Packaging device that is flexible, inflatable and reusable and shipping method using the device

Patent 5272856 Issued on December 28, 1993. Estimated Expiration Date:

July 30, 2012. Estimated Expiration Date is calculated based on simple USPTO term provisions. It does not account for terminal disclaimers, term adjustments, failure to pay maintenance fees, or other factors which might affect the term of a patent.

Abstract Claims Description Full Text

Patent References

Rolled-up packaging system and method
Patent #: 4793123
Issued on: 12/27/1988
Inventor: Pharo

Method for forming clam-like packaging system
Patent #: 4918904
Issued on: 04/24/1990
Inventor: Pharo

Method for forming bag-in-bag packaging system
Patent #: 4949530
Issued on: 08/21/1990
Inventor: Pharo

Inflatable cushion packaging
Patent #: 4969312
Issued on: 11/13/1990
Inventor: Pivert, et al.

Recycle shipping assembly Patent #: 5131212
Issued on: 07/21/1992
Inventor: Grey, et al.

Inventor

Pharo, Daniel A.

Assignee

Air Packaging Technologies, Inc.

Application

No. 922618 filed on 07/30/1992

US Classes:

53/472, With protective media (e.g., shock absorbing)53/403, Gas filling and/or evacuating and closing53/434, Flexible preform cover (e.g., bags, pouches)53/449, Plural covers53/512With preformed bag

Examiners

Primary: Coan, James F.

Attorney, Agent or Firm

Dowden; Donald S., Pelton; William E.

International Class

B65B 023/00

Abstract

A flexible, inflatable packaging device is adapted to enclose and protect an article during shipping and the like. The packaging device has an inlet valve for selectively admitting air to inflate the packaging device to protect an enclosed article against rough handling during shipping and the like and an aperture that can be selectively sealed to retain the inflation air or unsealed to release the inflation air to deflate the packaging device to enable removal of the article from the packaging device and compact storage of the packaging device before and after shipping. The packaging device can be inflated and deflate a plurality of times, thereby enabling reuse of the packaging device for shipping a plurality of articles in succession.