U.S. patent application number 12/590596 was filed with the patent office on 2010-07-29 for dunnage bag with double seal reusable inflation valve.
Invention is credited to Kerry M. McKinley, Michell C. Tschantz.
Application Number | 20100189528 12/590596 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 42353341 |
Filed Date | 2010-07-29 |
United States Patent
Application |
20100189528 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Tschantz; Michell C. ; et
al. |
July 29, 2010 |
Dunnage bag with double seal reusable inflation valve
Abstract
A dunnage bag has an inflatable cushion and an inflation valve.
The inflation valve is a flattened sleeve of thermoplastic material
inserted through a seam of the inflatable cushion, with an interior
sleeve portion extending into the inflatable cushion and an
exterior sleeve portion extending outwardly of the inflatable
cushion. A zipper seal extends across the exterior sleeve portion
of the inflation valve, the zipper seal having first and second
strips with releasably interengaging tongue-and-groove
configuration. The inflation valve is doubly sealed, first by air
pressure on the interior sleeve portion and second by closing the
zipper seal. The interior sleeve portion is longer than the
exterior sleeve portion, so that when it is everted, it covers the
zipper seal.
Inventors: |
Tschantz; Michell C.;
(Newtown, CT) ; McKinley; Kerry M.; (Newtown,
CT) |
Correspondence
Address: |
WARE FRESSOLA VAN DER SLUYS & ADOLPHSON, LLP
BRADFORD GREEN, BUILDING 5, 755 MAIN STREET, P O BOX 224
MONROE
CT
06468
US
|
Family ID: |
42353341 |
Appl. No.: |
12/590596 |
Filed: |
November 10, 2009 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
|
|
61198824 |
Nov 10, 2008 |
|
|
|
Current U.S.
Class: |
410/119 |
Current CPC
Class: |
Y02W 30/80 20150501;
Y02W 30/807 20150501; B65D 77/065 20130101; B65D 75/5883
20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
410/119 |
International
Class: |
B61D 45/00 20060101
B61D045/00 |
Claims
1. A dunnage bag comprising: a) an inflatable cushion fabricated of
thermoplastic sheet material and having at least one edge along
which two sheets of the thermoplastic sheet material forming the
inflatable cushion are joined together by a seam; b) an inflation
valve having a flattened sleeve of thermoplastic material inserted
through the seam of the inflatable cushion with the two sheets of
the inflatable cushion respectively adhered to the upper and lower
layers of the flattened sleeve of thermoplastic material, wherein
an interior sleeve portion extends into the inflatable cushion from
the seam and an exterior sleeve portion extends outwardly from the
seam of the inflatable cushions; and c) a zipper seal extending
across the exterior sleeve portion of the inflation valve, adjacent
the end thereof, the zipper seal having first and second strips
with releasably interengaging rib and groove configuration, wherein
an inflation probe may be inserted through the inflation valve for
inflating the inflatable cushion, and upon the withdrawal of the
inflation probe, the interior sleeve portion of the inflation valve
forms a primary seal and the zipper seal is closed to provide a
secondary seal.
2. A dunnage bag as defined in claim 1, wherein the interior sleeve
portion of the inflation valve is sufficiently long to cover the
zipper seal when everted through the exterior sleeve portion of the
inflation valve.
3. A dunnage bag as defined in claim 2, wherein the first and
second strips of the zipper seal are respectively integral with the
upper and lower layers of the flattened sleeve of the inflation
valve.
4. A dunnage bag as defined in claim 3, wherein one of the first
and second strips of the zipper seal has at least one central rib
and the other of the first and second zipper strips has at least
two ribs which flank the central rib when the zipper seal is
closed.
5. A dunnage bag as defined in claim 4, wherein one of the first
and second zipper strips has two additional ribs flanking the
central rib, wherein the two ribs of the other of the first and
second zipper strips are respectively captured between the central
rib and a flanking rib when the zipper seal is closed.
6. A dunnage bag as defined in claim 1, wherein one of the first
and second strips of the zipper seal has at least one central rib
and the other of the first and second zipper strips has at least
two ribs which flank the central rib when the zipper seal is
closed.
7. A dunnage bag as defined in claim 6, wherein one of the first
and second zipper strips has two additional ribs flanking the
central rib, wherein the two ribs of the other of the first and
second zipper strips are respectively captured between the central
rib and a flanking rib when the zipper seal is closed.
