Pneumatic packaging system

Abstract

A container in a rectilinear configuration has an interior surface, an exterior surface, and a plurality of planar sections. A plurality of pneumatic panels are attached to at least some of the sections. A control assembly has a first member to indicate when the pneumatic panels are inflated, a second member to deflate the pneumatic panels, and a valve to receive pressurized air from a source to inflate the pneumatic panels.

Claims

1. A pneumatic packaging system (10) for removably receiving an object to be mailed, for sequentially inflating pneumatic panels to secure the object, and for deflating the pneumatic panels before removing the object, the system comprising, in combination: a container (14) fabricated of cardboard, the container being in a planar configuration prior to folding and in a rectilinear configuration for use after folding, the container having an interior surface (16) and an exterior surface (18); the container having a bottom section (20) with an attached first front section (22), a rear section (24), a first side section (26), and a second side section (28); the container having a top section (30) with a second front section (32), a third side section (34), and a fourth side section (36), two side tabs (38) attached to the third side section, two side tabs (40) attached to the fourth side section; a plurality of pneumatic panels including a first pneumatic panel (44) positioned adjacent to the bottom section, a second pneumatic panel (46) positioned adjacent to the first front section, a third pneumatic panel (48) positioned adjacent to the rear section, a fourth pneumatic panel (50) positioned adjacent to the first side section, a fifth pneumatic panel (52) positioned adjacent to the second side section, and a sixth pneumatic panel (54) positioned adjacent to the top section, each of the pneumatic panels being formed of completely pneumatically interconnected small bubbles (56), the container being folded into a rectilinear configuration a control assembly (60) on the first front section, the control assembly including an air bubble (62) adapted to bulge outwardly to indicate when the pneumatic panels are inflated, a deflation button (64) controlled by the user adapted to be depressed to deflate the pneumatic panels when opening the container, and a first valve (66) adapted to receive pressurized air from a source (68) to inflate the second pneumatic panel, a second valve (70) pneumatically coupling the second pneumatic panel to the first pneumatic panel, the second valve having a first passageway adapted to allow the inflating and deflating of the first pneumatic panel, the second valve having a first activation pressure point to allow the filling of the first pneumatic panel when the second pneumatic panel reaches the first activation pressure point, a plurality of third valve (72) pneumatically coupling the second pneumatic panel to the third and fourth and fifth pneumatic panels and pneumatically coupling the third and sixth pneumatic panels, the third members having a second passageway adapted to allow the inflating and deflating of the third, fourth, fifth and sixth pneumatic panels, the third pneumatic valves have a second activation pressure point greater than the first activation point, the sections of the container and the plurality of pneumatic panels being positioned in a planar configuration for storage and transportation purposes prior to assembly and use.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

(1) The invention will be better understood and objects other than those set forth above will become apparent when consideration is given to the following detailed description thereof. Such description makes reference to the annexed drawings wherein:

(2) FIG. 1 is a perspective illustration of a pneumatic packaging system constructed in accordance with the principles of the present invention.

(3) FIG. 2 is a front elevational view taken along line 2-2 of FIG. 1.

(4) FIG. 3 is an enlarged showing taken at circle 3 of FIG. 2.

(5) FIG. 4 is a cross sectional view taken along line 4-4 of FIG. 2 but illustrating alternate mechanisms for deflating the pneumatic panels.

(6) FIG. 5 is a cross sectional view through the container showing the first pneumatic panel partially inflated.

(7) FIG. 6 is a cross sectional view similar to FIG. 5 but showing the first pneumatic panel fully inflated and with the third, fourth, fifth and sixth pneumatic panels partially inflated.

(8) FIG. 7 is a cross sectional view similar to FIG. 6 but with all of the pneumatic panels fully inflated.

(9) FIG. 8 is a plan view of the container in a flat configuration prior to folding to a rectilinear configuration and prior to inflation of the pneumatic panels.

(10) FIG. 9 is an enlarged showing of one of the valves taken at Circle 9 of FIG. 8.

(11) The same reference numerals refer to the same parts throughout the various Figures.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

(12) With reference now to the drawings, and in particular to FIG. 1 thereof, the preferred embodiment of the new and improved pneumatic packaging system embodying the principles and concepts of the present invention and generally designated by the reference numeral 10 will be described.

