Note: Descriptions are shown in the official language in which they were submitted.
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Attorney Docket 856-017-1
PACKAGING SYSTEM WITH INFLATABLE CUSHION
FIELD OF INVENTION
The invention herein relates to a packaging system including an inflatable
cushion
that protects and stabilizes a product within a carton.
PRIOR APPLICATION
This application claims priority to U.S. Provisional Application Serial Number
60/54I,596 filed February 4, 2004.
BACKGROUND OF 1NVENTION
Products are generally packaged in boxes for shipment, in order that the
product may
be protected and kept clean. In many instances, the product is not inherently
fragile, but must
be stabilized and cushioned within the carton, because movement within the
carton could
damage the product or permit the product to damage the integrity of the
carton. In other
instances, the product is fragile and must be protected from impact,
deformation or other
damaging forces.
Jn some instances, the product is stabilized and secured within a box by one
or more
preformed foam inserts. The foam inserts) fill the space between the product
and the inside
walls of the carton, being shaped to conform to the product and maintain space
between the
product and the walls of the carton. There are many drawbacks to foam insert
packaging
systems. First, the foam inserts themselves axe relatively expensive to
fabricate. Second, the
use of foam inserts has many additional costs that are primarily due to the
bulk of the inserts.
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Attorney Docket 856-017-1
These include the space and consequent high shipping costs of delivering the
foam inserts to
the user, the amount of storage space required by the foam inserts at the
user's facility, and
the bulk of the foam inserts when disposed of. In fact, the foam inserts are
sufficiently bulky
that many users can only keep a few days' supply of foam inserts on their
premises, wherein
there is a risk of running out of inserts upon any disruption in the delivery
process. Also, the
foam inserts are not ecologically friendly, in that they are generally not
made of recycled
materials and are themselves difficult to collect for recycling.
An alternative system for surrounding and stabilizing products within shipping
cartons is the use of cardboard spacers. The spacers are generally custom-
designed for the
product and carton, and often require folding and carefully positioning in
order to accept the
product and place the product within the shipping carton. The cardboard
spacing systems are
also relatively expensive and bulky, in addition to being somewhat difficult
and labor-
intensive to use.
Air cushioning systems have also been provided. These systems generally
utilize a
pillow of one or a plurality of inflated air compartments positioned above,
below and beside
a fragile product, i.e. air cushioning is provided on all sides of the
product. Vt~hen the product
is not fragile, air filled bags have been used to fill voids in a box
containing the product, so
that the product is stabilized in the box.
All of these systems have certain drawbacks, and improvements on them would be
welcome to those who package and ship products.
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SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
It is a principal object of the invention herein to provide improved packaging
of
products for shipment.
It is an additional object of the invention herein to provide an efficient
alternative to
foam inserts and/or cardboard spacers for protecting and stabilizing products
in cartons.
It is also an object of the invention herein to reduce the shipping space,
storage space
and disposal space of protection systems utilized in shipping products in
cartons.
It is a further object of the invention to provide improved air cushion
packaging
devices.
It is also an object of the invention to provide improved air cushion
packaging
devices that are adaptable to a wide range of products.
In carrying out the aspects of the invention herein, an air cushion for
protecting
products during shipment has a product placement area formed of two facing
product support
panels, which are portions of two substantially air impervious heat sealable
thermoplastic
sheets. An inflatable tube substantially surrounds the product placement area
and is formed
by tube walls that are respectively integral with the product support panels,
namely,
additional portions of the thermoplastic sheets that form the product support
panels. An
inside seam of the inflatable tube joins the thermoplastic sheets and the
product support
panels extend from the inside seam. An outside seam joins the two
thermoplastic sheets
opposed from the inside seam, thereby forming the inflatable tube. The outside
seam may
only have two segments if the two thermoplastic sheets are in the form of tube
stock. An
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inflation valve is secured between the two thermoplastic sheets for admitting
air to the
inflatable tube and sealing air therein.
In other aspects of the invention, one of the product support panels has a
slit creating
an opening, whereby a product may be inserted in a product placement area
between the two
product support panels. Multiple slits may also be provided to accommodate a
particular
product.
The produce placement area may be rectangular and may be surrounded by the
inflatable tube. The inflatable tube may be U-shaped, to expose an open end of
the product
support panels, and the distal ends of the U-shaped inflatable tube may fold
across the open
end of the product support panels to substantially surround the product
placement area.
