CA2009365A1 - Clam-like packaging system and fabrication method therefor - Google Patents

Abstract

CLAM-LIKE PACKAGING SYSTEM AND
FABRICATION METHOD THEREFOR

ABSTRACT OF THE DISCLOSURE
A packaging system (20, 210, 310) comprises a first bag portion (34, 212, 312) defining an inflated first side chamber (42, 232, 332), and a second bag portion (36, 214, 314) defining an inflated second side chamber (44, 234, 334) with the bag portions overlying each other to define a pocket (26, 224, 324) therebetween having an article (28, 226, 326) compressed and retained therein. In a second general embodiment, the bag portions are pivotally connected to a third bag portion (216) defining an inflated third side chamber (236) at a rearward side of the system. In a third general embodiment, the bag portions are pivotally connected to respective third and fourth bag portions (316, 317) defining inflated third and fourth side chambers (336, 337) at rearward and frontal sides of the system. The chamber interiors of all portions are interconnected (50, 218a, 218b, 318a, 318b). Overlying edge portions (38, 40, 244, 246, 344, 346) of the first and second bag portions are heat-sealed together at opposite lateral sides (38, 40, 220, 222, 320, 322) of the packaging system. The frontal side (30, 228, 230, 328, 330) of the packaging system is open to permit insertion of the article into the pocket. Thereafter, all chambers, being interconnected, are simultaneously inflated from a valve (48, 238, 338) in one of the chambers with a pressurized fluid, such as air, to pull the sides (38, 40, 220, 222, 320,322) and the inflated portions (34, 36, 216, 316, 317) inwardly and to place superimposed segments (240a, 240b, 340a, 340b) of the first and second bag portions under orthogonally-directed tension to press the segments against the article and to retain it within the pocket.
Alternatively, after the article is inserted into the pocket and prior to inflating the chambers, the frontal side may also be sealed to seal the article within the package. The pressurized fluid may be colored or otherwise made identifiable to help determine if the package has been opened or otherwise tampered with. A
flap (319) extends from the fourth bag portion (317) and is adapted to be inserted within the pocket and over the article. When inflated, the fourth bag portion seals the entrance of the pocket.

Description

CLAM-LIKE PACKAGING SYSTEM AND METHOD
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relate~ generally to a package, system and method for packaging of an article and, more particularly, to an inflatable package having a clam-like configuration adapted to compress and retain the article therein, e.q., where chambers surround the article, are supplied with a filler medium and exert equal pressure about the article.
DESCRIPTION OF THE PRIOR ART
Packages for enclosing and protecting articles have been in wide and long use, a~ exemplified by such structures which are disclosed in United States Patents 3,042,796 and 4,597,244 in which an article is packaged within a single inflated and sealed baq. Bec,ause the article contacts the outer walls of the package, the article is sub~ect to damage if the package is dropped or otherwise sub~ected to shock.
This problem is addressed in such packages described in United States Patents 2,681,142, 3,009,566, 3,302,780, 3,406,746, 4,184,596, 4,190,158, 4,240,556, 4,262,801 and 4,155,453. These packages are sub~ect to one or more of the following problems. The pressure ~'~ applied to the article is not always uniform. The air ,~ inflating the outer bags is not uniformly applied. The , 25 enclosed article remains close to the outer cover and, therefore, may be damaged from shock or the like directed to the outer cover ad~acent the article. The enclosed article can slip out!from a side or an end during periods of rapid movement. The package may be tampered with without knowledge of the sender or recipient of the package and enclosed article. Some of such packages are relatively complex in construction and/or expensive to manufacture, and require specialized eguipment or assembly methods.

SUMM~RY OF THE INVENTION
The present invention is an improvement over such packaging qystems as disclosed above. A first general embodiment of the present invention comprises a package including a plurality of inflatable portion~
which are arranged to form a pocket for receiving and retaining an article. A filler medium supply portion is coupled to all of the inflatable portions for enabling the inflatable portions to be inflated under equal pressure with a filler medium and thereby for substan-tially encapsulating the pocket and the article therein.
Second and third general embodiments of the present invention comprise overlying first and second baq portions pivotally and flexibly connected together to a third bag portion at a rearward ~ide of the packaging system. In the third general embodiment, a fourth bag portion is connected to the first or second bag portion at a frontal side. The interiors of all of the bag portions are interconnected 80 that they may be simul-taneously inflated from a single inlet in one of the bag portions. Overlying edges of the first and second bag portions are secured together at their oppo~ite lateral qides to form a pocket for reception of an article, with the first and second bag portions remaining unattached to each other at a frontal side of the packaging system to - expose the pocket therebetween. In the third general embodiment, a flap terminates the fourth bag portion and is insertable into the pocket and over the article enclosed therein. Inflating means are preferably provided on the packaging system at least to partially fill all of the bag portions with a filler medium, such as pressurized art, and to compress the first and second ~; bag portions against the article. The inflated fourth --~ bag portion of the third general embodiment also helps ~ 35 ~eal off the entry to the pocket, and all four inflated ~``'. -~' 200936~

bag portions form a fully surrounding protection for the enclosed article. If desired, the flap may also be inflated to add extra security to the enclosed article.
When inflated, all bag portions place their pocket-S forming components under orthogonally-directed tension to ~ecurely clamp the article within the pocket.
In carrying forth the preferred method of the first general embodiment of the present invention, the peripheries of four layers of fluid impermeable material are bonded and sealed together except for a peripheral portion which provides an entry through which the article can be inserted into the pocket. The peripheral entry portion is formed by respective couplings between the upper two layers and between the lower two layers. After insertion of the article into the entry and into the pocket, the upper two and the lower two layers at the peripheral portion may also be wholly or partially bonded and sealed together to secure the article into the thus-formed package.
The inflatable portions are then filled and infljated with air or other suitable medium to suspend the two interior layers and the pocket formed thereby at a fixed position within the two layers. When the entry is partially bonded and sealed, air in the pocket i8 forced out past the partial seal upon inflation of the inflat-able portions and, therefore, enables the tw~ interior layer portionæ to press against the article. To ensure equalized pressure of the air in all inflatable portions and, therefore, uniformly about the article, another peripheral portion is formed into the supply portion with at least two separated entries into all of the inflat-able portions. The bifurcated air passage is formed by sealing the four layeræ completely together, but leaving unsealed spaces between the opposed ends of the seal line and the sealed periphery.

