GB2453750A

GB2453750A - Protective inflatable bladder with fingers for container

Info

Publication number: GB2453750A
Application number: GB0720281A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Robin John Beetge
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2007-10-17
Filing date: 2007-10-17
Publication date: 2009-04-22
Also published as: GB0720281D0

Abstract

A protective container 2 includes an inflatable bladder 4 having a plurality of inflatable fingers 10 that are constructed and arranged in use to extend into the interior of the container. A vent 11 is provided for inflating and deflating the bladder 4. Preferably the fingers 10 are constructed to increase in diameter and/ or length when inflated. The fingers 10 may extend from a base which includes first and second portions that are connected by a hinge element. The protective container 2 may have an outer shell element for protecting the external surface of the bladder 4. A pump may be provided for inflating the bladder 4.

Description

PROTECTIVE CONTAINER

The present invention relates to a protective container for fragile or breakable items.

In particular, the invention provides a protective container that may be used to protect items from damage during transportation, shipping or delivery by postal or other delivery services. Many applications of the protective container are envisaged: for example, containers according to the invention may be used for protecting large and easily damaged items, such as bicycles or musical instruments, during transportation, or for protecting fragile or delicate items such as porcelain or glassware while being shipped by delivery services. The invention is applicable both to long-term protective containers, that are intended for storing and protecting items such as cameras, computers and bicycles during use and while transporting those items, and also to temporary packaging that is intended to be used only while delivering goods to an end user.

Numerous kinds of protective container are already in common usage. These include rigid containers such as those used for transporting musical instruments that are shaped to fit the *::::* item to be transported and include a soft liner to cushion the item from impact. These * shaped containers are however relatively expensive and are only suitable for use with the S.....

* item for which they are designed. Other containers such as camera bags sometimes include S....

* S internal dividers that can be repositioned to accommodate different types of equipment.

These bags are however bulky and do not collapse significantly when empty.

Transportation bags for pedal bikes are intended for transporting partially dismantled bicycles and generally include two halves, one of which accommodates the wheels while the other accommodates the bicycle frame. These bags can be rolled up or folded when not in use, so that they do not occupy too much space, but they generally provide only a limited degree of protection for the enclosed bike during transportation.

Temporary packaging materials include cardboard boxes, which may be filled with foam rubber, expanded polystyrene chips or other filler materials. Such materials provide a relatively high degree of protection for the enclosed item, but they are not suitable for use in protective containers that are intended to be used on a permanent or repeated basis.

Other materials such as bubble wrap may be used, but again this material is intended only for temporary short-term use and it is not suitable for use in a permanent protective container. In addition, they may not provide adequate support for the enclosed item.

It is an object of the present invention to provide a protective container that mitigates at least some of the aforesaid disadvantages.

According to the present invention there is provided a protective container including an inflatable bladder having a plurality of inflatable fingers that are constructed and arranged in use to extend into the interior of the container, and vent means for inflating or deflating the bladder.

The inflatable fingers support and restrain an item placed in the container, and protect it from damage. They can surround suitably-shaped items so that when the fingers are inflated the item is embedded within them. When more than item is held in the container this helps to keep the items apart, reducing the risk of damage. After use, the bladder can be deflated, allowing the container to be folded or rolled for convenient storage.

Advantageously, the fingers are constructed and arranged to increase in diameter and/or length when inflated. This helps them to support and protect items in the container.

Advantageously, the fingers are spaced apart to provide gaps between adjacent fingers when deflated, and are constructed and arranged such that when inflated the gaps decrease. This allows items to be embedded between the fingers for additional protection.

* Advantageously, at least some of the fingers have a length L and a width W, where L is greater than W, preferably L is greater than 2W and more preferably is L is greater than 3W.

Advantageously, the bladder includes an inflatable base that supports the inflatable fingers.

The base provides additional protection for enclosed items.

Advantageously, the base supports an inflatable peripheral wall, which provides additional protection.

Advantageously, the base includes first and second portions that are connected by a hinge element. This allows the inflatable bladder to be folded in half so as to enclose an item.

Advantageously, the bladder includes a valve for controlling the flow of air through the vent means. This allows the bladder to be inflated and deflated as required.

Advantageously, the container includes a pump for inflating the bladder. This may be internal (that is, part of the container) or external.