8. A dunnage bag as defined in claim 1, wherein the inflatable
cushion is generally rectangular and has a width of at least three
feet and a length of at least five feet.
9. A dunnage bag as defined in claim 8, wherein the inflation valve
has a width of at least three inches.
10. A dunnage bag as defined in claim 9, wherein the interior
sleeve portion of the inflation valve is sufficiently long to cover
the zipper seal when everted through the exterior sleeve portion of
the inflation valve.
Description
CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS
[0001] This application claims priority to U.S. provisional
application Ser. No. 61/198,824 filed on Nov. 10, 2008 and
incorporated herein by reference.
TECHNICAL FIELD
[0002] The invention herein relates to a double sealed reuseable
inflation valve for dunnage bags.
BACKGROUND OF INVENTION
[0003] Large dunnage bags are used for filling space between
freight in shipping containers, such as trucks. Freight, often in
boxes or on pallets and the like, is loaded into a truck or other
shipping container, and there is often a space between the
individual items of freight. Unless restrained, the freight can
move about within the truck or container during transit, causing
damage to the freight and/or to the truck or other container
itself.
[0004] Inflatable dunnage bags are used to fill the space and
secure the freight. Dunnage bags are positioned in the space
between freight and are inflated in situ. The dunnage bags
generally conform to the space between the individual items of
freight. This holds the freight in place and cushions any minor
movement thereof.
[0005] It is desirable that dunnage bags for freight applications
be capable of rapid inflation. This requires an inflation valve
that accommodates a relatively large inflation nozzle, so that a
large volume of air can be delivered in a short time. It is also
desirable that a dunnage bag be reuseable, as a substantial amount
of material is involved in fabricating a dunnage bag and it is
wasteful to deflate a dunnage bag by slitting it to off load
freight and then using a new dunnage bag when loading freight.
Reuse of a dunnage bag requires that the inflation valve open
easily and sufficiently to release air quickly. Further, the
inflation valve must seal reliably each time the dunnage bag is
refilled.
[0006] Dunnage bags on a smaller scale are used to fill voids in
cartons, thereby stabilizing products shipped therein. An inflation
valve for smaller dunnage bags is a flat sleeve inserted through
the edge of the bag. The sleeve accommodates an inflation probe and
when the probe is withdrawn, the facing portions of the sleeve are
pressed together by the air pressure within the dunnage bag to form
a seal. While this seal is secure and reliable in relatively small
dimensions, it tends to have slow leaks when sized to accommodate a
relatively large inflation probe, e.g., on the order of two to
three inches in diameter, or when it is reused many times.
[0007] Other seals for large dunnage bags are more complex and
expensive, and are not easily adapted for use on dunnage bags made
of thermoplastic materials. These other seals typically include
removable sealing caps, requiring a threaded neck being attached to
the dunnage bag as a part of the inflation valve.
[0008] Therefore, there is a need for an improved inflation valve
that accommodates large probes, seals well, and is reuseable.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0009] A principal object of the invention herein is to provide an
improved inflation valve for dunnage bags and cushions.
[0010] Another object of the invention herein is to provide an
improved inflation valve for large dunnage bags, wherein the
inflation valve accommodates large probes.
[0011] A further object of the invention herein is to provide an
inflation valve with improved sealing.
[0012] It is also an object of the invention herein to provide an
inflation valve that reliably reseals throughout multiple uses.
[0013] In carrying out the invention herein, a dunnage bag is
provided comprising an inflatable cushion fabricated of
thermoplastic sheet material and having at least one edge along
which two sheets of the thermoplastic sheet material are joined
together at a seam. An inflation valve in the form of a flattened
sleeve of thermoplastic material is inserted through the seam with
the sheets of the inflatable cushion adhered to the exterior of the
flattened sleeve. An interior sleeve portion of the inflation valve
extends into the inflatable cushion and an exterior sleeve portion
of the inflation valve extends outwardly from the inflatable
cushion. A zipper seal having aligned interengaging rib and groove
configuration is deployed across the end of the exterior portion of
the flattened sleeve. An inflation probe may be inserted through
the flattened sleeve when the zipper seal is in its open position
to inflate the inflatable cushion. After inflation, the inflation
probe is withdrawn and the interior portion of the flattened sleeve
is pressed together by air pressure to form a primary seal of the
inflation valve and the zipper seal is closed to provide a
secondary seal.
