Note : Les descriptions sont présentées dans la langue officielle dans laquelle elles ont été soumises.
2009365
CLAM-LIKE PACKAGING SYSTEM AND METHOD
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relate~ generally to a
package, system and method for packaging of an article
and, more particularly, to an inflatable package having a
clam-like configuration adapted to compress and retain
the article therein, e.q., where chambers surround the
article, are supplied with a filler medium and exert
equal pressure about the article.
DESCRIPTION OF THE PRIOR ART
Packages for enclosing and protecting articles
have been in wide and long use, a~ exemplified by such
structures which are disclosed in United States Patents
3,042,796 and 4,597,244 in which an article is packaged
within a single inflated and sealed baq. Bec,ause the
article contacts the outer walls of the package, the
article is sub~ect to damage if the package is dropped or
otherwise sub~ected to shock.
This problem is addressed in such packages
described in United States Patents 2,681,142, 3,009,566,
3,302,780, 3,406,746, 4,184,596, 4,190,158, 4,240,556,
4,262,801 and 4,155,453. These packages are sub~ect to
one or more of the following problems. The pressure
~'~ applied to the article is not always uniform. The air
,~ inflating the outer bags is not uniformly applied. The
, 25 enclosed article remains close to the outer cover and,
therefore, may be damaged from shock or the like directed
to the outer cover ad~acent the article. The enclosed
article can slip out!from a side or an end during periods
of rapid movement. The package may be tampered with
without knowledge of the sender or recipient of the
package and enclosed article. Some of such packages are
relatively complex in construction and/or expensive to
manufacture, and require specialized eguipment or
assembly methods.
2009365
SUMM~RY OF THE INVENTION
The present invention is an improvement over
such packaging qystems as disclosed above. A first
general embodiment of the present invention comprises a
package including a plurality of inflatable portion~
which are arranged to form a pocket for receiving and
retaining an article. A filler medium supply portion is
coupled to all of the inflatable portions for enabling
the inflatable portions to be inflated under equal
pressure with a filler medium and thereby for substan-
tially encapsulating the pocket and the article therein.
Second and third general embodiments of the
present invention comprise overlying first and second
baq portions pivotally and flexibly connected together to
a third bag portion at a rearward ~ide of the packaging
system. In the third general embodiment, a fourth bag
portion is connected to the first or second bag portion
at a frontal side. The interiors of all of the bag
portions are interconnected 80 that they may be simul-
taneously inflated from a single inlet in one of the bag
portions. Overlying edges of the first and second bag
portions are secured together at their oppo~ite lateral
qides to form a pocket for reception of an article, with
the first and second bag portions remaining unattached to
each other at a frontal side of the packaging system to
- expose the pocket therebetween. In the third general
embodiment, a flap terminates the fourth bag portion and
is insertable into the pocket and over the article
enclosed therein. Inflating means are preferably
provided on the packaging system at least to partially
fill all of the bag portions with a filler medium, such
as pressurized art, and to compress the first and second
~; bag portions against the article. The inflated fourth
--~ bag portion of the third general embodiment also helps
~ 35 ~eal off the entry to the pocket, and all four inflated
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bag portions form a fully surrounding protection for the
enclosed article. If desired, the flap may also be
inflated to add extra security to the enclosed article.
When inflated, all bag portions place their pocket-
S forming components under orthogonally-directed tension to
~ecurely clamp the article within the pocket.
In carrying forth the preferred method of the
first general embodiment of the present invention, the
peripheries of four layers of fluid impermeable material
are bonded and sealed together except for a peripheral
portion which provides an entry through which the article
can be inserted into the pocket. The peripheral entry
portion is formed by respective couplings between the
upper two layers and between the lower two layers. After
insertion of the article into the entry and into the
pocket, the upper two and the lower two layers at the
peripheral portion may also be wholly or partially bonded
and sealed together to secure the article into the thus-
formed package.