~ ~G r In carrying forth the method of the second and third general embodiments of the present invention, a package is first formed to define at least one fully sealed enclosure therein adapted to contain the filler medium. Partial seals interconnect the facing package walls to segment the enclosure into three chambers for the second general embodiment and into an end flap and four chambers for the third general embodiment, whose interiors are connected and which comprise two outer chambers connected to a middle or third chamber. An intermediate or third chamber couples the two chamber~
which are intended to press again~t thé article. The package is folded at the middle or intermediate chamber to superimpose the bag portions defining the two outer chambers and ~o hold the middle chamber over itself.
Lateral sides of the bag portions of the three or four chambers are secured together to define the pocket for subsequent retention of the article therein.
Several aims and advantages accrue from such structure and method of manufacture. Pressure is exerted equally on both sides of the article. Air is inserted uniformly to all inflatable portions for their uniform inflation under equal pressure. The article is securely clamped and protected within the package even during 2S severe exposure to shock. The package comprises a simple construction which is easy and inexpensive to manufac-ture. It is amenable to reconfiguration into any desired shape and added protection as is required to protect the enclosed article, without significant change in the manufacturing equipment and techniques.
Other aims and advantages, as well as a more complete understanding of the present invention, will appear from the following explanation of exemplary embodiments and the accompanying drawings thereof.
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~; '. ,"'"""'''''" ' ' ~RIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
Fig. 1 is an isometric view illustrating a first general embodiment of a package embodying the present invention, constructed from a four layer arrangement of film, panel or sheet of fluid impermeable material shown in Fig. 7;
Fig. 2 i8 a cro~s-sectional view of a con-tinuous film, panel or sheet of fluid impermeable material which is folded into a four layer arrangement and disposed into a form suitable for formation of the first general embodiment of the package;
Fig. 3 is a top plan view of the package formed from the four layers, which are illustrated in Fig. 2, prior to trim~ing of the sealed peripheral portions;
Fig. 4 is a side-elevational view of the package depicted in Fig. 3;
Fig. S is a top plan view similar to that of Fig. 3, but with an article placed in a completed and trimmed package, and showing the bifurcated flow path of air or other medium equally into one of the inflatable portions, which showing is representative of the air flow for all such portions;
Fig. 6 is a cross-sectional view of a completed and inflatable package securely supporting the article taken along line 6-6 of Fig. l;
Fig. 7 is a cross-sectional view of separate films or panels of fluid impermeable material arranged into four layers and disposed into a form suitable for formation of the package,~and constitutes a modification of the arrangement illustrated in Fig. 2;
Fig. 8 is a cross-sectional view of a modifica-tion of the construction illustrated in Fig. 4, and with the package entry partially sealed after an article has been inserted into the package, but prior to inflation;
:
', , Fig. 9 is a top plan vlew of the package illustrated in Fig. 8, and additionally provided with a package opening tear cord sealed within a sealed edge;
Fig. 10 is a view of the package shown in Fig.
8 after having been inflated;
Fig. 11 is an isometric view of the package depicted in Fig. 10;
Fig. 12 is an isometric view illustrating the second general embodiment of a packaging ~ystem embodying the present invention;
Fig. 13 is a top plan view of a prefabricated package adapted to be formed into the second general embodiment of the packaging system;
Fig. 14 is a side elevational view of the package depicted in Fig. 13;
Fig. 15 is a view similar to that of Fig. 14, but illustrating the partially fabricated package folded over prior to ~ealing at its lateral edges;
Fig. 16 is a view of a completed package, viewed similar as that of Fig. 15, with an article placed ~ -therein, and with the sealed, interconnecting chambers ~-~- being partially inflated;
Fig. 17 is a view of a fully inflated package ; taken along line 17-17 of Fig. 12; ~ --;- 25 Fig. 18 is an isometric view illustrating a 1`~ packaging system embodying the present invention;
Fig. 19 is a top plan view of a prefabricated package adapted to be formed into the packaging system;
Fig. 20 is a, side elevational view of the package depicted in Fig. 19; ~:
Fig_ 21 is .a view .similar to .tha.t o Fig_ ~07 but illustrating the partially fabricated package folded over prior to sealing at its lateral edges; ~-Fig. 22 is a view of a completed package, viewed similar as that of Fig. 21, with an article placed ~ .
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therein, and with the sealed, interconnecting chambers being partially inflated; and Fig. 23 is a view of a fully inflated package taken along line 23-23 of Fig. 1.
S PREFERRED EM~ODIMENT OF THE INVENTION
As shown in Figs. 1 and 6, a package 20 comprises an outer dual portion bag 22 and an inner bag 24. The inner bag defines a pocket 26 for reception of an article 28 through an entry 30 at an end 32 of package 20. Outer bag 22 is divided into a pair of inflatable portions 34 and 36, which are sealed and bonded together at their sides 38 and 40. The material of portions 34 and 36 define, with the material of inner bag 24, respective chambers 42 and 44 which are inflated with a filler medium, such as air, so that chambers 42 and 44 press the material of inner bag 24 against its retained article. At an end opposite from end 32, see also Figs.
3 and 5, package 20 is provided with a filler medium supply portion 46 having an inlet valve 48 and at least ¦~ 20 two separated entries 50 communicating with all of the inflatable portions. Inlet valve 48 may be of any configuration; however, as shown in Figs 4 and 5, the preferred design comprises a flat tube 49 having a first end 49a extending from portion 46 and sealed side 38 to the exterior of the package and a second end 49b extending substantially into portion 46 and terminating near its center.
As shown in Figs. 2 and 7, respectively, package 20 is formed from a continuous film, panel or sheet 52 or separate films, panels or sheets ~4 of fluid impermeable material. Preferably, the material of the panels comprises a gas-impervious composite laminate.
For example, each flexible panel may comprise an intermediate layer of aluminum and outer and inner layers of a plastic heat-sealable coating, such as polyethylene, ..
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20~36a which is adapted to reactivate or melt in the vicinity of 300F (149C). Other plastic materials may be used depending upon the article to be packaged or the environment to which the package will be exposed. Thus, polyester, Saran, nylon and other plastics are usable, including any special use additives to make the package anti-static or anti-radioactive. Furthermore, different plastic materials may be employed for the panels or parts thereof. These types of composite laminates, which may be constructed to be highly flexible and inextensible or extensible, are well known in the art and, therefore, further description thereof is unnecessary for a full understanding of the present invention. It is also to be understood that the sealing of the layers constitutes a bonding and, therefore, for purposes of the description I to the present invention, whenever sealing is referred ¦ to, bonding is also intended.
As depicted in Fig. 2, panel 52 is folded and arranged into a convenient rectangular arrangement of four layers 56, 58, 60 and 62, with folds 64, 66 and 68 ~oining respective layers 56 and 58, layers 58 and 60, and layers 60 and 62. Panel 52 terminates at ends 70.
Fold 66 terminates inwardly of ends 70 in order to form a space so that portion 46 may be formed, as later described. As shown in Fig. 7, panel 54 is formed from three segments 72, 74 and 76 arranged also into a convenient rectangular arrangement of four layers 78, 80, 82 and 84, with a fold 86 joining layers 80 and 82.
Segments 72, 74 and 76 terminate in ends 88, and segments 72 and 74 terminate in ends 90, at the respective package ends. In a like manner as that described with respect to Fig. 2, fold 86 lies internally of ends 90 to provide a space for the formation of a ~imilar portion 46. In both arrangements, portions of layer 62 of Fig. 2 and layer 84 of Fig. 7, ad~acent their respective ends 70 and 90 but . .
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2~09365 separate from the overlay of respective folds 66 and 86, form sites for placement of valve 48.
The several layers are arranged, cut and heat-sealed and bonded together by conventional methods and apparatus. Valve 48 is positioned between ends 70 of the Fig. 2 construction, which is then heat-sealed and cut, as shown in Figs. 3 and 4. Specifically, ends 70 with valve 48 placed therebetween and sides 92 of the layers are heat-sealed together, leaving the peripheral portion between folds 64 and 68 free from the bond, except where they meet sides 92. At the same time, a heat-sealed seam 94 i8 placed ad~acent and parallel to ends 70, to form with sealed ends 70 filler medium supply portion 46. As seen in Fig. 3, the bonding of seam 94 is terminated short of sides 92 to form a pair of separated entries S0;
however, more than two spaces may be designed into the package, as desired. Seam 94 functions also to stabilize both fold 66 and the end it defines of layers 58 and 60 of Fig. 2 and fold 86 and the end it defines of layers 80 and 82 of Fig. 7, with respect to respective bonded ends 70 and 90 so that pocket 26 is maintained relatively rigid in package 20.
The bonded-together sides and ends are then trimmed by cutting away excess material along trim lines 96, to provide the package with an appearance as illustrated in Figs. 4 and 5.
Use of the package for packaging of article 28 is now described with respect to Figs. 5 and 6. Article 28 is inserted through entry 30 between folds 64 and 68 into inner ba~ 24. Air is introduced generally into the center of filler medium supply portion 46 through valve 48 and flows, as represented by arrows 98, towards both ends of portion 46 and through bifurcated entries S0 into both chambers 42 and 44. Upon inflation of the chambers, the panels of inner bag 24 are caused to press 200936~

