Abstract: A self-closing and self-sealing valve device for use with inflatable structures. The valve device comprises a pair of relatively flat plastic sheets which are disposed over one another in facewise engagement, and form an air inlet end and air outlet end, the latter of which is disposed in the inflatable structure. The valve is constructed by providing two longitudinal heat seals in proximity to the longitudinal margins of the pair of plastic sheets or strips. An adhesive zone is formed interiorly of the two longitudinal heat seals and causes a self-closing and self-sealing of the valve device. The adhesive zone further precludes any sealing of the two sheets in the adhesive zone during longitudinal sealing operations since sealing will not occur with the presence of the adhesive. In this way, since the two sheets are adhesively secured to one another, there is no back flow from the inflatable and deflatable structure outwardly of the structure even under low pressure condition.

Abstract: An inflatable package is adapted to be formed into a packaging system for retaining an item formed with a pair of inner panels defining an item-receiving zone. Each of a pair of outer panels overlies a respective one of the inner panels to form an inflatable chamber. Overlying edge portions of each respective pair of inner and outer panels are secured together along all overlying edge portions, and overlying edge portions of the inner panels are secured together along at least two substantially parallel edge portions so that the inner panels remain unattached to each other along at least one section to allow insertion of the item into the item-receiving zone. The inflatable chambers are at least partially inflated with a filler medium through an inflating valve.

Abstract: A package envelope is provided with a plurality of interconnecting wall panels defining a plurality of expansion chambers which are inflatable to a predetermined pressure. At least one item-receiving zone is defined between at least one juxtaposed pair of the expansion chambers. The package includes means for releasably encapsulating an item within the item-receiving zone such that the item is supported against substantial lateral and rotational movement relative to the envelope even when the expansion chambers are not inflated to their predetermined pressure. A valve may be included for selectively controlling the flow of a filler medium, such as air, therethrough and into and out of the expansion chambers. When inflated, the expansion chambers substantially surround an item contained within each item-receiving zone.

Abstract: An inflatable package adapted to be formed into a packaging system for retaining an article therein is formed with a pair of overlying inner panels defining a pocket therebetween adapted to retain an article therein and an inflating portion for communicating through the overlying inner panels. A pair of outer panels is provided, each outer panel overlying a respective one of the inner panels and each outer panel being associated with a different one of the inner panels to form an inflatable chamber therebetween. Overlying edge portions of the inner and outer panels are secured together, except at one side of the package where only overlying edge portions of each respective pair of the inner and outer panels are secured together and the inner panels remain unattached to each other to expose the pocket and inflating portion. The inflatable chambers are at least partially inflated with a filler medium which is communicated to the inflatable chambers through the inner panels within the inflating portion.

Abstract: An improved packaging system comprises several modifications of an inflatable package utilizing pressurized air to protect and cushion products for shipment. The improvements consist of novel flexible pouches, designed to fit corrugated shipping cartons, wooden crates and steel of molded plastic shipping containers. The product is inserted or placed within the perimeters of a support means such as a carton or box and pressurized air is injected into adjacent compartments in the bag to suspend or hold a product in a protected manner.

Abstract: A continuous, two-ply thermoplastic film material, sealed in a manner that forms superimposed panels into individual, inflatable bags that are repeated and separable, individually or in groups of bags, forms a continuous packaging material. The material can be cut or torn from preformed rolls to a desired size to over-wrap a product with an air cushion. Valves are sealed into the material at repeated locations to allow air insertion at any location or to allow a primary air chamber to feed any length of pre-sealed bag material that can be sectioned and filled with air at the same time. The invention also allows wrapping of a product first, without air, and insertion of the wrapped product into a carton or box with provision for inflating the wrapping to conform tightly to the product, inside the carton or box. The wrapping material can be recycled either as a reusable, inflated wrapper or made of biodegradable plastic materials to minimize environmental damage.

Abstract: A flexible, inflatable packaging device is adapted to enclose and protect an article during shipping and the like. The packaging device has an inlet valve for selectively admitting air to inflate the packaging device to protect an enclosed article against rough handling during shipping and the like and an aperture that can be selectively sealed to retain the inflation air or unsealed to release the inflation air to deflate the packaging device to enable removal of the article from the packaging device and compact storage of the packaging device before and after shipping. The packaging device can be inflated and deflate a plurality of times, thereby enabling reuse of the packaging device for shipping a plurality of articles in succession.

Abstract: A packaging system includes an outer bag having an inner bag suspended therein to define an expandable chamber between the bags and one either side of the inner bag. When the chamber is charged with a filler medium, such as pressurized air, the outer bag will inflate to suspend the inner bag at a fixed position therein. The inner bag defines a pocket adapted to receive and retain an article, prepackaged therein.

Abstract: A packaging system comprises a first bag portion defining an inflated first chamber and a second bag portion defining an inflated second chamber with the bag portions overlying each other to define a pocket therebetween having an article compressed and retained therein. The bag portions are pivotally connected together at a rearward side of the system and overlying edge portions of the bag portions are heat-sealed together at opposite lateral sides of the packaging system. The frontal side of the packaging system is open to permit insertion of the article into the pocket whereafter the packaging system is preferably inflated with a pressurized fluid, such as air, to compress superimposed panels of the bag portions against the article to retain it within the pocket.

Abstract: A packaging system comprises a first bag portion defining an inflated first chamber and a second bag portion defining an inflated second chamber with the bag portions overlying each other to define a pocket therebetween having an article compressed and retained therein. The bag portions are pivotally conected together at a rearward side of the system and overlying edge portions of the bag portions are heat-sealed together at opposite lateral sides of the packaging system. The frontal side of the packaging system is open to permit insertion of the article into the pocket whereafter the packaging system is preferably inflated with a pressurized fluid, such as air, to compress superimposed panels of the bag portions against the article to retain it within the pocket.

Abstract: A packaging system includes an outer bag having an inner bag suspended therein to define an expandable chamber between the bags and one either side of the inner bag. When the chamber is charged with a filler medium, such as pressurized air, the outer bag will inflate to suspend the inner bag at a fixed position therein. The inner bag defines a pocket adapted to receive and retain an article, prepackaged therein.

Abstract: A packaging system comprises a rolled-up bag generally assuming a spiraled configuration and defining an inflatable chamber therein adapted to be at least partially filled with a filler medium, such as pressurized air. A pouch is secured on the bag for retaining an article within the confines thereof. The bag is adapted to be pre-placed within a closeable box and the article then placed in the pouch, or, alternatively, the article can be placed in the bag, the bag rolled-up and then placed in the box. The bag is then inflated to at least substantially encapsulate and support the pouch and article within rolled-up portions of the bag.

Abstract: A method for forming an inflated gift wrapping includes the insertion of a gift or other item into an open-end of an envelope, at least partially inflating the envelope with an inert gas and thereafter completely sealing the envelope. The envelope is thus formed into an inflated gift wrapping, preferably composed of a pair of overlying panels that are heat-sealed together about their perimeters. In a preferred embodiment of this invention, the packaged item is inserted into a first open-end of the envelope, the first end of the envelope is heat-sealed, the envelope is pressurized with the inert gas through a second and opposite open end thereof, and then the second end of the envelope is heat-sealed to form a fully closed and sealed wrapping.