U.S. patent application number 12/005672 was filed with the patent office on 2008-05-08 for structure of air-packing device.
This patent application is currently assigned to AIR-PAQ, Inc.. Invention is credited to Kark K. Yoshifusa.
Application Number | 20080107362 12/005672 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 37829068 |
Filed Date | 2008-05-08 |
United States Patent
Application |
20080107362 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Yoshifusa; Kark K. |
May 8, 2008 |
Structure of air-packing device
Abstract
An air-packing device has an improved shock absorbing capability
to protect a product in a container box. The air-packing device is
comprised of an enclosure portion that surrounds and supports a
pocket portion that holds a product to be protected such that the
pocket portion does not contact the ground when shocks are applied
to the air-packing device. Each of the enclosure portion and the
pocket portion is configured by first and second thermoplastic
films which are bonded at predetermined portions thereby creating a
plurality of air containers. Each of the air containers has a check
valve for allowing the compressed air to flow only in a forward
direction.
Inventors: |
Yoshifusa; Kark K.; (Lake
Forest, CA) |
Correspondence
Address: |
Yasuo Muramatsu;MURAMATSU & ASSOCIATES
Suite 310
114 Pacifica
Irvine
CA
92618
US
|
Assignee: |
AIR-PAQ, Inc.
|
Family ID: |
37829068 |
Appl. No.: |
12/005672 |
Filed: |
December 28, 2007 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
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11220755 |
Sep 7, 2005 |
|
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12005672 |
Dec 28, 2007 |
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Current U.S.
Class: |
383/3 ;
206/522 |
Current CPC
Class: |
B65D 81/052 20130101;
B65D 81/075 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
383/003 ;
206/522 |
International
Class: |
B65D 81/05 20060101
B65D081/05; B65D 30/24 20060101 B65D030/24 |
Claims
1. An air-packing device for protecting a product therein when
stored in a container box, comprising: a pocket portion having an
upper sheet portion and a lower sheet portion to create an opening
into which said product is inserted, each of said upper sheet
portion and said lower sheet portion having a plurality of air
containers; an enclosure portion having a plurality of air
containers and configuring walls that surround said pocket portion
therein; wherein said pocket portion is supported by said enclosure
portion at about an intermediate height of said enclosure portion
such that said product in said pocket portion will not contact with
a bottom or top of the container box when shocks are applied to the
air-packing device; and wherein each of said air containers of said
pocket portion and said enclosure portion has a check valve for
allowing air to flow in a forward direction while preventing the
air from flowing in a reverse direction.
2. An air-packing device, as defined in claim 1, wherein each air
container of said enclosure portion has a multiplicity of air cells
serially connected with one another thereby allowing the air to
flow through the air cells of the same air container.
3. An air-packing device, as defined in claim 2, wherein each air
cell is separated from the other air cells on the same air
container by a heat-seal land at which thermoplastic films forming
the air-packing device are heat-sealed, and wherein the air flows
through a passage created on a side of the heat-seal land toward
the next air cell on the same air container.
4. An air-packing device, as defined in claim 2, wherein each air
cell is separated from the other air cells on the same air
container by a heat-seal land at which thermoplastic films forming
the air-packing device are heat-sealed, and wherein the heat-seal
lands on the air container function as folding points of the walls
of the enclosure portion.
5. An air-packing device as defined in claim 1, wherein said walls
are configured by four side walls so that the enclosure portion has
a box-like shape.
6. An air-packing device as defined in claim 1, wherein each of
said pocket portion and said enclosure portion is comprised of
first and second thermoplastic films superposed with each other
where predetermined portions of the first and second thermoplastic
films are bonded, thereby creating the plurality of air containers,
and wherein said check valves are established between the first and
second thermoplastic films.
7. An air-packing device as defined in claim 1, further comprising
an air input commonly connected to the plurality of check valves to
supply the compressed air to all of the air container.
8. An air-packing device as defined in claim 1, wherein at least
two side edges of said pocket portion are attached to said
enclosure portion in such a manner that each side edge is
heat-sealed to an area which is a boundary between two adjacent air
containers of the enclosure portion through a post heat-seal
treatment.
9. An air-packing device as defined in claim 1, wherein edges of an
upper sheet portion of said pocket portion are attached to said
enclosure portion where each edge is heat-sealed to an area between
two adjacent air containers, and edges of a lower sheet portion of
said pocket portion are attached to said enclosure portion where
each edge is heat-sealed to the same area between two air
containers where the corresponding edge of the upper sheet portion
is attached.
10. An air-packing device as defined in claim 1, wherein edges of
an upper sheet portion of said pocket portion are attached to said
enclosure portion where each edge is heat-sealed to an area between
two adjacent air containers, and edges of a lower sheet portion of
said pocket portion are attached to said enclosure portion where
each edge is heat-sealed to an area between two air containers
which is vertically different from the area where the corresponding
edge of the upper sheet portion is attached.
11. An air-packing device as defined in claim 1, wherein one wall
of said enclosure portion is a door wall that is designed to bend
so that the door wall allows to insert said product in said pocket
portion through the opening of said pocket portion.
12. An air-packing device as defined in claim 1, wherein said check
valve includes sealed portions which are fixed to one of
thermoplastic films configuring the air-packing device, wherein the
sealed portions include: an inlet portion which introduces the air
into the check valve; a pair of narrow down portions creating a
narrow down passage connected to the inlet portion; an extended
portion which diverts the air flows coming through the narrow down
passage; and a plurality of outlet portions which introduce the air
from the extended portion to the air container.
13. An air-packing device as defined in claim 12, wherein
reinforcing seal portions are formed close to the inlet portion to
reinforce the bonding between the check valve and one of the first
and second thermoplastic films.
14. An air-packing device as defined in claim 1, wherein the check
valve is comprised of: a check valve film on which peeling agents
of predetermined pattern are printed, said check valve film being
attached to one of first and second thermoplastic films configuring
the air-packing device; an air input established by one of the
peeling agents on the air-packing device for receiving an air from
an air source; an air flow maze portion forming an air passage of a
zig-zag shape, said air flow maze portion having an exit at an end
thereof for supplying the air from the air passage to a
corresponding air container having one or more series connected air
cells; and a common air duct portion which provides the air from
the air input to the air flow maze portion of a current air
container as well as to the air flow maze portion of a next air
container having one or more series connected air cells; wherein
heat-sealing between the first and second thermoplastic films for
separating two adjacent air containers is prevented in a range
where said peeling agent is printed.
