Apparatus and method for inflating and sealing an inflatable mailer
AssigneeSealed Air Corporation (US)
InventorsCharles Kannankeril, Ian Donegan
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
The invention is directed to an apparatus and method for inflating and sealing a mailer comprising an inner inflatable liner having at least one inflation port, valve, or combination thereof through which a portion of gas can be introduced into the liner.
Claims20
An apparatus for inflating and sealing a mailer comprising an inner inflatable liner having at least one inflation port or valve through which a portion of gas can be introduced into said liner, wherein said apparatus comprises:
- a. an inflation assembly comprising:
- i. upper and lower support arms that form a mouth for inserting said mailer, wherein said upper and lower support arms are positioned respectively above and below said mouth;
- ii. at least one inflation nozzle positioned on at least one of said support arms, said inflation nozzle comprising an inlet port connected to a gas source and an outlet port configured to be positioned adjacent to said at least one inflation port or valve when said mailer is inserted into said mouth, wherein said inflation nozzle is capable of initiating inflation without direct contact with said inflation port or valve;
- and wherein said inflation nozzle is not configured to be inserted inside said inflation port or valve;
- b. a sealing assembly comprising:
- i. upper and lower support arms positioned respectively above and below said mouth and downstream from said inflation assembly;
- ii. an upper heat seal jaw positioned on said upper support arm;
- iii. a lower heat seal jaw positioned on said lower support arm;
- iv. a heat seal element on at least one of the heat seal jaws;
- wherein the introduction of gas into the mailer causes outward expansion of the liner, resulting in a seal being created against the inflation port or valve.
An apparatus for inflating a pouch comprising an inner inflatable liner having at least one inflation port or valve through which a portion of gas can be introduced into said liner, wherein said apparatus comprises an inflation assembly comprising:
- a. upper and lower support arms that form a mouth for inserting said pouch, wherein said upper and lower support arms are positioned respectively above and below said mouth;
- b. at least one inflation nozzle positioned on at least one of said support arms, said inflation nozzle comprising an inlet port connected to a gas source and an outlet port configured to be positioned adjacent to said at least one inflation port or valve when said pouch is inserted into said mouth, wherein said inflation nozzle is capable of initiating inflation without direct contact with said pouch;
- and wherein said inflation nozzle is not configured to be inserted inside said pouch inflation port or valve;
- wherein the introduction of gas into the pouch causes outward expansion of the film, resulting in a seal being created against the inflation port or valve.
A method of inflating and sealing a mailer comprising an inner inflatable liner having at least one inflation port or valve through which a portion of gas can be introduced into said inflatable liner, wherein said method comprises:
- a. providing an inflation assembly comprising:
- i. upper and lower support arms that form a mouth for inserting said mailer, wherein said upper and lower support arms are positioned respectively above and below said mouth;
- ii. at least one inflation nozzle positioned on at least one of said support arms, said inflation nozzle comprising an inlet port connected to a gas source and an outlet port configured to be positioned adjacent to said at least one inflation port or valve when said mailer is inserted into said mouth, wherein said inflation nozzle is capable of initiating inflation without direct contact with said inflation port or valve;
- and wherein said inflation nozzle is not configured to be inserted inside said inflation port or valve;
- b. providing a sealing assembly comprising:
- i. upper and lower support arms positioned respectively above and below said mouth and downstream from said inflation assembly;
- ii. an upper heat seal jaw positioned on said upper support arm;
- iii. a lower heat seal jaw positioned on said lower support arm;
- iv. a heat seal element on at least one of the heat seal jaws;
- c. inserting said mailer into said mouth such that said outlet port is aligned with said mailer inflation port or valve;
- d. initiating the flow of gas from said gas source into said at least one inflation nozzle to inflate said inflatable liner to a desired amount;
- e. initiating at least one seal jaw to engage and seal to isolate said inflation port or valve and thereby produce an inflated mailer;
- f. disengaging at least one seal jaw from the mailer;
- and
- g. removing the inflated and sealed mailer.
A method of inflating a pouch comprising an inner inflatable liner having at least one inflation port or valve through which a portion of gas can be introduced into said inflatable liner, wherein said method comprises:
- a. providing an inflation assembly comprising:
- i. upper and lower support arms that form a mouth for inserting said pouch, wherein said upper and lower support arms are positioned respectively above and below said mouth;
- ii. at least one inflation nozzle positioned on at least one of said support arms, said inflation nozzle comprising an inlet port connected to a gas source and an outlet port configured to be positioned adjacent to said at least one inflation port or valve when said pouch is inserted in said mouth, wherein said inflation nozzle is capable of initiating inflation without direct contact with said pouch;
- and wherein said inflation nozzle is not configured to be inserted inside said pouch inflation port or valve;
- b. inserting said pouch into said mouth such that said outlet port is aligned with said pouch inflation port;
- c. initiating the flow of gas from said gas source into said at least one inflation nozzle to inflate said inflatable liner to a desired amount;
- and
- d. removing the inflated pouch.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.