WO2011042444A1

WO2011042444A1 - Inflating gun and method for inflating a pillow

Info

Publication number: WO2011042444A1
Application number: PCT/EP2010/064848
Authority: WO
Inventors: René BENISTANT
Original assignee: Smurfit Kappa France
Priority date: 2009-10-06
Filing date: 2010-10-05
Publication date: 2011-04-14
Also published as: FR2950867B1; FR2950867A1

Abstract

A gun for inflating a pillow held inside a packaging case and comprising: -a body with a cavity in communication with a source of reduced pressure and opening onto an opening the edge of which is able to come into contact with an outer layer of the pillow over its entire periphery, so that if there is a reduced pressure in the cavity, the outer layer forms a blister the shape of which is defined by this edge, -a hollow needle the inside of which is in communication with a source of raised pressure, the end of the needle being able to pierce the outer layer of the pillow when this outer layer separates from the inner layer because of the creation of the blister. A method for inflating a pillow using such a gun.

Description

INFLATING GUN AND METHOD FOR INFLATING A PILLOW

The invention relates to a gun for inflating an inflatable mattress.

An inflatable mattress, or pouch, is an inflatable pillow, for example made of plastic or cellulose.

The invention finds one exemplary application in the preparation of a packaging case provided with an inflatable mattress for protecting the items that have been packaged.

Packaging cases provided with an inflatable pillow for protecting the packaged items are known. In general, the items are placed in the case after the pillow has been inflated, that is to say after the pillow inflation valve has been plugged, with the case still open.

To improve the cushioning of the items in the case against knocks, patent application FR 2 915 184 proposes a packaging case made of a semirigid material, such as cardboard or corrugated cardboard, comprising an inflatable mattress that can be inflated inside the packaging case and that comprises several walls and possibly several closure flaps.

When the case has been set up and closed with the items packaged, a tab formed in one of the walls of the case is pulled to provide access to the inflatable mattress so that the latter can be inflated. A hole is pierced in the wall of the inflatable mattress and a blower is used to inflate the inflatable mattress.

Once the inflatable mattress is inflated , a double-sided adhesive protective film is removed from the tab and this tab is folded down onto the inflatable mattress to plug and seal the hole.

Document WO 85/00151 describes a method of inflating an inflatable bag that involves means for separating the layers of the bag from one another so as to avoid piercing both layers of the bag when inflating the bag. In this method, somebody pulls one corner of the inflatable bag out of a packaging case and places the extracted bag corner between two flat elements. Each flat element is slightly hollowed so that the two flat elements form a chamber when pressed together. A reduced pressure is then applied to each side of the chamber, so as to separate the layers of the bag, and the bag is then inflated using a hollow needle. The corner perforated by the needle is sealed by welding and the part of the bag that is outside of the case is put back into the case. There is still a need for a method for inflating an inflatable mattress situated inside a case that is simpler and less demanding, while at the same time maintaining a limited risk of piercing both layers of the inflatable mattress.

The invention proposes a method for inflating a inflatable mattress situated inside a packaging case, comprising the following steps:

- providing a gun comprising a first body comprising a first cavity in communication with a first passage leading to a source of reduced pressure, this first cavity opening onto a first opening of the first body, and a second body comprising a second cavity in communication with a second passage leading towards a source of raised pressure, this second cavity opening onto a second opening at one end of the second body, the second body comprising at said end means for piercing the inflatable mattress,

- pressing the gun against an outer layer of the inflatable mattress in the packaging case such that the edge of the first opening of said gun comes into contact with the outer layer of the inflatable mattress around its entire periphery,

- imposing a reduced pressure inside the first cavity such that the outer layer forms a blister the shape of which is defined by the edge of the first opening and such that the end of the second body penetrates the inflatable mattress because of the formation of the blister, and

- imposing a raised pressure inside the second cavity in order to inflate the inflatable mattress.

Thus, the gun is pressed against a single one of the layers of the inflatable mattress, it being possible for the other layer to remain inaccessible, so that there is no need to pull a corner of the inflatable mattress out of the case and position it between two flat elements of an inflation device as was necessary in the prior art.

Forming a blister makes it possible to limit the risk of piercing several layers of the inflatable mattress.

