Air bladder packing system and process for using the same

Inactive Publication Date: 2005-05-26
XEROX CORP
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  • Summary
  • Abstract
  • Description
  • Claims
  • Application Information

AI Technical Summary

Benefits of technology

[0004] It would be desirable to have inexpensive, flexible, non-contaminating and easily installed inner packaging material.

Problems solved by technology

In particular, substantially sized equipment such as printers, television sets, and similar bulky items.
Drawbacks include the shifting of the pellets during handling of the box and the danger of small particles or fibers separating from the pellets and infiltrating the equipment.
Even when the equipment is wrapped in plastic, the tiny fibers and particles from pellets are messy and can infiltrate the equipment during unpacking.
Among disadvantages are the inability to tightly pack bulky items both because the airbags are made of easily broken thin membranes and because it is difficult to tightly pack airbags that are already inflated.
This disadvantage is particularly likely to occur near the lower portions of outer boxes since fingers and hands become blocked by the airbags themselves.

Method used

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  • Air bladder packing system and process for using the same
  • Air bladder packing system and process for using the same
  • Air bladder packing system and process for using the same

Examples

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Embodiment Construction

[0010] For a general understanding of the present invention, reference is made to the drawings. In the drawings, like reference numerals have been used throughout to designate identical elements.

[0011] Referring first to FIG. 1, a bulky item 11 such as a printer or television set is shown packaged in an outer box 12. Box 12 is shown placed on pallet 13. Inner packing is formed by air bladder 10. Air bladder 10, in this embodiment, is composed of a round central body 15, a series of fingers 16, and a valve 17 through which air may be inserted and removed. Air bladder 10 is inserted into box 12 on top of item 11 while air bladder 10 is either uninflated or slightly inflated. Once wrapped over and around item 11, air bladder 10 is inflated sufficiently such that fingers 16 snugly span the space between the sides of item 11 and outer box 12. In the event that central body 15 does not inflate to fill the entire height of box 12, then additional packing material 19 such as an additional ...

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PUM

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Abstract

An air bladder packing system having an inflatable center body and extensions therefrom. The center body is generally for placement on top of an item placed in an outside box while the fingers are designed for positioning in the spaces between the item and the walls of the box. After placement, the air bladder is inflated to span the space between the item and the box, thereby securely holding the item in the box and providing protection against shifting during transport and providing impact protection.

Description

BACKGROUND AND SUMMARY [0001] Most consumer equipment, especially electronics, and much commercial equipment comes carefully packaged in rigid foam or other sturdy and form-fitting packaging material designed to cushion and hold the equipment firmly within an outer box. Where the equipment is mass produced and automatically packaged, custom-formed packing inserts are the norm. Where economies of scale cannot justify the costs of design, tooling, and production of specialized inserts, other packing materials are desired. The desire for a flexible and inexpensive packing material is particularly relevant to the repair and reconditioning industry. In particular, substantially sized equipment such as printers, television sets, and similar bulky items. [0002] In addition to custom-fitting inserts, so-called packing “peanuts” or “shells” are sometimes used. Such loose packing typically comprises foam or cellulose pellets that are poured around equipment once placed in the outer box. Drawb...

Claims

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Application Information

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IPC IPC(8): B65D85/68B65D81/05B65D81/07
CPCB65D81/052
InventorPETERSE, JOOPMELICK, ERIC VANHENGEL, RAYMOND VAN DEN
OwnerXEROX CORP