DE2845798A1 - SUSPENSION DEVICE - Google Patents

Description

Patent attorneys Dipl.-T.mg. H. Weickmann, Di? L.-Phys. Dr. K. Fincke

Dipl.-Ing. F. A-Veickmann, Dipl.-Chem. B. Huber

. inc. η. L ₁ SKA _c 284579.8

8000 MUNICH 86, DEN 2 Q, Qkt 1Q78

PO Box 860820

MÖHLSTRASSE 22, CALL NUMBER 98 39 21/22

DSP / cb

MARION F. RUDY
19ool Vintage Street Northridge, Calif. 91324 / USA

Cushioning device.

The present invention relates to a device for protecting products or objects, in particular a cushioning device that has compliant chambers, which are filled with a gaseous medium and act to protect objects and products, so that a Damage to the same is prevented.

There have been proposed packaging materials, which by hot-bonding air-containing chambers between Plastic films are manufactured to provide cushioning protection for products during their handling and their Transport, especially their shipping, to achieve. The chambers are separate or separate and individual or discreet, they are usually either cylindrical or spherical in shape and contain air under atmospheric pressure. the

909817/0932

Films are usually non-elastomeric and consist of laminates made up of several "film layers, with one or Several of these layers consist of barrier or intermediate material (such as PVDC Saran), and furthermore one or more of the other layers are heat-bondable (the term "heat-bondable" is used in the context of the present description and claims as an abbreviation for the terms "heat-sealable, heat-sealable, heat-sealable "used).

Consisting of thin film, as a single layer (not layered) existing elastomeric films have been virtually unsuitable for use as a cushioning material proved because these films have relatively high gas diffusion rates or velocities for most gases. With Gas-filled chambers will "flatten" in an unacceptably short period of time if there is any pressure differential Nature between the gas in the enclosure and the surrounding atmosphere. if the chambers are formed, for example, by inflating the film used for this purpose and making it elastic then they will lose about 50% of their original volume in about 1 to 4 weeks from the date of the Manufacture, and in about 6 months the chambers will be essentially flat. Layered films are only on Edges are heat-bondable, and they have relatively poor physical properties apart from those films whose Prohibits use for reasons that are far too high. Barrier films that have low diffusion rates for most gases are used to prevent air from being forced out of the chambers when external loads act for long periods of time, or when the material is exposed to elevated temperatures is exposed.

In the present products, the chambers are preformed

909817/0932

and then only partially inflated, so that in this way, to some extent, wrinkled, unpressurized Envelopes are formed which allow expansion and contraction of the contained gas, so that the cushioning product can be transported in airplanes or otherwise used without it becomes excessively inflated and tears. A kind of "a well-known." Cushioning device is described in U.S. Patent 3,589,037.

Because in the existing cushioning devices thin, layered Barrier-type material is used, the cushioning material will fail by tearing when the internal pressure in each chamber exceeds about 0.21 to 0.28 atmospheres. As it is difficult to use layered .Barrier material To be hot-bonded, the welding points with which foils are connected to one another to form a unit are weak and these welds worsen with age or temperature. Accordingly, cushioning devices available heretofore can only absorb limited permanent loads. For example, a load of 73.23 χ lo ~ kg / cm is often given as the maximum. In addition, these are the dynamic loads (shock loads) that these cushioning devices face can resist without tearing or losing air, considerably limited. As a result as a result, the use of cushioning devices is normally only light on the protection of products Weight restricted, such as instruments, electronic components, and the like.

Attempts have also been made to find cushioning devices available to be used in areas other than packaging, for example for elastic, shock-absorbing Insoles or insoles in shoes, for cushioning material -as a substitute for foam in boots, for pole-

909817/0932

Sterungen for sports equipment, and the like .. These attempts are however, it has not been successful because of the fragile nature of the material and limit strength of the welds, as well as because of the fundamental difficulty of large changes in volume caused by changes in height caused.

