GB2503420A - Interconnected air cell packaging structure - Google Patents

Interconnected air cell packaging structure Download PDF

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Publication number
GB2503420A
GB2503420A GB1208047.9A GB201208047A GB2503420A GB 2503420 A GB2503420 A GB 2503420A GB 201208047 A GB201208047 A GB 201208047A GB 2503420 A GB2503420 A GB 2503420A
Authority
GB
United Kingdom
Prior art keywords
air cell
cells
cell structure
air
inflated
Prior art date
Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
Granted
Application number
GB1208047.9A
Other versions
GB201208047D0 (en
GB2503420B (en
Inventor
Robert Wace
Current Assignee (The listed assignees may be inaccurate. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation or warranty as to the accuracy of the list.)
Individual
Original Assignee
Individual
Priority date (The priority date is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the date listed.)
Filing date
Publication date
Application filed by Individual filed Critical Individual
Priority to GB1208047.9A priority Critical patent/GB2503420B/en
Publication of GB201208047D0 publication Critical patent/GB201208047D0/en
Publication of GB2503420A publication Critical patent/GB2503420A/en
Application granted granted Critical
Publication of GB2503420B publication Critical patent/GB2503420B/en
Expired - Fee Related legal-status Critical Current
Anticipated expiration legal-status Critical

