U.S. patent application number 11/145311 was filed with the patent office on 2006-12-07 for small box shipper with internal inflatable bag.
This patent application is currently assigned to Sealed Air Corporation (US). Invention is credited to Charles Kannankeril.
Application Number | 20060272288 11/145311 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 37492742 |
Filed Date | 2006-12-07 |
United States Patent
Application |
20060272288 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Kannankeril; Charles |
December 7, 2006 |
Small box shipper with internal inflatable bag
Abstract
An inflatable bag, folded on itself to form a first inflatable
panel and a second inflatable panel, includes a first and second
side, a first and second end, a valve, and two heat seals, each
extending from the second side of the bag, spaced apart from each
other and the first side and first and second end of the bag, and
bonding a portion of the first inflatable panel to a portion of the
second inflatable panel, the bag adapted upon inflation of the bag,
to hold an article disposed between the first and second panels of
the bag. The inflatable bag can be adhered to a flat blank, or
otherwise disposed in a box or on a box component. Upon inflation
of the bag, an article disposed between the first and second panels
of the bag can be encapsulated by the bag. Alternative embodiments
are also disclosed.
Inventors: |
Kannankeril; Charles; (North
Caldwell, NJ) |
Correspondence
Address: |
Mark B. Quatt;Sealed Air Corporation
P.O. Box 464
Duncan
SC
29334
US
|
Assignee: |
Sealed Air Corporation (US)
|
Family ID: |
37492742 |
Appl. No.: |
11/145311 |
Filed: |
June 3, 2005 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
53/403 ; 206/522;
53/472 |
Current CPC
Class: |
B65D 81/052
20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
053/403 ;
053/472; 206/522 |
International
Class: |
B65B 31/00 20060101
B65B031/00; B65B 23/00 20060101 B65B023/00; B65D 81/02 20060101
B65D081/02 |
Claims
1. A packaging system comprising: a) an inflatable bag folded on
itself to form a first inflatable panel and a second inflatable
panel, the inflatable bag comprising i) a first side, ii) a second
side, iii) a first end, iv) a second end, v) a valve secured to the
first end of the inflatable bag, and vi) two heat seals each
extending from the second side of the bag, the two heat seals
spaced apart from each other, and spaced apart from the first side,
the first end, and the second end of the bag, the two heat seals
each bonding a portion of the first inflatable panel to a portion
of the second inflatable panel; and b) a flat blank to which the
inflatable bag is adhered; the system adapted upon inflation of the
bag to hold an article disposed between the first and second panels
of the bag.
2. The packaging system of claim 1 wherein the two heat seals are
parallel to one another.
3. The packaging system of claim 1 wherein the inflatable bag is a
thermoplastic bag.
4. The packaging system of claim 1 wherein the box comprises a
paperboard material.
5. The packaging system of claim 1 wherein the second inflatable
panel comprises a closure flap, the flap adapted to fold over the
second side of the inflatable bag, and adhere to an outer surface
of the first inflatable panel.
6. An inflatable bag, folded on itself to form a first inflatable
panel and a second inflatable panel, comprising: a) a first side,
b) a second side, b) a first end, c) a second end, d) a valve
secured to the first end of the inflatable bag, and e) two heat
seals each extending from the second side of the bag, the two heat
seals spaced apart from each other, and spaced apart from the first
side, the first end, and the second end of the bag, the two heat
seals each bonding a portion of the first inflatable panel to a
portion of the second inflatable panel of the inflatable bag; the
bag adapted, upon inflation of the bag, to hold an article disposed
between the first and second panels of the bag.
7. The inflatable bag of claim 6 wherein the two heat seals are
parallel to one another.
8. The inflatable bag of claim 6 wherein the inflatable bag is a
thermoplastic bag.
9. The inflatable bag of claim 6 wherein the second inflatable
panel comprises a closure flap, the flap adapted to fold over the
second side of the inflatable bag, and adhere to an outer surface
of the first inflatable panel.