(13) The present invention, the pneumatic packaging system 10 is comprised of a plurality of components. Such components in their broadest context include a container, pneumatic panels, and a control assembly. Such components are individually configured and correlated with respect to each other so as to attain the desired objective.

(14) from a specific standpoint, the preferred embodiment of the pneumatic packaging system, designated by reference numeral 10 is for removably receiving an object to be mailed, for sequentially inflating pneumatic panels to secure the received object, and for deflating the pneumatic panels before removing the secured object. The receiving, inflating, securing, deflating, and removing are done in a safe, convenient, and economical manner.

(15) The system includes a container 14 fabricated of cardboard. the container is in a planar configuration prior to folding and in a rectilinear configuration for use after folding. The container has an interior surface 16 and an exterior surface 18.

(16) The container has a bottom section 20 with an attached first front section 22, a rear section 24, a first side section 26, and a second side section 28.

(17) The container has a top section 30 with a second front section 32, a third side section 34, and a fourth side section 36. Two side tabs 38 are attached to the third side section. Two side tabs 40 are attached to the fourth side section.

(18) A plurality of pneumatic panels are provided. The pneumatic panels include a first pneumatic panel 44 attached to the bottom section, a second pneumatic panel 46 attached to the first front section, a third pneumatic panel 48 attached to the rear section, a fourth pneumatic panel 50 attached to the first side section, a fifth pneumatic panel 52 attached to the second side section, and a sixth pneumatic panel 54 attached to the top section. Each of the pneumatic panels is formed of completely pneumatically interconnected small bubbles 56. The container is folded into a rectilinear configuration with the top and bottom sections being horizontally oriented and the first front section, the second front section, the rear section, and side sections being vertically oriented. A chamber is formed between the pneumatic panels for receiving an object to be secured by the pneumatic panels when inflated.

(19) A control assembly 60 is next provided. The control assembly is on the first front section. The control assembly includes an air bubble 62 adapted to bulge outwardly to indicate when the pneumatic panels are inflated. A deflation button 64 is provided and is adapted to be depressed to deflate the pneumatic panels when opening the container.

(20) The control assembly includes a first valve 66 adapted to receive pressurized air from a source 68 to inflate the second pneumatic panel. The source of pressurized air is illustrated as a fixed pump. Such source, however, could readily be a handheld pump or a pump built into the container. A second valve 70 pneumatically couples the second pneumatic panel to the first pneumatic panel. The second valve has a first activation pressure point to allow the filling of the first pneumatic panel when the second pneumatic panel reaches the first activation pressure point. A plurality of third valves 72 is provided. The third valves pneumatically couple the second pneumatic panel to the third and fourth and fifth pneumatic panels and pneumatically couple the third and sixth pneumatic panels. The third pneumatic valves have a second activation pressure point greater than the first activation point to allow the filling of the third, fourth, fifth and sixth pneumatic panels after the first pneumatic panel reaches the second activation pressure point.

(21) As may be readily seen in FIG. 9, the inflatable elements are connected to adjacent inflatable elements through short tubular connectors of reduced diameter. Further, as best seen in FIGS. 3 and 4, the control assembly includes first and second valves. The first valve is coupled to an adjacent panel for inflation. The second valve is coupled to an adjacent panel for deflation.

(22) An alternate embodiment of the invention is illustrated in FIG. 4. In such embodiment of the system 100, the second member 102 of the control assembly includes a pull strip 104 and a string 106 between the container and the pull strip. The pull strip is adapted to be pulled to deflate the pneumatic panels and open the container.

(23) As to the manner of usage and operation of the present invention, the same should be apparent from the above description. Accordingly, no further discussion relating to the manner of usage and operation will be provided.

(24) With respect to the above description then, it is to be realized that the optimum dimensional relationships for the parts of the invention, to include variations in size, materials, shape, form, function and manner of operation, assembly and use, are deemed readily apparent and obvious to one skilled in the art, and all equivalent relationships to those illustrated in the drawings and described in the specification are intended to be encompassed by the present invention.

(25) Therefore, the foregoing is considered as illustrative only of the principles of the invention. Further, since numerous modifications and changes will readily occur to those skilled in the art, it is not desired to limit the invention to the exact construction and operation shown and described, and accordingly, all suitable modifications and equivalents may be resorted to, falling within the scope of the invention.