SUSPENSION APPARATUS FOR SUSPENDING AN ITEM

• US 20190315547A1
• Filed: 04/12/2018
• Published: 10/17/2019
• Est. Priority Date: 04/12/2018
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
• Original Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
• Inventors: Melby, Justin, Harnack, Tate T., Anderson, Ryan, Luedeman, Benjamin
• Granted Patent: US 11,091,307 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• CPC Class Codes: B65B 23/00 Packaging fragile or shock-sensitive articles other than bottles; Unpacking eggs embedding articles in shock-absorbing media B65B55/20
• CPC Class Codes: B65D 81/07 using resilient suspension means B65D81/051 takes precedence

Abstract

In one general embodiment, an apparatus includes a base having a face and back, a center section, and a foldable section extending from the center section. The apparatus further includes a perforated sheet extending along the face of the base, members extending from the foldable section for engaging perforations of the perforated sheet, and the foldable section being positioned to apply tension to the perforated sheet upon folding of the foldable section toward the back of the base.

Claims

1. An apparatus, comprising:

a base having a face and back, a center section, and a foldable section extending from the center section;

a perforated sheet extending along the face of the base;

members extending from the foldable section for engaging perforations of the perforated sheet; and

the foldable section being positioned to apply tension to the perforated sheet upon folding of the foldable section toward the back of the base.

2. An apparatus as recited in claim 1, comprising a second foldable section extending from the center section in a direction opposite the foldable section, the second foldable section having members for engaging perforations of the perforated sheet, the second foldable section being positioned to apply tension to the perforated sheet upon folding of the second foldable section toward the back of the base.

3. An apparatus as recited in claim 1, wherein the members are fingers extending outwardly from the foldable section along a plane thereof.

4. An apparatus as recited in claim 1, wherein the perforated sheet has regularly spaced apertures across an entire area thereof.

5. An apparatus as recited in claim 1, wherein the perforated sheet is netting.

6. An apparatus as recited in claim 1, wherein the base has third and fourth foldable sections configured to fold toward the face of the base.

7. An apparatus, comprising:

a box; and

a suspension apparatus for positioning in an interior of the box, the suspension apparatus comprising;

a base having a face and back, a center section having a periphery approximately equal to a periphery of the interior of the box, and a foldable section extending from the center section;

a perforated sheet extending along the face of the base;

members extending from the foldable section for engaging perforations of the perforated sheet; and

a suspension portion for suspending the center section above a bottom of the box,

the foldable section being positioned to apply tension to the perforated sheet upon folding of the foldable section toward the back of the base.

8. An apparatus as recited in claim 7, comprising a second foldable section extending from the center section in a direction opposite the foldable section, the second foldable section having members for engaging perforations of the perforated sheet, the second foldable section being positioned to apply tension to the perforated sheet upon folding of the second foldable section toward the back of the base.

9. An apparatus as recited in claim 7, wherein the members are fingers extending outwardly from the foldable section along a plane thereof.

10. An apparatus as recited in claim 7, wherein the perforated sheet has regularly spaced apertures across an entire area thereof.

11. An apparatus as recited in claim 7, wherein the perforated sheet is netting.

12. An apparatus as recited in claim 7, wherein the suspension apparatus is positioned in the interior of the box with the face of the base facing the bottom of the box.

13. An apparatus as recited in claim 7, wherein the suspension portion includes second and third foldable sections extending from the base and foldable toward the face of the base.

14. An apparatus as recited in claim 7, wherein the suspension portion includes legs extending from the base.

15. A method for packaging an item in a suspension apparatus, the method comprising:

positioning an item on a face of a base of the suspension apparatus, wherein the base includes the face and a back, a center section, and a foldable section extending from the center section;

covering an exposed side of the item with a perforated sheet extending along the face of the base;

engaging members extending from the foldable section of the base with at least some apertures of the perforated sheet; and

folding the foldable section of the base toward the back of the base, wherein tension is applied to the perforated sheet as a result of the folding.

16. A method as recited in claim 15, comprising:

engaging members extending from a second foldable section of the base with at least some apertures of the perforated sheet; and

folding the second foldable section of the base toward the back of the base, wherein tension is applied to the perforated sheet as a result of the folding of the second foldable section.

17. A method as recited in claim 16, wherein the second foldable section extends from the center section in a direction opposite the foldable section.

18. A method as recited in claim 15, comprising:

folding third and fourth foldable sections of the base toward the face of the base; and

positioning the suspension apparatus in an interior of a box,

wherein in the interior of the box, the third and fourth foldable section suspend the center section above a bottom of the box.

19. A method as recited in claim 15, wherein the perforated sheet has regularly spaced apertures across an entire area thereof.

20. A method as recited in claim 15, wherein the perforated sheet is netting.