10. The inflatable bag of claim 7 wherein the first side and the
second end of the bag each comprise a fold.
11. A method of preparing a package comprising: a) providing a flat
blank having a first wall; and b) adhering an inflatable bag to the
first wall of the flat blank, the inflatable bag folded on itself
to form a first inflatable panel and a second inflatable panel, the
inflatable bag comprising i) a first side, ii) a second side, iii)
a first end, iv) a second end, v) a valve secured to the first end
of the inflatable bag, and c) two heat seals each extending from
the second side of the bag, the two heat seals spaced apart from
each other, and spaced apart from the first side, the first end,
and the second end of the bag, the two heat seals each bonding a
portion of the first inflatable panel to a portion of the second
inflatable panel of the inflatable bag.
12. The method of claim 11 wherein the two heat seals are parallel
to one another.
13. The method of claim 11 wherein the inflatable bag is a
thermoplastic bag.
14. The method of claim 11 wherein the flat blank comprises a
paperboard material.
15. The method of claim 11 wherein the second inflatable panel
comprises a closure flap, the flap adapted to fold over the second
side of the inflatable bag, and adhere to an outer surface of the
first inflatable panel.
16. A packaging system comprising: a) an inflatable bag folded on
itself to form a first inflatable panel and a second inflatable
panel, the inflatable bag comprising i) a first side, ii) a second
side, iii) a first end, iv) a second end, v) a valve secured to the
first end of the inflatable bag, and vi) a heat seal extending
along the second side of the bag, the heat seal bonding an edge
portion of the first inflatable panel to a corresponding edge
portion of the second inflatable panel of the inflatable bag; and
b) a flat blank to which the inflatable bag is adhered; the system
adapted upon inflation of the bag to hold an article disposed
between the first and second panels of the bag.
17. The packaging system of claim 16 wherein the inflatable bag is
a thermoplastic bag.
18. The packaging system of claim 16 wherein the flat blank
comprises a paperboard material.
19. An inflatable bag, folded on itself to form a first inflatable
panel and a second inflatable panel, comprising: a) a first side,
b) a second side, c) a first end, d) a second end, e) a valve
secured to the first end of the inflatable bag, and f) a heat seal
extending along the second side of the bag, the heat seal bonding
an edge portion of the first inflatable panel to a corresponding
edge portion of the second inflatable panel of the inflatable bag;
the bag adapted, upon inflation of the bag, to hold an article
disposed between the first and second panels of the bag.
20. The inflatable bag of claim 19 wherein the inflatable bag is a
thermoplastic bag.
21. A method of preparing a package comprising: a) providing a flat
blank having a first wall; and b) adhering an inflatable bag to the
first wall of the flat blank, the inflatable bag folded on itself
to form a first inflatable panel and a second inflatable panel, the
inflatable bag comprising i) a first side, ii) a second side, iii)
a first end, iv) a second end, v) a valve secured to the first end
of the inflatable bag, and c) a heat seal extending along the
second side of the bag, the heat seal bonding an edge portion of
the first inflatable panel to a corresponding edge portion of the
second inflatable panel of the inflatable bag.
22. The method of claim 21 wherein the inflatable bag is a
thermoplastic bag.
23. The method of claim 21 wherein the flat blank comprises a
paperboard material.
