Inflatable packaging cushion with suspension hammock

Abstract

The present invention is directed to an inflatable packaging cushion that may include a plurality of inflation tubes to define a structure of the inflatable packaging cushion, in which the structure includes an interior region defined by the plurality of inflation tubes. The inflatable packaging cushion may further include a suspension hammock positioned within the interior region defined by the plurality of inflation tubes, and connected to at least one of the inflation tubes. The inflatable packaging further also includes a package receiving portion that is configured and dimensioned to receive a product and a suspension portion that is configured to retain and cushion the product within the inflation tubes and suspension hammock. The suspension hammock is configured so that the product within the suspension portion does not extend past an end of the inflatable packaging cushion thereby reducing the likelihood of damage to the product.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . An inflatable packaging cushion, comprising:
 a product housing formed by a plurality of connected inflation tubes defining an interior region of the product housing; and   a suspension hammock secured to the product housing and positioned at least partially within the interior region of the product housing;   wherein the product housing of the inflatable packaging cushion comprises a first portion and a second portion; and   wherein a length of the suspension hammock between a junction between the first portion and the second portion and a point on the suspension hammock furthest away from the first portion is less than the length of the second portion.   
     
     
         2 . The inflatable packaging cushion according to  claim 1 , wherein the product housing comprises a first pair of walls formed from the plurality of connected inflation tubes and positioned parallel with respect to each other, a second pair of walls formed from the plurality of connected inflation tubes and positioned parallel with respect to each other and at an angle with respect to the first pair of walls, and an end wall formed from the plurality of connected inflation tubes and positioned perpendicular to the first pair of walls and the second pair of walls. 
     
     
         3 . The inflatable packaging cushion according to  claim 1 , wherein the product housing comprises a first end and a second end, wherein the first end is positioned at an end of the first portion and the second end is positioned at an end of the second portion, and wherein the suspension hammock creates a barrier within the interior region of the product housing between the first end and the second end of the product housing. 
     
     
         4 . The inflatable packaging cushion according to  claim 1 , wherein the suspension hammock is comprised of a suspension sheet material. 
     
     
         5 . The inflatable packaging cushion according to  claim 4 , wherein the suspension sheet material is comprised of a laminate material having a first side and a second side, and wherein the first side is configured so as to not be weldable to itself and the plurality of connected inflation tubes. 
     
     
         6 . The inflatable packaging cushion according to  claim 4 , wherein the suspension sheet material is polytetrafluoroethylene. 
     
     
         7 . The inflatable packaging cushion according to  claim 1 , wherein the suspension hammock comprises one or more extension sleeves extending from the suspension hammock to an area outside of the interior region of the product housing. 
     
     
         8 . The inflatable packaging cushion according to  claim 1 , wherein each of the plurality of connected inflation tubes comprises a longitudinal axis, and wherein the longitudinal axis of each of the plurality of connected inflation tubes is positioned perpendicular to the junction between the first portion and the second portion. 
     
     
         9 . The inflatable packaging cushion according to  claim 1 , wherein each of the plurality of connected inflation tubes comprises a longitudinal axis, and wherein the longitudinal axis of each of the plurality of connected inflation tubes is positioned parallel to the junction between the first portion and the second portion. 
     
     
         10 . The inflatable packaging cushion according to  claim 1 , wherein the suspension hammock is secured to the product housing at the junction between the first portion and the second portion of the product housing. 
     
     
         11 . The inflatable packaging cushion according to  claim 1 , wherein the junction between the first portion and the second portion is a seam connecting the suspension hammock to the plurality of connected inflation tubes. 
     
     
         12 . The inflatable packaging cushion according to  claim 1 , wherein the product housing is configured for receipt of a product by suspending the product with the suspension hammock within the interior region of the product housing. 
     
     
         13 . The inflatable packaging cushion according to  claim 12 , wherein the product housing is configured for insertion into a carton and for cushioning the product from contacting at least one of wall of the carton. 
     
     
         14 . The inflatable packaging cushion according to  claim 1 , wherein each of the plurality of connected inflation tubes is inflatable through an individual inflation valve.