The inflatable portions are then filled and
infljated with air or other suitable medium to suspend the
two interior layers and the pocket formed thereby at a
fixed position within the two layers. When the entry is
partially bonded and sealed, air in the pocket i8 forced
out past the partial seal upon inflation of the inflat-
able portions and, therefore, enables the tw~ interior
layer portionæ to press against the article. To ensure
equalized pressure of the air in all inflatable portions
and, therefore, uniformly about the article, another
peripheral portion is formed into the supply portion with
at least two separated entries into all of the inflat-
able portions. The bifurcated air passage is formed by
sealing the four layeræ completely together, but leaving
unsealed spaces between the opposed ends of the seal line
and the sealed periphery.
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2009365
In carrying forth the method of the second and
third general embodiments of the present invention, a
package is first formed to define at least one fully
sealed enclosure therein adapted to contain the filler
medium. Partial seals interconnect the facing package
walls to segment the enclosure into three chambers for
the second general embodiment and into an end flap and
four chambers for the third general embodiment, whose
interiors are connected and which comprise two outer
chambers connected to a middle or third chamber. An
intermediate or third chamber couples the two chamber~
which are intended to press again~t thé article. The
package is folded at the middle or intermediate chamber
to superimpose the bag portions defining the two outer
chambers and ~o hold the middle chamber over itself.
Lateral sides of the bag portions of the three or four
chambers are secured together to define the pocket for
subsequent retention of the article therein.
Several aims and advantages accrue from such
structure and method of manufacture. Pressure is exerted
equally on both sides of the article. Air is inserted
uniformly to all inflatable portions for their uniform
inflation under equal pressure. The article is securely
clamped and protected within the package even during
2S severe exposure to shock. The package comprises a simple
construction which is easy and inexpensive to manufac-
ture. It is amenable to reconfiguration into any desired
shape and added protection as is required to protect the
enclosed article, without significant change in the
manufacturing equipment and techniques.
Other aims and advantages, as well as a more
complete understanding of the present invention, will
appear from the following explanation of exemplary
embodiments and the accompanying drawings thereof.
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2009365
~RIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
Fig. 1 is an isometric view illustrating a
first general embodiment of a package embodying the
present invention, constructed from a four layer
arrangement of film, panel or sheet of fluid impermeable
material shown in Fig. 7;
Fig. 2 i8 a cro~s-sectional view of a con-
tinuous film, panel or sheet of fluid impermeable
material which is folded into a four layer arrangement
and disposed into a form suitable for formation of the
first general embodiment of the package;
Fig. 3 is a top plan view of the package formed
from the four layers, which are illustrated in Fig. 2,
prior to trim~ing of the sealed peripheral portions;
Fig. 4 is a side-elevational view of the
package depicted in Fig. 3;
Fig. S is a top plan view similar to that of
Fig. 3, but with an article placed in a completed and
trimmed package, and showing the bifurcated flow path of
air or other medium equally into one of the inflatable
portions, which showing is representative of the air flow
for all such portions;
Fig. 6 is a cross-sectional view of a completed
and inflatable package securely supporting the article
taken along line 6-6 of Fig. l;
Fig. 7 is a cross-sectional view of separate
films or panels of fluid impermeable material arranged
into four layers and disposed into a form suitable for
formation of the package,~and constitutes a modification
of the arrangement illustrated in Fig. 2;
Fig. 8 is a cross-sectional view of a modifica-
tion of the construction illustrated in Fig. 4, and with
the package entry partially sealed after an article has
been inserted into the package, but prior to inflation;
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2009365
Fig. 9 is a top plan vlew of the package
illustrated in Fig. 8, and additionally provided with a
package opening tear cord sealed within a sealed edge;
Fig. 10 is a view of the package shown in Fig.
