Patent ID: 8281928

Claim:
A package that cushions items being shipped, comprising: a box having a hollow interior defined by a top wall, a bottom wall, and sidewalls interconnecting said top and bottom walls; an inflatable bladder affixed within said hollow interior of said box, said inflatable bladder including a bottom portion and side portions extending from said bottom portion to form an interior space having an open top when in a first deflated position, said side portions being substantially normal to said bottom portion and extending substantially along a length of said sidewalls of said box in said first deflated position; an opening formed in said box; a normally closed valve disposed in sealing engagement with said opening; said normally closed valve having an inlet port external to said box; said inlet port adapted to be connected to a source of gaseous fluid under pressure; said inlet port being in fluid communication with said inflatable bladder so that said inflatable bladder is inflated when said source of gaseous fluid under pressure is connected to said inlet port; and said inflatable bladder having a second inflated position when said box is in a closed position, said side portions of said inflated bladder engulf said item being shipped by filling in said open top when in said second inflated position.