Packaging for fragile items

A fragility packaging article panel for use in retaining and protecting at least one fragile item within a container, the panel comprising:

• a base having a peripheral edge including generally parallel front and rear edges and generally parallel first and second side edges, said base for resting on or against a panel of the container;
• a platform for supporting at least a portion of the at least one fragile item, said platform including generally parallel front and rear edges and generally parallel first and second side edges;
• a skirt that suspends said platform above said base so that a shock absorbing air cushioning space is defined between the inner surface of the container and said platform;
• and
• a v-hinge extending into said skirt and into said platform, said v-hinge including:
• a first v-shaped end in said skirt with a tip pointing generally toward said base;
• a second v-shaped end in said platform with a tip pointing generally away from said first v-shaped end;
• generally parallel edges that extend between said first v-shaped end and said second v-shaped end;
• and
• first and second walls extending down from said edges and meeting at a trough to thereby form a v-shaped channel,
• wherein said v-shaped channel is generally parallel to said first and second side edges of said platform.

A fragility packaging article panel for use in retaining and protecting at least one fragile item within a container, the panel comprising:

• a base having a peripheral edge including generally parallel front and rear edges and generally parallel first and second side edges, said base for resting on or against a panel of the container;
• a platform for supporting at least a portion of the at least one fragile item, said platform including generally parallel front and rear edges and generally parallel first and second side edges;
• a skirt that suspends said platform above said base so that a shock absorbing air cushioning space is defined between the inner surface of the container and said platform;
• and
• a v-hinge extending into a side of said skirt, into and across an entire width of said platform, and into an opposite side of said skirt, said v-hinge including:
• a first v-shaped end including a tip pointing generally toward said front edge of said base;
• a second v-shaped end including a tip pointing generally toward said rear edge of said base;
• generally parallel edges that extend between said first v-shaped end and said second v-shaped end;
• and
• first and second walls extending down from said edges and meeting at a trough to thereby form a v-shaped channel;
• wherein said v-shaped channel is generally parallel to said first and second side edges of said base;
• wherein said v-hinge provides a predicted path for deformation, wherein during deformation said first and second walls of said v-hinge bend toward one another along said trough.

A fragility packaging article panel for use in retaining and protecting at least one fragile item within a container, the panel comprising:

• a base for resting on or against a panel of the container;
• a platform for supporting at least a portion of the at least one fragile item;
• a skirt that suspends said platform above said base so that a shock absorbing air cushioning space is defined between the inner surface of the container and said platform;
• a plurality of ribs projecting from said platform to define at least one item-supporting cell, each said cell configured to receive a fragile item, at least one of said ribs including a gusset portion projecting from said skirt to provide additional strength to said at least one of said ribs and to said skirt;
• and
• a gusset hinge located in said gusset portion for providing a path of deformation for said gusset.

A fragility packaging article panel for use in retaining and protecting at least one fragile item within a container, the panel comprising:

• a base for resting on or against an inner surface of the container;
• a platform for supporting at least a portion of the at least one fragile item;
• a skirt that suspends said platform above said base so that a shock absorbing air cushioning space is defined between the inner surface of the container and said platform;
• and
• a step hinge within at least a portion of said skirt, said step hinge including a ledge and a face meeting at a corner, and wherein said ledge and said face bend toward one another along said corner during deformation.