The present invention provides an improved, permanently inflated cushioning device which which is made of high strength, fatigue resistant elastomeric material that has a high structural strength or structural strength and the ability to withstand high continuous loads and large impact loads, has, as well as a very good resistance to repeated application of extreme cyclical loading in connection with strong bending.

Furthermore, an elastomeric cushioning device is created with the invention, which has a plurality of separate and has separate chambers, which are inflated with gas, and in which changes in atmospheric pressure as well as temperature variations, apart from rupturing individual pneumatic chambers or cells an increase in the gas pressure within the chambers and small changes in their volume, with the cushioning device is durable, durable, stable and reliable and has a long shelf life or useful life owns.

In its general aspects, the cushioning device comprises According to the invention, a pair of elastomeric, permeable films (this term is used in the context of the present application summarizing for the terms "foil, plate, board, sheet, strip, layer or other flat material" used), which at desired intervals with each other

909817/0932

Are connected airtight, so that interconnected or separate chambers are formed, the partial or entirely with a gas or mixture of gases up to a predetermined pressure which is atmospheric or a pressure above atmospheric pressure can be filled or inflated. The selected gas or the selected gases has or have very low diffusion rates or velocities through the permeable films for the Outside space or to the environment of the chambers, while the surrounding Air has a relatively high diffusion rate or velocity through the foils into the chambers, so that it has a Increase in the total pressure generated in the chambers, resulting from the addition of the partial pressure of the air in the chambers to the partial pressure of the gas or gases therein. Although the pressure of the gas or gases initially was introduced into the chambers at a very slow rate because of the Diffusion of this gas or these gases through the elastomeric films can decrease, the ambient air diffuses more easily through the foils into the chambers so that they increase the total pressure in the chambers above the initial inflation pressure of the gas or gases in the chambers. This total pressure in the chambers can be over an extended period of time decrease away, but still remains above the initial inflation pressure for a long period of time Gases, and there is only a very slow loss of pressure over an additional extended period of time during the the cushioning device is still effective, so that it still fulfills its cushioning and shock absorption function.

The cushioning device can also be provided for other applications than within the cushioning area. The. The facility can be designed as a sports floor mat, it can be shaped so that it can serve as a lifebuoy, or they can be in the form of handles for vibrating

909817/0932

Tools are trained, or as a transport or shipping pallet or loading grate, in which case it is provided between two rigid parts.

Other devices with which the invention can be practiced or in which the invention can be applied Such devices are capable of intermittent exposure are exposed, such as permanently inflated pillows or cushions as well as permanently inflated Cushioning, storage, buffering or the like. To replace foam cushions in upholstered furniture. When a person sits or lies on such a device, then some air in the chambers diffuses out of the latter outside, but when the load is removed, the air is replaced by the air that enters the cushioning chambers diffuses back, which automatically causes their re-inflation is effected and the same are brought into a state in which they are the next loading period be able to endure in a reasonable manner. Other applications of the cushioning device according to the invention are further given below.

The present invention has many other advantages and advantages can also be used for other purposes, as can be seen in particular from several exemplary embodiments, which realize the principles of the invention, results. These embodiments, which are shown in the figures of the drawing In principle, are shown in more detail below for the purpose of explaining the general Principles of the invention, which, however, do not apply to these exemplary embodiments is limited, described; show it:

Fig. 1 shows a Aufsieh.auf a part of a suspension or Shock absorbing device according to the invention;

909817/0932

FIG. 2 shows a section along the line 2-2 of FIG. 1 it can be seen that the cushioning device is made from a thin elastomeric film material and has spherical chambers inflated to a relatively high pressure;

3 shows a view of a cushioning device corresponding to FIG. 2, those made from a thicker, higher modulus or higher compression stiffness elastomer material can be made and has spheroidal chambers;

Fig. 4 is a plan view of another embodiment of a Cushioning or shock absorbing device;

Figure 5 is a section along line 5-5 of Figure 4;

6 is a plan view of a further embodiment of a Cushioning or shock absorption device;

FIG. 7 shows a section along the line 7-7 of FIG. 6; FIG.