against article 28 and to force air out of pocket 26 through entry 30. In addition, upon sufficient rise, the pressure within package 20 presses against the flat portions of tube 49 of valve 48 to maintain it closed and to prevent escape of air from the package.
The embodiment depicted in Fig. 7 is fabricated into a package in a manner similar to that shown in Fig.
2, with the sole exception that end~ 88 of layer~ 78 and 80 and of layers 82 and 84 are respectively bonded and sealed together to provide the equivalent of folds 64 and 68 of the Fig. 2 embodiment. Otherwise, the production and use of the package formed from film~ or panel~ 72, 74 and 76 is the same as with the prior embodiment.
The package shswn in Figs. 8-11 is a variation of that previously described, and shows the addition of a seal 100 bonding folds 64 and 68 together to secure article 28 within pocket 26 of inner bag 24 and a tear cord 102 placed lengthwise of package 20 in sealed side 40. Seal 100 may extend completely across folds 64 and 68 to sealed sides 38 and 40 or, if desired, be slightly distanced from one of or both sides or have one or more openings therein to provide one or more bleed holes 104 for permitting air to escape from pocket 26 when chambers 42 and 44 are inflated.
When the filler medium comprises a fluid, the fluid may be colored or provided with some other iden-tification or characteristic signature so that, if ~; package 20 is tampered with, seal 100 is broken and/or chambers 42 and 44 are otherwise punctured, the loss of fluid or change in its color or characterization will be noticeable upon inspection of the package.
Figs. 12 and 17 illustrate a packaging system 210 comprising an upper or first bag portion 212, a lower , or second bag portion 214, and an intermediate or third bag portion 216. The three portions are formed by heat-sealed seams 218, 228, 230, 244 and 246. Seams 218 are placed along system 210 between intermediate portion 216 and first portion 212 and between intermediate portion 216 and second portion 214. As described below and shown in Fig. 13, seams 218 do not extend fully between sealed sides 220 and 222 so that all three portions can be inflated together. Referring back to Figs. 12 and 15-17, bag portion 212 overlies bag portion 214 to define a pocket 224 therebetween (see Figs. 16 and 17) for reception of an article 226. Bag portions 212, 214 and 216 are sealed together at their sides 220 and 222 and portion~ 212 and 214 at their fronts or seams 228 and 230 to define inflatable and expandable chambers 232, 234 and 236. Upon inflation of chambers 232 and 234, bag portions 212 and 214 compress article 226 to retain it in a fixed position within the packaging system.
Inflating means, such as a valve 238, is placed within and opens from bag portion 216 to selectively communicate a filler medium to chamber 236 and thence to intercommunicating chambers 232 and 234, as described more fully hereinafter. Preferably, valve 238 comprises a flat tube 239 extending well into portion 216. Tube 239 terminates in one end 239a (see Fig. 13) which is sealed and bonded within seam 244 and opens to the exterior of package 210. Another end 239b of tube 239 opens generally within the center of portion 216.
It is to be understood that, for purposes of the present invention, sealing of various parts also means a bonding together~of such parts.
Figs. 13-15 illustrate stages in the fabrica-tion of packaging system 210. The package comprises a pair of superimposed, generally rectangular and co-extensive panels, sheets or films 240 and 242 which are fully heat-sealed together at longitudinally-extending side edge seams 244 and 246 and end edge seams or fronts ...

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228 and 230 to provide a large enclosure. Seam~ 218, which are spaced from one another and placed parallel to front edge seams 228 and 230, are formed transversely across the panels and divide the enclosure formed by panels 240 and 242, respectively, into segments 240a, 240b and 240c and into segments 242a, 242b and 242c, and the package into respective portions 212, 216 and 214 and their chambers 232, 236 and 234 (see also Fig. 16).
Seams 218, as shown in Fig. 13, each terminate short of side edges 244 and 246 of the package. This arrangement provides pairs of passages 218a and 218b between overlying portions of panels 240 and 242, thus inter-communicating chambers 232, 234 and 236.
It should be understood that additional seams like seams 218 may be utilized anywhere else throughout the package, such as illustrated by dashed lines 248 in Fig. 13, to provide various connections between panels 240 and 242 at the sides of the packaging system and to provide pairs of additional inflatable chambers at sides 220 and 222.
Panels 240 and 242 may be preformed or cut as separate sheets which are heat-sealed and bonded together entirely about their peripheries to form side edge portions or seams 244 and 246 and end edge portions or seams 228 and 230. To ensure that too much heat not be applied to the plastic material, seams 244 and 246 need not be sealed until after segments 240a and 242a are folded over segments 240b and 242b. This permits only one heat-sealing to occur, rather than two, and thus avoids possible weakening of the bond. Alternatively, a single sheet of material may be folded over itself and sealed and bonded with a single side seam and with end seams. Also, the package can be formed from a seamless tube of material, thus eliminating such seams as seams 244 and 246, but needing heat-sealing to form sides 220 :.

