Inflatable Patents (Class 383/3)
  • Patent number: 8701888
    Abstract: An air-sealed body with automatically opened air valves and a manufacturing method thereof uses a heat resisting material to spread between two inner films. The two inner films are stacked together between two outer films and heat sealed with the outer films to form an air passage and plural air columns therein. Air inlets and heat-sealed blocks are both formed by heat sealing, wherein each heat-sealed block is shrinking gradually from one side thereof near the first transverse heat-sealing line to another. During filing air the two outer films around the air passage are pulled apart in a longitudinal direction, and the air passage will be contracted in a transverse direction and then the two inner films are pulled apart in a longitudinal direction to open the air inlets. Thereafter, after entering the air columns, the air presses the two inner films to close the air columns.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 23, 2011
    Date of Patent: April 22, 2014
    Inventor: Yaw Shin Liao
  • Patent number: 8690004
    Abstract: The present invention is directed, in part, to an apparatus and methods related to an expandable storage tank for compressed gas, the storage tank prepared from a puncture resistant, flexible fabric material in which the storage tank is expandable to a desired volume when inflated and when deflated. During periods of non-use the storage tank is retracted in a compact and folded manner to save space compared to when the tank is inflated. The storage tank is utilized by employing its use in conjunction with a traditional air compressor and can be configured with or without a rigid outer shell that expands in relation to the amount of compressed air transferred into the expandable storage tank.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 4, 2012
    Date of Patent: April 8, 2014
    Inventor: Paul Cruz
  • Publication number: 20140083999
    Abstract: A consumable supply item for an imaging device holds an initial or refillable volume of fresh fluid for use in an imaging device. A housing defines an interior having an expandable fluid receptacle to receive waste fluid from the imaging device. As the fresh fluid depletes in the interior over time, the fluid receptacle expands as it accommodates waste fluid. In this way, a single container can both 1) supply fresh fluid and 2) retrieve waste fluid. When full of fresh fluid initially, the fluid receptacle is empty in a compressed state. Upon fresh fluid leaving the container for the imaging device, waste fluid can begin filling the receptacle. Upon depletion of fresh fluid, the container is full of waste fluid. The container is ready for disposal or recycling.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 26, 2012
    Publication date: March 27, 2014
    Applicant: Funai Electric Co., LTD.
    Inventors: Robin Ian Paran Vivas, Miguel A. Edombingo, Jeffrey G. Abanto, Sulpecio H. Escuña, Michael R. Larrobis
  • Patent number: 8662269
    Abstract: A carrying case for a portable electronic device includes an inner compartment having a front panel and a side panel extending peripherally around the front panel to define a hollow interior. A pivotal flap extending across width of the front panel is formed as an upper part of the front panel connected thereto through a living hinge. A plurality of spaced resilient dimples extends into the interior of the inner compartment from at least the front panel. The living hinge comprises an internal crease in a front panel material. The internal crease extends inwardly in to the material toward an exterior of the inner compartment from the front panel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 10, 2010
    Date of Patent: March 4, 2014
    Assignee: Avenues in Leather, Inc.
    Inventors: Otniel Shor, Todd Kramer
  • Patent number: 8662751
    Abstract: The invention relates to a method and a device for gas filling and sealing of a duct intended to be filled with gas and positioned in a container of a collapsible type. The duct is defined by two opposite side walls which are joined along a connecting portion and comprises an inlet arranged in one of the side walls. A part of the container that comprises the inlet is clamped between an abutment and a gas module which is axially movable towards the abutment. Clamping occurs in such a manner that one off the two side walls included in the duct is allowed, in response to a gas flow supplied from the gas module and entering the duct through said inlet, to bulge to form a free passage into the duct for filling the same with gas. After completion of the gas filling, the duct is sealed. The invention also relates to a container blank having a duct which is specially developed for the method and the device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 2, 2008
    Date of Patent: March 4, 2014
    Assignee: Ecolean AB
    Inventor: Stefan Forss
  • Patent number: 8661772
    Abstract: A method for sealing-in a gas in a bag that has therein a gas filling compartment, including the steps of: placing a blow-out port of a nozzle, which is connected to a pressurized gas supply source, against a cut-in or a hole of the bag and holding the back surface side of the bag with a backing member; blowing a gas from the nozzle into the gas filling compartment of the bag through the cut-in or the hole; gripping and thus closing the gas flow path in sealed portions surrounding the periphery of the cut-in or the hole by a blocking gripper while the gas blow-in continues, thus cutting off the flow of the gas between the cut-in or the hole and the inside of the gas filling compartment; and then sealing the cut-in or the hole, thus allowing the gas to be sealed in the gas filling compartment.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 13, 2012
    Date of Patent: March 4, 2014
    Assignee: Toyo Jidoki Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Masanori Yasuhira
  • Patent number: 8631970
    Abstract: Material dispensing systems and methods for make such systems are described. The material dispensing systems employ a collapsible container having at least two distinct chambers, and is at least partially surrounded by an elastically deformable band. The band stretches as the container is filled with a flowable composition, thereby creating potential energy which can then be used to dispense the composition in lieu of a propellant and/or pressurized container.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 23, 2009
