Method of packaging an air-bag

• US 20070052225A1
• Filed: 04/22/2004
• Published: 03/08/2007
• Est. Priority Date: 04/24/2003
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: Autoliv AB (Autoliv Incorporated)
• Original Assignee: Autoliv AB (Autoliv Incorporated)
• Inventors: Hakan, Jaconelli, Borje, Jacobsson
• Application Number:
  US10/554,214
• Publication Number:
  US 20070052225A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 280/743.100
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 2021/2375 Folding devices
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 21/232 Curtain-type airbags deploying mainly in a vertical direction from their top edge
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 21/237 characterised by the way they are folded

Abstract

A method of packaging an air-bag including the steps of folding the air-bag into a roll (1, 10), deforming the roll (1, 10) to have at least a region having a substantially “C” shape, and packaging the deformed roll (1, 10). The roll (1, 10) is preferably deformed by urging a member (4, 12) into contact with the exterior of the roll (1, 10). This member can be in the form of objects including a rod or axle (4), or a plate (12).

Claims

1. A method of packaging an air-bag in the form of an inflatable curtain, the method comprising the steps of folding the air-bag into a roll, deforming the roll such that at least a region of the roll has a substantially “

C”

shape, and packaging the deformed roll in a package.

2. A method according to claim 1, wherein the roll is deformed so as to have a plurality of substantially “

C”

shaped regions.

3. A method according to claim 1, wherein the roll is deformed by urging at least one member into contact with the exterior of the roll.

4. A method according to claim 3, wherein the roll is deformed by a plurality of the members.

5. A method according to claim 3, wherein the member urged into contact with the exterior of the roll is a rod or axle.

6. A method according to claim 3, the member is in contact with the deformer roll during the stage of packaging, and the member is subsequently withdrawn from the package.

7. A method according to claim 3, wherein the member urged into contact with the roll is a plate, there being a substantially “

U”

shaped form to contact and receive the roll.

8. A method according to claim 7, wherein the plate is removed from the combination of the deformed roll and the form, the combination of the deformed roll and the form is introduced to a package, and finally the “

U”

shaped form is withdrawn from the package.

9. A method according to claim 1, wherein the package is formed so as to have a substantially rectangular form.

10. A method according to claim 9, wherein the package is formed such that the major axis of the “

C”

-shaped region lies substantially parallel to the longitudinal axis of the rectangular form package.

11. A method according to claim 9, wherein the package is formed such that the major axis of the “

C”

-shaped region lies substantially perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the rectangular package.

12. A method according to claim 1 wherein the step of packaging the deformed roll includes wrapping a wrapper around the roll and securing the wrapper to retain the deformed roll into the package.