8 after having been inflated;
Fig. 11 is an isometric view of the package
depicted in Fig. 10;
Fig. 12 is an isometric view illustrating the
second general embodiment of a packaging ~ystem embodying
the present invention;
Fig. 13 is a top plan view of a prefabricated
package adapted to be formed into the second general
embodiment of the packaging system;
Fig. 14 is a side elevational view of the
package depicted in Fig. 13;
Fig. 15 is a view similar to that of Fig. 14,
but illustrating the partially fabricated package folded
over prior to ~ealing at its lateral edges;
Fig. 16 is a view of a completed package,
viewed similar as that of Fig. 15, with an article placed ~ -
therein, and with the sealed, interconnecting chambers ~-
~- being partially inflated;
Fig. 17 is a view of a fully inflated package
; taken along line 17-17 of Fig. 12; ~ --
;- 25 Fig. 18 is an isometric view illustrating a
1`~ packaging system embodying the present invention;
Fig. 19 is a top plan view of a prefabricated
package adapted to be formed into the packaging system;
Fig. 20 is a, side elevational view of the
package depicted in Fig. 19; ~:
Fig_ 21 is .a view .similar to .tha.t o Fig_ ~07
but illustrating the partially fabricated package folded
over prior to sealing at its lateral edges; ~-
Fig. 22 is a view of a completed package,
viewed similar as that of Fig. 21, with an article placed
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2009365
therein, and with the sealed, interconnecting chambers
being partially inflated; and
Fig. 23 is a view of a fully inflated package
taken along line 23-23 of Fig. 1.
S PREFERRED EM~ODIMENT OF THE INVENTION
As shown in Figs. 1 and 6, a package 20
comprises an outer dual portion bag 22 and an inner bag
24. The inner bag defines a pocket 26 for reception of
an article 28 through an entry 30 at an end 32 of package
20. Outer bag 22 is divided into a pair of inflatable
portions 34 and 36, which are sealed and bonded together
at their sides 38 and 40. The material of portions 34
and 36 define, with the material of inner bag 24,
respective chambers 42 and 44 which are inflated with a
filler medium, such as air, so that chambers 42 and 44
press the material of inner bag 24 against its retained
article. At an end opposite from end 32, see also Figs.
3 and 5, package 20 is provided with a filler medium
supply portion 46 having an inlet valve 48 and at least
¦~ 20 two separated entries 50 communicating with all of the
inflatable portions. Inlet valve 48 may be of any
configuration; however, as shown in Figs 4 and 5, the
preferred design comprises a flat tube 49 having a first
end 49a extending from portion 46 and sealed side 38 to
the exterior of the package and a second end 49b
extending substantially into portion 46 and terminating
near its center.
As shown in Figs. 2 and 7, respectively,
package 20 is formed from a continuous film, panel or
sheet 52 or separate films, panels or sheets ~4 of fluid
impermeable material. Preferably, the material of the
panels comprises a gas-impervious composite laminate.
For example, each flexible panel may comprise an
intermediate layer of aluminum and outer and inner layers
of a plastic heat-sealable coating, such as polyethylene,
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20~36a
which is adapted to reactivate or melt in the vicinity of
300F (149C). Other plastic materials may be used
depending upon the article to be packaged or the
environment to which the package will be exposed. Thus,
polyester, Saran, nylon and other plastics are usable,
including any special use additives to make the package
anti-static or anti-radioactive. Furthermore, different
plastic materials may be employed for the panels or parts
thereof. These types of composite laminates, which may
be constructed to be highly flexible and inextensible or
extensible, are well known in the art and, therefore,
further description thereof is unnecessary for a full
understanding of the present invention. It is also to be
understood that the sealing of the layers constitutes a
bonding and, therefore, for purposes of the description
I to the present invention, whenever sealing is referred
¦ to, bonding is also intended.
As depicted in Fig. 2, panel 52 is folded and
arranged into a convenient rectangular arrangement of
four layers 56, 58, 60 and 62, with folds 64, 66 and 68
~oining respective layers 56 and 58, layers 58 and 60,
and layers 60 and 62. Panel 52 terminates at ends 70.
Fold 66 terminates inwardly of ends 70 in order to form a
space so that portion 46 may be formed, as later
described. As shown in Fig. 7, panel 54 is formed from
three segments 72, 74 and 76 arranged also into a
convenient rectangular arrangement of four layers 78, 80,
82 and 84, with a fold 86 joining layers 80 and 82.