The method described hereinabove, with reduced pressure applied to just one side, thus makes it possible to combine simplicity with rapidity and a limited risk of piercing the two layers of the inflatable mattress.

This method may be used in particular for inflating a inflatable mattress inside a packaging case that is already closed, with items inside it.

Of course the invention is not restricted to this application. The case may, for example, comprise a tab cut from one or more of the walls. Prior to inflation, the tab may be removed to gain access to part of the inflatable mattress.

Once the inflatable mattress has been inflated, the hole formed by the second body may be sealed.

For example, an adhesive material is applied to the interior face of the tab or alternatively, a plastic film is removed to reveal an adhesive face, then the tab is pressed firmly against the hole in the inflatable mattress.

The invention is not in any way restricted to this type of sealing. For example, a patch may be affixed over the hole.

The invention also proposes a gun for inflating a inflatable mattress which gun is arranged to be pressed against an outer layer of the inflatable mattress in a packaging case and comprises:

- a first body comprising a first cavity in communication with a first passage leading to a source of reduced pressure, this cavity opening onto a first opening of the first body, the edge of this first opening being able to come into contact with the outer layer of the inflatable mattress over its entire periphery when the gun is pressed against the outer layer, so that if there is a reduced pressure in the first cavity, this outer layer forms a blister the shape of which is defined by this edge,

a second body comprising a second cavity in communication with a second passage leading towards a source of raised pressure, this second cavity opening onto a second opening at one end of the second body, the second body comprising at this end means for piercing the inflatable mattress allowing the second body to penetrate into the inflatable mattress, this end being fixed inside the first cavity in such a way that the second body penetrates at least partly into the inflatable mattress because of the formation of the blister so that the inflatable mattress can be inflated inside the case.

Thus, the outer layer forms a blister so that the second body can pierce just this outer layer.

It is preferable to choose certain parameters, for example the shape of the first opening, the pressure applied in the first cavity, the thickness of the outer layer, the flexibility of the material of the outer layer, to ensure that only one of the two layers of the inflatable mattress forms a blister as a result of the reduced pressure. These parameters may be chosen empirically or alternatively more in-depth modelling can be carried out in order to determine them.

Once the second opening has been introduced into the inflatable mattress, a raised pressure may be applied to the second cavity to inflate the inflatable mattress. A flow of compressed air thus enters between the two layers of the inflatable mattress and pushes back the inner layer, thus preventing this inner layer from being pierced by the end of the second body.

The piercing means may, for example, comprise a lip of the second opening which has a sharp enough cutting edge that it pierces the inflatable mattress, or alternatively may be a part of the second body that is pointed or some other shape. The piercing means may be positioned on the periphery of the second opening or otherwise. The invention is not restricted by the way in which the inflatable mattress is pierced, provided that the hole formed by this piercing allows the second opening to fully enter the inflatable mattress so that the inflatable mattress can then be inflated as a result of the raised pressure in the second cavity.

The second body may advantageously comprise a hollow needle. The needle is able to pierce the outer layer so as to form a hole of relatively small diameter.

For outer layers that are sufficiently elastic, the material of this layer may close back around the needle, thus allowing a better seal during inflation. As the injection needle is withdrawn, the material may continue to contract, thus limiting the venting of air, so that the inflatable mattress remains inflated for a relatively lengthy period of time.

Furthermore, the needle is able to penetrate the inflatable mattress over a certain length, thus making it possible to ensure that the second opening is well inside the inflatable mattress at the time is latter is inflated, even if the needle becomes shifted slightly, for example as a result of the inflating.

The first opening has a planar or substantially planar periphery. When the first body is pressed against the inflatable mattress, contact is formed between the inflatable mattress and the first body around this entire periphery. Thus, when the first cavity is subjected to a negative pressure, the first cavity is isolated from the external air and, because the outer layer is relatively flexible, a blister forms at the site of the first opening.

A negative pressure here means a pressure lower than the external (atmospheric) pressure. A source of raised pressure here means any apparatus capable of creating a pressure higher than the external pressure, for example a compressor or the like.

A source of reduced pressure here means any apparatus capable of creating a pressure lower than the external pressure, for example a vacuum pump or the like.

