Shipping container along with shipping method employing the same

• US 20030052786A1
• Filed: 06/10/2002
• Published: 03/20/2003
• Est. Priority Date: 09/18/2001
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: EGGS Overnight, Inc.
• Original Assignee: Kent H. Dickinson
• Inventors: Dickinson, Kent H.
• Granted Patent: US 7,106,202 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 340/572.8
• CPC Class Codes: B65D 2203/06 Arrangements on packages concerning bar-codes
• CPC Class Codes: B65D 2203/10 Transponders
• CPC Class Codes: B65D 2401/55 based on a change or a contrast in colour
• CPC Class Codes: B65D 2571/00037 Bundles surrounded by carton blanks
• CPC Class Codes: B65D 2571/00043 Intermediate plates or the like
• CPC Class Codes: B65D 2571/00055 Clapping elements, also placed on the side
• CPC Class Codes: B65D 2571/00111 Arrangements of flexible binders
• CPC Class Codes: B65D 33/004 Information or decoration elements, e.g. level indicators, detachable tabs or coupons
• CPC Class Codes: B65D 33/25 Riveting; Dovetailing; Screwing; using press buttons or slide fasteners
• CPC Class Codes: B65D 33/34 with special means for indicating unauthorised opening B65D33/2516, B65D33/2585 take precedence
• CPC Class Codes: B65D 5/4233 Cards, coupons, labels or the like formed separately from the container or lid
• CPC Class Codes: B65D 71/0096 the dimensions of the supports corresponding to the periphery of the load, e.g. pallets
• CPC Class Codes: B65D 81/03 Wrappers or envelopes with shock-absorbing properties, e.g. bubble films for thermal insulating purposes B65D81/3888
• CPC Class Codes: G09F 23/00 Advertising on or in specific articles, e.g. ashtrays, letter-boxes on or in vehicles G09F21/00

Abstract

A container to receive a parcel for shipment to an intended recipient comprises a pouch having a pouch interior and a mouth, a closure movable between open and closed positions, and a protective insert structure removably disposed in the pouch interior to substantially envelop the parcel and reduce risk of damage to it during shipment. In another embodiment, the container comprises a container body, a closure and a air bladder disposed in the container body for receiving and substantially enveloping the items to reduce damage thereto during shipment. Methodologies are also provided for shipping a parcel from a shipper located at an origin address location to an intended recipient located at a destination address location.

Claims

1. A container adapted to receive a parcel for shipment to an intended recipient, comprising:

(1) a pouch having a pouch interior and a mouth communicating with the interior;

(2) a closure movable between

i. an open position such that the parcel may be inserted into and removed from the interior, and

ii. a closed position to retain the parcel in the interior as a received parcel; and

(3) a protective insert structure removably disposed in the interior of said pouch, said protective insert structure having an insert interior adapted to substantially envelop the parcel to reduce risk of damage to the parcel during shipment.

2. A container according to claim 1 wherein said protective insert structure is an inflatable bladder.

3. A container according to claim 1 wherein said protective insert structure is a puncture resistant lining.

4. A container according to claim 1 wherein said protective structure includes a puncture resistant lining and an inflatable bladder.

5. A container according to claim 4 wherein said puncture resistant lining is disposed in the pouch interior in facing relationship to said pouch and said inflatable bladder is disposed interiorly of said puncture resistant lining.

6. A container according to claim 1 including

(1) a removable label including

i. a strip constructed of a selected strip material and having an area adapted to receive information corresponding to an address of an intended recipient of the received parcel,

ii. a layer of a selected adhesive;

and

(2) a label panel secured to said container body, said label panel including an exposed surface portion formed of a material

i. to which the selected adhesive will adhere sufficiently to retain the label on the container body during shipment yet

ii. from which the label may be forcefully removed without tearing the strip material.

7. A container according to claim 1 including

(1) a locking structure, and

(2) a locking member operative to engage said locking structure and movable into a locked state thereby to secure the closure in the closed position.

8. A container according to claim 1 wherein said pouch has a perimeter and includes first and second flexible body panels joined about a majority of the perimeter to define a sealed edge with an unjoined portion defining the mouth.

9. A container according to claim 8 wherein said closure is a zipper having a pull tab.

10. A container according to claim 9 including

(1) a first grommet disposed on said first body panel and

(2) a second grommet disposed on said second body panel, each of said first and second grommets located proximately to said pull tab when said zipper is closed thereby to define a locking structure, and including a locking member operative to engage said first and second grommets and said pull tab thereby to secure the zipper in the closed position.

