Packaging for fragile articles having controlled collapsibility

A unitary packaging structure for a shock sensitive article, comprising:

• a platform portion adapted to support at least a portion of the article and having a peripheral portion with a first edge and a second edge;
• a sidewall structure forming an enclosure around only said first edge of said platform portion, said sidewall structure including an inner wall being joined to said peripheral portion, and an outer wall peripherally spaced from said inner wall, said inner wall being relatively shorter than said outer wall so that said platform portion is held a specified distance above a lower edge of said outer wall;
• shock limiting means formed in said sidewall structure for restricting the movement of said platform portion toward said lower edge of said outer wall upon shock loading of said platform portion;
• and
• support means for supporting said second edge of said platform against vertical displacement.

A packaging structure for a fragile article, comprising:

• at least one support block having a platform portion adapted to support at least a portion of the article and having a peripheral portion with a first edge and a second edge;
• a sidewall structure forming an enclosure around only said first edge of said platform portion, said sidewall structure including an inner wall being integral with said peripheral portion, and an outer wall peripherally spaced from said inner wall, said inner wall being relatively shorter than said outer wall so that said platform portion is held a specified distance above a lower edge of said outer wall;
• shock limiting means formed in said sidewall structure for restricting the movement of said platform portion toward said lower edge of said outer wall upon shock loading of said platform portion;
• and
• a substrate to which said at least one support block is secured for supporting various portions of the fragile article.