[0014] According to additional aspects of the invention, the
interior sleeve portion of the inflation valve is sufficiently long
that, when everted through the exterior sleeve portion of the
inflation valve, the interior portion of the sleeve covers the
tongue and groove configurations of the zipper seal, protecting
them from dirt and damage and preserving them for reuse.
[0015] Another aspect of the invention includes providing the
inflation valve sleeve in a sufficiently large dimension to
accommodate a relatively large inflation probe, which may be on the
order of two or more inches in diameter.
[0016] Other and more specific objects and features of the
invention herein will in part be apparent to those skilled in the
art and will in part appear in the following detailed description
and the claims, taken together with the drawings.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS
[0017] FIG. 1 is a plan view of a dunnage bag according to the
invention, herein,
[0018] FIG. 2 is a fragmentary sectional view of the dunnage bag of
FIG. 1, taken along the lines 2-2 of FIG. 1, and including an
inflation probe;
[0019] FIG. 3 is a fragmentary sectional view of the dunnage bag of
FIG. 1, taken along the lines 2-2 of FIG. 1, showing the inflation
valve of a dunnage bag in its sealed condition; and
[0020] FIG. 4 is a fragmentary sectional view of the dunnage bag of
FIG. 1, shown with the inflation valve thereof open for deflation
and storage.
[0021] The same reference numerals refer to the same elements
throughout the various figures.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF INVENTION
[0022] With reference to FIGS. 1-4, an inflatable dunnage bag 1
having an inflatable cushion 10 and an inflation valve 20 is shown.
The inflatable cushion 10 is fabricated of thermoplastic polymer
sheet material. The polymer may be polyethylene, such as
metallocene-based low density polyethylene, or other polymers or
coated extrusions of various polymers, as is well known in the art.
A preferred polymer for the cushion 10 is 6-7 mil. LDPE. The
inflatable cushion 10 is preferably fabricated of thermoplastic
polymer sheet material formed as tube stock, which provides first
and second sheets 12, 14 of the inflatable cushion 10 between
folded side edges 13 and 15. The first and second sheets of the
folded tube stock are secured together by end seams 16 and 18, with
the end seam 18 mounting the inflation valve 20 as more fully
described below. The inflatable cushion 10 is provided in a
relatively large size, e.g., on the order of three to four feet
wide and five to eight feet long in order to adapt it for use as a
dunnage bag for freight containers, such as trucks. The inflatable
cushion may also be fabricated of sheet stock, with appropriate
seams.
[0023] The inflation valve 20 is also fabricated of polymer tube
stock in the form of a flattened sleeve, having folded side edges
22 and 24. The polymer may LDPE. The flattened configuration
provides the inflation valve 20 with a top valve layer 26 and a
lower valve layer 28. As best seen in FIGS. 2-4, the seam 18 of the
inflatable cushion 10 has portions 18a and 18b crossing the
inflation valve 20, with seam portion 18a securing upper valve
layer 26 and the upper sheet 12 of the inflatable cushion 10
together and the seam portion 18b securing the lower valve layer 18
and the lower sheet 14 of the inflatable cushion 10 together. A
heat resistant strip 30 is provided on the inside of the upper
valve layer 26, so that the valve layers 26 and 28 are not secured
together as the seam portions 18a and 18b are formed. This is not
necessary if the sheets are secured together by other means, such
as bonding.
[0024] The inflation valve 20 has a first interior sleeve portion
32 that extends from the seam 18 into the inflatable cushion 10 to
an end 34. The inflatable valve 20 has an exterior sleeve portion
36 that extends outwardly from the seam 18 to an outside end
38.
[0025] A zipper seal 40 is deployed across the exterior sleeve
portion 36, adjacent its exterior end 38. The zipper seal 40 has a
first strip 42 on upper valve layer 26 including at least one rib
44 that extends from the surface of the first strip 42, and a
second strip 50 on lower valve layer 28 opposite the first strip
42. The first and second strips 42 and 50 are preferably
respectively integral with the first and second layers 26, 28 of
the inflation valve 20. The second strip 50 includes at least two
ribs 52 and 53 that extend from the surface of the second strip 50
and define groove 54 therebetween, and ribs 52, 53 and are
respectively offset from and flank the rib 44 of the first strip 42
such that the first and second strips 42, 50 may be sealingly
interengaged by forcing rib 44 into groove 54. In the zipper seal
40 used herein, the first strip 42 has three ribs, 44, 45 and 46,
defining grooves 47, 48 and the second strip 50 has two ribs 52 and
53 which flank the central rib 44 of strip 42. The two ribs 52, 53
are themselves respectively inserted in grooves 47, 48 flanked by
the ribs 44, 45, 46 of strip 42 when the zipper seal 40 is secured
is closed as shown in FIG. 3. Suitable zipper seals may be obtained
from Com-Pac International, Inc. of Carbondale, Ill.