Description
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
[0001] The present invention relates to a box shipper with an
internal inflatable bag.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0002] Consumers frequently purchase goods from mail order or
internet retailers. Many of these packages include small items such
as pharmaceuticals, books, medical supplies, electronic parts, and
the like. These items are normally packaged in small containers
such as a box or envelope. To protect the items during shipment,
they are typically packaged with some form of protective dunnage
that may be wrapped around the item or stuffed into the container
to prevent movement of the item and to protect against shock. One
common packaging method uses corrugated boxes to hold the items to
be shipped. The void spaces between the items and the inside walls
of the box are filled with void-filling dunnage such as foam
"peanuts," air cellular cushioning materials, crumpled or shredded
paper, and other air filled packaging materials. Typically, the
corrugated boxes are supplied to the shipper in a collapsed
condition so that the boxes occupy less space. Each box must then
be erected and taped before use by the shipper which may result in
additional labor costs for shipping. The shipper typically
maintains a supply of collapsed boxes for subsequent use.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0003] In a first aspect, a packaging system comprises an
inflatable bag folded on itself to form a first inflatable panel
and a second inflatable panel, the inflatable bag comprising a
first side, a second side, a first end, a second end, a valve
secured to the first end of the inflatable bag, and two heat seals
each extending from the second side of the bag, the two heat seals
spaced apart from each other, and spaced apart from the first side,
the first end, and the second end of the bag, the two heat seals
each bonding a portion of the first inflatable panel to a portion
of the second inflatable panel; and a flat blank to which the
inflatable bag is adhered; the system adapted upon inflation of the
bag to hold an article disposed between the first and second panels
of the bag.
[0004] In a second aspect, an inflatable bag, folded on itself to
form a first inflatable panel and a second inflatable panel,
comprises a first side, a second side, a first end, a second end, a
valve secured to the first end of the inflatable bag, and two heat
seals each extending from the second side of the bag, the two heat
seals spaced apart from each other, and spaced apart from the first
side, the first end, and the second end of the bag, the two heat
seals each bonding a portion of the first inflatable panel to a
portion of the second inflatable panel of the inflatable bag; the
bag adapted, upon inflation of the bag, to hold an article disposed
between the first and second panels of the bag.
[0005] In a third aspect, a method of preparing a package comprises
providing a flat blank having a first wall; and adhering an
inflatable bag to the first wall of the flat blank, the inflatable
bag folded on itself to form a first inflatable panel and a second
inflatable panel, the inflatable bag comprising a first side, a
second side, a first end, a second end, a valve secured to the
first end of the inflatable bag, and two heat seals each extending
from the second side of the bag, the two heat seals spaced apart
from each other, and spaced apart from the first side, the first
end, and the second end of the bag, the two heat seals each bonding
a portion of the first inflatable panel to a portion of the second
inflatable panel of the inflatable bag.
[0006] In a fourth aspect, a packaging system comprises an
inflatable bag folded on itself to form a first inflatable panel
and a second inflatable panel, the inflatable bag comprising a
first side, a second side, a first end, a second end, a valve
secured to the first end of the inflatable bag, and a heat seal
extending along the second side of the bag, the heat seal bonding
an edge portion of the first inflatable panel to a corresponding
edge portion of the second inflatable panel of the inflatable bag;
and a flat blank to which the inflatable bag is adhered; the system
adapted upon inflation of the bag to hold an article disposed
between the first and second panels of the bag.
[0007] In a fifth aspect, an inflatable bag, folded on itself to
form a first inflatable panel and a second inflatable panel,
comprises a first side, a second side, a first end, a second end, a
valve secured to the first end of the inflatable bag, and a heat
seal extending along the second side of the bag, the heat seal
bonding an edge portion of the first inflatable panel to a
corresponding edge portion of the second inflatable panel of the
inflatable bag; the bag adapted, upon inflation of the bag, to hold
an article disposed between the first and second panels of the
bag.