15. An air-packing device as defined in claim 14, wherein said
check valves are formed at any desired position on the air-packing
device where the air from the check valve flows in both forward and
backward directions in the air container to fill all of the series
connected air cells therein.
16. An air-packing device as defined in claim 14, wherein an
additional film is provided between the check valve film and one of
said first and second thermoplastic films.
17. An air-packing device as defined in claim 14, wherein the check
valve film is attached to one of said first and second
thermoplastic films at any desired locations of the air-packing
device.
18. An air-packing device as defined in claim 14, wherein at least
the air passage in said air flow maze portion is closed by air
tightly contacting the check valve film with one of said first and
second thermoplastic films by the air pressure within the air cell
when the air-packing device is filled with the compressed air to a
sufficient degree.
19. An air-packing device as defined in claim 18, wherein at least
the air passage in said air flow maze portion is closed by air
tightly contacting the check valve film with said additional film
by the air pressure within the air cell when the air-packing device
is filled with the compressed air in a sufficient level.
Description
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
[0001] This invention relates to a structure of an air-packing
device for use as packing material, and more particularly, to a
structure of an air-packing device and check valves incorporated
therein for achieving an improved shock absorbing capability to
protect a product from a shock or impact by a pocket portion that
is supported by surrounding an enclosure portion such that the
pocket portion does not contact the ground when shocks are applied
to the air-packing device.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0002] In product distribution channels such as product shipping, a
Styrofoam packing material has been used for a long time for
packing commodity and industrial products. Although the styrofoam
package material has a merit such as a good thermal insulation
performance and a light weight, it has also various disadvantages:
recycling the styrofoam is not possible, soot is produced when it
burns, a flake or chip comes off when it is snagged because of it's
brittleness, an expensive mold is needed for its production, and a
relatively large warehouse is necessary to store it.
[0003] Therefore, to solve such problems noted above, other packing
materials and methods have been proposed. One method is a fluid
container of sealingly containing a liquid or gas such as air
(hereafter also referred to as an "air-packing device"). The
air-packing device has excellent characteristics to solve the
problems involved in the styrofoam. First, because the air-packing
device is made of only thin sheets of plastic films, it does not
need a large warehouse to store it unless the air-packing device is
inflated. Second, a mold is not necessary for its production
because of its simple structure. Third, the air-packing device does
not produce a chip or dust which may have adverse effects on
precision products. Also, recyclable materials can be used for the
films forming the air-packing device. Further, the air-packing
device can be produced with low cost and transported with low
cost.
[0004] FIG. 1 shows an example of structure of an air-packing
device in the conventional technology. The air-packing device 20
includes a plurality of air containers 22 and check valves 24, a
guide passage 21 and an air input 25. The air from the air input 25
is supplied to the air containers 22 through the air passage 21 and
the check valves 24. Typically, the air-packing device 20 is
composed of two thermoplastic films which are bonded together at
bonding areas 23a.
[0005] Each air container 22 is provided with a check valve 24. One
of the purposes of having multiple air containers with
corresponding check valves is to increase the reliability, because
each air container is independent from the others. Namely, even if
one of the air containers suffers from an air leakage for some
reason, the air-packing device can still function as a shock
absorber for packing the product because other air containers are
still inflated because of the corresponding check valves.
[0006] FIG. 2 is a plan view of the air-packing device 20 of FIG. 1
when it is not inflated which shows bonding areas for closing two
thermoplastic films. The thermoplastic films of the air-packing
device 20 are bonded (heat-sealed) together at bonding areas 23a
which are rectangular periphery thereof to air tightly close the
air-packing device 20. The thermoplastic films of the air-packing
device 20 are also bonded together at bonding areas 23b which are
boundaries of the air containers 22 to air-tightly separate the air
containers 22 from one another.
[0007] When using the air-packing device, each air container 22 is
filled with the air from the air input 25 through the guide passage
21 and the check valve 24. After filling the air, the expansion of
each air container 22 is maintained because each check-valve 24
prevents the reverse flow of the air. The check valve 24 is
typically made of two small thermoplastic films which are bonded
together to form an air pipe. The air pipe has a tip opening and a
valve body to allow the air flowing in the forward direction
through the air pipe from the tip opening but the valve body
prevents the air flow in the backward direction.
[0008] Air-packing devices are becoming more and more popular
because of the advantages noted above. There is an increasing need
to store and carry precision products or articles which are
sensitive to shocks and impacts often involved in shipment of the
products. There are many other types of product, such as wine
bottles, DVD drivers, music instruments, glass or ceramic wares,
antiques, etc. that need special attention so as not to receive a
shock, vibration or other mechanical impact. Thus, it is desired
that the air-packing device protects the product to minimize the
shock and impact.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0009] It is, therefore, an object of the present invention to
provide a structure of an air-packing device for packing a product
that can minimize a mechanical shock or vibration to the
product.
[0010] It is another object of the present invention to provide a
structure of a check valve for the air-packing device that can
reliably prevent reverse flow of the air in the air containers of
the air-packing device.
[0011] In one aspect of the present invention, an air-packing
device inflatable by compressed air for protecting a product
therein when stored in a container box, comprising a pocket portion
having an upper sheet portion and a lower sheet portion to create
an opening into which the product is inserted, each of the upper
sheet portion and the lower sheet portion having a plurality of air
containers, an enclosure portion having a plurality of air
containers and configuring walls that surround the pocket portion
therein. The pocket portion is supported by the enclosure portion
at about an intermediate height of the enclosure portion such that
the product in the pocket portion will not contact with a bottom or
top of the container box when shocks are applied to the air-packing
device. Each of the air containers of the pocket portion and the
enclosure portion has a check valve for allowing air to flow in a
forward direction while preventing the air from flowing in a
reverse direction.
[0012] Each air container of the enclosure portion has a
multiplicity of air cells serially connected with one another
thereby allowing the air to flow through the air cells of the same
air container. Each air cell is separated from the other air cells
on the same air container by a heat-seal land at which
thermoplastic films forming the air-packing device are heat-sealed.
The air flows through a passage created on a side of the heat-seal
land toward the next air cell on the same air container. The
heat-seal lands on the air container function as folding points of
the walls of the enclosure portion.
[0013] Each of the pocket portion and the enclosure portion is
comprised of first and second thermoplastic films superposed with
each other where predetermined portions of the first and second
thermoplastic films are bonded, thereby creating the plurality of
air containers, and wherein the check valves are established
between the first and second thermoplastic films. An air input is
commonly connected to the plurality of check valves to supply the
compressed air to all of the air container.
