GB2347662A - Protective packaging - Google Patents

Abstract

A protective covering for an item such as a car window 4 comprises a pair of opposed flexible walls, each wall comprising an outer layer 12a, 12b, which includes two sheet portions 14a, 14b, 16a, 16b defining a chamber in which granular material is held, and a resiliently yielding inner layer 6a, 6b. A vacuum can be applied to the chambers via tubes 20a, 20b. The sheet portions of the chambers may have part-spherical projections, Figures 2-4. The inner layers 6a, 6b may comprise walls 9a, 9b interconnected at spaced locations 11a, 11b to define intercommunicating spaces 8a which can be inflated via tubes 10a, 10b. The protective covering may be in the form of a pouch closed by a flap (16c, Figure 5) at one end.

Description

PROTECTIVE COVERING The invention relates to a pcotactie covering which can be brought in a shape-retaining state, comprising at least one chamber to be brought under vacuum, the space between the opposite flexible walls thereof being filled with granular elements Such a covering is known in itself from the international PCT application WO 87/06209.

Of such a covering, shown in this publication in fig. 6-9, the chamber, to be pressurized and which is filled with the granular elements is interconnected with a chamber in which a vacuum is to be created : the two chambers share a common dividing wall.

The invention aims to obtain with such a known covering a better protection. According to the invention it is proposed that the chambers of the first kind are independent of same of the second kind, the chambers of the second kind, which are to be pressurized, surround a subject to be protected and are themselves surrounded by the chambers of the first kind.

As a result of these measures the inner chambers which are to be pressurized not only have the opportunity to adapt a position and shape which is independent of same of the outer chambers, but will also surround and protect the subject resiliently. Thus an optimal protection is obtained.

In a preferred embodiment an outer chamber contains two opposite plastics base sheeets with, protruding therefrom, elements with decreasing cross-section. Preferably these elements are part-spherical.

In a preferred embodiment an outer chamber accommodates two opposite pairs of spacing matrices with spheres therein between.

It is, when the inner chamber has substantional dimensions, favorable when the flexible walls thereof are interconnected at discrete positions.

A covering destined for accommodating a plate-shaped subject, is preferably provided with a cushion along the outer circumference of the outer chambers. The claimed protecting covering which can be brought into into a shape retaining state comprising chambers of a first kind, filled with granular elements and in which a vacuum is to be created, and chambers of a second kind, to be filled with a gaseous medium, characterized in that the chambers of the first kind are independent from the chambers of the second kind, the chambers of the second kind, to be filled with a gaseous medium, surround a subject to be protected and are themselves surrounded by the chambers of the first kind.

The invention will now be elucidated on the basis of the drawings. In the drir : fig. 1 is a longitudinal cross-section through an embodiment, particularly for the protected accommodation of a car window ; figures 2-4 are cross-sections through possible embodiments of the chambers ; en fig. 5 is a perspective view of a complete covering.

The embodiment of the Frotrtixe covering 2, shown in fig. 1 in longitudinal section, is particularly destined for the protected accommodation of a car window 4. The shown embodiment comprises two inner chambers, denoted with reference numerals 6a and 6b, to be pressurized and such an inner chamber has in the shown embodiment a number of adjacent spaces, denoted with 8a far the chamber 6a and with 8b for the chamber 6b. The whole is thus formed in the way of an air mattress ; the respective outer walls 9a, 9'a and 9b, 9'b respectively are interconnected at a number of positions lla, llb. These air spaces of the inner chambers 6a, 6b are interconnected with the tubes 10a, 10b via which the inner chamber 6a, 6b can be pressurized. Of course one or more suitable one-way valves an/or closing valves can be used.

The inner chambers 6a, 6b are enclosed by the outer chambers 12a, 12b in which a vacuum is to be created. These comprise a flexible inner wall 14a, 14b and a flexible outer wall 16a, 16b.

The spaces between these walls, are in the drawing shown by a known in principle from the prior art, filled with granular elements. Via the tubes 20a, 20b, vacuum can created in the outer chambers 12a, 12b. Of course here, too, one or more suitable one-way valves and/or normal valves will be provided.

Along the circumference of the thus obtained entity an elastic cushion 22 is provided.

When the inner chambers 6a, 6b are pressurized they will closely enclose the subject 4 and when there is a vacuum in the outer chambers 12a, 12b, the granular elements therein will lie closely packed against each other, such as known from the prior art, and will follow the outer contours of the inner chambers 6a, 6b. The car window 4 is now totally protected between the rigid outer chambers 12a, 12b and the inner chambers 6a, 6b.

Fig. 2a shows an upper view and fig. 2b a side view of a possible embodiment of a filling for the outer chambers.

