Low profile inflatable package protection system

• US 7,168,566 B2
• Filed: 11/15/2002
• Issued: 01/30/2007
• Est. Priority Date: 11/16/2001
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: 3M Innovative Properties Company (3M Company)
• Original Assignee: 3M Innovative Properties Company (3M Company)
• Inventors: Bartusiak, Joseph T., Mueller, Gerald E., Peper, William A., Peterson, John T., Anderson, Kevin W., Kleissler, Charles R.
• Primary Examiner(s): FIDEI, DAVID
• Application Number:
  US10/295,356
• Publication Number:
  US 20030094394A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,537 Days
• Field of Search: 206/521, 206/522, 206/584, 206/591, 206/592, 206/140, 206/193, 206/197, 206/427, 206/434, 206/594, 383/3, 383/44, 383/58, 383/109, 383/110, 410/119, 564/4, 570/6, 571/2, 229/103.2, 229/185
• US Class Current: 206/522
• CPC Class Codes: B32B 21/08 of synthetic resin
• CPC Class Codes: B65D 81/052 filled with fluid, e.g. inflatable elements
• CPC Class Codes: Y10S 206/821 Stacking member
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 428/13 Hollow or container type article [e.g., tube, vase, etc.]
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 428/1334 Nonself-supporting tubular film or bag [e.g., pouch, envelope, packet, etc.]
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 428/1352 Polymer or resin containing [i.e., natural or synthetic]

Abstract

A multi-chambered inflatable member formed by connecting the perimeters of two polymeric film layers includes a seal line spaced from the perimeter that interconnects the two film layers to form a perimeter inflatable channel along a portion of the perimeter. A plurality of inflatable cells extend between opposing portions of the inflatable channel and are in communication with one of the opposing portions of the inflatable channel. A check valve communicates with the inflatable channel to inflate the inflatable member. Articles being shipped or stored in a container can be placed between two or more inflatable members, the perimeter inflatable channels of which provide perimeter protection between the article and the container.

Claims

1. A multi-chambered inflatable member comprising:

overlying first and second film layers connected together around a perimeter of the first and second layers by a perimeter seal except for a gap sufficient in size to allow an inflation medium to be introduced into an interior defined between the first and second film layers, a perimeter inflatable channel formed by a first seal between the first and second film layers adjacent to a portion of the perimeter, the perimeter channel in fluid communication with a fill valve sealingly connected to the first and second film layers in the gap, a plurality of separate inflatable cells between first and second sections of the perimeter channel, each cell being in fluid communication with the first section of the perimeter channel, the plurality of inflatable cells formed by plurality of spaced second seals extending from and transverse to the first seal of the first section of the perimeter channel; and

a third film layer between the first and second film layers, the third layer having a length defined by first and second spaced edges and a width defined by third and fourth spaced edges, the first edge sealingly connected to the first film layer generally coincident with the first seal, the second edge being sealingly connected to the first film layer, the third and fourth edges sealingly connected to the first and second film layers generally coincident with the perimeter seal, the third film layer further being connected to the first layer along the plurality of spaced second seals.

2. The inflatable member of claim 1 wherein the first and second layers comprise first and second edges that define a length of the inflatable member and third and fourth edges that define a width of the inflatable member, the perimeter inflatable channel extending along the first, second and third edges of the packaging system.

3. The inflatable member of claim 2 wherein one of the plurality of inflatable cells extends along the fourth edge of the inflatable member.

4. The inflatable member of claim 1 and further comprising:

means for defining a one way inflation medium flow path from the perimeter inflatable channel to each of the plurality of inflatable cells.

5. The inflatable member of claim 1 and further comprising:

means associated with the third film layer for defining a serpentine flow path for an inflation medium from the perimeter channel to each of the plurality of inflatable cells.