    Date of Patent: January 21, 2014
    Assignee: The Procter & Gamble Company
    Inventors: John Geoffrey Chan, Lawrence Edward O'Brien
  • Patent number: 8622103
    Abstract: A transferable insert for organizing the interior of a bag includes a pair of side walls, a pair of end walls and a bottom wall substantially continuously interconnected so as to define an interior storage compartment, a first and second expansion panel each being operatively moveable between a collapsed position and an expanded position to conform to the width of the interior of the bag, a first and second expansion fastener structured and disposed for holding the respective first and second expansion panels stowed in the collapsed position, and a plurality of pouches within the interior storage compartment for holding and positioning a plurality of objects therein in an organized arrangement. A releasable fastener on each of the pair of end walls may be used for releasably holding one of the pair of end walls in a gusseted position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 21, 2012
    Date of Patent: January 7, 2014
    Assignee: Pursen, LLC
    Inventor: Hardeep Melamed
  • Publication number: 20130343675
    Abstract: A bag assembly that includes a bag portion that includes a front wall, a back wall, a bottom wall and first and second side walls that all cooperate to define an open top and an interior, and a bladder disposed in the bag portion. The bag portion includes a first flap that extends from the back wall and a second flap that extends from the front wail.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 22, 2012
    Publication date: December 26, 2013
    Applicant: NINJA JUMP, INC.
    Inventor: Rouben Gourchounian
  • Publication number: 20130320026
    Abstract: The present invention is directed, in part, to an apparatus and methods related to an expandable storage tank for compressed gas, the storage tank prepared from a puncture resistant, flexible fabric material in which the storage tank is expandable to a desired volume when inflated and when deflated. During periods of non-use the storage tank is retracted in a compact and folded manner to save space compared to when the tank is inflated. The storage tank is utilized by employing its use in conjunction with a traditional air compressor and can be configured with or without a rigid outer shell that expands in relation to the amount of compressed air transferred into the expandable storage tank.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 4, 2012
    Publication date: December 5, 2013
    Inventor: Paul Cruz
  • Patent number: 8590574
    Abstract: A gas stop structure capable of repeated inflation and deflation is provided, which includes: a plurality of outer films; a gas chamber area, formed of the plurality of outer films and including a buffer portion and a gas storage portion; a gas stop valve, located between the plurality of outer films, in which a part of the gas stop valve is exposed beyond the plurality of outer films; and a warp portion, connected the buffer portion and the gas storage portion. When a gas tube is placed inside the gas stop valve to inflate the gas chamber area with gas, a height of the inflated gas storage portion is greater than that of the buffer portion to form a sectional difference, so the gas storage portion bends towards the buffer portion to seal the warp portion. After inflation, the gas tube is removed and the gas stop valve is sealed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 23, 2011
    Date of Patent: November 26, 2013
    Assignees: Air-Bag Packing Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Bo-Xin Jian, Chieh-Hua Liao, Yaw-Shin Liao
  • Patent number: 8568029
    Abstract: The presently disclosed subject matter relates generally to mailers for shipping objects, and more particularly to mailers comprising an outer pouch and an inner inflatable liner and an inflation pathway through which a portion of gas can be introduced into said inflatable liner.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 5, 2009
    Date of Patent: October 29, 2013
    Assignee: Sealed Air Corporation (US)
    Inventors: Charles Kannankeril, Ian Donegan
  • Patent number: 8448813
    Abstract: An expandable and collapsible cooler includes: a base defining a bottom portion of the cooler; an upper rim defining an upper portion of the cooler; and a collapsible cooler wall extending between and attached to the base and the upper rim and surrounding an interior storage space of the cooler. The cooler wall includes a flexible elastomeric membrane that includes a plurality of hinge lines at which the membrane is configured to bend such that the membrane is transitional between a collapsed configuration and an expanded configuration. The cooler is transitional between an expanded configuration and a collapsed configuration by bending of the membrane along the hinge lines. Each configuration is a stable configuration of the cooler. The collapsible cooler wall includes peripheral portions thereof that nest within each other when the collapsible cooler wall is fully collapsed. The collapsible cooler wall tapers in extending from the upper rim.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 5, 2010
    Date of Patent: May 28, 2013
    Assignee: M & C Innovations, LLC
    Inventors: Matthew Alexander Vanderberg, Daniel Lee Bizzell
  • Publication number: 20130129259
    Abstract: An automatically retracting cushioning device includes a first air cylinder sheet, comprising a plurality of first air cylinders; a second cylinder sheet, in air communication with the first cylinder sheet, and comprising a plurality of second air cylinders; and a third air cylinder sheet, in air communication with the second air cylinder sheet, and comprising: a plurality of third air cylinders; and a plurality of retractable blocks, positioned on one end of the plurality of third air cylinders, and retracting the plurality of third air cylinders; wherein the third air cylinder sheet and the second air cylinder sheet are bent toward the first air cylinder sheet, allowing the third air cylinder sheet and the first air cylinder sheet to be approximately perpendicular to the second air cylinder sheet, thereby clamping an article.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 11, 2012
    Publication date: May 23, 2013
    Applicants: Yaw-Shin LIAO, AIR-BAG PACKING CO., LTD.