Segments 72, 74 and 76 terminate in ends 88, and segments
72 and 74 terminate in ends 90, at the respective package
ends. In a like manner as that described with respect to
Fig. 2, fold 86 lies internally of ends 90 to provide a
space for the formation of a ~imilar portion 46. In both
arrangements, portions of layer 62 of Fig. 2 and layer 84
of Fig. 7, ad~acent their respective ends 70 and 90 but
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2~09365
separate from the overlay of respective folds 66 and 86,
form sites for placement of valve 48.
The several layers are arranged, cut and heat-
sealed and bonded together by conventional methods and
apparatus. Valve 48 is positioned between ends 70 of the
Fig. 2 construction, which is then heat-sealed and cut,
as shown in Figs. 3 and 4. Specifically, ends 70 with
valve 48 placed therebetween and sides 92 of the layers
are heat-sealed together, leaving the peripheral portion
between folds 64 and 68 free from the bond, except where
they meet sides 92. At the same time, a heat-sealed seam
94 i8 placed ad~acent and parallel to ends 70, to form
with sealed ends 70 filler medium supply portion 46. As
seen in Fig. 3, the bonding of seam 94 is terminated
short of sides 92 to form a pair of separated entries S0;
however, more than two spaces may be designed into the
package, as desired. Seam 94 functions also to stabilize
both fold 66 and the end it defines of layers 58 and 60
of Fig. 2 and fold 86 and the end it defines of layers
80 and 82 of Fig. 7, with respect to respective bonded
ends 70 and 90 so that pocket 26 is maintained relatively
rigid in package 20.
The bonded-together sides and ends are then
trimmed by cutting away excess material along trim lines
96, to provide the package with an appearance as
illustrated in Figs. 4 and 5.
Use of the package for packaging of article 28
is now described with respect to Figs. 5 and 6. Article
28 is inserted through entry 30 between folds 64 and 68
into inner ba~ 24. Air is introduced generally into the
center of filler medium supply portion 46 through valve
48 and flows, as represented by arrows 98, towards both
ends of portion 46 and through bifurcated entries S0
into both chambers 42 and 44. Upon inflation of the
chambers, the panels of inner bag 24 are caused to press
200936~
against article 28 and to force air out of pocket 26
through entry 30. In addition, upon sufficient rise, the
pressure within package 20 presses against the flat
portions of tube 49 of valve 48 to maintain it closed and
to prevent escape of air from the package.
The embodiment depicted in Fig. 7 is fabricated
into a package in a manner similar to that shown in Fig.
2, with the sole exception that end~ 88 of layer~ 78 and
80 and of layers 82 and 84 are respectively bonded and
sealed together to provide the equivalent of folds 64 and
68 of the Fig. 2 embodiment. Otherwise, the production
and use of the package formed from film~ or panel~ 72, 74
and 76 is the same as with the prior embodiment.
The package shswn in Figs. 8-11 is a variation
of that previously described, and shows the addition of a
seal 100 bonding folds 64 and 68 together to secure
article 28 within pocket 26 of inner bag 24 and a tear
cord 102 placed lengthwise of package 20 in sealed side
40. Seal 100 may extend completely across folds 64 and
68 to sealed sides 38 and 40 or, if desired, be slightly
distanced from one of or both sides or have one or more
openings therein to provide one or more bleed holes 104
for permitting air to escape from pocket 26 when chambers
42 and 44 are inflated.
When the filler medium comprises a fluid, the
fluid may be colored or provided with some other iden-
tification or characteristic signature so that, if
~; package 20 is tampered with, seal 100 is broken and/or
chambers 42 and 44 are otherwise punctured, the loss of
fluid or change in its color or characterization will be
noticeable upon inspection of the package.
