ES2978311T3 - Packaging with cushioning medium - Google Patents

Abstract

A container (10) for transporting an article (20) comprises a cushioning means (22) for cushioning the article (20) in the container (10), the cushioning means (22) comprising at least one inflatable volume (24) arranged inside the container (10). The invention proposes that the cushioning means (22) comprises a plurality of inflatable partial volumes (24) arranged spaced apart from one another, the partial volumes (24) being inflatable while they are arranged in the container (10). (Automatic translation with Google Translate, without legal value)

Description

DESCRIPTION

Packaging with cushioning medium

The present invention relates to a package for transporting an article according to the preamble of the independent claim.

GB 2453750 A discloses a package according to the preamble of claim 1. DE 102012 102432 A1 discloses another package with cushioning means. A package for transporting an article and comprising a cushioning means in the form of an inflatable volume is known, for example, from EP 2407 389 A1. Such a package is used at the end of the packaging line and is collected in warehouses for packaging and transporting articles to a consumer. The inflatable volume is defined by a plastic bag which is placed, after the articles have been placed inside the package, over the top of the articles. The package is then closed and the plastic bag is inflated in order to fill the empty volume of the package and prevent the articles from moving during transport. It is also known in the prior art to place a cushioning material in the form of a bubble wrap inside a package. The bubbles are already filled with air when the bubble wrap is placed in the packaging.

It is an object of the present invention to provide a package for transporting an article and to provide a cushioning means for cushioning an article disposed within a package so as to reduce the time and effort required to operate the package.

This objective is achieved with a package with the characteristics of the independent claim. Embodiments of the invention are claimed in the dependent claims.

The claimed package has the advantage that the cushioning means can be integrated into the package and therefore does not need to be manually added by a packager after placing the articles to be transported inside the package. Furthermore, the plurality of inflatable partial volumes allows easy adaptation of the cushioning means to the shape and size of the articles placed inside the package. Accordingly, with the inventive package and the inventive cushioning means, when the partial volumes are inflated and the package is closed, the articles to be transported are not only cushioned against shocks but are also held fixed in position inside the package.

More specifically, the present invention proposes a packaging for transporting a product. Such packaging, for example, may be a classic box made of cardboard as is usual for transporting a product from an online store to an individual user. Such packaging is normally used only once, and can then be recycled. However, the packaging according to the invention may also be a reusable packaging which, for example, may be made of a plastic material, for example a hard or foamed polystyrene or polypropylene material.

Part of the claimed packaging is a cushioning means for cushioning the product in the container. Although the term “cushioning” means indicates a cushioning function of the cushioning means, it should be understood that the primary function of the cushioning means may also be to secure the article intended to be transported within the container, that is, to hold an article in a desired location within the container and prevent the article from shifting within the container during transport.

It may comprise an inflation means for inflating the cushioning means. In doing so, no separate inflation means are needed, so that the container can be used in a wide variety of states. The inflation means, for example, may be a manually operated air pump. Especially in this case, but also in other cases, it is particularly preferred that the cushioning means comprises a non-return valve which blocks the air within the cushioning means so that it does not leak unintentionally. The cushioning means may also comprise a bleed valve for intentional deflation of the cushioning means.

At least one inflatable partial volume comprises a resilient shaping means which provides a specific shape to the partial volume in a non-inflated state. With such a resilient shaping means, the reliability of the cushioning and/or fixing function is enhanced, especially in the case where the partial volumes are only partially inflated or not inflated at all. This may be the case when a container is used with an article to be transported or which uses a significant part of the interior volume or even more or less the entire interior volume of the container. The advantage of a soft and flexible cushioning means which is collapsible when not inflated is that it considerably reduces the volume inside the container which is available for the placement of an article.