    Inventor: Yaw-Shin LIAO
  • Patent number: 8424699
    Abstract: An expandable and collapsible cooler includes: a base defining a bottom portion of the cooler; an upper rim defining an upper portion of the cooler; and a cooler wall extending between said base and said upper rim and surrounding an interior storage space of the cooler. The cooler wall includes inner and outer collapsible walls that extend from the upper rim. The inner collapsible wall also includes an integral bottom wall. Each collapsible wall includes a flexible elastomeric membrane having hinge lines at which the membrane is configured to bend such that the membrane is transitional between collapsed and expanded configurations. The membrane preferably is formed from silicone rubber.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 5, 2010
    Date of Patent: April 23, 2013
    Assignee: M & C Innovations, LLC
    Inventors: Matthew Alexander Vanderberg, Daniel Lee Bizzell
  • Patent number: 8419278
    Abstract: A check valve includes two valve films of synthetic resin that put one on the other, and an air passage defined by two seal sections formed by means of bonding parts of the valve films together. A compression bag and air compression bag equipped with this check valve are also provided. An inlet of the air passage is defined by a straight line linking the respective upward flow side end sections of the seal sections. An outlet of the air passage is defined by a straight line linking the respective downward flow side end sections of the seal sections. In at least one of the seal sections, the valve films are not bonded together at the line of extension of the seal section, situated on the downward flow side of the downward flow side end section of the seal section.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 8, 2010
    Date of Patent: April 16, 2013
    Inventor: Kazuya Tanaka
  • Publication number: 20130048529
    Abstract: A cushioning air bag with automatically adjustable clamping pressure includes an air cylinder sheet and an adjustable air sac sheet, where the air cylinder sheet includes a first air valve and a plurality of air cylinders, one end of the first air valve is positioned in the plurality of air cylinders, and an adjustable air sac sheet, includes a plurality of cushioning adjustment zones attached to wall surfaces of the plurality of air cylinders, a bag is formed when the air cylinder sheet and adjustable air sac sheet are filled with air, an accepting space is included among the plurality of cushioning zones positioned in the bag, used for clamping a different size of object when the object is received in the accepting space.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 10, 2012
    Publication date: February 28, 2013
    Inventors: Yaw-Shin LIAO, Kao-Hsiung Liao, Ting-Yu Liao
  • Publication number: 20130037538
    Abstract: An inflatable, reusable cargo containing and protecting device suitable for use in shipping, inflatable by compressed air. A plurality of air chambers forms the exterior frame of the container. The air chambers may comprise material that is formable, pliable, foldable, abrasion resistant, and which can be used to form airtight structures. A high strength, foldable, pliable material in a webbed or solid format forms the interior. The non-rigid material may be stitched, epoxied, chemically welded, or otherwise attached to the air chambers. A user may store a large number of the devices in a deflated and folded state, requiring only minimal space. When required, the devices are inflated, packed and shipped. At the receiving end, the devices may be deflated and folded for storage or return, either way taking advantage of the low weight and small volume required.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 18, 2012
    Publication date: February 14, 2013
    Inventor: Peter Dahlquist
  • Patent number: 8372507
    Abstract: End user filled protective packaging with self-sealing air bubbles includes a first bubble layer, a second bubble layer and a air channel layer. The first and second bubble layers are sealed together to form a plurality of bubble chambers. A plurality of bubble cells are formed in each bubble chamber by extending a plurality of air flow sealing lines. An air flow channel is formed between the second bubble layer and the air channel layer. One end of a cross air fill passage communicates with the air flow channel and the other end communicates with a fill opening in the second bubble layer. Air flows into each cross air flow passage and through the fill opening to inflate the bubble chamber. Inflation of the bubble chamber causes the plurality of air flow sealing lines to seal the cross air fill passage and prevent deflation of the bubble chamber.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 14, 2012
    Date of Patent: February 12, 2013
    Assignee: Ivex Protective Packaging, Inc.
