U.S. patent application number 14/243214 was filed with the patent office on 2015-10-08 for balloon inflation device.
This patent application is currently assigned to Premium Balloon Accessories, Inc.. The applicant listed for this patent is Premium Balloon Accessories, Inc.. Invention is credited to Mike Frazier, David C. Nelson, Wesley A. Schroeder.
Application Number | 20150283473 14/243214 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 54208892 |
Filed Date | 2015-10-08 |
United States Patent
Application |
20150283473 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Frazier; Mike ; et
al. |
October 8, 2015 |
BALLOON INFLATION DEVICE
Abstract
A balloon inflation device is provided for inflating a balloon
having a neck. The balloon inflation device includes: a source of
pressurized gas; an inflation nozzle selectively receiving the neck
of the balloon to communicate with the interior thereof, the
inflation nozzle including: a fill nozzle having an outlet end, and
a pressure sensor nozzle inside of the fill nozzle, the pressure
sensor nozzle having an inlet end. The outlet end and the inlet end
communicate with the interior of the balloon when the inflation
nozzle receives the neck of the balloon. A gas feed line
communicates between the source of pressurized gas and the fill
nozzle of the inflation nozzle, and a pressure sensor communicates
with the pressure sensor nozzle such that the pressure sensor is
affected by the pressure of the gas within the balloon as received
at the inlet end of the strain gauge nozzle.
Inventors: |
Frazier; Mike; (Brookfield,
WI) ; Nelson; David C.; (Akron, OH) ;
Schroeder; Wesley A.; (Seville, OH) |
|
Applicant: |
Name |
City |
State |
Country |
Type |
Premium Balloon Accessories, Inc. |
Sharon Center |
OH |
US |
|
|
Assignee: |
Premium Balloon Accessories,
Inc.
Sharon Center
OH
|
Family ID: |
54208892 |
Appl. No.: |
14/243214 |
Filed: |
April 2, 2014 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
141/96 ;
141/114 |
Current CPC
Class: |
A63H 2027/1033 20130101;
A63H 27/10 20130101 |
International
Class: |
A63H 27/10 20060101
A63H027/10 |
Claims
1. A balloon inflation device for inflating a balloon with gas, the
balloon having a neck and the balloon being pressurized when
inflated with the gas, the balloon inflation device comprising: a
source of pressurized gas; an inflation nozzle that selectively
receives the neck of the balloon to communicate with the interior
of the balloon, the inflation nozzle including: a fill nozzle
having an outlet end, and a pressure sensor nozzle inside of said
fill nozzle, said pressure sensor nozzle having an inlet end
wherein said outlet end and said inlet end communicate with the
interior of the balloon when said inflation nozzle selectively
receives the neck of the balloon; a gas feed line communicating
between said source of pressurized gas and said fill nozzle of said
inflation nozzle; and a pressure sensor, wherein said pressure
sensor nozzle communicates with said pressure sensor such that said
pressure sensor is affected by the pressure of the gas within the
balloon as received at said inlet end of said pressure sensor
nozzle.
2. The balloon inflation device of claim 1, wherein said inlet end
of said pressure sensor nozzle is proximate said outlet end of said
fill nozzle.
3. The balloon inflation device of claim 1, wherein said fill
nozzle is defined by a sidewall and said pressure sensor nozzle is
positioned closely adjacent an interior surface of said
sidewall.
4. The balloon inflation device of claim 1, wherein said pressure
sensor nozzle is sheltered by an overhanging portion of said fill
nozzle, proximate said outlet end of said fill nozzle, so as to
prevent balloon material from reaching and covering said inlet end
of said pressure sensor nozzle.
5. The balloon inflation device of claim 4, wherein an exit face of
said outlet end of said fill nozzle defines a first plane, and an
inlet face of said inlet end of said pressure sensor nozzle defines
a second plane that intersects said first plane.
6. The balloon inflation device of claim 1, further comprising an
on/off valve in said gas feed line, having an "on" state and an
"off" state, wherein said pressurized gas flows through said gas
feed line to said inflation nozzle in said "on" state, and said
pressurized gas is prevented from flowing in said "off" state.
7. The balloon inflation device of claim 1, wherein said pressure
sensor is a pressure transducer.
8. The balloon inflation device of claim 7, further comprising a
processor receiving a signal from said pressure transducer
corresponding to the pressure in the balloon.
9. The balloon inflation device of claim 8, wherein said processor
controls said on/off valve.
10. The balloon inflation device of claim 9, comprising a fill
switch actuated to place said on/off valve in said "on" state.
11. The balloon inflation device of claim 10, wherein said
processor switches said on/off valve from said "on" state to said
"off" state when said processor reads a set pressure value from
said pressure transducer.
Description
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
[0001] The invention herein resides generally in the art of balloon
inflation devices. More particularly, the present invention relates
to a balloon inflation device that avoids over inflation problems
of the prior art.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0002] The prior art has provided balloon inflation devices for
filling balloons using pressurized gas sources, the gas typically
being air or, if it is desired that the balloon float,
lighter-than-air gases, like helium. These devices have been
provided not only to facilitate the production of filled balloons
but also to avoid some of the inherent dangers involved in using a
pressurized gas to inflate balloons. Typically, trained personnel
are required to operate balloon inflation devices that employ
pressurized gas. Employing such personnel is an added expense of
providing inflated balloons, and it is therefore desirable to
provide a balloon inflation device that can be safely used by the
average consumer.
[0003] U.S. Pat. No. 5,653,272 and U.S. Pat. No. 5,651,402
disclosed devices that prevent access to the pressurized gas supply
by retaining a majority of the inflation device components inside a
cabinet, and by assuring that a balloon placed on the inflation
nozzle of the device is not inflated (i.e., pressurized gas is not
released) until the cabinet is closed. These prior art inflation
devices also divert a portion of the pressurized gas supply to
activate a clamping mechanism for clamping the neck of the balloon
over the inflation nozzle. These utilitarian aspects, while
overcoming some of the inherent problems in balloon inflation as
mentioned above, are not time efficient in use, and are more
complicated in construction than is necessary. The consumers
perceive these devices as being complicated and are thus less
likely to desire to use them.
[0004] U.S. Pat. No. 6,634,394 teaches an improved design for a
balloon inflation device wherein a consumer physically manipulates
a slide valve that is associated with an inflation nozzle, sealing
the balloon neck around the inflation nozzle by squeezing the neck
against a collar with his fingers, and pushing on the collar to
open the slide valve to the flow of pressurized gas.
[0005] U.S. Pat. No. 7,147,016 provides a balloon inflation device
building upon the device disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 6,634,394 by
including a keying system to ensure proper use of the device and by
including a clamp mechanism to squeeze the neck of the balloon
against the inflation nozzle. Other advancements are made as well
regarding the gas flow.
[0006] The above balloon inflation devices are useful and have
served the industry well, but they are based on there is a need in
the art for inflation devices that use the pressurized gas more
efficiently, with significantly decreased opportunity for wasting
the gas. This is especially important in the area of helium
balloons. Helium is very expensive, and is likely to become more
expensive as other industries, such as the magnetic resonance
imaging (MRI) industry, compete for the limited supply. The balloon
industry is significantly affected, and the need is
significant.
[0007] The prior art in balloon inflators rely upon low pressure
regulators to avoid overfilling of balloons. Current "Low Pressure
Regulators" (LPR) are often said to be auto-shut-off devices, but
this is only true in a fashion. A traditional LPR consists of a
spring and diaphragm assembly. It functions by using the back
pressure in the balloon to compress the spring and stop the flow of
gas. The caveat to this is that the pressure to which the inflator
fills the balloon by use of a LPR is often sufficient to stretch
the film that forms the balloon. This stretching causes the
pressure to drop, restarting the flow of gas through the LPR. When
stretched, the balloon receives more gas, which is wasteful, and,
depending on the balloon shape, size and material this can continue
to the point of catastrophic failure, resulting a popped balloon.
It takes an experienced and attentive operator to visually
recognize the limits of the balloon and stop the filling process
before stretching occurs. It also requires an operator that is
knowledgeable enough to recognize the overfilling/stretching
problem.
[0008] There is a need in the art for precise control of balloon
inflation, the avoidance of waste and overfilling and bursting of
balloons, and the need is particularly hard felt in the helium or
lighter-than-air balloon filling arts. The present invention fills
this need, building upon the inflation devices in U.S. Pat. No.