The cushioning means of the invention comprises a plurality of inflatable partial volumes arranged spaced apart from each other. The partial volumes may be pneumatically connected to each other, but it is also possible that part of the partial volumes are located pneumatically independent of each other. Furthermore, the partial volumes may be located immediately adjacent to each other, so that at least in their inflated state their walls tend to resiliently contact each other, but it is also possible that they are separated from each other, so that even in the inflated state there is a space between them. In contrast, for example in bubble wrap, the inventive cushioning means is formed and arranged so that it can be inflated while it is being placed inside the container. This inflation may take place before or after the placement of the articles within the container intended to be transported. The inflation of the cushioning means not only provides protection to the article intended to be transported, but also provides structural strength to the container. This is particularly advantageous in the case of a collapsible container, where inflation can even contribute to its unfolding, i.e. to the erection of the container. This is even more advantageous in the case of a container that unfolds automatically or semi-automatically.

In a further embodiment, the at least one partial volume comprises a base portion fixedly disposed adjacent a wall of the container and a cushioning portion extending from the base portion to an interior of the container at least when the partial volume is inflated. Inflation of the partial volume thus easily creates a “cushioning layer” between the article to be transported and the wall of the container, providing a high cushioning quality.

In a further embodiment to the last noted, the base portion comprises a first generally flat wall and arranged adjacent to the wall of the container and a second wall essentially parallel to the first wall and from which the cushioning portions extend. With this arrangement, the cushioning means can be independent of the container and, therefore, can be easily replaced, if necessary, or inserted before the placement of the article in the container, or can be removed for reuse or recycling when the container is a disposable product.

In a further embodiment, at least one of the partial volumes of the plurality of inflatable partial volumes has, in the inflated state, an elongated shape extending from a wall into the interior of the container. Accordingly, after inflation, a plurality of parallel partial volumes can be created between which, for example, a flat article intended to be transported can be positioned and fixedly secured during transport. This is particularly advantageous if at least the outer material of the partial volumes is a high-friction material, for example silicone or rubber or any other soft material or coating.

In a further embodiment to those indicated, the resilient forming means comprises an elastic spring wire and/or an elastic reticular structure. An elastic spring wire can be easily integrated into the partial volumes, for example in the form of a helical wire that can be molded together with the wall material of the damping means. An elastic reticular structure can be made of the same material as the rest of the partial volume, allowing for more affordable recycling if necessary. Both the elastic spring wire and the elastic reticular structure can be designed to offer progressive resilient characteristics, i.e. increasing compressive strength. This can contribute to increasing and improving both the retention/locking and the damping effectiveness of the damping means.

In another embodiment, at least one first damping means is provided which has a first plurality of partial volumes, the first damping means being arranged adjacent to a first wall of the container, and at least one second damping means is provided which has a second plurality of partial volumes, the second damping means being arranged adjacent to a second wall of the container. This arrangement further improves the damping and fixing function of the damping means within the container.

In another embodiment, the first wall is a bottom wall and the second wall is a top wall. With such an arrangement, the article to be transported can be held between the two pluralities of partial volumes arranged face to face with each other.

In another embodiment, the first wall is a bottom wall or a top wall and the second wall is a side wall. This arrangement also provides a lateral cushioning function.

However, it should be noted that partial volumes adjacent to different walls of the container need not necessarily be provided with different damping means. It is also possible for a single damping means to be arranged adjacent to more than one wall. For example, it might be possible for partial volumes of a single damping means to be arranged adjacent to a top wall and a bottom wall of the box, and for partial volumes of the same damping means to be arranged adjacent to the side walls. While partial volumes adjacent to the top and bottom walls may be oriented essentially orthogonally to the top and bottom walls, partial volumes adjacent to the side walls could be arranged essentially parallel to the side walls. It should also be understood that the different designs of damping means described above may be combined in one and the same container.