8 is a plan view of yet another embodiment of a cushioning or shock absorbing device according to the invention, which can also serve as a seal or sealing ring;

Figure 9 is a section along line 9-9 of Figure 8; FIG. Io shows a section along the line lo-lo in FIG. 8; FIG.

11 is a graph showing the automatic pressurization illustrates the elastomeric chambers due to back diffusion of air into the chambers; and

12 shows a graph which is similar or similar

909817/0932

2845788

as is the graph of FIG. 11 and the pressure increase due to the automatic pressurization of the elastomers Chambers illustrates with different mixtures of air initially introduced into the chamber and other gas.

In the embodiment of the invention according to FIGS. 1 and 2, a section or part of a cushioning device Io shown there is formed from two foils 11, 12 made of elastomeric material , which are provided with circular welds 13 (for example by high-frequency hot joining techniquesi, see above that separate, individual spherical chambers 14 are formed which are partially inflated by means of a gas which has a low rate of diffusion through the material from which the elastomeric sheets are made. Those shown in FIG spherical chambers result in that thin, elastic material films or foils 11, 12 are provided and inflated to relatively high pressures are inflated to substantially the same pressure as the chambers shown in Figure 2, spheroidal e or spherical or flattened spherical chambers 14a. The spheroidal chambers can also be formed from the thinner films shown in FIG. 2, provided that the chambers are inflated to pressures lower than those used in the FIG. 2 chambers.

According to FIGS. 4 and 5, two sheets 11a, 12a are made of elastomer material welded to one another at circular points 13a, so that the chambers are spaced apart by these points arranged from each other and each chamber surrounded by these places will. In a way of producing the product according to FIGS. 4 and 5, the upper film 11a is initially vaknramformed before welding so that cylindrical chambers

903817/0332

mern 14b achieved with hood-like ends. While that If the vacuum is still acting, the upper foil and the lower one Foil welded to one another in the illustrated circular pattern 13a. The desired gas to be filled becomes then introduced into the chambers so that those illustrated in FIG cylindrical KaKnaerforMen are formed.

In the manufacture of the suspension device, which is in the 6 and 7, upper and lower sheets, and upper and lower sheets 11b, 12b, respectively, become in one square welding pattern 13b glued together or made to adhere to each other, so that spheroidal resp. spherical or flattened spherical chambers 14c are generated. This square backpack in the white area has a smaller one Total welding area than the circular, spherical design according to FIGS. 1 and 2, so that a more complete and more uniform pneumatic support surface is achieved.

In the manufacture of the suspension device according to FIGS. 8, 9 Hind Io are the welds 13c in a rectangular Pattern is provided, as can be seen from FIG. After pressurization, each chamber 14d is elongated, as shown in FIG. 9, and it has a circular cross-section as can be seen from Fig. Io.

The elastomer materials that are used to form the cushioning device can be used, should preferably have certain characteristics. One characteristic is one excellent hot connectability through a wide variety of facilities, especially through the use of dielectric Hot bonding techniques. In this way, high-strength welds, of high completeness or integrity can be achieved by which the foils are attached to each other and the Dauerbeanspmichungen of high levels can withstand, as well as lengthy cyclical

909817/0932

changes in loads and load reversals that occur under strong dynamic load conditions. A second characteristic concerns suitable physical properties of tensile strength, tear strength or elongation strength, Young's modulus and tension relaxation (creep). A third characteristic is very low permeability against selected inflation gases / vapors (hereinafter sometimes referred to as "super gas"), however, fairly high permeability for air (N "and 0_).