[0014] At least two side edges of the pocket portion are attached
to the enclosure portion in such a manner that each side edge is
heat-sealed to an area which is a boundary between two adjacent air
containers of the enclosure portion through a post heat-seal
treatment. Edges of an upper sheet portion of the pocket portion
are attached to the enclosure portion where each edge is
heat-sealed to an area between two adjacent air containers, and
edges of a lower sheet portion of the pocket portion are attached
to the enclosure portion where each edge is heat-sealed to the same
area between two air containers where the corresponding edge of the
upper sheet portion is attached. Alternatively, edges of an upper
sheet portion of the pocket portion are attached to the enclosure
portion where each edge is heat-sealed to an area between two
adjacent air containers, and edges of a lower sheet portion of the
pocket portion are attached to the enclosure portion where each
edge is heat-sealed to an area between two air containers which is
vertically different from the area where the corresponding edge of
the upper sheet portion is attached.
[0015] The check valve includes sealed portions which are fixed to
one of thermoplastic films configuring the air-packing device,
where the sealed portions include an inlet portion which introduces
the air into the check valve; a pair of narrow down portions
creating a narrow down passage connected to the inlet portion; an
extended portion which diverts the air flows coming through the
narrow down passage; and a plurality of outlet portions which
introduce the air from the extended portion to the air
container.
[0016] Alternatively, the check valve is comprised of a check valve
film on which peeling agents of predetermined pattern are printed,
the check valve film being attached to one of first and second
thermoplastic films configuring the air-packing device; an air
input established by one of the peeling agents on the air-packing
device for receiving an air from an air source; an air flow maze
portion forming an air passage of a zig-zag shape, the air flow
maze portion having an exit at an end thereof for supplying the air
from the air passage to a corresponding air container having one or
more series connected air cells; and a common air duct portion
which provides the air from the air input to the air flow maze
portion of a current air container as well as to the air flow maze
portion of a next air container having one or more series connected
air cells; wherein heat-sealing between the first and second
thermoplastic films for separating two adjacent air containers is
prevented in a range where the peeling agent is printed.
[0017] According to the present invention, the air-packing device
can minimize shocks or vibrations to the product when the product
is dropped or collided. The sheet form of the air-packing device is
folded and the post heat-seal treatment is applied thereto, thereby
creating a structure unique to a production to be protected. The
air-packing device is basically configured by the enclosure portion
and the pocket portion. The enclosure portion is comprised of
multiple rows of air containers. The pocket portion is formed at
about the center of the enclosure portion. Consequently, even when
a large shock or vibration is applied to the air-packing device,
the pocket portion will not touch the ground. Further, since the
pocket portion is flexibly moved when the shock is applied, it can
effectively damp the shock to the product therein. The check valves
in the air-packing device have a unique structure for preventing
reverse flows of the air. The air-packing device of the present
invention has a relatively simple structure with reliable check
valves, thus, the present invention is able to provide a reliable
air-packing device with low cost.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0018] FIG. 1 is a schematic perspective view showing an example of
basic structure of an air-packing device in the conventional
technology.
[0019] FIG. 2 is a plan view of the air-packing device 20 of FIG. 1
when it is not inflated for showing bonding areas for closing two
thermoplastic films.
[0020] FIGS. 3A to 3E are perspective views showing an example of
structure of the air-packing device under the present invention and
a procedure of packing the product to be protected therein. FIG. 3A
is a perspective view of the air-packing device where an enclosure
portion and a pocket portion are not inflated, FIG. 3B is a
perspective view where the enclosure portion is inflated while the
pocket portion is not inflated, FIG. 3C is a perspective view where
the product to be protected is inserted into the pocket portion of
the air-packing device of FIG. 3B, FIG. 3D is a perspective view
where the pocket portion is inflated after the package has been
placed into the pocket portion, and FIG. 3E is a perspective view
where the door of the enclosure portion has been bent to completely
encircle the pocket portion.
[0021] FIG. 4 is a cross sectional front view of the air-packing
device for packing a product therein and is installed in a
container box according to the present invention where the door
portion is omitted.
[0022] FIGS. 5A and 5B are schematic views showing an example of
sheet like construction of the pocket portion of the air-packing
device of the present invention before being attached to the
enclosure portion.
[0023] FIGS. 6A and 6B are schematic views showing an example of
sheet like structure of the enclosure portion and the pocket
portion of the air-packing device of the present invention before
being attached to one another.
[0024] FIGS. 7A and 7B are schematic views showing another example
of sheet like structure of the pocket portion of the air-packing
device in the present invention before being attached to the
enclosure portion.
[0025] FIGS. 8A-8C are schematic views showing another example of
sheet like structure of the enclosure portion and the pocket
portion before being attached to one another for the air-packing
device of the present invention.
[0026] FIG. 9 is a perspective view showing a further example of
the present invention in which the pocket portion is formed with an
upper sheet and a lower sheet which are attached to different
levels of the enclosure portion.
[0027] FIG. 10 is a perspective view showing a further example of
the present invention where the air cells of the pocket portion is
aligned in the direction different from that of FIGS. 3A-3E and
FIG. 9.
[0028] FIGS. 11A-11C are diagrams showing an example of detailed
structure and operation of the check-valve in the present invention
where FIG. 11A shows a cross sectional plan view of the check
valve, FIG. 11A shows a cross sectional side view thereof, and FIG.
11C shows a cross sectional side view for explaining the operation
of the check valve.
[0029] FIGS. 12A-12D show another example of check valve of the
present invention where FIG. 12A is a plan view showing a structure
of a check valve on an air-packing device, FIG. 12B is a plan view
showing the check valve including flows of air when a compressed
air is supplied thereto, FIG. 12C is a plan view showing the
portions for bonding the check valve sheet to a thermoplastic film
of the air-packing device, and FIG. 12D is a plan view showing the
portions for bonding the check valve sheet and the two plastic
films of the air-packing device.
[0030] FIG. 13 is a cross sectional view showing an example of
inner structure of the check valve in the present invention
configured by a single layer film and formed on one of the
thermoplastic films of the air-packing device.
[0031] FIG. 14 is a cross sectional view showing another example of
the inner structure of the check valve in the present invention
configured by double layer films and formed on one of the
thermoplastic films of the air-packing device.