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and 222 at such end seams as seams 228 and 230. The use of sides 220 and 222 and portion 216 helps stabilize package 210 in that they secure pocket 224 and article 226 in place by attaching panels 240 and 242 together, in pa~ticular, when the package is inflated.
The sheet material composing the package may comprise a gas-impervious composite laminate. For example, each flexible panel comprising the package may be composed of an intermediate layer of aluminum and outer and inner layers of a plastic heat-sealable coating, such as polyethylene, which is adapted to reactivate or melt in the range of 300F (150C). Other plastic materlals may be used depending upon the article to be packaged or the environment to which the package lS will be exposed. Thus, polyester, Saran, nylon and other plastics with special features, e.g., anti-static and anti-radiation, are usable. Different plastic materials may be used for the panels or portions thereof. These types of composite laminates, which may be constructed to be highly flexible and inextensible or extensible, are well known in the art. Further, the panels may be suitably cut and sealed together by conventional apparatus and methods.
Once the package illustrated in Figs. 13 and 14 has been initially fabricated, the package is folded along a fold line 250 to fold portion 216 over itself and to superimpose bag portion 212 over bag portion 214, as illustrated in Fig. 15. Overlying side edge portions 244 and 246 are then heat-sealed or mechanically secured together by a standard adhesive, stitching, etc., to form side seams 220 and 222, respectively. The deflated package is thus adapted to have article 226 inserted through the open frontal side between front seams 228 and 230 of the packaging system and into pocket 224. v;

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200~36~

After the article has been in~erted, a standard inflation apparatus including valve 238 or a fill tube can be connected to a suitable source of pres urized fluid, such as air, to charge and pressurize inter-communicating chambers 232, 234 and 236 to an inflation pressure exceeding ambient pressure. As portions 212, 214 and 216 are inflated, as shown in Fig. 16, chambers 232, 234 and 236 expand, moving panel~ 24Oa and 242a, 240b and 242b and 240c and 242c away from one other, as a comparison of Figs. 15 and 16 illustrates. Thus, panels 240a and 240b press against and about article 226, and panel 240c presses against panels 240a and 240b, as permitted by the separation of pairs of seams 218 which define portion 216 and its chamber 236. The segments of panels 24Oa and 24Ob adjacent front seams 228 and 230 also press against one another and seal article 226 within pocket 224. At full inflation shown in Fig. 17, the internal pressure also presses against tube 239 of valve 238 to maintain it closed and to prevent escape of air from package 210. Also, at full inflation, sides 220 and ?22 and inflated portion 216 are pulled inwardly, and place segments 240a and 240b under orthogonally directed tension, that is, pulling segments 240a and 240b towards sides 220 and 222 and towards portion 216, thus clamping segments 240a and 240b securely about article 226. Full inflation also causes chamber 236 to press against chambers 232 and 234 and thus to further immobilize and secure article 226 within package 210 and to provide an additional measure of safety to the package against damage.
Other types of gases, such as helium, may be utilized as a filler medium, as well as a suitable liquid, such as water. Alternatively or in addition to j pressurized fluid, the chamber may be filled with a plastic material such as of urethane and polystyrene, in i, ~? ~ - ,'.:".'j".,,.,t ~ ", .: . ~, . .

200936~

solid form, a~ in~ected in liquid form and solidified or as pieces, e.g., balls or pellets, or combinations of all these and other filler media.
Should it prove desirable to fill the chambers with a solid filler medium of the type described above, it may be desirable to pre-pack such filler medium into the chambers prior to forming one or more of edge portions or seams or to provide a separate inflating means or valve for communicating the filler medium to each chamber individually. In such an application, each seam 18 would be extended the full width of the package to place the chambers out of communication with respect to one other.
If desired, the opening of pocket 224 may be 1 15 sealed after article 226 is inserted therein by heat-¦ sealing and thereby bonding front seams 228 and 230 ¦ together prior to inflating the package.
Figs. 18 and 23 illustrate a packaging system 310 comprising an upper or first bag portion 312, a lower or second bag portion 314, an intermediate or third bag portion 316, a fourth or pocket closure bag portion 317, and a flap portion 319. Flap portion 319 has recessed sides 319a (see also Fig. 19). As further shown in Figs.
20-22, all portions are formed by heat-sealed seams 318, 328-330, 344 and 346. Seams 318 are placed along system 310 between intermediate portion 316 and first portion 312, between intermediate portion 316 and second portion 314, between second portion 314 and fourth portion 317, and between portion 317 and flap portion 319. As described below and shown in Fig. 19, seams 318 do not extend fully between sealed sides 320 and 322 so that all three portions can be inflated together. Referring back to Figs. 18 and 21-23, bag portion 312 overlies bag portion 314 to define a pocket 324 therebetween (see Figs. 22 and 23) for reception of an article 326. Bag ,, ,~
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portion~ 312, 314 and 316 are ~ealed togeth~r at their sides 320 and 322 and portions 312 and 314 at their ~eams 328, 329 and 330 to define inflatable and expandable chambers 332, 334, 336 and 337. Upon inflation of chambers 332 and 334, bag portions 312 and 314 compress article 326 to retain it in a fixed position within the packaging system.
Inflating means, such as a valve 338 is placed within and opens from bag portion 316 to selectively communicate a filler medium to chamber 336 and thence to intercommunicating chambers 332, 334 and 337, as described more fully hereinafter. Preferably, valve 338 comprises a flat tube 339 extending well into portion 316. Tube 339 terminates in one end 339a (see Fig. 19) which is sealed and bonded within seam 344 and opens to the exterior of package 310. Another end 339b of the tube opens generally within the center of portion 316.
It is to be understood that, for purposes of the present invention, sealing of various parts al30 means a bonding together of such parts.
Figs. 19-21 illustrate stages in the fabrica-tion of packaging system 310. The package comprises a ¦ pair of superimposed, generally rectangular and co-extensive panels 340 and 342 which are fully heat-sealed together at longitudinally-extending side edge seams 344 and 346 and seams 328, 329 and 330 to provide a large enclosure. Seams 318, which are spaced from one another and placed parallel to front seams 328, 329 and 330, are ~! formed transversely across the panels and divide the enclosure formed by panels 340 and 342 respectively into segments 340a, 340b, 340c, 340d and 340e and into segments 342a, 342b, 342c, 342d and 342e, and the package into respective portions 312, 316, 314, and 317 and their chambers 332, 336, 334 and 337 (see also Fig. 22). Seams 318, as shown in Fig. 19, each terminate short of side ' edges 344 and 346 of the package. This arrangement provides pairs of passages 318a, 318b and 318c between overlying portions of panels 340 and 342, thus intercom-municating chambers 332, 334, 336 and 337.
It should be understood that additional seams like seams 318 may be utilized anywhere else throughout the package, such as illu~trated by dashed lines 348 in Fig. 19, to provide various connections between panels 340 and 342 at the sides of the packaging system and to provide pairs of additional inflatable chambers at sides 320 and 322.
Panels 340 and 342 may be preformed or cut as separate sheets which are heat-sealed and bonded together entirely about their peripheries and parallel to one end to form side edge portions or seams 344 and 346, including recesses 319a, and end edge and inward portions or seams 328, 329 and 330. To ensure that too much heat not be applied to the plastic material, seams 344 and 346 need not be sealed until after segments 340a, 342a are folded over segments 340b, 342b and segments 340d, 342d are folded over segments 340b, 342b. This permits only one heat-sealinq to take place, rather than two, and thus avoids possible weakening of the bond. Alternatively, a single sheet of material may be folded over itself and sealed and bonded with a single side seam and with end seams. Also, the package can be formed from a seamless tube of material, thus eliminating such seams as seams 344 and 346, but needing heat-sealing to form sides 320 and 322 and at such seams as seams 328, 329 and 330, as well as recesses 319a.
The use of sides 320 and 322 and portions 316 and 317 helps stabilize package 310 in that they secure pocket 324 and article 326 in place by attaching panels 340 and 342 together, in particular, when the package is inflated.

