System for protecting goods during transport

Abstract

This invention pertains to bracing systems for bracing especially massive objects while the objects are being shipped, typically in a rail car. The invention is directed to packing arrangements where first and second end arrays of rolls of product are disposed in first and second ends of the rail car, with sets of rolls proximate but spaced from each other at the central doorway. Each pair of side-by-side rolls in a set includes a cavity therebetween, facing the opposing set. Wedges are placed in the cavities such that each set of rolls, with wedges in the cavities, presents a generally planar composite surface between the rolls at the loci of closest approach to the opposing rolls. Thus, with the wedges in place, the rolls, in combination, present two generally planar, typically parallel, and more-or-less continuous composite surfaces facing each other across the space separating the two sets of rolls. An air bag is inflated between the two surfaces, with the wedges preventing the air bag from bulging into the cavities. In some embodiments, contour buffer pads are placed between the air bag and the two pairs of rolls, with each contour buffer pad extending across the faces of the rolls in each set, and engaging faces of the rolls and the wedges on sides of the rolls generally opposed to each other.