Multi-purpose air-packing method and system

• US 7,254,932 B2
• Filed: 11/18/2004
• Issued: 08/14/2007
• Est. Priority Date: 11/18/2004
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Air-Paq Incorporated
• Original Assignee: Air-Paq Incorporated
• Inventors: Tanaka, Yasuzumi, Yoshifusa, Katsutoshi
• Primary Examiner(s): HUYNH, LOUIS K
• Application Number:
  US10/991,538
• Publication Number:
  US 20060101789A1
• Time in Patent Office: 999 Days
• Field of Search: 534/72, 534/03, 531/395, 531/396, 531/397, 206/522, 206/521, 206/591, 383/3
• US Class Current: 53/472
• CPC Class Codes: B65B 55/20 Embedding contents in shock-absorbing media, e.g. plastic foam, granular material
• CPC Class Codes: B65D 81/052 filled with fluid, e.g. inflatable elements

Abstract

A multi-purpose air-packing method and system enables to pack a product having an irregular shape easily at low cost. The air-packing method includes the steps of placing a product to be protected in a container box; applying a first air-packing device having a plurality of air containers to side surfaces of the product in a manner to surround the product in the container box where each of the air containers has a check valve to maintain compressed air therein independently from one another; and inflating the air-packing device by supplying compressed air to securely hold the product within the container box. Two or more consecutive air containers at one end of the first air-packing device have a cross sectional size smaller than that of other air containers.

Claims

1. A method of packing a product to prevent damages to the product due to shocks and vibrations, comprising the following steps of:

placing a product to be protected in a container box;

applying a first un-inflated air-packing device having a plurality of connected air containers to side surfaces of the product in a manner to surround the product in the container box;

each of the air containers having a uniform cross section and a check valve to maintain compressed air therein independently from one another;

laying out a second inflated air packing device having a plurality of connected air containers on a bottom surface of the container box as a bottom air cushion before placing the product in the container box; and

inflating the first air-packing device by supplying an compressed air to securely hold the product within the container box;

wherein two or more air containers in series at one end of the first air-packing device have a cross sectional size smaller than that of other air containers.

2. A method of packing a product as defined in claim 1, further comprising the step of:

laying out a third air-packing device having a plurality of connected air containers on a top of the product in the container box as a top air cushion after applying the first air-packing device to the sides of the product, and inflating the third air-packing device.

3. A method of packing a product as defined in claim 1, wherein said step of inflating the first air-packing device includes a step of exposing an air inlet port of the first air packing device through an opening of the container box to outside of the container box, thereby enabling to supply the compressed air to the first air-packing device after closing the container box.

4. A method of packing a product as defined in claim 1, wherein said plurality of air containers of said second air-packing device have an identical cross sectional size to one another.

5. A method of packing a product as defined in claim 2, wherein said plurality of air containers of said third air-packing device have an identical cross sectional size to one another.

6. A method of packing a product as defined in claim 1, wherein said two or more air containers of the first air-packing device with small cross sectional size and an air container with large cross sectional size are arranged in a predetermined order so that the air containers of the air-packing device fit with a product of particular outer shape.