11. A container according to claim 10 wherein said locking member includes a cable tie.

12. A container according to claim 8 wherein each of said first and second body panels is formed with a multi-layered construction.

13. A container according to claim 1 including an active radio frequency (RF) signal transmitter supported within said pouch.

14. A container for items, comprising:

(1) a container body having an interior and a mouth communicating with the interior;

(2) a closure movable between

i. an open position such that items may be inserted into and removed from the interior, and

ii. a closed position to retain the items in the interior as received items; and

(3) an air bladder disposed in the interior of said container body for receiving and substantially enveloping the items to reduce damage thereto during shipment.

15. A container according to claim 14 wherein said air bladder is inflatable.

16. A container according to claim 15 wherein said air bladder is provided with an inflation valve having a valve stem adapted to receive air from an air source.

17. A container according to claim 14 wherein said air bladder is insertable into the interior of said container body through said mouth.

18. A container according to claim 14 wherein said air bladder is formed as a flexible bag having first and second bag panels joined about a portion of its perimeter to define a sealed edge with an unjoined portion defining a mouth communicating with a bladder interior.

19. A container according to claim 18 wherein each of said first and second bag panels is formed as a multi-layered plastic construction to include an array inflatable cells that communicate with said inflation valve.

20. A container according to claim 14 including

(1) a removable label including

i. a strip constructed of a selected strip material and having an area adapted to receive information corresponding to an address of an intended recipient of the received parcel,

ii. a layer of a selected adhesive;

and

(2) a label panel secured to said container body, said label panel including an exposed surface portion formed of a material

i. to which the selected adhesive will adhere sufficiently to retain the label on the container body during shipment yet

ii. from which the label may be forcefully removed without tearing the strip material.

21. A container according to claim 14 including

(1) a locking structure, and

(2) a locking member operative to engage said locking structure and movable into a locked state thereby to secure the closure in the closed position.

22. A container according to claim 14 wherein said container body is a flexible pouch having a perimeter and including first and second pouch panels joined about a majority of the perimeter to define a sealed edge with an unjoined portion defining the mouth.

23. A container according to claim 22 wherein said closure is a zipper having a pull tab.

24. A container according to claim 23 including

(1) a first grommet disposed on said first body panel and

(2) a second grommet disposed on said second body panel, each of said first and second grommets located proximately to said pull tab when said zipper is closed thereby to define a locking structure and including a locking member operative to engage said first and second grommets and said pull tab thereby to secure the zipper in the closed position.

25. A container according to claim 24 wherein said locking member includes a cable tie.

26. A container according to claim 22 wherein each of said first and second body panels is formed with a multi-layered construction.

27. A container according to claim 14 including an active radio frequency (RF) signal transmitter housed within said container body.

28. A container adapted to receive a parcel for shipment to an intended recipient, comprising:

(1) a flexible pouch having an interior and including

i. first and second flexible body panels joined about a majority of a perimeter of said pouch to define a sealed edge with an unjoined portion defining a mouth communicating with the interior;

(2) a closure movable between

i. an open position such that a parcel may be inserted into and removed from the interior and

ii. a closed position to retain the parcel in the interior as a received parcel; and

(3) a puncture resistant lining disposed in the interior of said flexible pouch in confronting relationship to the first and second flexible body panels, said lining adapted to substantially envelop the parcel to reduce damage thereto during shipment.

29. A container according to claim 28 wherein said puncture resistant lining is formed from a stiff yet flexible material.

30. A container according to claim 29 wherein said material is selected from a group consisting of semi-rigid plastic, Kevlar and puncture-resistant fabrics.

31. A container according to claim 28 wherein said puncture resistant lining is releasably secured to said flexible pouch.

32. A container according to claim 31 including at least one fastening structure for releasably securing said puncture resistant lining to said flexible pouch.

33. A container according to claim 32 wherein said fastening structure includes cooperative hook and loop fastening elements disposed, respectively, on said puncture resistant lining and said pouch.

34. A container according to claim 28 wherein said puncture resistant lining includes a pair of elongated liner sections joined together at a transversely extending crease.

35. A container according to claim 28 including

(1) a removable label including

i. a strip constructed of a selected strip material and having an area adapted to receive information corresponding to an address of an intended recipient of the received parcel,

ii. a layer of a selected adhesive;

and

(2) a label panel secured to said container body, said label panel including an exposed surface portion formed of a material

i. to which the selected adhesive will adhere sufficiently to retain the label on the container body during shipment yet

ii. from which the label may be forcefully removed without tearing the strip material.