    Inventor: Larry C. Gess
  • Patent number: 8371446
    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.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 10, 2009
    Date of Patent: February 12, 2013
    Inventor: Michell C. Tschantz
  • Patent number: 8371093
    Abstract: An air packaging device includes two layers of thermoplastic films, which form a sealable space where air is filled after first and second steps of heat-sealing process. The sealable space includes a number of independent sealed air chambers and a main air passage channel. The main channel has an air inlet. Each sealed air chamber is connected with the main channel by at least one one-way valve each including at least two layers of plastic films. At least two one-way valves are installed inside of the air chambers. This air packaging device increases the cushioning protection where the protection is most needed, but can reduce air chamber dimension at less important locations in order to reduce the volumetric size and, hence, reduce the shipping cost.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 29, 2011
    Date of Patent: February 12, 2013
    Inventors: Jiaying Zhang, Yaopeng Zhang
  • Patent number: 8360641
    Abstract: An air bag includes two inner sheets facing each other, heat resistance materials located between the two inner sheets and applied to any one inner sheet in its length direction, two outer sheets located outside the two inner sheets, a second thermal bonding line thermally bonding the inner and outer sheets along the heat resistance materials, a first thermal bonding line thermally bonding the two outer sheets with gap from the second thermal bonding line to form an air input channel, and third thermal bonding lines extending from the second thermal bonding line oppositely to the channel to form air pillars, at least two heat resistance materials being continuously formed over the pillars, an air injected through the channel being introduced into the pillars between the two inner sheets, and the two inner sheets positioned in the pillars being adhered and pressed to any one outer sheet by an inner pressure of the pillars.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 18, 2008
    Date of Patent: January 29, 2013
    Assignee: INDIS AIR Corp.
    Inventor: Sung Jun Kim
  • Publication number: 20130008939
    Abstract: A reusable satchel comprising a receptacle composed of a durable material and having at least one opening for inserting contents into the receptacle, the receptacle having at least two retaining slits the retaining slits being positioned such that a sheet inserted through each retaining slit acts as a closure to the opening.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 22, 2011
    Publication date: January 10, 2013
    Inventor: James Griffin
  • Patent number: 8348060
    Abstract: An air enclosure is provided. An air filling passageway for filling air into the first and second air cylinders is formed between two inner films. A plurality of first air cylinders and at least one second air cylinder are formed between two outer films. The second air cylinder includes an upper section, a middle section, and a lower section. The upper section, middle section, and lower section are isolated from each other. At least one tiny tube, connected with the upper and lower section is disposed at the middle section. The air is filled into the first air cylinders, as well as the upper section and the lower section, while the middle section remains flat. Because second air cylinder includes expanded upper section, lower section, and flat middle section, an accepting space with different shapes can be formed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 3, 2012
    Date of Patent: January 8, 2013
    Inventors: Chian Hua Liao, Yao Sin Liao, Bo Xin Jian
  • Patent number: 8328017
    Abstract: Breachable product container 10 is formed by first lamina 10B and opposed second lamina 10C selectively pressed together. Perimeter seal 10S extends around the perimeter of the container. Product chamber 12P and inflatable breaching bubble 12 are between the selectively pressed opposed laminae, within the perimeter seal. Product 16 is contained within the product chamber. Inner divider 14D extends between the product chamber and the breaching bubble. Transfer passage 14 through the inner divider permits inflation of the breaching bubble in response to moderate pressure applied to the product chamber during an extended inflation period. Breaching edge 12E forms part of the perimeter seal around the breaching bubble. The breaching edge provides an edge breach by separating the opposed laminae along the breaching edge in response to substantial pressure applied to the breaching bubble during a brief breaching period.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 2, 2007
    Date of Patent: December 11, 2012
    Assignee: PopPack, LLC
    Inventor: William S. Perell
  • Patent number: 8323774
    Abstract: A machine which inflates and seals pillows in packaging is compact in overall size, can be conveniently operated to produce varied lengths of strips of inflated pillow-type packaging as needed, can begin production of inflated pillow-type strip packaging immediately after being held out of a production cycle for some period of time, and applies a heated sealing element directly to and in sliding contact with a web of film to securely seal the inlet port of an inflated pillow while the pillow is under pressure and as the web of film is continuously and uninterruptedly advanced through the machine.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 12, 2011
    Date of Patent: December 4, 2012
    Assignee: Free-Flowing Packaging International, Inc.
