Protective envelope device for packaging fragile articles
OwnerTheodore W. Lookholderinventor
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
A unitary protective envelope device for packaging fragile articles has an outer wall and a conformable inner wall. A mass of compressed resilient open-celled cellular material is enclosed in the space between the walls and held in compressed condition under vacuum. The material upon exposure to atmospheric pressure expands, forcing the inner wall conformingly against articles in the envelope and converting the envelope into an impact-absorbing pod embracing and conforming closely to its contents. In one preferred embodiment a compressed slab of open-celled foam held in compressed condition in a vacuum-sealed sack positioned between the walls expands to embrace the contents of the envelope when the sack is punctured.
Claims16
A unitary protective envelope device for packaging fragile articles, comprising:
- an envelope adapted to sealably enclose such articles and having an outer wall and a conformable inner wall, said walls defining an expandable cavity therebetween;
- and
- a mass of compressed resilient material contained in said cavity and held in compressed condition under vacuum, said mass of material being adapted upon exposure to atmospheric pressure to expand to an impact-absorbing state, and thereby to force said inner wall into embracing conformity with said articles.
A method for packaging fragile articles, comprising:
- sealably enclosing such articles in an envelope having an outer wall and a comformable inner wall, said walls defining an expandable cavity therebetween and said cavity containing a mass of compressed resilient material held in compressed condition under vacuum and adapted upon exposure to atmospheric pressure to expand to an impact-absorbing state;
- and
- exposing said mass of material to atmospheric pressure, thereby causing said material to expand and by such expansion to force said inner wall into embracing conformity with said articles.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.