PRESTRESSED HONEYCOMB, METHOD AND APPARATUS THEREFOR

摘要

A resilient prestressed honeycomb structure (120) is disclosed in which at least one of its defined planar surfaces is cushioned (122) along its lateral length by substantially continuously deforming it under compression to a preselected depth. Also disclosed is a one-step method for simultaneously cutting and forming a resilient prestressed paper honeycomb structure (120) and apparatus (130) therefor. Also disclosed is a method for incrementally forming a resilient prestressed paper honeycomb structure (120) and apparatus (151) therefor. One preferred embodiment of the resilient prestressed paper honeycomb structure (120) is sufficiently strong and lightweight to use as an inner packaging for providing cushioning protection of articles having a fragility factor rating of less than about 85 G's against multiple impacts. In another embodiment, the core (115) or face sheet (116) of the resilient prestressed honeycomb structure (120) is perforated (118) to allow the flow of air therethrough when the planar surface is deformed.