According to further aspects of the invention, the product support panels may
be
joined by a seam or seams to define a product placement area for a product of
a particular
shape. Also, the product support panels may be joined by seams to provide
multiple product
placement areas in the product support panels. Each such product placement
area is provided
with at least one opening in one of the product support panels.
In further aspects of the invention, two and preferably four additional
stacking-height
extension legs are provided adjacent to and extending from the inflation tube,
the stacking-
height extension legs being formed of further portions of the two
thermoplastic sheets. The
stacking-height extension legs are separated from the inflation tube by heat-
fused seams,
which are discontinuous to provide air communication for inflating the
stacking-height
extension legs with the inflation tube. The stacking-height extension legs are
foldable for
deployment generally perpendicular to the product support panels, and are
thereby adapted
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for positioning adjacent the walls of the carton in which the air cushion and
a product
supported thereby is inserted. Stacking-height extension legs having an
inflated height
greater than the diameter of the inflatable tube may be tufted by heat-fused
spots, to maintain
a width not substantially greater than the inflatable tube and thereby
coordinate with the
inflatable tube in fitting into a carton. The stacking-height extension legs
are preferably
provided in two diametrically opposed pairs, and one pair may be folded
upwardly and one
pair may be folded downwardly for nesting multiple air cushions with stacking-
height
extension legs in a carton.
According to a further aspect of the invention, an air cushion may be formed
of
thermoplastic sheets including a metallic layer for electro-magnetically
shielding products
supported therein. The product support panels are configured to fully surround
and shield the
product.
In also carrying out additional aspects of the invention herein, a shipping
system is
provided for a product having a general shape consisting of a top, bottom,
peripheral side
wall. The shipping system includes a rectangular carton sized and shaped to
receive the
product with clearance between the peripheral wall of the product and the
walls of the carton.
The shipping system also includes an air cushion including an inflatable tube
substantially
surrounding the peripheral wall of the product placed in a product placement
area on product
support panels substantially surrounded by the inflatable tube and sized and
shaped for
receiving one of the top and bottom of the product, and an inflation valve for
admitting
inflation air for inflating the tube to substantially surround the peripheral
wall of the product
with the product suspended and substantially surrounded by the inflatable
tube. The tube is
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dimensioned so that upon inflation thereof, it surrounds the peripheral wall
of the product and
stabilizes the position of the product within the shipping carton.
The product may have a flange extending from the peripheral wall as an
extension of
the top of the product, and the air cushion is dimensioned to receive the
flange on the
inflatable tube.
Also according to aspects of the invention, the air cushion is fabricated of
two sheets
of polymer heat sealable air impervious material. The surface of the polymer
sheet material
contacting the product may have a higher co-efficient of friction than the
surface of the sheet
contacting walls of the shipping carton. This permits the air cushion and
product to be easily
inserted into the shipping carton and enhances the ability of the air cushion
to stabilize the air
product within the shipping carton.
The foregoing and other objects and features of the invention herein will, in
part, be
apparent to 'those skilled in the art and will in part appear in the
description of the preferred
embodiments and the claims, taken together with the drawings.
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BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS
FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a product and an air cushion packaging system
for the
product according to the invention herein;
FIG. 2 is a sectional view of the product and air cushion packaging system of
FIG. 1,
taken in section through a closed shipping carton;
FIG. 3 is a top plan view of an air cushion according to the invention herein,
used in
the air cushion packaging system of FIG. 1, shown uninflated;
FIG. 4 is a sectional view of the air cushion of FIG. 3, shown inflated;
FIG. 5 is an enlarged segmental view of the air cushion of FIG. 3;
FIG. 6 is a top view of another air cushion according to the invention herein,
used in
packaging a product;
FIG. 7 is a sectional view, taken along the lines 7-7 of FIG. 6, of the air
cushion of
FIG. 6 used in packaging a product;
FIG. S is a top view of another air cushion according to the invention herein
for use in
an air cushion packaging system;
FIG. 9 is a top view of another air cushion according to the invention herein
for use in
an air cushion packaging system;
FIG. 10 is a top view of another air cushion for use in an air cushion
packaging
system according to the invention herein, with a product supported thereby;
FIG. 11 is a side, sectional view of the air cushion of FIG. 10, shown folded
and
positioned in a carton;
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FIG. 12 is a side view of a plurality of the air cushion shown in FIG. 10,
shown
stacked in a carton;
FIG. 13 is a top view of another air cushion for use in an air cushion
packaging
system according to the invention herein;
FIG. 14 is a side, sectional view of the air cushion of FIG. 10 with a product
supported thereby, shown folded and positioned in a carton;
FIG. 15 is a top view of another air cushion according to the invention herein
for use
in an air cushion packaging system;
FIG. 16 is a sectional view, taken along the lines 7-7 of FIG. 6, of the air
cushion and
packaging system of FIG. 6;
FIG. 17 is an enlarged, fragmentary, sectional view of the air cushion of FIG.
