US4164970A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Inflatable bag
Assignee: Individual
•
Filing: 1977-05-25
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Granted: 1979-08-21
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Expires: 1997-05-25
Abstract
Abstract An inflatable bag comprising a peripheral side wall having a pluraity of inflatable cells of flexible sheet material surrounding a storage cavity, and end walls to enclose each opposite end of the cavity, which end walls similarly include an inflatable cell of flexible sheet material. An opening is provided for entrance into the storage cavity, which opening includes means to open and close such as by means of a zipper. Air valves are provided for inflating and deflating the inflatable cells of the peripheral side wall and the inflatable cells of each end wall. When the inflatable cells of the peripheral side wall are inflated with air, the rigidity of the peripheral side wall increases to support the peripheral wall at points around the periphery which are spaced apart from the longitudinal axis of the storage cavity. The cells of the end wall are similarly inflated to provide rigidity and support for each end wall. When so inflated, a large storage cavity is formed and the cells of the side and end walls inflated with air provide insulation for the storage cavity. When deflated, the bag may be folded into a compact unit for storage in a minimum of space.
Inventors
- 👤 Charles P. Jordan
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-04 13:59
CPC Classifications
A; A45; A45C; A45C3/00; A45C7/00; A45C7/0059; A45C7/0077; A45C7/0081; B; B65; B65D; B65D37/00
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 6
Claim 1
Independent Claim
220 words
An inflatable container, comprising an inflatable peripheral side wall of flexible sheet material, a plurality of inflatable cells in said peripheral side wall, and closure means to close at least one end of said peripheral side wall to form a container having a cavity bounded by said inflatable peripheral side wall and said closure means, wherein said inflatable peripheral side wall includes a first pair of opposite edges which are substantially parallel to each other when said side wall is unflexed, a second pair of opposite edges which are substantially parallel to each other and substantially normal to said first pair of opposite edges when said side wall is unflexed, said first pair of opposite edges being joined to encircle said cavity within said peripheral side wall, said closure means being formed by bonding together in an airtight and watertight seal at least one of said second pair of opposite edges to form said container into a tote bag, wherein said container includes an access opening for entry into said cavity, said inflatable cells in said peripheral side wall are closely adjacent each other to provide a substantially continuous insulated peripheral wall when inflated with air, said cavity being both watertight and insulated against heat transfer into and out of said cavity when said peripheral side wall is so inflated.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
220 words
An inflatable container, comprising an inflatable peripheral side wall of flexible sheet material, a plurality of inflatable cells in said peripheral side wall, and closure means to close at least one end of said peripheral side wall to form a container having a cavity bounded by said inflatable peripheral side wall and said closure means, wherein said inflatable peripheral side wall includes a first pair of opposite edges which are substantially parallel to each other when said side wall is unflexed, a second pair of opposite edges which are substantially parallel to each other and substantially normal to said first pair of opposite edges when said side wall is unflexed, said first pair of opposite edges being joined to encircle said cavity within said peripheral side wall, said closure means being formed by bonding together in an airtight and watertight seal at least one of said second pair of opposite edges to form said container into a tote bag, wherein said container includes an access opening for entry into said cavity, said inflatable cells in said peripheral side wall are closely adjacent each other to provide a substantially continuous insulated peripheral wall when inflated with air, said cavity being both watertight and insulated against heat transfer into and out of said cavity when said peripheral side wall is so inflated.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
240 words
An inflatable container, comprising an inflatable side wall of flexible sheet material, a plurality of inflatable cells in said peripheral side wall, and closure means to close at least one end of said peripheral side wall to form a container having a cavity bounded by said inflatable peripheral side wall and said closure means, wherein said inflatable peripheral side wall includes a first pair of opposite side edges which are substantially parallel when said side wall is unflexed, a second pair of opposite side edges which are substantially parallel to each other and substantially normal to said first pair of side edges when said side wall is unflexed, said first pair of side edges being joined to encircle said cavity within said peripheral side wall, said closure means including a first inflatable end wall joined to one side edge of said second pair of side edges, and a second inflatable end wall joined to the other side edge of said second pair, said inflatable cells in said peripheral side wall being closely adjacent to each other, said inflatable end walls being inflatable throughout their entire dimensional area, said end walls being directly joined in a watertight and airtight seal at each opposite end to respective edges of said peripheral side wall, said cavity being both watertight and insulated against heat transfer into and out of said cavity when said peripheral side wall and said end walls are inflated with air.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
240 words
An inflatable container, comprising an inflatable side wall of flexible sheet material, a plurality of inflatable cells in said peripheral side wall, and closure means to close at least one end of said peripheral side wall to form a container having a cavity bounded by said inflatable peripheral side wall and said closure means, wherein said inflatable peripheral side wall includes a first pair of opposite side edges which are substantially parallel when said side wall is unflexed, a second pair of opposite side edges which are substantially parallel to each other and substantially normal to said first pair of side edges when said side wall is unflexed, said first pair of side edges being joined to encircle said cavity within said peripheral side wall, said closure means including a first inflatable end wall joined to one side edge of said second pair of side edges, and a second inflatable end wall joined to the other side edge of said second pair, said inflatable cells in said peripheral side wall being closely adjacent to each other, said inflatable end walls being inflatable throughout their entire dimensional area, said end walls being directly joined in a watertight and airtight seal at each opposite end to respective edges of said peripheral side wall, said cavity being both watertight and insulated against heat transfer into and out of said cavity when said peripheral side wall and said end walls are inflated with air.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
18 words
An inflatable container as set forth in claim 2, including an access opening in said peripheral side wall.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
18 words
An inflatable container as set forth in claim 3, including a zipper assembly mounted to said access opening.
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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) | 1982-08-20 | 1983-02-19 | 1983-08-21 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1986-08-20 | 1987-02-19 | 1987-08-21 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1990-08-20 | 1991-02-19 | 1991-08-21 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |