METHOD OF USING A DUNNAGE BAG IN A CONTAINER, TRANSPORT SYSTEM, LOAD PROTECTOR HAVING A DUNNAGE BAG

PRIORITY

[0001] This application claims priority to and the benefit of U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 63/351,383, filed June 11, 2022, the entire contents of which is incorporated herein by reference.

FIELD

[0002] The present disclosure relates to methods of using a dunnage bag in a container and systems and load protectors having a dunnage bag, and more particularly to methods of using a dunnage bag, systems, and load protectors for limiting movement of a load during transport.

BACKGROUND

[0003] Shipping companies use shipping containers to transport loads of goods over long distances via ship, rail, truck, or airplane. Shipping containers are large, usually metal boxes such as intermodal containers, rail cars, and over-the-road containers. To ship a load of palletized goods using a shipping container, the pallets of goods are first loaded into the interior of the shipping container, typically until the shipping container reaches a maximum weight limit or a maximum volume limit. In many cases the pallets of goods don’t completely fill the interior of the shipping container, which means voids exist within the load (e.g., between the pallets of goods themselves) and/or between load and the interior walls of the shipping container (e.g., between the pallets of goods and the interior walls of the shipping container). If the voids aren’t minimized or the load isn’t secured against movement, the pallets of goods could shift during transit and collide with one another and the interior walls of the shipping container, damaging the goods (and the shipping container). [0004] Inflatable dunnage bags are commonly used to stabilize the load in a shipping container. After some or all of the pallets of goods are loaded into the shipping container, an installer positions deflated dunnage bags in the voids within the load (e.g., between pallets of goods) and/or between the load and the interior walls of the shipping container (e.g., between the pallets of goods and the interior walls of the shipping container). The installer then inflates the dunnage bags to an operating pressure using a suitable inflator. After inflation, the dunnage bags generally prevent the pallets of goods from moving relative to one another and relative to the shipping container while acting as cushions to dampen forces imparted during transit.

[0005] Positioning and inflating dunnage bags can be difficult when pallets of goods are stacked to the ceiling of the shipping container, especially considering that most intermodal containers have an internal height of more than 2.25 meters and a length of about 12 meters.

SUMMARY

[0006] Various embodiments of the present disclosure provide methods of using a dunnage bag in a container, systems, and load protectors for limiting movement of a load during transport.

[0007] In one embodiment, a method of using an inflatable dunnage bag in a container comprises attaching the dunnage bag to the container. The container has a first sidewall, a second sidewall opposite the first sidewall, a floor extending between the bottoms of the first and second sidewalls, a ceiling opposite the floor and extending between the tops of the first and second sidewalls, a rear wall extending between the first and second sidewalls, the floor, and the ceiling, and a front end opposite the rear wall. The dunnage bag has a length and a width smaller than the length. The dunnage bag is attached to the container to suspend the dunnage bag adjacent to the first sidewall of the container and above the floor of the container and so the dunnage bag is oriented with its length extending between the front end and the rear wall of the container and its width extending between the floor and the ceiling of the container. The method further comprises positioning a load in the container so that the dunnage bag is positioned between the first sidewall and the load. And the method comprises inflating the dunnage bag to an operating pressure so the dunnage bag contacts the load and the first sidewall.

[0008] In one embodiment, a transport system comprises: a container, an inflatable dunnage bag, and a load. The container has a first sidewall, a second sidewall opposite the first sidewall, a floor extending between the bottoms of the first and second sidewalls, a ceiling opposite the floor and extending between the tops of the first and second sidewalls, a rear wall extending between the first and second sidewalls, the floor, and the ceiling, and a front end opposite the rear wall. The inflatable dunnage bag has a length and a width smaller than the length and is attached to the container to suspend the dunnage bag adjacent to the first sidewall of the container and above the floor of the container so the dunnage bag is oriented with its length extending between the front end and rear wall of the container and its width extending between the floor and the ceiling of the container. The load is positioned in the container so that the dunnage bag is positioned between the first sidewall and the load, where the dunnage bag is inflated to an operating pressure so the dunnage bag contacts the load and the first sidewall.

