bubble wrap

Bubble Wrap is a pliable transparent plastic material commonly used for packing fragile items. Regularly spaced, protruding air-filled hemispheres (“bubbles”) provide cushioning for precious or breakable items. Bubble Wrap was created by two engineers, Alfred Fielding and Marc Chavannes, in 1957. The term is a registered trademark of Sealed Air Corporation (US) which was founded in 1960 by the two inventors, and should theoretically only be used for products of that company.

The bubbles that provide the cushioning for fragile or sensitive objects are generally available in different sizes, depending on the size of the object being packed, as well as the level of cushioning protection that is needed. Multiple layers might be needed to provide shock and vibration isolation. A single layer might be used as a surface protective layer.

They can be as small as 1/4 inch (6 millimeters) in diameter, to as large as an inch (26 millimeters) or more, to provide added levels of shock absorption during transit. In addition to the degree of protection available from the size of the air bubbles in the plastic, the plastic material itself can offer some forms of protection for the object in question. For example, when shipping sensitive electronic parts and components, a type of Bubble Wrap is used that employs an anti-static plastic that dissipates static charges, thereby protecting the sensitive electronic chips from static which can damage them.

Since bubble wrap makes a recognizeable “popping” sound when compressed and punctured, many people use it as a source of amusement. Many people use it to relieve stress, and there are many websites on the internet with “virtual bubble wrap,” programs displaying a sheet of bubble wrap that can be popped by clicking on the individual bubbles.