[0032] FIGS. 15A and 15B are cross sectional views showing the
inner structure of a check valve of the present invention where
FIG. 15A shows air flows in the air cells of the air-packing device
when being inflated, and FIG. 15B shows a situation where the
air-packing device is fully inflated and the check valve is
closed.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
[0033] The air-packing device of the present invention will be
described in more detail with reference to the accompanying
drawings. It should be noted that although the present invention is
described for the case of using an air for inflating the
air-packing device for an illustration purpose, other fluids such
as other types of gas or liquid can also be used. The air-packing
device is typically used in a container box to pack a product
during the distribution channel of the product.
[0034] The air-packing device of the present invention is
especially useful for packing products which are sensitive to shock
or vibration such as hard drives, personal computers, DVD drivers,
etc. Other examples of such products include, but not limited to,
bottles, glassware, ceramic ware, music instruments, paintings,
antiques, etc.
[0035] The air-packing device reliably wraps the product within a
space created by folding and applying a post heat-sealing
treatment, thereby absorbing the shocks and impacts to the product
when, for example, the product is inadvertently dropped on the
floor or collided with other objects.
[0036] The air-packing device of the present invention includes a
plurality of air containers each having a plurality of serially
connected air cells. The air container is air-tightly separated
from the other air containers while the air cells in the same air
container are connected by the air passages such that the air can
flow freely among the air cells. Each air cell in the air container
has a sausage like shape when the air is filled therein.
[0037] FIGS. 3A-3E are perspective views showing an example of
structure of the air-packing device 201 in the present invention.
FIGS. 3A-3E also show an example of procedure for packing a product
to be protected in the air-packing device 201. A product 31 is
shown which will be packed by the air-packing device 201 for
protection from shocks and vibrations. Typically, the air-packing
device is further packed in a container box made of hard paper,
etc.
[0038] The air-packing device 201 is basically configured by an
enclosure portion 199 and a pocket portion 155. The enclosure
portion 199 is comprised of a pair of side portions 171, 175, a
back portion 173, and a door portion 177, each of which is
comprised of multiple rows of air containers 111. The pocket
portion 155 is formed at about the center of the enclosure portion
199 with an opening at the door portion 177. When inflated, each
portion of the enclosure portion 199 forms a wall-like structure so
that the air-packing device 201 can stand up on a floor.
[0039] The air packing device 201 is made of two thermoplastic
films which are bonded (heat-sealed) together to create the
plurality of air containers 111. Such bonded areas are denoted by
reference numerals 271 in FIGS. 3A-3E. In the enclosure portion
199, each air container 111 has a plurality of serially connected
air cells 101. More specifically, the series connected air cells
101 are created by bonding (heat-sealing) the two thermoplastic
films of the air container 111 at each small heat-seal land
(separator) 103. Because the heat-seal land 103 does not completely
separate the adjacent air cells 101, two small air passages (upper
end and lower end of the heat-seal land) are created for flowing
the air therethrough.
[0040] Typically, each air container 111 is provided with a check
valve 291 so that the compressed air is maintained in the air
container because the check valve 291 prohibits a reverse flow of
the air. When the air is supplied, through an air input 295 and a
common air passage 293, the air flows through the check valve 291
and inflates the air cells 101. In the air container 111, the air
flows through the small passages at the upper and lower sides of
the heat-seal lands 103 toward the last air cell 101 to inflate all
of the air cells 101. Since the two thermoplastic films are bonded
at the bonding areas 271 and the heat-seal lands 103, each air cell
is shaped like a sausage when the air is filled in the air-packing
device 201.
[0041] FIG. 3A is a perspective view of the air-packing device
where the enclosure portion 199 and the pocket portion 155 are not
inflated. The pocket portion 155 is formed of an upper pocket sheet
159A and a lower pocket sheet 159B, which creates a pocket opening
105. Each of the upper pocket sheet 159A and the lower pocket sheet
159B has a plurality of air cells 101 which will be inflated when
the compressed air is supplied thereto. The product 31 to be
protected will be inserted in the pocket portion 155 through the
pocket opening 105. The door portion 177 of the enclosure portion
199 of the air-packing device 201 closes the pocket portion 155
after the product 31 is packed therein. Namely, the enclosure
portion 199 serves to protect the product inside the pocket portion
155.
[0042] FIG. 3B is a perspective view of the air-packing device 201
where only the enclosure portion 199 is inflated while the pocket
portion 155 is not inflated. In this example, as noted above, the
compressed air is introduced from the air input 295 via the common
air passage 293 to each of the air cells 101. As noted above, since
the two thermoplastic films are bonded at each small heat-seal land
103, each air cell 101 is shaped like a sausage when the air is
filled in the air-packing device 201. In other words, because the
heat-seal lands 103 are not filled with the air, the air cells 101
can be easily bent at the heat-seal lands 103 to form the generally
rectangular shape of the air-packing device 201.
[0043] FIG. 3C is a perspective view of the air-packing device
where the product 31 to be protected is inserted into the pocket
portion 155. It is preferable to insert the product 31 before
inflating the air-packing device because it is easier to do so. It
is also possible to insert the product 31 after the pocket portion
155 is filled with the air, however, because the inner space is
almost closed by the inflated air cells 101, it may be time
consuming to insert the product 31 in the pocket portion. In this
example, the product 31 has a box shape although other shapes and
sizes are also possible due to the flexibility of the air inflation
of the air-packing device 201.
[0044] FIG. 3D is a perspective view of the air-packing device 201
where the pocket portion 155 is inflated after the product 31 has
been placed therein. Because the pocket portion 155 is filled with
the air, the product 31 is packed relatively tightly so that the
product 31 cannot be freely moved. FIG. 3E is a perspective view of
the air-packing device 201 where the door portion 177 of the
enclosure portion 199 has been bent to completely encircle the
pocket portion. The edge of the door portion 177 may be attached to
the edge of the side portion 171 by an adhesive such as an adhesive
tape. Typically, the air-packing device 201 having the product 31
therein as shown in FIG. 3E is placed in a container box (FIG. 4)
such as a corrugated fiber box, a carton box, or the like.
[0045] As shown, the enclosure portion 199 protects the product 31
inside the air-packing device 201 from the shock and vibration in
the horizontal direction. The product 31 inside the air-packing
device 201 is held by the pocket portion 155 as if the package
floats inside the air-packing device 201. The pocket portion 155
and the product 31 will not contact the floor, ground or other
bottom surface when the shock or vibration is applied to the
air-packing device 201. Thus, the shock or vibration received by
the air-packing device 201 can be minimized for the product 31.
