Inflatable cases and methods

Abstract

The invention provides systems and methods for inflating a device, such that the device forms a protective case securely enclosing a product, thus insulating and cushioning against the potential of impairment, damage and breakage. In one exemplary embodiment, the inflatable device is an inflatable bladder formable into a protective case that encloses the consumer device and provides an exceptional amount of protection in a lightweight device.

Description

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS [0001] This invention is a continuation in part application and claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 60 / 467,009, filed Apr. 30, 2004, the complete disclosure of which is herein incorporated by reference.BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION [0002] This invention relates generally to the field of inflatable storage devices, and in particular to inflatable storage devices, such as cases, that may be used to store and protect a wide variety of items. [0003] Small and lightweight consumer products are a large part of our daily life. Unfortunately, so are replacement costs associated with damage and breakage. Products are constantly being dropped, bumped, sat on, thrown, stepped on and fallen on resulting in substantial economic loss to the buyer. Such loss is ideal for the manufacturers that make money off repeat sales, but harmful for the consumers who spend their hard-earned dollars to replace broken items. Consumers desire a prot...

AI Technical Summary

Benefits of technology

[0006] Hence, this invention is related to functional and aesthetically pleasing inflatable and deflatable protective cases. In some embodiments, the cases conform to the shape of consumer products and insulate them against impairment, damage and breakage. The protective cases may be sold separately as stand-alone products for protecting sunglasses, cellular phones, PDA's, cameras, binoculars or the like. Alternatively, the cases may also be removably secured or integral with other items such as suitcases, briefcases, jackets, backpacks or the like.

[0009] In an alternative embodiment, the inflatable storage case has an inflatable bladder that may be manipulated into the shape of an inflatable case. For convenience, the bladder may be placed into an outer layer of material that forms an exoskeleton. When the bladder is inflated, the outer layer creates the shape of the inflatable case. In this way, a generic bladder of various sizes / shapes may be produced (such as for an OEM) and then inserted into an exoskeleton which provides the appropriate appearance and / or shape. For example, a case for eyewear may be formed by providing an exoskeleton in the form of a bag and inserting the bladder into the bag.

[0012] In still another aspect, the inflatable bladder may haves a number of air cells. The air cells may be connected together by a single continuous air path. The air cells may be positioned longitudinally in the inflatable bladder thereby forming a plurality of longitudinal columns of air when inflated. The air cells in one aspect may be formed by fusing sections of the inflatable bladder. The fusing of the bladder creates a number of airless sections or ribs that separate adjacent air cells. This ribs also provide structural stability, thereby providing an additional measure of protection for the item.

Problems solved by technology

Unfortunately, so are replacement costs associated with damage and breakage.

Products are constantly being dropped, bumped, sat on, thrown, stepped on and fallen on resulting in substantial economic loss to the buyer.

Such loss is ideal for the manufacturers that make money off repeat sales, but harmful for the consumers who spend their hard-earned dollars to replace broken items.

Since the case is typically larger that the product to be protected, products are often inadequately confined within such a case, allowing for movement that may cause damage.

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