# US 11,077,637 B2 · Connective protective packaging > Agents: this data is available as JSON from the patentgrep API and MCP server — see https://patentgrep.com/llms.txt - Number: US 11,077,637 B2 - Document ID: US11077637B2 - Status: Granted - Kind: B2 - Application number: 15/721,215 - Filed: 2017-09-29 - Published: 2018-04-05 - Granted: 2021-08-03 - Earliest claimed: 2016-09-30 - Assignees: Pregis Innovative Packaging LLC - Applicants: Pregis Innovative Packaging LLC - Inventors: Thomas D. Wetsch - Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US11077637B2 ## CPC - B31D 5/0069: {including forming or transforming three-dimensional material, e.g. corrugated webs or material of cellular structure (making articles of cellular structure B31D3/00, corrugating paper or cardboard B31F1/20)} - B29C 66/439: {Joining sheets for making inflated articles without using a mould} - B29C 66/71: {characterised by the composition of the plastics material of the parts to be joined (welding bar compositions B29C65/125)} - B31D 5/0073: {including pillow forming} - B65D 81/052: {filled with fluid, e.g. inflatable elements} - B29K 2275/00: Use of {PU, i.e.} polyureas or polyurethanes {or derivatives thereof,} as reinforcement - B31D 2205/0047: Feeding, guiding or shaping the material - B31D 2205/0064: Stabilizing the shape of the final product, e.g. by mechanical interlocking - B31D 2205/007: Delivering - B31D 2205/0088: Control means - B31D: MAKING ARTICLES OF PAPER, CARDBOARD OR MATERIAL WORKED IN A MANNER ANALOGOUS TO PAPER, NOT PROVIDED FOR IN SUBCLASSES B31B OR B31C (manufacture by dry processes of articles made from particles or fibres consisting of wood or other lignocellulosic or like organic material B27N; making layered products not composed wholly of paper or cardboard B32B; making articles from cellulosic fibrous suspensions, e.g. wood pulp, D21J) - B29C: SHAPING OR JOINING OF PLASTICS; SHAPING OF MATERIAL IN A PLASTIC STATE, NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR; AFTER-TREATMENT OF THE SHAPED PRODUCTS, e.g. REPAIRING (making preforms B29B11/00; making laminated products by combining previously unconnected layers which become one product whose layers will remain together B32B37/00 - B32B41/00) - B65D: CONTAINERS FOR STORAGE OR TRANSPORT OF ARTICLES OR MATERIALS, e.g. BAGS, BARRELS, BOTTLES, BOXES, CANS, CARTONS, CRATES, DRUMS, JARS, TANKS, HOPPERS, FORWARDING CONTAINERS; ACCESSORIES, CLOSURES, OR FITTINGS THEREFOR; PACKAGING ELEMENTS; PACKAGES - B29K: INDEXING SCHEME ASSOCIATED WITH SUBCLASSES B29B, B29C OR B29D, RELATING TO MOULDING MATERIALS OR TO MATERIALS FOR {MOULDS, } REINFORCEMENTS, FILLERS OR PREFORMED PARTS, e.g. INSERTS ## Abstract A connective protective packaging element is provided. The connective protective packaging element may include a protective body in a high-density supply configuration. The protective body may be configurable into a low-density configuration for cushioning packaged products. The body may include an exposed surface in the low-density configuration. The connective protective packaging element may also include a bonding element attached to the exposed surface that operably bonds the exposed surface to an abutting surface by contact with the bonding element. ## Claims ### Claim 1 A connective protective packaging element, comprising: a protective body in a high-density supply configuration, the protective body being configurable into a low-density configuration for cushioning packaged products, the protective body including a surface that is exposed when the protective body is in the low-density configuration; and a plurality of cohesive bonding elements made from a cohesive substance attached to the surface that is exposed in the high-density supply configuration in a repeating pattern such that each cohesive boding element is spaced apart from an adjacent cohesive boding element, the plurality of cohesive bonding elements being configured to selectively bonds to a complimentary cohesive substance attached to an abutting surface. ### Claim 2 (depends on 1) The connective protective packaging element of claim 1, wherein: the protective body comprises a web having a first ply and a second ply overlapping the first ply, the first ply and the second ply being connected together to define therebetween a fillable chamber to contain a filler element that separates the first ply and the second ply in the low-density configuration; and the first ply including the surface that is exposed with the cohesive bonding element. ### Claim 3 (depends on 2) The connective protective packaging element of claim 2, wherein the first ply and the second ply are connected together to trap a fluid therebetween when sealed, such that the connective protective packaging element is an inflatable cushion. ### Claim 4 (depends on 3) The connective protective packing element of claim 3, wherein the fluid is air, and wherein the first ply and the second ply are connected together by an airtight seal. ### Claim 5 (depends on 2) The connective protective packaging element of claim 2, wherein: the protective body has an exterior edge; and at least one of the plurality of cohesive bonding elements is disposed on the exposed surface to align with and bond to another one of the plurality of cohesive bonding elements when