초록

Inflated packages custom-designed to meet the needs of a variety of packaging needs, package precursors (i.e., packages in an un-inflated state), and methods for forming package precursors and converting package precursors into finished packages. Nozzle and needle inflated embodiments are included.

대표청구항 ▼

1. A package precursor for an inflatable package comprising: a plurality of panels defined by inflatable and un-inflatable areas, wherein the panels have edges, the precursor having the form of an open box, the panels being foldable together to meet at respective edges to form said package in a box

1. A package precursor for an inflatable package comprising: a plurality of panels defined by inflatable and un-inflatable areas, wherein the panels have edges, the precursor having the form of an open box, the panels being foldable together to meet at respective edges to form said package in a box shape; andan inflation port that provides inflation fluid to the inflatable areas,wherein the inflation port includes an inlet area connectable to a source of inflation fluid for inflating the panels, wherein the inflation port is heat-sealable after inflation of the precursor, wherein the panels comprise first and second sheets defining outer walls of said inflatable areas, said first and second sheets respectively being multi-layered, the package precursor comprising a manifold containing said inlet area and said inflation port, said manifold extending along a length of one of said edges, said manifold being removable upon sealing said inflation port to leave said panels inflated. 2. A package precursor as defined in claim 1, wherein the panels include article receiving areas comprised of at least some of said un-inflatable areas, or comprised of separate inflatable areas within the panel forming a cushion for the articles. 3. A package precursor as defined in claim 2, wherein each cushion receives inflation fluid from its own inflation port. 4. A package precursor as defined in claim 2, wherein the article-receiving areas of the panels include top and bottom surfaces within the margins of surrounding inflatable areas, and wherein the article-receiving areas are configured to receive an article to be packaged between the top and bottom surfaces through an opening in the surrounding inflated areas, or wherein the un-inflated parts of the article-receiving areas have no top or bottom surfaces. 5. A package precursor as defined in claim 1, wherein the inlet area is configured to receive a needle through which the inflation fluid is provided, or wherein the inlet area is configured to receive the needle between the layers of polymer sheeting defining the inflation port. 6. A package precursor as defined in claim 5, wherein a layer of a polymer sheeting defining the inlet area is configured to be punctured by the needle, or includes a preformed opening through which the needle is inserted, or wherein the inflation port is configured to be sealed by an adhesive sticker over a needle-receiving opening or by a one-way valve, or by spot welding or by using a tire puncture-preventative material as the inflation fluid. 7. A package precursor as defined in claim 1, wherein a separate inflation port provides inflation fluid to each inflatable area, or an inflation port provides inflation fluid to more than one, but less than all the inflatable areas, or a single inflation port provides inflation fluid to all of the inflatable areas. 8. A package precursor as defined in claim 1, wherein the panels are arrayed longitudinally and transversely on the precursor, and said inflation port for the panels is connectable to a source of inflation fluid by the manifold on the precursor, and/or wherein adjacent panels are connected to manifolds located on opposite longitudinal edges of the precursor by separate inflation ports, or wherein the panels are connected in parallel to a source of inflation fluid by at least one connecting passage or are connected in series by passages between upstream and downstream panels, and/or wherein some of the panels are inflated to different pressures from other panels, or wherein the panels are arranged longitudinally on a flat sheet or a roll, and longitudinally adjacent panels are configured differently to form top and bottom covers for a packaged article. 9. A package precursor as defined in claim 8, wherein the connecting passages are inwardly tapered from their respective upstream ends toward their downstream ends, and/or, wherein the connecting passages vary in width from about 23-24 mm. at their upstream ends down to about 12-14 mm. at their downstream ends. 10. A package precursor as defined in claim 1, including one member of the group consisting of: un-inflated areas that are located and configured to form areas adapted to receive projections of a packaged article in a package formed by inflating the precursor; andinflatable areas on one side of the precursor that are staggered transversely or longitudinally relative to inflatable areas on an opposite side so that the inflated areas of the multiple packages interleave when placed in an outer container. 11. A package precursor as defined in claim 1, wherein the panel areas are comprised in two separate compartments. 12. A package precursor as defined in claim 11, wherein a single inflation port provides inflation fluid for inflating the two compartments. 13. An inflated package formed from a precursor as defined in claim 1, wherein the inflation fluid is one or more of argon, SF6, propane, butane, freons, hydro fluoro carbons (HFC), and a combination of fluids that react to form a foam. 14. A stack comprising a plurality of the package precursors of claim 1. 15. A precursor for an inflated package comprising: a plurality of inflatable areas defining panels in a package formed from the precursor, the inflatable areas defined between first and second sheets of said precursor, said first and second sheets respectively being multi-layered, the package having the form of an open box having edges, the panels foldable together to form a box shape; andone or more inflation ports connected to the inflatable areas and connectable to a source of inflation fluid, wherein adjacent inflatable areas are separated by un-inflated fold lines forming hinges along which the inflated panels can be folded to be at least partially wrapped around a packaged article, wherein the precursor comprises at least one manifold containing the one or more inflation ports, the at least one manifold extending along a length of one of the edges, the manifold being removable following sealing of the one or more inflation ports. 16. A package precursor as defined in claim 15, wherein the panels are self-folding after inflation. 17. A package precursor as defined in claim 15, wherein: panels are arranged transversely on the precursor, with hinges running longitudinally between panels, and longitudinally on the precursor, with hinges running transversely between panels; andwherein opposing edges of panels running longitudinally are folded to each other and bonded together when an inflated package is formed from the precursor, thereby forming the sides of a sleeve. 18. A package precursor as defined in claim 15, wherein the hinge areas and the inflatable areas are configured so that part of a package formed by inflation of the precursor is foldable to cover a corner of an article. 19. A stack comprising a plurality of package precursors for an inflatable package, each precursor comprising: a plurality of panels having edges and defined by inflatable and un-inflatable areas, the package precursor having the form of an open box wherein the panels are foldable together to meet at respective edges to form a box shape;a manifold; andan inflation port in said manifold that provides inflation fluid to the inflatable areas,wherein the inflation port includes an inlet area connectable to a source of inflation fluid for inflating the panels which inflation port is heat-sealable after inflation of the precursor, the manifold extending along a length of one of the edges, the manifold being removable after sealing to leave said panels inflated. 20. A package precursor as defined in claim 19, wherein said panels comprise two layers of polymer film, or an extruded polymer sleeve, or a single folded sheet of polymer film having bonds in selected areas to define margins of inflated areas. 21. A package precursor as defined in claim 20, wherein the film is comprised of multilayers of polyethylene and polyamide or polyolefin, and/or wherein one of the polymer layers includes an additive selected as defined in requirements of the article to be packaged, and/or wherein the additive provides anti-static properties or anti-corrosive properties or includes a preservative for perishable foods for a package formed from the precursor, and/or wherein the thickness of the polymer sheeting is in the range of about 25 to about 400 microns. 22. An inflated package comprising: a plurality of panels defined by inflated and un-inflated areas, the panels having edges and forming an open box shape that folds together to form said package as a box shape; andan inflation port that provides inflation fluid to the inflatable areas,wherein the inflation port includes an inlet area connected to a source of inflation fluid for inflating the panels, which inflation port is heat-sealed, the inflation port being part of a tab extending along a length of one of said edges.