US4620633A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Protective envelope device for packaging fragile articles
Assignee: RESOURCE BANK
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Filing: 1985-09-30
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Granted: 1986-11-04
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Expires: 2005-09-30
Abstract
Abstract A unitary protective envelope device for packaging fragile articles has an outer wall and a conformable inner wall. A mass of compressed resilient open-celled cellular material is enclosed in the space between the walls and held in compressed condition under vacuum. The material upon exposure to atmospheric pressure expands, forcing the inner wall conformingly against articles in the envelope and converting the envelope into an impact-absorbing pod embracing and conforming closely to its contents. In one preferred embodiment a compressed slab of open-celled foam held in compressed condition in a vacuum-sealed sack positioned between the walls expands to embrace the contents of the envelope when the sack is punctured.
Inventors
- 👤 Theodore W. Lookholder
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-23 01:24
CPC Classifications
B; B65; B65D; B65D65/00; B65D65/38; B65D65/44; B32; B32B; B32B5/00; B32B5/18; B29; B29C; B29C44/00; B29C44/02; B29C44/12; B29C44/18; B29C44/182; B29C44/184; B29C44/185; B65D81/00; B65D81/02; B65D81/03; B65D85/00; B65D85/30; B32B2266/00; B32B2266/06; B32B2553/00; B32B2553/02
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 18
Claim 1
Independent Claim
83 words
A unitary protective envelope device for packaging fragile articles, comprising: an envelope adapted to sealably enclose such articles and having an outer wall and a conformable inner wall, said walls defining an expandable cavity therebetween; and a mass of compressed resilient material contained in said cavity and held in compressed condition under vacuum, said mass of material being adapted upon exposure to atmospheric pressure to expand to an impact-absorbing state, and thereby to force said inner wall into embracing conformity with said articles.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
83 words
A unitary protective envelope device for packaging fragile articles, comprising: an envelope adapted to sealably enclose such articles and having an outer wall and a conformable inner wall, said walls defining an expandable cavity therebetween; and a mass of compressed resilient material contained in said cavity and held in compressed condition under vacuum, said mass of material being adapted upon exposure to atmospheric pressure to expand to an impact-absorbing state, and thereby to force said inner wall into embracing conformity with said articles.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
16 words
The envelope device of claim 1, wherein: said resilient material comprises a resilient open-celled cellular material.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
15 words
The envelope device of claim 2, wherein: said resilient material comprises a resilient open-celled foam.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
37 words
The envelope device of claim 2, wherein: said mass of resilient open-celled cellular material is held in compressed condition under vacuum in an hermetically sealed container and is exposed to atmospheric pressure upon puncturing of the enclosure.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
13 words
The envelope device of claim 4, wherein said enclosure comprises a pliable sack.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
17 words
The envelope device of claim 4, wherein said enclosure comprises a pliable coating applied to said material.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
22 words
The envelope device of claim 4, wherein said enclosure includes as an element thereof at least a portion of said inner wall.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
51 words
The envelope device of claim 4, wherein: said inner wall defines a pouch for receiving said articles, said pouch being of lesser length and width than said outer wall; and said mass is of greater length and width than said pouch, whereby on expansion said resilient material substantially surrounds said articles.
Claim 10
Independent Claim
89 words
A method for packaging fragile articles, comprising: sealably enclosing such articles in an envelope having an outer wall and a comformable inner wall, said walls defining an expandable cavity therebetween and said cavity containing a mass of compressed resilient material held in compressed condition under vacuum and adapted upon exposure to atmospheric pressure to expand to an impact-absorbing state; and exposing said mass of material to atmospheric pressure, thereby causing said material to expand and by such expansion to force said inner wall into embracing conformity with said articles.
Claim 11
Independent Claim
89 words
A method for packaging fragile articles, comprising: sealably enclosing such articles in an envelope having an outer wall and a comformable inner wall, said walls defining an expandable cavity therebetween and said cavity containing a mass of compressed resilient material held in compressed condition under vacuum and adapted upon exposure to atmospheric pressure to expand to an impact-absorbing state; and exposing said mass of material to atmospheric pressure, thereby causing said material to expand and by such expansion to force said inner wall into embracing conformity with said articles.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
15 words
The method of claim 9, wherein: said resilient material comprises a resilient open-celled cellular material.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
14 words
The method of claim 10, wherein: said resilient material comprises a resilient open-celled foam.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
36 words
The method of claim 10, wherein: said mass of resilient open-celled cellular material is held in compressed condition under vacuum in an hermetically sealed container and is exposed to atmospheric pressure upon puncturing of the enclosure.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
12 words
The method of claim 10, wherein: said enclosure comprises a pliable sack.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
16 words
The method of claim 10, wherein: said enclosure comprises a pliable coating applied to said material.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
21 words
The method of claim 10, wherein: said enclosure includes as an element thereof at least a portion of said inner wall.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
50 words
The method of claim 9, wherein: said inner wall defines a pouch for receiving said articles, said pouch being of lesser length and width than said outer wall; and said mass is of greater length and width than said pouch, whereby on expansion said resilient material substantially surrounds said articles.
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USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1989-11-03 | 1990-05-05 | 1990-11-04 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1993-11-03 | 1994-05-05 | 1994-11-04 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1997-11-03 | 1998-05-05 | 1998-11-04 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |