Inflatable cases and methods

Abstract

The invention provides systems and methods for inflating a device, such that the device forms a protective case securely enclosing a product, thus insulating and cushioning against the potential of impairment, damage and breakage. In one exemplary embodiment, the inflatable device is an inflatable bladder formable into a protective case that encloses the consumer device and provides an exceptional amount of protection in a lightweight device.

1 . An inflatable device for protecting a consumer device, comprising: 
 an inflatable bladder, wherein the bladder is formable into a case that at least partially encloses the consumer device;    a pump assembly comprising a compressible pump and a one-way air intake valve, the pump assembly operatively coupled to the inflatable bladder through the one-way valve, wherein the pump assembly operates to inflate the bladder through the one-way valve, thereby permitting a one-way flow of air from the pump assembly into the bladder; and    an air release valve, operatively coupled to the inflatable bladder, wherein the air release valve operates to deflate the bladder.    
   
   
       2 . An inflatable device as in  claim 1 , wherein the compressible pump further comprises: 
 a pump cavity coupled to the inflatable bladder through the one-way air intake valve; and    a compressible material located within the pump cavity, the compressible material operating to provide air displacement from the pump cavity into the bladder.    
   
   
       3 . An inflatable device as in  claim 2 , wherein the pump cavity comprises a flap that is an integral part of the inflatable bladder.  
   
   
       4 . An inflatable device as in  claim 3 , wherein the flap further comprises a hook and loop fastener material, such that the flap may be folded and removably secured to the inflatable bladder using the hook and loop fastener material.  
   
   
       5 . An inflatable device as in  claim 1 , wherein the compressible pump further comprises: 
 a pump cavity coupled to the inflatable bladder through the one-way air intake valve;    a compressible material located within the pump cavity; and    a hole coupled to the pump cavity, the hole operable for both introducing air into the pump cavity and containing the air within the cavity for displacement into the bladder using the compressible material.    
   
   
       6 . An inflatable device as in  claim 1 , further comprising an exoskeleton, and wherein the inflatable bladder is inserted into the exoskeleton.  
   
   
       7 . An inflatable device as in  claim 1 , wherein the inflatable bladder further comprises a perimeter and an extension formed at the perimeter, thereby providing points for attaching the inflatable device to an object.  
   
   
       8 . An inflatable device as in  claim 1 , wherein the inflatable bladder is constructed from a group of materials consisting of urethane, polyvinylchloride (PVC) or Mylar.  
   
   
       9 . An inflatable device as in  claim 1 , wherein the inflatable bladder is folded in half and exterior welded on two sides thereby defining an opening for inserting the consumer product.  
   
   
       10 . An inflatable device as in  claim 9 , wherein the exterior welding further comprises RF welding.  
   
   
       11 . An inflatable device as in  claim 1 , wherein the inflatable bladder is comprised of a sealable and weldable material.  
   
   
       12 . An inflatable device as in  claim 1 , wherein the inflatable bladder further comprises a plurality of air cells having a single continuous air path, the plurality of air cells positioned longitudinally in the inflatable bladder thereby forming a plurality of longitudinal columns of air when inflated.  
   
   
       13 . An inflatable device as in  claim 12 , wherein the plurality of air cells are formed by fusing sections of the inflatable bladder, thereby creating the air cells by providing a plurality of ribs that separate adjacent air cells and provide structural support.  
   
   
       14 . An inflatable device as in  claim 13 , wherein the plurality of ribs further comprise thin longitudinal strips of fused inflatable bladder measuring less than about ⅛ inch in thickness, and wherein the case defines a window.  
   
   
       15 . An inflatable device as in  claim 12 , further comprising a plurality of one-way air cell valves connecting the plurality of air cells, the air cell valves operable for isolating the air cells in case of puncture.  
   
   
       16 . An inflatable device as in  claim 1 , further comprising a hooking point for allowing the case to be removably attached to other items.  
   
   
       17 . An inflatable device as in  claim 1 , wherein the case is adapted to receive goods selected from a group consisting of personal electronics, sporting goods and eyewear.  
   
   
       18 . An inflatable device as in  claim 1 , wherein the case is integrated with carriers selected from a group consisting of luggage, briefcases and backpacks.  
   
