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Inflatable cases and methodsRelated Patent Categories: Apparel, Guard Or ProtectorInflatable cases and methods description/claimsThe Patent Description & Claims data below is from USPTO Patent Application 20060010588, Inflatable cases and methods. Brief Patent Description - Full Patent Description - Patent Application Claims
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 protective case that is effective, lightweight and aesthetically pleasing for protecting their valuables from harm. [0004] In addition, OEM's seek a protective device that is easily incorporated into their own products, without losing any aesthetic appeal. Ideally, the protective device provides a layer of insulation against the typical environmental factors that can ruin a product, while remaining an inconspicuous and integrated component of the product's design. [0005] Existing protective cases are often manufactured using a plastic material or an equivalent. The use of plastics produces a hard-shelled product that provides an adequate measure of protection at the price of both aesthetics and limited use. 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. BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION [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. [0007] In specific embodiments, the invention provides both methods and apparatus for protecting consumer products and other items against impairment, damage and breakage. The applications for inflatable cases are many ranging from the marine industry to the perfume industry to the electronics industries. Air-inflated cases can be used alone with any small device that needs protecting from damage. The protective bladders can also be incorporated into existing products such as suitcases, jackets, backpacks and the like to provide a protective pouch. [0008] In one particular embodiment, the inflatable device comprises an inflatable bladder that is formable into a protective case that at least partially encloses the consumer device and provides an exceptional amount of protection. The inflatable device is manufactured so that it may be formed into an individual case (such as by folding the bladder over itself and securing the sides together to form an enclosure) or integrated with other items, such as a suitcase, briefcase or the like. The inflatable device may also be incorporated (such as by sewing, gluing or the like) into clothing such as a jacket, pant, backpack or the like. To fill the device with air, the inflatable bladder is coupled to a pump assembly having a compressible pump and a one-way air intake valve. The pump assembly infuses air into the inflatable bladder through a one-way or other valve. In operation, the pump assembly allows for a one-way flow of air, i.e. from the pump assembly into the bladder. To release the air from the bladder, an air release valve is coupled to the inflatable bladder. The air release valve deflates the bladder when not in use. [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. [0010] In one particular embodiment, the bladder may be constructed of a weldable material. In this way, the bladder may be folded on top of itself and then exterior welded on at least two sides, thus forming an enclosed case body with an opening for inserting a consumer product. Also, in some aspects, the bladder may include one or more windows or openings to provide access into the case and/or to provide visual access to portions of the item being held, such as a cell phone or PDA. [0011] In yet another embodiment, the pump assembly may additionally have a pump chamber that is coupled to the inflatable bladder through a one-way air intake valve. The pump chamber has a resilient material, such as a compressible low-density polyethylene or sponge material, located within the pump chamber. The pump chamber also has at least one hole that both introduces air into the pump chamber and contains the air within the chamber for displacement into the bladder. When the compressible material is squeezed while simultaneously covering the hole with a finger, the trapped air is forced from the pump chamber into the bladder. When a finger is removed from the hole and the compressible material is released, air is allowed to return to the pump chamber. In this manner with repeated operation, the pump assembly gradually fills the bladder with air. [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. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS [0013] FIG. 1 illustrates a front view of one embodiment of an inflatable case according to the invention. [0014] FIG. 2 illustrates another embodiment of an inflatable protective device, in a deflated state according to the invention. [0015] FIG. 2A illustrates the inflatable protective case of FIG. 2 filled with air and having an open flap. [0016] FIG. 2B illustrates the inflatable protective case of FIG. 2A with the flap closed and showing a clip attachment. [0017] FIG. 3A illustrates an inflatable protective device that is constructed using the case of FIG. 1 placed into an exoskeleton. [0018] FIG. 3B illustrates the integrated inflatable protective case and exoskeleton. [0019] FIG. 4 illustrates an inflatable protective device incorporated into a piece of luggage. [0020] FIG. 5A illustrates the inflatable case of FIG. 1 and an outer layer of material or exoskeleton. Continue reading about Inflatable cases and methods... Full patent description for Inflatable cases and methods Brief Patent Description - Full Patent Description - Patent Application Claims Click on the above for other options relating to this Inflatable cases and methods patent application. ###  How KEYWORD MONITOR works... a FREE service from FreshPatents1. Sign up (takes 30 seconds). 2. Fill in the keywords to be monitored. 3. Each week you receive an email with patent applications related to your keywords. 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