Packaging systems and kits

Abstract

Packaging systems can include a substantially rigid member and a resilient member, wherein the resilient member is spaced from a portion of the substantially rigid member. In some embodiments, the substantially rigid member can be configured to be foldable into a complete container with a lid having pivotal flaps. The pivotable flaps can be configured to engage a resilient film so as to generate tension in the film when enclosed about an article of commerce, for shock-absorbent packaging purposes. Packaging systems can also include internal pivotable flaps with interference members disposed in a hinge area to cause the internal pivotable flaps to function as leaf springs.

1 . A packaging kit for packaging an article, comprising:
 a substantially rigid member comprising:
 a container portion configured to form a portion of a container capable of containing an article; and 
 a lid portion comprising at least a top panel and two opposing pivotable side portions, the top panel being pivotable relative to the container portion; 
 the lid portion further configured to be movable between an open configuration and a closed configuration, wherein when in the closed configuration, at least a portion of each of the two opposing pivotable side portions is pivoted towards an interior surface of the top panel at an angle of about 90 degrees relative to the interior surface; and 
   a pliable film configured to couple with the opposing pivotable side portions, wherein when the pliable film is coupled with the opposing pivotable side portions and the lid portion is in the closed configuration, each of the opposing pivotable side portions space the pliable film from the top panel.   
     
     
         2 . The packaging kit of  claim 1 , wherein the container portion comprises at least a bottom panel having four edges, opposing side wall portions pivotably extending from two of the edges, and opposing end wall portions pivotably extending from the other two edges. 
     
     
         3 . A packaging kit for packaging an article, comprising:
 a substantially rigid member comprising:
 a container portion configured to form a portion of a container capable of containing an article; and 
 an article portion comprising at least a base and first and second pivotable side portions, the base being pivotable relative to the container portion; 
 the article portion further configured to be movable between an open configuration and a closed configuration, wherein in the closed configuration at least a portion of each of the first and second pivotable side portions is pivoted towards an interior surface of the base of the article portion; and 
   a resilient member configured to couple with the first and second pivotable side portions, wherein when the resilient member is coupled with the first and second pivotable side portions and the article portion is in the closed configuration, each of the first and second pivotable side portions space the resilient member from the base of the article portion.   
     
     
         4 . The packaging kit of  claim 3 , wherein the substantially rigid member further comprises a securing portion having an end wall and two opposing flaps, the end wall pivotable relative to the article portion and configured to contact an outer surface of another of the opposing end wall portions. 
     
     
         5 . The packaging kit of  claim 3 , wherein the resilient member comprises a body portion and first and second pockets disposed at opposite ends of the body portion, and wherein each of the first and second pockets are configured to receive at least a portion of each of the first and second pivotable side portions. 
     
     
         6 . The packaging kit of  claim 3 , wherein the first and second pivotable side portions each comprise an outer panel configured to couple with the resilient member. 
     
     
         7 . The packaging kit of  claim 6 , wherein a securing flap disposed within a body portion of the outer panel, the securing flap configured to couple with the resilient member and having a free portion that is configured to reversibly couple with the outer panel. 
     
     
         8 . The packaging kit of  claim 7 , wherein the securing flap comprises a corner that is configured to reversibly couple with the outer panel in a friction fit. 
     
     
         9 . The packaging kit of  claim 3 , wherein the resilient member is configured to be attached to at least a portion of each of the first and second pivotable side portions. 
     
     
         10 . The packaging kit of  claim 3 , wherein the resilient member and the article portion each have a length extending in generally the same direction, the length of the resilient member being less than the length of the article portion. 
     
     
         11 . The packaging kit of  claim 3 , wherein the first and second pivotable side portions each comprise three panels, and wherein each panel is pivotably connected to at least one other panel. 
     
     
         12 . The packaging kit of  claim 2 , wherein the pivotable side portions each comprise a first panel pivotably connected to the base of the article portion, and wherein when the article portion is moved to the closed configuration, each of the first panels space the resilient member from the base of the article portion at least by a distance defined by a width of each of the first panels. 
     
     
         13 . The packaging kit of  claim 12 , wherein the first panels each have a width, the width of each first panel being less than a height of each of the inner and outer panels of the opposing lateral wall portions. 
     