[0009] In one embodiment, a load protector comprises an inflatable dunnage bag and a sleeve for attaching the dunnage bag to a container. The dunnage bag includes a body and an inflation valve disposed on the body. The dunnage bag has a length of at least 10 meters and a width smaller than the length. The container has a first sidewall, a second sidewall opposite the first sidewall, a floor extending between the bottoms of the first and second sidewalls, a ceiling opposite the floor and extending between the tops of the first and second sidewalls, a rear wall extending between the first and second sidewalls, the floor, and the ceiling, and a front end opposite the rear wall. The sleeve has a length and includes an attacher, a first fastener, and a second fastener. The attacher is positioned on a material sheet, where the attacher is configured to attach the sleeve to the container so the sleeve is suspended above the floor and is oriented with its length extending between the front end and the rear wall of the container. The first fastener is positioned on a first portion of a surface of the sheet. The second fastener is positioned on a second portion of the surface. The first fastener is configured to mate with the second fastener so as to form the sleeve.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES

[0010] Figure 1 A is a perspective view of one example embodiment of a deflated dunnage bag of the present disclosure.

[0011] Figure IB is a perspective view of one example embodiment of an inflated dunnage bag of the present disclosure.

[0012] Figure 2 is a perspective view of another example embodiment of a dunnage bag of the present disclosure.

[0013] Figure 3 is a top view of one example embodiment of a sleeve of the present disclosure in an open position.

[0014] Figure 4 is a top view of a dunnage bag positioned on the sleeve of Figure 3.

[0015] Figure 5 is a top view of the sleeve of Figure 3 in a closed position.

[0016] Figure 6 is a perspective view of another example embodiment of a dunnage bag of the present disclosure. [0017] Figure 7 is a perspective view of one example embodiment of a dunnage bag attached to a container to suspend the dunnage bag adjacent to a sidewall of the container.

[0018] Figure 8 is a front elevational view of one example embodiment of a load positioned in a container so that a dunnage bag is positioned between a sidewall of the container and the load.

[0019] Figure 9 is a perspective view of aspects of one example embodiment of a dunnage bag inflated to an operating pressure so the dunnage bag contacts a load positioned in the container and a sidewall of the container.

[0020] Figure 10 is a perspective view of another example embodiment of a dunnage bag attached to a container to suspend the dunnage bag adjacent to a sidewall of the container.

[0021] Figure 11 is a perspective view of another example embodiment of a dunnage bag attached to a container to suspend the dunnage bag adjacent to a sidewall of the container.

[0022] Figure 12 is a front elevational view of another example embodiment of loads positioned in a container so that dunnage bags are positioned between sidewalls of the container and the loads.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0023] Various embodiments of the present disclosure provide methods of using a dunnage bag in a container, systems, and load protectors for limiting movement of a load during transport. The method involves attaching an inflatable dunnage bag to a container to suspend the dunnage bag adjacent to a sidewall of the container and above the floor of the container, positioning a load in the container so that the dunnage bag is positioned between the sidewall and the load, and inflating the dunnage bag to an operating pressure so the dunnage bag contacts the load and the sidewall. In some embodiments, the dunnage bag has a length that extends the entire length of the sidewall of the container so that the dunnage bag is used to stabilize the load along the entire container length. Further, because the dunnage bag is attached to the container an installer does not have to hold the dunnage bag up by hand while inflating it.

[0024] Figures 1A and IB illustrate one embodiment of an inflatable dunnage bag 100. The dunnage bag 100 has a front end 102, a rear end 104 opposite the front end 102, atop side 106, and a bottom side 108 opposite the top side 106. The dunnage bag 102 has a length between the front end 102 and rear end 104 and a width, and the length is greater than the width. In some embodiments, the length is at least 8 meters. Further, in some embodiments, the length is at least 10 meters. And in some embodiments, the length is about 12 meters. The term “about 12 meters” as used herein, means 12 meters plus or minus 1 meter.

