Air inflatable and deflatable end cap packaging components

• US 5,769,231 A
• Filed: 04/19/1996
• Issued: 06/23/1998
• Est. Priority Date: 07/13/1994
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Air-Ride Packaging of America Incorporated
• Original Assignee: Air-Ride Packaging of America Incorporated
• Inventors: Batsford, Charles A.
• Primary Examiner(s): Foster, Jimmy G.
• Application Number:
  US08/639,937
• Time in Patent Office: 795 Days
• Field of Search: 206/521-524, 206/591-594, 206/320
• US Class Current: 206/522
• CPC Class Codes: B65D 81/052 filled with fluid, e.g. inflatable elements

Abstract

An end cap packaging component having a first pair of generally rectangular elements appropriately disposed at two sides thereof and a second pair of generally rectangular elements appropriately disposed at the remaining two sides thereof. The first and second pairs of elements are interconnected at their peripheries to form an interior element directly coupled to the first and second pairs of elements. All of such elements are inflatable and deflatable using an appropriately postioned valve. Each of the elements has one or more non-inflatable regions therein and further non-inflatable regions are located where the interior element is coupled to the first and second pairs of elements. When inflated, the component can be folded to form an end cap shaped configuration which encloses the end portion of a product for providing a firm and snug fit thereon which then acts as a retaining cushion therefor the product is then placed in a shipping container.

Claims

1. A packaging component comprising

a first pair of generally rectangular elements oppositely disposed at two sides of said component, and formed as inflatable and deflatable plastic elements;

a second pair of generally rectangular elements oppositely disposed at the remaining two sides of said component and formed as inflatable and deflatable plastic elements;

said first and second pairs of elements being interconnected at their peripheries to form a generally rectangular interior element of said component, said interior element being formed as an inflatable and deflatable plastic element directly coupled to each of said first and second pairs of elements, each of said first and second pairs of elements and said interior element having non-inflatable regions therein; and

valve means for permitting air under pressure to be supplied to, or to be released from, said first and second pairs of elements and said interior element whereby said elements are inflated, or deflated, respectively;

said first and second pairs of elements being independently foldable when inflated, thereby providing a conformational cushioning effect;

wherein said first and second pairs of elements and said interior element are formed of layers of laminated polyurethane film material sealed about the peripheries of said first and second pairs elements and sealed at said non-inflatable regions; and

wherein said laminated film material includes a pair of thermoplastic, polyurethane sheets having an intermediate sheet of nylon mesh material therebetween, all of said sheets being laminated together.

2. A packaging component in accordance with claim 1, wherein the thickness of each of said thermoplastic, polyurethane sheets is in a range from about 0.003 mil to about 0.007 mil and the thickness of said nylon mesh sheets is about 0.001 mil.

3. A packaging component in accordance with claim 1, wherein the thickness of each of said thermoplastic, polyurethane films is about 0.003 mil and the thickness of said nylon mesh sheet is about 0.001 mil.