the protective body is folded over itself such that the exterior edge is folded over itself. ### Claim 6 (depends on 1) The connective protective packaging element of claim 1, wherein the connective protective packaging element is a foam-in-bag cushion. ### Claim 7 (depends on 1) The connective protective packaging element of claim 1, wherein the connective protective packaging element is paper dunnage. ### Claim 8 (depends on 1) The connective protective packaging element of claim 1, wherein the abutting surface is a surface of a product. ### Claim 9 (depends on 1) The connective protective packaging element of claim 1, wherein the cohesive bonding element is positioned proximate an edge of the connective protective packaging element. ### Claim 10 A supply of web material, comprising: a first film ply; a second film ply overlapping with the first film ply; a plurality of seals sealing the first film ply and the second film ply to each other to define one or more inflation chambers between the first film ply and the second film ply that are each inflatable and configured to contain a fluid; and a plurality of bonding elements disposed on an exposed surface of the first film ply, the plurality of bonding elements disposed in a repeating pattern such that each bonding element of the plurality of bonding elements is spaced apart from an adjacent bonding element forming a gap between each bonding element, wherein each bonding element is configured to operably stick to, and hold the exposed surface of the first film ply to, an abutting surface by contact therewith. ### Claim 11 (depends on 10) The connective protective packaging element of claim 10, wherein the abutting surface is an interior surface of a container in which the connective protective packaging element is received, wherein each bonding element bonds to the interior surface to retain the connective protective packaging element in a position against the container while a product to be protected is being packaged. ### Claim 12 (depends on 10) The connective protective packaging element of claim 10, wherein each bonding element is positioned on an inflatable portion of the one or more inflation chambers such that each bonding element is elevated when the one or more inflation chambers are filled with fluid compared to when the inflation chambers are not filled with fluid. ### Claim 13 (depends on 10) The supply of web material of claim 10, further comprising a plurality of separation regions disposed along a longitudinal length of the first film ply and the second film ply, wherein the plurality of separation regions form a plurality of cushions and allow separation between adjacent cushions, wherein at least one bonding element of the plurality of bonding elements is spaced apart from an adjacent bonding element by a separation region of the plurality of separation regions positioned therebetween. ### Claim 14 (depends on 13) The supply of web material of claim 13, wherein the plurality of separation regions align with the plurality of seals allowing separation of adjacent inflation chambers. ### Claim 15 (depends on 10) The supply of web material of claim 10, wherein sticking the plurality of bonding elements are adhesive that sticks to other surfaces. ### Claim 16 (depends on 10) The supply of web material of claim 10, wherein sticking the plurality of bonding elements include a cohesive substance. ### Claim 17 (depends on 10) The supply of web material of claim 10, further comprising: a first inflation chamber disposed between the first film ply and the second film ply; a second inflation chamber disposed between the first film ply and the second film ply, wherein a separation region is located between the first inflation chamber and the second inflation chamber to allow separation of the first inflation chamber and the second inflation chamber; a first bonding element disposed on an exposed surface of the first inflation chamber; and a second bonding element disposed on an exposed surface of the second inflation chamber, wherein the first inflation chamber and the second inflation chamber are the same shape, and the first bonding element has a size, position and orientation on the first inflation chamber that matches a size, position, and orientation of the second bonding element on the second inflation chamber. ### Claim 18 (depends on 10) The supply of web material of claim 10, wherein the supply of web material is in a fanfold configuration. ### Claim 19 (depends on 10) The supply of web material of claim 10, wherein the first film ply includes first and second longitudinal edges and the second film ply includes first and second longitudinal edges that are aligned to be overlapping with the first and second longitudinal edges of the first film ply. ### Claim 20 (depends on 10) The connective protective packaging element of claim 10, wherein: the first film ply and the second film ply are sealed together by a seal pattern that includes a plurality of transverse seals that define between the first ply and the second ply a plurality of inflation chambers that are inflatable with air that separates the first film ply and the second film ply in the low-density configuration, the plurality of transverse seals have transverse ends positioned to define an inflation region