[0025] The dunnage bag 100 includes a body 110 and valves 112a and 112b. The body 110 includes a first surface 114 and the valves 112a and 112b are positioned through the first surface 114. Valves 112a and 112b are adjacent to the front end 102, valve 112a is adjacent to the top side 106, and valve 112b is adjacent to the bottom side 108. The dunnage bag 100 can include several different types of materials. For instance, in some examples, the dunnage bag 100 is a plastic material.

[0026] The dunnage bag 100 also includes an inflatable, airtight inner bladder enclosed by the body 110. The valves 112a and 112b are usable to control the flow of gas (such as air) into (or out of) the interior of the inner bladder to inflate (or deflate) the inner bladder and, therefore, to inflate (or deflate) the dunnage bag 100. The body 110 may be made of one or more plies of any suitable material, such as paper, polypropylene, or polyethylene terephthalate. In some embodiments, the dunnage bag 100 includes only one valve positioned through the surface 114. The valve can take the form of the valve 112a or valve 112b. [0027] Figure 1A shows the dunnage bag 100 deflated, and Figure IB shows the dunnage bag 100 inflated. As the dunnage bag 100 inflates, it expands laterally while shrinking in width (i.e., a distance between the sides 106 and 108).

[0028] Figure 2 illustrates another embodiment of an inflatable dunnage bag 200. Figure 2 shows the dunnage bag 200 deflated similar to the dunnage 100 shown in Figure 1A. Similar to the dunnage bag 100, dunnage bag 200 has a front end 202, a rear end 204 opposite the front end 202, atop side 206, and a bottom side 208 opposite the top side 206. The dunnage bag 200 includes adhesive 220a, 220b, 220c, and 220d on a second surface 224 of the dunnage bag 200. In some embodiments, the adhesive 220a is double-sided tape. Further, in some embodiments, a first surface of the adhesive 220a is adhered to the surface 224 and a second surface of the adhesive 220a opposite the first surface of the adhesive 220a is taped to another component. The adhesive 220b, 220c, and 220d each take the same or similar form as the adhesive 220a.

[0029] The adhesive 220a, 220b, 220c, and 220b can be positioned in a variety of locations on the surface 224 of the dunnage bag 200. For example, the adhesive 220a is adjacent to the front end 202 and to the top side 206, the adhesive 220b is adjacent to the front end 202 and to the bottom side 208, the adhesive 220c is adjacent to rear end 204 and to the top side 206, and the adhesive 220d is adjacent to rear end 204 and to the bottom side 208. Although four adhesives are shown in Figure 2, in other embodiments the dunnage bag 200 includes more or less than four adhesives positioned on the surface 224.

[0030] Figure 3 illustrates one embodiment of a sleeve 300. The sleeve 300 has a front end 302, a rear end 304 opposite the front end 302, a top side 306, and a bottom side 308 opposite the top side 306. The sleeve 300 has a length between the front end 302 and rear end 304 and a width, and the length is greater than the width. In some embodiments, the length of the sleeve 300 is less than the length of the dunnage bag 100. The sleeve 300 can include several different types of materials. For instance, in some examples, the sleeve 300 is a plastic material.

[0031] The sleeve 300 includes a body, first fasteners 314a, and second fasteners 314b. In the illustrated embodiment, the body takes the form of a material sheet 310. The first fasteners 314a are positioned on a surface of the sheet 310 adjacent to the top side 306. The first fasteners 314a are shown as a set of twelve fasteners in Figure 3. In some embodiments, the first fasteners 314a include more or less than twelve fasteners. The second fasteners 314b are positioned on the surface of the sheet 310 adjacent to the bottom side 308. The second fasteners 314b are shown as a set of twelve fasteners in Figure 3. In some embodiments, the second fasteners 314b include more or less than twelve fasteners.

[0032] Figure 4 illustrates the dunnage bag 100 positioned on the sheet 310, and Figure 5 illustrates the dunnage bag 100 positioned in the sleeve 300 after the sleeve 300 is closed. The dunnage bag 100 protrudes from the sleeve 300 so that the installer can access valves 112a and 112b. The dunnage bag 100 positioned in the sleeve 300 shown in Figure 5 is a load protector 500.