Another important factor in the cushioning devices is the group of special gases / vapors that are used in the Inflating the slides or films can be used. These gases / vapors are in a class of their own because they are extremely low Have diffusion rates or velocities through the special elastomer materials because they are very large Have molecules and very low solubility coefficients. These gases are inert, non-polar, of uniform / symmetrical, spherical, spheroidal (flattened or stretched) or symmetrically branched molecular form. They are non-toxic, non-flammable and non-corrosive against metals. They are excellent dielectric gases and liquids, they have high electronic levels Attachment and trapping ability, and they exhibit remarkably reduced diffusion rates all polymers, elastomers and plastics (solid or solid film).

If the special gases are used, envelopes made of these special elastomer materials are to inflate, then it is possible for the cushioning device to maintain the initial inflation pressure for a very long time Maintain periods of time without any noticeable loss of pressure. This is called "permanent" inflation. The "permanent" inflation is a consequence of the inflation

909817/0932

The interaction of two important factors: (1) The extreme low permeabilities of the super gases, combined with (2) the phenomenon of "self-pressurization".

Many tests were performed over a 5 year period which the very low diffusion rates or velocities of the super gases through typical elastomer films have confirmed. The tested super gases were mostly gases / vapors from the following group: hexafluoroethane, sulfur hexafluoride, Perfluoropropane, perfluorobutane, perfluoropentane, perfluorohexane, perfluorheptane, octafluorocyclobutane, Perfluorocyclobutane. Hexafluoropropylene, tetrafluoromethane, Monochloropentafluoroethane; 1,2-dichlorotetrafluoroethane; 1,1,2-trichloro-1,2,2-trifluoroethane, Chlorotrifluoroethylene, bromotrifluoromethane ,. Monochloro if luormethane and monochlorodifluoromethane. The preferred gases / vapors are hexafluoroethane and sulfur hexafluoride.

Typical foils or films that were tested were mostly from the group of the following materials: polyurethane, Polyester, elastomer, fluoroelastomer, chlorinated polyethylene, polyvinyl chloride, chlorosulfurized polyethylene, polyethylene / Ethylene-vinyl acetate copolymer, neoprene, butadiene-acrylonitrile rubber or rubber, butadiene styrene rubber or rubber, ethylene propylene polymer, natural rubber or rubber, high-strength silicone rubber or rubber, low-density polyethylene, adducted rubber or rubber, sulfide rubber rubber, methyl rubber or rubber, butyl rubber or rubber and thermoplastic rubber or rubber. That preferred material is polyurethane.

Most of the tests were carried out at relatively high pressures (I, 4o6 atü) executed to the diffusion rate or speed of the super gases to speed up and thereby make the tests conservative. In many of the tests, the pressure in the chamber exceeded

909817/0932

The initial inflation pressure is still achieved after 2 years of testing. In all tests, the pressure decrease was extremely slow. At relatively low inflation pressures of some 4.3942 χ

-3 2 -3 2

This could be Io kg / cm up to some 7o.3 χ Io kg / cm Time can be stretched or lengthened by at least five times (from 2 years to 10 years). Also rose in all Tests the pressure actually appears noticeably above the initial inflation pressure during the first 2 to 4 months of testing. This pressure rise phenomenon is called "self-pressurization".

Self-pressurization is the result of the low permeability of the special films or foils with reference to or in connection with their resistance to the pressure of the Super gases, in conjunction with the much higher permeability of the special films or sheets for passage of air through them. The air in the natural atmospheric environment that the inflated chambers surrounds, diffuses into the chambers until the partial pressure of the air inside the chambers equals the partial pressure outside of the chambers (i.e. 1.03341 kg / cm absolute). The total pressure within each chamber is equal to the sum of the Partial pressure of the air plus the partial pressure of the super gas. Since essentially nothing of the super gas diffuses outwards, on the other hand, while the air is entering, there is a pressure rise of about 1.03341 kg / cm within an enclosure of constant volume made from one of the elastomeric materials is possible.