In another embodiment, the inflation means is actuated by tilting a cover of the container. This presupposes that when using a container for transporting an article, the cover must always be manipulated, i.e. in many cases by a tilting movement of the cover about a hinge, in order to open and close the container. The inventive container uses this movement to actuate the inflation means and to inflate the partial volumes. In a very simple embodiment, the inflation means may be a manually operated pump which is actuated by a repeated tilting movement of the cover flap of the container. The relationship between the effectiveness of the inflation means and the internal volume of the cushioning means may be such that a plurality of consecutive movements of the cover are necessary in order to gradually and sufficiently inflate the cushioning means. However, in an alternative embodiment, the relationship may be such that a single movement is sufficient to inflate the cushioning means. In another embodiment, the inflation means comprises an electric pump. This is very convenient and would not require a repeated tilting movement of a cover flap of the container.

In another embodiment, said form comprises a fixing means for fixedly attaching the damping means to a wall of the container. Said fixing means prevents the damping means from moving relative to the walls of the container during transport of the container and, therefore, the means increases the reliability of the damping and fixing function of the damping means.

In a further embodiment, this comprises deflation means for removing gas from the partial volumes. This is particularly advantageous in the case of a reusable container which, after the article has been received by a recipient and removed from the container, is returned, for example, to a shipper or a specific collection address which collects the container for further use.

It should be understood that the inventive cushioning means may comprise a system for monitoring the pressure within the cushioning means, such as a visual pressure gauge, an automatic pressure limiter, a control means for controlling the deformation of the container, a volume control, or the like. A detection means for detecting a loss of pressure and a controller for controlling an electric air pump could be provided in order to re-inflate the cushioning means if necessary. When automatic control of the inflation state of the cushioning means is provided, the reliability of the locking and cushioning function of the cushioning means during transport will be increased. Automatic control of the inflation state of the cushioning means is also advantageous in the case of long-term transport and in the case of transport by air where the external pressure may vary considerably.

In another embodiment, at least one partial volume comprises, on its outer surface, a plurality of ribs which preferably extend in the longitudinal direction of the partial volume. These ribs allow a multipurpose locking function of the article by the damping means.

Other aspects and advantages of the invention will become apparent from the ensuing description, taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, which illustrate by way of example the principles of the invention. The drawings are shown in

Figure 1 a schematic side sectional view of an embodiment of a container for transporting an article comprising a cushioning means having a plurality of inflatable partial volumes:

Figure 2 a representation similar to Figure 1 of another embodiment;

Figure 3 a representation similar to Figure 1 of another embodiment;

Figure 4 a schematic partial side sectional view similar to Figure 1 of another embodiment; Figure 5 a perspective view of a damping means used in 1 of the containers of Figures 1 to 4;

Figure 6 a top view of the damping means of Figure 5;

Figure 7 a perspective view of another embodiment of a container comprising a cushioning means having a plurality of inflatable partial volumes;

Figure 8 a perspective view of the damping means of Figure 7;

Figure 9 a perspective view of the resilient forming means for use in a partial volume of the damping means of Figures 7 and 8;

Figure 10 a side view of a plurality of partial volumes including another embodiment of a resilient forming means:

Figure 11 a schematic perspective view of a cushioning means having a plurality of inflatable partial volumes together with an integrated inflation means;

Figure 12 a partial side sectional view of the damping means of Figure 11 and a wall of a container and a fixing means;

Figure 13 a partial side sectional view of a connector of the damping means of Figure 11;

Figure 14 a side sectional view similar to that of the container of Figure 2 additionally comprising a manually operated inflation means;

Figure 15 a schematic side sectional view of a container not forming part of the present invention; and

Figure 16 a schematic side sectional view similar to that of Figure 15 of another container not forming part of the present invention.

Functionally equivalent elements and portions are designated by the same reference numerals in the different embodiments. Likewise, portions and elements that have already been designated in the preceding figures are not always designated by the reference numerals in the subsequent figures.

A container in Figure 1 is designated globally by the reference numeral 10. Said container has a rectangular cross section with a bottom wall 12, side walls 14 and an upper wall 16 in the form of a movable cover. The container 10 can be a classic disposable cardboard container, typically used to transport products from Internet stores to private consumers. However, it is particularly preferred that the container 10 is a foldable reusable box made of a hard plastic material or, even more preferably, made of a foamed plastic material, for example, expanded polystyrene or expanded polypropylene.