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Classifications

    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B65—CONVEYING; PACKING; STORING; HANDLING THIN OR FILAMENTARY MATERIAL
    • B65D—CONTAINERS FOR STORAGE OR TRANSPORT OF ARTICLES OR MATERIALS, e.g. BAGS, BARRELS, BOTTLES, BOXES, CANS, CARTONS, CRATES, DRUMS, JARS, TANKS, HOPPERS, FORWARDING CONTAINERS; ACCESSORIES, CLOSURES, OR FITTINGS THEREFOR; PACKAGING ELEMENTS; PACKAGES
    • B65D81/00—Containers, packaging elements, or packages, for contents presenting particular transport or storage problems, or adapted to be used for non-packaging purposes after removal of contents
    • B65D81/02—Containers, packaging elements, or packages, for contents presenting particular transport or storage problems, or adapted to be used for non-packaging purposes after removal of contents specially adapted to protect contents from mechanical damage
    • B65D81/03—Wrappers or envelopes with shock-absorbing properties, e.g. bubble films
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B65—CONVEYING; PACKING; STORING; HANDLING THIN OR FILAMENTARY MATERIAL
    • B65D—CONTAINERS FOR STORAGE OR TRANSPORT OF ARTICLES OR MATERIALS, e.g. BAGS, BARRELS, BOTTLES, BOXES, CANS, CARTONS, CRATES, DRUMS, JARS, TANKS, HOPPERS, FORWARDING CONTAINERS; ACCESSORIES, CLOSURES, OR FITTINGS THEREFOR; PACKAGING ELEMENTS; PACKAGES
    • B65D81/00—Containers, packaging elements, or packages, for contents presenting particular transport or storage problems, or adapted to be used for non-packaging purposes after removal of contents
    • B65D81/02—Containers, packaging elements, or packages, for contents presenting particular transport or storage problems, or adapted to be used for non-packaging purposes after removal of contents specially adapted to protect contents from mechanical damage
    • B65D81/05—Containers, packaging elements, or packages, for contents presenting particular transport or storage problems, or adapted to be used for non-packaging purposes after removal of contents specially adapted to protect contents from mechanical damage maintaining contents at spaced relation from package walls, or from other contents
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B63—SHIPS OR OTHER WATERBORNE VESSELS; RELATED EQUIPMENT
    • B63B—SHIPS OR OTHER WATERBORNE VESSELS; EQUIPMENT FOR SHIPPING 
    • B63B32/00—Water sports boards; Accessories therefor
    • B63B32/70—Accessories not specially adapted for a particular type of board, e.g. paddings or buoyancy elements
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B65—CONVEYING; PACKING; STORING; HANDLING THIN OR FILAMENTARY MATERIAL
    • B65D—CONTAINERS FOR STORAGE OR TRANSPORT OF ARTICLES OR MATERIALS, e.g. BAGS, BARRELS, BOTTLES, BOXES, CANS, CARTONS, CRATES, DRUMS, JARS, TANKS, HOPPERS, FORWARDING CONTAINERS; ACCESSORIES, CLOSURES, OR FITTINGS THEREFOR; PACKAGING ELEMENTS; PACKAGES
    • B65D81/00—Containers, packaging elements, or packages, for contents presenting particular transport or storage problems, or adapted to be used for non-packaging purposes after removal of contents
    • B65D81/02—Containers, packaging elements, or packages, for contents presenting particular transport or storage problems, or adapted to be used for non-packaging purposes after removal of contents specially adapted to protect contents from mechanical damage
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B65—CONVEYING; PACKING; STORING; HANDLING THIN OR FILAMENTARY MATERIAL
    • B65D—CONTAINERS FOR STORAGE OR TRANSPORT OF ARTICLES OR MATERIALS, e.g. BAGS, BARRELS, BOTTLES, BOXES, CANS, CARTONS, CRATES, DRUMS, JARS, TANKS, HOPPERS, FORWARDING CONTAINERS; ACCESSORIES, CLOSURES, OR FITTINGS THEREFOR; PACKAGING ELEMENTS; PACKAGES
    • B65D81/00—Containers, packaging elements, or packages, for contents presenting particular transport or storage problems, or adapted to be used for non-packaging purposes after removal of contents
    • B65D81/02—Containers, packaging elements, or packages, for contents presenting particular transport or storage problems, or adapted to be used for non-packaging purposes after removal of contents specially adapted to protect contents from mechanical damage
    • B65D81/05—Containers, packaging elements, or packages, for contents presenting particular transport or storage problems, or adapted to be used for non-packaging purposes after removal of contents specially adapted to protect contents from mechanical damage maintaining contents at spaced relation from package walls, or from other contents
    • B65D81/051—Containers, packaging elements, or packages, for contents presenting particular transport or storage problems, or adapted to be used for non-packaging purposes after removal of contents specially adapted to protect contents from mechanical damage maintaining contents at spaced relation from package walls, or from other contents using pillow-like elements filled with cushioning material, e.g. elastic foam, fabric
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B65—CONVEYING; PACKING; STORING; HANDLING THIN OR FILAMENTARY MATERIAL
    • B65D—CONTAINERS FOR STORAGE OR TRANSPORT OF ARTICLES OR MATERIALS, e.g. BAGS, BARRELS, BOTTLES, BOXES, CANS, CARTONS, CRATES, DRUMS, JARS, TANKS, HOPPERS, FORWARDING CONTAINERS; ACCESSORIES, CLOSURES, OR FITTINGS THEREFOR; PACKAGING ELEMENTS; PACKAGES
    • B65D81/00—Containers, packaging elements, or packages, for contents presenting particular transport or storage problems, or adapted to be used for non-packaging purposes after removal of contents
    • B65D81/02—Containers, packaging elements, or packages, for contents presenting particular transport or storage problems, or adapted to be used for non-packaging purposes after removal of contents specially adapted to protect contents from mechanical damage
    • B65D81/05—Containers, packaging elements, or packages, for contents presenting particular transport or storage problems, or adapted to be used for non-packaging purposes after removal of contents specially adapted to protect contents from mechanical damage maintaining contents at spaced relation from package walls, or from other contents
    • B65D81/051—Containers, packaging elements, or packages, for contents presenting particular transport or storage problems, or adapted to be used for non-packaging purposes after removal of contents specially adapted to protect contents from mechanical damage maintaining contents at spaced relation from package walls, or from other contents using pillow-like elements filled with cushioning material, e.g. elastic foam, fabric
    • B65D81/052—Containers, packaging elements, or packages, for contents presenting particular transport or storage problems, or adapted to be used for non-packaging purposes after removal of contents specially adapted to protect contents from mechanical damage maintaining contents at spaced relation from package walls, or from other contents using pillow-like elements filled with cushioning material, e.g. elastic foam, fabric filled with fluid, e.g. inflatable elements

Abstract

An air cell structure comprises a lattice of interconnected air cells 101, the structure of which may comprise a series of weld points between the cells to create a lattice of cells can be used for providing impact protection for an article. The air cell structure may be manufactured using a number of suitable moulding methods, including sonic welding. The air cell structure may be comprised of interconnected cells of a variety of sizes. The structure may be manufactured from thermoplastic polyurethane (TPU), PVC or silicon. The weld points between the cells may have the central weld portion removed. A method of reducing the deformation of an air cell structure comprises providing a lattice of interconnected air cells is also disclosed.

