Container with inflatable, floating liner of uniform thickness
US4573202A · kind A · utility
Inventor
Key dates
| Filing date | Jan 20, 1984 |
| Grant date | Feb 25, 1986 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Jan 20, 2004 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC A)Human Necessities
- CPC primaryA45C13/28
- WIPO fieldOther consumer goods
- WIPO sectorOther fields
Abstract
A container (20) for carrying fragile and delicate items, such as cameras, instruments, or the like, comprises a soft or rigid casing and an inner inflatable envelope (34) made of a resilient air-impermeable material. The inner envelope (34) is removable and is inserted into a space formed between the inner surface of the container (20) and a permanent liner (32) which is attached to the casing, leaving an opening for inserting the inflatable envelope into said space. The container is equipped with a pump for inflating the inner envelope (34). The pump is made in the form of a rubber bulb (42) with a check valve (44), a manually operated air release valve (46), and an automatic safety valve (48). This container can be embodied in the form of a suitcase, a briefcase, a wig tote, etc. It protects its contents from rough handling and accidental dropping by the energy-absorbing effect of the inflatable envelope and by the tight holding effect provided by the variable inflatability of the envelope.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.