Vacuum formed cushioning device and method of making and using the same

Abstract

Cushioning device and method for packaging an article in a container using fill material contained within a sealed flexible enclosure. In one disclosed embodiment, the pressure within the enclosure is first reduced to decrease the internal volume of the enclosure and compress the fill material and thereafter increased to allow the fill material to reexpand into cushioning engagement with the article. In another disclosed embodiment, fill material within a flexible enclosure is molded to form a cushion of predetermined shape with the assistance of vacuum pressure and mechanical force. The fill materials include conventional loose fill packing materials, granules, fibers, particles, and the like, such that a body of the fill material has a resiliency and an ability to spring back to near the original volume after being compressed. Recyclable, biodegradable and/or water soluble fill and/or enclosure materials, including materials which could not otherwise be used as a loose fill material because of possible contamination of the article to be packaged, may also be used.

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.