7,147,016 and U.S. Pat. No. 6,634,394.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0009] In a first embodiment, the present invention provides a
balloon inflation device for inflating a balloon with gas, the
balloon having a neck and the balloon being pressurized when
inflated with the gas. The balloon inflation comprises a source of
pressurized gas, an inflation nozzle that selectively receives the
neck of the balloon to communicate with the interior of the
balloon. The inflation nozzle includes a fill nozzle having an
outlet end, and a pressure sensor nozzle inside of said fill
nozzle, said pressure sensor nozzle having an inlet end wherein
said outlet end and said inlet end communicate with the interior of
the balloon when said inflation nozzle selectively receives the
neck of the balloon, a gas feed line communicating between said
source of pressurized gas and said fill nozzle of said inflation
nozzle and a pressure sensor, wherein said pressure sensor nozzle
communicates with said pressure sensor such that said pressure
sensor is affected by the pressure of the gas within the balloon as
received at said inlet end of said pressure sensor nozzle.
[0010] In a second embodiment, the present invention provides a
balloon inflation device as in the first embodiment, wherein said
inlet end of said pressure sensor nozzle is proximate said outlet
end of said fill nozzle.
[0011] In a third embodiment, the present invention provides a
balloon inflation device as in either the first or second
embodiment, wherein said fill nozzle is defined by a sidewall and
said pressure sensor nozzle is positioned closely adjacent an
interior surface of said sidewall.
[0012] In a fourth embodiment, the present invention provides a
balloon inflation device as in any of the first through third
embodiments, wherein said pressure sensor nozzle is sheltered by an
overhanging portion of said fill nozzle, proximate said outlet end
of said fill nozzle, so as to prevent balloon material from
reaching and covering said inlet end of said pressure sensor
nozzle.
[0013] In a fifth embodiment, the present invention provides a
balloon inflation device as in any of the first through fourth
embodiments, wherein an exit face of said outlet end of said fill
nozzle defines a first plane, and an inlet face of said inlet end
of said pressure sensor nozzle defines a second plane that
intersects said first plane.
[0014] In a sixth embodiment, the present invention provides a
balloon inflation device as in any of the first through fifth
embodiments, further comprising an on/off valve in said gas feed
line, having an "on" state and an "off" state, wherein said
pressurized gas flows through said gas feed line to said inflation
nozzle in said "on" state, and said pressurized gas is prevented
from flowing in said "off" state.
[0015] In a seventh embodiment, the present invention provides a
balloon inflation device as in any of the first through sixth
embodiments, wherein said pressure sensor is a pressure
transducer.
[0016] In an eighth embodiment, the prevent invention provides a
balloon inflation device as in any of the first through seventh
embodiments, further comprise a processor receiving a signal from
said pressure transducer corresponding to the pressure in the
balloon.
[0017] In a ninth embodiment, the prevent invention provides a
balloon inflation device as in any of the first through eighth
embodiments, wherein said processor controls said on/off valve.
[0018] In a tenth embodiment, the present invention provides a
balloon inflation device as in any of the first through ninth
embodiments, wherein said processor controls comprise a fill switch
actuated to place said on/off valve in said "on" state.
[0019] In an eleventh embodiment, the present invention provides a
balloon inflation device as in any of the first through tenth
embodiments, wherein said processor switches said on/off valve from
said "on" state to said "off" state when said processor reads a set
pressure value from said pressure transducer.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0020] FIG. 1 is a schematic view of the balloon inflation device
in accordance with the present invention, shown with the inflation
nozzle thereof in cross-section, with other elements schematically
represented;
[0021] FIG. 2 is a close up of the nozzle-within-a-nozzle structure
of the inflation nozzle;
[0022] FIG. 3 is a general schematic of the communication of a
pressure transducer with a processor through use of an amplifier
and comparator; and
[0023] FIG. 4 is a general schematic of the communication of a
pressure transducer with a processor through use of an amplifier
and analog-digital converter.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF ILLUSTRATIVE EMBODIMENTS
[0024] The present invention is disclosed by focusing on the
specific advances made by the present invention. Specific
structures and options with respect to implementing the present
invention in a finished inflation device will be apparent to those
of ordinary skill in the art. Specific structures and options can
also be taken from disclosures provided by U.S. Pat. Nos.
5,653,272, 5,651,402, 7,147,016 and 6,634,394, such disclosures
having been provided by one or more of the present inventors.
