Packaging system

Abstract

One embodiment of a packaging system includes a device having a movable component biased to move, in the absence of an external force, from a first position to a second position different from the first position, and a flexible packaging material including an inflated bladder, the inflated bladder removably positioned against the component to hold the component in the first position.

1 . A packaging system, comprising: 
 a device including a movable component biased to move, in the absence of an external force, from a first position to a second position different from said first position; and    a flexible packaging material including an inflated bladder, said inflated bladder removably positioned against said component to hold said component in said first position.    
   
   
       2 . The system of  claim 1  wherein said component is biased by a spring to move from said first position to said second position.  
   
   
       3 . The system of  claim 1  wherein said device further includes a second component and wherein in said first position said component is out of contact with said second component and in said second position said component is in contact with said second component.  
   
   
       4 . The system of  claim 3  wherein said device comprises an imaging device, said component comprises an imaging drum and said second component comprises a developer roller.  
   
   
       5 . The system of  claim 2  wherein said inflated bladder counteracts a biasing force of said spring.  
   
   
       6 . The system of  claim 3  wherein said inflated bladder is positioned between said component and said second component.  
   
   
       7 . The system of  claim 3  wherein said inflated bladder is positioned around said component and said second component.  
   
   
       8 . The system of  claim 1  wherein said packaging material comprises a flexible top sheet of plastic secured to a flexible bottom sheet of plastic and defining said inflated bladder there between.  
   
   
       9 . The system of  claim 1  wherein said inflated bladder is filled with at least one gas.  
   
   
       10 . The system of  claim 1  wherein said component comprises an elongate member that slides within a track from said first position to said second position, and wherein said inflated bladder holds said elongate member in said first position within said track.  
   
   
       11 . The system of  claim 10  further comprising a developer roller secured to a spring and positioned adjacent an imaging drum, said spring secured to and biasing said pin into said second position in the absence of an external force wherein said developer roller contacts said imaging drum when said pin is in said second position, and wherein said inflated bladder holds said pin in said first position within said track so as to hold said developer roller out of contact with said imaging device.  
   
   
       12 . A packaging system, comprising: 
 a structure including a movable part that moves between a biased position and an unbiased position; and    a packaging material including a gas filled cushion in contact with and exerting a force against said movable part to retain said movable part in said unbiased position.    
   
   
       13 . The system of  claim 12  wherein said movable part moves into said biased position upon removal of said packaging material.  
   
   
       14 . The system of  claim 12  wherein said structure includes a toner cartridge and said movable part is chosen from one of an imaging drum and a developer roller.  
   
   
       15 . The system of  claim 12  wherein said gas filled cushion is inflated to a pressure of greater than atmospheric pressure.  
   
   
       16 . The system of  claim 12  wherein said packaging material at least partially surrounds said structure such that said packaging material is self-secured to said structure in the absence of a packaging container around said packaging material.  
   
   
       17 . A method of packaging a device for shipping, said device including a movable component, the method comprising: 
 inflating a bladder of a flexible packaging material; and    securing said flexible packaging material against said device such that said inflated bladder exerts a pressure on said movable component to restrain said movable component.    
   
   
       18 . The method of  claim 17  wherein said movable component is biased to move from a first position to a second position, and wherein said securing restrains said movable component in said first position.  
   
   
       19 . The method of  claim 17  wherein said device includes a second component, said movable component moves with respect to said second component and wherein said securing comprising positioning said inflated bladder between said movable component and said second component.  
   
   
       20 . The method of  claim 17  wherein said device includes a second component, said movable component is pivotally mounted centrally on said second component, and wherein said securing comprising positioning said inflated bladder around at least a portion of said movable component and at least a portion of said second component to pivot and retain said movable component into a stationary position with respect to said second component.  
   
   
       21 . A packaging system, comprising: 
 an imaging device including a movable component biased to move from a first position to a second position; and    inflated packing means for retaining said component in said first position.    
   
   
       22 . The system of  claim 21  wherein said movable component comprises a developer roller mounted on a pivoting support.  
   
   
       23 . The system of  claim 22  wherein said pivoting support is mounted on a base that includes an imaging drum, and wherein when said pivoting support is positioned in said first position said developer roller is out of contact with said imaging drum and in said second position said developer roller is in contact with said imaging drum.  
   
   
       24 . The system of  claim 21  wherein said movable component comprises an imaging drum mounted on a pivoting support.  
   
   
       25 . The system of  claim 24  wherein said pivoting support is mounted on a base that includes a developer roller, and wherein when said pivoting support is positioned in said first position said imaging drum is out of contact with said developer roller and in said second position said imaging drum is in contact with said developer roller.  
   
   
       26 . The system of  claim 21  wherein said inflated packing means is removably positioned on said component.  
   
   
       27 . The system of  claim 21  wherein said inflated packing means comprises a flexible sheet including at least one inflated compartment therein.  
   
   
       28 . The system of  claim 27  wherein said at least one inflated compartment is deflatable after retaining said component in said first position during shipping.  
   
   
       29 . The system of  claim 21  wherein said packing means is self-retaining on said imaging device.  
   
   
       30 . An imaging device, comprising: 
 a flexible membrane including an inflated compartment adapted to exert pressure on a biased cartridge component to retain said component in a shipping position.    
   
   
       31 . The packaging of  claim 30  wherein said inflated compartment is sized to be received between a pivoting support and a base.  
   
   
       32 . The packaging of  claim 30  wherein said inflated compartment is sized to retain a pin in said shipping position within a track.  
   
   
       33 . A packaging system, comprising: 
 a flexible membrane including a first pocket defining a first inflated volume and a second pocket defining a second inflated volume different from said first inflated volume.    
   
   
       34 . The system of  claim 33  wherein said first pocket is inflated to a first pressure and said second pocket is inflated to a second pressure different from said first pressure.  
   
   
       35 . The system of  claim 33  wherein said first pocket is sized to retain a first component in an unbiased condition and said second pocket is sized to retain a second component in an unbiased condition.  
   
   
       36 . The system of  claim 33  wherein said first pocket defines a cavity adapted to receive a component therein, wherein said first pocket retains said component in an unbiased condition when said component is retained within said cavity.  
   
   
       37 . A packaging system, including: 
 an inflatable bladder that retains a component of a device in a shipping position and prevents movement of said component to an in-use position.