15.
FIG. 18 is a top view of another air cushion for use in an air cushion
packaging
system according to the invention herein;
FIG. 19 is a perspective view, of the air cushion of FIG. 8 shown inserted in
a carton;
and
FIG. 20 is a top view of the air cushion of FIG. 18 enclosed in the carton of
FIG. 19.
The same reference numerals refer to the same elements throughout the various
figures.
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DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS
With reference to FIGS. 1-5, a product 1 and a packaging system 10 for the
product 1
according to the invention herein are illustrated. The product 1 is an imaging
film cassette
having a tray 2 with a peripheral side wall 3, a bottom 4 and a top 5. The
tray has a
peripheral flange 6 extending outwardly from the side wall 3, and the top 5 is
secured to the
peripheral flange. The tray 2 is generally rectangular, wherein the peripheral
side wall 3 is
formed in four panels that are joined at rounded corners, such as corner 7.
The packaging system 10 includes a carton 12 and an air cushion 14. The carton
12 is
fabricated of corrugated carton stock and has a bottom 16, peripheral side
walls 18 and end
walls 20, and cover flaps 22 and 24, which fold flat and are taped or glued to
assemble the
carton 12 in a rectangular closed configuration. As shown in FIG. 1, the
carton 12 may be
provided as a flattened sheet with scored fold lines and the product is placed
on the bottom
panel prior to folding the carton into the closed configuration shown in FIG.
2.
Prior to the invention herein, the product 1 was held in position by a foam
carton
insert consisting of a foam periphery, and a foam bottom panel. The tray 2
fitted in the foam
insert with the flange supported on the peripheral foam wall which held the
top of the tray
against the underside of the cover flaps 22 and 24, when they were folded
shut.
The air cushion 14 is shown in FIGS. 3-5, and is fabricated of two
substantially air
impervious sheets 26 and 28 that are heat fused together at outside seam 30
and inside seam
32 to define a peripheral inflatable tube 34. An air valve 36 extends through
seam 30 for
delivering inflation air to the inflatable tube 34. The air cushion has two
facing product
support panels 38 and 39 that form a generally rectangular product placement
area 37,
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surrounded by the inflatable tube 34. The substantially air impervious sheets
26 and 28 are a
thermoplastic heat sealable polymer so that the seams 30 and 32 may be formed
by heating
the superimposed sheets. The sheets may be a mono-layer of polyethylene, or
when a longer
air retention is required, may be laminated plies of polyethylene and nylon,
EVOH or other
T
highly air impervious material. o r~ ~n G''~~J~~ S 8, 39 and the inflatable
tube 34
are integrally formed of the tw
With reference to FIGS ~ generally rectangular, with
rounded corners, sized so that ~.~.. ~._._____ ___ _ _ . _ . lly surrounds the
peripheral side
wall 3 of the product 1. With particular reference to FIG. 2, the bottom 4 of
the product 1 is
received on the product support panel 38 and the flange 6 of the product is
received between
the inflatable tube 34 and the top of the carton 12, wherein the bottom 4 of
the product is
suspended above the bottom 16 of the carton 12. Thus, the product 1 is
cushioned and
stabilized within the carton 12, and is in part protected from damage by an
air suspension
effect of the air cushion 14.
The packaging system 10 passes all drop and shock tests that are required of
the foam
packaging insert it replaces. It saves substantial amounts of shipping and
storage room by
the user. For instance, one pallet of air cushions 14 will provide for
shipping the same
number of products as seventy-five pallets of foam inserts. The recipient of
the packages
also benefits, in that the air cushion may be punctured or otherwise deflated
to return it to its
compact form for disposal. Disposal may include recycling.
