An apparatus for storing articles comprises one or more vacuum-sealable storage bags and a container. The one or more vacuum-sealable storage bags are configured for storing the articles therein. The container configured for storing the one or more vacuum-sealable storage bags therein. The container has soft sides made of soft materials. In operation, when air within the one or more vacuum-sealable storage bags is evacuated, the one or more vacuum-sealable storage bags, and any articles stored therein, collapses into the container.

A method and apparatuses protecting a portable device from an impact are provided. An accelerometer is operable to detect acceleration of the portable device. A protective structure disposed outside of the portable device includes a substrate and an elastomeric layer arranged on the substrate. The elastomeric layer defines an inflatable region in which the elastomeric layer is not attached to the substrate. The substrate includes a fluid channel in fluid communication with a pressurized fluid source. A controller is operable to trigger the pressurized fluid source upon detection of an acceleration event, wherein the pressurized fluid source transmits pressurized fluid to the inflatable region, causing the inflatable regions to inflate. The inflatable regions provide a cushion against impacts with surfaces when the portable device is dropped or otherwise propelled toward a surface.

A suitcase for travel that can be separated into two stackable compartments. To allow for the top compartment to be stacked into the bottom compartment, its wheels are detachable and its support pegs are housed in a recess and are retractable. Each compartment may be packed and unpacked by different person at the same time in two different locations. One or both the compartments have inflatable air packs that can be inflated from outside the luggage using a standard air pump. The air packs secure content from moving during travel and handling. Each compartment has a separator that can fully enclose the contents of the compartment when zipped. The separator is extendable both inward and outward to accommodate larger objects or to accommodate more contents at the expense of the space in the other compartment. The separators of both the compartments may be extended inward to create a large cavity within the luggage to accommodate large objects or create a further separated space.

A reusable mailer includes a carrying volume having a top opening configured to receive a package therein, the carrying volume defined by an outer and inner peripheral surfaces, the inner peripheral surface covered by a plush material. Protective tape having a first portion is configured to removably adhere to a rear portion of the outer surface and is configured to extend across the top opening and a second portion is configured to removably adhere to a front portion of the outer surface to close the carrying volume and configure the carrying volume for mailing purposes. After mailing, the protective tape is selectively removable from the front and rear surfaces to expose the package. Once the package is removed from the carrying volume, the carrying volume is selectively inverted to transition and expose the plush material on the inner peripheral surface.

A reusable reconfigurable and inflatable tote and packaging container having a flexible outer shell defining a compartment and an insert dimensioned and shaped to be slidably received in the compartment to make the overall container more rigid. The outer shell provides a rear pocket disposed along an exterior portion of the front and rear walls, wherein each pocket defines an enclosed area along said respective exterior portion, wherein each pocket is movable between an open condition and a closed condition fully enclosing the enclosed area, and for each enclosed area, a strap connected thereto so that the strap is movable between carrying condition projecting above the lid and a storage condition wherein the strap is entirely contained within the respective pocket. The insert may provide panel sleeves fillable with insulated panel inserts, an accordion-connected series of insulated panels, or inflatable panels facilitating the rigidity of the overall container.

A collapsible and expandable weather-resistant cargo bag includes a bag portion, a cushioning portion, and an attachment feature. The bag portion is constructed a weather-resistant material and adapted and configured contain contents and allow for storage and removal of contents through a closable opening. The cushioning portion is coupled to the bag portion and is expandable and collapsible as well as adapted and configured to protect a substrate by being positioned between the substrate on which the cargo bag is placed and the contents stored in the bag portion. The attachment feature extends from one or more of the bag portion or the cushioning portion and is adapted and configured to allow for attachment of the cargo bag to a substrate.

A liner for protecting two articles, stacked or side-by-side, comprises panels each of which consists of inflated tubes. The panels provide protection for the top, bottom and sides of both articles. Where the articles are stacked there is a panel between the top of the lower article and the bottom of the upper article. Where the articles are side-by-side there is a panel between the adjacent side surfaces of the two articles. A shipping container is also disclosed which comprises a liner having side wall panels, a lid and a base. Each panel comprises a number of parallel side-by-side tubes. There is an air manifold to which the tubes are connected and an air valve through which air for inflating the panels can be introduced. The liner fits snugly in an outer enclosure which is rigid or is a soft bag. A stiff inset sheet in the bag and against its base imparts rigidity to it. The lid is secured along one of its edges to the walling of the bag and there is a sliding clasp fastener along the edges of the lid and the top edge of the walling for releasably securing the other three edges of the lid to the side walling.

A liner for protecting two articles, stacked or side-by-side, comprises panels each of which consists of inflated tubes. The panels provide protection for the top, bottom and sides of both articles. Where the articles are stacked there is a panel between the top of the lower article and the bottom of the upper article. Where the articles are side-by-side there is a panel between the adjacent side surfaces of the two articles. A shipping container is also disclosed which comprises a liner having side wall panels, a lid and a base. Each panel comprises a number of parallel side-by-side tubes. There is an air manifold to which the tubes are connected and an air valve through which air for inflating the panels can be introduced. The liner fits snugly in an outer enclosure which is rigid or is a soft bag. A stiff inset sheet in the bag and against its base imparts rigidity to it. The lid is secured along one of its edges to the walling of the bag and there is a sliding clasp fastener along the edges of the lid and the top edge of the walling for releasably securing the other three edges of the lid to the side walling.

A liner for protecting two articles, stacked or side-by-side, comprises panels each of which consists of inflated tubes. The panels provide protection for the top, bottom and sides of both articles. Where the articles are stacked there is a panel between the top of the lower article and the bottom of the upper article. Where the articles are side-by-side there is a panel between the adjacent side surfaces of the two articles. A shipping container is also disclosed which comprises a liner having side wall panels, a lid and a base. Each panel comprises a number of parallel side-by-side tubes. There is an air manifold to which the tubes are connected and an air valve through which air for inflating the panels can be introduced. The liner fits snugly in an outer enclosure which is rigid or is a soft bag. A stiff inset sheet in the bag and against its base imparts rigidity to it. The lid is secured along one of its edges to the walling of the bag and there is a sliding clasp fastener along the edges of the lid and the top edge of the walling for releasably securing the other three edges of the lid to the side walling.

A reusable mailer includes an outer peripheral surface defining a carrying volume, the outer peripheral surface of the carrying volume made from a first material and an inner peripheral surface covered by a second material. The carrying volume is configured to: receive an item therein; close about the item for mailing purposes; selectively invert to expose the second material on the outer peripheral surface; and define a new interior carrying volume therein. A central bottom portion of the new interior carrying volume is selectively manipulated to re-form the new interior carrying volume to a U-shaped configuration. A locking mechanism is disposed on either the mailer and is configured to selectively lock the new interior carrying volume in the U-shaped configuration to form a neck pillow.