[0026] In the dunnage bag 1, the inflation valve 20 may have a
flattened width W of approximately 4 inches to accommodate a
relatively large inflation probe 60, seen in FIG. 2. Additionally,
the interior sleeve portion 32 of the inflation valve 20 has a
length Li of approximately 3 inches and the exterior sleeve portion
36 has a length Le of approximately 2 inches. Thus, the interior
sleeve portion 32 is longer than the exterior sleeve portion 36 so
that the interior sleeve portion 32 may be everted to cover the
first and second strips 42, 50 of the zipper seal 40, as is shown
in FIG. 4.
[0027] With reference to FIG. 2, the dunnage bag 1 is inflated by
inserting an inflation probe 60 through the open inflation valve 20
and introducing air into the inflatable cushion 10. The inflation
valve 20 accommodates the inflation probe 60 having a diameter of 2
inches or more, and preferably 21/2 to 3 inches, so that a large
volume of air may be introduced rapidly into the inflatable cushion
10.
[0028] When the inflatable cushion 10 is inflated to the desired
volume and pressure, the inflation probe 60 is removed and the
inflation valve 20 performs a two-part sealing function. With
reference to FIG. 3, the upper valve layer 26 and lower valve layer
28 of the interior sleeve portion 32 of the inflation valve 20 are
pressed together by the pressurized air within the inflatable
cushion 10. This provides a good seal; however, this seal may have
minor leakage due to a variety of factors, including whether the
upper valve layer 26 and lower valve layer 28 are perfectly aligned
and flat between the side edges 22 and 24 of the inflation valve
20, whether any other distortion occurred as the inflation probe
was removed, whether any dirt, debris, or foreign matter became
deposited between the upper valve layer 26 and the lower valve
layer 28, whether any minor damage occurred to the valve layers 26,
28 due to multiple reuses, or because of other factors. It should
be noted that this type of leakage is more likely to occur in the
large inflation valve 20 used for dunnage bag 1 and accommodating a
relatively large inflation probe 60, and when the inflation valve
20 is reused many times.
[0029] The second sealing function is provided by the zipper seal
40, which is closed as shown in FIG. 3. The zipper seal 40 is not
reliably effective if subjected to large separating forces, and
therefore cannot be used as a primary seal for a dunnage bag
inflation valve. However, the primary seal formed by the interior
sleeve portion 32 of the inflation valve 20 described above
protects the zipper seal from high pressure separating forces, and
the zipper seal 40 performs well in containing whatever small
leakage and pressure that might develop behind the primary seal
provided by the interior sleeve portion of inflation valve 20.
[0030] FIG. 4 illustrates the configuration of the inflation valve
20 in deflating the inflatable cushion 10 and in storing the
dunnage bag 1 between uses. The interior sleeve portion 32 is
everted, which releases the primary sealing function illustrated in
FIG. 3 and permits inflation air to escape rapidly. The interior
sleeve portion 32 is preferably sufficiently long that, when
everted, it covers the first and second strips 42, 46 and the ribs
and grooves thereof of the zipper valve 40. This is useful in
protecting the ribs and grooves from accumulating dirt and debris
between uses, while leaving the inflation valve 20 open so that the
deflated dunnage bag 1 may be fully flattened for storage.
[0031] And although the inflatable cushion 10 and inflation valve
20 have been shown and described in a size useful for freight
dunnage bags, it will be appreciated that the double sealing
function of the inflation valve 20 may also be utilized with
smaller scale inflation valves used in smaller sized dunnage bags,
also sometimes referred to as inflatable packaging cushions or
airbags, when a very secure seal is desired and when reuse is also
contemplated.
[0032] Accordingly, a dunnage bag has been shown and described
which admirably achieves the objects of the invention. It will be
appreciated by those skilled in the art that various changes may be
made with departing from the spirit and scope of the invention
which is limited only by the following claims.
* * * * *