pallet to the appliance. The first and second support members and the cross member are manufactured from a synthetic substance and are substantially hollow. The system further comprises an available plurality of articulable corner support members, corner junction end caps with tenons, closed cell design elements, and standoffs used to protect, support, separate and/or stabilize the appliance in a container.

1 . A truss member apparatus for absorbing external forces within a container, the truss member comprising: 
 an elongated extruded housing; and,    wherein the housing comprises a plurality of extruded socket portions for increasing the structural longitudinal integrity of the housing.    
   
   
       2 . The truss member of  claim 1 , wherein the extruded housing comprises a top wall, a bottom wall, and two side walls.  
   
   
       3 . The truss member of  claim 2 , wherein at least one extruded rib member is interconnected between the top wall and the bottom wall.  
   
   
       4 . The truss member of  claim 2 , wherein an extruded socket portion is spaced into the top wall.  
   
   
       5 . The truss member of  claim 2 , wherein an extruded socket portion is spaced into the bottom wall.  
   
   
       6 . The truss member of  claim 2  wherein extruded socket portions are spaced into the top wall and the bottom wall.  
   
   
       7 . The truss member of  claim 6  wherein the extruded socket portions are spaced into the center regions of the top wall and the bottom wall.  
   
   
       8 . The truss member of  claim 1  wherein the truss member housing is extruded from the group consisting of polyethylene and polypropylene.  
   
   
       9 . The truss member of  claim 1  wherein a truss member of about 40 inches in length can sustain at least 2000 pounds of clamping without decreasing in length more than about ¼ inch at a temperature range of about −20° F. to +140° F.  
   
   
       10 . A truss member apparatus for absorbing external forces within a container, the truss member comprising: 
 an elongated extruded housing;    wherein the housing comprises a plurality of extruded socket portions; and,    at least one inner rib member positioned within the housing for increasing the structural integrity of the extruded housing.    
   
   
       11 . The truss member of  claim 10 , wherein the extruded housing comprises a top wall, a bottom wall, and two side walls.  
   
   
       12 . The truss member of  claim 11 , wherein the at least one inner rib member is interconnected between the top wall and the bottom wall, wherein the at least one rib member is positioned substantially perpendicular to the top and bottom walls and positioned substantially parallel with the two side walls  
   
   
       13 . The truss member of  claim 11 , wherein an extruded socket portion is spaced into the top wall.  
   
   
       14 . The truss member of  claim 11  wherein an extruded socket portion is spaced into the bottom wall.  
   
   
       15 . The truss member of  claim 11  wherein extruded socket portions are spaced into the top wall and the bottom wall.  
   
   
       16 . The truss member of  claim 15  wherein extruded socket portions are spaced into the center regions of the top wall and the bottom wall.  
   
   
       17 . The truss member of  claim 10  wherein the at least one inner rib member has a substantially planar cross section.  
   
   
       18 . The truss member of  claim 15  wherein the at least one inner rib member is interconnected between the inner side of the socket portion of the top wall and the inner side of the socket portion of the bottom wall.  
   
   
       19 . The truss member of  claim 10  wherein the inner rib member has a wave shaped cross section.  
   
   
       20 . The truss member of  claim 10  wherein two or more inner rib members are interconnected between the inner side of the socket portion of the top wall and the inner side of the socket portion of the bottom wall.  
   
   
       21 . The truss member of  claim 10  wherein two or more inner rib members are interconnected between the inner side of the top wall and the inner side of the bottom wall.  
   
   
       22 . A packaging support and protection system for an appliance in a container comprising: 
 a pallet; and,    a plurality of extruded truss members for providing peripheral and oblique absorption of external forces wherein the truss members comprise a plurality of socket portions in functional positional relationship with the pallet.    
   
   
       23 . The system of  claim 22  further comprising a plurality of articulable corner/edge support members having interlocking means.  
   
   
       24 . A packaging support and protection system for an appliance in a container comprising: 
 a pallet;    a plurality of extruded truss members in a functional positional relationship with the pallet for providing peripheral and oblique absorption of external forces sustained wherein the extruded truss members comprise a plurality of socket portions; and,    at least one inner rib member for increasing the structural integrity wherein the at least one inner rib member is positioned inside the truss member interconnected between the plurality of socket portions.    
   
   
       25 . A method for packing an appliance, the method comprising: 
 providing a pallet;    providing a container;    positioning the pallet with the container;    providing an appliance;    packing the appliance in the container;    providing a force absorption means;    positioning the force absorption means in functional positional agreement with the container and the appliance.    
   
   
       26 . The method of  claim 25  wherein the force absorption means is an extruded truss member.  
   
   
       27 . The method of  claim 26  wherein the truss member is extruded substantially from polyethelene.  
   
   
       28 . The method of  claim 26  wherein the truss member is extruded substantially from polypropylene.  
   
   
       29 . The method of  claim 26  wherein the truss member comprises a plurality of socket regions extruded therein.  
   
   
       30 . The method of  claim 29  wherein the truss member further comprises a supporting rib member.  
   
   
       31 . The method of  claim 30  wherein the supporting rib member is a straight design.  
   
   
       32 . The method of  claim 30  wherein the supporting rib member is a curved/wave design.  
   
   
       33 . The method of  claim 30  wherein the rib member is extrudedly connected to the plurality of socket regions.