Multi-chamber inflatable packaging cushion and method of inflation thereof

摘要

An inflatable packaging cushion has an inflation manifold connected to inflatable chambers through check valves. The inflation manifold mounts an inflation plate defining an aperture. Placing the end of an inflation tube on the inflation plate inflates the manifold and the inflation chambers through the check valves. This eliminates the need to insert an inflation tube through an opening in the polymer sheet forming the manifold, and the inflation tube placement may be automated.

主权项

1. An inflatable packaging cushion comprising:
A) at least one inflatable chamber formed between two juxtaposed sheets of polymer material; B) an inflation manifold formed between the two juxtaposed sheets of polymer material adjacent the at least one inflatable chamber, the juxtaposed sheets disposed in contacting facing relationship when the inflatable packaging cushion is placed in uninflated condition on a support surface; C) an inflation air check valve disposed between the inflation manifold and the at least one inflatable chamber for delivering inflation air from the inflation manifold to the inflatable chamber and for sealing the at least one inflatable chamber after inflation thereof; D) an inflation plate secured to one of the two sheets of polymer material juxtaposed and closely above the other of the two sheets of polymer material when the inflatable packaging cushion is placed in uninflated condition on a support surface, the inflation plate having an aperture therethrough registered with an inflation opening to the inflation manifold, the inflation plate adapted to establish air communication with the end of an inflation tube for delivering inflation air through the aperture and inflation opening whereby inflation air delivered through the aperture separates the two sheets of polymer material and passes through the inflation air check valve to inflate the at least one inflatable air chamber.