The walls 12, 14 and 16 define an interior volume 18 of the container 10 which is intended to receive one or more articles 20 to be transported. The container 10 further comprises a cushioning means 22 comprising a plurality of inflatable partial volumes 22. The partial volumes 24 and/or the overall cushioning means 22 may be made from a gas-tight elastic and resilient material, for example silicone, rubber or the like.

As can be easily seen from Figure 1, the partial volumes 24 are arranged spaced apart from one another. This means that the partial volumes 24 can be arranged immediately adjacent to one another so that, in their inflated state, their walls tend to contact one another in a resilient manner. However, it is also possible for them to be spaced apart from one another so that, even in the inflated state, there is a gap between them. This latter type of arrangement is shown in Figure 1.

As can be seen in Figure 1, the container 10 comprises a first lower cushioning means 22a and a second upper cushioning means 22b. Each cushioning means 22a and 22b has a base portion 26 which is disposed adjacent the bottom wall 12 or the top wall 16, respectively. A cushioning portion 28 comprising the partial volumes 24 extends from the base portion 26 into the internal volume 18 of the container.

The base portion 26 comprises a first wall 30 and a second wall 32. The first wall is generally planar and disposed adjacent to the bottom wall 12 or the top wall 16, respectively. The second wall 32 is substantially parallel to the first wall 30. The cushioning portions 28 comprising the inflatable partial volumes 24 extend from said second wall 32 in an essentially octagonal manner into the internal volume 18 of the container 10.

In the embodiment shown in Figure 1, the first damping means 22a and the second damping means 22b are not pneumatically connected to each other. Instead, they are pneumatically and structurally separated from each other. By this arrangement, the upper wall 16 to which the second damping means 22b is associated and fixedly attached can be lifted and removed from the rest of the container 10. However, as can be seen in Figure 2, in another embodiment, the damping means 22a and 22b can be pneumatically and structurally connected to each other.

As can be seen in Figure 1, the container 10 comprises an inflation hole 34 with a closing and opening valve 36. The inflation hole 34 is intended to be connected to an external inflation means (not shown) for the inflation of the cushioning means 22 and the partial volumes 24 while the partial volumes 24 are arranged in the internal volume 18 of the container 10.

The partial volumes 24 of the container, as shown in Figure 1, have, in the inflated state, as shown in Figure 1, an elongated shape which extends essentially octagonally from the bottom wall 12 and the top wall 16, respectively, into the interior of the internal volume 18. In the embodiment shown in Figure 1, the shape of a partial volume 24, as seen from the side, is oval. However, other shapes, such as cylindrical or conical, may be possible, as will be seen later.

It should also be noted that, in the embodiment shown in Figure 1, the first and lower damping means 22a comprises, at its lateral edges and close to the side walls 14, partial volumes 24' which are longer in their longitudinal direction than the other partial volumes 24. Or, more specifically: while the specific partial volumes 24 close to the side walls 14 extend from the bottom wall 12 to the top wall 16, the other partial volumes 24 extend only along approximately 30% of the internal height of the inner volume 18 of the container 10.

The container 10 can be used as follows: first, cushioning means 22a and 22b are arranged in the internal volume 18 of the container 10. Next, an inflation means (not shown) is connected to the inflation hole 34, and air is introduced into the cushioning means 22a and 22b and into the partial volumes 24. By doing so, the partial volumes 24 are inflated and assume a taut shape. Then, the articles 20 are arranged inside the container 10, and the upper wall 16 together with the second cushioning means 22b which has also been previously inflated, is placed on top of the side walls 14 in order to close the container 10.

It should be noted that the sequence can of course be reversed. This means that it may also be possible that firstly the articles 20 are placed in the internal volume 18 of the container 10 and that only subsequently the cushioning means 22 are inflated.

