PACKAGING MATERIALS AND METHODS
First Claim
1. An inflatable packaging material comprising:
- first and second outer films positioned in confronting relation to each other and sealed together by a perimeter seal and a plurality of border seals located inward of the perimeter seal, the perimeter seal comprising a top seal and a bottom seal, wherein the border seals define a plurality of air columns;
a valve assembly positioned between the first and second outer films, the valve assembly comprising an upper valve film, a lower valve film, and a non-sealable material positioned between the upper and lower valve films, anda valve seal extending parallel to the top seal and spaced from the top seal, the valve seal connecting the first and second outer films and the upper and lower valve films, such that the top seal and the valve seal define an inflation passage therebetween, and the valve seal forms a top end of each of the air columns,wherein the non-sealable material is arranged to form a plurality of valve portions positioned along the valve seal and a plurality of passage portions positioned in spaced relation along the inflation passage, with each air column having one of the valve portions located at the top end thereof to provide a valve passage through the valve seal to allow airflow into each air column,wherein the material is further configured to be sealed by two side seals extending between the top and bottom seals, and the passage portions are arranged such that one side seal is configured to pass through the material at a space between the passage portions to seal a first end of the inflation passage, and the other side seal is configured to pass through the material at one of the passage portions to create an open inflation port for introduction of air into the inflation passage at a second end of the inflation passage opposite the first end, andwherein the upper and lower valve films form a one-way valve, such that airflow from the inflation passage through the valve passages is permitted, and the upper and lower valve films cooperate to obstruct airflow from the air columns through the valve passages.
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Accused Products
Abstract
An inflatable packaging material includes two outer films, a plurality of valve films, and a non-sealable material positioned between the valve films. The films are sealed together by a plurality of seals, including a valve seal extending across the material. The seals define a plurality of air columns and an inflation passage in communication with the columns. The non-sealable material is arranged to form valve portions positioned along the valve seal and spaced passage portions positioned along the inflation passage. The valve portions provide valve passages through the valve seal, to allow airflow into each air column. The passage portions are arranged such that one side seal passes through a space between the passage portions to seal one end of the inflation passage, and the other side seal passes through one of the passage portions to create an open inflation port. The valve films allow air to pass through from the inflation passage to the columns, and prevent reverse flow of air from the columns into the inflation passage.
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Citations
21 Claims
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1. An inflatable packaging material comprising:
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first and second outer films positioned in confronting relation to each other and sealed together by a perimeter seal and a plurality of border seals located inward of the perimeter seal, the perimeter seal comprising a top seal and a bottom seal, wherein the border seals define a plurality of air columns; a valve assembly positioned between the first and second outer films, the valve assembly comprising an upper valve film, a lower valve film, and a non-sealable material positioned between the upper and lower valve films, and a valve seal extending parallel to the top seal and spaced from the top seal, the valve seal connecting the first and second outer films and the upper and lower valve films, such that the top seal and the valve seal define an inflation passage therebetween, and the valve seal forms a top end of each of the air columns, wherein the non-sealable material is arranged to form a plurality of valve portions positioned along the valve seal and a plurality of passage portions positioned in spaced relation along the inflation passage, with each air column having one of the valve portions located at the top end thereof to provide a valve passage through the valve seal to allow airflow into each air column, wherein the material is further configured to be sealed by two side seals extending between the top and bottom seals, and the passage portions are arranged such that one side seal is configured to pass through the material at a space between the passage portions to seal a first end of the inflation passage, and the other side seal is configured to pass through the material at one of the passage portions to create an open inflation port for introduction of air into the inflation passage at a second end of the inflation passage opposite the first end, and wherein the upper and lower valve films form a one-way valve, such that airflow from the inflation passage through the valve passages is permitted, and the upper and lower valve films cooperate to obstruct airflow from the air columns through the valve passages. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6)
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7. A method comprising:
