Shipping Container and Method for Using the Same

• US 20060021897A1
• Filed: 08/06/2005
• Published: 02/02/2006
• Est. Priority Date: 09/18/2001
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: EGGS Overnight, Inc.
• Original Assignee: EGGS Overnight, Inc.
• Inventors: Dickinson, Kent H.
• Granted Patent: US 7,383,953 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 206/521
• CPC Class Codes: B65D 2203/06 Arrangements on packages concerning bar-codes
• CPC Class Codes: B65D 2203/10 Transponders
• 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 33/00 Details of, or accessories for, sacks or bags
• CPC Class Codes: B65D 33/004 Information or decoration elements, e.g. level indicators, detachable tabs or coupons
• CPC Class Codes: B65D 33/16 End- or aperture-closing arrangements or devices valves of valve bags B65D31/14 ; removable stoppers or caps B65D39/00, B65D41/00; closures of filled bags B65D77/10; closing filled bags in association with packaging B65B7/00, B65B51/00
• 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 5/42 Details of containers or of foldable or erectable container blanks
• CPC Class Codes: B65D 5/4233 Cards, coupons, labels or the like formed separately from the container or lid
• CPC Class Codes: B65D 71/00 Bundles of articles held together by packaging elements for convenience of storage or transport, e.g. portable segregating carrier for plural receptacles such as beer cans or pop bottles; Bales of material
• 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 71/02 Arrangements of flexible binders
• CPC Class Codes: B65D 77/003 Articles enclosed in rigid or semi-rigid containers, the whole being wrapped
• CPC Class Codes: B65D 77/02 Wrapped articles enclosed in rigid or semi-rigid containers
• CPC Class Codes: B65D 77/04 Articles or materials enclosed in two or more containers disposed one within another
• CPC Class Codes: B65D 81/02 specially adapted to protect contents from mechanical damage containers of polygonal cross-section provided with internal protecting elements for contents B65D5/50; devices to locate articles in containers B65D25/10
• 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: B65D 81/107 : using blocks of shock-absorbing material
• CPC Class Codes: B65D 85/00 : Containers, packaging elements or packages, specially adapted for particular articles or materials B65D71/00, B65D83/00 take precedence; hand implements or travelling equipment A45C; cosmetic or toiletry equipment A45D; packages for surgical knives, scalpels or blades therefor A61B17/3215; containers specially adapted for medical or pharmaceutical purposes A61J1/00; paint cans B44D3/12; oil cans F16N3/04; containers for carrying small arms F41C33/06; packaging of ammunition or explosive charges F42B39/00; containers for record carriers, specially adapted for cooperation with the recording or reproducing apparatus G11B23/00
• CPC Class Codes: B65D 85/30 : for articles particularly sensitive to damage by shock or pressure
• CPC Class Codes: B65D 85/84 : for corrosive chemicals
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 17/00 : Digital computing or data processing equipment or methods, specially adapted for specific functions information retrieval, database structures or file system structures therefor G06F16/00
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 7/00 : Methods or arrangements for processing data by operating upon the order or content of the data handled logic circuits H03K19/00
• CPC Class Codes: G06K 21/06 : Apparatus or tools adapted for slotting or otherwise marking information-retrieval cards
• CPC Class Codes: G08B 13/14 : by lifting or attempted removal of hand-portable articles
• CPC Class Codes: G08B 13/2462 : Asset location systems combined with EAS inventory, tracking, logistic G06Q10/00; entrance control systems G07C9/00
• CPC Class Codes: G08B 5/22 : using electric transmission; using electromagnetic transmission
• CPC Class Codes: G09F 23/00 : Advertising on or in specific articles, e.g. ashtrays, letter-boxes on or in vehicles G09F21/00

Abstract

Provided is a shipping container having a flexible outer casing, a shell insert that is removeably received within the casing'"'"'s interior and a tillable insert removeably disposed within an interior of the shell for receiving a shipping parcel. The fillable insert structure may be filled with a medium, such as air, to provide a cushioned environment for the parcel, and the shell insert may include a shelf panel which supports an accessory compartment for receiving selected items to accompany the parcel.

Claims

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

(A) a flexible outer casing having a casing interior and a casing mouth communicating therewith;

(B) a first casing closure movable between

(1) a first open position such that the parcel may be inserted into and removed from the casing interior; and

(2) a first closed position to retain the parcel in the casing interior as a received parcel;

(C) a shell insert adapted to be removably disposed in the casing interior, said shell insert having a shell interior, including

(1) first and second shell body panels; and

(2) first and second shell sidewall panels extending between said first and second shell body panels, said second shell sidewall panel configured so as to form an opening in communication with the shell interior; and

(D) a fillable insert adapted to be removably disposed in the shell interior and having an insert interior for receiving the parcel and an insert mouth communicating therewith, said fillable insert structure being adapted to receive a selected quantity of a filling medium to provide a cushioned environment for the parcel when disposed therein, said filling medium being communicated thereto through the opening when said fillable insert structure is disposed in the shell interior.

2. A container according to claim 1 including a second casing closure movable between the first open and first closed positions.

3. A container according to claim 1 wherein said outer casing is generally rectangular in configuration and includes a front casing panel joined to a back casing panel, each said first and second casing panel having a bottom edge, a top edge, and a pair of sides edges, said first casing closure being located proximately to the top edges.