Fig. 11 is a graph showing the pressure increase in an actual elastomer enclosure; which is typical of the new packaging or cushioning device, this confinement initially with one of the super gases, as, for example, with Freon 116, was brought to a pressure of o, o7o3 atm. As you can see, there was pressure

S09817 / 0932

after 6 weeks increased from o, o7o3 atm to o.45695 atm (curve 1). This is a pressure increase of 65o%, even in spite of the fact that during the test the envelope was stretched and its volume increased by about 40 % . If the volume had remained constant, then the total pressure would have risen to 1.06856 atm with this particular super gas, as curve 2 illustrates.

When the cushioning device is used for packaging materials, each pressurized chamber is inflated to operate at low pressures, normally less than 0.1406 atmospheres. Therefore, it is necessary to mitigate the pressure increase that occurs due to the self-pressurization. This can be done by inflating the chambers with mixtures of air and super gas. As curve 1 in FIG. 12 shows, a mixture of 25 % super gas and 75% air in the elastomer chamber or enclosure leads to a pressure increase from 0.07o3 atm to only 0.15466 atm. The pressure rise in a constant volume enclosure containing 25-75 %, 50-5o%, and 10o-0 % mixtures of super gas and air is also illustrated in FIG.

A further reduction in the pressure rise can be achieved in that the pressure chambers at their initial Inflation can not be inflated to the full, unused volume, but only so that it is immediately after are in a wrinkled state after inflation. If the pressure increase occurs due to the self-pressurization, then the chamber volume expands and the pressure of the super gas falls. The point of this measure is that the The partial pressure of the super gas falls and the design pressure is reached exactly at the point when the chamber is completely is inflated. The ambient air goes through the elastomer film into the chamber to increase the pressure in the chamber.

909817/0932

i ·

This means that the partial pressure of the air becomes the partial pressure of the super gas is added and a total pressure is created that is above 0 atm. However, that stretches Volume of the chamber because it is initially wrinkled and the stretching continues when self-pressurization continues until the final volume of the chamber is reached. It takes several weeks to get stable State and the desired final internal pressure has been reached, which is, for example, 0.03515 atmospheres. The inward one Diffusion of the ambient air until it is stable Condition is referred to herein as "aging".

At the end of aging, the pressure in the chamber settles out of the

2 Pressure of air at atmospheric pressure (I, o3341 kg / cm absolute) plus the partial pressure of the super gas. Of the The partial pressure of the super gas increases and keeps the overpressure in the chamber above atmospheric pressure above O. If if there were no super gas in the chamber then it would contain 100% air and the device would not function appropriately or properly. During their application, the air would be released by the application of loads Chamber would be squeezed out and the cushioning device would flatten out, insofar as barrier materials would not have been used to construct them, as is the case with other packaging materials. Accordingly, the super throttle is the device has its permanent inflation characteristics, and the device must have a sufficiently large percentage of super gas included in the mixture so that it can be used properly throughout its useful life functions. Consequently, the pressure in the device must be at least slightly higher than atmospheric pressure, where the specific pressure depends on the design loading conditions or the intended loading conditions. From a manufacturing standpoint, it is desirable to fill the chambers with gases at atmospheric pressure.

909817/0932

This can happen because of the self-pressurization phenomenon. After the manufacture is completed, the Pressure through the self-pressurization automatically during the aging process by the desired amount over the atmospheric pressure increases.

As mentioned above, it is a relatively small percentage of super gas within the device, which gives it its permanent inflation characteristics and enables the Device can be used for extremely long periods of time under heavy load without significant Pressure loss occurs. Using minimal amounts of super gas and maximal amounts of air reduces costs the cushioning device. The optimal amount of super gas depends on the cycle. Heavy loads require higher ones Concentrations of super gas.