between the first film ply and the second film ply to receive and deliver the air into the plurality of inflation chambers; the transverse ends of the plurality of transverse seals are positioned such that a longitudinal seal applied across the transverse ends of the plurality of transverse seals seals the plurality of inflation chambers to trap the air therein; and each bonding element of the plurality of bonding elements is spaced apart from the transverse ends of the plurality of transverse seals. ### Claim 21 (depends on 20) A system for making a protective packaging element, comprising: the connective protective packaging element of claim 20, and an inflation and sealing machine that includes: a nozzle that is receivable in the inflation region and supplies the air to inflate the inflation chambers, and a sealer configured to apply the longitudinal seal near the transverse ends of the transverse seals. ### Claim 22 (depends on 10) The supply of web material of claim 10, further comprising a plurality of separation regions extending transversely across the first film ply and the second film ply to facilitate preparation of portions of the first film ply and the second film ply, wherein the bonding elements are spaced apart from the separation regions. ### Claim 23 A chain of inflatable packaging elements in a high-density supply configuration that is configurable into a low-density configuration for protective package cushioning, comprising two or more connected inflatable packaging elements with a separation region extending therebetween to allow separation of the two or more connected inflatable packaging elements, wherein each connected inflatable packaging element of the two or more connected inflatable packaging elements has a bonding element on a surface that is exposed when the chain is in the low density configuration, wherein the bonding element operably bonds the exposed surface to an abutting surface by contact of the abutting surface against the bonding element when the respective inflatable packaging element of the two or more connected inflatable packaging elements is in the low-density configuration, and wherein the bonding element is spaced apart from the separation region. ### Claim 24 A system comprising: a connective protective packaging element, including: a protective body in a high-density supply configuration, the protective body being configurable into a low-density configuration for cushioning packaged products, the protective body including a surface that is exposed when the protective body is in the low-density configuration; and a cohesive bonding element made from a cohesive substance attached to the surface in the high-density configuration; and a container including an interior surface and configured to receive the connective protective packaging element adjacent the interior surface, the container including a complimentary cohesive complimentary cohesive substance on the interior surface; wherein the cohesive bonding element selectively bonds to the complimentary cohesive substance with sufficiently strength to retain the connective protective packaging element in a position against the interior surface while a product to be protected is being packaged. ### Claim 25 A connective protective packaging element, comprising: a protective body in a high-density supply configuration, the protective body being configurable into a low-density configuration for cushioning packaged products, the protective body including a surface that is exposed when the protective body is in the low-density configuration; wherein: the protective body comprises a web having a first ply and a second ply overlapping the first ply, the first ply including the exposed surface with the cohesive bonding element, the first ply and the second ply being sealed together by a seal pattern that includes a plurality of transverse seals that define between the first ply and the second ply a plurality of inflation chambers that are inflatable with air that separates the first ply and the second ply in the low-density configuration, the plurality of transverse seals have transverse ends positioned to define an inflation region between the first ply and the second ply to receive and deliver the air into the plurality of inflation chambers; the transverse ends of the plurality of transverse seals are positioned such that a longitudinal seal applied across the transverse ends of the plurality of transverse seals seals the plurality of inflation chambers to trap the air therein; and a cohesive bonding element made from a cohesive substance attached to the surface in the high-density supply configuration, which cohesive bonding element selectively bonds to a complimentary cohesive substance attached to an abutting surface, wherein the cohesive bonding element is spaced apart from the transverse ends of the plurality of transverse seals. ### Claim 26 (depends on 25) A system for making a protective packaging element, comprising: the connective protective packaging element of claim 25, and an inflation and sealing machine that includes: a nozzle that is receivable in the inflation region and supplies the air to inflate the inflatable chambers, and a sealer configured to apply the longitudinal seal near the transverse ends of the transverse seals.