Container

Abstract

An inflatable container includes a first body having an inner wall defining at least a portion of a receptacle and an outer wall. The inner wall is attached to the outer wall such that a cavity is defined between the inner wall and the outer wall. A first foam is positioned within the cavity. The first foam is of a type that expands when exposed to air. At least one first valve is attached to the first body. The one or more first valves are in communication with the cavity and are configured to adjust from a closed position to an open position. The at least one first valve permits air to pass through the at least one first valve and into the cavity when in the open position and prevents air from passing through the at least one first valve and into the cavity when in the closed position.

1 . An inflatable container comprising a first body having an inner wall defining at least a portion of a receptacle and an outer wall, the inner wall attached to the outer wall such that a cavity is defined between the inner wall and the outer wall,
 a first foam positioned within the cavity, the first foam being of a type that will expand when exposed to air; and   at least one first valve attached to the first body, the at least one first valve in communication with the cavity and configured to adjust from a closed position to an open position, the at least one first valve permitting air to pass through the at least one first valve and into the cavity when in the open position and preventing air from passing through the at least one first valve and into the cavity when in the closed position.   
     
     
         2 . The inflatable container of  claim 1  wherein the cavity is an air tight cavity. 
     
     
         3 . The inflatable container of  claim 1  wherein the first foam has at least one chemical, physical, or structural property that permits the first foam to inflate the first body after the at least one first valve is positioned in the open position. 
     
     
         4 . The inflatable container of  claim 1  further comprising a second body attached to the first body, the second body having an inner wall defining at least a portion of a receptacle and an outer wall, the inner wall of the second body attached to the outer wall of the second body such that a cavity is defined between the inner wall of the second body and the outer wall of the second body,
 a second foam positioned within the cavity of the second body, the second foam being of a type that will expand when exposed to air; and   at least one second valve attached to the second body, the at least one second valve in communication with the cavity of the second body and configured to adjust from a closed position to an open position, the at least one second valve permitting air to pass through the at least one second valve and into the cavity of the second body when in the open position and preventing air from passing through the at least one second valve and into the cavity of the second body when in the closed position.   
     
     
         5 . The inflatable container of  claim 4  wherein the second foam is a different type of foam than the first foam. 
     
     
         6 . The inflatable container of  claim 4  wherein the first body and the second body are integrally attached such that the cavity of the second body is in communication with the cavity of the first body. 
     
     
         7 . The inflatable container of  claim 6  wherein the first foam is attached to the second foam such that the first foam and the second foam form a unitary structure. 
     
     
         8 . The inflatable container of  claim 4  further comprising a first flap attached to the first body, the first flap extending from the first body and being moveable from an open position to closed position, the first flap covering the receptacle when in the closed position and at least partially not covering the receptacle when in the open position. 
     
     
         9 . The inflatable container of  claim 1  further comprising a first flap attached to the first body, the first flap extending from the first body and being moveable from an open position to closed position, the first flap covering the receptacle when in the closed position and at least partially not covering the receptacle when in the open position. 
     
     
         10 . The inflatable container of  claim 1  further comprising a second flap attached to the first body or the first flap, the second flap configured to move from an open position to a closed position, the closed position of the second flap configured to help keep the first flap in a closed position. 
     
     
         11 . The inflatable container of  claim 10  wherein the second flap is configured to keep the first flap in an air tight engagement with a portion of the first body when the second flap is in the closed position and the first flap is in the closed position. 
     
     
         12 . The inflatable container of  claim 11  wherein the second flap is releasably attachable to a fastening mechanism attached to the first body. 
     
     
         13 . The inflatable container of  claim 10  wherein the second flap is releasably attachable to a fastening mechanism attached to the first body. 
     
     
         14 . The inflatable container of  claim 1  further comprising at least one resilient strip attached to an upper portion of at least one of the inner wall and the outer wall of the first body. 
     
     
         15 . The inflatable container of  claim 14  wherein the at least one resilient strip is composed of plastic foam, vinyl foam, or a resilient plastic foam. 
     
     
         16 . The inflatable container of  claim 1  wherein the first body is configured to be buoyant when in an inflated position. 
     
     
         17 . The inflatable container of  claim 1  wherein the first body is configured to be rolled about itself when in a deflated position. 
     
     
         18 . The inflatable container of  claim 1  wherein the outer wall of the first body is composed of tarpaulin material or thermoplastic urethane. 
     
     
         19 . The inflatable container of  claim 1  wherein the receptacle is sized and configured to receive an article selected from the group consisting of cameras and electronic devices. 
     
     
         20 . The inflatable container of  claim 1  wherein the at least one first valve is a one-way valve or a two-way valve.