   
       19 . An inflatable storage case for protecting consumer products from damage comprising: 
 an inflatable bladder, wherein the bladder defines at least a portion of the inflatable case;    an outer layer of material that is adapted to receive to the inflatable bladder, wherein the outer layer of material forms an exoskeleton to create a shape of the inflatable case;    a pump assembly comprising a compressible pump and a one-way air intake valve, the pump assembly operatively coupled to the inflatable bladder through the one-way valve, wherein the pump assembly operates to inflate the bladder through the one-way valve, thereby permitting a one-way flow of air from the pump assembly into the bladder; and    an air release valve, operatively coupled to the inflatable bladder, wherein the release valve operates to deflate the bladder.    
   
   
       20 . An inflatable case as in  claim 19 , wherein the outer layer of material defines an opening for inserting the consumer product.  
   
   
       21 . An inflatable case as in  claim 19 , wherein the inflatable bladder is constructed from a material selected from a group consisting of urethane, polyvinylchloride (PVC) or mylar.  
   
   
       22 . An inflatable case as in  claim 19 , wherein the inflatable bladder further comprises a plurality of air cells having a single continuous air path, the plurality of air cells positioned longitudinally in the inflatable bladder thereby forming a plurality of longitudinal columns of air when inflated.  
   
   
       23 . An inflatable case as in  claim 22 , wherein the plurality of air cells are formed by fusing sections of the inflatable bladder, thereby creating the air cells by providing a plurality of ribs that separate adjacent air cells.  
   
   
       24 . An inflatable case as in  claim 19 , wherein the compressible pump further comprises: 
 a pump cavity coupled to the inflatable bladder through the one-way air intake valve; and    a compressible material located within the pump cavity, the material operating to provide air displacement from the pump cavity into the bladder.    
   
   
       25 . An inflatable case as in  claim 24 , wherein the pump cavity is located on a flap that is an integral part of the inflatable bladder.  
   
   
       26 . An inflatable case as in  claim 19 , wherein the compressible pump further comprises: 
 a pump chamber coupled to the inflatable bladder through the one-way air intake valve;    a compressible material located within the pump chamber; and    a hole coupled to the pump chamber, the hole operable for both introducing air into the pump chamber and containing the air within the chamber for displacement into the bladder using the compressible material.    
   
   
       27 . An inflatable protective case for insulating consumer products from damage comprising: 
 an inflatable bladder, wherein the bladder defines at least a portion of the protective case;    a compressible pump assembly comprising a pump chamber coupled to the inflatable bladder, a compressible material located within the pump chamber, and a hole coupled to the pump chamber, the hole operable for both introducing air into the pump chamber and containing the air within the pump chamber for displacement into the bladder using the compressible material;    a one-way air intake valve operatively coupled to the inflatable bladder and the compressible pump assembly, wherein the one-way air intake valve permits a one-way flow of air from the pump cavity into the bladder; and    an air release valve, operatively coupled to the inflatable bladder, wherein the release valve operates to deflate the bladder.    
   
   
       28 . An inflatable protective case as in  claim 27 , further comprising an outer layer of material that is adapted to receive at least a portion of the inflatable bladder, wherein the outer layer of material forms an exoskeleton to create a shape of the inflatable case.  
   
   
       29 . A inflatable protective case as in  claim 27 , wherein the protective case is adapted to receive goods selected from a group consisting of eyewear, sporting goods and consumer electronics.  
   
   
       30 . An inflatable protective case as in  claim 27 , wherein the inflatable bladder is comprised of urethane, polyvinylchloride (PVC) or mylar.  
   
   
       31 . An inflatable case as in  claim 27 , wherein the inflatable bladder further comprises a plurality of air cells having a single continuous air path, the plurality of air cells positioned longitudinally in the inflatable bladder thereby forming a plurality of longitudinal columns of air when inflated.  
   
   
       32 . An inflatable case as in  claim 31 , wherein the plurality of air cells are formed by fusing sections of the inflatable bladder, thereby creating the air cells by providing a plurality of ribs that separate adjacent air cells.  
   
   
       33 . An inflatable case as in  claim 27 , wherein the pump chamber comprises a flap that is an integral part of the inflatable bladder.  
   
   
       34 . An inflatable case as in  claim 27 , wherein the protective case is integrated with carriers selected from a group consisting of luggage, briefcases, and backpacks.  
   