Figs. 12 and 17 illustrate a packaging system
210 comprising an upper or first bag portion 212, a lower
,
or second bag portion 214, and an intermediate or third
bag portion 216. The three portions are formed by heat-
2009365
11
sealed seams 218, 228, 230, 244 and 246. Seams 218 are
placed along system 210 between intermediate portion 216
and first portion 212 and between intermediate portion
216 and second portion 214. As described below and shown
in Fig. 13, seams 218 do not extend fully between sealed
sides 220 and 222 so that all three portions can be
inflated together. Referring back to Figs. 12 and 15-17,
bag portion 212 overlies bag portion 214 to define a
pocket 224 therebetween (see Figs. 16 and 17) for
reception of an article 226. Bag portions 212, 214 and
216 are sealed together at their sides 220 and 222 and
portion~ 212 and 214 at their fronts or seams 228 and 230
to define inflatable and expandable chambers 232, 234 and
236. Upon inflation of chambers 232 and 234, bag
portions 212 and 214 compress article 226 to retain it in
a fixed position within the packaging system.
Inflating means, such as a valve 238, is placed
within and opens from bag portion 216 to selectively
communicate a filler medium to chamber 236 and thence to
intercommunicating chambers 232 and 234, as described
more fully hereinafter. Preferably, valve 238 comprises
a flat tube 239 extending well into portion 216. Tube
239 terminates in one end 239a (see Fig. 13) which is
sealed and bonded within seam 244 and opens to the
exterior of package 210. Another end 239b of tube 239
opens generally within the center of portion 216.
It is to be understood that, for purposes of
the present invention, sealing of various parts also
means a bonding together~of such parts.
Figs. 13-15 illustrate stages in the fabrica-
tion of packaging system 210. The package comprises a
pair of superimposed, generally rectangular and co-
extensive panels, sheets or films 240 and 242 which are
fully heat-sealed together at longitudinally-extending
side edge seams 244 and 246 and end edge seams or fronts
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200936~
12
228 and 230 to provide a large enclosure. Seam~ 218,
which are spaced from one another and placed parallel to
front edge seams 228 and 230, are formed transversely
across the panels and divide the enclosure formed by
panels 240 and 242, respectively, into segments 240a,
240b and 240c and into segments 242a, 242b and 242c, and
the package into respective portions 212, 216 and 214 and
their chambers 232, 236 and 234 (see also Fig. 16).
Seams 218, as shown in Fig. 13, each terminate short of
side edges 244 and 246 of the package. This arrangement
provides pairs of passages 218a and 218b between
overlying portions of panels 240 and 242, thus inter-
communicating chambers 232, 234 and 236.
It should be understood that additional seams
like seams 218 may be utilized anywhere else throughout
the package, such as illustrated by dashed lines 248 in
Fig. 13, to provide various connections between panels
240 and 242 at the sides of the packaging system and to
provide pairs of additional inflatable chambers at sides
220 and 222.
Panels 240 and 242 may be preformed or cut as
separate sheets which are heat-sealed and bonded together
entirely about their peripheries to form side edge
portions or seams 244 and 246 and end edge portions or
seams 228 and 230. To ensure that too much heat not be
applied to the plastic material, seams 244 and 246 need
not be sealed until after segments 240a and 242a are
folded over segments 240b and 242b. This permits only
one heat-sealing to occur, rather than two, and thus
avoids possible weakening of the bond. Alternatively, a
single sheet of material may be folded over itself and
sealed and bonded with a single side seam and with end
seams. Also, the package can be formed from a seamless
tube of material, thus eliminating such seams as seams
244 and 246, but needing heat-sealing to form sides 220
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2009365
13
and 222 at such end seams as seams 228 and 230. The use
of sides 220 and 222 and portion 216 helps stabilize
package 210 in that they secure pocket 224 and article
226 in place by attaching panels 240 and 242 together, in
pa~ticular, when the package is inflated.
