INFLATABLE PACKAGING CUSHION

摘要

There is provided an inflatable cushion (10) inflated through a single inflation valve (23). A pair of inflated panels (11) held in place by at least one tie strap (19) connecting the panels rest beneath each end of the bottom of an article to be protected. The cushion has a pair of inflatable end chambers (14) interconnected to the bottom panels and a pair of inflatable side chambers (18) interconnected to the end chambers, which when inflated protect the ends and sides of the article. This is facilitated by internal openings which allow the inflated panels to easily bend underneath the ends of the article and around the corners. There are recesses (15) at each corner which extend from each corner of one internal opening toward a peripheral edge of the cushion to provide a wedge-like portion of the side chambers. In one of the embodiments, an additional pair of internal openings facilitates a pair of top inflatable chambers (20) interconnected to the end chambers to rest on the top of the article. In another embodiment of the present invention, the chamber protecting the upper portion of the article includes a single inflatable chamber which folds across the top of the article. The top chamber has an internal opening (122) in the middle thereof formed by a weld. Extending inwardly from the weld are portions of each thermoplastic sheet which remain after the cushion has been cut and adapted to hold a thin article.