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The sheet material composing the package may comprise a gas-impervious composite laminate. For example, each flexible panel comprising the package may be composed of an intermediate layer of aluminum and outer and inner layers of a pla~tic heat-sealable coating, such as polyethylene, which is adapted to reactivate or melt in the range of 300F (150C). Other plastic materials may be used depending upon the article to be packaged or the environment to which the package will be exposed. Thus, polyester, Saran, nylon and other plastics with special features, e.g., anti-static and anti-radiation are usable. Different plastic materials may be used for the panels or portions thereof. These types of composite laminates, which may be constructed to be highly flexible and inextensible or extensible, are well known in the art. Further, the panels may be suitably cut and sealed together by conventional apparatus and methods.
Once the package illustrated in Figs. 19 and 20 has been initially fabricated, the package is folded along a pair of fold lines 350 and 351 at the opposed ends of the as-formed package to fold portions 316 and 317 over themselves and to superimpose bag portion 312 over bag portion 314 and flap 319 therebetween, as illustrated in Fig. 21. Overlying side edge portions 344 and 346 are then heat-sealed or mechanically secured together by a standard adhesive, stitching, etc., to form side seams 320 and 322, respectively. The deflated package is thus adapted to have article 326 inserted into pocket 324 through the open frontal side between front seam 328 and bag portion 317, with flap 319 placed over the article, as depicted in Fig. 22.
After the article has been inserted, a standard inflation apparatus including valve 338 or a fill tube can be connected to a suitable source of pressurized ' :~

200936~

fluid, such as air, to charge and pres~urize intercom-municating chambers 332, 334, 336 and 337 to an inflation pressure exceeding ambient pressure. As portions 312, 314, 316 and 317 are inflated, as shown in Fig. 22, chambers 332, 334, 336 and 337 expand, moving panels 340a and 342a, 340b and 342b, 340c and 342c, and 340d and 342d away from one other, as a comparison of Figs. 21 and 22 illustrates. Thus, panels 340a and 340b press again~t and about article 326, and panel~ 340c and 340d pres~
against panels 340a and 340b, aq permitted by the separation of pairs of seams 318 which define portion 316 and its chamber 336 and by the separation of pairs of seams 318 and 329 which define portion 317 and its chamber 337. The segments of panels 340a and 340b ad~acent front seams 328 and 329 also press against one another and seal article 326 within pocket 324. Finally, portion 317 expands against seam 328 to help close off the pocket. At full inflation, as illustrated in Fig.
23, the internal pressure also presses against tube 339 of valve 338 to maintain it closed and to prevent escape of air from package 310. Further, at full inflation, sides 320 and 322 and inflated portions 316 and 317 are pulled inwardly, and place segments 340a and 340b under tension along orthogonal axes, that is, pulling segments 340a and 340b towards sides 320 and 322 and towards portions 316 and 317, thus clamping segments 340a and 340b securely about article 326. Full inflation also causes chambers 336 and 337 to press against chambers 332 and 334 and thus to further immobilize and secure article 326 within package 310 and to provide an additional measure of safety to the package against damage.
Other types of gases, such as helium, may be utilized as a filler medium, as well as a suitable liquid, such as water. Alternatively or in addition to pressurized fluid, the chamber may be filled with a 200~36~
; 20 plastic material such as of urethane and polystyrene, in solid form, as in~ected in liquid form and solidified or as pieces, e.g., balls or pellets or combinations of all these and other filler media.
Should it prove desirable to fill the chambers with a solid filler medium of the type described above, it may be desirable to pre-pack such filler medium into the chambers prior to forming one or more of edge portions or seams or to provide a separate inflating means or valve for communicating the filler medium to each chamber individually. In such an application, each seam 318 would be extended the full width of the package to place the chambers out of communication with respect to one another.
If desired, full seam 329 may be made like seams 318, so that flap portion 319 will also inflate and expand against article 326 and against sections of bag portions 312 and 314 and, therefore, more fully trap the article within pocket 324.
Although the invention has been described with respect to particular embodiments and variations thereof, it should be realized that various changes and modifica-tioni may be made therein without departing the spirit and scope of the invention.
:~

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Claims (106)

1. A package comprising:
means for defining a plurality of inflat-able portions which are arranged to include pocket means for receiving and retaining an article therein, and including four layers of sheets of filler medium imperme-able material bonded together at their peripheries to form peripheral seals, a pair of inflatable chambers and an entry to said pocket means; and means coupled to all of said inflatable portions for enabling said portions to be inflated under equal pressure with a filler medium and thereby for substantially encapsulating said pocket means and the article therein, said equal pressure enabling means including a filler medium supply portion having entry means communicating respectively with said inflatable chambers.

2. A package according to claim 1 further including means for sealing said pocket means to secure the article therein.

3. A package according to claim 2 further including means for imparting a characteristic signature to said filler medium to provide detection in the event of tampering with said portions and the article contained in said pocket means.

4. A package according to claim 1 in which said equal pressure enabling means comprises a filler medium supply portion having entries to said inflatable portions and said entries are spaced from one another.

5. A package according to claim 1 in which said filler medium supply portion includes a bond spaced from said peripheral seals and sealing all said layers together to form a filler medium supply chamber, said bond having termini spaced from said peripheral seals to form entries from said entry means which are spaced from one another.

6. A package according to claim 5 in which said filler medium supply portion further includes a valve communicating said supply chamber and the package exterior.

7. A package according to claim 6 in which said valve comprises an elongated flat tube extending substantially into the interior of said supply chamber, and subject to being pressed together under pressure of said filler medium.

8. A package according to claim 1 in which said sheets are formed from a continuous panel which is folded and arranged into a rectangular configuration of said four layers with folds joining respective adjoining pairs of said layers.

9. A package according to claim 8 in which:
two of said folds lie along one side of said rectangular configuration and a third of said folds and ends of said panel lie along a side of said rectan-gular configuration parallel to said one side, said third fold being recessed internally from said panel ends; and said peripheral seals axe positioned between said panel ends and the two adjoining sides of said rectangular configuration.

10. A package according to claim 9 in which said bond seals said third fold and adjacent ones of said layers to form said filler medium supply portion having said supply chamber and said spaced entries communicating from said supply chamber respectively with each of said inflatable chambers.