[0033] To form the sleeve 300, the installer folds the sheet 310 along a centerline 320 and mates the second fasteners 314b with the first fasteners 314a. In some embodiments, the first fasteners 314a and the second fasteners 314b are mating hooks, loops, clips, pins, latches, or other mating features. For example, in some embodiments, the first fasteners 314a are each hook-and-loop fasteners such as VELCRO®.

[0034] The sleeve 300 also includes first attachers 316a and second attachers 316b. The first attachers 316a are coupled to the sheet 310. The first attachers 316a are shown as a set of thirteen attachers in Figure 3. In some embodiments, the first attachers 316a include more or less than thirteen attachers. The second attachers 316b are coupled to the sheet 310. The second attachers 316b are shown as a set of thirteen attachers in Figure 3. In some embodiments, the second attachers 316b include more or less than thirteen attachers.

[0035] The first attachers 316a and the second attachers 316b can be coupled to the sheet 310 in a variety of ways. In some embodiments, the first attachers 316a are coupled to the sheet 310 by sewing the first attacher 316b to or adjacent to the top side 306. Further, in some embodiments, the second attachers 316b are coupled to the sheet by sewing the second attachers 316b to a portion of the sheet 310 adjacent to the center line 320. In some embodiments, the first attachers 316a are each a loop, a D-ring, or a grommet. The first attachers 316a can include several different types of materials. For instance, in some examples, the first attachers 316a are a plastic material or a fabric material such as ribbon. The second attachers 316b take the same or similar form as the first attachers 316a.

[0036] Figure 6 illustrates another embodiment of an inflatable dunnage bag 600. Figure 6 shows the dunnage bag 600 deflated similar to the dunnage bag 100 shown in Figure 1A. Similar to the dunnage bag 100, dunnage bag 600 has a front end 602, a rear end 604 opposite the front end 602, a top side 606, and a bottom side 608 opposite the top side 606. And similar to dunnage bag 100, dunnage bag 600 includes valves 612a and 612b. The dunnage bag 600 also includes first attachers 616a and second attachers 616b.

[0037] The first attachers 616a are coupled to the dunnage bag 600. The first attachers 616a are shown as a set of thirteen attachers in Figure 6. In some embodiments, the first attachers 616a include more or less than thirteen attachers. The second attachers 616b are coupled to the dunnage bag 600. The second attachers 616b are shown as a set of thirteen attachers in Figure 6. In some embodiments, the second attachers 616b include more or less than thirteen attachers. The first attachers 616a can take the same or similar form as the first attachers 316a, and the second attachers 616b can take the same or similar form as the second attachers 316b.

[0038] The following in conjunction with Figures 7-9 is an example method of using an inflatable dunnage bag in a container 700. The container 700 includes a first sidewall 710; a second sidewall 715 opposite the first sidewall 710 (as best shown in Figures 8 and 12); a floor 720 extending between the bottoms of the first sidewall 710 and the second sidewall 715; a ceiling 725 opposite the floor 720 and extending between the tops of the first sidewall 710 and the second sidewall 715; a rear wall 730 extending between the first sidewall 710 and the second sidewall 715, the floor 720, and the ceiling 725; and a front end 735 opposite the rear wall 730. For purposes of illustration, a portion of the second sidewall 715 is removed in Figures 7, 10, and 11. The dunnage bag used in the method can take the form of any of the dunnage bags described herein. Some actions set forth herein are described with respect to the acts of an installer, operator, or worker. The installer may be a human being, carrying out the described actions by hand or using a machine. Alternatively, the installer may be a machine.

[0039] First, as shown in Figure 7, the installer attaches the dunnage bag to the container 700 to suspend the dunnage bag adjacent to the first sidewall 710 and above the floor 720 and so the dunnage bag is oriented with its length extending between the front end 735 and the rear wall 730 and its width extending between the floor 720 and the ceiling 725. In some embodiments, the dunnage bag covers the first sidewall 710. For example, in some embodiments, the length of the dunnage bag extends the entire length of the container 700 between the front end 735 and the rear wall 730. In some embodiments, the length of the dunnage bag and the length of the first side wall are each about 12 meters. [0040] Further, in some embodiments, the installer attaches the dunnage bag to the container 700 by adhering a surface of the dunnage bag to the first sidewall 710. In the illustrated embodiment, the dunnage bag takes the form of the dunnage bag 200 and the installer adheres the second surface 224 of the dunnage bag 200 to the first sidewall 710 by taping the second surface 224 to the first sidewall 710 using the adhesives 220a, 220b, 220c, and 220d.