[0008] In a sixth aspect, a method of preparing a package comprises
providing a flat blank having a first wall; and adhering an
inflatable bag to the first wall of the flat blank, the inflatable
bag folded on itself to form a first inflatable panel and a second
inflatable panel, the inflatable bag comprising a first side, a
second side, a first end, a second end, a valve secured to the
first end of the inflatable bag, and a heat seal extending along
the second side of the bag, the heat seal bonding an edge portion
of the first inflatable panel to a corresponding edge portion of
the second inflatable panel of the inflatable bag.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0009] A detailed description of embodiments of the invention
follows, with reference to the attached drawings, wherein:
[0010] FIG. 1 is a schematic plan view of a flat blank of the prior
art;
[0011] FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the flat blank of FIG. 1,
after construction of the box;
[0012] FIG. 2a is a perspective view of another embodiment of the
flat blank of FIG. 1, after construction of the box;
[0013] FIG. 3 is a schematic plan view of an inflatable bag of the
prior art;
[0014] FIG. 4 is a cross sectional view of a portion of the bag of
FIG. 3, taken along line 44 of FIG. 3;
[0015] FIG. 5 is a cross sectional view of a portion of the bag of
FIG. 3, taken along line 5-5 of FIG. 3;
[0016] FIG. 6 is a schematic plan view of a folded inflatable
bag;
[0017] FIG. 7 is a cross sectional view of a portion of the bag of
FIG. 6, taken along line 7-7 of FIG. 6;
[0018] FIG. 8 is a cross sectional view of a portion of the bag of
FIG. 6, taken along line 8-8 of FIG. 6;
[0019] FIG. 9 is a schematic plan view of an inflatable bag of one
embodiment of the invention;
[0020] FIG. 10 is a schematic plan view of an inflatable bag of
another embodiment of the invention;
[0021] FIG. 11 is a schematic plan view of an inflatable bag of
another embodiment of the invention;
[0022] FIG. 12 is a schematic cross sectional view of a portion of
the bag of FIG. 11, taken along line 12-12 of FIG. 11;
[0023] FIG. 13 is a cross sectional view of a portion of a side
seal of a bag of the invention;
[0024] FIG. 14 is a schematic plan view of an inflatable bag of
another embodiment of the invention;
[0025] FIG. 15 is an elevational view of an embodiment of an
inflatable bag of the invention in an inflated state;
[0026] FIG. 16 is a schematic plan view of an inflatable bag of
another embodiment of the invention; and
[0027] FIG. 17 is a perspective view of an embodiment of an
inflatable bag of the invention in an inflated state.
Definitions
[0028] "Inflatable bag" herein refers to a bag, pouch, or similar
product, including one made from a single tubular web or two webs
that have been sealed together, the bag capable of being inflated
by mechanical means. In one embodiment, the bag can be made by a
C-fold arrangement, in which a single web of material is folded on
itself to create a folded bottom (second end), and the two sides
and top (first end) of the thus folded bag are sealed together at
or near their respective edges. Typically, an inflatable bag will
include a valve or other suitable means to inflate the bag when
desired.
[0029] "Flat blank" herein refers to a flat piece of material die
cut or otherwise prepared such that it can be constructed into a
container such as a conventional shipping box. The flat blank can
have any suitable size, geometry, and composition, with suitable
score lines and cuts as needed to facilitate subsequent
construction into a container. The flat blank can be made from any
suitable material, including paperboard, polymeric foam, corrugated
board, rigid plastic, etc. The flat blank can be monolayer or
multilayer in composition, and can be made from more than one of
the above-stated materials.
[0030] "Heat seal" herein refers to conventional impulse or
constant heat sealing techniques, as well as alternative bonding
processes, including without limitation RF (radio frequency) or
ultrasonic sealing. Both continuous and discontinuous seals are
included herein.
[0031] "Polymer" and the like herein refers to homopolymer,
copolymer, terpolymer, etc.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
[0032] FIG. 1 discloses a schematic plan view of a flat blank 20 of
the prior art. Flat blank 20 includes a top box panel 22, a bottom
box panel 24, side box panels 26, 28 and 30, end box panels 32 and
34, and 36 and 38, intermediate box panels 40 and 42, cuts 44, 46,
48, and 50, and score lines 52, 53, 54, 55, 56 and 58. Although
cuts 44, 46, 48, and 50 are shown as having some dimension, i.e.
having some gap between adjacent panels, those skilled in the
relevant art will appreciate that these are typically simple cuts
in the paperboard or other stock that are very narrow in one
dimension. Score lines 52, 53, 54, 55, 56 and 58, like the cuts,
facilitate fabrication of the box. Flat blank 20 is shown for
illustrative purposes only, and it will be understood that the
invention can be beneficially used in combination with a wide
variety of containers made from paperboard, rigid foam, or other
suitable materials die cut or otherwise prepared such that they can
be constructed into a container such as a conventional shipping
box. The flat blank can have any suitable size, geometry, and
composition, with suitable score lines and cuts to facilitate
subsequent construction into a container. For example, alternative
flat blanks can be constructed into boxes having a round or
triangular cross section.