11. A package according to claim 10 in which said filler medium supply portion further includes a valve communicating said supply chamber and the package exterior.

12. A package according to claim 11 in which said valve comprises an elongated flat tube extending substantially into the interior of said supply chamber, and subject to being pressed together under pressure of said filler medium.

13. A package according to claim 12 further including a fourth bond sealing said two folds after the article is retained in said pocket means.

14. A package according to claim 13 in which said fourth bond terminates short of said two adjoining sides of said rectangular configuration.

15. A package according to claim 1 in which said sheets are formed from a panel of three segments arranged into said four layers with a fold joining together the interior pair of said segments.

16. A package according to claim 15 in which:
four ends of said segments lie along one side of said rectangular configuration and are bonded together into pairs separated by said entry, said fold and two ends of said segments lie along a side of said rectangular configuration parallel to said one side, said fold being recessed internally from said two ends; and said peripheral seals are positioned between said two ends and the two adjoining sides of said rectangular configuration.

17. A package according to claim 16 in which said bond seals said fold and adjacent ones of said layers to form said filler medium supply portion having said supply chamber and said spaced entries communicating from said supply chamber respectively with each of said inflatable chambers.

18. A package according to claim 17 in which said filler medium supply portion further includes a valve communicating said supply chamber and the package exterior.

19. A package according to claim 18 in which said valve comprises an elongated flat tube extending substantially into the interior of said supply chamber, and subject to being pressed together under pressure of said filler medium.

20. A package according to claim 19 further including a fourth bond sealing said two end pairs after the article is retained in said pocket means.

21. A package according to claim 20 in which said fourth bond terminates short of said two adjoining sides of said rectangular configuration.

22. A method for fabricating a package comprising the steps of:
forming and arranging a plurality of inflatable portions for providing pocket means adapted to receive and retain an article therein; and coupling the portions together for enabling their simultaneous inflation under equal pressure of a filler medium.

23. A method according to claim 22 in which said forming and arranging step comprises the step of selectively sealing sheets of material together.

24. A method according to claim 23 in which said selectively sealing step comprises the step of forming a filler medium supply portion having spaced entries communicating equally with all of the inflatable portions.

25. A method according to claim 22 in which said coupling step comprises the step of forming a filler medium supply portion having spaced entries communicating with all of the inflatable portions.

26. A method according to claim 22 in which said forming and arranging step comprises the step of bonding four layers of filler medium impermeable material together at their peripheries for forming peripheral seals, a pair of inflatable chambers and an entry to the pocket means.

27. A method according to claim 26 in which said forming and arranging step and said coupling step further comprise the steps of:
further forming a bond of all the layers at a location spaced from the peripheral seals for forming a filler medium supply chamber; and spacing termini of the bond from the peripheral seals to form spaced entries into the portions.

28. A method according to claim 27 further comprising the step of positioning a valve in the filler medium supply chamber for communicating the supply chamber to the package exterior.

29. A method according to claim 28 in which said valve positioning step comprises the step of extending an elongated flat tube substantially into the interior of the supply chamber for enabling the tube to be pressed together under pressure of the filler medium.

30. A method according to claim 26 in which said forming and arranging step comprises the steps of selectively folding and sealing sheets of a continuous panel of filler medium impervious material into a rectangular configuration of the four layers with three folds joining adjacent pairs of the layers.

31. A method according to claim 30 in which said selectively folding and sealing step comprises the steps of:
positioning two of the folds along one side of the rectangular configuration and a third of the folds and ends of the panel along a side of the rectangular configuration and parallel to the one side;

recessing the third fold inwardly from the panel ends; and positioning the peripheral seals ortho-gonally to and between the panel ends and the two adjoining sides of the rectangular configuration.

32. A method according to claim 31 in which said selectively folding and sealing step further comprises the steps of:
bonding the third fold and adjacent ones of the layers to form a filler medium supply portion having a supply chamber and spaced entries communicating from the supply chamber respectively with the inflatable portions.

33. A method according to claim 32 further comprising the step of placing a fourth bond between the two folds at the pocket means entry after the article is retained in the pocket means.

34. A method according to claim 33 in which said fourth bond placing step comprises the step of terminating the fourth bond short of the two adjoining sides of the rectangular configuration.

35. A method according to claim 26 in which said forming and arranging step comprises the steps of selectively folding, arranging and sealing sheets of a panel of three segments into the four layers with a fold joining together the enterior pair of the layers.

36. A method according to claim 35 in which said forming and arranging step comprises the steps of:
positioning four ends of the segments along one side of the rectangular configuration and bonding the four ends together into pairs separated by the pocket means entry;
positioning the fold and two other ends of the segments along a side of the rectangular configura-tion and parallel to the one side;
recessing the fold inwardly from the two ends; and positioning the peripheral seals ortho-gonally to and between the two ends and the two adjoining sides of the rectangular configuration.

37. A method according to claim 36 in which said forming and arranging step comprises the steps of:
bonding the fold and adjacent ones of the layers to form a filler medium supply portion having a supply chamber and spaced entries communicating from the supply chamber respectively with the inflatable chambers.

38. A method according to claim 37 further comprising the step of bonding the two end pairs together of the pocket means entry with a fourth bond after the article is retained in the pocket means.

39. A method according to claim 38 further comprising the step of terminating the fourth bond short of the two adjoining sides of the rectangular configura-tion.

40. A packaging system having opposite frontal and rearward sides and opposite lateral sides, said packaging system comprising:
a first bag portion defining a first chamber adapted to be at least partially filled with a filler medium;
a second bag portion defining a second chamber adapted to be at least partially filled with said filler medium, said first bag portion overlying said second bag portion to define a pocket therebetween which is adapted to have an article retained therein;
a third bag portion defining a third chamber adapted to be at least partially filled with said filler means and connecting said first and second bag portions together at the rearward side of said packaging system; and seam means securing overlying side edge portions of said first, second and third bag portions together at each of the lateral sides of said packaging system, said first and second bag portions remaining unattached to each other at the frontal side of said packaging system to expose said pocket thereat.

41. The packaging system of claim 40 further comprising:
inflating means on at least one of said bag portions for selectively communicating said filler medium to said first, second and third chambers to at least partially fill said chambers with said filler medium and for placing segments of said first and second bag portions in contact with the article under orthogonally directed tension and thus to retain it securely and protectively within said pocket.

42. The packaging system of claim 40 wherein said first, second and third bag portions are formed by a pair of overlying first and second panels and wherein said panels are folded over themselves and wherein said seam means are formed at overlying side edge portions of said first and second panels.

43. The packaging system of claim 42 wherein each of said panels are generally rectangular and are co-extensive relative to each other.

44. The packaging system of claim 42 wherein each of said panels is composed of fluid impervious, flexible material.

45. The packaging system of claim 42 further comprising at least two seams formed transversely across said panels to secure them together and to partition said panels into said first, second and third bag portions.