[0041] As shown in Figure 7, the dunnage bag 200 includes a first surface 214 opposite the second surface 224 and a valve 212a and a valve 212b positioned through the first surface 214. In some embodiments, when the installer attaches the dunnage bag 200 to the container 700, the first surface 214 faces away from the first sidewall 710. In some embodiments, the installer attaches the dunnage bag 200 to the container 700 so that the valves 212a and 212b are oriented towards the front end 735. The installer can then access the valves 212a and 212b near the front end 735.

[0042] Subsequently, as shown in Figure 8, the installer positions a load 800 in the container 700 so that the dunnage bag is positioned between the first sidewall 710 and the load 800. In the illustrated example, the load 800 includes multiple items, such as palletized goods. The term “palletized goods” as used herein, refers to goods that are collected on a flat transport structure, such as a pallet or slip sheet. In some embodiments, the installer positions multiple loads in the container 700. For example, in some embodiments, the installer positions 20 pallets in the container 700 before transport. In some embodiments, the load 800 is not palletized goods.

[0043] As shown in Figure 9, the installer then inflates the dunnage bag to an operating pressure so the dunnage bag contacts the load 810 and the first sidewall 710. For example, to inflate the dunnage bag 200 the installer connects an inflator head in fluid connection with a compressed air source to the valves 212a and 212b and the installer then inflates the dunnage bag 200 to the desired operating pressure. In some embodiments, the installer inflates the dunnage bag to a predetermined volume or pressure.

[0044] After inflation, the dunnage bag can stabilize the load 800 in the container 700. The inflated dunnage bag can generally prevent the load 800 from moving relative to other loads and relative to the container 700 while acting as a cushion to dampen forces imparted during transit of the container 700. The container 700, the dunnage bag attached to the first sidewall 710 and inflated to an operating pressure, and the load 800 shown in Figure 9 is a transport system 900. In some embodiment, before transport, the installer closes a door connected to the front end 735.

[0045] In some embodiments, the method of using the dunnage bag in the container 700 includes additional actions. For example, in some embodiments, after the installer or the operator transports the container 700 from a first location to a second location, the installer deflates the dunnage bag when the dunnage bag is attached to the container 700.

Subsequently, the installer removes the load 800 from the container 700. The installer removes the deflated dunnage bag from the container 700 before or after the installer removes the load 800 from the container 700

[0046] The dunnage bag used in the method may be a single-use dunnage bag. For example, in some embodiments, the installer punctures the dunnage bag so as to deflate the dunnage bag. Alternatively, the dunnage bag used in the method may be reusable. For example, in some embodiments, the installer deflates the dunnage bag when the dunnage bag is connected to the container 700 by operating a valve of the dunnage bag so as to deflate the dunnage bag. Further, in some embodiments, at the second location or after the installer or the operator transports the container 700 to another location, the installer positions a second load in the container 700 so that the dunnage bag is positioned between the first sidewall 710 and the second load. And in some embodiments, the installer then inflates the dunnage bag to the operating pressure a second time so the dunnage bag contacts the second load and the first sidewall.

[0047] In some embodiments, a receiver receives the transport system 900 and then the receiver deflates the dunnage bag when the dunnage bag is attached to the container 700. Subsequently, the receiver removes the load 800 from the container 700. The receiver removes the deflated dunnage bag from the container 700 before or after the receiver removes the load 800 from the container 700.

[0048] Figure 10 illustrates another example of the installer attaching the dunnage bag to container 700 to suspend the dunnage bag adjacent to the first sidewall 710 and above the floor 720 and so the dunnage bag is oriented with its length extending between the front end 735 and the rear wall 730. As shown in Figure 10, the installer attaches the dunnage bag to the container 700 using a sleeve. In the illustrated example, the dunnage bag takes the form of dunnage bag 100 and the sleeve takes the form of the sleeve 300.