The above relationships explain the fact that the cushioning device when a load it is brought into action, something is compressed and the pressure of both gases, namely the super gas and the air, increases enough to support the load. Since the pressure of the air is now above of atmospheric pressure, it can gradually diffuse out of the chambers under load. The super gas does not diffuse out. As long as the load is applied acts, the air continues to slowly diffuse out of the chambers and the chambers slowly open smaller volumes are compressed, which increases the pressure of the super gas. The sum of the partial pressure of the air plus the partial pressure of the super gas is always sufficient to carry the load, with the air pressure falling and the super gas pressure increases. If the load is continuous and long enough (e.g. 3 or 4 months for normal load), then the final state is reached in which the partial pressure of the air is reduced as much as possible.

309817/0932

2
den is, ie at 1.03341 kg / cm absolute (atmospheric pressure). The super gas pressure is then at its maximum value. The diffusion process has stabilized and gas no longer diffuses out.

When the load is removed, the "self-pressurizing ' ^JI phenomenon occurs and the air diffuses inwardly so that the pressure of the chambers returns to the original value under the no-load condition. The cushioning device possesses hence a self-compensating and self-restoring characteristic.

In normal use, loads are generally not applied long enough to ultimately achieve the ultimate, to achieve the state described above. However, it is desirable that the device continue to continue to function properly, even under the worst of conditions, which is actually a "full." Emptying "or" emptying the chambers so far that the bottom is reached ". This ensures that that the chambers never "empty completely" or "the chambers are emptied so far that the bottom is reached ", the chambers should contain a sufficiently large percentage of super gas in the no-load condition that in the bad or unfavorable condition (when the air volume has been reduced as much as it was at all is possible) the chambers still contain an acceptable volume of gas.

The "self-recovery" or "self-inflation" ability the cushioning device is of great utility Advantage for devices that are loaded intermittently, such as permanently inflated Pillows and permanently inflated cushions, through the foam

909817/0932

Pillows in upholstered furniture can be replaced - In the air chambers only relatively small amounts of super gas are required in the air-super gas mixture in order to be supported under load achieve. While a person is sitting on a pillow or on an inflated piece of furniture or upholstered furniture, diffuses some air out, but when the load is removed (especially overnight) the air diffuses into the cushion or Pillow, which automatically inflates itself again, so that it is ready for the next load cycle.

The elastomer cushioning devices are caused by changes in height influenced. At high altitudes, the ambient pressure is low and the pressure difference between the pressures is low inside the chambers and the pressure outside them is much higher than at sea level. For products of the barrier material type prior art, which are flown in aircraft in which the cabins are usually at about When pressurized at a height of 1524 to 2438.4 m, the air chambers expand to a great extent and can rupture. at the elastomer products according to the present invention do not have any deterioration or deterioration in pressure rises the performance and mode of action, because of their outstanding physical properties and the greater completeness or integrity of the welds. When these cushioning devices in Are left at high altitudes, such as in Denver, Colorado, USA, then the air in the chambers soon diffuses outward and the product returns to its initial inflated condition. Bringing back leads in a corresponding manner the cushioning device to lower heights or at sea level to diffuse the ambient air back into the chambers.

Other uses of the cushioning device outside the field of industrial packaging are that it

909817/0932

is used as a cushioning member of light weight and great durability for shoes and boots, such as for example ski boots and shoe-like sport footwear such as hockey shoes, roller skates and Ice skates. The permanently inflated product is \ irird in appropriately shaped so that it surrounds the foot and lower leg as an improved cushioning member and in this way foam cushions in footwear, such as Boots, replaced. Another application of the cushioning device is that it can be used as permanent inflated tongue is used that fits over the instep portion of the foot.

The permanently inflated cushioning device can also be used as an insole or insole or as a boot lining , whereby the disadvantages of previously available products are overcome and a better elasticity, Shock absorption and greater insulation against cold is achieved. A structure of an insole or insole of the Applicant is in the US application, Ser.No. 83o 589, which on September 6, 1977 was filed or described and illustrated in the corresponding German patent application.