[0033] FIG. 2 shows a perspective view of a completed box 60 made
from the flat blank 20 of FIG. 1. As shown, box 60 includes top box
panel 22, side box panel 30, and end box panel 36.
[0034] FIG. 2a shows a perspective view of a completed box 62 that
is similar in all respects to box 60 of FIG. 2, but additionally
includes a slot 37 adapted to accommodate the terminal portion of a
flexible valve.
[0035] FIG. 3 shows a schematic plan view of a conventional
inflatable bag 70. A commercial example of such a bag is a RAPID
FILL.RTM. bag available from Sealed Air Corporation. Inflatable
bags of this type, including a flexible valve, are disclosed e.g.
in U.S. Pat. No. 6,561,236 (Sperry et al.), incorporated herein by
reference in its entirety.
[0036] The conventional bag is typically made with a monolayer,
polyethylene construction. The bag can alternatively be made with a
multilayer construction, and can optionally include one or more
layers comprising a polymer that provides an oxygen barrier, such
as polyamide. In multilayer embodiments of the bag, the material
can be produced by known coextrusion processes, or alternatively by
any other suitable process, including known lamination
techniques.
[0037] Bag 70 includes a first wall 72 and a second wall 74 (see
also FIG. 4). These walls are joined by a fold located at a second
end 76 of bag 70. A heat seal 77, typically a trim seal, is
disposed at or near a first side edge 78 of bag 70, and another
heat seal 79, also typically a trim seal, is disposed at or near a
second side edge 80 of bag 70. Bag 70 is thus made from a single
ply of material that is folded on itself to create the first and
second walls 72 and 74, and sealed along its edges 78 and 80. A
valve 82 is disposed between walls 72 and 74 and projects from the
first end 88 of the inflatable bag 70. This valve 82 is
conventional and well known in the packaging art. Bag 70, and
inflation valve 82, are further described in U.S. Pat. No.
6,561,236 (Sperry et al.). Any suitable valve can be employed in
connection with the present invention. A heat seal 90 is disposed
at or near the first end 88 of bag 70. Segment 84 of first wall 72,
and segment 86 (see FIG. 4) of second wall 74, are defined by the
material between seal 90 and edge 88. Segments 84 and 86 are not
typically sealed together. It will be understood to those of skill
in the art that alternatively a bag useful in connection with the
present invention can be made from two discrete plies of material
that are sealed together along all four edges of the respective
plies.
[0038] FIG. 4 shows a cross sectional view of a portion of the bag
70 of FIG. 3, taken along line 4-4 of FIG. 3. First wall 72 and
second wall 74 are connected at second bag end 76 by a fold. Seal
90, as described above, joins together the first and second wall 72
and 74 respectively near the first end 88 of the bag 70. Segments
84 and 86 form the extremity of walls 72 and 74 respectively at the
first end 88 of the bag. As shown in FIG. 4, for the sake of
clarity, first wall 72 is separated by a space from second wall 74.
Although conventionally walls 72 and 74 are not sealed together
except as described above, it will be understood that they may and
often do in practice tend to remain together across much or most of
their congruent contact before inflation of the bag. They will
nevertheless move away from one another in unsealed regions when
air or another filling medium is introduced through valve 82 to
expand the bag 70.
[0039] FIG. 5 is a cross sectional view of a portion of bag 70 of
FIG. 3, taken along line 5-5 of FIG. 3. First wall 72 is sealed to
second wall 74 in the heat seal 79 located at or near the second
side edge 80 of bag 70.
