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 inflatable packaging 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 inflatable packaging 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 inflatable packaging 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.
0 Assignments
0 Petitions
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.
608 Citations
22 Claims
-
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, 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 inflatable packaging 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 inflatable packaging 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 inflatable packaging 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, 7, 8, 9)
-
-
10. A method comprising:
-
providing a packaging bag having an inner cavity and an open top, the packaging bag 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, 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 first and second outer films are 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 first and second outer films 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 first and second outer films 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 plurality of one-way valves from the inflation passages to the air columns, such that airflow from the inflation passage through the valve passages is permitted by the one-way valves, and the upper and lower valve films cooperate at the one-way valves to obstruct airflow from the air columns through the valve passages; 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 (11, 12, 13, 14)
-
-
15. 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; 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 the tacky material is releasable such that 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, and such that when inflation is complete, the tacky material is configured to re-bond the upper and lower valve films to each other to resist reverse flow of air. - View Dependent Claims (16, 17, 18, 19, 20)
-
-
21. 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, a bottom seal, and two opposed side seals extending between the top and bottom seals, 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 passage portions are arranged such that one side seal passes through the inflatable packaging material at a space between the passage portions to seal a first end of the inflation passage, and the other side seal passes through the inflatable packaging 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 (22)
-
Specification