     
         14 . The packaging kit of  claim 3 , further comprising a removable retention member configured to fit within the container portion, the removable retention member comprising a frame and a second resilient member configured to couple with the frame. 
     
     
         15 . A packaging kit for packaging an article, comprising:
 a substantially rigid member comprising:
 a container portion configured to form a portion of a container capable of containing an article, the container portion comprising at least a base and a support panel pivotable relative to the base and configured to resist a force applied by the article; and 
 an article portion comprising at least a base and first and second pivotable side portions, the base being pivotable relative to the container portion; 
 the article portion further configured to be movable between an open configuration and a closed configuration, wherein when in the closed configuration at least a portion of each of the first and second pivotable side portions is pivoted towards an interior surface of the base of the article portion; and 
   a resilient member configured to couple with the first and second pivotable side portions, wherein when the resilient member is coupled with the first and second pivotable side portions and the article portion is in the closed configuration, each of the first and second pivotable side portions space the resilient member from the base of the article portion.   
     
     
         16 . The packaging kit of  claim 15 , wherein the support panel further comprises a pivotable flap. 
     
     
         17 . The packaging kit of  claim 15 , wherein:
 the container portion comprises the base, opposing lateral wall portions, and opposing end wall portions, wherein at least one opposing lateral wall portion comprises an outer panel, an inner panel, and the support panel; and   the inner panel is connected to the support panel at a first fold line and the outer panel is connected to the base at a second fold line, the first and second fold lines when folded creating first and second creases; and   the first crease is configured to nest in the second crease.   
     
     
         18 . The packaging kit of  claim 15 , wherein the substantially rigid member comprises a single piece of corrugated cardboard. 
     
     
         19 . The packaging kit of  claim 17 , wherein the first and second pivotable side portions each comprise an outer panel, the outer panels of the article portion having a width that is less than a height of each of the opposing end wall portions of the container portion. 
     
     
         20 . The packaging kit of  claim 15 , wherein the resilient member comprises a body portion and first and second pockets disposed at opposite ends of the body portion, and wherein each of the first and second pockets are configured to receive at least a portion of each of the first and second pivotable side portions. 
     
     
         21 . The substantially rigid member of  claim 15 , wherein when the pivotable flap is pivoted towards the base, an edge of the pivotable flap is in an interference fit with the second crease. 
     
     
         22 . The substantially rigid member of  claim 15 , wherein the pivotable flap comprises a latch mechanism configured to retain the pivotable flap in a pivoted position. 
     
     
         23 . A substantially rigid member configured to form a container capable of containing an article, the substantially rigid member comprising a container portion, the container portion comprising at least a base and a support panel, the support panel pivotable relative to the base and configured to resist a force applied by the article. 
     
     
         24 . The substantially rigid member of  claim 23 , wherein the support panel comprises a pivotable flap. 
     
     
         25 . The substantially rigid member of  claim 24 , wherein the container portion further comprises opposing lateral wall portions extending from a periphery of the base, and opposing end wall portions extending from the periphery of the base. 
     
     
         26 . The substantially rigid member of  claim 25 , wherein each opposing lateral wall portion comprises an outer panel, an inner panel, and the support panel, the inner panel and the support panel connected at a first crease that is configured to nest in a second crease dividing the base from the lateral wall portion. 
     
     
         27 . The substantially rigid member of  claim 24 , wherein the pivotable flap is located at an outer edge of the support panel. 
     
     
         28 . The substantially rigid member of  claim 24 , wherein the pivotable flap is located in a body portion of the support panel. 
     
     
         29 . The substantially rigid member of  claim 24 , wherein when the pivotable flap is pivoted towards the base, an edge of the pivotable flap is in an interference fit with the second crease. 
     
     
         30 . The substantially rigid member of  claim 24 , wherein the pivotable flap comprises a latch mechanism configured to retain the pivotable flap in a pivoted position. 
     
     
         31 . The substantially rigid member of  claim 30 , wherein the latch mechanism comprises a tab and an aperture, the aperture configured to retain the tab in a friction fit. 
     
     
         32 . The substantially rigid member of  claim 23 , further comprising an article portion and a securing portion.