[0046] FIG. 4 is a cross sectional front view showing the structure
of the air-packing device 201 of the present invention. In this
example, the air-packing device 201 is in a condition similar to
that shown in FIG. 3D where the product 31 is inserted into the
pocket portion 155 and both the enclosure portion 199 and the
pocket portion 155 are filled with the air. For the sake of
clarity, the door portion 177 is omitted in FIG. 4. As a typical
example, the air-packing device 201 which packs the product 31
therein is placed in a container box 275.
[0047] The arrows in the left side indicate the vertical direction
as used in the description of the present invention. Likewise, the
arrows in the bottom indicate the horizontal direction as used in
the description of the present invention. The horizontal direction
is not limited to the direction between the side portions 171 and
175, but also includes the direction from the front (the side where
the opening 105 of the pocket portion 155 faces) to the back (the
side where the back wall portion 173 is located). As shown, the
product 31 is held in the pocket portion 155 is comprised of the
upper sheet 159B and the lower sheet 159A each having a plurality
of air cells 101.
[0048] The vertical position of the pocket portion 155 is
determined by the size of the air cells 101 in the enclosure
portion 199 as well as the number of air cells 101 aligned in the
vertical direction. The clearance is formed between the bottom
surface of the container box 275 and the lower surface of the
pocket portion 155. Similarly, the clearance is formed between the
top surface of the container box 275 and the upper surface of the
pocket portion 155. Typically, the pocket portion 155 is formed at
about the intermediate or center vertical position of the
air-packing device 201 since the container box 275 may be
up-side-down during the product distribution stage.
[0049] Such a clearance distance is preferably larger for a heavier
product. Consequently, even when a large shock or vibration is
applied to the container box 275 in the vertical direction, the
pocket portion 155 will not touch the ground since the pocket
portion 155 is attached to the seam of the enclosure portion 199 so
as to float inside the enclosure portion 199. In other words, the
pocket portion 155 is flexibly moved when the shock is applied, it
can effectively damp the shock to the product 31 therein. Even if
the pocket portion 155 contacts the ground because of the large
impact, the air cells 101 of the pocket portion 155 serve as
cushion to protect the product 31.
[0050] Reference is now made to FIGS. 5A-8C showing a more detailed
configuration of the air-packing device 201 in accordance with the
present invention. FIGS. 5A and 5B show the structure of the pocket
portion 155 of the air-packing device 201 when it is not filled
with the air. Typically, the pocket portion 155 is produced
separately from the enclosure portion 199 through a first
heat-sealing process in which the two thermoplastic films are
bonded at bonding areas 301 to create two or more air containers
111 and check valves 291. The pocket portion 155 is then attached
to the enclosure portion 199 of the air-packing device 201 through
a second heat-sealing process by bonding the edges to the enclosure
portion 199.
[0051] FIG. 5A is a plan view showing a sheet-like structure of the
pocket portion 155 of the air-packing device 201. The pocket
portion 155 has sets of air containers 111 each having a check
valve 291 and two air cells 101. An air input 295 is an opening
into which compressed air is supplied from an air compressor. A
common air passage 293 is connected to each air container so that
the air introduced at the air input 295 is supplied to each and
every air container 111. The check valves 291 for the corresponding
air containers 111 prevent the reverse flow of the air. The two air
cells 101 in each air container 111 are defined by a heat-seal land
(separator) 103 at which the two thermoplastic films are bonded
together.
[0052] FIG. 5B is schematic view showing the pocket portion 155 of
the air-packing device 201 that is bent at the heat-seal lands 103.
Since the thermoplastic films at the heat-seal lands 103 are
heat-sealed to one another, the heat-seal lands 103 are flat when
the air is filled in the pocket portion 155. Therefore, the pocket
portion 155 can be folded at the heat-seal lands 103. Because the
heat-seal lands 103 do not entirely close the air container 111 but
forms the small air passages at both sides within the air container
111, the air from the air input 295 flows toward the other end of
the air container 111. When folded, one side of the pocket portion
155 becomes the upper sheet portion 159B and the other side becomes
the lower sheet portion 159A shown in FIGS. 3A-3E and 4.
[0053] FIGS. 6A and 6B are schematic diagrams showing the enclosure
portion 199 and the pocket portion 155, respectively, before being
inflated by the air to explain the construction of the air-packing
device 201. The enclosure portion 199 of FIG. 6A has a sheet-like
structure when it is not inflated. Similar to the pocket portion
155 shown in FIGS. 5A and 5B, the enclosure portion 199 has a
plurality of air containers 111 each having a check valve 291 and a
plurality of series connected air cells 101. As noted above, the
air containers 111 are created by heat-sealing the two
thermoplastic films at bonding areas (separation seals) 271.
[0054] An air input 295 is an opening into which compressed air is
supplied from an air compressor. A common air passage 293 connects
each air container 111 so that the air introduced to the air input
295 is supplied to each and every air container 111. Each air
container 111 has one check valve 291 which prevents the reverse
flow of the air so that the air container 111 remains inflated
after being filled with the air.
[0055] In FIG. 6B, the pocket portion 155 is folded at the
heat-seal lands 103 as noted above with reference to FIGS. 5A and
5B. One side edge portion (bonding area) 301 of the pocket portion
155 is attached to the separation seal 271 of the enclosure portion
199 at about the middle of the side wall portion 175 through a
heat-seal process. Similarly, the opposing side of the side edge
portion (bonding area) 301 of the pocket portion 155 is attached to
the separation seal 271 of the enclosure portion 199 at about the
middle of the side wall portion 171. Therefore, the pocket portion
155 is formed at about the intermediate position of the enclosure
portion 199 as shown in FIGS. 3A-3E.
[0056] FIGS. 7A-7B and 8A-8C are schematic diagrams showing another
example of structure of the air-packing device 201 of the present
invention. FIG. 7A is a schematic plan view of the pocket portion
155 which are configured by two pocket portion sheets 159A and 159B
having the same structure. FIG. 7B is a schematic front view of the
pocket portion 155 with the two pocket sheets 159A and 159B of the
same structure in parallel. The difference in the pocket portion
155 of FIGS. 7A and 7B compared with the one shown in FIG. 6B is
that each pocket portion sheet 159 of the pocket portion 155 shown
in FIG. 7 is almost half of that of FIG. 6 in the length and has no
heat-seal lands at the center for folding.