[0049] The installer attaches the sleeve 300 to the container 700 so the sleeve 300 is suspended above the floor 720 and is oriented with its length extending between the front end 735 and the rear wall 730, and the installer positions the dunnage bag 100 in the sleeve. In some embodiments, the installer positions the dunnage bag 100 in the sleeve 300 after the installer attaches the sleeve 300 to the container 700. Further, in some embodiments, the installer positions the dunnage bag 100 in the sleeve 300 before the installer attaches the sleeve 300 to the container 700.

[0050] In some embodiments, the installer attaches the sleeve to the container 700 by securing flexible members to the sleeve and to first attachment points 740a and second attachment points 740b of the container 700. The first attachment points 740a are connected to the top of the first side wall 710. The first attachment points are shown as a set of twelve attachment points in Figure 10. In some embodiments, the first attachment points 740a include more or less than twelve attachment points. Further, in some embodiments, the first attachment points 740a are loops or lashing eyes. The first attachment points 740a can be unevenly spaced apart from each other along the first sidewall 710.

[0051] The second attachment points 740b are connected to the bottom of the first sidewall 710. The second attachment points 740b are shown as a set of twelve attachment points in Figure 10. In some embodiments, the second attachment points 740a include more or less than twelve attachment points. The second attachment points 740b can take the same or similar form as the first attachment points 740a.

[0052] In some embodiments, the installer secures flexible members to the sleeve 300 by coupling first flexible members 1010a to first attachers 316a and coupling second flexible members 1010b to second attachers 316b. Further, in some embodiments, the first flexible members 1010a each include elastic bands or bungee cords. Additionally, in some embodiments, the first flexible members 1010a each include hooks (e.g., carabine hooks) at the ends of the flexible member to engage with the first attachers 316a. The second flexible members 1010b can take the same or similar form as the first flexible members 1010a. In some embodiments, the first flexible members 1010a are longer than the second flexible members 1010b.

[0053] The first flexible members 1010a are shown in Figure 10 as a set of 15 flexible members. In some embodiments, the first flexible members 1010a include more or less than 15 flexible members. The second flexible members 1010b are shown in Figure 10 as a set of 13 flexible members. In some embodiments, the second flexible members 1010b include more or less than 13 flexible members.

[0054] In some embodiments, the installer secures only two flexible members to the sleeve 300. For example, the installer serpentines one flexible memberthrough the first attachers 316a and the first attachment points 740a, and the installer serpentines another flexible member through the second attachers 316b and the second attachment points 740b. The two flexible members can take the form of any of the first flexible members 1010a described herein.

[0055] Attaching the dunnage bag to the container 700 using the sleeve 300 can protect the dunnage bag 100, which may increase the useful life of the dunnage bag 100 (e.g., the number of uses of the dunnage bag 100 in the method). Further, attaching the dunnage bag to the container using the sleeve 310 enables the dunnage bag to remain suspended adjacent to the first sidewall 710 and above the floor 720 when the dunnage bag 100 is deflated, which may improve loading and unloading of the container 700 (e.g., decrease time for loading or unloading). In some embodiments, when the dunnage bag 100 is positioned in the sleeve 300, the installer deflates the dunnage bag 100.

[0056] Figure 11 illustrates another example of the installer attaching the dunnage bag to container 700 to suspend the dunnage bag adjacent to the first sidewall 710 and above the floor 720 and so the dunnage bag is oriented with its length extending between the front end 735 and the rear wall 730. As shown in Figure 11, the installer attaches the dunnage bag to the container 700 by securing flexible members to the dunnage bag and to the attachment points 740a and 740b. In the illustrated example, the dunnage bag takes the form of the dunnage bag 600. In some embodiments, the installer secures the first flexible members 1010a to the first attachers 616a of the dunnage bag 600 and the first attachment points 740a. Further, in some embodiments, the installer secures the second flexible members 1010b to the second attachers 616b of the dunnage bag 600 and the second attachment points 740b.

