Inflatable packaging cushion

Details Inflatable packaging cushion Inflatable packaging cushion

1999-06-28

2001-06-12

Sewell, Paul T. (Department: 3728)

Special receptacle or package

Shock protection type

Inflated retainer

C206S521000, C206S588000, C206S591000, C383S003000, C428S071000

Reexamination Certificate

active

06244440

ABSTRACT:

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to inflatable cushion packaging material.
In the normal mailing or other transportation items are customarily packaged in an outer container leaving voids between the product and its container which must be filled to protect the product during shipment. One manner of filling these voids is by inflatable cushions. An example of such inflatable devices is found in U.S. Pat. No. 5,348,157. As seen in that patent the inflatable cushions can take various forms for surrounding portions of the product being shipped.
The inflatable cushions of the prior art have the disadvantage of being of elaborate designs often requiring openings passing through the cushion and generally being of custom design for a particular product. The present invention on the other hand is of a simple design that is readily and conveniently manufactured and may be utilized for a large variety of shapes and sizes of products being packaged.
An important feature of an inflatable cushion is that it not rupture upon impact. Rupture would of course result in deflation and loss of the cushioning effect.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
The inflatable cushion of the present invention is in the configuration of a flat raft-like design having individual compartments. Most of the compartments are joined by air passages so that a single valve would serve to inflate the cushion. Provision is made to conveniently fold the cushion to provide upright sides and a top member so that the cushion will conveniently surround the product being shipped on various surfaces of the product.
The invention contemplates inflatable compartments protecting all sides of a product for complete protection. In addition the top and bottom cushions each have a portion that is noninflatable that provides improved cushioning and resistance to rupture in the event of impact.
Accordingly it is an object of the present invention is to provide an inflatable cushion that may be folded or configured to surround all sides of a product for shipment.
A further object of the present invention is to provide a flat inflatable cushion that may be readily folded to surround a product for packaging and shipment.
A further object of the invention is to provide an inflatable cushion in which selected surfaces have both inflated and non-inflated portions for improved cushioning.
A further object of the invention is to provide an inflatable cushion having six sides with inflatable compartments in which two opposite sides have noninflatable portions for improved cushioning.


REFERENCES:
patent: 5769231 (1998-06-01), Batsford
patent: 5803263 (1998-09-01), Pozzo
patent: 5912058 (1999-06-01), Takahashi et al.

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