U.S. patent application number 10/245036 was filed with the patent office on 2003-01-23 for inflatable shipping device.
Invention is credited to Weder, Donald E..
Application Number | 20030015448 10/245036 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 23675330 |
Filed Date | 2003-01-23 |
United States Patent
Application |
20030015448 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Weder, Donald E. |
January 23, 2003 |
Inflatable shipping device
Abstract
An inflatable shipping device for protecting at least one
fragile item during shipment is provided. The inflatable shipping
device includes a housing defining a gas receiving cavity and being
constructed of a flexible and substantially gas impermeable
material. The housing has a flattened state when the gas receiving
cavity is substantially free of gas and an expanded state when gas
is introduced into the gas receiving cavity. The housing has a
first side, an opposed second side, a first end, an opposed second
end, and a flexible inner-liner defining at least one item
receiving chamber positioned between the first end and the second
end. The item receiving chamber communicates with the first side of
the housing and the item receiving chamber is sized and dimensioned
to receive at least a portion of the fragile item. The inflatable
shipping device is also provided with an inflation assembly for
introducing gas into the gas receiving cavity defined by the
housing. In one embodiment, the housing is provided with a helical
shape so as to surround and thereby define the item receiving
chamber.
Inventors: |
Weder, Donald E.; (Highland,
IL) |
Correspondence
Address: |
Dunlap, Codding & Rogers, P.C.
P.O. Box 16370
Oklahoma City
OK
73113
US
|
Family ID: |
23675330 |
Appl. No.: |
10/245036 |
Filed: |
September 16, 2002 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
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10245036 |
Sep 16, 2002 |
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10059839 |
Jan 28, 2002 |
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10059839 |
Jan 28, 2002 |
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09855086 |
May 14, 2001 |
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6341475 |
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09855086 |
May 14, 2001 |
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09422536 |
Oct 21, 1999 |
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6250467 |
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Current U.S.
Class: |
206/423 ;
206/522 |
Current CPC
Class: |
B65D 85/52 20130101;
B65D 81/052 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
206/423 ;
206/522 |
International
Class: |
B65D 085/50 |
Claims
What is claimed is:
1. A method for protecting at least one fragile item during
shipment, comprising the steps of: providing an inflatable shipping
device, comprising: a housing defining a gas receiving cavity and
being constructed of a flexible and substantially gas impermeable
material, the housing having a flattened state when the gas
receiving cavity is substantially free of gas and an expanded state
when gas is introduced into the gas receiving cavity, the housing
having a first side, an opposed second side, a first end, and an
opposed second end, and a flexible inner liner defining at least
one item receiving chamber positioned between the first end and the
second end, the item receiving chamber communicating with the first
side of the housing, and the item receiving chamber being sized and
dimensioned to receive at least a portion of the fragile item and
extend about at least a portion of the fragile item to prevent the
fragile item from tipping over when the fragile item is positioned
in the item receiving chamber; and means for introducing gas into
the gas receiving cavity defined by the housing; and disposing the
fragile item into the item receiving chamber of the housing.
2. The method of claim 1, wherein the housing includes at least two
spatially disposed item receiving chambers with each of the item
receiving chambers being disposed between the first end and the
second end of the housing and both item receiving chambers
communicating with the first side of the housing.
3. The method of claim 1, wherein the inner liner is automatically
formable about various different shapes of fragile items to engage
and closely follow the contours of each shape of fragile item when
each fragile item is disposed in the item receiving chamber.
4. The method of claim 1, wherein the inner liner is preformed into
a predetermined shape of the fragile item to closely follow the
contours of the predetermined shape of fragile item.
5. The method of claim 1, wherein the housing only surrounds a
bottom and a lower portion of the fragile item to prevent tipping
of the fragile item during shipment.
6. The method of claim 1, wherein the housing is provided with a
predetermined shape adapted to extend only about a portion of the
fragile item whereby at least two of the inflatable shipping
devices are necessary to cushion and support each fragile item.
7. The method of claim 1, wherein the fragile item includes a
flower pot.
Description
CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS
[0001] This application is a continuation of U.S. Ser. No.