   
       35 . An inflatable protective case for insulating a personal electronic device from damage comprising: 
 an inflatable bladder, wherein the bladder defines at least a portion of the protective case;    a compressible pump assembly comprising a pump chamber coupled to the inflatable bladder, a compressible material located within the pump chamber, and a hole coupled to the pump chamber, the hole operable for both introducing air into the pump chamber and containing the air within the pump chamber for displacement into the bladder using the compressible material;    an air intake valve operatively coupled to the inflatable bladder and the compressible pump assembly, wherein the air intake valve permits air flow from the pump cavity into the bladder;    a transparent cover coupled to the inflatable bladder, wherein the transparent cover allows a personal electronic device display to be visible; and    an air release valve, operatively coupled to the inflatable bladder, wherein the release valve operates to deflate the bladder.    
   
   
       36 . The inflatable protective case as in  claim 35 , wherein the inflatable bladder further comprises a pull-down flap portion, wherein the flap portion covers the transparent cover such that the flap portion protects the personal electronic device when engaged and exposes the electronics through the transparent cover when disengaged.  
   
   
       37 . A method for providing an inflatable protective case for insulating a consumer product, the method comprising: 
 providing an inflatable protective case, wherein the case comprises an inflatable bladder, wherein the bladder defines at least a portion of the inflatable case, a pump assembly operatively coupled to the inflatable bladder comprising a compressible pump and an air intake valve, and a release valve operatively coupled to the inflatable bladder; and    operating the pump assembly to cause air from the pump assembly to pass through the intake valve and to inflate the bladder.    
   
   
       38 . The method of  claim 37 , further comprising providing an outer layer of material, and inserting the bladder into the outer layer of material.  
   
   
       39 . The method of  claim 37 , wherein the pump assembly further includes a hole, and closing the hole with a finger while operating the pump assembly, and further comprising activating the release valve to deflate the bladder.  
   
   
       40 . The method of  claim 37 , further comprising inserting an article into the protective case prior to operating the pump assembly.  
   
   
       41 . The method of  claim 37 , further comprising coupling the inflatable protective case to an object.  
   
   
       42 . An inflatable protective case for insulating a flip-style personal electronic device from damage comprising: 
 an inflatable bladder comprising a first portion and a second portion;    a compressible pump assembly comprising a pump chamber coupled to the inflatable bladder, a compressible material located within the pump chamber, and a hole coupled to the pump chamber for introducing air into the pump chamber for displacement into the bladder;    an air intake valve operatively coupled to the inflatable bladder and the compressible pump assembly, wherein the air intake valve permits a one-way flow of air from the pump cavity into the bladder;    wherein at least one of the first or the second portion defines a window to allow at least a portion of the display device to be visible from outside the case; and    a release valve operatively coupled to the inflatable bladder, wherein the release valve operates to deflate the bladder.    
   
   
       43 . An inflatable protective case as in  claim 42 , further comprising a first transparent cover coupled to the first portion and a second transparent cover portion coupled to the second portion, wherein the first transparent cover and the second transparent cover allow a device display to be visible.  
   
   
       44 . An inflatable protective case as in  claim 42 , wherein the first transparent cover and the second transparent cover comprise a contiguous transparent cover.  
   
   
       45 . An inflatable protective case as in  claim 42 , wherein the first portion of the bladder and the first transparent cover form a protective case around the base electronics of the flip-style personal electronic device and wherein the second portion of the bladder and the second transparent cover form a protective case around the flip-up electronics of the flip-style personal electronic device.  
   
   
       46 . An inflatable case for protecting a consumer device from damage comprising: 
 a first inflatable bladder;    a first pump assembly comprising a first compressible pump and a first air intake valve, the first pump assembly operatively coupled to the first inflatable bladder through the first valve, wherein the first pump assembly operates to inflate the first bladder through the first valve;    a first air release valve operatively coupled to the first inflatable bladder, wherein the air release valve operates to deflate the first bladder;    a second inflatable bladder;    a second pump assembly comprising a second compressible pump and a second air intake valve, the second pump assembly operatively coupled to the second inflatable bladder through the second valve, wherein the second pump assembly operates to inflate the second bladder through the second valve;    a second air release valve operatively coupled to the second inflatable bladder, wherein the air release valve operates to deflate the second bladder.    
   
   
       47 . An inflatable case as in  claim 46 , wherein the first inflatable bladder is exterior welded to the second inflatable bladder on at least two sides thereby forming the case with an opening for inserting the consumer product.