Description

AIR CELL STRUCTURE
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
This invention relates to an inflatable air cell structure. More particularly, the present invention relates to an air cell structure capable of providing improved impact protection for a range of items.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
There are many types of inflatable air cell structures on the market, some of which are used for the protection of items. The current products in the market have certain disadvantages. For example, some inflatable structures are single use and provide no protection once they have taken an impact. Other structures which can be inflated and deflated often consist of a single cavity of air, a series of tubes of air, or an outer ring of air (for example, an item such as a lilo or an inflatable mattress) in order to keep the structure flat. Given that under impact, the larger the air cavity, the more freely the air can move within the cavity, the aforementioned structures offer low impact protection per volume of air.
Consequently, to offer a high level of protection, these structures need to be inflated to a high pressure, and can often then be of a large volume.
It is an object of at least one aspect of the present invention to obviate and/or mitigate at least one or more of the aforementioned problems.
It is a further object of at least one aspect of the present invention to provide an improved air cell structure.
It is a yet further aspect of at least one aspect of the present invention to provide an improved air cell structure capable of providing improved impact protection for a range of items.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
According to a first aspect of the present invention there is provided an air cell structure comprising: An air cell structure capable of providing improved impact protection for a range of items; wherein the structure comprises a lattice of interconnected air coIls.
The present invention resides in the provision of providing an air cell structure capable of providing improved impact protection for a range of items. A range of items may be protected by the air cell structure according to the present invention including, but not limited to, suriboards, snowboards, televisions, laptops, fine art, musical instruments, and other electrical! fragile goods such as scanners and amplifiers. The air cell structure may also be used in dunnage, as a form of reusable packaging.
The air cell structure may comprise a main body comprised of a lattice of interconnected air cells. The air cell structure may be manufactured using any suitable bonding method such as, but not limited to, ultra sonic welding.
The air cell structure may comprise a lattice of interconnected cells of various sizes to ensure that there are no weak spots (a weak spot being any section of the inflatable structure which offers reduced or no impact protection in relation to the rest of the structure) and to ensure that the structure does not distort when inflated.
The air cell structure may be arranged in such a way that under impact the air does not escape into the neighbouring cell or cells at a rate which reduces the protection offered.
The weld points between the cells may have the central weld portion removed. This may allow the structure to inflate with less distortion as it allows the gaps to open when the cells laterally inflate.
The air cell structure may be manufactured from, but is no limited to, TPU, PVC, or silicon.
According to a second aspect of the present invention there is provided a ID method for improving the impact protection of an air cells structure by: providing a lattice of interconnected air cells; wherein the air cell structure comprises a lattice of interconnected air cells of various sizes which offer improved impact protection.
The air cell structure may be as described in the first aspect.
According to a third aspect of the present invention there is provided a use of an air cell structure as described in the first aspect in increasing the impact protection of the structure whilst allowing it to inflate without distortion.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
Embodiments of the present invention will now be described, by way of example only, with reference to the accompanying drawings in which: Figure 1 is a representation of an air cell structure according to an embodiment of the present invention when inflated.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION
Generally speaking, the present invention resides in the provision of providing an air cell structure capable of providing improved impact protection for a range of items.
Figure 1 is a photograph of an air cell structure according to the present invention, generally designated 100. In Figure 1 the air cell 100 is inflated. The air cell 100 comprises an arrangement of large air cells 101 and small air cells 102. Figure 1 also shows that the air cell 100 comprises of welds between the cells which have had the central portion removed 103.
A specific feature of the air cell 100 presently described is that the welds between the cells are specifically arranged to create a lattice of interconnected cells of various sizes to ensure that there are no weak spots in the structure, and to ensure that the structure does not distort when inflated.