10/059,839, entitled "Inflatable Shipping Device", filed on Jan.
28, 2002; which is a continuation of U.S. Ser. No. 09/855,086,
filed May 14, 2001, now U.S. Pat. No. 6,341,475; which is a
continuation of U.S. Ser. No. 09/422,536, filed Oct. 21, 1999, now
U.S. Pat. No. 6,250,467, the entire content of which is hereby
incorporated herein by reference.
STATEMENT REGARDING FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCH OR DEVELOPMENT
[0002] Not Applicable.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0003] In the process of shipping an article from one location to
another, the article is typically placed in a container along with
the protective packaging material to fill the voids about the
article to cushion the article during the shipping process. One
common protective packaging material is comprised of a plurality of
plastic foam, peanut shaped members which are commonly known as
"styrofoam peanuts". An advantage in using styrofoam peanuts is the
ease with which they may be disposed about articles positioned in a
container by simply pouring the styrofoam peanuts from a
dispenser.
[0004] However, while styrofoam peanuts have been widely accepted
in the packaging industry, they are not without disadvantages. For
example, the light weight and flowability of the styrofoam peanuts
results in heavier objects gravitating through the peanuts to the
bottom of the container where the object can be damaged. Also,
while the flowability of the styrofoam peanuts facilitates the
introduction of the peanuts in the container, the receiver of the
package is left with having to deal with the peanuts upon removal
of the article from the container in the form of having to clean up
the mess left by the peanuts which are easily scattered upon
removal of the article from the container.
[0005] These and other disadvantages associated with the disposal
of styrofoam peanuts has made paper protective packaging material a
popular alternative. Paper is biodegradable, recyclable and
renewable, making it an environmentally responsible choice.
However, like styrofoam peanuts, paper packaging materials are not
without disadvantages in that paper, particularly shredded paper,
can be inconvenient to clean up and to dispose of due to the lack
of cohesiveness of the packaging material. In addition, due to the
lack of resiliency in paper products, large amounts of paper are
typically required to provide the bulk needed to adequately cushion
an object.
[0006] Strips of sheet material formed into tufts have also been
used for many years as a packaging material. More specifically,
material known as decorative grass has been used in fruit baskets,
easter baskets, picnic baskets and for other packaging and
decorative purposes. A decorative grass of the prior art has been
produced by numerous methods and from a variety of materials such
as polymeric materials, paper, cellophane or the like. Typically,
such materials are cut and shredded to produce segments having
predetermined dimensions. As such, the decorative grass, styrofoam
peanuts and paper materials described above can be inconvenient to
clean up and to dispose of.
[0007] To this end, a shipping device is needed which overcomes the
before mentioned disadvantages of prior art packaging materials. It
is to such a shipping device that the present invention is
directed.
BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0008] Broadly, the present invention is an inflatable shipping
device for protecting at least one fragile item during shipment.
The inflatable shipping device is provided with a housing defining
a gas receiving cavity and being constructed of a flexible and
substantially gas impermeable material. The housing has a flattened
state when the gas receiving cavity is substantially free of gas
and an expanded state when gas is introduced into the gas receiving
cavity. The housing has a first side, an opposed second side, a
first end, an opposed second end, and a flexible inner liner
defining at least one item receiving chamber positioned between the
first end and the second end.
[0009] The item receiving chamber communicates with the first side
of the housing. The item receiving chamber is sized and dimensioned
to receive at least a portion of the fragile item whereby when the
housing is disposed in the expanded state and the fragile item is
disposed within the chamber the housing encompasses at least a
portion of the fragile item to protect the fragile item during
shipment of the fragile item. The inflatable shipping device is
also provided with an inflation assembly for introducing gas into
the gas receiving cavity defined by the housing.
[0010] In one aspect, the housing of the inflatable shipping device
includes at least two spatially disposed item receiving chambers
with each of the item receiving chambers being disposed between the
first end and the second end of the housing and both item receiving
chambers communicating with the first side of the housing.
[0011] In another aspect, the flexible inner liner of the housing
is automatically formable about various different shapes of fragile
items to engage and closely follow the contours of each shape of
fragile item when each fragile item is disposed in the item
receiving chamber.
