FILMS WITH STRESS RELIEF INTRA-CHAMBER SEALS
The present disclosure relates to an inflatable cushion including a first film ply and a second film ply that is sealed to the first ply. The first and second plies can define an inflation chamber therebetween that can be inflatable with a fluid and operable to contain the fluid. An interior seal can be disposed within the inflation chamber attaching the first and second plies together. The interior seal can include a perimeter seal that encloses an inner portion in which the first and second plies are unattached from one another.
1 . An inflatable flexible structure, comprising:
a first film ply;
a second film ply that is sealed to the first ply to define an inflation chamber therebetween that is inflatable with a fluid and operable to contain the fluid; and
an interior seal disposed within the inflation chamber attaching the first and second plies together, the interior seal including:
a perimeter seal that encloses an inner portion forming a perimeter seal region, wherein the inner portion has the first and second plies unattached from one another; and
an elongated seal extending from and contiguous with a portion of the perimeter seal, wherein the perimeter seal region narrows to form the elongated seal.
2 . The inflatable flexible structure of claim 1 , wherein the interior seal is disposed entirely within the inflation chamber.
3 . The inflatable flexible structure of claim 1 , wherein the interior seal includes another perimeter seal, and wherein the first elongated portion extends from the perimeter seal to the other perimeter seal.
4 . The inflatable flexible structure of claim 3 , wherein the interior seal includes an intersection between the perimeter seal and the elongated portion, such that the intersection has three leg portions which are part of the perimeter seal and the elongated portion, the interior seal having an increased width at the intersection compared to the perimeter seal and elongated portion, thereby forming a gusset that resists localized stresses in the sealed film plies.
5 . The inflatable flexible structure of claim 4 , wherein the interior seal includes a second intersection between the perimeter seal and a second elongated portion, such that the second intersection has three second leg portions which are part of the perimeter seal and the second elongated portion, the interior seal having an increased width at the second intersection compared to the perimeter seal and second elongated portion, thereby forming a second gusset that resists localized stresses in the sealed film plies.
6 . The inflatable flexible structure of claim 5 , wherein the first elongated portion extends from the perimeter seal to a second perimeter seal, and wherein the second elongated portion extends from the perimeter seal to a third perimeter seal.
7 . The inflatable flexible structure of claim 1 , wherein the inner portion is about 4 to about 10 times wider than the elongated portion.
8 . The inflatable flexible structure of claim 1 , comprising a plurality of said interior seals.
9 . The inflatable flexible structure of claim 1 , wherein the first and second plies are sealed to one another to define a plurality of inflation chambers therebetween, the plurality of inflation chambers including the inflation chamber and a second inflation chamber.
10 . The inflatable flexible structure of claim 9 , wherein the second inflation chamber includes a second interior seal attaching the first and second plies together, the second interior seal including a second perimeter seal that encloses a second inner portion in which the first and second plies are unattached from one another.
11 . The inflatable flexible structure of claim 1 , wherein the inner portion is configured to remain uninflated when the inflation chamber is inflated with the fluid.
12 . The inflatable flexible structure of claim 1 , wherein the first and second plies are heat sealed together to form the interior seal.
13 . The inflatable flexible structure of claim 12 , wherein the plurality of inflation chambers are connected by a single inflation channel.
14 . The inflatable flexible structure of claim 17 , wherein inflatable structure is rolled up as a roll.
15 . The inflatable flexible structure of claim 1 , wherein the inner portion of the unattached first and second plies is circular.
16 . An inflatable flexible structure, comprising:
a first film ply;
a second film ply that is sealed to the first ply to define an inflation chamber therebetween that is inflatable with a fluid and operable to contain the fluid; and
an interior seal disposed within the inflation chamber attaching the first and second plies together, the interior seal including a perimeter seal that encloses an inner portion in which the first and second plies are unattached from one another;
a first elongated seal extending from and contiguous with a portion of the interior seal; and
a second elongated seal extending from and contiguous with a second portion of the interior seal, wherein the first elongated seal and the second elongated seal extend from the interior seal in opposite directions.
17 . The inflatable flexible structure of claim 16 , wherein the interior seal includes another perimeter seal, and wherein the first elongated portion extends from the perimeter seal to the other perimeter seal.
18 . The inflatable flexible structure of claim 17 , wherein the interior seal includes an intersection between the perimeter seal and the first elongated portion, such that the intersection has three leg portions which are part of the perimeter seal and the elongated portion, the interior seal having an increased width at the intersection compared to the perimeter seal and elongated portion, thereby forming a gusset that resists localized stresses in the sealed film plies.
19 . The inflatable flexible structure of claim 18 , wherein the interior seal includes a third perimeter seal, and wherein the second elongated portion extends from the perimeter seal to the third perimeter seal.
20 . The inflatable flexible structure of claim 19 , wherein the interior seal includes an intersection between the perimeter seal and the second elongated portion, such that the intersection has three leg portions which are part of the perimeter seal and the elongated portion, the interior seal having an increased width at the intersection compared to the perimeter seal and elongated portion, thereby forming a gusset that resists localized stresses in the sealed film plies.