[0057] Attaching the dunnage bag to the container 700 by securing flexible members to the dunnage bag and to the first attachment points 740a and the second attachment points 740b enables the dunnage bag to remain suspended adjacent to the first sidewall 710 and above the floor 720 when the dunnage bag 100 is deflated, which may improve loading and unloading the container 700. In some embodiments, when the dunnage bag 600 is attached to the container 700, the installer deflates the dunnage bag 600.

[0058] In some embodiments, a dunnage bag includes the first attachers 616a but not the second attachers 616b. Further, in some embodiments, the container includes two hooks connected to the first sidewall of the container. For example, the installer serpentines one flexible member through the first attachers 616a and secures the flexible member to the two hooks. In some embodiments, the flexible member is a lashing belt. Further, in some embodiments, the lashing belt is tensioned between the two hooks via a lashing ratchet.

[0059] Figure 12 illustrates two inflatable dunnage bags attached to the container 700. In the illustrated example, the installer attaches a first dunnage bag 1200 to the container 700 to suspend the first dunnage bag 1200 adjacent to the first sidewall 710 and above the floor 720 and so the first dunnage bag 1200 is oriented with its length extending between the front end 735 and rear wall 730 and its width extending between the floor 720 and the ceiling 725. The first dunnage bag 1200 includes valves 1212a and valve 1212b. After inflation, the first dunnage bag 1200 can stabilize the load 800 in the container 700.

[0060] The installer also attaches a second dunnage bag 1250 to the container 700 to suspend the second dunnage bag 1250 adjacent to the second sidewall 715 and above the floor 720 and so the second dunnage bag 1250 is oriented with its length extending between the front end 735 and rear wall 730 and its width extending between the floor 720 and the ceiling 725. The second dunnage bag 1200 includes valves 1262a and 1262b. After inflation, the second dunnage bag 1250 can stabilize a second load 810 in the container 700.

[0061] The first dunnage bag 1200 and the second dunnage bag 1250 may take the form of or be similar in form to the dunnage bag 100, dunnage bag 200, and dunnage bag 600. In some embodiments, the installer attaches the first dunnage bag 1200 to the container 700 in the same way that the installer attaches the second dunnage bag 1250 to the container 700. In some embodiments, the installer attaches the first dunnage bag 1200 to the container 700 in a different way than the installer attaches the second dunnage bag 1250 to the container 700.

[0062] Thus, in various embodiments, the present disclosure provides a method of using an inflatable dunnage bag in a container having a first sidewall; a second sidewall opposite the first sidewall; a floor extending between the bottoms of the first and second sidewalls; a ceiling opposite the floor and extending between the tops of the first and second sidewalls; a rear wall extending between the first and second sidewalls, the floor, and the ceiling; and a front end opposite the rear wall, the dunnage bag having a length and a width smaller than the length, the method comprising: attaching the dunnage bag to the container to suspend the dunnage bag adjacent to the first sidewall of the container and above the floor of the container and so the dunnage bag is oriented with its length extending between the front end and the rear wall of the container and its width extending between the floor and the ceiling of the container; positioning a load in the container so that the dunnage bag is positioned between the first sidewall and the load; and inflating the dunnage bag to an operating pressure so the dunnage bag contacts the load and the first sidewall. [0063] In various such embodiments of the method of using the dunnage bag, attaching the dunnage bag to the container includes adhering a surface of the dunnage bag to the first sidewall of the container.

[0064] In various such embodiments of the method of using the dunnage bag, adhering the surface of the dunnage bag to the first side wall of the container includes taping the surface of the dunnage bag to the first side wall.

[0065] In various such embodiments of the method of using the dunnage bag, attaching the dunnage bag to the container includes attaching a sleeve having a length to the container so the sleeve is suspended above the floor and is oriented with its length extending between the front end and the rear wall, and positioning the dunnage bag in the sleeve.

[0066] In various such embodiments of the method of using the dunnage bag, the dunnage bag is positioned in the sleeve before the dunnage bag is attached to the container.