[0012] In yet another aspect of the present invention, the housing
has a substantially helical shape in the expanded state so as to
surround and thereby define an item receiving chamber sized and
dimensioned to receive at least a portion of the fragile item
whereby when the housing is disposed in the expanded state and the
fragile item is disposed within the item receiving chamber the
housing encompasses at least a portion of the fragile item to
protect the fragile item during shipment of the fragile item.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE DRAWING
[0013] FIG. 1 is a perspective representation of an inflatable
shipping device, constructed in accordance with the present
invention, positioned in a box.
[0014] FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional representation of the inflatable
shipping device depicted in FIG. 1, taken along the lines 1-1
depicted in FIG. 1.
[0015] FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional representation of the inflatable
shipping device depicted in FIG. 1, wherein the inflatable shipping
device is shown in an uninflated or flattened state.
[0016] FIG. 4 is a side elevational view of a plurality of the
inflatable shipping devices in the uninflated state and stacked one
on top of the other.
[0017] FIG. 5 is a cross-sectional representation of a second
embodiment of an inflatable shipping device constructed in
accordance with the present invention wherein the inflatable
shipping device conforms about the contours of the fragile item
being protected.
[0018] FIG. 6 is a cross-sectional representation of the inflatable
shipping device of FIG. 5 when the inflatable shipping device is in
the flattened state.
[0019] FIG. 7 is a perspective representation of a third embodiment
of an inflatable shipping device constructed in accordance with the
present invention.
[0020] FIG. 8 is a perspective representation of the inflatable
shipping device of FIG. 7 when the inflatable shipping device is in
an uninflated or flattened state.
[0021] FIG. 9 is a cross-sectional representation of a fourth
embodiment of an inflatable shipping device constructed in
accordance with the present invention, wherein the inflatable
shipping device extends only about the periphery of a lower portion
of the fragile item to prevent the fragile item from tipping
over.
[0022] FIG. 10 is a cross-sectional representation of a plurality
of inflatable shipping devices constructed in accordance with the
present invention, wherein each of the inflatable shipping devices
extends about only a portion of the periphery of the fragile
item.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
[0023] Referring to the drawings, and in particular to FIG. 1 shown
therein and designated by the general reference numeral 10 is an
inflatable shipping device constructed in accordance with the
present invention. The inflatable shipping device 10 protects at
least one fragile item 12 during storage and/or shipment. Six
fragile items 12 are shown in FIG. 1 by way of example, and
designated therein by the general reference numerals 12a-f. The
fragile item 12 can be any item to be protected against any type of
damage, such as breakage, dents, scratches, chips, or any
combinations thereof. For example, in the example shown in FIG. 1,
the fragile item 12 is a flower pot 14 supporting a floral grouping
16 therein. For purposes of clarity, only the flower pot 14 and the
floral grouping 16 of the fragile item 12a are numbered in FIG.
1.
[0024] As best shown in FIG. 2, the flower pot 14 includes an upper
end 18, a bottom 20, and a substantially continuous sidewall 22
extending there between. The bottom 20, and the sidewall 22
cooperate to define a receiving space 24 within the flower pot 14.
The receiving space 24 is sized and dimensioned to receive a
growing medium 26 (see FIG. 1) for supporting the floral grouping
16. "Floral grouping" as used herein means cut fresh flowers,
artificial flowers, a single flower, other fresh and/or artificial
plants or other floral materials that may include other secondary
plants and/or ornamentation or artificial or natural materials
which add to the aesthetics of the overall floral arrangement.
Floral grouping may comprise a bloom or foliage portion and a stem
portion. However, it will be understood that the floral grouping
may consist of only a single bloom or only foliage. The term
"floral grouping" may be used interchangeably herein with the term
"floral arrangement".