As can be seen in Figure 1, the flat article 20 may be arranged between two adjacent partial volumes 24 of the first cushioning means 22a, as shown, by way of example, with respect to the second and fourth articles 20 from the left. The other elements 20 are slightly held or compressed between the partial volumes 24 of the second, upper cushioning means 22b and the partial volumes 24 of the first, lower cushioning means 22a. The partial volumes 24 of the cushioning means 22 therefore not only serve to cushion the articles 20 during transport in the container 10, but also serve to firmly hold the articles 20 in position during transport.

When the container 10 is received by the recipient, the recipient removes the top wall 16 so that the items 20 can be removed from the internal volume 18 of the container 10. Next (or even before the first step), the shut-off valve 36 can be opened to deflate the cushioning means 22a and 22b and then the container 10 can be folded into a flat configuration in order to be shipped again, for example, to a collection site for further use. If necessary, a separate deflation means (not shown) can be attached to an inflation port 34 to remove air from within the cushioning means 22. Alternatively, the cushioning means 22a and 22b can be removed from the container 10 and disposed of separately from the rest of the container 10.

Figure 2 shows an embodiment of a container 10 in which the second upper cushioning means 22b and the first lower cushioning means 22a are pneumatically and structurally connected to each other by means of the specific partial volumes 24 arranged on the right side adjacent the right side wall 14. As can be seen in Figure 2, a relatively large article 20 may be arranged between the tips of the partial volumes 24 extending from the bottom wall 12 and the top wall 16, respectively.

3 shows an embodiment of a container 10 with a damping means having partial volumes 24 having a generally cylindrical shape with a rounded tip. The partial volumes 24 extending from the bottom wall 12 are arranged so that they are mutually interlocked with the partial volumes extending from the top wall 16. Furthermore, in the embodiment of FIG. 3, the partial volumes 24 extending from the bottom wall 12 and extending from the top wall 16 extend over approximately 50% of the height of the internal volume 18 of the container 10 so that they almost meet in the middle of the internal volume 18.

In the embodiment of Figure 4, the container 10 additionally comprises a second cushioning means 22b with a plurality of partial volumes 24 extending in a lateral direction from the side wall 14.

Figures 5 and 6 again show an embodiment of a cushioning means 22 with a plurality of partial volumes 24 having an essentially cylindrical shape. However, each partial volume 24 comprises, on its outer surface, a plurality of ribs 38 extending in the longitudinal direction of the partial volumes 24. It can also be seen from Figures 5 and 6 that the base portion 26 of the cushioning means 22 has a rectangular shape and can therefore easily fit into the interior of a typical rectangular box-type container 10.

In Figures 7 and 8, a container 10 is shown with a damping medium 22 which has partial volumes 24 that are cone-shaped with a rounded tip. Here too, the base portion 26 is rectangular.

Figure 9 is a perspective view of a resilient shaping means 40 for use in the partial volumes 24 of the cushioning means of Figures 7 and 8. In the embodiment shown in Figure 9, the resilient shaping means 40 has a 3D elastic reticular or grid-like structure. It could be made of silicone or other resilient plastic material and could be manufactured, for example, by 3D printing. A wall of the inflatable volume 24 can be disposed around the resilient shaping means 40.

Alternatively, the resilient forming means 40 and the gas-tight wall of the damping means 22 and the partial volumes 24 can be manufactured by two-component injection molding.

Figure 10 shows a plurality of partial volumes 24 including an alternative embodiment of a resilient shaping means 40. Unlike that of Figure 9, the resilient shaping means 40 of Figure 10 comprises a helical-shaped elastic spring wire in which the helix is also generally conical in shape. Again, the resilient shaping means 40 of Figure 10 may be surrounded by the elastic material of the partial volumes 24 or may be manufactured together with the elastic and/or flexible material of the partial volumes 24, for example, by 2-component injection molding.