With reference to FIGS. 6 and 7, another air cushion 50 is shown. The air
cushion 50
is similar to the air cushion 14, being fabricated of two sheets 26, 28 of
thermoplastic heat-
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sealable material sealed together at seams 30, 32 to define an inflatable tube
34. The two
thermal plastic sheets 26 and 28 integrally form two product support panels
38, 39 extending
from the inside seam 30. An air valve 36 is positioned in outside seam 32, for
inflating the
tube 34.
The air cushion 50 is characterized by a slit 52 in the support panel 38. The
slit 52
creates an opening 54, which provides for inserting a product 56 into a
product placement
area 58 between the product support panels 38 and 39.
The air cushion 50 is used in conjunction with a carton 60, the side walls 61,
62 and
end walls 63, 64 of which are seen in FIG. 6 and the top 66 and bottom 68 of
which are best
seen in FIG. 7. The inflatable tube 34 is sized to fit snugly against the side
walls 61, 62 and
end walls 63, 64, and also spans the distance between the top and bottom walls
66, 68. The
air cushion 50 and the carton 60 are preferably cooperatively sized so that
the product
support panels 38, 39 are under tension across the interior of the inflatable
tube 34, wherein
they hold the product 56 substantially in position and also resist deflection,
somewhat in the
manner of a trampoline or flexible diaphragm, so that the product 56 is
cushioned against
shocks and does not impact against the walls, top or bottom of the carton, or
if the product 56
does so impact, that the impact is light and non-damaging to the product.
FIG. 8 illustrates another air cushion 70, which is also similar to the air
cushions 14,
50 and 60 being formed of two thermoplastic sheets heat sealed at seams 30, 32
to define an
inflatable tube 34 with product support panels 38, 39 extending from the
inside seam 32. The
two thermoplastic sheets are tube stock in flattened condition, whereby the
outside seam 30 is
provided in two sections 30a and 30b, and this form of two sheets is
applicable to other
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embodiments as well. An inflation valve 36 is provided in seam 30.
In air cushion 70, the product support panels 38, 39 are heat fused together
along
seams 72 and 74, to divide the product support panels into four product
placement areas 76-
79. Each of the product placement areas 76-79 is respectively provided with a
slit 80-83 in
the product support panel 38, wherein products may be inserted into each of
the product
placement areas 76-79. The air cushion 70 is inserted in a carton 60 for
shipping, as
described above with respect to air cushion 50. This configuration is useful
for packaging a
plurality of small, fragile products.
In FIG. 9, air cushion 90 is also similar to air cushions 14, 50, 60 and 70 in
having an
inflatable tube 34 and product support panels 38 and 39 extending from the
inside seam 32
forming the inflatable tube 34. The air cushion 90 is characterized by having
the product
support panels 38 and 39 heat sealed together along seams 91, 93 and 95 to
provide product
placement areas 92, 94 and 96 that are each specifically shaped for a
particular product. Slits
97, 98 and 99 are formed in the product panel 38, for inserting products into
the product
placement areas 92, 94 and 96, respectively. This configuration of air cushion
90 is also well
adapted to shipping a plurality of small products, and especially a set of
small products of
different shapes in a single carton with the products held in position and
cushioned against
impact.
With reference to FIGS. 10 and 1 l, an air cushion 100 is shown for use with
products
requiring special impact protection, products having a relatively large
physical dimension, or
heavier products that tend toward greater movement upon impact. The air
cushion 100 is
also formed of two sheets of thermoplastic material heat sealed together along
seams to
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achieve the desired configuration and function.
The air cushion 100 has a generally rectangular inflation tube 102 with
opposed side
portions 104, 105 and opposed end portions 106, 107. As with the other air
cushions
disclosed above, the corners between the side portions and end portions are
rounded for
smooth transmission and the avoidance of stress points on the seams.
The inflation tube 102 is defined by inside seam 110, and product support
panels 112
and 113 extend from the inside seam 110. A slit 114 provides an opening for
inserting a
product 116 into a product placement area 118 between the product support
panels 112 and
113.
Adjacent side 104 of the inflation tube 102, a first stacking height extension
leg 120 is
formed, by seam 122 and by the portion 124 of outer seam 125 defining the
inflatable tube
102. The seam portion 124 has discontinuities to form openings 126, permitting
air
communication between the stacking height extension leg 120 and the inflatable
tube 102.
t
Thus, the inflation valve 128 for the air cushion 100~may be placed in seam
122, for inflating
the stacking height extension leg 120, the inflatable tube 102, and additional
stacking height
extension legs, as further described below.