[0057] In order to form a pocket portion 155 with an opening, the
two pocket portion sheets 159A and 159B shown in FIGS. 7A and 7B
are used. The two pocket portion sheets 159A and 159B are attached
to the enclosure portion 199 at about the intermediate position.
FIG. 8A is a plan view showing the flat sheet of the enclosure
portion 199. The edges (bonding areas 301) of the pocket portion
sheets 159A and 159B may be bonded together as shown in FIG. 8B for
being attached to the enclosure portion 199. Alternatively, each
sheet 159 may be separated as shown in FIG. 8C and attached to the
separation seal (bonding areas) 271 of the enclosure portion 199 at
the different vertical level. Typically, the side edge portions 301
of the pocket portion 155 (pocket sheets 159) are attached to the
bonding areas (separation seals) 271 at the side portions 171 and
175 of the enclosure portion 199.
[0058] Although preferred embodiments of the present invention have
been described above, several other variations in accordance with
the present invention are possible. FIGS. 9 and 10 are perspective
views showing other embodiments of the air-packing device 201 of
the present invention. Referring to FIG. 9, the alternative example
is shown wherein the edges of the pocket portion 155 are connected
to the seal portions at different rows of the enclosure portion
199. As shown, the opening becomes larger than that of the
air-packing device 201 shown in FIGS. 3B-3D. For example, it is
possible to increase the space between the pocket sheets by the
size of one air cell or the number of air cells of the enclosure
portion 199. The upper pocket sheet 159B is attached to the
separation seal 271 that is higher by one or more air cells than
the separation seal 271 to which the lower pocket sheet 159A is
attached.
[0059] FIG. 10 is a perspective view of an alternative embodiment
of the air-packing device 201 of the present invention. This
configuration is similar to the one shown in FIGS. 3A-3F except
that the orientation of the air cells of the pocket portion 155 is
altered. Namely, in FIG. 10, the air cell 101 of the pocket portion
sheets 159A and 159B are oriented in the right and left direction
rather than in the front and back direction as in FIGS. 3A-3F.
Although each of the pocket portion sheets 159A and 159B has check
valves, such check valves are not shown in FIG. 10.
[0060] FIGS. 11A-11C show, in more detail, an example of structure
of a check valve that are implemented in the present invention. In
FIGS. 11A-11C, the check valve is denoted by reference numeral 44
and is equivalent to the check valves 291 shown in FIGS. 3-10. FIG.
11A is a top view of the check valve 44, FIG. 11B is a cross
sectional side view of the check valve 44 taken along the line X-X
in FIG. 11A when the compressed air is not supplied to the
air-packing device, and FIG. 11C is a cross sectional side view of
the check valve 44 when the compressed air is supplied to the
air-packing device.
[0061] In the example of FIGS. 11A and 11B, reinforcing seal
portions 72 are formed near a check valve inlet 63a. These portions
are placed in a manner of contacting each edge of the inlet portion
63a. The seal portions 72 are provided to reinforce a boundary
between the guide passage 63 and the air container (air cells 42)
so as to prevent the air container from a rupture when it is
inflated. In the check valve 44 of the present invention, the
reinforcing seal portions 72 are preferable but not essential and
thus can be omitted.
[0062] In the air-packing device 201, the two check valve films 92a
and 92b are juxtaposed (superposed) and sandwiched between the two
air-packing films 91a and 91b near the guide passage 63, and fixing
seal portions 71-72, 65 and 67. The fixing seal portions 71-72 are
referred to as outlet portions, the fixing seal portion 65 is
referred to as an extended (or widened) portion, and the fixing
seal portion 67 is referred to as a narrow down portion. These
fixing seal portions also form the structure of the check valve 44
and fix the valve to the first air-packing film 91a at the same
time. The fixing seal portions 65 are made by fusing the check
valve films 92a and 92b only with the first air-packing film
91a.
[0063] The check valve 44 is made of the two check valve films
(thermoplastic films) 92a-92b by which an air pipe (passage) 78 is
created therebetween. How the air passes through the check valve 44
is shown by arrows denoted by the reference numbers 77a, 77b and
77c in FIG. 10A. The compressed air is supplied from the guide
passage 63 through the air pipe 78 to the air container (air cells
42).
[0064] In the check valve 44, the regular air relatively easily
flows through the air pipe 78 although there exist the fixing seal
portions 65, 67 and 71-72. However, the reverse flow of the air in
the valve will not pass through the air pipe 78. In other words, if
the reverse flow occurs in the air pipe 78, it is prevented because
of a pressure of the reverse flow itself. By this pressure, the two
surfaces of check valve films 92a and 92b which face each other,
are brought into tight contact as shown in FIG. 11 as will be
explained later.
[0065] As has been described, in FIGS. 11A-11B, the fixing seal
portions 65, 67 and 71-72 also work for guiding the air to flow in
the check valve 44. The fixing seal portions are comprised of the
portions 71a, 72a, 65a and 67a which bond the two check-valve films
92a and 92b together, and the portions 71b, 72b, 65b and 67b which
bond the first air-packing film 91a and the first check valve film
92b together. Accordingly, the air pipe 78 in the check valve 44 is
created as a passage formed between the two check valve films
92a-92b.
[0066] Further in FIG. 11A, the fixing seal portions 67 are
composed of two symmetric line segments extended in an upward
direction of the drawing, and a width of the air pipe 78 is
narrowed down by the fixing seal portions (narrow down portions)
67. In other words, the regular flow can easily pass through the
air pipe 78 to the air cell 42 when passing through the wide space
to the narrow space created by the narrow down portions 67. On the
other hand, the narrow down portions 67 tend to interfere the
reverse flow from the air cells 42 when the air goes back through
the narrow space created by the narrow down portions 67.
[0067] The extended portion 65 is formed next to the narrow down
portions 67. The shape of the extended portion 65 is similar to a
heart shape to make the air flow divert. By passing the air through
the extended portion 65, the air diverts, and the air flows around
the edge of the extended portion 65 (indicated by the arrow 77b).
When the air flows toward the air cells 42 (forward flow), the air
flows naturally in the extended portion 65. On the other hand, the
reverse flow cannot directly flow through the narrow down portions
67 because the reverse flow hits the extended portion 65 and is
diverted its direction. Therefore, the extended portion 65 also
functions to interfere the reverse flow of the air.