Another use of the cushioning device according to the present invention is that it can be used in the Functioning as door and window seals used, which instead of the extruded rubber or foam plastic strips, which are available in the state of the art can be used. After a certain period of use the foam is compressed and no longer seals, and it loses its shape and elasticity. However, this does not happen with seals that are manufactured according to the present invention and the from the long, narrow, rectangular chambers, which in the

909817/0932

8 to Io are shown, and this material can be cut in widths and lengths and connected to one another by folding or in any other way, as well as spliced or spliced together, as it is in accordance with the special sealing cases, which is required in each case.

The elastomeric cushioning devices of the present invention Invention can also be applied as a permanently inflated lining between the armor of a helmet and the head of the wearer. The shock absorption characteristic is highly beneficial for helmets such as those used in American football or motorcycling and used in similar activities. If these helmets are designed to be rigid (however lightweight) outer armor (i.e. an outer helmet shell, an outer helmet frame, or the like) with the permanently inflated liner, strong shock loads of over 1500 G to under 125 G can be dampened will. Tests were carried out on a motorcycle helmet in accordance with the procedures set out by US Tran sport department have been established. In these tests, a helmet is simulated with one inside Head dropped onto a hemispherical steel anvil from a height of approximately 8 feet. The provisions of the Transport departments require a peak surge that does not exceed 8oo G for 2 ms. The cushioned lining according to the present invention fulfills and exceeds this requirement with a substantial margin. So far is known, no other helmet has successfully met the requirements of the transport department.

In the same way, the cushioning device can be used as a Padding for sports equipment and "clothing" can be used, for example as football shoulder pads, kidney pads, Pure upholstery and as other upholstery in other sports,

909817/0 9 32

such as hockey, baseball and the like.

Briefly summarized with the invention are cushioning devices and / or cushioning products and objects are provided, and include these devices or the like elastomeric films which are connected to one another airtight at predetermined points, so that separate or separate and individual chambers are formed, or interconnected chambers that are initially partially or be fully inflated with gas or gases that have low diffusion rates or velocities from each chamber through the elastomeric films has, whose ambient air is more easily passed through the films into each inflated chamber diffuses, so that there is a total pressure therein which is equal to the sum of the partial pressure of the There is air in the chamber and the partial pressure of the gas or gases in the chamber. The air that diffuses into the chamber not only increases the total pressure therein above the initial inflation pressure of the gas or gases, but the Air in the chamber also prevents outward diffusion of the gas or gases from the chamber, or it compensates for any pressure loss caused by such outward diffusion of the gas or the gases.

909817/0932

Claims (22)