    Inventors: Andrew Perkins, Olivert M. Reyes, Philipp Borchard, Nicholas P. De Luca
  • Publication number: 20120298229
    Abstract: An inflatable shape maintenance device is provided to maintain the shape of a handbag or purse by first inserting it into a void space within the handbag or purse while being substantially deflated or partially inflated. Then a gas is introduced into the inflatable shape maintenance device until it is at a desired turgidity, whereby a desired shape (form) of the handbag or purse is restored and/or maintained. The turgid inflatable shape maintenance device remains within the handbag or purse during times of storage. Then when use of the handbag or purse is desired the valve is opened and the gas contained with the inflatable shape maintenance device is passively or actively evacuated to decrease turgidity thereof. Once a sufficient volume of gas has been removed from the inflatable shape maintenance device, it may then be removed from inside of the handbag or purse.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 27, 2011
    Publication date: November 29, 2012
    Inventors: Michelle Ann Weinfeld, Adam Bryce Weinfeld
  • Patent number: 8317046
    Abstract: A cooler includes a base; an upper rim; and a collapsible wall extending between the base and the upper rim. The cooler wall is capable of transitioning between a fully collapsed configuration and a fully expanded configuration and is stable in each configuration. Additionally, in transitioning between the fully collapsed and fully expanded configurations, the cooler transitions to at least one intermediate configuration in which the cooler is in a stable state and may be used. The collapsible wall preferably comprises a flexible membrane that is configured to be collapsible between three or more stable states, and preferably is formed from silicone.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 11, 2009
    Date of Patent: November 27, 2012
    Assignee: M & C Innovations, LLC
    Inventors: Matthew Alexander Vanderberg, Daniel Lee Bizzell
  • Patent number: 8272510
    Abstract: An inflatable structure generally includes a valve formed between a pair of edge portions and an internal edge portion formed of a flexible film such that an enclosed chamber of the inflatable structure substantially envelops the internal edge portion. The valve and remainder of the inflatable structure can be formed from a single piece of flexible film using a method of manufacturing an inflatable structure from a continuous web of flexible film. A corresponding inflation device fills the inflatable structure with air and may do so without requiring heat sealing or contact between the inflatable structure and outlet of the inflation device. The inflation device may include a mechanical registration device which can engage an optional locator aperture in the inflatable structure such as to assist in temporarily locating the outlet of the source of pressurized air proximate to the valve in the inflatable structure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 22, 2008
    Date of Patent: September 25, 2012
    Assignee: Sealed Air Corporation (US)
    Inventors: Shawn Michael Frayne, Paul Chudy
  • Patent number: 8251215
    Abstract: An inflatable device with air bag includes an air bag, two first assembly portions and two second assembly portions. The two first assembly portions are respectively fastened at two sides of the air bag, and the two second assembly portions are respectively fastened at another two sides of the air bag. The two second assembly portions correspond to the two first assembly portions. Thereby, by utilizing the assembly portions to repeatedly assemble the air bags, the dimension of the inflatable device with air bag is quickly expanded to a proper size to wrap the objects with different sizes. It prevents the object from being impacted, and achieves the waterproof effect and the moisture-proof effect. A packaging method by using the inflatable device with air bag is also disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 22, 2009
    Date of Patent: August 28, 2012
    Inventor: Pi-Fen Lin
  • Patent number: 8210352
    Abstract: A block strengthening air enclosure comprises a plurality of air cylinders, a plurality of nodes disposed on the plurality of air cylinders to allow the plurality of air cylinders to be bended along the plurality of nodes to form an accepting space, and at least one sheet positioned in the accepting space and attached onto a bended part of the plurality of air cylinders. After the plurality of air cylinders are filled with air and expanded, the accepting space can then be used for accepting an article, and the pat or block of the plurality of air cylinders needed to protect is strengthened through the sheet. Whereby, the air cylinders can be prevented form being piecing through and broken by a part of the article such as a projecting face, angle or edge; the production cost can be reduced, more kinds of articles can be accepted in the accepting space and the use convenience can be elevated.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 21, 2007
    Date of Patent: July 3, 2012
    Inventors: Chieh-Hua Liao, Yaw-Shin Liao, Bo-Xin Jian, Yao-Chuan Liao
  • Patent number: 8186514
    Abstract: A protective case for a portable electronic device combines a first side panel, a second, transparent side panel opposite the first side panel, and a peripheral side panel that is connected to both the first and second side panels. The second, transparent side panel is formed of first and second transparent layers that are bonded together to form a panel having a plurality of uniform, trapped-gas cells, each one fully sealed from all other cells. The transparent side panel enables full visibility of the contents of the case while providing cushioning for the contents. The first side panel also provides cushioning.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 13, 2009
    Date of Patent: May 29, 2012
    Assignee: Samsill Corporation
    Inventor: Andrew Christian Bowers
