Down River International, Inc.

Corrugated Systems, Inc.

Thomas J Hamilton

Anthony Trassare, Jr

Robert W Sisco

Michael J Oliver

Paul A Wnuk

A collapsible void filling apparatus (10) with at least one multiple elongate hollow rectilinear member (14, 16, 74 80) arranged in side by side relationship to form a body (21) for insertion into a void (24) between stacks of cargo (12) in a freight vehicle to prevent shifting of the cargo with overlapping, reinforced, cross support walls (23, 30, 31), a locking member (50) insertable from the end of one of the hollow members to a locking position which prevents collapse of the void filler body (21) during handling while allowing a clear view through the hollow member and which also functions as a handle for use in inserting the void filling apparatus (10, 10', 10', 10'') into the void (24) and tab members (56, 58) for holding the locking member (50) in the locking position (FIG. 1).

Collapsible void filling apparatus

An expansible cellular void filler for dunnage uses is formed of a stack of flat, bendable strips, each except the top and bottom of which is secured at alternating longitudinally spaced positions to an overlying strip and to a subjacent strip, the secured positions being aligned in rows in a direction perpendicular to the planes of the flat strips, the spacing between at least two such rows being less than the spacing between other rows, so that when the strips are moved apart and bend to form cells, the cell sidewalls formed by the portions of the strips which extend between said two rows move toward a straight planar relationship prior to the sidewalls of other cells, and limit the expansion of the filler.

Growing community of inventors

Palos Heights, IL, United States of America

Thomas J Hamilton