Shipping bag

Abstract

An apparatus for forming a shipping container comprises a tubular body extending between top and bottom ends, first and second bottom panels extending from the bottom end, the first and second bottom closing panels rotatable from a co-planar configuration with the tubular body to a position extending perpendicularly across the bottom of the tubular body and at least one fastener adapted to secure the bottom closing panels across the bottom end of the tubular body. The shipping container may also be formed by a planar body having top and bottom surfaces wherein the top surface is adapted to support a load, at least one pocket extending across the bottom surface and at least one spacing element sized to be received within the pocket. The apparatus may include at least one rigid body between the top and bottom surfaces of the planar body and side walls extending upwardly therefrom.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . An apparatus for forming a shipping container comprising:
 a tubular body extending between top and bottom ends;   first and second bottom panels extending from the bottom end, the first and second bottom closing panels rotatable from a co-planar configuration with the tubular body to a position extending perpendicularly across the bottom of the tubular body; and   at least one fastener adapted to secure the bottom closing panels across the bottom end of the tubular body.   
     
     
         2 . The apparatus of  claim 1  wherein the bottom closing panels are positioned on opposite sides of the tubular body from each other. 
     
     
         3 . The apparatus of  claim 2  wherein the bottom closing panels are connected to the tubular member along fold lines. 
     
     
         4 . The apparatus of  claim 3  wherein the bottom closing panels include side flaps extending laterally therefrom, the side flaps sized to be operable to extend up a portion of a side of the tubular member. 
     
     
         5 . The apparatus of  claim 3  wherein the at least one fastener comprise hook and loop fasteners between the side flaps and the sides of the tubular portion. 
     
     
         6 . The apparatus of  claim 5  wherein the at least one fastener includes a pin receivable within a bore in the side flaps. 
     
     
         7 . The apparatus of  claim 3  wherein the bottom closing panels include side skirts extending therebetween in a direction downwardly from the tubular portion. 
     
     
         8 . The apparatus of  claim 7  wherein side skirts include fold lines formed therein so as to be folded into an interior of the tubular body when the bottom closing panels are secured to the tubular body. 
     
     
         9 . The apparatus of  claim 3  wherein the at least bottom closing panel include pockets adapted to receive spacing elements. 
     
     
         10 . The apparatus of  claim 9  wherein the spacing elements comprise inflatable tubes. 
     
     
         11 . The apparatus of  claim 10  wherein the pockets extend across the bottom of the container parallel to the fold lines of the flaps. 
     
     
         12 . A method for forming a shipping container comprising:
 providing a tubular body extending between top and bottom ends;   rotating first and second bottom panels extending from the bottom end, the first and second bottom closing panels from a co-planar configuration with the tubular body to a position extending perpendicularly across the bottom of the tubular body; and   securing the bottom closing panels across the bottom end of the tubular body.   
     
     
         13 . An apparatus for forming a shipping platform comprising:
 a planar body having top and bottom surfaces wherein the top surface is adapted to support a load;   at least one rigid body locate within the planar body between the top and bottom surfaces;   at least one pocket extending across the bottom surface; and   at least one spacing element sized to be received within the pocket.   
     
     
         14 . The apparatus of  claim 13  wherein the at least one rigid body comprises slats. 
     
     
         15 . The apparatus of  claim 13  wherein the at least one spacing element comprises inflatable members. 
     
     
         16 . The apparatus of  claim 15  wherein the at least one rigid body and the spacing elements are perpendicular to each other. 
     
     
         17 . The apparatus of  claim 13  further comprising a base connecting member extending below the at least one pocket. 
     
     
         18 . An apparatus for forming a shipping support comprising:
 a planar body having top and bottom surfaces wherein the top surface is adapted to support a load;   at least one pocket extending across the bottom surface; and   at least one spacing element sized to be received within the pocket.