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CA-3047134-C - COMBINED SHIPPING PROTECTION AND IMPINGEMENT DETECTION WRAP

CA3047134CCA 3047134 CCA3047134 CCA 3047134CCA-3047134-C

Abstract

A packaging material comprised of a gas-impermeable base layer, an indicator layer, and a gas-impermeable top layer is disclosed. The top layer is selected to rupture upon experiencing an impingement or impact that exceeds a predetermined threshold. The indicator layer is configured to change visual appearance upon exposure to ambient air. The top layer further may be configured into a plurality of cells, with each cell filled with a gas that is inert with respect to the indicator layer. The cells may be of a size and shape configured to indicate the location and shape of an impingement or impact, to alert a recipient of an item protected by the packaging material of an area that may require further inspection.

Inventors

  • Marc Alan Zocher

Assignees

  • NUSCALE POWER, LLC

Dates

Publication Date
20260505
Application Date
20171229
Priority Date
20161230

Claims (17)

  1. CLAIMS What is claimed is: 1. A packaging material, comprising: a gas-impermeable base layer; an indicator layer disposed upon the base layer; and a gas-impermeable top layer continuously disposed over the indicator layer, wherein the top layer forms a plurality of cells and a portion of the indicator layer is exposed to an interior of each cell, wherein each of the plurality of cells is filled with a gas, and wherein the portion of the indicator layer exposed to the interior of each cell is configured to visibly change appearance in a location where the gas escapes upon the top layer breaking over the cell.
  2. 2. The packaging material of claim 1, wherein the indicator layer comprises a material that visibly changes appearance upon exposure to air, and the gas in each of the plurality of cells is substantially inert with respect to the indicator layer.
  3. 3. The packaging material of claim 2, wherein the indicator layer material comprises a material that visibly changes appearance upon exposure to atmospheric oxygen, and the gas in each of the plurality of cells is nitrogen.
  4. 4. The packaging material of claim 3, wherein the top layer has a thickness selected to break upon experiencing a force greater than a predetermined level.
  5. 5. The packaging material of claim 4, wherein subjecting a portion of the packaging material to a force greater than the predetermined level results in the top layer of the plurality of cells in the portion of the material to break. Date Re9ue/Date Received 2023-11-14
  6. 6. The packaging material of claim 5, wherein the indicator layer visibly changes appearance by changing color in the plurality of cells in the portion of the material.
  7. 7. A method for preparing a packaging material, comprising: providing a gas-impermeable base layer; disposing an indicator layer upon the base layer; and disposing a gas-impermeable top layer continuously over the indicator layer such that the top layer is disposed intermittently upon the indicator layer in a gas environment to form a plurality of cells, with a portion of the indicator layer exposed to the interior of each cell, and with each of the plurality of cells filled with the gas; wherein the indicator layer is configured to visibly change appearance in a location where the top layer is broken.
  8. 8. The method of claim 7, wherein the portion of the indicator layer exposed to the interior of a cell visibly changes appearance upon the top layer breaking over the cell.
  9. 9. The method of claim 7, wherein the indicator layer visibly changes appearance upon exposure to air, and the gas does not cause the indicator layer to visibly change appearance.
  10. 10. The method of claim 9, wherein the indicator layer visibly changes appearance upon exposure to atmospheric oxygen, and the gas is nitrogen.
  11. 11. The method of claim 7, wherein the top layer has a material thickness so that the top layer will break upon experiencing a force greater than a predetermined level.
  12. 12. The method of claim 7, wherein the base layer has a thickness equal to or greater than a material thickness of the top layer. 16 Date Re9ue/Date Received 2023-11-14
  13. 13. The method of claim 7, wherein the indicator layer comprises a material that visibly changes appearance by changing color.
  14. 14. A packaging sheet, comprising: the packaging material of claim 1.
  15. 15. The packaging sheet of claim 14, wherein the plurality of cells is arranged over an item to be protected, and an impingement or impact upon the item exceeding a predetermined threshold will cause at least one cell in an area of the impingement or impact to rupture, while cells not in the area of impingement will not rupture.
  16. 16. The packaging sheet of claim 14, wherein the sheet is affixed to an item personal to a user to indicate a location where the user experiences an impact greater than a predetermined threshold.
  17. 17 Date Re9ue/Date Received 2023-11-14