In particular, the gun may comprise a Venturi device in communication with the source of raised pressure. This device, when coupled to a source of raised pressure, thus makes it possible to create the reduced pressure because of the passage of the gas under pressure, and to do so in a relatively simple way. The source of reduced pressure can then be considered to comprise the source of raised pressure and the Venturi device.

The invention is not in any way restricted by the use of a Venturi tube. It is possible, for example, to provide a source to reduced pressure and a source of raised pressure that are independent of one another.

Advantageously, the gun may comprise a means for placing the second cavity in communication with the source of raised pressure, for example a valve that allows the second passage leading to the source of raised pressure to be closed.

It is thus possible to prevent the first cavity from being in communication both with the source of reduced pressure and with the source of raised pressure when the needle has not yet pierced the outer layer. Likewise, at the end of the operation, the second cavity thus detached from the inflatable mattress and subjected to atmospheric pressure may be isolated from the source of raised pressure. The communication means thus allows the second cavity not to be placed in communication with the source of raised pressure until the second opening is to be introduced into the inflatable mattress.

The gun advantageously comprises a means of placing the first cavity in communication with the source of reduced pressure. This means may, for example, comprise a valve able to close off the passage between the first cavity and the source of reduced pressure. In the case of a Venturi device, the communication means may, for example, comprise a valve between the source of raised pressure and the Venturi device, or alternatively between the Venturi device and the first cavity.

Thus, once the inflatable mattress has been inflated and the gun has been withdrawn from the inflatable mattress, it is possible to isolate the first cavity from the source of reduced pressure. A negative pressure may be appl ied to the first cavity only when the first body is pressed against the inflatable mattress.

Actuation of one and/or the other of the communication means may be manual and/or automated.

For example, the second cavity may be placed in communication with the source of raised pressure automatically, because a given length of time has elapsed since the first cavity was placed in communication with the source of reduced pressure.

Alternatively, it may be the task of the operator to actuate each of the communication means.

The gun may, for example, comprise a trigger controlling one and/or other of the communication means.

The trigger may, for example, comprise two detents respectively corresponding to a first and to a second position. When the trigger moves into the first position, the first cavity is placed in communication with the source of reduced pressure. When the trigger is moved into the second position, the second cavity is in its turn placed in communication with the source of raised pressure.

When the trigger returns to a rest position, the first and second cavities are isolated from the sources of reduced and of raised pressure respectively.

The invention is described in greater detail hereinafter using some examples and with reference to the attached drawings in which:

Figure 1 is a partially sectioned view of one example of a gun according to one embodiment of the invention.

Figures 2A and 2B are views in cross section showing in greater detail some examples of needles suitable for a gun according to the embodiment of Figure 1 .

Figure 3 shows one example of a blank that makes up a packaging case that can be used in a method accord ing to one embodiment of the invention.

Figure 4 is a view from above in cross section of a case and of an inflating gun, according to one embodiment of the invention.

Figures 5A to 5C il lustrate one example of a method of inflating according to one embodiment of the invention, using a machine that performs the various operations.

Figure 6 is a perspective view of one example of a gun according to one embodiment of the invention. One and the same reference may be used for elements which, from one figure to another, are identical or similar.

Figures 1 and 2A relate to the same embodiment and will be discussed simultaneously.

With reference to Figure 1 , a gun 100 comprises a body 101 with a cavity 102. A first passage 103 comprising a pipe 104 allows to connect the cavity 1 02 to a source of reduced pressure depicted schematically by the reference 150.

The cavity 102 opens onto a first opening 105.

When the gun 100 is pressed against an outer layer 120 of a inflatable mattress 121 , the edges 106 of the first opening are in contact with the outer layer 120 over their entire periphery, thus preventing external air from entering the cavity 102. If a communication is established between the cavity 102 and the source of reduced pressure 150, part of the outer layer delimited by the edge 106 therefore deforms to form a blister 122.

This communication may, for example, be established by opening a valve 151 positioned on the passage 103. Of course, means that are easier to manipulate or easier to control automatically than this type of valve 151 may be provided.