36. A container according to claim 28 including

(1) a locking structure, and

(2) a locking member operative to engage said locking structure and movable into a locked state thereby to secure the closure in the closed position.

37. A container according to claim 28 wherein said closure is a zipper having a pull tab.

38. A container according to claim 37 including

(1) a first grommet disposed on said first body panel and

(2) a second grommet disposed on said second body panel, each of said first and second grommets located proximately to said pull tab when said zipper is closed thereby to define a locking structure and including a locking member operative to engage said first and second grommets and said pull tab thereby to secure the zipper in the closed position.

39. A container according to claim 38 wherein said locking member includes a cable tie.

40. A container according to claim 28 wherein each of said first and second body panels is formed with a multi-layered construction.

41. A container according to claim 28 including a signal transmitter housed within said flexible pouch.

42. A container adapted to receive a parcel for shipment to an intended recipient, comprising:

(1) a flexible pouch having an interior and a mouth communicating with the interior;

(2) a closure movable between

i. an open position such that a parcel may be inserted into and removed from the interior and

ii. a closed position to retain the parcel in the interior as a received parcel; and

(3) an active radio frequency (RF) signal transmitter secured to said pouch.

43. A container according to claim 42 including a label panel secured to said container body, said label panel including an exposed surface portion formed of a release material, said label panel adapted to adhere sufficiently to an adhesive label to retain the label thereon container body during shipment yet from which the label may be forcefully removed without tearing.

44. A container according to claim 42 wherein said pouch is formed by first and second flexible body panels joined about a majority of the perimeter thereof to define a sealed edge with an unjoined portion defining the mouth.

45. A container according to claim 44 wherein each of said first and second body panels is formed with a multi-layered construction including a cushioning layer interposed between first and second fabric layers.

46. A container according to claim 43 wherein said flexible pouch includes a pocket which houses said RF signal transmitter.

47. A method of shipping a parcel from a shipper located at an origin address location to an intended recipient located at a destination address location, comprising:

a. providing a shipping container for the parcel, which shipping container includes an associated signal transmitter having a unique identification code embedded therein;

b. in any order;

i. retrieving the unique identification code from the signal transmitter;

ii. correlating the unique identification code of the signal transmitter with data corresponding to the destination address location of the intended recipient; and

iii. packing the parcel into the shipping container to create a shipping package; and

c. delivering the shipping package to the destination address of the intended recipient.

48. The method according to claim 47 wherein the operation (b)(i) is accomplished by scanning the signal transmitter with a first scanning device.

49. The method according to claim 47 including the operation of clearing the signal transmitter and its associated container for reuse once the shipping package has been delivered to the destination address of the intended recipient by disassociated the signal transmitter'"'"'s unique identification code from the destination address.

50. The method according to claim 47 including the operation of periodically tracking the location of the shipping package during transit to the destination address of the intended recipient by scanning the shipping package'"'"'s signal transmitter with a second scanning device to retrieve the unique identification code thereof.

51. A method of shipping a parcel from a shipper located at an origin address location to an intended recipient located at a destination address location, comprising:

a. establishing a computerized user account with a courier service;

b. accessing the user account along a communications interface by logging onto a server computer system associated with the courier service via a remotely located user computer system;

c. providing a shipping container for the parcel, which shipping container includes an associated signal transmitter having a unique, embedded identification code and is operative to periodically transmit a radio frequency signal containing data corresponding to the unique identification code;

d. in any order;

i. retrieving the unique identification code from the signal transmitter;

ii. correlating the unique identification code of the signal transmitter with data corresponding to the destination address location of the intended recipient; and

iii. packing the parcel into the shipping container to create a shipping package; and

e. delivering the shipping package to the destination address of the intended recipient.

52. The method according to claim 51 wherein the operation (d)(i) is accomplished by scanning the signal transmitter with a first scanning device.

53. The method according to claim 52 wherein the first scanning device is operative to communicate the signal transmitter unique identification code to the user communication system via a communications interface established therebetween, and whereby operation d(ii) is accomplished by providing input data to the user computer system via an input device, and processing said input data and said unique identification code at the user computer system to create a correlation therebetween.

54. The method according to claim 53 including the operation of clearing the signal transmitter and its associated container for reuse once the shipping package has been delivered to the destination address of the intended recipient by disassociating the signal transmitter'"'"'s unique identification code from the destination address.

55. The method according to claim 54 including the operation of periodically tracking the location of the shipping package during transit to the destination address of the intended recipient by scanning the shipping package'"'"'s signal transmitter with a scanning device to retrieve the unique identification code thereof.