Packaging device and method

Abstract

The invention basically includes an outer layer made of flexible sheets of synthetic resinous or impervious materials, and/or rigid and/or semi-rigid materials while the wrapping of each article may be held inside the packaging system by flexible linkages. The portion of the wrapping that is not directly wrapping the article should be considered as the flange of the wrapping which will become the “linkage” in the glossary of this invention. The wrapping may be designed with openings for the protruded, fragile or sharp members of the article to avoid damage to these parts. The wrapping may be made as a closed cell and a negative pressure (vacuum) may be applied to securely grasp the article. For those articles that are not suited for tight wrap, certain fluids (e.g., air) may be provided to the inside of the sealed wrapping to counteract the inflation pressure at the outside of the wrapping.

1 . A device for packaging at least one article therein, said device including: 
 at least two outer portions;    at least two inner portions, wherein said inner portions are joined with said outer portions via linking means, wherein said inner portions are adapted to contain said at least one article; and    wherein, in use, said linking means is in a tensioned or compressed state, and is adapted to position said at least one article at a distance from said outer portions, and to hinder movement of said at least one article towards either of said outer portions.    
   
   
       2 . A device according to  claim 1  wherein said device is movable between a collapsed pre-use configuration and an inflated in-use configuration.  
   
   
       3 . A device according to  claim 1  further including at least a port allowing a fluid to enter the spaces between said inner portions and a respective adjacent outer portion.  
   
   
       4 . A device according to  claim 3  wherein said fluid is a gas.  
   
   
       5 . A device according to  claim 4  wherein said gas is air.  
   
   
       6 . A device according to  claim 3  wherein said fluid in said spaces between said inner portions and the respective adjacent outer portion is at a pressure above the atmospheric pressure.  
   
   
       7 . A device according to  claim 1  wherein said inner portions are fixedly secured with a respective adjacent outer portion.  
   
   
       8 . A device according to  claim 1  wherein said linking means is fixedly secured with a respective adjacent inner portion and/or outer portion by heat-sealing, mechanical fasteners, gluing, chemical bonding, high frequency welding or ultrasonic welding.  
   
   
       9 . A device according to  claim 1  further including at least a port allowing air to be removed from or introduced into a space between said inner portions.  
   
   
       10 . A device according to  claim 1  wherein said linking means is flexible.  
   
   
       11 . A device according to  claim 10  wherein said linking means is movable between a pre-use collapsed configuration and an in-use expanded configuration.  
   
   
       12 . A device according to  claim 1  wherein said linking means is integral with said inner portions.  
   
   
       13 . A device according to  claim 1  wherein said outer portion is longer than said inner portion.  
   
   
       14 . A device according to  claim 1  wherein said outer portion is shorter than said inner portion.  
   
   
       15 . A device according to  claim 1  wherein said outer portion is wider than said inner portion.  
   
   
       16 . A device according to  claim 3  further including a passageway in fluid communicable relationship with the spaces formed between the outer layers and the respective adjacent inner layer, allowing said fluid to pass from one said space to another.  
   
   
       17 . A device according to  claim 1  wherein, when in use, the pressure in the spaces between the outer portions and the respective inner portion is higher than that in the space between the inner portions.  
   
   
       18 . A device according to  claim 1  wherein, when in use, the pressure in the spaces between the outer portions and the respective inner portion is lower than that in the space between the inner portions.  
   
   
       19 . A device according to  claim 1  wherein, when in use, the pressure in the spaces between the outer portions and the respective inner portion is substantially the same as that in the space between the inner portions.  
   
   
       20 . A device according to  claim 1  wherein said linking means comprises a plurality of linkages.  
   
   
       21 . A device according to  claim 1  wherein said outer portions collectively form a bag or a sleeve.  
   
   
       22 . A device according to  claim 1  wherein said inner portions collectively form a bag or a sleeve.  
   
   
       23 . A device according to  claim 1  wherein one said inner portion and one said outer portion collectively form a bag or a sleeve.  
   
   
       24 . A device according to  claim 1  wherein said linking means is part of said outer portions.  
   
   
       25 . A device according to  claim 1  wherein said linking means is part of said inner portions.  
   
   
       26 . A device according to  claim 1  wherein said linking means is a component separate from said inner portions and said outer portions.  
   
   
       27 . A packaging system including a packaging device according to  claim 1  packaged within a packaging device according to  claim 1 .  
   
   
       28 . A method of packaging at least one article, including the steps of: 
 (a) providing a packaging device with at least two outer portions, and at least two inner portions joined with said outer portions via linking means;    (b) positioning said at least one article between said at least two inner portions; and    (c) tensioning or compressing said linking means to thereby position said at least one article at a distance from said outer portions, and to hinder movement of said at least one article towards either of said outer portions    
   
   
       29 . A method according to  claim 28  further including a step (d) of sealing said packaging off from the outside environment.  
   
   
       30 . A method according to  claim 28  further including a step (e) of introducing a fluid into spaces formed between said outer portions and the respective adjacent inner portion.  
   
   
       31 . A method according to  claim 30  wherein said fluid is a gas.  
   
   
       32 . A method according to  claim 31  wherein said gas is air.  
   
   
       33 . A method according to  claim 30  wherein said fluid in said spaces between said outer portions and the respective adjacent inner portion is at a pressure above the atmospheric pressure.  
   
   
       34 . A method according to  claim 28  further including a step (f) of removing air from a space between said inner portions.  
   
   
       35 . A method according to  claim 28  further including a step (g) of causing said linking means to move between a pre-use collapsed configuration and an in-use expanded configuration.  
   
   
       36 . A method according to  claim 30  wherein said fluid introduced into at least one said space between one said outer portion and its adjacent inner portion passes to another space between another said outer portion and its adjacent inner portion via a passageway which is in fluid communicable relationship with said spaces.  
   
   
       37 . A method according to  claim 28  further including a step (h) of introducing air into a space between said inner portions.