Packaging Device

Abstract

The invention relates to a packaging device for transporting and/or storing items that can be disposed in the inside space thereof, comprising an outer shell ( 1 ) with at least one sturdy bottom wall ( 2 ) for arranging the items to be transported and/or stored. The invention further comprises walls surrounding the items ( 20 ) at least partially, wherein some of the further walls ( 3, 5, 6 ) are flexible walls ( 3, 6 ) and provided with an additional shell ( 10 ), reinforcing the inside surfaces of the outer shell at least partially in the state of the packaging device in which it is prepared for transport and/or storage, and thus substantially shaping it. The additional shell ( 10 ) is inflatable and is used for securely surrounding the items disposed in the inside space of the packaging device.

1 . A packaging device for transport and/or storage of stackable objects in its interior, wherein said packing device possesses an outer wall with at least one rigid bottom for the arrangement of the objects to be transported and/or stored and has, at least in part, additional wall sections having inner surfaces which encompass the said objects, as well as an inflatable auxiliary shell, which serves, by enveloping for the positional affixing of the arranged objects in the interior of the packaging device, therein characterized,
 in that the additional wall sections are, to a certain extent, predominately flat, flexible wall sections and   in that the auxiliary shell is so constructed, that it reinforces the inner surface of the outer additional wall sections, at least in part, in retaining a predetermined condition of the packaging device as specified for transport and/or for storage and said auxiliary shell essentially contributes to the shape of the final packaging device.   
   
   
       2 .- 20 . (canceled) 
   
   
       21 . A packaging device in accord with  claim 1 , therein characterized, in that an additional top can be solid, which top in the transport or storage state of the packaging device lies oppositely remote from the bottom. 
   
   
       22 . A packaging device in accord with  claim 1 , therein characterized, in that that the additional wall sections consist of a flexible material. 
   
   
       23 . A packaging device in accord with  claim 1 , therein characterized, in that at least one of the additional wall sections of the outer wall is at least partially releasable from the other additional wall sections whereby the interior of the packaging device is made accessible. 
   
   
       24 . A packaging device in accord with  claim 23 , therein characterized, in that the at least partially releasable wall section possesses quick closing elements which holdingly unite with complementary receiving elements on an adjacent additional wall section. 
   
   
       25 . A packaging device in accord with  claim 1 , therein characterized,
 in that the intersections of the additional wall sections are reinforced with strengthening elements.   
   
   
       26 . A packaging device in accord with  claim 1 , therein characterized, in that the auxiliary shell at the least, is a separate entity from the outer wall. 
   
   
       27 . A packaging device in accord with  claim 1 , therein characterized, in that the auxiliary shell is dimensioned in such a manner, that in its inflated state, the auxiliary shell represents the shape of the interior of the outer wall and positionally affixes the objects which have been placed within the interior for transport and/or storage. 
   
   
       28 . A packaging device in accord with  claim 1  therein characterized, in that the auxiliary shell in its inflated state is of a height which is at least equal to that of the outer wall when the packaging device is in condition for transport and/or storage. 
   
   
       29 . A packaging device in accord with  claim 1 , therein characterized, in that the auxiliary shell in its inflated state has a length at least equal to the inside perimeter of the outer wall. 
   
   
       30 . A packaging device in accord with  claim 1 , therein characterized, in that the auxiliary shell is a tubular foil encasement having different wall thicknesses. 
   
   
       31 . A packaging device in accord with  claim 1 , therein characterized, in that the auxiliary shell is a tubular foil chamber having inner and outer surfaces, the inner surface of which is greater in thickness than that of the outer surface. 
   
   
       32 . A packaging device in accord with  claim 1 , therein characterized, in that the auxiliary shell consists of individual air chambers that define an interior for receiving objects for transport and/or storage. 
   
   
       33 . A packaging device in accord with  claim 32 , therein characterized in that the air chambers have volumes of different sizes. 
   
   
       34 . A packaging device in accord with  claim 33 , therein characterized in that, the air chambers are subdivided by cross ties. 
   
   
       35 . A packaging device in accord with  claim 1 , therein characterized, in that the auxiliary shell comprises fasteners to enable securement of the auxiliary shell against the outer wall. 
   
   
       36 . A packaging device in accord with  claim 1 , therein characterized, in that the auxiliary shell possesses a connector extending outside of the outer wall whereby the auxiliary shell can be inflated or deflated from the outside of the packaging device through said connector. 
   
   
       37 . A packaging device in accord with  claim 23 , therein characterized, in that the auxiliary shell is so arranged within the outer wall that upon the at least partial release of the at least one additional wall section, a section of the auxiliary shell which lies therebehind, is openable for further access into the interior of the packing device. 
   
   
       38 . A packaging device in accord with  claim 24 , therein characterized, in that quick closure elements are so located, that a refolded, collapsed packaging device can be secured thereby. 
   
   
       39 . A method of transporting or storing objects in a packaging device of the type having a rigid bottom, an outer wall defining an interior of the device and comprising flexible wall portions, and an auxiliary inflatable shell, the method comprising the steps of:
 opening the outer wall of the packing device;   placing the shell in the interior of the device and, if required, attaching the auxiliary shell against an inner surface of the outer wall, the shell at least partially surrounding an interior volume of the packing device;   placing objects to be transported through the opening and placing the objects upon the rigid bottom and within the said interior volume;   loosely draping the flexible wall portions over the shell and the objects;   inflating the auxiliary shell until the outer wall has assumed a proper shape for transport and/or storage and the objects on the bottom are affixed in position in the packaging device by the pressure exerted by the inflated auxiliary shell against the objects.