[0025] With reference to FIG. 1, it can be seen that an embodiment
of a balloon inflation device according to the present invention is
designated generally by the numeral 10. The balloon inflation
device 10 is used to fill a balloon B with gas from a pressurized
gas source 12. An on/off valve 14 controls the flow of gas G within
the pressurized gas source 12 through a gas feed line 16. The
on/off valve 14 has an "on" state and an "off" state, wherein gas G
from the pressurized gas source 12 flows through the gas feed line
16 to an inflation nozzle 18 when in the "on" state and is
prevented from flowing through the gas feed line in the "off"
state. In particular embodiments, a low-pressure regulator 20 may
be employed at some point along the gas feed line to reduce the
pressure of the gas, as generally known.
[0026] The inflation nozzle 18 includes a fill nozzle 22 that
receives gas G from the gas feed line 16, as generally appreciated
from the passage at the elbow in the inflation nozzle 18. A
pressure sensor nozzle 24 is positioned inside the fill nozzle 22.
The fill nozzle 22 has an outlet end 26 and is of a length suitable
for receiving the neck N of a balloon B such that the outlet end 26
is positioned to introduce gas into the balloon B. in some
embodiments, the fill nozzle 22 will be of a length suitable to
pass any sealing valve 28 in the neck N of the balloon B.
[0027] The pressure sensor nozzle 24 has an inlet end 30 is
positioned proximate the outlet end 26 of the fill nozzle 22. The
pressure sensor nozzle 24 provides fluid communication between the
interior of the balloon and a pressure sensor 32 such that the back
pressure within the balloon B impacts the pressure sensor 32. When
the pressure impacting the pressure sensor hits a desired
threshold, the on/off valve 14 is switched to its "off" state. In
some embodiments, the pressure sensor 32 can be selected from
pneumatic and electronic components. An exemplary pneumatic
component would be an air logic circuit. An exemplary electronic
component would be a pressure transducer, which is the focus of the
particular embodiments described herein.
[0028] In a particular embodiment, the pressure sensor 32 is a
pressure transducer that converts the pressure to an analog
electrical signal. This signal is output to a processor 34, as
indicated at a line of communication 36. The processor communicates
with the on/off valve 14, as indicated at a line of communication
38. As the pressure transducer is affected by the pressure of the
gas within the balloon, as received at the inlet end 30 of the
pressure sensor nozzle 24, it outputs a signal ultimately received
by the processor 34, and, when a threshold pressure is reached, the
processor 34 turns the on/off valve 14 to its "off" state. A fill
switch 36 also communicates with the processor 34 such that, when
the fill switch 36 is actuated, the processor places the on/off
valve in the "on" state.
[0029] Thus, to fill a balloon, the neck N of a balloon B is fitted
over the fill nozzle 22 and the fill switch 36 is actuated. This
opens the communication between the pressurized gas source 12 and
the inflation nozzle 18 (more particularly fill nozzle 22) by
placing the on/off valve 14 in the "on" state. Gas flows into the
balloon B as at arrow A, and the balloon is filled. As the pressure
builds in the balloon, the pressure sensor nozzle 24 communicates
with the pressure sensor 32 (in this case a pressure transducer),
and, as noted above, when a threshold pressure is established in
the balloon B, the processor 34 serves to immediately place the
on/off valve 14 in the "off" state, thus preventing further gas
flow into the balloon B. In some embodiments, at this stage, where
the processor 34 has placed the on/off valve in the "off" state in
light of the pressure indicated by the pressure transducer, the gas
G cannot be caused to flow again without actuating the fill switch
40. In some embodiments, the "on" and "off" state of the on/off
valve 14 is a solenoid valve.
[0030] It will be appreciated that the pressure transducer works
quickly to provide the signal to the processor 34 as a result of
the air pressure experienced. Thus, stretching of the balloon, as
noted in the Background section above, is prevented or at least
significantly reduced inasmuch as the system shuts off when a
desired pressure is reached. Additionally, the switch is fast
enough that the flow rate of the gas through the gas feed line 16
can be increased over prior systems.
[0031] The present invention provides a balloon inflation device
that is much more accurate and efficient than prior systems based
on low pressure regulators and experienced operators. The prior art
relies on the operator to fully terminate the flow of gas. A low
pressure regulator will continue to deliver gas if the internal
pressure lowers for any reason, film stretch, leakage around the
nozzle, etc. Where the prior art low pressure regulators regulate
the flow by being set to only permit flow at a desired low
pressure, and hence their pressure and flow rate is very low, the
present invention can allow flow at much higher pressures and flow
rates because, instead of regulating the flow, the present
invention simply shuts off flow when a desired pressure is reached.