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providing a packaging bag having an inner cavity and an open top, the packaging bag being formed from a rectangular sheet of packaging material folded over and heat sealed together on two opposed sides to form the inner cavity and the open top, the packaging material comprising first and second outer films positioned in confronting relation to each other, a valve assembly positioned between the first and second outer films, and a plurality of seals defining a plurality of air columns between the first and second outer films and an inflation passage in communication with all of the air columns, the valve assembly forming a plurality of one-way valve passages from the inflation passage to the air columns and an inflation port for introduction of air into the inflation passage, inserting an article into the inner cavity of the packaging bag through the open top; vacuum-sealing the packaging bag around the article, comprising substantially evacuating air from the inner cavity and forming a vacuum seal line across the bag at a location between the open top and the valve assembly; and inflating the air columns of the packaging bag by applying air flow through the inflation passage. - View Dependent Claims (8, 9, 10, 11)
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12. An inflatable packaging material comprising:
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first and second outer films positioned in confronting relation to each other and sealed together by a perimeter seal and a plurality of border seals located inward of the perimeter seal, the perimeter seal comprising a top seal and a bottom seal, wherein the border seals define a plurality of air columns; a valve assembly positioned between the first and second outer films, the valve assembly comprising an upper valve film, a lower valve film, and a non-sealable material positioned between the upper and lower valve films; a valve seal extending parallel to the top seal and spaced from the top seal, the valve seal connecting the first and second outer films and the upper and lower valve films, such that the top seal and the valve seal define an inflation passage therebetween in communication with each of the air columns, the inflation passage having a sealed end and an opposed open end forming an inflation port, and the valve seal forms a top end of each of the air columns; and a tacky material positioned between the upper and lower films, wherein the tacky material bonds the upper and lower valve films to each other such that the upper and lower valve films cooperate to obstruct airflow from the air columns into the inflation passage, and wherein when sufficient inflation pressure is applied to the inflation passage, the tacky material releases the upper and lower valve films to permit airflow from the inflation passage into the air columns. - View Dependent Claims (13, 14, 15)
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16. An inflatable packaging material comprising:
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first and second outer films positioned in confronting relation to each other and sealed together by a perimeter seal and a plurality of border seals located inward of the perimeter seal, the perimeter seal comprising a top seal and a bottom seal, wherein the border seals define a plurality of air columns, each air column comprising a plurality of sequentially arranged air bubbles defined by the border seals, the air bubbles being connected in sequence by a plurality of air conduits; a valve assembly positioned between the first and second outer films, the valve assembly comprising one or more valve films, including a first valve film having a non-sealable material positioned thereon, and a valve seal extending parallel to the top seal and spaced from the top seal, the valve seal connecting the first and second outer films and the one or more valve films, such that the top seal and the valve seal define an inflation passage therebetween, and the valve seal forms a top end of each of the air columns, wherein the non-sealable material is arranged in portions located at a top of each air column to provide a valve passage through the valve seal to allow airflow into each air column, and wherein the one or more valve films form a one-way valve, such that airflow from the inflation passage through the valve passages is permitted, and the one or more valve films cooperate to obstruct airflow from the air columns through the valve passages. - View Dependent Claims (17, 18, 19, 20)
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21. An inflatable packaging material comprising:
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first and second outer films positioned in confronting relation to each other; a valve assembly positioned between the first and second outer films, the valve assembly comprising an upper film, a lower film, a middle film positioned between the upper and lower films, and a non-sealable material positioned between the middle film and the upper film; a plurality of seals defining a plurality of air columns between the first and second outer films and an inflation passage in communication with all of the air columns, the non-sealable material forming a plurality of valve passages from the inflation passage to the air columns and an inflation port for introduction of air into the inflation passage, wherein the valve passages extend between the middle film and the upper film, and wherein at least one of the plurality of heat seals connects the middle film to the lower film to obstruct air passage between the middle and lower films, wherein the upper, lower, and middle films of the valve assembly form a one-way valve, such that airflow from the inflation passage through the valve passages is permitted, and the middle, upper, and lower valve films cooperate to obstruct airflow from the air columns through the valve passages.
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Specification