In an alternative embodiment that has not been depicted, a Venturi tube may be mounted downstream of the valve 1 51 to allow the vacuum to be created as close as possible to the chamber 102. In such an instance, there is no need to provide a source of reduced pressure of the vacuum pump type, because a compressed air source alone can be used to create both the pressure and the reduced pressure.

The inflatable mattress 121 may be made of plastic, for example polyethylene.

Arranged inside the cavity 1 02 is a hollow needle 1 1 1 . A second passage 1 12 allows to connect the inside of the needle 1 1 1 to a source of raised pressure depicted schematically by the reference 160.

At one end 1 13 the needle 1 1 1 has an opening 1 14. The edge 1 16 of this opening 1 14 is a sharp enough cutting edge that it can pierce the outer layer 120 when the latter is moved towards the needle 1 1 1 as a result of the reduced pressure in the first cavity 102.

Part of the needle 1 1 1 therefore penetrates the inside of the inflatable mattress 121 . If a communication between the inside of the needle and the source of raised pressure is established, for example by opening a valve 161 arranged on the passage 1 12, air under pressure enters the inflatable mattress 121 , moving an inner layer 123 of the inflatable mattress 121 away from the end 1 13.

The inflatable mattress 121 can thus be inflated with a reduced risk of both layers 120, 123 being pierced.

Of course, means that are easier to manipulate or easier to control automatically than this type of valve 161 may be provided.

The reduced pressure inside the cavity 102 may be maintained at least at the start of the inflating of the inflatable mattress. For example, the cavity may be left at a reduced pressure right until the end of inflation.

Figure 2B shows another example of a needle 1 1 1 with the edge 1 16 arranged differently from that of Figure 2A.

The inflatable mattress may have already been attached to a packaging case blank. For example, portions of a wall 130 of a cardboard case have been depicted in Figure 1 .

Figure 3 shows an example of a blank 250 that makes up a case as suppl ied to the customer before the case is made up. This blank 250 is provided with an airtight plastic mattress 121 , which lies flat on the blank 250, substantially covering it.

The inflatable mattress 121 comprises two layers welded together airtightly along weld lines 125. The weld lines may be along one, two, three or four sides according to the embodiment of inflatable mattress.

This inflatable mattress 121 is secured to the blank 250 by means of various spots of adhesive 255 distributed over the surface of the blank.

The blank 250 is suitably precut and scored that it can be made up into a case, for example a rectangular parallepipedal case, which has a bottom 260, main side faces 261 , 262, 263, 264, a lid in two parts 265, 266, and connecting flaps 270, 271 .

It also comprises a precut tab 400 on one 261 of the side walls of the blank.

This tab 400 has a body part 401 and an end tongue 402. The tab 400 may possibly be internally coated with a double-sided adhesive 403 covered with a protective film (not depicted). The case is made up in the conventional way by opening out the sides of the blank 261 , 262, 263, 264 provided with adjoining parts of the pillow pouch 121 . The side walls are thus erected.

At that time, with the lid parts 265, 266 open, items may be placed inside the case.

It then merely remains to close the case by folding the lid sides 265, 266 down horizontally and joining them firmly together.

As depicted in Figure 5A, a device of the suction cup type 500 may be used to pull the tab 400 from the wall of the case 300. A gun may then be pressed against part of the outer layer 120 of the inflatable mattress 121 which has thus become accessible.

Figure 4 schematically shows a case containing inside it an inflatable mattress that is in the process of being inflated, and a gun according to one embodiment of the invention.

The case may, for example, be made of cardboard, wood, plastic or the like.

The case 300 is provided with an inflatable mattress 121 in the process of being inflated. The gun 100 leads to the creation of a blister 122, making it possible to avoid piercing both layers of the inflatable mattress 121 when inserting the needle 1 1 1 .

It will be noted that, during inflation, the packaging case is already closed, with the items 450 that are to be transported or stored already inside it.

In the case of a tab 400 which initially does not have double-sided adhesive on it, an adhesive 510 may be applied to the interior face 401 of the tab while the inflatable mattress 121 is being inflated, as depicted in Figure 5B. The gun is not depicted in this Figure 5B.

