Packing insert

Abstract

A packing insert is shown, which includes a first face, a second face, opposite the first face, a first side support and a second side support. The first side support is flexibly connected to the first face and the second face, preferably to one edge of each face. When not fully extended, the side supports bend inwards between the first face and the second face. The first side support and the second side support are in positions with respect to the first face and the second face and each other such that when they are bent inwards between the first face and the second face, the first support member does not interfere with the second support member. In a preferred arrangement, the first side support is flexibly connected to the first face and the second face at a position which is different from that of the second side support, so that when the first side support and the second side support are bent inwards sufficiently far, they pass each other without interfering with each other. In one preferred arrangement, each side support includes a forward support member flexibly connected at one end to one edge of the first face and a rear support member flexibly connected at one end to one edge of the second face. The forward support member and the rear support member are rotatably connected to each other at their ends which are opposite the first face and the second face. In one arrangement, each side support includes a multi-position locking hinge rotatably connecting the forward support member to the rear support member. In another arrangement, each side support includes a cam-locking hinge rotatably connecting the forward support member to the rear support member. In yet another arrangement, each side support includes a tension spring hinge rotatably connecting the forward support member to the rear support member.

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.