46. The packaging system of claim 45 wherein said seams terminate short of at least one of the side edge portions of said panels to provide a passage for said filler medium between said panels intercommunicating said first, second and third chambers.

47. The packaging system of claim 46 wherein said seams terminate short of each of the side edge portions of said panels to define a pair of said passages between said panels.

48. The packaging system of claim 40 wherein said first, second and third chambers are at least substantially filled with said filler medium at least to substantially encapsulate and compress said first and second bag portions against the article, and to cause said third bag portion to press against and exert pressure on said first and second bag portions.

49. The packaging system of claim 48 wherein said filler medium comprises a pressurized fluid, a plastic foam material in solid or piece form, or a combination thereof.

50. A packaging system including a pair of sealed-together sheets of packaging material which are folded over each other and are further sealed to each other for forming three inflatable chambers and a pocket therewithin for reception of an article, and means for placing said sheets and said chambers formed thereby under orthogonally-directed tension and thereby for clamping the article securely between said sheets.

51. The packaging system of claim 50 in which said tension placing means comprises additional sheets placed on either side of said pair of sheets and bonded and sealed thereto to form said inflatable chambers surrounding said pocket, and means for inflating said chambers and thereby for effecting at least one component of the orthogonally-directed tension.

52. The packaging system of claim 51 in which said tension placing means further comprises a third inflatable chamber secured to said two chambers and inflatable by said inflating means for effecting another component of the orthogonally-directed tension and for exerting pressure against said two chambers.

53. A packaging system comprising at least a pair of inflatable portions having contacting sheets of packaging material to form a pocket therebetween for reception of an article, a third inflatable portion secured to and between said pair of inflatable portions and to said contacting sheets, and means for inflating said three portions and for placing said sheets under orthogonally-directed tension and thereby for clamping the article securely between said sheets.

54. The method of claim 53 in which said three chambers are coupled together for simultaneous inflation thereof.

55. An inflatable package adapted to be formed into a packaging system for retaining an article therein comprising:
an enclosure including a pair of overlying panels having unattached edges;
seams bonding said unattached edges together;
at least one additional seam formed transversely across said panels and between longitudi-nally spaced ends thereof to secure said panels together and to divide said enclosure into at least two chambers, said additional seam terminating short of at least one side of said panels to provide a passage between said panels for communicating said chambers with each other;

one of said panels being folded over the other thereof for folding one of said chambers over another thereof and to provide a pocket therebetween; and further seams further bonding said folded over panels together.

56. The inflatable package of claim 55 further comprising inflating means in at least one of said chambers for selectively inserting a filler medium therein and for enabling said chambers to press against the article.

57. The inflatable package of claim 55 wherein each of said panels are generally rectangular and are co-extensive relative to each other.

58. The package of claim 55 wherein each of said panels is composed of a fluid impervious, flexible material.

59. The package of claim 55 wherein said additional seam terminates short of each of said panels to define a pair of said passages between said chambers.

60. The packaging system of claim 55 wherein a pair of said seams are formed transversely across said panels in longitudinally spaced relationship relative to each other to form three of said chambers, with one of said chambers positioned between said first and second chambers to define a third chamber intercommunicating with said first and second chambers.

61. A method for forming a packaging system comprising the steps of:
forming an enclosure;
dividing the enclosure into at least two bag portions for forming chambers therein;
folding the enclosure for superimposing a first of the bag portions over a second of the bag portions; and securing overlying side edge portions of the bag portions together at their opposite lateral sides for defining an open-ended article-retaining pocket therebetween.

62. The method of claim 61 wherein said forming step comprises the step of forming the enclosure from a pair of superimposed panels, said dividing step comprises the step of forming at least one seam transversely across and between opposite ends of the panel for securing the panels together at the seam, and said folding step comprises the step of folding the enclosure about a fold line adjacent the seam.

63. The method of claim 62 wherein said dividing step further comprises the step of terminating the seam short of at least one lateral side of the panels for defining a passage between the panels intercom-municating the chambers on either side of the seam.

64. The method of claim 63 further comprising the step of at least substantially filling the chambers with a filler medium for stretching segments of the bag portions which define the pocket and thereby for securely and protectively clamping the article in the pocket.

65. The method of claim 63 wherein said dividing step further comprises the step of forming a pair of the seams transversely across the panels in lon-gitudinally spaced relationship relative to each other and generally equidistant from the fold line for forming a third chamber in the enclosure between the panels and the two chambers and in communication with the first-mentioned chambers.

66. A method for forming a secure packaging system comprising the steps of forming an article-receiving pocket between a pair of sheets of packaging material, placing an article in the pocket, and tension-ing the sheets under orthogonally-directed tension for clamping the article securely between the sheets.

67. The method of claim 66 further comprising the step of securing additional sheets to respective sides of the pair of the sheets to form at least two inflatable chambers surrounding the pocket, and in which said tensioning step comprises the step of inflating the chambers for effecting the orthogonally-directed tension.

68. The method of claim 67 further comprising the step of securing a third inflatable chamber to the two chambers and in which said tensioning step further comprises the step of inflating the third chamber for effecting another component of the orthogonally-directed tension.

69. The method of claim 68 in which said inflating steps comprises the steps of coupling the chambers together and inflating them simultaneously.

70. A method for forming a packaging system comprising the steps of forming a pocket between a pair of inflatable portions having contacting sheets of packaging material for reception of an article, securing a third inflatable portion to and between the pair of inflatable portions and to the contacting sheets, and inflating the three portions for placing the sheets under orthogonally-directed tension and thereby for clamping the article securely between the sheets.

71. A packaging system having opposite frontal and rearward sides and opposite lateral sides, said packaging system comprising:
a first bag portion defining a first chamber adapted to be at least partially filled with a filler medium;
a second bag portion defining a second chamber adapted to be at least partially filled with said filler medium, said first bag portion overlying said second bag portion to define a pocket therebetween which is adapted to have an article retained therein;
a third bag portion defining a third chamber adapted to be at least partially filled with said filler means and connecting said first and second bag portions together at the rearward side of said packaging system;
a fourth bag portion defining a fourth chamber adapted to be at least partially filled with said filler means and connected to said second portion;
a flap portion connected to said fourth bag portion and adapted to be inserted into said pocket and over the article for securing the article within said pocket; and seam means securing overlying side edge portions of said first, second, third and fourth bag portions together at each of the lateral sides of said packaging system, said first bag portion remaining unattached to said second, fourth and flap portions at the frontal side of said packaging system to expose said pocket thereat.

72. The packaging system of claim 71 further comprising:
inflating means on at least one of said bag portions for selectively communicating said filler medium to said first, second, third and fourth chambers to at least partially fill said chambers with said filler medium and for placing segments of said first and second bag portions in contact with the article under ortho-gonally-directed tension to retain it securely and protectively within said pocket.

73. The packaging system of claim 71 wherein said first, second, third, fourth and flap portions are formed by a pair of overlying first and second panels and wherein said panels are folded over themselves at their opposed ends and wherein said seam means are formed at overlying side edge portions of said first and second panels.