[0025] The inflatable shipping device 10 includes a housing 34,
defining a gas receiving cavity 36. The The housing 34 is
constructed of a flexible and substantially gas impermeable
material. The housing 34 can be constructed of a plastic material,
canvas, or any other suitable flexible and substantially gas
impermeable material. The housing 34 has a flattened state when the
gas receiving cavity 36 is substantially free of gas (see FIG. 3),
and an expanded state when gas is introduced into the gas receiving
cavity (see FIGS. 1 and 2). The housing has a first side 38, an
opposed second side 40, a first end 42, and an opposed second end
44. The housing 34 also includes at least one flexible inner liner
46 which has a predetermined shape to conform to the contours of
the fragile item 12. In the example in FIG. 1, the housing 34
includes six flexible inner liners, three of which are designated
in FIG. 2 with the reference numerals 46a, 46b and 46c for purposes
of clarity. Although six flexible inner liners 46 are shown and
described herein, it should be understood the that the housing 34
could include any number of flexible inner liners 46, such as 1 or
10.
[0026] Each flexible inner liner 46 defines one item receiving
chamber 48 positioned in between the first end 42 and the second
end 44. The item receiving chambers 48 are designated in FIG. 2 by
the reference numerals 48a, 48b and 48c for purposes of
clarity.
[0027] Each item receiving chamber 48 communicates with the first
side 38 of the housing 34. In addition, each item receiving chamber
48 is sized and dimensioned to receive at least a portion of the
fragile item 12 whereby when the housing 34 is disposed within the
item receiving chamber 38, the housing 34 encompasses and matingly
engages at least a portion of the fragile item 12 to protect the
fragile item 12 during shipment of the fragile item 12.
[0028] The flexible inner liners 46 are spatially disposed about
the housing 34 so that each item receiving chamber 48 is
substantially separated from the other item receiving chambers 48
so that the fragile items 12 disposed therein are spaced apart and
will not touch each other when the fragile items 12 are positioned
in the item receiving chambers 48.
[0029] The gas receiving cavity 36 may extend in between the
flexible inner liner 46 and the second side 40 so that the bottom
of the fragile item 12 is also cushioned and thereby protected. As
best shown in FIG. 2, the housing 34 and the flexible inner-liners
46 are sized whereby the flexible inner-liner 46 substantially
encompasses the fragile item 12 when the fragile item 12 is
disposed in the item receiving chamber 48.
[0030] For example, when the fragile item 12 is a flower pot, the
flexible inner-liner 46 may extend from the bottom 20 thereof to
near the upper end 18 to substantially encompass the flower pot 14
so that the flower pot 14 will not move and/or tip over during
shipment. Thus, only one inflatable shipping device 10 is necessary
to ship a plurality of fragile items 12 in that all of the fragile
items 12 may be fully supported by the inflatable shipping device
10.
[0031] The inflatable shipping device 10 may be sized and adapted
to be disposed within a box 50 so that the fragile items 12 are
cushioned from the box 50 during shipment or storage, for example.
Although the box 50 is shown in FIG. 1 as extending generally below
the top of the floral groupings 16 (i.e. fragile items 12, it
should be understood that the box 50 can be sized to extend above
the fragile items 12 so as to substantially encompass the fragile
items 12 therein.
[0032] The inflatable shipping device 10 is also provided with an
inflation assembly 54 for introducing gas into the gas receiving
cavity 36 defined by the housing 34. The inflation assembly 54 is
shown in FIG. 1 as a resealable hole 55 and a pump 56. The pump 56
can be utilized to add gas into the gas receiving cavity 36 to
inflate the inflatable shipping device 10 through the resealable
hole 55. Although the inflation assembly 54 has been shown in FIG.
1 as the resealable hole 55 in combination with the pump 56, it
should be understood that the inflation assembly 54 may also
include a nozzle, or a pressurized gas cartridge such as a co2
cartridge to add gas into the gas receiving cavity 36.
[0033] When the inflation assembly 54 includes the resealable hole
55, the gas may also be evacuated from the gas receiving cavity 36
and the housing 34c collapsed to the flattened state so as to
conserve space until it is desired to reuse the inflatable shipping
device 10. When it is desired to reuse the inflatable shipping
device 10, gas can be reintroduced into the gas receiving cavity 36
via the inflation assembly 54, as discussed above.
