# US 11,993,432 B1 · Storage container with built-in inflatable cushion

> Agents: this data is available as JSON from the patentgrep API and MCP server — see https://patentgrep.com/llms.txt

- Number: US 11,993,432 B1
- Document ID: US11993432B1
- Status: Granted
- Kind: B1
- Application number: 18/161,222
- Filed: 2023-01-30
- Granted: 2024-05-28
- Earliest claimed: 2023-01-30
- Applicants: Leo Polosajian
- Inventors: Leo Polosajian
- Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US11993432B1

## CPC

- B65D 5/5028: {Elements formed separately from the container body}
- B65B 5/04: Packaging single articles
- B65B 55/00: Preserving, protecting or purifying packages or package contents in association with packaging (by packaging under special atmospheric or gaseous conditions B65B31/00; devices for placing protecting sheets, plugs, or wads over contents B65B61/22)
- B65D 81/052: {filled with fluid, e.g. inflatable elements}
- 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
- B65B: MACHINES, APPARATUS OR DEVICES FOR, OR METHODS OF, PACKAGING ARTICLES OR MATERIALS; UNPACKING (bundling and pressing devices for cigars A24C1/44; devices for tensioning and securing binders adapted to be supported by the article or articles to be bound B25B25/00; applying closure members to bottles, jars or similar containers B67B1/00-B67B6/00; concurrent cleaning, filling and closing of bottles B67C7/00; emptying bottles, jars, cans, casks, barrels or similar containers B67C9/00)

## Abstract

A storage container includes a box having a first sidewall, a second sidewall coupled to a first edge of the first sidewall, a third sidewall coupled to a second edge of the first sidewall, a fourth sidewall coupled to the second sidewall and the third sidewall, four lower flaps hingedly coupled to lower ends of the first, second, third, and fourth sidewalls, and four upper flaps hingedly coupled to upper ends of the first, second, third, and fourth sidewalls. The storage container also includes at least one inflatable bag coupled to an inner surface of at least one of the first sidewall, the second sidewall, the third sidewall, the fourth sidewall, the four lower flaps, or the four upper flaps.

## Claims

### Claim 1

A storage container, comprising:
a box comprising:
a first sidewall;
a second sidewall coupled to a first edge of the first sidewall;
a third sidewall coupled to a second edge of the first sidewall;
a fourth sidewall coupled to the second sidewall and the third sidewall;
four lower flaps hingedly coupled to lower ends of the first, second, third, and fourth sidewalls; and
four upper flaps hingedly coupled to upper ends of the first, second, third, and fourth sidewalls;
at least one inflatable bag coupled to an inner surface of at least one of the first sidewall, the second sidewall, the third sidewall, the fourth sidewall, the four lower flaps, or the four upper flaps;
a partition configured to divide an interior of the box into at least two chambers; and
at least a second inflatable bag coupled to an outer surface of the partition, wherein the at least second inflatable bag coupled to the partition is separate from the at least one inflatable bag coupled to the box.

### Claim 2 (depends on 1)

The storage container of claim 1, wherein the at least one inflatable bag comprises:
a first inflatable bag connected to an inner surface of the first sidewall;
a second inflatable bag connected to an inner surface of the second sidewall;
a third inflatable bag connected to an inner surface of the third sidewall; and
a fourth inflatable bag connected to an inner surface of the fourth sidewall.

### Claim 3 (depends on 2)

The storage container of claim 2, wherein the at least one inflatable bag further comprises a fifth inflatable bag connected to an inner surface of one of the four lower flaps.

### Claim 4 (depends on 3)

The storage container of claim 3, wherein the at least one inflatable bag further comprises a sixth inflatable bag connected to an inner surface of another one of the four upper flaps.

### Claim 5 (depends on 1)

The storage container of claim 1, wherein the at least one inflatable bag is coupled to the inner surface with an adhesive.

### Claim 6 (depends on 4)

The storage container of claim 4, wherein at least one of the first inflatable bag, the second inflatable bag, the third inflatable bag, the fourth inflatable bag, the fifth inflatable bag, or the sixth inflatable bag comprises a plurality of pockets.

### Claim 7 (depends on 1)

The storage container of claim 1, wherein the at least one inflatable bag comprises a valve.

### Claim 8 (depends on 7)

The storage container of claim 7, wherein the valve is an oral inflation valve.

### Claim 9 (depends on 1)

The storage container of claim 1, further comprising a hand pump configured to inflate the at least one inflatable bag.

### Claim 10 (depends on 1)

The storage container of claim 1, further comprising a motorized pump configured to inflate the at least one inflatable bag.

### Claim 11 (depends on 1)

The storage container of claim 1, wherein the box comprises cardboard.

### Claim 12 (depends on 1)

The storage container of claim 1, wherein the partition has a grid shape.

### Claim 13 (depends on 1)

The storage container of claim 1, wherein the partition has a cross shape.

### Claim 14

A method of packing at least one object for transport, the method comprising:
erecting a box comprising a first sidewall, a second sidewall coupled to a first edge of the first sidewall, a third sidewall coupled to a second edge of the first sidewall, and a fourth sidewall coupled to the second sidewall and the third sidewall;
closing four lower flaps of the box hingedly coupled to lower ends of the first, second, third, and fourth sidewalls;
inserting the at least one object into the interior compartment of the box;
inflating at least one inflatable bag coupled to an inner surface of at least one of the first sidewall, the second sidewall, the third sidewall, the fourth sidewall, the four lower flaps, or four upper flaps hingedly coupled to upper ends of the first, second, third, and fourth sidewalls, wherein following the inflating of the at least one inflatable bag, the at least one inflatable bag extends into an interior compartment of the box;
inserting at least one partition into the interior compartment of the box;
inflating at least one second inflatable bag coupled to the at least one partition, wherein the at least second inflatable bag coupled to the partition is separate from the at least one inflatable bag coupled to the box; and
closing the four upper flaps of the box.

### Claim 15 (depends on 14)

The method of claim 14, wherein the inflating the at least one inflatable bag comprises blowing into an oral inflation valve in the at least one inflatable bag or pumping air into the least one inflatable bag utilizing a pump.

### Claim 16 (depends on 14)

The method of claim 14, further comprising:
unpacking the at least one object from the box; and
deflating the at least one inflatable bag.

### Claim 17 (depends on 16)

The method of claim 16, wherein the deflating the at least one inflatable bag comprises opening a dump valve on the at least one inflatable bag.