[0040] FIG. 6 is a schematic plan view of an inflatable bag 71 like
that of FIG. 3, but in which the bag has been folded on itself,
along fold 92, such that the first side edge 78 now overlays the
second side edge 80. Bag 71 is otherwise in all relevant
particulars like bag 70, but with the features described below with
respect to FIGS. 7 and 8.
[0041] FIG. 7 is a cross sectional view of a portion of the bag of
FIG. 6, taken along line 7-7 of FIG. 6. It can be seen that because
of the folding over on itself of a portion of bag 70 to produce bag
71, second wall 74 now forms essentially the entire exterior
surface of bag 71. FIG. 7 shows a first inflatable panel 73
overlying a second inflatable panel 75. Panels 73 and 75 form
between them a mouth 94 that is shown with some separation between
wall 72 of first inflatable panel 73, and wall 72 of second
inflatable panel 75. It will be understood that walls 72 may tend
to remain together across much or most of their congruent contact
before inflation of the bag. Likewise, some space is shown between
walls 72 and 74 of first panel 73, and between walls 72 and 74 of
second panel 75, but in practice the respective walls may be in
contact. Mouth 94 provides an access area for insertion of an
article to be packaged. An unsealed area is thus provided between
first and second panels 73 and 75.
[0042] FIG. 8 is a cross sectional view of a portion of the bag 71
of FIG. 6, taken along line 8-8 of FIG. 6. Heat seal 77 as shown
overlies heat seal region 79. Again, mouth 94 is shown with some
separation between walls 72, but walls 72 may tend to remain
together across much or most of their congruent contact before
inflation of the bag.
[0043] FIG. 9 is a schematic plan view of an inflatable bag 95 of
another embodiment of the invention. The inflatable bag is like the
folded inflatable bag of FIG. 6, but in which two heat seals 96 and
98 seal a portion of the first inflatable panel 73 to a portion of
the second inflatable panel 75. It should be noted (see also FIG.
12) that seals 96 and 98 each bond the two inflatable panels
together in the respective heat seal areas, and do not simply seal
the two walls of the first panel together, or the two walls of the
second panel together. In the embodiment of FIG. 9, the heat seals
96 and 98 each extend from the second side of the inflatable bag,
and extend toward the first side of the folded inflatable bag
defined by fold 92. However, the terminus of each of seals 96 and
98 will be spaced from fold 92. This allows inflation of the bag to
be accomplished in the inflatable regions 100, 102, and 104 of the
bag 95. The advantage of this is described further below.
[0044] FIG. 10 is a schematic plan view of an inflatable bag 106 of
another embodiment of the invention. The inflatable bag is like the
folded inflatable bag of FIG. 9, but additionally including heat
seal 101. Like seals 96 and 98, heat seal 101 bonds the two
inflatable panels together in the region of heat seal 101, and does
not simply seal the two walls of the first panel together, or the
two walls of the second panel together.
[0045] In the embodiment of FIG. 10, heat seal 101 extends
substantially parallel to fold 92 and side edge 78. The panels are
not sealed together, however, along the entire extent of the
distance from the terminus of seal 96 to the terminus of seal 98.
This permits an inflation medium such as air to circulate through
the bag. An additional inflatable region 108 is defined by fold 92
and seal 101.
[0046] FIG. 11 is a schematic plan view of an inflatable bag 110 of
another embodiment of the invention. The inflatable bag is like the
folded inflatable bag of FIG. 10, but additionally including heat
seal 112. Unlike seals 96, 98, and 101, heat seal 112 does not bond
the two inflatable panels together in the region of heat seal 112,
but simply seals the two walls of the first panel 73 together. A
similar seal 114 (see FIG. 12) seals the two walls of the second
panel 75 together. Seals 112 and 114 are in the portion of the
inflatable bag where the article to be packaged can be inserted
into the uninflated bag. The first and second panels 73 and 75 are
therefore not sealed together here. In lieu of heat to bond the two
walls of the first panel together at 112, or the second panels
together at 114, an alternative is to hot glue the relevant walls
together, or use a double sided tape.
