Slit sheet packing material

A article wrapped in a protective cushioning packaging material comprising the combination of;

• an expanded cushioning material and an article,
• said material comprising,
• at least one sheet of flexible, non-woven fibrous sheet material,
• said at least one sheet having a plurality of slits in a pattern of spaced parallel rows of individual slits extending transversely from one end of the fibrous sheet material to the opposing end of said at least one sheet, each of said rows having interval spaces between consecutive slits;
• said slits in each row being positioned adjacent the interval space between consecutive slits in the adjacent parallel row of slits;
• said flexible, non-woven fibrous sheet material and said slit pattern, in combination being characterized by forming upon expansion in the direction transverse to said parallel rows of slit,
• an array of hexagonal openings, said openings being bound by land areas and leg areas,
• said openings being generally similar in shape and size, in a consistent, uniformly repeating opening pattern,
• said slit pattern producing upon expansion, a maximum rotation of said land areas of less than than 90 degrees from its unexpanded position,
• said land areas being rotated an angle of at least about 45 degrees
• said flexible sheet material being extended and wrapped around said article, whereby said article is wrapped completely in a protective cushioning packaging material.

A article wrapped in a protective cushioning packaging material comprising the combination of;

• an expanded cushioning material and an article, said material comprising,
• at least one sheet of flexible, non-woven fibrous sheet material,
• said at least one sheet having a plurality of slits in a pattern of spaced parallel rows of individual slits extending transversely from one end of the fibrous sheet material to the opposing end of said at least one sheet, each of said rows having interval spaces between consecutive slits;
• said slits in each row being positioned adjacent the interval space between consecutive slits in the adjacent parallel row of slits;
• said flexible, non-woven fibrous sheet material and said slit pattern, in combination being characterized by forming upon expansion to at least about 130.degree. of its unexpanded length in the direction transverse to said parallel rows of slit, an array of hexagonal openings, said openings being bound by land areas and leg areas,
• said openings being generally similar in shape and size, in a consistent, uniformly repeating pattern,
• said land areas being rotated an angle of at least about 45 degrees and less than 90 degrees from its unexpanded position,
• said flexible sheet material being extended and wrapped around said article and overlapping itself, whereby said article is wrapped in a protective cushioning packaging material.