The sheet material composing the package may
comprise a gas-impervious composite laminate. For
example, each flexible panel comprising the package may
be composed of an intermediate layer of aluminum and
outer and inner layers of a plastic heat-sealable
coating, such as polyethylene, which is adapted to
reactivate or melt in the range of 300F (150C). Other
plastic materlals may be used depending upon the article
to be packaged or the environment to which the package
lS will be exposed. Thus, polyester, Saran, nylon and other
plastics with special features, e.g., anti-static and
anti-radiation, are usable. Different plastic materials
may be used for the panels or portions thereof. These
types of composite laminates, which may be constructed to
be highly flexible and inextensible or extensible, are
well known in the art. Further, the panels may be
suitably cut and sealed together by conventional
apparatus and methods.
Once the package illustrated in Figs. 13 and 14
has been initially fabricated, the package is folded
along a fold line 250 to fold portion 216 over itself and
to superimpose bag portion 212 over bag portion 214, as
illustrated in Fig. 15. Overlying side edge portions 244
and 246 are then heat-sealed or mechanically secured
together by a standard adhesive, stitching, etc., to form
side seams 220 and 222, respectively. The deflated
package is thus adapted to have article 226 inserted
through the open frontal side between front seams 228 and
230 of the packaging system and into pocket 224. v;
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200~36~
14
After the article has been in~erted, a standard
inflation apparatus including valve 238 or a fill tube
can be connected to a suitable source of pres urized
fluid, such as air, to charge and pressurize inter-
communicating chambers 232, 234 and 236 to an inflation
pressure exceeding ambient pressure. As portions 212,
214 and 216 are inflated, as shown in Fig. 16, chambers
232, 234 and 236 expand, moving panel~ 24Oa and 242a,
240b and 242b and 240c and 242c away from one other, as a
comparison of Figs. 15 and 16 illustrates. Thus, panels
240a and 240b press against and about article 226, and
panel 240c presses against panels 240a and 240b, as
permitted by the separation of pairs of seams 218 which
define portion 216 and its chamber 236. The segments of
panels 24Oa and 24Ob adjacent front seams 228 and 230
also press against one another and seal article 226
within pocket 224. At full inflation shown in Fig. 17,
the internal pressure also presses against tube 239 of
valve 238 to maintain it closed and to prevent escape of
air from package 210. Also, at full inflation, sides 220
and ?22 and inflated portion 216 are pulled inwardly, and
place segments 240a and 240b under orthogonally directed
tension, that is, pulling segments 240a and 240b towards
sides 220 and 222 and towards portion 216, thus clamping
segments 240a and 240b securely about article 226. Full
inflation also causes chamber 236 to press against
chambers 232 and 234 and thus to further immobilize and
secure article 226 within package 210 and to provide an
additional measure of safety to the package against
damage.
Other types of gases, such as helium, may be
utilized as a filler medium, as well as a suitable
liquid, such as water. Alternatively or in addition to
j pressurized fluid, the chamber may be filled with a
plastic material such as of urethane and polystyrene, in
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200936~
solid form, a~ in~ected in liquid form and solidified or
as pieces, e.g., balls or pellets, or combinations of all
these and other filler media.
Should it prove desirable to fill the chambers
with a solid filler medium of the type described above,
it may be desirable to pre-pack such filler medium into
the chambers prior to forming one or more of edge
portions or seams or to provide a separate inflating
means or valve for communicating the filler medium to
each chamber individually. In such an application, each
seam 18 would be extended the full width of the package
to place the chambers out of communication with respect
to one other.
If desired, the opening of pocket 224 may be
1 15 sealed after article 226 is inserted therein by heat-
¦ sealing and thereby bonding front seams 228 and 230
¦ together prior to inflating the package.
Figs. 18 and 23 illustrate a packaging system
310 comprising an upper or first bag portion 312, a lower
or second bag portion 314, an intermediate or third bag
portion 316, a fourth or pocket closure bag portion 317,
and a flap portion 319. Flap portion 319 has recessed
sides 319a (see also Fig. 19). As further shown in Figs.