These outer chamber fillings of which there will be at least two, in an outer chamber lying on each other, comprises an upper matrix 30a and a lower matrix 30b, each made up from crossing longitudinal elements of which the horizontal ones are denoted in the drawing with reference numerals 32a for the upper matrix 30a and 32b for the lower matrix 30b, while the vertical elongated elements are in the figure denoted with 34a for the upper matrix and 34b in the lower matrix. The space enclosed by these elongated elements accommodated small spheres 36. These spheres can be attached to the elongated elements but it is'also possible to use a number of connecting pieces which connect the upper matrix 30a to the lower matrix 30b, as denoted with 38, and they will be provided at suitable places such that the spheres will be enclosed between the two matrices 30a and 30b.

When vacuum is created in the outer chambers the sphares will come to lie packed inbetween each other, forming a rigid entity and bringing about the aimed effect.

Fig. 3 shows in cross-section a possible embodiment of a filling for the outer chambers 12a, 12b. In fig. 3 reference numerals 50a, 5Ob denote the respective walls of such a chamber (thus the walls which, in fig. 1, are denoted with 14a, 16a, 14b, 16b respectively) while reference numerals 52a, 52b denote a plastics base comprising the half-spheres 54a, 54b, being formed integrally therewith. When a vacuum is created between the outer walls 50a, 50b, the spheres will take a position as shown in fig. 3, in such a way that always each inbetween space between spheres of the one layer is filled by a half-sphere of the opposite layer.

Fig. 4 shows in cross-section a filling such as can be used for the outer chambers 12a, 12b. This filling starts from the product which is marketed under the name"Zweiwandgewebe"by the German firm of GIRMES AG, Grefrath, Germany. It comprises two opposite flexible sheets of a fabric, said sheets being interconnected at regular distance by bundles of wires, being crosswise to the surfaces thereof. The invention now proposes to fill the space between these walls with individual elements, for instance plastics granules, and use the product thus obtained as a filling for the outer chambers 12a, 12b. In fig. 4 60a, 60b denote the flexible walls of such an outer chamber (thus corresponding with the walls 14a, 16b and 14b, 16b respectively), while both the walls of the"Zweiwandgewebe"are indicated with 62a, 62b. The individual wire bundles, which determine the distance between the walls, are indicated with 64.

Such an entity, denoted with 66, is filled with plastics granules 68 and, as said, enclosed between the walls 60a, 60b.

When the outer walls of this"Zweiwandgewebe"are air-tight (for instance by carrying a suitable coating) then, possibly, the inner and outer walls 14a, 14b ; 16a, 16b can be omitted.

It is also possible to use such a"Zweiwandgewebe"- provided that the outer walls thereof are air-tight-as inner chambers, in that case, of course, no filling with particles is to be used.

It is clear that within the scope of the invention many modifications are possible. For instance it is possible to provide the inner chambers with longitudinal adjacent air chambers while it is also possible to use provisions for creating in the space, enclosed by the inner chambers, a certain environment (for instance a filling with a dry inert gas) or to provide in this space elements which maintain therein a constant predetermined temperature.

Fig. 5 shows in perspective view a complete practical embodiment of a protecting covering according to the invention, particularly destined for covering a car window. Here are shown the front wall 16a of an outer chamber and part of the rear wall 16a, also of an outer chamber ; this rear wall 16a extends into a flap 16c which can be fixed by means of Velcro tape (not shown).

Furthermore the cover 17 is shown ; behind this cover there is a connector with a one-way valve via which vacuum can be created in the outer chambers. The inner chambers are pressurized by means of the flexible conduit 19.

Using suitable materials a very handy product is obtained.

Claims (7)

CLAIMS :

1. Protective covering capable of retaining its shape, comprising at least one chamber which, in use, is brought under vacuum, the space between the opposite flexible walls (14a), (14b), (16a), (16b) thereof being filled with granular elements, characterised by two such, opposite, chambers (12a), (12b) used as outer chambers, which in combination enclose two, resiliently yielding inner chambers (6a), (6b), in such a way that the space between the two inner chambers (6a), (6b) can accommodate a subject to be protected.

2. Covering according to claim 1, characterised in that an outer chamber (12a) or (12b) contains two opposite plastics base sheets with, protruding therefrom, elements with decreasing cross-section.

3. Covering according to claim 2, characterised in that the elements are part-spherical.

4. Covering according to claims 1-3, characterised in that an outer chamber (12a) or (12b) accommodates two opposite pairs of mesh-shaped spacing matrices with spheres therebetween.

5. Covering according to claims 1-4, characterised in that the two flexible walls (14a), (16a) or (14b) (16b) of the inner chamber (6a) or (6b) are interconnected at discrete positions.

6. Covering according to claims 1-5, to be used for protecting a plate-shaped subject, characterised by a cushion (22) provided along the outer circumference of the outer chambers.

7. A covering substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to and as illustrated in the accompanying drawings.