Advantageously, the protective container includes an outer shell element for protecting the external surface of the bladder. The outer shell is preferably made of a fabric material, for example nylon canvas.

Advantageously, the outer shell includes a hinge element allowing it to be arranged in a open configuration or a closed configuration.

Advantageously, the container includes a fastener element for securing the container in a closed configuration.

Alternatively, the container may include a separate outer container into which the bladder may be removably inserted. Advantageously, the outer container comprises a box, crate or case. The outer container may include a fastener element for securing it in a closed configuration.

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Figure 1 is a plan view of a bicycle bag in an open configuration, Figure 2 is a plan view of the bicycle bag in an open configuration, holding a dismantled bike, Figure 3 is a plan view of the bicycle bag in an open configuration, after inflation of an

inflatable bladder,

Figure 4 is cross-section through the inflatable bladder, in a partially inflated configuration, Figure 5 is a cross-section through the inflatable bladder in a fully inflated configuration, Figure 6 is a side view of the bicycle bag in an open configuration, Figure 7 is a side view of the bicycle bag in a closed configuration, Figure 8 is a plan view of an inflatable liner for a transportation box in an open configuration, Figure 9 is a side view of the liner in an open configuration, Figure 10 is a plan view of the liner in an open configuration, containing a porcelain plate, Figure 11 shows the liner partially closed and partially inflated, Figure 12 is a side view of the liner in a partially closed and partially inflated configuration, Figure 13 shows a transportation box for receiving the liner, Figure 14 is a perspective view of a conventional suitcase, Figure 15 is a cross-section through an inflatable liner for use in a rigid case, shown in a partially inflated configuration, Figure 16 is a cross-section through the inflated liner in a fully inflated configuration, **.

Figure 1 7a is a cross-sectional side view of a portion of the inflatable liner, at an enlarged *: scale, showing the inflatable fingers deflated, * Figure 1 lb is a top view of the same portion of the liner, showing a cross-section of the deflated fingers, ** * Figure 18 shows an optional foot pump for inflating the liner, Figure 19 is an end view showing part of an inflatable bladder at an enlarged scale, in a partially inflated configuration, Figure 20 is an end view showing part of an inflatable bladder in a fully inflated configuration, Figure 21 is a cross-section showing part of an inflatable bladder in a partially inflated configuration, Figure 22 is a cross-section showing part of the inflatable bladder in a fully inflated configuration, Figure 23 is a perspective view from above, showing a number of inflatable fingers forming part of the inflatable bladder, Figure 24 is a view from above showing an arrangement of inflatable fingers in a protective container with the fingers deflated, and Figure 25 is a view from above showing an article to be protected and transported in the container of figure 24, with the fingers inflated.

The bicycle bag 2 shown in Figures 1 to 7 includes a puncture-proof canvas outer shell 3 and an inner liner comprising an inflatable bladder 4. The outer shell 3 is substantially rectangular in shape and is designed to be folded in two, forming a closed container. A fold line 6 divides the bag into two halves 2a,2b that may be folded one on top of the other. A zipper or similar fastener 8 extends around the free edges of the shell halves, allowing the two halves of the bag to be attached to one another when it is folded along the fold line 6. S...

The inner liner 4 covers substantially the entire inner surface of the shell 3 and comprises an inflatable bladder made for example of rubber, silicone, PVC or a combination of these materials, having on its inner surface a plurality of elongate inflatable fingers 10. When the bag is closed, these fingers 10 extend inwards into the void between the two halves of the *S*S..

bag 2a,2b. The bladder includes a vent 11 for inflating or deflating the bladder. A pump * 12 is connected to the vent 11 for pumping air into the inflatable bladder, causing the fingers 10 to inflate and expand both longitudinally and in diameter. The pump 12 may be mounted internally, adjacent one corner of the bag 2. This may be a hand operated pump or an electric pump. Alternatively, an external pump such as a foot pump 14 as shown in Figure 18, or a bellows pump, a hand pump, a track stand pump or a pump driven by an electric or battery operated motor, may be connected to the vent 11 and used to inflate the bladder. A valve (not shown) is also provided for releasing air from the bladder when required.