A second stacleing height extension leg 130 is formed extending from side 105
of
inflatable tube 102, opposite the stacking height extension leg 120, stacking
height extension
leg 130 is defined by seam 132 and by portion 134 of the outside seam 125. The
seam 134 is
discontinuous to provide openings 136 for inflating the stacking height
extension leg 130.
Stacking height extension legs 140 and 142 are similarly respectively formed
adjacent
end portions 105 and 106 of the inflation tube 102. In the air cushion 100
illustrated, flaps of
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the two thermoplastic sheets forming the air cushion remain at the corners,
such as flap 144.
If desired, these may be cut away, but they do not interfere with the
operation of the air
cushion 100.
With reference to FIG. 11, the air cushion 100 is shown supporting the product
116
within a carton 146. The stacking height extension legs 140 and 142 are folded
upwardly
along the side walls 147 of the carton 146, to further separate the product
116 from the top
148 of the carton. Stacking height extension legs 120 and 130 are folded
downwardly with
respect to the inflatable tube 102, and provide further separation of the
product from the
bottom 149 of the carton 146. It will be appreciated that in the sectional
view of FIG. 11, the
stacking height extension leg 130 is not visible, but it assumes the same
position as the
stacking height extension leg 120.
To promote a vertical stacked relationship of the inflation tube 102 and the
stacking
height extension legs, it is preferred that the diameter DL of the inflated
stacking height
extension legs be approximately the same as the diameter DT of the inflation
tube.
Additionally, the seams joining the inflation tube and an adjacent stacking
height extension
leg, such as seam 143, have a width W which is approximately the same as the
diameters of
the stacking height extension legs and inflatable tube 102. Thus, the width of
the seam
positions to stacking height extension legs above or below the inflatable
tube, i.e. in
vertically stacked relationship.
As shown in FIG. 12, a plurality of air cushions 100, 100a, etc. may be
stacked in a
single carton ~in a nesting arrangement, where the downwardly folded stacking
height
extension legs of one air cushion 100 are received on the inflation tube of
the next lower air
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cushion 100a, and the upwardly folded stacking height extension legs of the
lower air
cushion 100a support the inflatable tube of the air cushion 100 positioned
above it. This
provides for packaging a plurality of protected products in one carton.
In some instances, it is desirable that the stacking height extension legs
have a greater
dimension than provided in air cushion 100, where the dimension is
approximately equal to
the diameter of the inflatable tube 102. However, it is also preferable to
provide the stacking
height extension leg having a thickness of approximately the same dimension as
the diameter
of the inflatable tube 102. An air cushion 160 shown in FIGS. 13 and 14
satisfies these
obj ectives.
The air cushion 160 is also fabricated of two thermoplastic sheets heat sealed
together
along seams that provide the structure and configuration required. The air
cushion 160 has
an inflatable tube 162, with side portions 164, 165 and end portions 166, 167.
A first
stacking height extension leg 170 is formed by seam 172 adjacent side 164, and
seam 174
between the stacking height extension leg 170 and inflatable tube 162 is
discontinuous for air
communication. An inflation valve 163 is provided.
The stacking height extension leg 170 has a height H approximately twice as
great as
the diameter Dc of the inflatable tube 162. In order that the stacking height
extension leg 170
does not assume a greater diameter, heat-fused spot seams 176 are provided
joining the two
thermoplastic sheets approximately midway across the stacking height extension
leg 170.
This causes the stacking height extension leg 170 to assume a tufted
configuration when
inflated, as best seen in FIG. 14, and limits the thickness of the stacking
height extension leg
a dimension approximately equal to the diameter DT of the inflatable tube 162.
Stacking
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height extension legs 180 is provided adjacent side 165 of inflatable tube I62
opposite the
stacking height extension leg I70, and an additional to tufted stacking height
extension legs
182 and 184 are formed adjacent the ends 166, 167 of the inflatable tube I62.
As best seen in FIG. 14, the tufted stacking height extension legs provide a
greater
separation of the product panels and product held therein from the top 187 and
bottom 188 of
a carton I 86, without increasing the thickness of the stacking height
extension legs.
FIGS. 15-I7 illustrate an air cushion 190 particularly adapted for packaging
and
shipment of sensitive electronic devices that can be damaged by
electromagnetic radiation as
well as by impact. An example of such a device is a computer mother board,
which is the
product 192 shown in association with the air cushion I90.
