International Business Machines Corporation

Christopher John Sattora

Robert William Stegner

Eric Allen Stegner

Mark Edmund Maresh

Ivan Neil Liverman

Weric Allen Stegner

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.

End cap packaging material, packaging and method for protecting products against damage

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.

Packaging material, and packaging for protecting products against damage

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.

Air flow nozzle for air flow meter

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.

Six-sided corrugated rollover cushion

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.

Flexible molded end cap cushion

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.

Adjustable flow nozzle for air flow meter

Packaging cushioning material, packaging and method for protecting products against damage

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.

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Cary, NC, United States of America

Christopher John Sattora