In use, a partially dismantled bike may be placed in the bag as shown in Figure 2. The wheels 16 are removed from the frame 18 and placed in one half of the bag 2a. The frame 18 including the handle bars, the saddle, the pedals and the chain and gear mechanism is placed in the other half of the container 2b. At this time, the bladder 4 is fully or partially deflated. The fingers I 0 are arranged so that they extend around the components of the bike and through any suitable apertures, for example within the frame of the bike and between the spokes of the wheels.

The inflatable bladder 4 is then inflated using a pump (either an integral pump 12 or an external foot pump 14). As the bladder 4 inflates, the elongate fingers 10 extend both longitudinally and in diameter so that when fully inflated as shown in Figure 3, they both support and protect the parts of the bicycle, which are embedded within the inflated fingers.

The fingers 10 also help to keep the parts of the bike away from one another, so that they are not damaged by contact.

The inflatable bladder is shown in more detail in Figures 4 and 5. The bladder 4 includes a hollow base 22 having spaced apart inner and outer surfaces 23a,23b. The inner surface 23a supports the inflatable fingers 10 and two inflatable peripheral walls 24a,24b, each of which surrounds one half of the base 22. The base 22, the fingers 10 and the peripheral walls 24a,24b are all interconnected so that they can all be inflated simultaneously.

* * **S* * When the bladder is only partially inflated as shown in Figure 4, the fingers 10 are **..I.

* relatively narrow, providing spaces 26 between the adjacent fingers 10, and between the *:*s. peripheral walls 24a,24b and the fingers 10 closest to those walls. These gaps 26 allow objects such as the frame of the bicycle to be embedded between the fingers so that when the fingers are fully inflated as shown in Figures, the fingers 10 completely surround the embedded object. The gaps between the fingers 10 and the gaps between the peripheral walls 24a,24b and the adjacent fingers 10 are then filled by the inflated bladder.

Once the bladder 4 has been inflated, the bag is closed by folding it along the hinge 6 from the open position shown in Figure 6 to the closed position shown in Figure 7. The two halves of the bag 2a,2b then lie next to each other, so that the inflated bladder 4 is enclosed within the outer shell 3 of the container. The two halves of the container are then secured together for example using the zip fastener 8 that extends around three sides of the outer shell 3. The hinge 6 interconnects the two halves of the bag on the fourth side. Other types of fastener such as belts or clips may of course be used instead of or as well as a zip fastener.

When the bag is closed as shown in Figure 7, the outer shell 3, which is made for example ofpuncture-proofcanvas, provides a strong but flexible external surface, while the inflated bladder supports and protects the enclosed items.

A shipping container for transporting fragile articles (for example porcelain plates) is shown in Figures 8 to 12. In this embodiment, the container comprises a liner 30 for insertion into a rigid box 32, shown in Figure 13. The box 32 may be any conventional container, for example a cardboard box or a wooden crate.

The liner 30 comprises an inflatable bladder in the shape of a cuboid having four side walls 34, a top wall 36 and a bottom wall 38. The top wall 36 is connected by a hinge 37 to an upper edge of one of the side walls 34, and the bottom wall 38 is similarly connected by a hinge 40 to the lower edge of another side waIl 34. The bottom wall 38 can be hinged from the open position as shown in Figure 9 to a closed position as shown in Figures 11 and 12.

The top wall 36 can similarly be hinged from the open position shown in each of Figures *: 10 to 12 to a closed position in which it closes the upper end of the container.

* Each of the side walls 34, the top wall 36 and the bottom wall 38 is provided with a plurality of inwardly facing inflatable fmgers 10. These fingers extend inwards into the * 25 interior of the container when the container is in a closed configuration. They are thus able to support an item, such as a plate 44 that is placed within the container, as shown in Figures 10 and 11. In Figure 10, the fingers 10 are shown in a partially inflated configuration in which they surround but do not positively restrain the plate 44. In Figure II the fingers 10 are shown in an inflated condition in which they restrain and support the plate 44.

In use, the liner 30 is first placed within the box 32 with the bottom wall 38 in a closed configuration and with the bladder partially deflated. The item 44 to be shipped is then placed within the container and the top wall 36 is closed, after which the bladder is inflated so that fingers engage and support the item 44. Finally, the outer box 32 is closed and sealed to fully protect the item.

It will be appreciated that the inflatable liner 30 may be supplied either separately from or together with the outer rigid container or box 32.

A separate liner 45 for use in an existing rigid container is shown in Figures 15 and 16.

