An inflatable air cushion is a bag of fabric or plastic that can be inflated to provide cushioning. Unlike bubble wrap, inflatable air cushions have a check valve to allow the cushion to be inflated or sometimes deflated.

History

Several constructions have been developed, some as early as the 1970s.^[1] In the 1980s, a number of inflatable cushion systems were documented.^{[2][3][4][5][6]} Before 2000, most inflatable air cushions used a single check valve.^[7] However if one part of the cushion was punctured then this packaging would completely deflate. In 2002, several types of continuously independent one way air valve films were introduced.^[8] These patents incorporated a one way air valve film, which can be produced continuously and independently. If one air tube is punctured, the other air tubes will still remain inflated.

Concept

• A modern cushion is made out of two layers of PE films ^{[citation needed]} with air valve film in between, and heat pressed with high temperature mold to melt them together and create air tubes and shapes, so inflatable air cushions can have a variety of styles and types.
• The cushion can be shipped flat and inflated as needed. Once inflated the continuous check valve seals each tube from the others.
• The air pressure inside each of the inflated air cushions is greater than the atmosphere pressure, providing strong compressive strength and flexibility.

Applications

• Protective and void filling materials, including block and brace, corner protection, wrapping, interleaving, top and cross layering.
• Shipping container cushioning
• Thundersticks
• Water resistant seat cushion
• Inflatable bags