Claims Γΐ. Cushioning device that the air at atmospheric Is exposed to pressure, characterized by a sealed or with airtight connections provided · part (lo) made of elastomer material, which has a plurality of adjacent chambers (14, 14a to 14d) which are at least partially inflated with gas to a desired initial volume, the elastomeric material being the Has characteristics of relatively low permeability with respect to the gas, so that there is the diffusion of this gas out of the Chambers (14, 14a to 14d) withstood by the elastomer material, and relatively high permeability with respect to the ambient air, which surrounds this part (lo) so that there is a diffusion of the ambient air through the elastomer material in the inflated chambers (14, 14a to 14d) enables and leads to a total pressure in each chamber which is equal to the Sum of the partial pressure of the gas in each chamber and the partial pressure of the air in each chamber. 2. cushioning device according to claim 1, characterized in that the adjacent chambers (14, 14a to 14d) are individual and separate chambers. 3. cushioning device according to claim 1 or 2, characterized characterized in that the gas is selected from the following group: hexafluoroethane, sulfur hexafluoride, Perfluoropropane, perfluorobutane, perfluoropentane, perfluorohexane; Perfluorheptane, octafluorocyclobutane, perfluorocyclobutane, Hexafluoropropylene, tetrafluoromethane, monochloropentafluoroethane, 1,2-dichlorotetrafluoroethane, 1,1,2-trichloro-l, 2,2-trifluoroethane, Chlorotrifluoroethylene, bromotrifluoromethane and Monochlorotrifluoromethane. 909817/0932 ORIGINAL INSPECTED 4- cushioning "device according to claim 1, 2 or 3, characterized characterized in that the elastomeric material is selected from the group of the following materials: polyurethane, polyester elastomer, butylguitimi or rubber, Fluoroelastomer, chlorinated polyethylene, polyvinyl chloride, chlorosulfurized polyethylene, polyethylene / ethylene vinyl acetate copolymer, Neoprene, butadiene acrylonitrile rubber or rubber, butadiene styrene rubber or rubber, Ethylene propylene polymer, natural rubber or rubber, high-strength silicone rubber or rubber, lower polyethylene Dense, adducted rubber or rubber, sulfide rubber or rubber, methyl rubber or rubber and thermoplastic rubber or rubber. 5. cushioning device according to one of claims 1 to 4, characterized in that the gas under pressure is hexafluoroethane. 6. cushioning device according to one of claims 1 to 4, characterized in that the gas below Pressure is sulfur hexafluoride. 7. cushioning device according to one of claims 1 to 6, characterized in that the chambers (14) have a spherical shape or spherical shape. 8. cushioning device according to one of claims 1 to 6, characterized in that the chambers (14a, 14c) are spherical or spherical in shape. 9. cushioning device according to one of claims 1 to 6, characterized in that the chambers (14b) are generally cylindrical in shape. 10. cushioning device according to one of claims 1 to 6, characterized in that each of the cam- 909817/0932 mern (14c) a part of substantially square shape having. 11. Cushioning device according to one of claims 1 to 6, characterized in that each of the chambers (14d) has a part of rectangular shape. 12. Cushioning device according to one of claims 1 to 6, characterized in that each of the cam. mern (14d) has a portion of rectangular shape, some of these chambers (14d) are arranged offset with respect to the other of these chambers (14d). 13. discharge device according to one of claims 1 to 12, characterized in that the elastomer material is a polyurethane based ester. 14. Cushioning device according to one of claims 1 to 13, characterized in that the chambers (14, 14a to 14d) have partially collapsed when they are inflated to the initial value with the gas. 15. Cushioning device according to one of claims 1 to 14, characterized in that the part (lo) has two layers (11, 12; 11a, 12a; 11b, 12b) made of elastomer material, which are used to delimit the chambers (14, 14a to 14d) with one another at intervals provided at a distance from one another are connected airtight. 16. cushioning device according to claim 15, characterized g e mark e rejects that the layers (11, 12) in spaced apart circular welding areas are connected to one another airtight, so that these chambers (14) form spherical chambers when they are inflated. 909817/0932 17. cushioning device according to claim 15, characterized in that 'that the layers (11, 12) in one another spaced circular welding areas are connected to each other airtight, so that these Chambers (14a) form spheroidal chambers when they are inflated. 18. cushioning device according to claim 15, characterized in that; that the layers (11a, 12a) in spaced apart circular welding areas are connected to one another airtight, so that these Chambers (14b) form generally cylindrical chambers when they are inflated. 19. cushioning device according to claim 15, characterized in that the layers (11b, 12b) in weld areas located at a distance from one another are connected to one another airtight, so that generally hood-shaped Chambers (14c) are formed, each chamber having a portion at the weld area which is substantially has a square shape. 20. Cushioning device according to claim 15, characterized in that, indicates that the layers (lic, 12c) are in weld areas that are spaced apart from one another. (13c) with each other are airtightly connected so that generally arcuate chambers (14d) are formed, each chamber at the welding area has a portion of a substantially rectangular shape. 21. Cushioning device according to one of claims 1 to 2o, characterized in that the gas used for the initial inflation is diluted with air, so that an initial chamber inflation mix with the same is formed which has a pressure above "atmospheric pressure. 909817/0932 22. Cushioning device according to one of claims 1 to 21, characterized in that the ambient air diffused through the sealed or airtight connected part (lo) into the chambers (14, 14a to 14d) and the Pressure in these chambers increased above the initial value. 909817/0932