Carry Device

Abstract

In one embodiment a carry device includes a first inner carry pouch made from a first material and an outer bounding pouch or layer made from a second material defining at least one cavity therebetween. An access port may include a release and inflation actuator and provides volumetric access to the at least one cavity allowing passage of a pressurizing atmosphere or temperature effecting medium, or combination thereof. A sealable access is provided, and a common pressure is applied to an outer uniform-pressure region of a non-rigid or rigid item being carried thereby preventing damage and crushing thereof through high contact pressure gradients. In another embodiment handles are inflatable to aid sealing the inner carry pouch and provide a comfortable grip.

Description

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS[0001]This application claims priority from U.S. Provisional Application No. 60 / 630,646 filed Nov. 24, 2004, the contents of which are fully incorporated herein by reference.BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION[0002]1. Field of the Invention[0003]The present invention relates to a carry device. More specifically, the present invention relates to a convenient device for receiving items to be carried that includes at least one inner cavity or bladder for inflation or storage of a pressure or a temperature transfer medium, whereby the received items are restrained from moving.[0004]2. Description of the Related Art[0005]Various attempts have been made to use air pillows or bags in packaging to secure items being shipped. U.S. Pat. Nos. 5,254,074 and 5,339,602 to Landers et al., outline the general processes for forming a series of inflatable air bags and placing those bags in shipping containers for inflation to secure items being shipped. Landers also out...

AI Technical Summary

Benefits of technology

[0024]Another proposed object of an alternative embodiment the present invention is to provide a convenient and attractive carry device that allows economical production and optionally reuse or recycling.

[0025]Another proposed object of an alternative embodiment of the present invention is to provide a convenient device for receiving items to be carried that includes at least one inner cavity or bladder for inflation or storage of a pressure or a temperature transfer medium, whereby the received items are restrained from moving without crushing or optionally maintained at a desirable temperature during transport.

[0026]Another alternative object of one embodiment of the present invention is to provide an inflatable carry device enabling a substantially common pressure application along a pressure contact surface of an item being transported without damaging pressure variants.

[0027]Another alternative object of the present invention is to provide an alternative embodiment capable of being optionally and substantially sealed to prevent unintended entry of moisture or unintended exit of items being carried.

[0030]According to one alternative and adaptive embodiment of the present invention, there is provided a carry device, comprising: an outer pouch member operably bounding an inner pouch member and defining at least one bounded cavity there between for receiving a selected pressurizing medium, the inner pouch member and the outer pouch member including respective inner and outer side walls, at least one inner side seam joining inner pouch side walls and at least one outer side seam joining outer pouch side walls forming respective inner and outer pouch members, means for providing an valve access to the at least one bounded cavity during a use for transmitting a pressurizing medium relative to the bounded cavity, a carry item receiving region within the inner pouch member accessible through an inner pouch opening, the inner pouch side walls and the outer side walls being readily shearable with respect to each other proximate the carry item receiving region during a use, thereby allowing the inner pouch side walls to substantially conform to the carry item without damaging the carry item.

Problems solved by technology

Thus, packaging device 700 is well suited for shipping rigid electronic or other hard-bodied products, but is ill-suited to contain and preserve non-rigid items in a non-crushed manner, and cannot protect such items from moisture or air damage due to air gaps 729 and lack of a seal around the items.

What is also not appreciated by the related art, is that a wide variety of consumer objects requiring transport are not inherently resistant to being deformed by pressure (for example, eggs, baked goods, paper items, wrapped sandwiches, etc.) and yet require nearly uniform pressure about an outer contact region for secure transport.

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