  • Publication number: 20120096802
    Abstract: A method includes inflating one or more inflatable bags from a first evacuated condition within an attic space to an inflated condition. The inflatable bags are configured such that when they are in an evacuated condition, they take up a relatively small space in the attic space to be ventilated. In the inflated condition, however, the bags have a cumulative volume much larger than the cumulative volume of the bags when in the evacuated condition, and make up a desired fraction of the volume of the attic space to be ventilated. When the bags are inflated from the evacuated condition to the inflated condition, they displace a volume of atmosphere equal to the difference between the cumulative volume of the bags in the evacuated condition and the cumulative volume of the bags in the inflated condition.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 26, 2010
    Publication date: April 26, 2012
    Inventor: Michael Davenport
  • Patent number: 8157096
    Abstract: A foldable air cushion includes a main air tube piece composed by a main body and buffer walls; and side air tube pieces configured adjacent to the main air tube piece and each composed by a side body and folding portions. A bending line is configured between the main body and the buffer walls, and the side body and the folding portions. A folding line is configured between the main air tube piece and the side air tube pieces, while the folding areas are configured on the side air tube piece adjacent to the intersection of the bending line and the folding line. When the main air tube piece is bended along the bending line, the side bodies of the side air tube pieces are folding along the folding areas, and the side air tube pieces are folded along the folding line, a containing space will be formed between the main air tube piece and the side air tube pieces.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 11, 2006
    Date of Patent: April 17, 2012
    Inventors: Chian Hua Liao, Yao Sin Liao, Bo Xin Jian
  • Patent number: 8152418
    Abstract: Embodiments provide an apparatus and methods for providing a nonlabor-intensive process for preventing backfill entering, or environmental factors eroding, a cavity formed in the ground. Preventing cavity degradation involves constructing a chemically-inflatable bag that separates two or more chemical reactants by creases and cylindrical coils formed in the chemically-inflatable bag. The creases typically act as watertight releasable seals that separate the chemical reactants while the cylindrical coils resist unintentional compromise of the releasable seals. However, the cylindrical coils are designed to give way upon the user applying an unfurling action on the chemically-inflatable bag; thus, furnishing a passageway for the chemical reactants to intermix and initiate a chemical reaction. The chemical reaction produces carbon dioxide as a by-product, which expands the chemically-inflatable bag from a collapsed condition to an inflated condition.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 16, 2009
    Date of Patent: April 10, 2012
    Assignee: Stemlock, Incorporated
    Inventors: Sanford S. Jenkins, Thomas S. Jenkins
  • Patent number: 8136990
    Abstract: The invention is an inflatable mailer having a liner that can be inflated at the point of use. The liner includes a series of inflatable chambers that are in fluid communication with a common channel. A controlled volume of gas is disposed in the liner. The gas is sufficient to inflate the common channel but is not sufficient to appreciably inflate the inflatable chambers. As a result, the inflatable mailer is in a relatively compact state. The invention includes an apparatus for inflating the mailer. The apparatus includes a nip for moving the controlled volume of gas into the common channel; an inflation nozzle adapted to pierce the inflated common channel and introduce a second portion of gas into the liner until the liner is inflated to a desired level; and a sealing device to seal the inflated liner.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 27, 2009
    Date of Patent: March 20, 2012
    Assignee: Sealed Air Corporation (US)
    Inventors: Vincent A. Piucci, Michael J. Schamel, Walter C. Sadakierski
  • Patent number: 8123035
    Abstract: A shock-absorbing package is disclosed. The shock-absorbing package includes a package body defining a pocket into which the object being packed is received and a pocket opening. A cover is provided to close the pocket opening, and includes a cover air pocket for added protection against shock and for ensuring the pocket opening to remain closed. The cover air pocket is inserted into a hole provided on the package body in such a manner the cover air pocket when inflated with air remains in engagement with the hole so as to keep the cover in the closed position. The object may be taken out from the package by deflating the cover air pocket thus allowing the cover to be released from the closed position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 31, 2010
    Date of Patent: February 28, 2012
    Assignee: Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Jin Sik Won
  • Patent number: 8102258
    Abstract: An apparatus, methods and computer program product, and system are described that enable a first subset of actuatable cushioning elements for a first time period, enable a second subset of actuatable cushioning elements for a second time period, determine an event, and actuate, based on a time the event is determined, at least one of the first and the second subsets of actuatable cushioning elements to provide cushioning support for an object. Other example embodiments are also provided relating to actuatable cushioning elements.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 21, 2006
    Date of Patent: January 24, 2012
    Assignee: The Invention Science Fund I, LLC
    Inventors: Roderick A. Hyde, Edward K. Y. Jung, Royce A. Levien, Robert W. Lord, Mark A. Malamud, John D. Rinaldo, Jr., Lowell L. Wood, Jr.