[0068] The outlet portions 71-72 are formed next to the extended
portion 65. In this example, the outlet portion 71 is formed at the
upper center of the check valve 44 in the flow direction of the
air, and the two outlet portions 72 extended to the direction
perpendicular to the outlet portion 71 are formed symmetrically.
There are several spaces among these outlet portions 71 and 72.
These spaces constitute a part of the air pipe 78 through which the
air can pass as indicated by the arrows 77c. The outlet portions
71-72 are formed as a final passing portion of the check valve 44
when the air is supplied to the air container (air cells 42) and
the air diverts in four ways by passing through the outlet portions
71-72.
[0069] As has been described, the flows of air from the guide
passage 63 to the air cells 42 is relatively smoothly propagated
through the check valve 44. Further, the narrow down portions 67,
extended portions 65 and outlet portions 71-72 formed in the check
valve 44 work to interfere the reverse flow of the air.
Accordingly, the reverse flow from the air cells 42 cannot easily
pass through the air pipe 78, which promotes the process of
supplying the air in the air-packing device.
[0070] FIG. 11C is a cross sectional view showing an effect of the
check valve 44 of the present invention. This example shows an
inner condition of the check valve 44 when the reverse flow tries
to occur in the air-packing device when it is sufficiently
inflated. First, the air can hardly enter the air pipe 78 because
the outlet portions 71 and 72 work against the air such that the
reverse flow will not easily enter in the outlet portions. Instead,
the air flows in a space between the second air-packing film 91b
and the second check valve film 92a as indicated by the arrows 66,
and the space is inflated as shown in FIG. 11C. By this expansion,
in FIG. 11C, the second check valve film 92a is pressed to the
right, and at the same time, the first check valve film 92b is
pressed to the left. As a result, the two check valve films 92a and
92b are brought into tight contact as indicated with the arrows 68.
Thus, the reverse flow is completely prevented.
[0071] Another example of the check valve of the present invention
is described in detail with reference to FIGS. 12A-12D, 13-14 and
15A-15B in which a check valve is denoted by a reference numeral
85. FIGS. 12A-12D are plan views of the check valve used in the
air-packing devices 201 of the present invention. FIG. 12A shows a
structure of a check valve 85 and a portion of the air-packing
device 201. The air-packing device 201 having the check valves 85
is comprised of two or more rows of air container each having
serially connected air cells 83 which are equivalent to the air
cells 101 in FIGS. 3-10. As noted above, typically, each row of air
container has a plurality of series connected air cells 83 although
only one air cell is illustrated in FIG. 12A.
[0072] Before supplying the air, the air-packing device 201 is in a
form of an elongated rectangular sheet made of a first (upper)
thermoplastic film 93 and a second (lower) thermoplastic film 94.
To create such a structure, each set of series air cells are formed
by bonding the first thermoplastic film (air packing film) 93 and
the second thermoplastic film (air packing film) 94 by the
separation seal (bonding area) 82. Consequently, the air cells 83
are created so that each set of series connected air cells can be
independently filled with the air.
[0073] A check valve film 90 having a plurality of check valves 85
is attached to one of the thermoplastic films 93 and 94 as shown in
FIG. 12C. When attaching the check valve film 90, peeling agents 87
are applied to the predetermined locations on the separation seals
82 between the check valve film 90 and one of the thermoplastic
films 93 and 94. The peeling agent 87 is a type of paint having
high thermal resistance so that it prohibits the thermal bonding
between the first and second thermoplastic films 93 and 94.
Accordingly, even when the heat is applied to bond the first and
second thermoplastic films 93 and 94 along the separation seal 82,
the first and second thermoplastic films 93 and 94 will not adhere
with each other at the location of the peeling agent 87.
[0074] The peeling agent 87 also allows the air input 81 to open
easily when filling the air in the air-packing device 201. When the
upper and lower films 93 and 94 made of identical material are
layered together, there is a tendency that both films stick to one
another. The peeling agent 87 printed on the thermoplastic films
prevents such sticking. Thus, it facilitates easy insertion of an
air nozzle of the air compressor into the air inlet 81 when
inflating the air-packing device.
[0075] The check valve 85 of the present invention is configured by
a common air duct portion 88 and an air flow maze portion 86. The
air duct portion 88 acts as a duct to allow the flows of the air
from the air port 81 to each set of air cells 83. The air flow maze
portion 86 prevents free flow of air between the air-packing device
201 and the outside, i.e., it works as a brake against the air
flows, which makes the air supply operation easy. To achieve this
brake function, the air flow maze portion 86 is configured by two
or more walls (heat-seals) 86a-86c. Because of this structure, the
air from the common air duct portion 88 will not straightly or
freely flow into the air cells 83 but have to flow in a zigzag
manner. At the and of the air flow maze portion 86, an exit 84 is
formed.
[0076] In the air-packing device 201 incorporating the check valve
85 of the present invention, the compressed air supplied to the air
input 81 to inflate the air cells 83 flows in a manner as
illustrated in FIG. 12B. The plan view shown in FIG. 12B includes
the structure of the check valve 85 identical to that of FIG. 12A
and further includes dotted arrows 89 showing the flows of the air
in the check valve 85 and the air cells 83. As indicated by the
arrows 89, the air from the check valve 85 flows both forward
direction and backward direction of the air-packing device 201.
Thus, the check valve 85 can be formed at any locations of the
air-packing device 201. Further, the check valve 85 requires a
relatively low pressure of the air compressor when it is attached
to an intermediate location of the air-packing device 201.
[0077] In FIG. 12B, when the air is supplied to the air input 81
from the air compressor (not shown), the air flows toward the exit
84 via air duct portion 88 and the air flow maze portion 86 as well
as toward the next adjacent air cell 83 via the air duct portion
88. The air exited from the exit 84 inflates the air cell 83 by
flowing both forward and backward directions (right and left
directions of FIG. 12B) of the air-packing device 201. The air
transferred to the next air cell flows in the same manner, i.e.,
toward the exit 84 and toward the next adjacent air cell 83. Such
operations continue from the first air cell 83 to the last air cell
83. In other words, the air duct portion 88 allows the air to flow
to either the present air cell 83 through the air flow maze portion
86 and to the next air cell 83.
[0078] FIGS. 12C-12D show an enlarged view of the check valve of
the present invention for explaining how the check valves 85 are
created on the air-packing device. As noted above, the check valve
film 90 is attached to either one of the thermoplastic film 93 or
94. The example of FIGS. 12C and 12D show the case where the check
valve film 90 is attached to the upper (first) thermoplastic film
93. The thick lines in the drawings indicate the heat-seal
(bonding) between the thermoplastic films.