[0047] Another alternative is to apply a non-sealable print surface
to the facing surfaces of wall 72 in the region of the bag where
the heat seals 112 and 114 are to be located. Upon application of a
seal bar or the like to the bag, the two walls of the first panel
73 are sealed together, and the two walls of the second panel 75
are sealed together. However, because of the presence of the
non-sealable print surface on the relevant portions of walls 72,
the first and second panel 73 and 75 will not seal to each other.
The glue, tape, or non-sealable print would require the application
of the bonding medium to appropriate portions of the bag material
at the time the bag is produced.
[0048] FIG. 12 shows in cross section a portion of the bag of FIG.
11, with seals 112 and 114, and seal 96. FIG. 12 is a cross
sectional view of a portion of the bag of FIG. 11, taken along line
12-12 of FIG. 11.
[0049] FIG. 13 is a cross sectional view of a portion of a side
seal 140 of another embodiment of an inflatable bag 142 of the
invention. The inflatable bag is like the folded inflatable bag of
FIG. 6, but in which a heat seal 140 at or near the side edge 78 of
the folded bag seals the second side of the first inflatable panel
73 to the second side of the second inflatable panel 75 (see also
FIG. 16). Seal 140 bonds the two inflatable panels together in the
heat seal area.
[0050] FIG. 14 is a schematic plan view of an inflatable bag 115 of
another embodiment of the invention. The inflatable bag is like the
folded inflatable bag of FIG. 11, but the heat seals that seal
panels 73 and 75 together in selected regions of the bag are
discontinuous in nature. Thus, discontinuous heat seal 126 is like
seal 96, but is shown as a series of localized heat seals, of any
suitable shape, number and dimension, extending from the second
side of the inflatable bag, and extending toward but spaced from
the first side of the folded inflatable bag defined by fold 92.
[0051] Likewise, discontinuous heat seal 130 is like seal 98, but
is shown as a series of localized heat seals, of any suitable
shape, number and dimension, extending from the second side of the
inflatable bag, and extending toward but spaced from the first side
of the folded inflatable bag defined by fold 92.
[0052] Discontinuous heat seal 128 is like seal 101 of FIGS. 10 and
11, but is shown as a series of localized heat seals, of any
suitable shape, number and dimension, extending substantially
parallel to fold 92 and side edge 78. Discontinuous heat seal 132
is like seal 112 of FIG. 11, but is shown as a series of localized
heat seals, of any suitable shape, number and dimension.
[0053] In one variation of this embodiment, one localized heat seal
can be disposed in each of four locations on the bag, such that the
four localized seals together define the corners of a rectangle or
square. For example, in the drawing of FIG. 14, two of the four
corner locations can be the seals marked 126 and 130.
[0054] FIG. 14 also discloses in another embodiment an optional
closure flap 120 which can be formed either integrally as an
extension of wall 74, or as a discrete member that is separately
made and then adhered, e.g. by a suitable adhesive, heat sealing,
etc., to the wall 74. The closure flap 120 includes a base member
122, the base member being longitudinally coextensive with bag 115.
At least a portion of base member 122 can be coated with an
adhesive 123. The adhesive used is e.g. a pressure sensitive
adhesive, but can be any suitable adhesive, such as an adhesive
activated by moisture or saliva. Suitable adhesives include
thermoplastic hot melt adhesives, silicone adhesives, acrylic
pressure sensitive adhesives, solvent cast adhesives, UV
(ultraviolet) or EB (electron beam) cured acrylic adhesives, and
the like. The adhesive can be covered with an optional but highly
desirable release tape 124.
[0055] In FIG. 14, the closure flap 120 is shown in a flat, open
position.