With initial reference to FIG. 17, the thermoplastic heat sealable sheets 194,
19S used
to fabricate the air cushion 190 are a lamination of a thermoplastic heat
sealable inner layer
196 and a nylon, polyester or other polymer outer layer 198, with a metallic
layer 200
therebetween. The metallic layer 200 may be aluminum particles coated onto one
of the
inner or outer layers, may be another metal or a conductive material deposited
on one of the
films, or may be a foil laminated between layers I96 and 198. Thus, when the
air cushion
I90 is fabricated by forming heat sealed seams, such as seam 210. the inner
thermoplastic
heat sealable layers 196 are joined together.
With further reference to FIG. I5, the air cushion 190 has an inflatable tube
202,
which is generally rectangular in the embodiment shown, and two product
support panels
204, 206 extending from and supported by the inflatable tube 202. The inside
seam 208 of
the inflatable tube 202 defines the outer periphery of the product support
panels 204 and 206;
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however, the product support panels are further joined together at product
perimeter seam
210 which is dimensioned to closely receive the mother board product 192.
A slit 212 is formed through both product support panels 205 and 206, and the
slit is
U-shaped having end legs 214 and 215 aligned with the product support seam
210. This
provides end flap 216 of the product support panel 204 and end flap 218 of the
product
support panel 206 and the end flaps 216 and 218 are overfolded as shown in
FIG. 16 and
secured in that position by tape, stapling, or the lilee so that the mother
board 192 is fully
encapsulated in foil layers of the product support panels. Thus, the mother
board 192 is
encapsulated in a foil layer that acts as a faraday cage, that protects it
from electromagnetic
radiation during storage and shipment.
FIG. 16 also shows how the air cushion 190 is used in conjunction with a
shipping
carton 220, wherein the mother board is centrally suspended supported in the
carton and
protected from impact, as well as from radiation.
FIGS. 18-20 illustrate another air cushion 230, characterized by a U-shaped
inflation
tube 232. The U-shaped inflation tube 232 has side legs 234 and 236, and an
end leg 238. It
is formed from two thermoplastic sheets which are heat sealed together along
an outside
seam 240 and in inside seam 242 to form the inflation tube. An inflation valve
244 is
provided at the end of side leg 234 or at another convenient location.
Two product support panels extend from the side legs 234, 236 and the end leg
238,
and define an entry opening at 250 for inserting a product. If desired, the
product support
panels can be provided with product support seams positioned to closely
accommodate the
dimensions of the product, such as a picture frame. One advantage of the air
cushion 230 is
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that the entry to the product placement area between the two product support
sheets is the full
width between the legs 234 and 236, wherein a relatively wide product may be
easily
inserted.
With reference to FIG. 19, once the product has been inserted, the air cushion
230 and
the product therein may be inserted into a carton 260 through an open end
thereof. The end
portions of the legs 234, 236 are then be folded inwardly to be contained
within the carton
when its end flaps axe closed, and the two end portions provide the cushioning
protection for
the product at the open end of the product support panels, as illustrated in
FIG. 20.
The air cushions described above are preferably made of heat-fusible polymers,
such
as mono-layer of polyethylene, or polyethylene laminated with other and more
highly air
impervious layers if long air retention time is desired, all as is well known
in the art. In
addition, the surface of the air cushion which is received against a product
may be provided
with a different coefficient of friction, such as by selection of the film or
embossing or matte
finishing the film, to assist in holding the product in place on the air
cushion. Further, the
surface of the air cushion presented to the interior of the carton may be
provided with a lower
coefficient of friction, so that the air cushion and product slide easily into
the carton. All air
cushions described above share the benefits of being shipped compactly to the
user and
stored in a small space by the user. They are also easily reduced in bulk for
disposal, and
may be recycled. The inflatable tubes of the air cushions typically have a
width and length of
about 15" - 20" and a diameter of about 1" - 3" when inflated, but both larger
and smaller
dimensions are within the scope of the invention.
1~
CA 02556975 2006-08-04
WO 2005/077784 PCT/US2005/003713
It will be appreciated that the inflatable tubes may continuously or
substantially
surround the product, and that the inflatable take may be provided in segments
or connected
chambers, as desired. Also, the configuration of slits, openings and seams
utilized to receive
a product on the product on the product support panels may be varied to
accommodate a
variety of products.
The foregoing packaging systems admirably achieve the objects of the invention
herein. However, it will be understood that they are illustrative of the
invention, and that
various changes may be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the
invention,
which is limited only by the following claims.
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