[0079] The air-packing device of the present invention is
manufactured by bonding the second (lower) thermoplastic film 94,
the check valve film 90, and the first (upper) thermoplastic film
93 by pressing the films with a heater. Since each film is made of
thermoplastic material, they will bond (welded) together when the
heat is applied. In this example, the check valve film 90 is
attached to the upper thermoplastic film 93, and then, the check
valve film 90 and the upper thermoplastic film 93 are bonded to the
lower thermoplastic film 94.
[0080] First, as shown in FIG. 12C, the check valve film 90 is
attached to the upper thermoplastic film 93 by heat-sealing the two
films at the portions indicated by the thick lines. Through this
process, the peeling agents 87 applied in advance to the check
valve film 90 is attached to the upper thermoplastic film 93 by the
bonding lines 79a and 79b to create the air duct portions 88.
Further, the air flow maze portions 86 are created by the bonding
lines 86a-86c, etc. At the end of the maze portion 86 is opened to
establish the air exit 84.
[0081] Then, as shown in FIG. 12D, the check valve film 90 and the
upper thermoplastic film 93 are attached to the lower thermoplastic
film 94 by heat-sealing the upper and lower films at the portions
indicated by the thick lines 82. Through this process, each air
cell 83 is separated from one another because the boundary between
the two air cells is closed by the sealing line (boundary line) 82.
However, the range of the sealing line 82 having the peeling agent
87 is not closed because the peeling agent prohibits the
heat-sealing between the films. As a result, the air duct portion
88 is created which allows the air to flow in the manner shown in
FIG. 12B.
[0082] FIG. 13 is a partial cross sectional front view showing an
example of inner structure of the check valve 85a of the present
invention configured by a single layer film and formed on a
thermoplastic film of the air-packing device. As described in the
foregoing, the common air duct portion 88 and the air flow maze
portion 86 are created between the check valve film 90 and one of
the upper and lower thermoplastic films 93 and 94. In this example,
the check valve film 90 is attached to the upper thermoplastic film
93 through the heat-sealing in the manner described with reference
to FIG. 12C.
[0083] The air flow maze portion 86 has a maze structure such as a
zig-zaged air passage to cause resistance to the air flow such as
reverse flow. Such a zig-zaged air passage is created by the
bonding (heat-sealed) lines 86a-86c. Unlike the straight forward
air passage, the maze portion 86 achieves an easy operation for
inflating the air-packing device by the compressed air. Various
ways for producing the resistance of the air flow are possible, and
the structure of the maze portion 86 shown in FIGS. 12A-12D and 13
is merely one example. In general, the more complex the maze
structure, the less area of the maze portion 86 is necessary to
adequately produce the resistance against the air flow.
[0084] FIG. 14 is a cross sectional view showing another example of
the inner structure of the check valve 85b in the present invention
configured by double layer films and formed on one of the
thermoplastic films of the air-packing device. In this example, an
addition film 95 is provided between the upper thermoplastic film
93 and the check valve film 90. The additional film 95 and the
check valve film 90 forms the check valves 85b. The additional film
95 is so attached to the upper thermoplastic film 93 that the space
between the upper thermoplastic film 93 and the additional film 95
will not transmit air.
[0085] The advantage of this structure is the improved reliability
in preventing the reverse flows of air. Namely, in the check valve
of FIG. 13, when the air is filled in the air cell 83, the upper
thermoplastic film 93 of the air cell having the check valve 85 is
curved. Further, when a product is loaded in the air-packing
device, the surface projection of the product may contact and
deform the outer surface of the air cell having the check valve
therein. The sealing effect created by the check valve can be
weakened because of the curvature of the air cell. The additional
film 95 in FIG. 14 mitigates this problem since the film 95 is
independent from the upper thermoplastic film 93.
[0086] FIGS. 15A and 15B are cross section views showing the inside
of the air cell having the check valve 85. FIG. 15A shows the
condition wherein the compressed air is being introduced into the
air-packing device through the check valve 85. FIG. 15B shows the
condition where the air-packing device is filled with air to an
appropriate degree so that the check valve 85 is operated to
effectively close by the inside air pressure. The dotted arrows 89
indicate the flow of air in FIGS. 15A and 15B.
[0087] As shown in FIG. 15A, when the air is pumped in from the air
input 81 (FIGS. 12A-12B), the air will flow toward each air cell.
While a part of the air flows toward the next row of air cells, the
remaining air goes into the present air cell to inflate the air
cell. The air will flow into the air cell due to the pressure
applied from the air source such as an air compressor. The air goes
through the air flow maze portion 86 and exits from the exit 84 at
the end of the maze portion 86. All of the air cells will
eventually be filled with the compressed air.
[0088] As shown in FIG. 15B, when the air cell having the check
valve 85 is inflated to a certain extent, the inner pressure of the
air will push the check valve film 90 upward so that it touches the
upper thermoplastic film 93. FIG. 15B mainly shows the air flow
maze portion 86 of the check valve 85 to show how the check valve
85 works. When the inner pressure reaches a sufficient level, the
check valve film 90 air-tightly touches the upper thermoplastic
film 93, i.e., the check valve 85 is closed, thereby preventing the
reverse flows of the air.
[0089] As has been described above, according to the present
invention, the air-packing device can minimize shocks or vibrations
to the product when the product is dropped or collided. The sheet
form of the air-packing device is folded and the post heat-seal
treatment is applied thereto, thereby creating a structure unique
to a production to be protected. The air-packing device is
basically configured by the enclosure portion and the pocket
portion. The enclosure portion is comprised of multiple rows of air
containers. The pocket portion is formed at about the center of the
enclosure portion. Consequently, even when a large shock or
vibration is applied to the air-packing device, the pocket portion
will not touch the ground. Further, since the pocket portion is
flexibly moved when the shock is applied, it can effectively damp
the shock to the product therein. The check valves in the
air-packing device have a unique structure for preventing reverse
flows of the air. The air-packing device of the present invention
has a relatively simple structure with reliable check valves, thus,
the present invention is able to provide a reliable air-packing
device with low cost.
[0090] Although the invention is described herein with reference to
the preferred embodiments, one skilled in the art will readily
appreciate that various modifications and variations may be made
without departing from the spirit and the scope of the present
invention. Such modifications and variations are considered to be
within the purview and scope of the appended claims and their
equivalents.
* * * * *