[0056] When the bag is to be used to ship an article such as
pharmaceuticals, books, medical supplies, electronic parts, and the
like, the article is placed in the interior of the bag, and the
release tape 124 is peeled from the closure flap 120. This action
exposes the adhesive 123. The closure flap 120, with the adhesive
layer thus exposed, is then folded towards the first wall 72 of the
bag, and the closure flap 120 is then pressed against the first
wall 72 to close the bag.
[0057] FIG. 15 is an elevational view of an embodiment of an
inflatable bag 106 of the invention in an inflated state. This bag
is substantially an inflated version of the uninflated bag 106 of
FIG. 9. An article 130 is held or encapsulated within the inflated
bag. In some embodiments, the article may be completely
encapsulated by the bag; in others, a portion of the article may be
accessible from or exposed to the outside environment at the second
side of the bag (in the case of FIG. 15, the side of the bag facing
the viewer).
[0058] A feature of the inflated bag is that the seals 96 and 98
result, when the bag is inflated, in inflated terminal portions of
the bag. These terminal portions, the result of the inflation of
regions 102 and 104 of the bag 95 of FIG. 9, offer additional
protection for the contents of the bag during shipping and
storage.
[0059] FIG. 16 is a schematic plan view of an inflatable bag 142 of
another embodiment of the invention. Bag 142 is like bag 71 of FIG.
6, but includes a side seal 140 that is disposed parallel to side
seal 77. When inflated, bag 142 forms a substantially tubular
sleeve or cylindrical member. In this embodiment, the interior of
the bag can be accessed through either the opening 145 at the first
end of the bag, or the opening 146 at the second end of the
bag.
[0060] In one embodiment, bag 142 can optionally include a double
sided tape 148 adhering relevant portions of interior facing walls
72 of bag 142, such that an article that is inserted through
opening 145 will be guided by the inverted U-shape configuration of
the double sided tape, and thus be beneficially located generally
in the central area of the bag.
[0061] Centralized location of the article will generally maximize
the cushioning protection afforded the article by the
invention.
[0062] In an alternative embodiment, the double sided tape can be
configured as a U shape (as viewed in FIG. 16), so that an article
that is inserted through opening 146 will be guided by the U-shape
configuration of the double sided tape, and thus be beneficially
located generally in the central area of the bag.
[0063] FIG. 17 is a perspective view of an embodiment of an
inflated bag 150. Bag 150 before inflation is similar in
construction and features to bag 95.
[0064] The inflatable bag can be used in a number of alternative
ways in connection with a flat blank. In one method, the bag of the
invention, e.g. the bag of FIG. 9, in its uninflated state, can be
adhered by glue, pressure sensitive adhesive, or any other suitable
means, to a portion of a flat blank. As an example, a bag can be
adhered to the bottom box panel 24 of FIG. 1. This can be done at a
manufacturing site, or at the site where the packaging of articles
will typically take place.
[0065] An article to be packaged can then be inserted into the
mouth of the bag. Thereafter the bag can be inflated, and the box
then closed. Alternatively, the box can be closed or nearly closed,
and the bag then inflated. In one embodiment, a slot 37 can be
included in the flat blank that can accommodate the valve 82. The
box can be closed, with the valve 82 fed through the slot to
provide access to the valve from outside the box, and the bag then
inflated. Thereafter, if desired, the valve can be fed back through
the slot, and if desired the slot can be covered.
[0066] Alternatively, an article can be inserted into an uninflated
bag of the invention. Thereafter, at the same location or a
separate location, the bag can be inflated, and the inflated bag
with the article disposed therein can be placed in a shipper box or
other suitable container, and the box or container closed.
[0067] Those skilled in the art will understand that modifications
in the invention can be made without departing from the scope of
the invention as claimed in the claims that follow. For example, in
addition to the heat seals disclosed herein, the panels of the bag
can be pre-printed with a graphic that visually guides the user in
placing an article in the uninflated bag.
* * * * *