4. A container according to claim 3 including a second casing closure located proximately to one of the side edges and movable between

(A) a second open position so that when said shell insert is disposed in the casing interior, the second shell sidewall opening is accessible to permit the communication of said filling medium to said fillable insert structure;

and

(B) a second closed position wherein the opening is not accessible.

5. A container according to claim 4 wherein each said first and second casing closure is a zipper having a pull tab.

6. A container according to claim 4 including a locking member adapted to retain both said first and second casing closures in the first and second closed positions, respectively.

7. A container according to claim 1 wherein said shell insert includes a shelf panel joined to said first shell sidewall and sized and adapted to span the shell interior.

8. A container according to claim 7 wherein said first and second shell sidewalls, and said shelf panel are an integral one-piece construction of corrugated material.

9. A container according to claim 7 including an accessory compartment supported by said shelf panel and adapted to receive selected items to accompany the parcel for shipment.

10. A container according to claim 9 wherein said shell insert includes a closure flap hingedly joined to said first shell body and adapted to extend in parallel in spaced relation to said shelf panel, said accessory compartment being located between said shelf panel and said closure flap in a close-fitted relationship.

11. A container according to claim 1 wherein said fillable insert is an inflatable bladder.

12. A container according to claim 11 wherein said inflatable bladder includes an inflation valve and wherein said inflation valve is accessible via the opening.

13. A container according to claim 1 including a resilient protective lining adapted to line the shell interior.

14. A container according to claim 13 wherein said resilient protective lining is foam and wherein said foam lines said first and second shell sidewall panels.

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

(A) a flexible outer casing having a casing interior and a mouth;

(B) a first casing closure movable between

(1) an open position such that the parcel may be inserted into and removed from the casing interior, and

(2) a closed position to retain the parcel in the casing interior as a received parcel;

(C) a protective insert assembly adapted to be removably disposed in the casing interior, including

(1) a shell insert, including

(a) a bottom shell wall; and

(b) first and second shell panels supported by said bottom shell wall and extending upwardly therefrom in spaced relation to one another; and

(2) a sidewall structure adapted to be removably disposed between said first and second shell panels thereby to define a protected interior, including

(a) an end panel adapted to confront said bottom shell wall;

(b) a first sidewall panel supported by said end panel and adapted to extend between said first and second shell panels;

(c) a second sidewall panel supported by said end panel in spaced relation to said first sidewall panel and adapted to extend between said first and second shell panels; and

(d) a shelf panel supported by said first sidewall panel in spaced relation to said end panel; and

(E) a fillable insert structure removably disposed in the protected interior and having an insert interior for receiving the parcel and an insert mouth communicating therewith, said fillable insert structure being adapted to receive a selected quantity of a filling medium to provide a cushioned environment for the parcel when disposed therein.

16. A container according to claim 15 wherein said first sidewall panel has a first length and said second sidewall panel has a second length that is less than the first length such that a gap is formed between said second sidewall panel and said shelf panel.

17. A container according to claim 16 wherein the gap is in communication with the protected interior and wherein said filling medium may be communicated to said fillable insert structure when disposed therein.

18. A container according to claim 17 wherein said shelf panel includes a shelf flap joined thereto that is selectively positonable to block the gap so as to prevent access to the protected interior.

19. A container according to claim 16 wherein said outer casing includes a second closure and movable between

(A) a second open position wherein the gap is accessible;

and

(B) a second closed position wherein access to the gap is prevented.

20. A container according to claim 19 wherein each said first and second casing closure is a zipper having a pull tab.

21. A container according to claim 19 including a locking member adapted to retain both said first and second casing closures in the first and second closed positions, respectively.

22. A container according to claim 15 including an accessory compartment supported by said shelf panel and adapted to receive selected items to accompany the parcel for shipment.

23. A container according to claim 22 wherein said shell insert includes a closure flap hingedly joined to said first shell panel and adapted to extend in parallel in spaced relation to said shelf panel, said accessory compartment being located between said shelf panel and said closure flap in a close-fitted relationship.

24. A container according to claim 15 wherein said shelf panel is hingedly joined to said first sidewall panel and movable between

(A) a first orientation wherein said shelf panel extends generally parallel to said end panel;

and

(B) a second orientation wherein said shelf panel is oriented at an angle relative to said end panel.

25. A container according to claim 15 wherein said sidewall structure is an integral one-piece construction of corrugated material.

26. A container according to claim 15 where said sidewall structure is lined with a resilient protective lining.

27. A container according to claim 26 where said lining is foam.

28. A method of packing a parcel for shipment to an intended recipient, comprising:

(A) providing an outer flexible casing having a casing interior;

(B) disposing a protective shell into the casing interior, said protective shell having a shell interior and an opening associated therewith;

(C) inserting a fillable insert structure having an insert interior into the shell interior;

(D) delivering a selected quantity of a filling medium to said fillable insert via the opening so as to provide a cushioned environment for the parcel located therein; and

(E) closing said casing about said protective shell.

29. A method according to claim 28 including the step of disposing said protective shell in the casing interior so that the opening is accessible prior to closing said casing.

30. A method according to claim 28 including the step of blocking the opening after delivering said selected quantity of filling medium.