74. The packaging system of claim 73 wherein each of said panels are generally rectangular and are co-extensive relative to each other, and reduced in width at said flap portion.

75. The packaging system of claim 73 wherein each of said panels is composed of fluid impervious, flexible material.

76. The packaging system of claim 73 further comprising at least three seams formed transversely across said panels to secure them together and to partition said panels into said first, second, third and fourth bag portions.

77. The packaging system of claim 76 wherein said seams terminate short of at least one of the side edge portions of said panels to provide a passage for said filler medium between said panels intercommunicating said first, second, third and fourth chambers.

78. The packaging system of claim 77 wherein said seams terminate short of each of the side edge portions of said panels to define a pair of said passages between said panels.

79. The packaging system of claim 71 wherein said first, second, third and fourth chambers are at least substantially filled with said filler medium at least to substantially encapsulate and compress said first and second bag portion against the article, and to cause said third and fourth bag portions to press against and exert pressure on said first and second bag portions.

80. The packaging system of claim 79 wherein said filler medium comprises a pressurized fluid, a plastic foam material in solid or piece form, or a combination thereof.

81. A packaging system including a pair of sealed-together sheets of packaging material which are folded over each other and are further sealed to each other for forming at least four inflatable chambers and a pocket therewithin for reception of an article, and means for placing said sheets and said chambers formed thereby under orthogonally-directed tension and thereby for clamping the article securely between said sheets.

82. The packaging system of claim 81 in which said tension placing means comprises additional sheets placed on either side of said pair of sheets and bonded and sealed thereto to form said inflatable chambers surrounding said pocket, and means for inflating said chambers and thereby for effecting at least one component of the orthogonally-directed tension.

83. The packaging system of claim 82 in which said tension placing means further comprises a third inflatable chamber secured to said two chambers and a fourth inflatable chamber secured to one of said two chambers, said third and fourth chambers being inflat-able by said inflating means for effecting another component of the orthogonally-directed tension and for exerting pressure against said two chambers.

84. The packaging system of claim 83 further including a flap secured to said fourth chamber and insertable into said pocket.

85. A packaging system comprising at least a pair of inflatable portions having contacting sheets of packaging material to form a pocket therebetween for reception of an article, a third inflatable portion secured to and between said pair of inflatable portions and to said contacting sheets, and means for inflating said three portions and for placing said sheets under orthogonally-directed tension and thereby for clamping the article securely between said sheets.

86. The packaging system of claim 85 in which said three portions are coupled together for simultaneous inflation thereof.

87. The packaging system of claim 86 further including a fourth inflatable portion secured to one of said pair of inflatable portions and a flap secured to said fourth portion, and means for sealing said flap to at least one of said inflatable portions.

88. An inflatable package adapted to be formed into a packaging system for retaining an article therein comprising:
an enclosure including a pair of overlying panels; and seams formed transversely across said panels and between longitudinally spaced ends thereof to secure said panels together and to divide said enclosure into at least three chambers and a flap, said chamber-forming seams terminating short of at least one side of said panels to provide passages between said panels for communicating said chambers with each other.

89. The inflatable package of claim 88 further comprising inflating means in at least one of said chambers for selectively inserting a filler medium therein.

90. The package of claim 88 wherein each of said panels are generally rectangular and are co-extensive relative to each other, and are reduced between their ends to form said flap.

91. The package of claim 88 wherein each of said panels is composed of a fluid impervious, flexible material.

92. The package of claim 88 wherein said chamber-forming seams terminate short of each side of said panels to define a pair of said passages between contiguous ones of said chambers.

93. The packaging system of claim 88 wherein three of said seams are formed transversely across said panels in longitudinally spaced relationship relative to each other to form four of said bag portions, with one of said bag portions positioned between said first and second bag portions and another connected to said second bag portion to define third and fourth chambers intercom-municating with said first and second chambers.

94. A method for forming a packaging system comprising the steps of:
forming an enclosure;
dividing the enclosure into at least five portions for forming at least four chambers in a like number of said portions;

folding the enclosure for superimposing a first of the portions over a second of the portions and another of the portions over the second of the portions;
and securing overlying side edge portions of selected ones of the portions together at their opposite lateral sides for defining an open-ended article-retaining pocket therebetween.

95. The method of claim 94 wherein said forming step comprises the step of forming the enclosure from a pair of superimposed panels, said dividing step comprises the step of forming at least two seams transversely across and between opposite ends of the panel for securing the panels together at the seams, and said folding step comprises the step of folding separated parts of the enclosure about fold lines adjacent the seams.

96. The method of claim 95 wherein said dividing step further comprises the step of terminating the seams short of at least one lateral side of the panels for defining a passage between the panels intercommunicating the chambers on either side of each of the seams.

97. The method of claim 96 further comprising the step of at least substantially filling the chambers with a filler medium for stretching segments of the bag portions which define the pocket and thereby for securely and protectively clamping the article in the pocket.

98. The method of claim 95 wherein said dividing step further comprises the step of forming two pairs of the seams transversely across the panels in lon-gitudinally spaced relationship relative to each other and generally equidistant respectively from the fold lines for forming third and fourth chambers in the enclosure between the panels and the two chambers.

99. The method of claim 98 wherein the seams of a first of the seam pairs and one of the seams of the second of the seam pairs terminate short of at least one lateral side of the panels, and the other of the seams of the second seam pair terminates at the lateral sides of the panels to form a flap from and end one of the portions.

100. A method for forming a secure packaging system comprising the steps of forming an article-receiving pocket between a pair of sheets of packaging material, placing an article in the pocket, and tension-ing the sheets under orthogonally-directed tension for clamping the article securely between the sheets.

101. The method of claim 100 further compris-ing the step of securing additional sheets to respective sides of the pair of the sheets to form at least two inflatable chambers surrounding the pocket, and in which said tensioning step comprises the step of inflating the chambers for effecting the orthogonally-directed tension.

102. The method of claim 101 further compris-ing the step of securing a third inflatable chamber to the two chambers at one end thereof and a fourth chamber to one of the two chambers at the opposite end thereof and in which said tensioning step further comprises the step of inflating the third and fourth chambers for effecting another component of the orthogonally-directed tension.

103. The method of claim 102 in which said inflating steps comprises the steps of coupling the chambers together and inflating them simultaneously.

104. The method of claim 103 further including the step of securing a flap to the fourth chamber for insertion thereof into the pocket.

105. A method for forming a packaging system comprising the steps of forming a pocket between a pair of inflatable portions having contacting sheets of packaging material for reception of an article, securing a third inflatable portion to and between the pair of inflatable portions and to the contacting sheets, and securing a fourth inflatable portion to one of the pair of inflatable portions and to the contacting sheets, and inflating the four portions for placing the sheets under orthogonally-directed tension and thereby for clamping the article securely between the sheets.

106. The packaging system of claim 105 further comprising the step of securing a flap to the fourth chamber for insertion into the pocket.