[0034] Referring now to FIG. 3, shown therein is the inflatable
shipping device 10 disposed within the box 50 while the inflatable
shipping device 10 is in the uninflated or flattened state. Once
the inflatable shipping device 10 is positioned in the box 50, the
inflation assembly 54 can be actuated or utilized to add gas to the
gas receiving cavity 36 so that the housing 34 will expand to an
expanded state and the inflatable shipping device 10 will be snugly
disposed within the box 50.
[0035] One advantage of the present invention is that the
inflatable shipping device 10 may be shipped to a consumer in the
uninflated or flattened stated to conserve space. Referring now to
FIG. 4, shown therein is a side elevational view of a plurality of
inflatable shipping devices 10 stacked one on top of the other to
form a stack 56 of inflatable shipping devices 10.
[0036] In use, one of the inflatable shipping devices 10 is removed
from the stack 56 and disposed in the box 50, if desired. The
inflatable shipping device 10 is then inflated via the inflation
assembly 54. Once the inflatable shipping device 10 is inflated,
individual fragile items 12 can then be positioned in respective
item receiving chambers 48 formed by the flexible inner liners 46
to protect the fragile items 12 from damage.
The Embodiment of FIGS. 5-6
[0037] Referring now to FIG. 5, shown therein and designated by the
general reference numeral 10a, is an inflatable shipping device
constructed in accordance with the present invention. The
inflatable shipping device 10a is constructed and operated in an
identical manner as the inflatable shipping device 10 herein above
described with reference to FIGS. 1-4, except as discussed
hereinafter. The inflatable shipping device 10a includes a housing
34a defining and encompassing a gas receiving cavity 36a. The
housing 34a includes a flexible inner-liner 46a. The flexible
inner-liner 46a is provided with an excess of material 57 (FIG. 6)
so that the flexible inner liner 46 forms about the fragile item 12
as gas is supplied into the gas receiving cavity 36a in the housing
34, or as the fragile item 12 is inserted into an item receiving
chamber 48a formed by the flexible inner-liner 46. Thus, the key
difference between the inflatable shipping device 10a and the
inflatable shipping device 10 is that an excess of material is
provided with the flexible inner-liner 46 so that the flexible
inner liner 46a automatically forms about the fragile item 12.
Thus, the item receiving chamber 48a is provided with a shape
substantially corresponding to the shape of any one of a number of
different fragile items 12, while the item receiving chamber 48 of
the inflatable shipping device 10 is provided with a predetermined
shape typically corresponding to the shape of at least a portion of
the fragile item 12.
[0038] FIG. 6 is a cross-sectional representation of the housing
34a in an uninflated or flattened state. Upon introducing gas into
the gas receiving cavity 36a, and positioning the fragile item 12
in the item receiving chamber 48a, the flexible inner-liner 46a
automatically forms about the fragile item 12 to securely hold and
cushion the fragile item 12 during shipment and/or storage.
The Embodiment of FIGS. 7-8
[0039] Referring now to FIG. 7, shown therein and designated by the
reference numeral 10b is another embodiment of an inflatable
shipping device constructed in accordance with the present
invention. The inflatable shipping device 10b protects at least one
fragile item 12 during shipment and/or storage. Shown in FIG. 7,
are two inflatable shipping devices 10b with each inflatable
shipping device 10b being disposed about and cushioning one fragile
item 12. It should be understand that two of the inflatable
shipping devices 10b are shown in the box 50 merely by way of
example and more or less of the inflatable shipping devices 10b
could be disposed in the box 50.
[0040] The inflatable shipping device 10b includes a flexible
housing 34b defining a gas receiving cavity 36b. The housing 34b is
constructed of a flexible and substantially gas impermeable
material, such as a plastic or a canvas material. The housing 34b
has a flattened state (FIG. 8) when the gas receiving cavity 36b is
substantially free of gas. The housing 34b has a substantially
helical shape so that the housing 34b of the inflatable shipping
device 10b surrounds and thereby defines an item receiving chamber
48b. The item receiving chamber 48b is sized and dimensioned to
receive at least a portion of the fragile item 12 whereby when the
housing 34b is disposed in the expanded state and the fragile item
12 is disposed within the item receiving chamber 48b, the housing
34b surrounds and encompasses at least a portion of the fragile
item 12 to protect the fragile item 12 during shipment and/or
storage of the fragile item 12.
