Inflatable shipping container

Abstract

An inflatable, reusable cargo containing and protecting device suitable for use in shipping, which is inflatable by compressed air. A plurality of air chambers forms the exterior frame of the container, while high strength webbing forms the interior. The air chambers may comprise neoprene, PVC, HYPALON®, or other similar material that is formable, pliable, foldable, abrasion resistant, and which can be used to form airtight structures. A high strength, foldable, pliable material in a webbed or solid format forms the interior. The non-rigid material may comprise ballistic nylon, PVC or other suitable material and may be stitched, epoxied, chemically welded, or otherwise attached to the air chambers. A user may store a large number of the devices in a deflated and folded state, requiring only minimal space. When required, the devices are inflated, packed and shipped. At the receiving end, the devices may be deflated and folded for storage or return, either way taking advantage of the low weight and small volume required.

1 . A foldable, reusable, cargo containing and protecting container inflatable by compressed air, said container comprising:
 a. a plurality of optionally communicating air chambers [ 1 ] that, upon inflation, form a plurality of vertical and horizontal external frame members thereby defining and bounding an interior volume; and   b. at least one flexible liner [ 3 ] which, when attached to the external frame members [ 2 ] and suspended within the volume defined and bounded by the air chambers [ 1 ], forms one or more sidewalls, a bottom and/or a top of said container; and   c. optionally, one or more check valves [ 4 ] which facilitate one-way communication between air chambers [ 1 ], such that the inflating air may flow through a first air chamber [ 1 ] and into a second air chamber [ 1 ] but air from the second air chamber [ 1 ] cannot flow into the first air chamber [ 1 ]; and   d. optionally, one or more relief valves [ 9 ] which facilitate immediate air release due to over-pressurization of one or more air chambers [ 1 ]; and   e. at least one air inlet valve [ 5 ] through which compressed air may be introduced into an air chamber [ 1 ]; and   f. a plurality of attachment points [ 6 ] affixed and variously located on the air chambers [ 1 ] and which provide a means of securing the flexible liner [ 3 ]; and   g. optionally, one or more solid panels [ 7 ] configured to form one or more of the top, bottom or sides of the container.   
     
     
         2 . The container of  claim 1 , wherein the air chambers [ 1 ] comprise an airtight, pliable, abrasion resistant, puncture proof material, such as neoprene, PVC, or cholorosulfonated polyethylene or polyester. 
     
     
         3 . The container of  claim 1 , wherein at least one of the flexible liners [ 3 ] comprises a pliable, abrasion resistant, puncture proof material, such as ballistic nylon, PVC, cholorosulfonated polyethylene or polyester. 
     
     
         4 . The container of  claim 1 , wherein the attachment points [ 6 ] comprise D-rings. 
     
     
         5 . The container of  claim 1 , wherein the flexible liner [ 3 ] defining at least one sidewall of the container is mechanically fastened to the air chambers [ 1 ] via a plurality of D-rings [ 10 ]. 
     
     
         6 . The container of  claim 1 , wherein the flexible liner [ 3 ] defining at least one sidewall of the container is stitched, epoxied or welded to the air chambers [ 1 ]. 
     
     
         7 . The container of  claim 1 , wherein the flexible liner [ 3 ] comprises sling loops [ 8 ]. 
     
     
         8 . The container of  claim 1 , wherein a plurality of air chambers [ 1 ] defines the edge surfaces of a cube solid or rectangular cuboid solid. 
     
     
         9 . The container of  claim 1 , wherein a plurality of air chambers [ 1 ] defines a top and bottom circumference and the vertical length of a cylinder. 
     
     
         10 . The container of  claim 1  where the floor of the container is a solid rigid material attached to each adjacent air chamber [ 1 ] defining a sidewall.