Figures 11 to 13 show a cushioning means 22 with an integrated inflation means 42 in the form of an electric pump. Such an electric pump 42 could be similar to the small air pressure pumps shown in blood pressure measuring devices. The electric pump may also include a pressure sensor allowing control of the inflation in a closed loop. It would even be possible for the air pressure to be monitored during transport of the container 10 and for the pump 42 to be actuated if the air pressure fell below a certain value.

Furthermore, the cushioning means 22 of Figure 11 comprises a connector 44 for connecting the inflation means 42 to a power source 46, for example a battery or any other source of electrical power, if necessary. Furthermore, Figure 11 shows an air inlet 48 and an air outlet 50. As can be readily understood by a person skilled in the art, the inflation means 42 may serve to inflate the cushioning means such that air is drawn through the inlet 48 into the partial volumes 24. However, by reversing the function of the inflation means 42, it may also serve as a deflation means for removing gas from the partial volumes 24 so that they are expelled through the outlet 50.

Furthermore, the damping means 22 has a rectangular base portion 26, in which a connection hole 52 is arranged at each corner of the base portion 26. As can be seen in Figure 12, the connection hole 52 serves to firmly attach the damping means 22 to a wall, for example the bottom wall 12, of the container 10. For this purpose, a fastening means 52, for example in the form of a screw or a hooked bolt, is inserted through the connection hole 52 into the wall 12.

Figure 14 is similar to Figure 2. However, the container 10 of Figure 14 additionally comprises an inflation means 42 in the form of a manually operated pump. By means of a mechanism not shown, the inflation means 42 of Figure 14 is connected to the top wall 16 of the container 10, which is hinged to the remainder of the container 10 so that it can be tilted about the hinge (not shown), the tilting movement being indicated by arrow 56. Accordingly, a user can repeatedly actuate the bottom wall 12 to tilt about the hinge in order to actuate the inflation means 42 and in order to inflate the partial volumes 24 of the cushioning means 22.

Although in the above embodiments many of the partial volumes 24 of a cushioning means 22 have almost the same shape, it can be easily understood that it is also possible that the partial means of a cushioning means can have different shapes and/or sizes in order to better fit specific applications and specific shapes and sizes of the articles to be cushioned. For example, a partial volume can be arranged so that it has a relatively low longitudinal extension, i.e. it is relatively short, this partial volume being surrounded by partial volumes with a relatively long longitudinal extension, i.e. it is relatively long.

Figure 15 relates to a container 10 having a cushioning and fixing means 22 which, however, does not form part of the present invention. The cushioning means 22 of Figure 15 is not inflatable, but is deflatable for cushioning. For this purpose, the cushioning means 22 of Figure 15 comprises a bag 58 which is fixed to the inner edges of the container 10 between the bottom wall 12 and the side walls 14 between the side walls 14 and the top wall 14 and between the side walls 14 and the top wall 16, respectively. Furthermore, the bag 58 comprises a zipper-type opening and closing means 60 with which an inner volume 62 of the back part 58 can be closed in a gas-tight manner. It also comprises a non-return valve (not shown) that allows the internal volume 62 of the bag 58 to be evacuated and the vacuum to be retained within the internal volume 62 during the transport of the container 10.

The container 10 and the cushioning means 22 of Figure 15 are used in the following way: when the container 10 is opened, the opening and closing means 60 of the bag 58 is opened, and the article 20 is inserted into the volume 62 of the bag 58. Next, the opening and closing means 60 is closed, and the internal air of the inner volume 62 of the bag 58 is removed, as indicated by an arrow 64 in Figure 15. Or, in other words: the inner volume 62 is more or less evacuated. As a result, the bag 58 fits snugly around the article 20 and thus keeps the article 20 “suspended” in the internal volume 18 of the container 10. An advantage of this type of cushioning and securing means 22 is that the article 20 (e.g. laundry or clothing) inside the bag 58 is compressed by the walls of the bag 58 and thus the volume of the article 20 could be reduced, thereby gaining space inside the container 10. Furthermore, this type of cushioning and securing means 22 protects the article 20 from moisture and other atmospheric components during transport.

