GB2186864A

GB2186864A - Cushion for packaging articles

Info

Publication number: GB2186864A
Application number: GB08604187A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Derek John Ratcliffe
Original assignee: ALSAMEX PRODUCTS Ltd
Current assignee: ALSAMEX PRODUCTS Ltd
Priority date: 1986-02-20
Filing date: 1986-02-20
Publication date: 1987-08-26
Also published as: GB2186864B; GB8604187D0

Abstract

A cushion for packaging articles comprises a flexible plastics bag (1) sealed at its edges and partially filled with loose pieces (4) of closed-cell, e.g. polyethylene foam material. The bag is provided with perforations (3) to allow the restricted outlet of air when the bag is squashed. The bag cushions impact forces by means of the restricted release of air and the compression of the foam material itself. After impact, the foam material recovers its shape, thereby lifting and expanding the bag. <IMAGE>

Description

SPECIFICATION Packaging of articles This invention relates to the packaging of articles.

The need for some form of surrounding cushioning when articles are packed in boxes is well known. Various arrangements are in widespread use, for example the use of loose pieces of polystyrene to fill the space between the box and article is common and familiar. There are a number of qualities that the packaging material should have, but it is not often that any one material provides most of these. The material should be cheap and preferably re-usable. It should preferably not be messy. It ought to retain its disposition within the box during transit, and yet be able to cushion the article against shock.

According to the present invention there is provided a cushion for use in packaging articles, comprising a flexible bag containing, as a loose filling, pieces of flexible synthetic foam material, the bag being pervious to air.

In a preferred form the synthetic foam material is a closed-cell foam such as polyethylene foam. When the bag is squashed, as in an impact on the container in which it is used, the restricted release of air through the bag cushions the impact, and the foam material itself is compressed to further absorb the impact forces. After the impact the foam material recovers its shape, lifting and expanding the bag so that air returns into the bag. The bag is then ready to absorb any further impact.

An embodiment of the invention will now be described, by way of example only, with reference to the accompanying drawings. In the drawings: Figure 1 is a view of a packaging cushion in accordance with the invention, shown partially cut away to reveal its content, and Figs. 2 to 5 show diagramatically typical ways in which the cushion may be used inside a container.

Referring to Fig. 1, a cushion for packaging comprises a flexible plastics bag 1 of size, for example, 330 mmx 250 mm. The bag is sealed after filling along edge 2, by a heat weld. The bag is provided with perforations 3 in the form of small pierced holes at 50-100 cms spacings on both sides of the bag.

The bag is partially filled with loose pieces of closed cell foam material 4, e.g. polyethylene foam. Closed-cell foam is preferred over open-cell material such as polyurethane because the pneumatic effect under load is greater. The air in the cell gives an increased resistance to compression and, depending on the degree of loading and whether-or not the loading is sustained, the closed-cell foam will recover its shape. Closed-cell foam is also better at resisting creep so that its initial distribution around a packaged article is more likely to be maintained.

When a load force is applied to the bag, for example, when the container is dropped, the bag is squashed, expelling air through the restricted outlets 3. This effect dampens the impact force which is further absorbed by the compression of the foam pieces. When the foam pieces recover their shape the bag is pushed outwards, creating a partial vacuum which operates to draw air in through the perforations 3. The bag is then returned to its original shape.

The loose filling of the bag enables it to be folded to take up a range of shapes. This feature may enable it to be used in situations where otherwise material of a custom-made shape would be required. Figs. 2 to 5 show examples of its use. Fig. 5 shows the use of two bags laid flat on the base and sides of a box. The addition of layers by using several bags or by folding one bag increases the cushion protection. Fig. 4 shows the versatility of the bag as it is used to package an irregularly shaped article. The bag can to a degree be hand 'moulded' around a non-uniform shape, or a curve, and when most of the air is expelled, the cushion can be trapped in position to give some 'wrap-around' protection.

Figs. 1 and 2 show the use of the cushion bent to give corner protection.