Claims (8)

  1. CLAIMS1. An air cell structure comprising: a lattice of interconnected air cells; wherein the structure comprises interconnected air cells to ensure that there are no weak spots in the structure, allowing them to diffuse energy between themselves under impact, and to ensure that the structure does not distort when inflated.
  2. 2. An air cell structure according to claim 1, wherein the air cell structure comprises a series of weld points between the cells to create a lattice of cells which hold the structure flat when it is inflated
  3. 3. An air cell structure according to any of claims 1 or 2, wherein the air cell structure is manufactured using any suitable moulding method including that of sonic welding.
  4. 4. An air cell structure according to any preceding claim, wherein the cells are arranged to allow the structure to remain flat when inflated.
  5. 5. A method for preventing or at least reducing the deformation of the air cell structure when inflated by: providing a lattice of interconnected air cells; wherein the structure remains flat when pressurised.
  6. 6. A method for preventing or at least reducing the deformation of the air cell structure when inflated according to claim 5 wherein the air cell is as defined in any of claims ito 5.
  7. 7. Use of an air cell as described in any of claims 1 to 5 in preventing or at least reducing deformation of the air cell structure when inflated.
  8. 8. An air cell structure as hereinbefore described and/or as shown in Figure 1
GB1208047.9A 2012-05-09 2012-05-09 Interconnected air cell structure Expired - Fee Related GB2503420B (en)

Priority Applications (1)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
GB1208047.9A GB2503420B (en) 2012-05-09 2012-05-09 Interconnected air cell structure

Applications Claiming Priority (1)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
GB1208047.9A GB2503420B (en) 2012-05-09 2012-05-09 Interconnected air cell structure

Publications (3)

Publication Number Publication Date
GB201208047D0 GB201208047D0 (en) 2012-06-20
GB2503420A true GB2503420A (en) 2014-01-01
GB2503420B GB2503420B (en) 2016-04-27

Family

ID=46396700

Family Applications (1)

Application Number Title Priority Date Filing Date
GB1208047.9A Expired - Fee Related GB2503420B (en) 2012-05-09 2012-05-09 Interconnected air cell structure

Country Status (1)

Country Link
GB (1) GB2503420B (en)

Citations (6)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
GB2079415A (en) * 1980-07-02 1982-01-20 Wilson Michael J Bolton Ltd Thermal insulation
US4551379A (en) * 1983-08-31 1985-11-05 Kerr Stanley R Inflatable packaging material
WO2000064672A1 (en) * 1999-04-22 2000-11-02 Ebrahim Simhaee Inflatable air cell dunnage
JP2003072848A (en) * 2001-09-04 2003-03-12 Crown Package Co Ltd Cushioning sheet
US20110062045A1 (en) * 2009-03-20 2011-03-17 Jong Bum Kim Cushion panel with different transparency and bag having the same
WO2011148115A1 (en) * 2010-05-27 2011-12-01 Coldpack Elastic multilayer structure having alveoli with holes

Family Cites Families (6)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US4096306A (en) * 1975-12-24 1978-06-20 Minnesota Mining And Manufacturing Company Strip material used in forming air inflated cushioning material
FR2493809A1 (en) * 1980-11-10 1982-05-14 Verhille Jean Marie Inflatable lifting pad for vehicle - has welded flexible envelope filled with fluid under pressure with filling and discharge holes at each end
US5480029A (en) * 1993-01-08 1996-01-02 Air-Ride Packaging Of America, Inc. Air inflatable/deflatable packaging component shaped to fit a corner of an article
US5857571A (en) * 1997-12-01 1999-01-12 Tschantz; Mitchell Inflatable packaging cushion
US6520332B1 (en) * 1999-11-10 2003-02-18 Cryovac, Inc. Packaging cushion and packaging assemblies incorporating same
DE202009002052U1 (en) * 2009-04-07 2009-06-10 Full Service Packaging Transport packaging for bottles with air cushions

Patent Citations (6)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
GB2079415A (en) * 1980-07-02 1982-01-20 Wilson Michael J Bolton Ltd Thermal insulation
US4551379A (en) * 1983-08-31 1985-11-05 Kerr Stanley R Inflatable packaging material
WO2000064672A1 (en) * 1999-04-22 2000-11-02 Ebrahim Simhaee Inflatable air cell dunnage
JP2003072848A (en) * 2001-09-04 2003-03-12 Crown Package Co Ltd Cushioning sheet
US20110062045A1 (en) * 2009-03-20 2011-03-17 Jong Bum Kim Cushion panel with different transparency and bag having the same
WO2011148115A1 (en) * 2010-05-27 2011-12-01 Coldpack Elastic multilayer structure having alveoli with holes

Also Published As

Publication number Publication date
GB201208047D0 (en) 2012-06-20
GB2503420B (en) 2016-04-27

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Date Code Title Description
PCNP Patent ceased through non-payment of renewal fee

Effective date: 20190509