Another cushioning means 22 of a container 10 which is not part of the present invention is shown in Figure 16, whereby the cushioning means 22 also comprises a bag 58 which, however, in the embodiment of Figure 16, is wrapped around the article 20 to be transported and cushioned within the container 10. In the inner volume 62 of the bag 58, there are arranged a multitude of plastic beads 66 formed from a foamed plastic material such as expanded polystyrene or expanded polypropylene. In operation, the bag 58 is positioned so as to surround the article 20 and then the inner volume 62 is evacuated, i.e. air is removed from the inner volume 62. To this end, the bag 58 comprises a non-return valve (not shown) for creating and maintaining a vacuum and a bleed valve for admitting air to flow into the bag 58 after use. Accordingly, after evacuation, the bag 58 becomes solid and fits snugly around the plastic beads and thus constitutes a solid foam body surrounding the article 20 to be transported. When the article 20 is to be removed, the purge valve is opened so that air enters the bag 58 and the bag 58 returns to its flexible state.

Claims (13)

1. - A container (10) for transporting an article (20), comprising: - a cushioning means (22) for cushioning the article (20) in the container (10), the cushioning means (22) comprising a plurality of inflatable partial volumes (24) arranged within the container (10) and arranged spaced apart from each other; - an inflation hole (34) with a closing and opening valve (36) intended to be connected to an external inflation means for inflating the cushioning means (22) or an inflation means (42) for inflating the cushioning means (22), wherein the partial volumes (24) are inflatable while disposed within the container 10, characterized in that the partial volumes (24) comprise a resilient shaping means (40) that provides the partial volume (24) with a specific shape in a non-inflated state. 2. The container (10) of claim 1, wherein the cushioning means (22) comprises a base portion (26) fixedly disposed adjacent a wall (12, 14, 16) of the container (10) and a cushioning portion (18) extending from the base portion (26) to an interior of the container (10) at least when the partial volumes (24) are inflated. 3. The container (10) of claim 2, wherein the base portion (26) comprises a first wall (30) which is planar and disposed adjacent the wall (12, 14, 16) of the container (10), and a second wall (32) parallel to the first wall (30) and from which the cushioning portions (28) extend. 4. - The container (10) of any one of the preceding claims, wherein the plurality of inflatable partial volumes ((24) have, in the inflated state, an elongated shape extending from a wall (12, 14, 16) to an interior (18) of the container (10). 5. The container (10) of claim 1, wherein the resilient forming means (40) comprises an elastic spring wire and/or an elastic reticular structure. 6. The container of any one of the preceding claims, comprising at least one first cushioning means (22a) having a first plurality of partial volumes (24), the first cushioning means (22a) being arranged adjacent a first wall (12, 16) of the container (10), and at least one second cushioning means (22b) having a second plurality of partial volumes (24), the second cushioning means (22b) being arranged adjacent a second wall (16; 14) of the container (10). 7. The container (10) of claim 6, wherein the first wall is a bottom wall (12) and the second wall is a top wall (16). 8. The container (10) of claim 6, wherein the first wall is a bottom wall (12) or a top wall (16) and the second wall is a side wall (14). 9. The container (10) of any one of the preceding claims, wherein the inflation means (42) is actuated by tilting a cover (16) of the container (10). 10. The container (10) of any one of the preceding claims, wherein the inflation means (42) comprises an electric pump. 11. The container (10) of any one of the preceding claims, wherein it comprises fixing means for fixedly attaching the cushioning means (22) to a wall (12) of the container (10). 12. - The container (10) of any one of the preceding claims, wherein it comprises a deflation means (42) for removing gas from the partial volumes (24). 13. - The container (10) of any one of the preceding claims, wherein at least one of the plurality of the partial volumes (24) comprises, on its outer surface, a plurality of ribs (38) extending, preferably, in the longitudinal direction of the partial volume (24).