1. A cushion for use in packaging articles, the cushion comprising a flexible bag which is pervious to air, and containing, as a loose filling, pieces of flexible resilient impact-absorbing material.

2. A cushion as claimed in claim 1 wherein the pieces of material are composed of a synthetic, closed-cell foam.

3. A cushion as claimed in claim 2 wherein the synthetic, closed-cell foam is polyethylene.

4. A cushion as claimed in any one of the preceding claims wherein the flexible bag is pervious to air by virtue of holes in it.

5. A cushion as claimed in claim 4 wherein the holes are of a size or sizes such as to provide a restricted outlet for air when the bag is squashed.

6. A method of packaging an article in a container comprising interposing one or more cushions as claimed in claim 1 between the article and the inside wall of the container.

7. A packaged article in a container including one or more cushions as claimed in claim 1 interposed between the article and the inside wall of the container.

8. A cushion for use in packaging articles substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to and as illustrated in the accompanying drawings.

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

Claims

**WARNING** start of CLMS field may overlap end of DESC **. SPECIFICATION Packaging of articles This invention relates to the packaging of articles. The need for some form of surrounding cushioning when articles are packed in boxes is well known. Various arrangements are in widespread use, for example the use of loose pieces of polystyrene to fill the space between the box and article is common and familiar. There are a number of qualities that the packaging material should have, but it is not often that any one material provides most of these. The material should be cheap and preferably re-usable. It should preferably not be messy. It ought to retain its disposition within the box during transit, and yet be able to cushion the article against shock. According to the present invention there is provided a cushion for use in packaging articles, comprising a flexible bag containing, as a loose filling, pieces of flexible synthetic foam material, the bag being pervious to air. In a preferred form the synthetic foam material is a closed-cell foam such as polyethylene foam. When the bag is squashed, as in an impact on the container in which it is used, the restricted release of air through the bag cushions the impact, and the foam material itself is compressed to further absorb the impact forces. After the impact the foam material recovers its shape, lifting and expanding the bag so that air returns into the bag. The bag is then ready to absorb any further impact. An embodiment of the invention will now be described, by way of example only, with reference to the accompanying drawings. In the drawings: Figure 1 is a view of a packaging cushion in accordance with the invention, shown partially cut away to reveal its content, and Figs. 2 to 5 show diagramatically typical ways in which the cushion may be used inside a container. Referring to Fig. 1, a cushion for packaging comprises a flexible plastics bag 1 of size, for example, 330 mmx 250 mm. The bag is sealed after filling along edge 2, by a heat weld. The bag is provided with perforations 3 in the form of small pierced holes at 50-100 cms spacings on both sides of the bag. The bag is partially filled with loose pieces of closed cell foam material 4, e.g. polyethylene foam. Closed-cell foam is preferred over open-cell material such as polyurethane because the pneumatic effect under load is greater. The air in the cell gives an increased resistance to compression and, depending on the degree of loading and whether-or not the loading is sustained, the closed-cell foam will recover its shape. Closed-cell foam is also better at resisting creep so that its initial distribution around a packaged article is more likely to be maintained. When a load force is applied to the bag, for example, when the container is dropped, the bag is squashed, expelling air through the restricted outlets 3. This effect dampens the impact force which is further absorbed by the compression of the foam pieces. When the foam pieces recover their shape the bag is pushed outwards, creating a partial vacuum which operates to draw air in through the perforations 3. The bag is then returned to its original shape. The loose filling of the bag enables it to be folded to take up a range of shapes. This feature may enable it to be used in situations where otherwise material of a custom-made shape would be required. Figs. 2 to 5 show examples of its use. Fig. 5 shows the use of two bags laid flat on the base and sides of a box. The addition of layers by using several bags or by folding one bag increases the cushion protection. Fig. 4 shows the versatility of the bag as it is used to package an irregularly shaped article. The bag can to a degree be hand 'moulded' around a non-uniform shape, or a curve, and when most of the air is expelled, the cushion can be trapped in position to give some 'wrap-around' protection. Figs. 1 and 2 show the use of the cushion bent to give corner protection. CLAIMS