[0067] In various such embodiments of the method of using the dunnage bag, attaching the sleeve to the container includes securing flexible members to the sleeve and to attachment points of the container.

[0068] In various such embodiments of the method of using the dunnage bag, the flexible members include elastic bands.

[0069] In various such embodiments of the method of using the dunnage bag, the attachment points include first loops adjacent to the top of the first sidewall of the container, and second loops adjacent to the bottom of the first sidewall.

[0070] In various such embodiments of the method of using the dunnage bag, the sleeve includes a material sheet, a first fastener positioned on a first portion of a surface of the sheet, and a second fastener positioned on a second portion of the surface, and the method further includes forming the sleeve by mating the second fastener with the first fastener.

[0071] In various such embodiments of the method of using the dunnage bag, the method further includes when the dunnage bag is positioned in the sleeve, deflating the dunnage bag.

[0072] In various such embodiments of the method of using the dunnage bag, the dunnage bag includes a body and an inflation valve positioned on the body and adjacent to the front end of the container, and deflating the dunnage bag includes operating the valve so as to deflate the dunnage bag.

[0073] In various such embodiments of the method of using the dunnage bag, the method further includes puncturing the dunnage bag so as to deflate the dunnage bag.

[0074] In various such embodiments of the method of using the dunnage bag, the method further includes deflating the dunnage bag, removing the load from the container, positioning a second load in the container so that the dunnage bag is positioned between the first sidewall and the second load, and inflating the dunnage bag to the operating pressure a second time so the dunnage bag contacts the second load and the first sidewall.

[0075] In various such embodiments of the method of using the dunnage bag, attaching the dunnage bag to the container comprises securing flexible members to the dunnage bag and to attachment points of the container.

[0076] In various such embodiments of the method of using the dunnage bag, the load includes multiple items.

[0077] In various such embodiments of the method of using the dunnage bag, the items include palletized goods. [0078] In various such embodiments of the method of using the dunnage bag, inflating the dunnage bag to an operating pressure comprises inflating the dunnage bag to a predetermined volume.

[0079] In various other embodiments, the disclosure further provides a transport system comprising: a container having a first sidewall; a second sidewall opposite the first sidewall; a floor extending between the bottoms of the first and second sidewalls; a ceiling opposite the floor and extending between the tops of the first and second sidewalls; a rear wall extending between the first and second sidewalls, the floor, and the ceiling; and a front end opposite the rear wall; an inflatable dunnage bag having a length and a width smaller than the length, the inflatable dunnage bag is attached to the container to suspend the dunnage bag adjacent to the first sidewall of the container and above the floor of the container so the dunnage bag is oriented with its length extending between the front end and rear wall of the container and its width extending between the floor and the ceiling of the container; and a load positioned in the container so that the dunnage bag is positioned between the first sidewall and the load, wherein the dunnage bag is inflated to an operating pressure so the dunnage bag contacts the load and the first sidewall.

[0080] In various such embodiments of the transport system, a surface of the dunnage bag is adhered to the first sidewall of the container.

[0081] In various such embodiments of the transport system, the length of the dunnage bag is at least 10 meters.

[0082] In various other embodiments, the disclosure further provides a load protector comprising: an inflatable dunnage bag comprising a body and an inflation valve disposed on the body, the dunnage bag having a length of at least 10 meters and a width smaller than the length; a sleeve for attaching the dunnage bag to a container having a first sidewall; a second sidewall opposite the first sidewall; a floor extending between the bottoms of the first and second sidewalls; a ceiling opposite the floor and extending between the tops of the first and second sidewalls; a rear wall extending between the first and second sidewalls, the floor, and the ceiling; and a front end opposite the rear wall; the sleeve having a length, the sleeve comprising: an attacher positioned on a material sheet, wherein the attacher is configured to attach the sleeve to the container so the sleeve is suspended above the floor and is oriented with its length extending between the front end and the rear wall of the container; a first fastener positioned on a first portion of a surface of the sheet; and a second fastener positioned on a second portion of the surface, the first fastener is configured to mate with the second fastener so as to form the sleeve.