Containers with inflatable dunnage

A container comprising:

• a container body which is reversibly and repeatedly reconfigurable between a use state in which the container body forms an internal cavity for receiving content and has an opening through which the content is able to be inserted to and removed from the internal cavity, and a collapsed state in which an internal volume of the internal cavity is reduced compared with the use state;
• a closure which is movable with respect to the container body between a closed position in which it closes the opening and an open position in which the opening is uncovered;
• a locking member which is movable between a lock position and an unlock position and which is configured, when in the lock position to mechanically lock the closure in a closed position, the locking member being configured to release the closure when moved to the unlock position to enable the closure to be moved to an open position;
• an inflatable dunnage disposed in the internal cavity and configured to be inflated by injection of gas or liquid;
• an exhaust port communicating with the inflatable dunnage;
• and
• an exhaust port shutoff arrangement having a closed state in which the exhaust port shutoff arrangement closes the exhaust port and an open state in which the exhaust port shutoff arrangement opens the exhaust port, and
• wherein the locking member is configured to cooperate mechanically with the exhaust port shutoff arrangement such that moving the locking member from the lock position to the unlock position causes the exhaust port shutoff arrangement to change from the closed state to the open state, whereby pressure in the inflatable dunnage is automatically released through the exhaust port prior to opening the container:
• the closure is configured when in the closed position to prevent access to the internal cavity;
• and,
• with the container in its collapsed state, the locking member is configured to lock the container in the collapsed state when in the lock position and to release the container and enable to the container be reconfigured to the use state when in the unlock position.

A container comprising:

• a container body which is reversibly and repeatedly reconfigurable between a use state in which the container body forms an internal cavity for receiving content and has an opening through which the content is able to be inserted to and removed from the internal cavity, and a collapsed state in which an internal volume of the internal cavity is reduced compared with the use state;
• a closure which is movable with respect to the container body between a closed position in which it closes the opening and an open position in which the opening is uncovered;
• a locking member which is movable between a lock position and an unlock position and which is configured, when in the lock position to mechanically lock the closure in a closed position, the locking member being configured to release the closure when moved to the unlock position to enable the closure to be moved to an open position;
• an inflatable dunnage disposed in the internal cavity and configured to be inflated by injection of gas or liquid;
• an exhaust port communicating with the inflatable dunnage;
• and
• an exhaust port shutoff arrangement having a closed state in which the exhaust port shutoff arrangement closes the exhaust port and an open state in which the exhaust port shutoff arrangement opens the exhaust port, and
• wherein the locking member is configured to cooperate mechanically with the exhaust port shutoff arrangement such that moving the locking member from the lock position to the unlock position causes the exhaust port shutoff arrangement to change from the closed state to the open state, whereby pressure in the inflatable dunnage is automatically released through the exhaust port prior to opening the container,
• the exhaust port shutoff arrangement comprising a bung carried on the locking member and arranged to be inserted into the exhaust port by an action of moving the locking member to the lock position, and to be withdrawn from the exhaust port by the action of moving the locking member to the unlock position, the bung incorporating an inflation port through which the inflatable dunnage is able to be inflated whilst the bung is in the exhaust port.