Inflatable Packaging Structure with Check Valves
Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional packaging materials like foam, bubble wrap, and cardboard are inadequate for providing effective shock absorption and space efficiency during the shipping of fragile electronics, as they can cause direct impacts and require significant storage space.
Innovation Solution
An inflatable packaging structure composed of thermoplastic material with multiple fluid chambers and one-way check valves, featuring air supply lines and heat-sealed edges to form a rectangular shape with customizable dimensions, providing enhanced shock absorption and space efficiency by inflating to fit snugly around corners of objects.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Object-affected harmful factors
If conventional packaging materials like foam, bubble wrap, or cardboard are used, then shock absorption is provided, but storage space is significantly required and direct impacts may occur
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses inflatable chambers filled with gas (typically air) to create a cushioning effect. The gas-filled chambers compress under impact forces, absorbing shock energy while maintaining a compact form when deflated, thus resolving the contradiction between shock absorption capability and storage space requirements
Solution Approach 2:
The packaging structure transitions from a static, bulky form to a dynamic, space-efficient form through inflation and deflation. When inflated, the chambers expand to provide shock absorption; when deflated, they collapse to minimize storage volume, enabling the packaging to adapt its volume based on functional requirements
2Object-affected harmful factors
If conventional packaging materials are used, then protection is provided, but the packaging does not prevent direct impacts by spacing the device from box walls
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs flexible thermoplastic material to form inflatable chambers that can conform to the shape of the protected device. These flexible walls create spacing between the device and outer packaging boundaries, preventing direct impacts while maintaining a relatively simple overall structure
Solution Approach 2:
The inflatable chambers are designed to nest around the protected device, with the flexible material conforming to the device contours. This nesting arrangement provides impact protection through spacing without requiring complex multi-layer structures
3Volume of stationary object
If inflatable packaging is used to reduce storage space, then volume efficiency is improved, but manufacturing precision and sealing requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
The one-way check valves are designed to self-seal when the inflation pressure equalizes with the external pressure. The valve mechanism automatically closes after allowing air ingress, eliminating the need for precise external sealing operations and reducing manufacturing complexity while maintaining volume efficiency
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
The inflatable packaging structure effectively absorbs shocks, reduces storage space, and prevents direct impacts by inflating to fit securely around objects, offering improved protection and efficiency in packaging fragile electronics during shipping.
Implementation Method 1
a one-way check valve is incorporated into at least one of the plurality of fluid chambers; an air supply line, configured to commonly communicate with each of the one-way check valves to supply fluid into the fluid chambers
Implementation Method 2
at least two heat sealed edges formed on the at least one inflatable panel, each of which is configured to attach a portion of the at least one inflatable panel to another portion thereof
Implementation Method 3
suspending or impact absorbance is increased in inflatable packaging structures
Implementation Method 4
an inflatable packaging structure that is adapted to be placed on a corner of a device and having improved shock absorbing capabilities
Data Source
AI summary
An inflatable packaging structure, including at least one inflatable panel made of a plurality of layers of thermoplastic material, the at least one inflatable panel includes a plurality of fluid chambers, whereas a one-way check valve is incorporated into at least one of the plurality of fluid chambers, an air supply line, configured to commonly communicate with each of the one-way check valves to supply fluid into the fluid chambers; and at least two heat sealed edges formed on the at least one inflatable panel, each of which is configured to attach a portion of the at least one inflatable panel to another portion thereof; and wherein the at least two heat sealed edges extend generally in parallel with respect to each other and configured to form the inflatable packaging structure with at least partially rectangular cross-section, having at least four faces.