20-22, all portions are formed by heat-sealed seams 318,
328-330, 344 and 346. Seams 318 are placed along system
310 between intermediate portion 316 and first portion
312, between intermediate portion 316 and second portion
314, between second portion 314 and fourth portion 317,
and between portion 317 and flap portion 319. As
described below and shown in Fig. 19, seams 318 do not
extend fully between sealed sides 320 and 322 so that all
three portions can be inflated together. Referring back
to Figs. 18 and 21-23, bag portion 312 overlies bag
portion 314 to define a pocket 324 therebetween (see
Figs. 22 and 23) for reception of an article 326. Bag
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16
portion~ 312, 314 and 316 are ~ealed togeth~r at their
sides 320 and 322 and portions 312 and 314 at their ~eams
328, 329 and 330 to define inflatable and expandable
chambers 332, 334, 336 and 337. Upon inflation of
chambers 332 and 334, bag portions 312 and 314 compress
article 326 to retain it in a fixed position within the
packaging system.
Inflating means, such as a valve 338 is placed
within and opens from bag portion 316 to selectively
communicate a filler medium to chamber 336 and thence to
intercommunicating chambers 332, 334 and 337, as
described more fully hereinafter. Preferably, valve 338
comprises a flat tube 339 extending well into portion
316. Tube 339 terminates in one end 339a (see Fig. 19)
which is sealed and bonded within seam 344 and opens to
the exterior of package 310. Another end 339b of the
tube opens generally within the center of portion 316.
It is to be understood that, for purposes of
the present invention, sealing of various parts al30
means a bonding together of such parts.
Figs. 19-21 illustrate stages in the fabrica-
tion of packaging system 310. The package comprises a
¦ pair of superimposed, generally rectangular and co-
extensive panels 340 and 342 which are fully heat-sealed
together at longitudinally-extending side edge seams 344
and 346 and seams 328, 329 and 330 to provide a large
enclosure. Seams 318, which are spaced from one another
and placed parallel to front seams 328, 329 and 330, are
~! formed transversely across the panels and divide the
enclosure formed by panels 340 and 342 respectively into
segments 340a, 340b, 340c, 340d and 340e and into
segments 342a, 342b, 342c, 342d and 342e, and the package
into respective portions 312, 316, 314, and 317 and their
chambers 332, 336, 334 and 337 (see also Fig. 22). Seams
318, as shown in Fig. 19, each terminate short of side
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2009365
17
edges 344 and 346 of the package. This arrangement
provides pairs of passages 318a, 318b and 318c between
overlying portions of panels 340 and 342, thus intercom-
municating chambers 332, 334, 336 and 337.
It should be understood that additional seams
like seams 318 may be utilized anywhere else throughout
the package, such as illu~trated by dashed lines 348 in
Fig. 19, to provide various connections between panels
340 and 342 at the sides of the packaging system and to
provide pairs of additional inflatable chambers at sides
320 and 322.
Panels 340 and 342 may be preformed or cut as
separate sheets which are heat-sealed and bonded together
entirely about their peripheries and parallel to one end
to form side edge portions or seams 344 and 346,
including recesses 319a, and end edge and inward portions
or seams 328, 329 and 330. To ensure that too much heat
not be applied to the plastic material, seams 344 and 346
need not be sealed until after segments 340a, 342a are
folded over segments 340b, 342b and segments 340d, 342d
are folded over segments 340b, 342b. This permits only
one heat-sealinq to take place, rather than two, and thus
avoids possible weakening of the bond. Alternatively, a
single sheet of material may be folded over itself and
sealed and bonded with a single side seam and with end
seams. Also, the package can be formed from a seamless
tube of material, thus eliminating such seams as seams
344 and 346, but needing heat-sealing to form sides 320
and 322 and at such seams as seams 328, 329 and 330, as
well as recesses 319a.
The use of sides 320 and 322 and portions 316
and 317 helps stabilize package 310 in that they secure
pocket 324 and article 326 in place by attaching panels
340 and 342 together, in particular, when the package is
inflated.