6. The inflatable member of claim 5 wherein the means for defining a serpentine flow path comprises:

an inlet defined between the first layer and the third layer along the first edge;

a first heat seal segment between the first and third layers extending partially across one of the plurality of inflatable cells in a first direction from one of the plurality of spaced second seals, the first heat seal segment being spaced from and generally parallel to the first edge of the third layer; and

a second heat seal segment between the first and third layers extending partially across the one of the plurality of inflatable cells in a second direction opposite the first direction from another one of the plurality of spaced second seals, the second heat seal segment being spaced from and generally parallel to the first heat seal segment; and

an outlet defined between the first layer and the third layer along the second edge.

7. The inflatable member of claim 5 wherein the means for defining a serpentine flow path comprises:

an inlet defined between the first layer and the third layer along the first edge;

a first passageway between the first layer and the third layer, the first passageway extending between a pair of the plurality of spaced second seals, the first passageway being in communication with the inlet;

a second passageway between the first layer and the third layer, the second passageway extending between the pair of the plurality of spaced second seals adjacent to the first passageway;

an opening between the first and second passageways; and

an outlet associated with the second passageway, the outlet in communication with each inflatable cell.

8. The inflatable member of claim 1 and further comprising:

overlying third and fourth film layers between the first and second film layers, the third and fourth layers having a length defined by first and second spaced edges and a width defined by third and fourth spaced edges, the third and fourth layers being sealingly connected to a the first and second film layers, respectively, generally coincident with the first seal and the plurality of spaced second seals, wherein the first edge of the third and fourth layers is generally vertically aligned with the first seal, the opposing surfaces of the third and fourth layers being connected together along the first edge with the exception of a portion of the first edge, the portion defining an inlet in communication with the first section of the perimeter channel, the opposing surfaces of the third and fourth layers further being connected together by a pair of spaced heat welds extending from the first edge to the second edge, the pair of spaced heat welds defining a passageway in communication with the inlet and each of the plurality of inflatable cells.

9. A multi-chambered inflatable packaging system comprising:

first and second inflatable members, wherein each inflatable member comprises overlying first and second film layers connected together around a perimeter of the first and second layers by a perimeter seal except for a gap sufficient in size to allow an inflation medium to be introduced into an interior defined between the first and second film layers, a perimeter inflatable channel formed by a first seal between the first and second film layers adjacent to a portion of the perimeter, the perimeter channel in fluid communication with the gap, a fill valve sealingly connected to the first and second film layers in the gap, a plurality of separate inflatable cells between first and second sections of the perimeter channel, each cell being in fluid communication with the first section of the perimeter channel, the plurality of inflatable cells formed by plurality of spaced second seals extending from and transverse to the first seal of the first section of the perimeter channel, and wherein each inflatable member further comprises a third film layer between the first and second film layers, the third layer having a length defined by first and second spaced edges and a width defined by third and fourth spaced edges, the first edge sealingly connected to the first film layer generally coincident with the first seal, the second edge being sealingly connected to the first film layer, the third and fourth edges sealingly connected to the first and second film layers generally coincident with the perimeter seal, the third film layer further being connected to the first layer along the plurality of spaced second seals. Wherein the first and second inflatable members are interconnected adjacent to the respective perimeter inflatable channels so as to define a pocket therebetween, at least a portion of the perimeter of the first and second layers remaining unconnected to permit access of an object into the pocket.

10. The packaging system of claim 9 wherein the first section of the perimeter channel of the first inflatable member is positioned adjacent to the second section of the perimeter channel of the second inflatable member.

11. The packaging system of claim 9 wherein the first and second inflatable members are connected along the respective first seals.

12. The packaging system of claim 9 wherein the first and second inflatable members are connected adjacent to the perimeter seals of the first and second inflatable members.

13. The packaging system of claim 9 and further comprising a third inflatable member interconnected to one of the first and second inflatable members adjacent to the respective perimeter channels so as to define a second pocket therebetween.

14. The packaging system of claim 12 wherein the first and second inflatable members are connected along a zone of adhesion, and wherein the respective facing film layers of the first and second inflatable members within the zone of adhesion are configured to define a communication hole, the communication hole permitting communication between the first and second inflatable members.