Suspension package assembly

Abstract

A suspension packaging assembly includes a packaging member having a base member and at least one lateral support wall. Preferably, the packaging member includes a pair of opposing support walls. The base member is connected to the support walls through one or more compound joints, which are configured to permit displacement of the base member relative to the support walls. The packaging assembly may include a stretchable retention member, which cooperates with the packaging member to suspend at least one article.

1 . A packaging kit for packaging an article and maintaining the article in a position spaced from a wall of a container, the kit comprising:
 a resilient member comprising a body portion and first and second end portions disposed at opposite ends of the body portion;   a substantially rigid member comprising:
 a base member configured to engage the article; 
 a first foldable portion and a second foldable portion configured to be pivotable relative to the base member, the first end portion of the resilient member configured to be coupled to the first foldable portion and the second end portion of the resilient member configured to be coupled to the second foldable portion such that the first and second foldable portions may be pivoted relative to the base to tension the resilient member; 
 a first lateral wall portion and a second lateral wall portion; 
 a first connecting portion and a second connecting portion, the first connecting portion configured to connect the first lateral wall portion to the base member and the second connecting portion configured to connect the second lateral wall portion to the base member, each of the first and second connecting portions comprising a plurality of fold lines which permit displacement of the base relative to the wall. 
   
     
     
         2 . The packaging kit of  claim 1 , wherein a direction of the displacement is generally parallel to the first and second lateral walls. 
     
     
         3 . The packaging kit of  claim 1 , wherein each of the first and second connecting portions includes a connecting wall portion positionable in a generally parallel orientation with a respective one of the first and second lateral wall portions. 
     
     
         4 . The packaging kit of  claim 3 , wherein the connecting wall portion of each of the first and second connecting portions is between at least a portion the plurality of fold lines and the base. 
     
     
         5 . The packaging kit of  claim 3 , further comprising a first coupler configured to retain the connecting wall portion of the first connecting portion and the first lateral wall in the generally parallel orientation and a second coupler configured to retain the connecting wall portion of the second connecting portion and the second lateral wall in the generally parallel orientation. 
     
     
         6 . The packaging kit of  claim 5 , wherein the first and second couplers comprise a tab secured to one of the connecting wall portion and the respective one of the first and second lateral walls and a slot defined by the other of the connecting wall portion and the respective one of the first and second lateral walls, the tab and slot configured, once the tab is engaged with the slot, to cooperate to retain the tab in engagement with the slot. 
     
     
         7 . The packaging kit of  claim 1 , further comprising a first stop, the first stop defining a first stop surface configured to limit the displacement of the base relative to the first lateral wall in a first direction. 
     
     
         8 . The packaging kit of  claim 7 , wherein the first stop further comprises a second stop surface configured to limit the displacement of the base relative to the first lateral wall in a second direction. 
     
     
         9 . The packaging kit of  claim 8 , further comprising a second stop, the second stop defining a first stop surface configured to limit the displacement of the base relative to the second lateral wall in the first direction and a second stop surface configured to limit the displacement of the base relative to the second lateral wall in the second direction opposite the first direction. 
     
     
         10 . The packaging kit of  claim 1 , further comprising a fold line extending at least partially through the base. 
     
     
         11 . The packaging kit of  claim 10 , wherein the fold line in the base extends completely through the base in a direction substantially parallel to at least one of the first and second lateral walls. 
     
     
         12 . A suspension packaging member, comprising:
 a base configured to engage an article;   at least one support wall connected to the base through a compound joint configured to permit the at least one wall to be moved relative to the base from an unfolded position to a folded position, the compound joint further configured to permit displacement of the base relative to the wall in a direction generally parallel to the wall when the wall is in the folded position; and   a stop defining a first stop surface configured to limit the displacement of the base in a first direction.   
     
     
         13 . The packaging member of  claim 12 , wherein the stop further defines a second stop surface configured to limit the displacement of the base in a second direction opposite the first direction. 
     
     
         14 . A suspension packaging member, comprising:
 a base configured to engage an article;   at least one wall coupled to the base and configured to be movable relative to the base from an unfolded position to a folded position;   means for permitting the base to move in a direction generally parallel to the at least one wall when the at least one wall is in the folded position; and   means for limiting the movement of the base relative to the at least one wall in at least a first direction.