  • Patent number: 8083105
    Abstract: A flexible fluid delivery system comprising a fluid bladder having a first inlet and a first outlet, the fluid bladder configured to contain liquid, an inflatable compartment capable of being pressurized by inflation and having a second inlet, the inflatable component being formed adjacent to the fluid bladder, such that the fluid bladder and the inflatable component are integrated to form a pressurized fluid reservoir, a seam element formed in the fluid bladder and the inflatable component of the pressurized fluid reservoir, the seam element being capable of controlling the shape of the pressurized fluid reservoir, a pump associated with the second inlet of the inflatable compartment, the pump being configured to inflate the inflatable component of the pressurized fluid reservoir, and a valve operatively coupled to the first outlet of the fluid bladder, the valve being capable of releasing the liquid contained in the fluid bladder.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 6, 2009
    Date of Patent: December 27, 2011
    Inventors: Lucas C. Reichert, Gabriel G. Reichert, Toby Hazelbaker
  • Publication number: 20110305409
    Abstract: A self-supporting bladder that can be installed into existing storage tanks, particularly into underground storage tanks and a method of forming a double walled tank using the same. This self-supporting bladder serves as the inner wall, utilizing the existing tank as the outer wall of a double wall system, or can provide a double wall system such as through the use of an insert placed in the bladder.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 15, 2011
    Publication date: December 15, 2011
    Inventor: David D. Russell
  • Patent number: 8042662
    Abstract: A trunk able to fix articles in position includes a trunk body and a cover connected together and respectively provided with an air bag in an interior. The trunk body has one outer side formed with an accommodating groove installed therein with an inflation apparatus provided with an inflating pipe communicating with the air bags. In using, the air inflation apparatus is taken out of the accommodating grove and then pressed or trodden for pumping air into the air bags through the inflation pipe to let the soft air bags expand and fill up the space in the trunk body. Thus, the inflated air bags can function to press and restrictedly position the articles stably in the trunk and also protect the articles in the trunk from being moved, bumped with each other and damaged.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 9, 2009
    Date of Patent: October 25, 2011
    Inventor: Kuo-Pao Su
  • Patent number: 8038348
    Abstract: The present application relates to fluid filled pouches arranged in a row. The fluid filled units comprise elongate, heat sealable, face and back layers that are jointed together at a side edge, and by transverse seals to form pouches. The pouches are filled with fluid and are sealed at a split edge, defining fluid filled units. The fluid filled units can be separated along transverse lines of weakness. The transverse lines of weakness are defined by perforations, including perforations nearest the split edge that are shorter in length than perforations that are spaced further from the split edge and extend toward the side edge.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 31, 2006
    Date of Patent: October 18, 2011
    Assignee: Automated Packaging, Systems, Inc.
    Inventors: Hershey Lerner, Dana Liebhart
  • Patent number: 8021734
    Abstract: An inflatable or gas-filled insulation panel comprises an envelope having two outer sheets sealed together along edges of the sheets and at least one of the sheets has an outer reflective surface. The envelope encases a plurality of internal films that include a polymeric film having a plurality of reflective stripes disposed thereon and spaced apart on the films. Seals are formed along the gaps or areas between the reflective stripes on the films by application of heat and pressure, which causes the films to seal to each other and the outer sheets at spaced apart intervals. A channel is formed between the outer edges of the films and the outer sheets, and a valve, disposed at an end of the panel, is in fluid communication with the channel for the injection of a fluid, such as an inert gas or air, to inflate panel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 28, 2008
    Date of Patent: September 20, 2011
    Assignee: FI-Foil Company, Inc.
