Package blank and method for producing a package

A method for producing a package from a package blank, said package blank including a wrapping material and a substantially deformable inner material, said wrapping material consisting of a resilient film, said film forming a sealed inner space, said inner material consisting of particles accommodated within said sealed inner space and having a volume less than said sealed inner space, and a stiffening plate included on a surface of said wrapping material, said method comprising:

• a) placing at least one article within said package blank;
• b) inserting a piercing means thereby creating a penetrating hole through said stiffening plate establishing a communication means between said sealed inner space and a vacuum creating mechanism;
• c) effecting a pressure reduction in said sealed inner space by said vacuum creating mechanism, said pressure reduction resulting in the stiffening of said inner material and substantial immobilization of said particles relative to each other;
• and
• d) closing said communication means by means of a sealing member during the course of removing said piercing means.

A method for manufacturing a package assembly, said package assembly comprising a blank assembly including a sealed and resilient film serving as wrapping material and a substantially deformable inner material consisting of particles, said method comprising:

• a) preparing an inner material blank by laying said inner material upon a first continuous web of material and covering said first continuous web of material and said inner material with a continuous second web of material, both said first and second webs being made of a porous material;
• b) laying a stiffening plate upon a continuous web of said film, said film forming said wrapping material;
• c) laying said inner material blank in alignment with said stiffening plate;
• and
• d) encircling by and sealing within said film an assembly formed by said stiffening plate and said inner material blank.