Description

COMBINED SHIPPING PROTECTION AND IMPINGEMENT DETECTION WRAP STATEMENT OF RELATED MATTERS (0001] This application claims priority to U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 62/440,999, filed on 30 December 2016. TECHNICAL FIELD [0002] This disclosure generally relates to packaging materials, and particularly to protective wrapping materials that provide indications of possible contents damage. BACKGROUND (0003) Wraps, damage, or shipping protection including pillows of air, "bubble wrap", "packing peanuts", compressible or non-compressible foam, wrapping or the like is used to protect the movement or transport of parts, items or packages ("PioP", or generically as "objects" herein) worldwide. The primary purpose of this packaging is to reduce the likelihood of damage to the PioP. (0004] Some types of shipping protection or impingement or shock detection include the ability to detect shock, vibration, temperature conditions or other resulting environmental conditions such that the PioP will register that additional inspection is required. A damaged cardboard box containing an item would undergo further inspection to make sure the packaged item is not broken, damaged, or otherwise rendered non-usable for the purpose intended. (0005] Although the packaging industry has developed ways to protect items that would be damaged upon impingement or impact, most packaging or wrapping options provide very little in the way of locating the point or area of impact other than obvious deformation of the PioP. It is possible to accept delivery of a PioP that does not have any outward indication of mishandling or otherwise be rendered unacceptable for its intended use. An example may be a TV or computer monitor that must be powered on to determine if one or more screen pixels have been damaged. In addition, this damage may be a very small area on a very large object such that inspection of the entire surface or object must be undertaken. Such impacts and abrasions can be encountered with 1 Date Re9ue/Date Received 2023-11-14 WO 2018/126212 PCT/0S2017/069101 everyday shipping or transportation activities, including activities such as simply moving an item within a storage area or moving items a significant distance by air, truck, or rail. Such impacts and abrasions can be very costly, and can even result in rendering the PloP unusable for its intended purpose. SUMMARY [0006] Example 1 includes a packaging material, comprising a gas-impermeable base layer; an indicator layer disposed upon the base layer; and a gas-impermeable top layer continuously disposed over the indicator layer; wherein the indicator layer is configured to visibly change appearance in a location where the top layer is broken. [0007] Example 2 may include the packaging material of example 1, wherein the top layer forms a plurality of cells, and a portion of the indicator layer is exposed to an interior of each cell. [0008] Example 3 may include the packaging material of example 2, wherein each of the plurality of cells is filled with a gas, and the portion of the indicator layer exposed to the interior of a cell visibly changes appearance where the gas escapes upon the top layer breaking over the cell. [0009] Example 4 may include the packaging material of example 3, wherein the indicator layer comprises a material that visibly changes appearance upon exposure to air, and the gas in each of the plurality of cells is substantially inert with respect to the indicator layer. [0010] Example 5 may include the packaging material of example 4, wherein the indicator layer material comprises a material that visibly changes appearance upon exposure to atmospheric oxygen, and the gas in each of the plurality of cells is nitrogen. [0011] Example 6 may include the packaging material of example 5, wherein the top layer has a thickness selected to break upon experiencing a force greater than a predetermined level. [0012] Example 7 may include the packaging material of example 6, wherein subjecting a portion of the packaging material to a force greater than the predetermined level results in the top layer of the plurality of cells in the portion of the material to break. [0013] Example 8 may include the packaging material of example 7, wherein the indicator layer visibly changes appearance by changing color in the plurality of cells in the portion of the material. 2 WO 2018/126212 PCT/0S2017/069101 [0014] Example 9 may include a method for preparing a packaging material, compnsmg: providing a gas-impermeable base layer; disposing an indicator layer upon the base layer; and disposing a gas-impermeable top layer continuously over the indicator layer; wherein the indicator layer is configured to visibly change appearance in a location where the top layer is broken. [0015] Example 10 may include the method of example 9, wherein disposing the top layer continuously over the indicator layer comprises intermittently disposing the top layer upon the indicator layer to form a plural