A pneumatic cushioning material includes: a first air cell part including at least one air cell containing air; a second air cell part including at least one air cell containing air; a third air cell part including at least one air cell containing air; a first connection that connects the first air cell part and the second air cell part together; a second connection that connects the first air cell part and the third air cell part together, wherein the first connection is bendable by a first rotation axis, the second connection is bendable by a second rotation axis, and an angle at which a line segment obtained by extending the first rotation axis and a line segment obtained by extending the second rotation axis intersect is at a range of greater than 0 degrees and less than 180 degrees.

A connective protective packaging element is provided. The connective protective packaging element may include a protective body in a high-density supply configuration. The protective body may be configurable into a low-density configuration for cushioning packaged products. The body may include an exposed surface in the low-density configuration. The connective protective packaging element may also include a bonding element attached to the exposed surface that operably bonds the exposed surface to an abutting surface by contact with the bonding element.

An inflatable web is disclosed. The web includes first and second film plies sealed together via a plurality of generally transverse seals to define a first and second inflatable chambers and an inflation region. The chambers are inflatable with a fluid and operable to contain the fluid. The sealed plies have a first longitudinal edge and a second longitudinal edge. The web defines a separation region extending at least partially transversely across the web between the first and second inflatable chambers and is configured to facilitate separation thereof. The separation region includes a tear propagation line extending transversely across at least a portion of the web with an end of the tear propagation line terminating proximal to the first longitudinal edge of the web. The separation region includes a tear initiation feature including edges spaced apart from one another longitudinally to form a permanent opening in the web.

A protective shipping container that is configured to provide impact protection for items disposed in the interior volume thereof and further inhibit movement of the items during shipping. The protective shipping container of the present invention includes a body having a first side and a second side formed to create an interior volume. The body includes a separation wall having a first side and a second side. Adjacent to the first side of the separation wall are a plurality of outer air chambers. The plurality of outer air chambers are independently inflatable and extend the length of the body. An inner air chamber is adjacent to the second side of the separation wall. The inner air chamber is operable to substantially fill the interior volume of the body while surroundably conforming to the items placed therein so as to provide impact protection as well as inhibit movement thereof.

An inflatable web includes an inflation zone, a first inflatable panel in fluid communication with the inflation zone, and a second inflatable panel in fluid communication with the inflation zone. The first inflatable panel includes a first sheet juxtaposed on a second sheet. The first and second sheets are sealed together to form inflatable chambers. The second inflatable panel include a third sheet juxtaposed on a fourth sheet. The third and fourth sheets are sealed together to form inflatable chambers. The inflatable film is configured to be inflated by an inflation and sealing machine configured to direct gas into the inflatable chambers of the first and second inflatable panels via the inflation zone and to individually seal the inflatable chambers of the first and second inflatable panels.

A system and method for inflating airbags includes a series of pulleys arranged in two parallel rows. Each pulley has its periphery defined as a semicircular concave groove that extends between two edges, wherein the semicircular concave grooves form a tunnel. Each pulley in the first row can rotate clockwise, while each pulley in the second row rotates anticlockwise. A cylindrical air tube can be positioned in the tunnel wherein the air tube is connected to a compressed air source at an end. The air tube has spaced apertures along its length and an airbag with two flaps can be mounted on the inflation system, wherein the two flaps are pressed over the air tube by the pair of pulleys and each pair of pulleys can drag the flaps on the air tube.

Disclosed is a method for inflating packaging airbags. The method for inflating the airbags include the steps of coupling an inflation port of the airbag to a nozzle of the inflation system, wherein a collar of the airbag adjacent to the inflation port lies between the cushions of the inflation system, the cushions are a part of pair of clamps. Thereafter the inflation system can be turned on resulting in clasping of the collar by the pair of clamps. The air compressor of the system operates to supply air under pressure to the airbag through the air pressure regulator. Once the airbag is inflated, the inflation system can be turned off, resulting in releasing of the pair of clamps, thus releasing the airbag.

A system and method for inflating airbags include a series of pulleys arranged in two parallel rows. Each pulley has its periphery defined as a semicircular concave groove that extends between two edges, wherein the semicircular concave grooves form a tunnel. Each pulley in the first row can rotate clockwise, while each pulley in the second row rotates anticlockwise. A cylindrical air tube can be positioned in the tunnel wherein the air tube is connected to a compressed air source at an end. The air tube has spaced apertures along its length and an airbag with two flaps can be mounted on the inflation system, wherein the two flaps are pressed over the air tube by the pair of pulleys and each pair of pulleys can drag the flaps on the air tube.

An inflatable web is disclosed. The web includes first and second film plies sealed together via a plurality of generally transverse seals to define a first and second inflatable chambers and an inflation region. The chambers are inflatable with a fluid and operable to contain the fluid. The sealed plies have a first longitudinal edge and a second longitudinal edge. The web defines a separation region extending at least partially transversely across the web between the first and second inflatable chambers and is configured to facilitate separation thereof. The separation region includes a tear propagation line extending transversely across at least a portion of the web with an end of the tear propagation line terminating proximal to the first longitudinal edge of the web. The separation region includes a tear initiation feature including edges spaced apart from one another longitudinally to form a permanent opening in the web.

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.