Inflatable space filler structure for container

a filler structure and container technology, applied in the field of space filler structure, can solve the problems of difficult to separate inflatable cushions from containers, difficult to throw away bulky cushions, and difficulty in dumping foam polystyrene,

Inactive Publication Date: 2003-04-03
SANYO ENG
View PDF12 Cites 36 Cited by
  • Summary
  • Abstract
  • Description
  • Claims
  • Application Information

AI Technical Summary

Benefits of technology

[0017] Preferably extra buffers may be integrally connected to the opposite lateral edges of the rectangular pieces of resin film or sheet to protect the corresponding opposite sides of the object from any shock action.
[0020] With this arrangement, a small-sized cylindrical object such as a fragile glass article can be enclosed easily by the cushioning member to be protected against any shock action in the container.
[0023] The container may be a cardboard box with a packing assistant, which facilitates the configuring and fitting of the cushion to the object when put in the container.
[0029] facilitating transportation or storage of cushions by removing air to collapse; and

Problems solved by technology

Bulky cushions are difficult to be thrown away.
Recently the disposal of foam polystyrene poses a problem from the point of view of the public nuisance.
Also, disadvantageously the inflatable cushion cannot be separated from the container without difficulty when the cushion is removed and thrown away.
When the tube-like bag is inflated with air for expansion, it cannot be yieldingly bent to be put in a square box.
Different from a foam polystyrene cushion, a pulp-molding cushion cannot restore to its original shape when it is shocked, so that it may be partly deformed.
Therefore, it cannot be used repeatedly.
Also, disadvantageously the pulp-molding cushion needs to be shaped in conformity with an object to which the pulp-molding cushion is to be applied.
Assuming that the package is being transported in tropical zones, the inflatable cushion is apt to be expanded, and the so expanded cushion when shocked, can be easily broken to be collapsed, losing its shock-absorbing capability.

Method used

the structure of the environmentally friendly knitted fabric provided by the present invention; figure 2 Flow chart of the yarn wrapping machine for environmentally friendly knitted fabrics and storage devices; image 3 Is the parameter map of the yarn covering machine
View more

Image

Smart Image Click on the blue labels to locate them in the text.
Viewing Examples
Smart Image
  • Inflatable space filler structure for container
  • Inflatable space filler structure for container
  • Inflatable space filler structure for container

Examples

Experimental program
Comparison scheme
Effect test

first embodiment

[0051] FIGS. 1 to 9 show a space filler according to the present invention. Referring to FIG. 1, the space filler comprises a cushioning member 1 to encircle a shock-brittle object contained in a container for preventing the object from any shock action. The cushioning member 1 is like an air bag, comprising two rectangular pieces of resin film or sheet, which are laid on each other and thermo welded on their four sides 2 in airtight condition.

[0052] For the purpose of facilitating the thermowelding of the confronting two rectangular pieces of resin film or sheet, one extra piece of "thermowelding easy" resin film or sheet (such as polyethylene) of same size and shape as the confronting pieces of resin film or sheet may be sandwiched therebetween, and then, the composite lamination of resin film or sheet is heated along its four sides and at selected areas to be sealed together. Otherwise, extra pieces of "thermowelding easy" resin film or sheet may be arranged at the four sides and...

second embodiment

[0081] The space filler can have sacrificial lines alternating with the partition lines 23, thereby preventing rupture of the air bag 21 when an increased pressure is applied thereto, assuring that the article is kept in safe condition.

[0082] Referring to FIGS. 15 and 16, a space filler 41 according to the third embodiment of the present invention is similar basically to the second embodiment. The number and arrangement of partition lines are so determined that the space filler when inflated with air may fit an article to be enwrapped.

[0083] As seen from the drawings, the space filler 41 is rectangular in shape, the four sides of which rectangular shape are thermowelded. Four partition lines 43 are formed by thermowelding the major plane in parallel-strip pattern, thus defining five adjacent divisional sections 44 and opposite lateral, marginal channels 45a and 45b, which communicate with the divisional sections 44.

[0084] An air inlet 47 is formed to open and communicate with the l...

fourth embodiment

[0088] Referring to FIGS. 17 to 19, a space filler 51 according to the present invention comprises a cushioning member in the form of dual air bag. Specifically the cushioning member comprises outside and inside closed bags 52 and 53 of resin film or sheet of different depths. The inside bag 53 is inserted in the outside bag 52, and their bottoms and opposite lateral and longitudinal sides 56, 57 and 58 are thermowelded and connected together to stagger their upper closed edges while the outside and inside bags 52 and 53 communicate at their bottoms, as best seen from FIG. 18. A lateral space 52a is left between the bottom of the inside bag 53 and that of the outside bag 52. Thus, the inside bag 53 forms a pocket fastened onto the outside bag 52 for containing an object.

[0089] The confronting planes of the outside and inside bags 52 and 53 are thermowelded so as to provide partition lines 59 and 60, which are predetermined distances apart from the longitudinal opposite sides of the ...

the structure of the environmentally friendly knitted fabric provided by the present invention; figure 2 Flow chart of the yarn wrapping machine for environmentally friendly knitted fabrics and storage devices; image 3 Is the parameter map of the yarn covering machine
Login to View More

PUM

No PUM Login to View More

Abstract

Disclosed is an inflatable space filler structure comprising a cushioning member to encircle a shock-brittle object contained in a container for preventing the object from any shock action. The cushioning member comprises: two rectangular pieces of resin film or sheet, which are laid on each other and thermowelded in air-tight condition along their sides and in their confronting major planes in the form of partition lines parallel-arranged, reaching short of the opposite lateral sides of the rectangular pieces of resin film or sheet, thus defining divisional air-tight sections. Also, the cushioning member comprises an air inlet equipped with a check valve for inflating the divisional air-tight sections with air, thereby applying the expanded divisional air-tight sections to the front, rear, upper and lower surfaces of the object.

Description

[0001] 1. Field of the Invention[0002] The present invention relates to a space filler structure comprising a cushioning member to encircle a shock-brittle object such as a personal computer, an electronics part of complicated shape or a glass article for preventing the object from any shock action when it is contained in a container.[0003] 2. Related Arts[0004] As is well known, space fillers are made of foam polystyrene to fit the shape of goods to be contained in boxes. Specifically when a shock-brittle object is contained in a container, such a foam polystyrene cushion is used to fill the remaining space of the container in which the shock-brittle object is put. Such space filler is often larger than the object to be protected against a shock.[0005] Accordingly the container such as a cardboard box is necessitated to be large enough to contain such a large cushion. Advantageously the foam polystyrene cushion can restore to its original shape and size even though it should be sho...

Claims

the structure of the environmentally friendly knitted fabric provided by the present invention; figure 2 Flow chart of the yarn wrapping machine for environmentally friendly knitted fabrics and storage devices; image 3 Is the parameter map of the yarn covering machine
Login to View More

Application Information

Patent Timeline
no application Login to View More
Patent Type & AuthorityApplications(United States)
IPC IPC(8): B65D5/50B65D81/03B65D81/05
CPCB65D81/052
InventorIGARASHI, HIDEO
OwnerSANYO ENG