Abstract: The present invention is directed to an inflatable packaging cushion that may include a plurality of inflation tubes to define a structure of the inflatable packaging cushion, in which the structure includes an interior region defined by the plurality of inflation tubes. The inflatable packaging cushion may further include a suspension hammock positioned within the interior region defined by the plurality of inflation tubes, and connected to at least one of the inflation tubes. The inflatable packaging further also includes a package receiving portion that is configured and dimensioned to receive a product and a suspension portion that is configured to retain and cushion the product within the inflation tubes and suspension hammock. The suspension hammock is configured so that the product within the suspension portion does not extend past an end of the inflatable packaging cushion thereby reducing the likelihood of damage to the product.

Abstract: An inflation device for airbags has an inflation tube insertable through the airbag inflation valve, the inflation tube having a distal end. A handle mounts the inflation tube and is connected to an inflation gas source. A delivery valve controls inflation gas flow through inflation tube. A pressure gauge has an input and conduit extending therefrom along the inflation tube and to the end of the inflation tube for ascertaining inflation pressure within the airbag. The delivery valve is operated to achieve a desired inflation pressure. The inflation tube has gas delivery openings through its side walls laterally delivering inflation gas to the airbag. The inflation tube and pressure gauge conduit are inserted together through the airbag inflation valve, so that inflation pressure is monitored substantially concurrently with inflation.

Abstract: An inflatable packaging cushion is made of thermoplastic sheet material connected by seams and spot seams and has a product barrier formed by a plurality of adjacent inflatable product barrier tubes forming a product barrier, a pocket panel secured to the product barrier and extending thereacross to a product pocket for receiving a product, and pillar tube extensions of the product barrier tubes forming bulkhead end walls foldable to extend upwardly from the product barrier beyond the product pocket. The cushion and product are inserted in a carton, and the end walls suspend the product. Distal end flaps are also provide opposite the product barrier and product.

Abstract: An inflatable packaging cushion has an inflation manifold connected to inflatable chambers through check valves. The inflation manifold mounts an inflation plate defining an aperture. Placing the end of an inflation tube on the inflation plate inflates the manifold and the inflation chambers through the check valves. This eliminates the need to insert an inflation tube through an opening in the polymer sheet forming the manifold, and the inflation tube placement may be automated.

Abstract: An inflation device for airbags has an inflation tube insertable through the airbag inflation valve, the inflation tube having a distal end. A handle mounts the inflation tube and is connected to an inflation gas source. A delivery valve controls inflation gas flow through inflation tube. A pressure gauge has an input and conduit extending therefrom along the inflation tube and to the end of the inflation tube for ascertaining inflation pressure within the airbag. The delivery valve is operated to achieve a desired inflation pressure. The inflation tube has gas delivery openings through its side walls laterally delivering inflation gas to the airbag. The inflation tube and pressure gauge conduit are inserted together through the airbag inflation valve, so that inflation pressure is monitored substantially concurrently with inflation.

Abstract: An inflatable valve for an inflatable packaging cushion has first and second juxtaposed plys of thermoplastic material secured together by first and second spaced-apart heat sealed side seams to form a flattened tube having an interior sealing end positioned in an inflatable packaging cushion and an inflation probe insertion end positioned exteriorly of the inflatable packaging cushion. An adhesive strip is applied to the second ply and extends between the heat sealed side seams. Release paper covers the adhesive strip; wherein the release paper is removed and the first and second plys are pressed together, the adhesive strip seals the first and second plys together. Spot seals at the intersections of the heat sealed side seals and the adhesive strip sealingly join the side seals and the adhesive strip. The adhesive strip is provided by one side of a two-sided adhesive tape or as a layer of adhesive.

Abstract: A package for containing and dispensing of pourable product has a sheet material bag. A dispenser tube is inserted through a seam of the bag, where a pouring spout of the tube extends into the bag from the bag seam and a sealing sleeve extends outwardly from the bag seam. An openable/closeable seal extends across the end of the sealing sleeve, the openable/closeable seal having first and second strips with releasably interengaging configuration. The openable/closeable seal may be opened and the pouring spout everted through the sealing sleeve. The pouring spout is longer than the sealing sleeve and extends past the open seal. The openable/closeable seal is a zipper seal or a slide seal. The package may have a box in which the bag and dispenser tube are contained prior to and after use in dispensing a pourable product.

Abstract: A dunnage bag is fabricated of thermoplastic sheet material joined together to form an air cushion including being joined to form an inflation panel edge seam. An inflation opening to the air cushion is defined between two layers of thermoplastic sheet material adjacent a terminus of the panel edge seam. Two layers of the thermoplastic sheet material extend from the inflation panel edge seam and inflation opening, and the two layers are joined together by an inflation panel seam pattern to form an inflation panel. The inflation panel seam pattern further defines an inflation area communicating with the inflation opening and with an inflation valve sealed to the inflation panel in the inflation area, for supplying inflation air from the inflation valve through the inflation panel and into the air cushion. The inflation area is preferably an elongated sinuous tube. This configuration protects the inflation valve and contributes to the integrity of the dunnage bag.

Abstract: An inflatable packaging cushion has an inflation manifold connected to inflatable chambers through check valves. The inflation manifold mounts an inflation plate defining an aperture. Placing the end of an inflation tube on the inflation plate inflates the manifold and the inflation chambers through the check valves. This eliminates the need to insert an inflation tube through an opening in the polymer sheet forming the manifold, and the inflation tube placement may be automated.

Abstract: A dunnage bag has an inflatable cushion and an inflation valve. The inflation valve is a flattened sleeve of thermoplastic material inserted through a seam of the inflatable cushion, with an interior sleeve portion extending into the inflatable cushion and an exterior sleeve portion extending outwardly of the inflatable cushion. A zipper seal extends across the exterior sleeve portion of the inflation valve, the zipper seal having first and second strips with releasably interengaging tongue-and-groove configuration. The inflation valve is doubly sealed, first by air pressure on the interior sleeve portion and second by closing the zipper seal. The interior sleeve portion is longer than the exterior sleeve portion, so that when it is everted, it covers the zipper seal.

Abstract: A package for containing and dispensing of pourable product has a sheet material bag. A dispenser tube is inserted through a seam of the bag, where a pouring spout of the tube extends into the bag from the bag seam and a sealing sleeve extends outwardly from the bag seam. An openable/closeable seal extends across the end of the sealing sleeve, the openable/closeable seal having first and second strips with releasably interengaging configuration. The openable/closeable seal may be opened and the pouring spout everted through the sealing sleeve. The pouring spout is longer than the sealing sleeve and extends past the open seal. The openable/closeable seal is a zipper seal or a slide seal. The package may have a box in which the bag and dispenser tube are contained prior to and after use in dispensing a pourable product.

Abstract: An inflatable valve for an inflatable packaging cushion has first and second juxtaposed plys of thermoplastic material secured together by first and second spaced-apart heat sealed side seams to form a flattened tube having an interior sealing end positioned in an inflatable packaging cushion and an inflation probe insertion end positioned exteriorly of the inflatable packaging cushion. An adhesive strip is applied to the second ply and extends between the heat sealed side seams. Release paper covers the adhesive strip; wherein the release paper is removed and the first and second plys are pressed together, the adhesive strip seals the first and second plys together. Spot seals at the intersections of the heat sealed side seals and the adhesive strip sealingly join the side seals and the adhesive strip. The adhesive strip is provided by one side of a two-sided adhesive tape or as a layer of adhesive.