This liner 45 may be used for example in a suitcase 46 (Figure 14) or a sports bag, or a case for a musical instrument or for some other fragile item. The liner 45 is similar to that shown in Figures 1 to 5 and includes a bladder 4 having a base 22, a plurality of inflatable fmgers 10, inflatable peripheral walls 24a,b and a vent 11 for inflating and deflating the bladder. The bladder also includes a hinge 6 allowing it to be folded in half whilst inflated.

The liner 45 is shaped and sized to fit within the existing case 46. In use, the liner 45 is placed within the case 46 and the item to be protected is then embedded between the fingers of the bladder. The liner 45 is then inflated so that the fingers 10 engage and support the object. The two halves of the liner 45 are then folded over onto each other and finally *:* 20 the outer case 46 is closed and locked to protect the embedded item.

The construction of the inflatable bladder is shown in more detail in Figures 17a and 17b, which illustrate the nature of the bladder with integrated fingers. Figure 17a is a cross-sectional side view of a portion of the inflatable liner, at an enlarged scale, showing the "S..

inflatable fingers deflated, and Figure 1 7b is a top view of the same portion of the liner, * 25 showing a cross-section of the deflated fingers.

The effect of inflating the bladder is illustrated in Figures 19 to 22. In Figures 19 and 21 the inflatable fingers 10 are shown in a partially deflated configuration, with spaces 26 between the adjacent fingers 10. These spaces 26 extend along the entire length of the fingers down to the base 22. When the fingers 10 are fully inflated as shown in Figures 20 and 22, the fingers 10 extend outwards until the side walls of adjacent fingers are pressed against one another, with no spaces between the fingers.

Figures 23 and 24 show two further arrangements of fingers within a protective container.

In Figure 23, the fingers 10 extend parallel to one another from the base 22 of the container, which also includes an inflatable peripheral wall 24.

In the container shown in Figure 24, the liner includes both upright fingers 10 that extend upwards from the base 22 of the container, and inwardly extending fingers 10 that extend substantially horizontally from the inflatable walls 24 of the liner. The fingers 10,10' are shown partially deflated. Figure 25 is a view from above showing an article 48 that is to be protected and transported in the container of Figure 24, with the fingers 10,10' inflated.

Various modifications of the containers described herein are of course possible. For example, the container may include more than bladder, or the bladder may include a plurality of section that can be inflated separately, as required. The containers may be made in a variety of shapes and sizes to suit the items to be protected.

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Claims

Claims: 1. A protective container including an inflatable bladder having a plurality of inflatable fingers that are constructed and arranged in use to extend into the interior of the container, and vent means for inflating or deflating the bladder.
2. A protective container according to claim I, in which the fingers are constructed and arranged to increase in diameter and/or length when inflated.
3. A protective container according to claim 2, in which the fingers are spaced apart to provide gaps between adjacent fingers when deflated, and are constructed and arranged such that when inflated the gaps decrease.
4. A protective container according to any one of the preceding claims, in which at least some of the fingers have a length L and a width W, where L is greater than W, preferably L is greater than 2W and more preferably is L is greater than 3W.
5. A protective container according to any one of the preceding claims wherein the bladder includes an inflatable base that supports the inflatable fingers.
6. A protective container according to claim 5, in which the base supports an inflatable peripheral wall.

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7. A protective container according to any one of the preceding claims, in which the base includes first and second portions that are connected by a hinge element.
8. A protective container according to any one of the preceding claims, in which the bladder includes a valve for controlling the flow of air through the vent means.
9. A'protective container according to any one of the preceding claims, including a pump for inflating the bladder.

II
10. A protective container according to any one of the preceding claims, including an outer shell element for protecting the external surface of the bladder.
I I. A protective container according claim 10, in which the outer shell is made of a fabric material.
12. A protective container according to claim 10 or claim 11, in which the outer shell includes a hinge element allowing it to be arranged in a open configuration or a closed configuration.
13. A protective container according to claim 12, including a fastener element for securing the container in a closed configuration.
14. A protective container according any one of claims I to 9, including a separate outer container into which the bladder may be removably inserted.
15. A protective container according to claim 14, in which the outer container comprises a box, crate or case.
16. A protective container according to claim 15, in which the outer container includes a fastener element for securing it in a closed configuration. * S.. * * S S...

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