초록 ▼

The invention is an inflatable self sealing valveless fluid or gas container useable for a wide variety of applications including cushioning, package filler, mattresses, rafts and the like. The container is formed from one or more inflatable self sealing elements, each inflatable element being forme

The invention is an inflatable self sealing valveless fluid or gas container useable for a wide variety of applications including cushioning, package filler, mattresses, rafts and the like. The container is formed from one or more inflatable self sealing elements, each inflatable element being formed from a pair of inflatable cells. Each cell is formed from an inner and outer sheet of thermoplastic or other impermeable material, the sheets being sealed together at boundaries which define the inflatable cell. The inner sheets of each cell in the pair are sealed together such that the boundaries of the seal define a fill channel through which fluid or gas may pass between the cells. Apertures in the inner sheets of both cells within the fill channel allow fluid or gas to pass from the fill channel into both cells to cause inflation. Upon the cells being inflated to capacity, internal gas pressure and lateral stretching forces cause the inner sheets of the cells to come into contact, which causes the fill channel to close, thereby isolating the apertures from the external environment and effectuating the self sealing action of the container. The container may further be created using arrays of such self sealing elements that can be individually inflated or inflated from a single source feeding a common manifold.

대표청구항 ▼

[ We claim:] [1.] A fluid container comprising at least one self sealing inflatable element, each element comprising:(a) first and second inflatable cells, each cell comprising an outer and inner layer of fluid impermeable material sealed together such that the seal between the outer and inner layer

[ We claim:] [1.] A fluid container comprising at least one self sealing inflatable element, each element comprising:(a) first and second inflatable cells, each cell comprising an outer and inner layer of fluid impermeable material sealed together such that the seal between the outer and inner layers defines boundaries of each inflatable cell, the inner layer of the first and second cell being sealed together to form a pair of cells;(b) a fill channel between the pair of cells defined by the seal between the inner layers of the first and second cells, said channel having an opening such that fluid may be injected through the opening into the fill channel and said seal between the inner layers of the first and second cells defining the fill channel being separate from and inward of the seals defining the boundaries of each cell in each pair of cells; and(c) a first and second aperture within the fill channel spaced from the opening, said first aperture being formed in the inner layer of the first cell, said second aperture being formed in the inner layer of the second cell, such that fluid injected through the opening into the fill channel may pass through the apertures to inflate the inflatable cells, the fill channel being forced to close as the cells are inflated, thereby effectuating a self sealing action by preventing fluid from exiting or entering the cells.