GB2033867A

GB2033867A - Inflatable bag packaging

Info

Publication number: GB2033867A
Application number: GB7933932A
Authority: GB
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 1978-10-03
Filing date: 1979-10-01
Publication date: 1980-05-29

Abstract

An inflatable bag is used to protect articles in a container. The bag may be inflated by air and/or polystyrene foam. The bag which may be interleaved between layers of articles or used as a collar to line a container, fills any voids within a container to provide a tight pack.

Description

SPECIFICATION Inflatable bag packaging Technical field Relative to the protective packaging of one unit or a multiplicity of units of produce or manufactured goods within an outer container.

Background art Units of produce or manufactured goods such as fruit - bottled wines - ceramics etcetera especially those of a tender or fragile nature are often packed in cells or compartments formed within an outer container. The compartments are formed in various ways such as inter-locking pieces of fibreboard moulded paper pulp or expanded polystyrene trays and vacuum formed plastic trays.

Agricultural and horticultural produce in particular is also packed loosely into an outer container which may be lined with corrugated paper board or an alternative material to provide a degree of cushioning. This may be in the form of a collar to line the vertical walls of a container or as layer pads at the top and bottom.

Disclosure of invention The invention relates to an inflatable bag which in a deflated or partially inflated state is interleaved with or wrapped around articles placed within a container. When the packing or placement of articles in the container has been completed the bag is inflated so that voids within the container are filled thus holding each article firmly but gently in position and preventing movement thereof during subsequent handling and transportation of the outer container.

The bag may be inflated by a gas such as air or an expandable material such as polystyrene foam or a combination of both mediums.

A bag which is to be inflated by a gas is typically manufactured from an impermeable material such as lay-flat polythene tubing with heat sealed ends.

Such a bag also requires a non-return valve or an alternative means of sealing to prevent a loss of pressure after it has been inflated.

A bag which is designed for inflation and filling with an expandable material such as polystyrene foam could be slightly permeable in which case certain grades of paper based products may be utilised for its manufacture.

Advantages By comparison with existing packaging methods the inflatable bag system provides a number of advantages especially in regard to the packing of articles where variations occur in their shape and size.

When the bag is interleaved between layers of produce or manufactured goods and is then inflated it provides a series of protective cells which fit snugly around individual items. This feature eliminates fixed size cells in which undersized produce or articles can move and suffer possible damage.

Because the inflatable bag produces a tight pack by virture of its ability to fill unwanted voids in the outer container the said container can be of a larger size than that which would be acceptable for present packing methods. The extra room thus provided can be made sufficient to allow for the entry of article placement devices which would form an essential part of an automatic packaging machine.

When an inflatable bag is used as a collar two line the vertical walls of a container it will provide an even pressure and cushioning to the surrounded articles and hold them firmly in position as soon as it is inflated.

Best mode.

The best mode is to interleave a bag between layers of produce or items of manufacture so that parts of the outer surface will completely or partially envelop one or more of the said items. In this mode all articles are separated by a portion of the bag containing a cushion of gas or expanded foam.

To accomplish this preferred mode of packing one end of a bag is laid along the inside bottom surface of the container prior to placing or packing the first layer of articles thereon.

Some of the remaining bag is then folded back over the top of the first layer of articles and a second layer of articles is placed thereon.

The sequence is repeated until there are sufficient layers within the container.

The container is then lidded and the bag is inflated via a non-return or an inflation tube which is accessible from the outside of the container.

1. A method of providing protective packaging by means of an inflatable bag for articles within a container.

2. A method according to claim 1 whereby the inflatable bag is interleaved between layers of articles and when inflated it simultaneously produces a series of cells to separate one item from another and fill any voids in the outer container which would normally inhibit the formation of a tight pack.

3. A method according to claim 1 whereby the inflatable bag is used as a protective collar and as a means of applying an equalised pressure around the perimeter of a group of articles to hold them together and prevent movement of individual items.

4. A method according to claim 1 whereby the inflatable bag is used as a layer pad to fill voids and provide a degree of cushioning within a container of packed articles.

**WARNING** end of DESC field may overlap start of CLMS **.

Claims

**WARNING** start of CLMS field may overlap end of DESC **. SPECIFICATION Inflatable bag packaging Technical field Relative to the protective packaging of one unit or a multiplicity of units of produce or manufactured goods within an outer container. Background art Units of produce or manufactured goods such as fruit - bottled wines - ceramics etcetera especially those of a tender or fragile nature are often packed in cells or compartments formed within an outer container. The compartments are formed in various ways such as inter-locking pieces of fibreboard moulded paper pulp or expanded polystyrene trays and vacuum formed plastic trays. Agricultural and horticultural produce in particular is also packed loosely into an outer container which may be lined with corrugated paper board or an alternative material to provide a degree of cushioning. This may be in the form of a collar to line the vertical walls of a container or as layer pads at the top and bottom. Disclosure of invention The invention relates to an inflatable bag which in a deflated or partially inflated state is interleaved with or wrapped around articles placed within a container. When the packing or placement of articles in the container has been completed the bag is inflated so that voids within the container are filled thus holding each article firmly but gently in position and preventing movement thereof during subsequent handling and transportation of the outer container. The bag may be inflated by a gas such as air or an expandable material such as polystyrene foam or a combination of both mediums. A bag which is to be inflated by a gas is typically manufactured from an impermeable material such as lay-flat polythene tubing with heat sealed ends. Such a bag also requires a non-return valve or an alternative means of sealing to prevent a loss of pressure after it has been inflated. A bag which is designed for inflation and filling with an expandable material such as polystyrene foam could be slightly permeable in which case certain grades of paper based products may be utilised for its manufacture. Advantages By comparison with existing packaging methods the inflatable bag system provides a number of advantages especially in regard to the packing of articles where variations occur in their shape and size. When the bag is interleaved between layers of produce or manufactured goods and is then inflated it provides a series of protective cells which fit snugly around individual items. This feature eliminates fixed size cells in which undersized produce or articles can move and suffer possible damage. Because the inflatable bag produces a tight pack by virture of its ability to fill unwanted voids in the outer container the said container can be of a larger size than that which would be acceptable for present packing methods. The extra room thus provided can be made sufficient to allow for the entry of article placement devices which would form an essential part of an automatic packaging machine. When an inflatable bag is used as a collar two line the vertical walls of a container it will provide an even pressure and cushioning to the surrounded articles and hold them firmly in position as soon as it is inflated. Best mode. The best mode is to interleave a bag between layers of produce or items of manufacture so that parts of the outer surface will completely or partially envelop one or more of the said items. In this mode all articles are separated by a portion of the bag containing a cushion of gas or expanded foam. To accomplish this preferred mode of packing one end of a bag is laid along the inside bottom surface of the container prior to placing or packing the first layer of articles thereon. Some of the remaining bag is then folded back over the top of the first layer of articles and a second layer of articles is placed thereon. The sequence is repeated until there are sufficient layers within the container. The container is then lidded and the bag is inflated via a non-return or an inflation tube which is accessible from the outside of the container. CLAIMS