[0041] As shown in FIG. 7, the two inflatable shipping devices 10b
space the fragile items 12 apart from each other and the box 50 so
that the fragile items 12 are cushioned.
[0042] The inflatable shipping device 10b also includes an
inflation assembly 54b. The inflation assembly 54b can be
constructed and operated in an identical manner as the inflation
assembly 54, which was described herein before with reference to
FIG. 1.
[0043] In use, gas is introduced into the housing 34b via the
inflation assembly 54b to expand the housing 34b to the expanded
state. The inflatable shipping device 10b is then positioned in the
box 50, and the item 12 is positioned into the item receiving
chamber 48b defined by the helically shaped housing 34b.
Alternatively, the fragile item 12 can be positioned in the item
receiving chamber 48b of the inflatable shipping device 10b, and
then, the fragile item 12 and the inflatable shipping device 10b
can then be simultaneously positioned in the box 50. These methods
can then be repeated for any number of inflatable shipping devices
10b to be positioned into the box 50.
The Embodiment of FIG. 9
[0044] Referring now to FIG. 9, shown therein and designated by the
reference numeral 10c is another embodiment of an inflatable
shipping device constructed in accordance with the present
invention. The inflatable shipping device 10c is constructed and
utilized in an identical manner as the inflatable shipping device
10, herein before described with reference to FIGS. 1-4, except as
discussed hereinafter.
[0045] The inflatable shipping device 10c is provided with a
housing 34c defining a gas receiving cavity 36c. The housing 34c is
constructed of a flexible and substantially gas impermeable
material, such as plastic or canvas. The housing 34c includes a
first side 38c, an opposed second side 40c, a first end 42c, and an
opposed second end 44c.
[0046] As will be discussed hereinafter, to support the fragile
item 12 the housing 34c has at least one flexible inner liner 46c.
The embodiment shown in FIG. 9 includes a plurality of flexible
inner liners 46c for supporting a plurality of the fragile items
12, merely by way of example. The flexible inner liners 46c extend
generally in between the first end 42c and the second end 44c of
the housing 34c and each flexible inner liner 46 defines a
respective item receiving chamber 48. Each item receiving chamber
48c communicates with the first side 38c of the housing 34c, and is
sized and dimensioned to matingly receive only the bottom 20, and a
lower portion 70 of the fragile item 12 so as to keep the fragile
item 12 from tipping over upon placement of the fragile item 12 in
the item receiving chamber 48c.
[0047] In this regard, the flexible inner liner 46c of the housing
34c does not surround or encompass the fragile item 12 entirely,
but only surrounds or encompasses the bottom 20 and the lower
portion 70 of the fragile item 12. For example, as shown in FIG. 9,
when the fragile item 12 is the flower pot 14, the flexible inner
liner 46c does not surround or encompass the flower pot 14
entirely, but engages, surrounds and extends only about the bottom
20 and the lower portion 70 of the sidewall 22 of the flower pot
14.
[0048] The inflatable shipping device 10c also includes an
inflation assembly 54c for adding gas in to the gas receiving
cavity 36. The inflation assembly 54c includes an effective amount
of a first substance 72 and a second substance 74 disposed within
the gas receiving cavity 36. The first substance 74 and the second
substance 76 are capable of producing a chemical reaction upon
contact to thereby produce an effective amount of gas to expand the
housing 34c to the expanded state. For example, as shown in FIG. 9,
the first substance 72 may be manganese dioxide and the second
substance 74 could be an aqueous solution of hydrogen peroxide.
Preferably, the two substances 72 and 74 are selected so as to not
chemically react with each other at a high temperature, nor produce
a gas which may damage the housing 34, or which may be harmful to
humans and/or animals if exposed. The two substances 72 and 74 are
separated by a thin membrane 76, which can be selectively ruptured
by applying pressure to the membrane. It should be understood that
the inflation assembly 54c can also be utilized to inflate the
inflatable shipping devices 10, and 10b. It should also be
understood that the inflation assembly 54c can be replaced with the
inflation assembly 54, which was described hereinbefore with
reference to FIG. 1.