    Inventors: William A. Lippy, Addric E. Bassham, Douglas F. Kinninger, Craig T. Price, Robert L. Swanson
  • Patent number: 8016110
    Abstract: An air packaging device includes two layers of thermoplastic films, which form a sealable space where air is filled after first and second steps of heat-sealing process. The sealable space includes a number of independent sealed air chambers and a main air passage channel. The main channel has an air inlet. Each sealed air chamber is connected with the main channel by at least one one-way valve each consisting of at least two layers of plastic films. At least two one-way valves are installed inside of the air chambers. This air packaging device increases the cushioning protection where the protection is most needed, but can reduce air chamber dimension at less important locations in order to reduce the volumetric size and, hence, reduce the shipping cost.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 8, 2009
    Date of Patent: September 13, 2011
    Inventors: Jiaying Zhang, Yaopeng Zhang
  • Publication number: 20110211774
    Abstract: An air packaging device includes two layers of thermoplastic films, which form a sealable space where air is filled after first and second steps of heat-sealing process. The sealable space includes a number of independent sealed air chambers and a main air passage channel. The main channel has an air inlet. Each sealed air chamber is connected with the main channel by at least one one-way valve each including at least two layers of plastic films. At least two one-way valves are installed inside of the air chambers. This air packaging device increases the cushioning protection where the protection is most needed, but can reduce air chamber dimension at less important locations in order to reduce the volumetric size and, hence, reduce the shipping cost.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 29, 2011
    Publication date: September 1, 2011
    Inventors: Jiaying Zhang, Yaopeng Zhang
  • Patent number: 7992601
    Abstract: A cut hole type air lock valve is disposed in an air chamber formed by allowing two outer films to be adhered to each other by means of hot sealing. A part of rims of both inner films folded together are adhered to each other and several portions of rims thereof are formed to be air inlets in the cut hole type air lock valve. Furthermore, the air inlet is connected to an air passageway between the inner films, and at least one cut hole is disposed on the inner films beside the air passageway. When outside air flows into the air passageway via the air inlet and is filled in an air chamber via the cut holes, the air chamber is caused to fill with air and inflate, and air inside air chamber thrusts the inner films so as to block the air passageway to cause the air to be locked.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 1, 2007
    Date of Patent: August 9, 2011
    Inventors: Chian Hua Liao, Yao Sin Liao, Bo Xin Jian
  • Publication number: 20110187028
    Abstract: The present disclosure relates to flexible, three-dimensional injection blow molded or injection stretch blow molded liners for use in overpacks, bottles, containers, etc. and methods for manufacturing the same. A method for manufacturing a liner may include injecting a polymeric material into a preform mold die to form a preform, blow molding the preform to form the liner, collapsing the liner and positioning the liner in an overpack, and inflating the liner. A fluoropolymer may be used for the preform. A liner may comprise a flexible body that substantially conforms to the interior of an overpack and a fitment port integral with the flexible body. The flexible body may be adapted to be removably inserted into the overpack by collapsing the flexible body, inserting the flexible body into the overpack, and re-inflating the flexible body inside the overpack. The flexible body may comprise a fluoropolymer and may comprise multiple layers.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 2, 2008
    Publication date: August 4, 2011
    Inventors: Joseph Menning, Kirk Mikkelsen
  • Patent number: 7972063
    Abstract: A beverage insulator as described herein may comprise a generally hollow body having an interior space, wherein the interior space is adaptable to receive at least a portion of a beverage container, and a compartment disposed exteriorly of and in fluid communication with the interior space. The interior space and the compartment may be in fluid communication with each other via a valve or other suitable conduit. The interior space may be sized and shaped complementary to a beverage container such that when the beverage container is inserted into the interior space, the compartment is inflated with air or other fluid. Alternatively, a valve may be configured to receive a tube through which a user may blow air or other fluid in order to inflate the compartment. The inflated compartment insulates the beverage container and its contents.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 20, 2007
    Date of Patent: July 5, 2011
    Assignee: Quarter Moon Properties, LLC
    Inventor: Mark A. Barsalou
  • Publication number: 20110150367
    Abstract: A method and an apparatus to prevent items from shifting in a luggage or a container when moving or traveling are disclosed. The method and apparatus also protects fragile items from getting broken when the luggage or container is transported.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 25, 2011
    Publication date: June 23, 2011
    Inventor: Jean Marcel Ribaut
  • Patent number: 7959002
    Abstract: An air enclosure with multilayer different kinds of substrates comprises an air cylinder sheet, at least one air chamber, at least one air entering passageway and a sheet body in which the air cylinder sheet comprises an air filling passageway; the chambers is positioned at one side of the air filling passageway and used for providing an article with the cushioning protection; the air entering passageway is connected to the air filling passageway and the chambers and outside air in the air filling passageway enters the air chamber via the air entering passageway to allow it to be filled with air and expanded; and the sheet body is closely attached onto one side of the air cylinder sheet and used for preventing the air cylinder sheet from being pierced through to damage.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 1, 2007
    Date of Patent: June 14, 2011
    Inventors: Chian Hua Liao, Yao Sin Liao, Bo Xin Jian, Yao Chuan Liao