Method for packing a primary shipping case

1. A method for packing a primary shipping case, comprising the steps of:

providing a cushioned packing strap having one or more cushion strips and latching elements, and having a plurality of panels connected along fold lines;

wrapping the packing strap around at least a portion of the primary shipping case by folding the packing strap along said fold lines; and

interengaging the latching elements so that the packing strap is latched around at least a portion of the primary shipping case with said one or more cushion strips facing the primary shipping case and at least slightly compressed to secure the packing strap on the primary shipping case, said packing strap having at least one open end when latched around the primary shipping case.

2. A method as defined in claim 1 , wherein the step of providing a cushioned packing strap comprises providing a packing strap comprising interconnected first, second, third and fourth side panels, and a latching panel connected to the fourth side panel.

3. A method as defined in claim 1 , wherein the step of providing a cushioned packing strap having latching elements comprises providing a packing strap having integral latching elements.

4. A method as defined in claim 1 , wherein the step of providing a cushioned packing strap comprises providing a packing strap having end flaps for enclosing at least one end of the primary shipping case.

5. A method as defined in claim 1 , wherein the step of interengaging the latching elements comprises tensioning the packing strap on the primary shipping case.

6. A method for packing a primary case, comprising:

providing a packing strap having at least one open end in the absence of the primary shipping case, having at least one cushion affixed to the packing strap, and having a plurality of panels connected along fold lines;

wrapping the packing strap around at least a portion of the primary shipping case by folding the packing strap along said fold lines; and

securing the packing strap on the primary shipping case with the cushion at least slightly compressed.

7. A method as defined in claim 6 , wherein securing the packing strap on the primary shipping case comprises interengaging latching elements on the packing strap.

8. A method as defined in claim 6 , wherein securing the packing strap on the primary shipping case comprises interengaging latching elements integrally formed on the packing strap.

9. A method as defined in claim 6 , wherein securing the packing strap on the primary shipping case comprises closing the packing strap around at least part of the primary shipping case with a closure device.

10. A method as defined in claim 6 , wherein securing the packing strap on the primary shipping case comprises closing the packing strap around at least part of the primary shipping case with one or more bands.

11. A method as defined in claim 6 , wherein securing the packing strap on the primary shipping case comprises closing the packing strap around at least part of the primary shipping case with tape.

12. A method as defined in claim 6 , wherein securing the packing strap on the primary shipping case comprises tensioning the packing strap around the primary shipping case.

13. A method as defined in claim 6 , wherein wrapping the packing strap around at least a portion of the primary shipping case comprises securing one or more end flaps of the packing strap around the primary shipping case.

14. A method as defined in claim 6 , wherein providing a packing strap comprises providing end caps for securing to opposite ends of the primary shipping case.

15. A method as defined in claim 6 , wherein providing a packing strap comprises providing a packing strap having open ends when secured on the primary shipping case.

16. A method as defined in claim 6 , wherein providing a packing strap comprises providing a packing strap having ends that extend beyond the primary shipping case when the packing strap is secured on the primary shipping case.

17. A method as defined in claim 6 , wherein providing a packing strap comprises providing a packing strap that covers the full length of the primary shipping case.

18. A method as defined in claim 6 , wherein providing a packing strap comprises providing a packing strap that covers less than the full length of the primary shipping case.

19. A method for packing a primary shipping case having a first end and second end, comprising:

providing first and second packing straps and first and second cushions affixed to the first and second packing straps, respectively;

wrapping the first and second packing straps around the primary shipping case; and

securing the first and second packing straps on the primary shipping case with the first and second cushions at least slightly compressed.

20. A method as defined in claim 19 , wherein wrapping the first and second packing straps around the primary shipping case comprises wrapping the first and second packing straps around the first and second ends, respectively, of the primary shipping case.

21. A method as defined in claim 19 , wherein securing the first and second packing straps on the primary shipping case comprises interengaging latching elements on each of the first and second packing straps.

22. A method as defined in claim 19 , wherein securing the first and second packing straps on the primary shipping case comprises interengaging latching elements integrally formed on the first and second packing straps.

23. A method as defined in claim 19 , wherein securing the first and second packing straps on the primary shipping case comprises securing around the primary shipping case end flaps on each of the first and second packing straps.

24. A method as defined in claim 19 , wherein wrapping the first and second packing straps around the primary shipping cage comprises folding panels of the first and second packing straps around the primary shipping case.

25. A method as defined in claim 19 , wherein securing the first and second packing straps on the primary shipping case comprises tensioning the first and second packing straps around the primary shipping case.

26. A method as defined in claim 19 , further comprising:

providing a third packing strap and a third cushion affixed to the third packing strap;

wrapping the third packing strap around the primary shipping case between the first and second packing straps; and

securing the third packing strap on the primary shipping case with the third cushion at least slightly compressed.

27. A method for packing a primary shipping case, comprising:

providing a packing strap having at least one cushion affixed thereto and a plurality of panels connected along fold lines;

wrapping the packing strap around the primary shipping case by folding the packing strap along said fold lines; and

securing the packing strap on the primary shipping case with the cushion at least slightly compressed and with the primary shipping case at least partially exposed.