200936~
18
The sheet material composing the package may
comprise a gas-impervious composite laminate. For
example, each flexible panel comprising the package may
be composed of an intermediate layer of aluminum and
outer and inner layers of a pla~tic heat-sealable
coating, such as polyethylene, which is adapted to
reactivate or melt in the range of 300F (150C). Other
plastic materials may be used depending upon the article
to be packaged or the environment to which the package
will be exposed. Thus, polyester, Saran, nylon and other
plastics with special features, e.g., anti-static and
anti-radiation are usable. Different plastic materials
may be used for the panels or portions thereof. These
types of composite laminates, which may be constructed to
be highly flexible and inextensible or extensible, are
well known in the art. Further, the panels may be
suitably cut and sealed together by conventional
apparatus and methods.
Once the package illustrated in Figs. 19 and 20
has been initially fabricated, the package is folded
along a pair of fold lines 350 and 351 at the opposed
ends of the as-formed package to fold portions 316 and
317 over themselves and to superimpose bag portion 312
over bag portion 314 and flap 319 therebetween, as
illustrated in Fig. 21. Overlying side edge portions 344
and 346 are then heat-sealed or mechanically secured
together by a standard adhesive, stitching, etc., to form
side seams 320 and 322, respectively. The deflated
package is thus adapted to have article 326 inserted into
pocket 324 through the open frontal side between front
seam 328 and bag portion 317, with flap 319 placed over
the article, as depicted in Fig. 22.
After the article has been inserted, a standard
inflation apparatus including valve 338 or a fill tube
can be connected to a suitable source of pressurized
' :~
200936~
19
fluid, such as air, to charge and pres~urize intercom-
municating chambers 332, 334, 336 and 337 to an inflation
pressure exceeding ambient pressure. As portions 312,
314, 316 and 317 are inflated, as shown in Fig. 22,
chambers 332, 334, 336 and 337 expand, moving panels
340a and 342a, 340b and 342b, 340c and 342c, and 340d and
342d away from one other, as a comparison of Figs. 21 and
22 illustrates. Thus, panels 340a and 340b press again~t
and about article 326, and panel~ 340c and 340d pres~
against panels 340a and 340b, aq permitted by the
separation of pairs of seams 318 which define portion 316
and its chamber 336 and by the separation of pairs of
seams 318 and 329 which define portion 317 and its
chamber 337. The segments of panels 340a and 340b
ad~acent front seams 328 and 329 also press against one
another and seal article 326 within pocket 324. Finally,
portion 317 expands against seam 328 to help close off
the pocket. At full inflation, as illustrated in Fig.
23, the internal pressure also presses against tube 339
of valve 338 to maintain it closed and to prevent escape
of air from package 310. Further, at full inflation,
sides 320 and 322 and inflated portions 316 and 317 are
pulled inwardly, and place segments 340a and 340b under
tension along orthogonal axes, that is, pulling segments
340a and 340b towards sides 320 and 322 and towards
portions 316 and 317, thus clamping segments 340a and
340b securely about article 326. Full inflation also
causes chambers 336 and 337 to press against chambers 332
and 334 and thus to further immobilize and secure article
326 within package 310 and to provide an additional
measure of safety to the package against damage.
Other types of gases, such as helium, may be
utilized as a filler medium, as well as a suitable
liquid, such as water. Alternatively or in addition to
pressurized fluid, the chamber may be filled with a
200~36~
; 20
plastic material such as of urethane and polystyrene, in
solid form, as in~ected in liquid form and solidified or
as pieces, e.g., balls or pellets or combinations of all
these and other filler media.
Should it prove desirable to fill the chambers
with a solid filler medium of the type described above,
it may be desirable to pre-pack such filler medium into
the chambers prior to forming one or more of edge
portions or seams or to provide a separate inflating
means or valve for communicating the filler medium to
each chamber individually. In such an application, each
seam 318 would be extended the full width of the package
to place the chambers out of communication with respect
to one another.
If desired, full seam 329 may be made like
seams 318, so that flap portion 319 will also inflate and
expand against article 326 and against sections of bag
portions 312 and 314 and, therefore, more fully trap the
article within pocket 324.
Although the invention has been described with
respect to particular embodiments and variations thereof,
it should be realized that various changes and modifica-
tioni may be made therein without departing the spirit
and scope of the invention.
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