Once the inflatable mattress has been inflated, the reduced pressure in the cavity is ended and the raised pressure in the needle is ended, for example by closing the corresponding valves. The gun is withdrawn from the inflatable mattress by an operator or alternatively by automated means.

The tab 400 is then folded down against the outer layer 1 20 of the inflatable mattress 121 , thus sealing the hole 51 1 formed by the needle, as shown in Figure 5C.

With reference to Figure 6, the gun 100 depicted comprises a trigger 600 to control the plugging of the passages 103, 1 12.

"An outer layer of the inflatable mattress in the packaging case" means here that the inflatable mattress remains inside the case or nearly flush with the interior or exterior walls of the case, thus excluding any operation of extracting part of the inflatable mattress and leading it to the outside of the case.

Claims

1. A method for inflating an inflatable mattress situated inside a packaging case, comprising the following steps:

- providing a gun comprising

a first body (101 ) comprising a first cavity (102) in communication with a first passage (103) leading to a source of reduced pressure (150), said first cavity opening onto a first opening (105) of the first body, and

a second body (1 1 1 ) comprising a second cavity (1 15) in communication with a second passage (1 1 2) leading towards a source of raised pressure (160), said second cavity opening onto a second opening (1 14) at one end (1 1 3) of the second body, the second body comprising at said end means (1 1 6) for piercing the inflatable mattress,

- pressing the gun against an outer layer of the inflatable mattress in the packaging case such that the edge (106) of the first opening of said gun comes into contact with the outer layer (120) of the inflatable mattress around its entire periphery,

- imposing a reduced pressure inside the first cavity so that the outer layer forms a blister (122) the shape of which is defined by the edge of the first opening and such that the end of the second body penetrates the inflatable mattress because of the formation of the blister, and

2. The method according to Claim 1 , further comprising:

- ending the reduced pressure and the raised pressure,

- withdrawing the gun from the inflatable mattress, and

- sealing the outer layer to keep said mattress inflated.

3. The method according to Claim 2, wherein the inflatable mattress is inside a packaging case that has already been closed, the method comprising, prior to pressing the gun against the inflatable mattress, removing a tab from a wall of the case in order to access the outer layer of the inflatable mattress.

4. The method according to Claim 3, wherein, with the tab covered on its interior face with an adhesive substance, the outer layer of the inflatable mattress is sealed by pressing said tab firmly against said layer.

5. A gun (100) for inflating an inflatable mattress (121 ), said gun being arranged to be pressed against an outer layer of the inflatable mattress in a packaging case and comprising:

- a first body (101 ) comprising a first cavity (102) in communication with a first passage (103) leading to a source of reduced pressure (150), said first cavity opening onto a first opening (105) of the first body, the edge (106) of said first opening being able to come into contact with the outer layer (1 20) of the inflatable mattress over its entire periphery when the gun is pressed against said outer layer, such that if there is a reduced pressure in the first cavity, the outer layer forms a blister (122) the shape of which is defined by said edge,

- a second body (1 1 1 ) comprising a second cavity (1 15) in communication with a second passage (1 12) leading towards a source of raised pressure (160), said second cavity opening onto a second opening (1 14) at one end (1 13) of the second body, the second body comprising at said end means (1 16) for piercing the inflatable mattress allowing the second body to penetrate into the inflatable mattress, said end being fixed inside the first cavity in such a way that the second body penetrates into the inflatable mattress because of the formation of the blister so that the inflatable mattress can be inflated inside the case.

6. The gun (100) according to Claim 5, wherein the second body comprises a hollow needle (1 1 1 ).

7. The gun according to any one of Claims 5 and 6, further comprising a Venturi device to create a reduced pressure in the first cavity.

8. The gun (100) according to any one of Claims 5 to 7, further comprising a means (151 ) for placing the first cavity (102) in communication with the source of reduced pressure (150).

9. The gun according to any one of Claims 5 to 8, comprising a means (161 ) for placing the second cavity (1 15) in communication with the source of raised pressure (160).

10. The gun (100) according to any one of Claims 8 and 9, further comprising a trigger (600) to control the means for placing the first cavity in communication with the source of reduced pressure and/or the means for placing the second cavity in communication with the source of raised pressure.