Compressively Bound Packaging Assembly

A composite integrated package for transport loads comprising:

• a rectangular sheet blank, said blank having a first fold line defining a plurality of panels, said panels forming double-walled spacers in the center of said package when said blank is folded inwardly along said first fold line;
• a plurality of base portions foldably attached to each of said double-walled spacers
• at least a first side portion foldably attached to each of the base portions, said side portions forming vertical walls of said package;
• said double-walled spacers and said side portions forming a plurality of compartments;
• a plurality of substantially identical articles inserted in said compartments, said base portions supporting said articles in said compartments, said articles having vertical extending exterior walls;
• at least one inelastic tensioned binding member extending in a horizontal plane around said package and contacting said wall portion and said articles, said tensioned inelastic binding member applying a compressive force to compress said walls of said package, said article exterior walls and said spacers against each other, forming a unitary, tightly compressed package with said articles held immobile relative to said spacers, to said walls of said package, and to other articles upon the application of a load force to said package.

A structural load bearing package comprising:

• a plurality of substantially identical articles;
• a first base portion receiving a first article from said plurality of articles;
• a second base portion receiving a second article from said plurality of articles, said second base portion substantially coplanar to said first base portion;
• a planar spacer adjoining said first and second base portion;
• a pair of walls comprising a first vertically extending wall fixedly attached to said first base portion and a second vertically extending wall fixedly attached to said second base portion, each of said first and second walls being parallel to said spacer;
• a horizontally extending inelastic tensioned binding member having a predetermined tension encircling said walls, said plurality of articles, and said spacer, said tensioned binding member engaging at least a portion of said plurality of articles and said pair of walls;
• a horizontal compressive force created by said inelastic tensioned binding member, said compressive force providing a frictional force acting on said pair of walls, said plurality of articles, and said spacer, said frictional force interlocking and immobilizing said walls, said plurality of articles, and said spacer relative to each other, constraining said articles against movement relative to said walls and said spacers;
• a frictional force resulting from said compressive force, said frictional force between at least said first wall, said first article, and said spacer, said frictional force resisting vertical movement of said article plurality;
• said walls, said tensioned binding member, said articles, and said spacer, together with said compressive force combing to form a unitary structural load bearing package for said articles.

A method for forming a composite integrated package for the transportation, storage, and display of a plurality of substantially identical articles, the method comprising:

• forming a first fold line in a single sheet blank;
• folding said blank inwardly along said first fold line to form a double-wall center spacer, said double-wall center spacer having an apex formed at the first fold line;
• forming base portions by folding a portion of said double-wall center spacer outward, said base portions receiving the plurality of substantially identical articles;
• forming vertical walls by folding a portion of said base portions upwardly, said vertical walls being substantially parallel to the double-wall center spacer;
• positioning a plurality of the substantially identical articles between the double-wall center spacer and each of the vertical walls, the articles being received by and supported by a corresponding base portion, each article being compressively engaged between a portion of a corresponding vertical wall and at least a portion of said double-wall center spacer;
• and
• compressively binding the vertical walls, the articles, and the double-wall center spacer with a tensioned binding member applying horizontal compressive forces to said vertical walls, to said articles, and to said double-wall center spacer, said compressive binding maintaining said articles, said walls, and said double-wall center spacer in an immobilized position, said articles held immobile relative to the package and relative to other articles, said package forming a stable, load-bearing structural unit.