The Embodiment of FIG. 10
[0049] Referring now to FIG. 10, shown therein and designated by
the reference numeral 10d is yet another embodiment of an
inflatable shipping device constructed in accordance with the
present invention for cushioning and supporting the fragile item
12. Each inflatable shipping device 10d is provided with a
predetermined shape adapted to extend only about a portion of the
fragile item 12, and thus, at least two of the inflatable shipping
devices 10d are necessary to cushion and support each fragile item
12. For example, six of the inflatable shipping devices 10d are
shown in FIG. 10 disposed in the box 50 for cushioning and
supporting three fragile items 12. It should be understood that
depending on the size and shape of the fragile item 12, and the
size of the box 50, more or less of the inflatable shipping devices
10d can be disposed in the box 50 to cushion and support more or
less than three fragile items 12. Each of the inflatable shipping
devices 10d are substantially identical in construction and
function. Thus, for purposes of clarity, only one of the inflatable
shipping devices 10d will be described hereinafter.
[0050] The inflatable shipping device 10d includes a housing 34d.
The housing 34d of the inflatable shipping device 10d is shaped to
correspond to at least a portion of the fragile item 12 so that
more than one of the inflatable shipping devices 10d can be
positioned about the same fragile item 12 and cooperate to cushion
and support the fragile item 12. The inflatable shipping device 10d
will be described hereinafter by way of example as being shaped to
correspond to at least a portion of the flower pot 14 having the
floral grouping 16 disposed therein. However, it should be
understood that the inflatable shipping device 10d of the present
invention is not limited to only cushioning and supporting the
flower pot 14 having the floral grouping 16 disposed therein.
[0051] When the fragile item 12 is the flower pot 14, the housing
34d of the inflatable shipping device 10d is shaped to form a first
leg portion 80 for cushioning a portion of the sidewall 22 of the
flower pot 14, and a second leg portion 82 for supporting and
cushioning a portion of the bottom 20 of the flower pot 14. The
second leg portion 82 extends away from the first leg portion 80 at
an angle about normal with respect to an elongated axis 84 of the
first leg portion 80.
[0052] The inflatable shipping device 10d includes an inflation
assembly (not shown) for adding a suitable amount of gas to the gas
receiving cavity 36c. The inflation assembly of the inflatable
shipping device 10d may be constructed in an identical manner as
the inflation assemblies 54 and 54c, which were discussed
hereinbefore with reference to FIGS. 1 and 9.
[0053] In use, at least two of the inflatable shipping devices 10d
are inflated via the inflation assembly and positioned such that
the second leg portions 82 thereof are facing each other, and the
housings 34d of the inflatable shipping devices 10d form an item
receiving chamber 48d, which is sized and dimensioned to
substantially encompass and surround the sidewall 22 of the flower
pot 14. As shown in FIG. 10, a plurality of sets of the inflatable
shipping devices 10d (with each set being positioned to form one
item receiving chamber 48d) can be positioned into the box 50 to
cushion and support multiple fragile items 12, such as the flower
pot 14 supporting the floral grouping 16, and any suitable growing
medium (not shown in FIG. 10). Once the inflatable shipping devices
10d are arranged into the sets, as discussed above, the fragile
items 12, such as the flower pots 14 supporting the floral
groupings 16, can then be positioned in respective item receiving
chambers 48d to cushion and support the fragile items 12.
[0054] It should be understood that while the inflatable shipping
devices 10, 10a and 10c have been shown with a generally
rectangular shape, the inflatable shipping devices 10, 10a and 10c
could be provided with any geometric, non-geometric or asymmetric
shape so long as the inflatable shipping devices 10, 10a and 10c
can function as set forth herein. Moreover, it should also be
understood that the inflatable shipping devices 10, 10a and 10c can
be adapted to cushion and support one or more than one fragile
items 12.
[0055] Changes may be made in the various elements, components,
parts and assemblies described herein or in the steps or sequences
of steps of the methods described herein without departing from the
spirit and the scope of the invention as defined in the following
claims.
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