The present invention can be used to inflate balloons with air (or
lighter than air gas such as helium) at rates faster than the prior
art systems. In some embodiments, the present invention allows
inflation at pressures only regulated down to 90 psi, and can yet
stop inflation at a desired pressure, even as low as 0.5 to 2 psi.
In other instances, the present invention allows inflation at
pressures only regulated down to 90 psi, and can yet stop inflation
at a desired pressure, even as low as 0.8 to 1.5 psi.
[0032] The target pressure for a balloon, particularly foil-type
helium filled balloons, has traditionally been about 1 psi. There
are instances with small balloon and/or high altitudes where it's
desirable to over inflate them in order to stretch the balloon,
increase the internal volume and get more lift. The present
invention can operate efficiently and safely within suitable
pressure ranges.
[0033] In some embodiments, the signal generated by the pressure
transducer is biased by a digitally controlled potentiometer that
is controlled by the processor 34. In some embodiments, a printed
circuit board of the processor 34 has a 10-position rotary DIP
switch to select one of 10 pressure settings. Thus, depending on
altitude, balloon size, balloon material, and the like, the
pressure can be selected with an operator-selectable device. In
some embodiments, there is a built-in calibration routine. First,
upon activating the calibration routine, the processor 34 reads a
zero pressure and stores that value to EPROM. Next, the operator
applies a 1 psi pressure to the unit and presses a button so that
the processor 34 calculates the factors and offsets and stores that
value in EPROM as well.
[0034] In some embodiments, the balloon inflation device is capable
of being calibrated. To do so, the processor is provided with a
calibration mode. The operator places the balloon inflation device
in calibration mode and pushes a start button. The processor
continually adjusts the digital potentiometer (biases one half of
the strain gauge output until the processor reads a voltage value
of about 200 mV on the analog-digital converter. The processor
stores the current digital pot setting to EEPROM, and sets this to
correlate to 0 psi. An LED on the printed circuit board of the
processor starts flashing to indicate that 0 psi is set. The
operator introduces a 1 psi reference pressure to the inflation
nozzle. The operator pushes start button. analog-digital converter
is read establishing the analog-digital converter value for 1 psi.
Using the 0 psi and 1 psi values the analog-digital converter to
psi conversion factor is calculated. The conversion factor is
stored in EEPROM. The operator takes the unit out of calibration
mode and the device is ready to inflate balloons. These values are
retained until recalibrated at some time in the future.
[0035] In some embodiments, the pressure sensor nozzle 24 is
positioned to eliminate or minimize any choked flow artifacts such
as Venturi and back pressure that will artificially and adversely
affects the transducer value. In particular embodiments, the fill
nozzle 22 is defined by a sidewall 42 and the pressure sensor
nozzle 24 is positioned up closely adjacent the interior surface 44
of the sidewall 42. This is particularly appreciated in the
specific embodiment of FIG. 1, wherein the pressure sensor nozzle
24 is positioned very close to the internal sidewall of the fill
nozzle 22. In some embodiments, this positioning helps to shelter
the pressure sensor nozzle 24. For example, the fill nozzle 22 has
an overhanging portion 46 proximate the outlet end 26, and this
overhanging portion 46 shelters the pressure sensor nozzle 24 so as
to prevent balloon and/or balloon valve material from reaching and
covering the inlet end 28 of the pressure sensor nozzle 24 (it will
be generally appreciated that many balloons, particularly foil type
balloons often filled with helium, have valves in the neck).
Notably, if the inlet end were to be covered, that would affect the
gas feed to the pressure sensor 32, perhaps preventing shutoff at
the appropriate time and leading to an overfilled or popped
balloon. In the particular embodiments shown, an exit face 48 of
the outlet end 26 of the fill nozzle 22 defines a first plane, and
an inlet face 50 of the inlet end 30 of the pressure sensor nozzle
24 defines a second plane that intersects the first plane. Planes
are shown in dashed lines in FIG. 2 In some embodiments, these
planes intersect at an interior angle of from 30 degrees or more to
170 degrees or less. In other embodiments, these planes intersect
at an interior angle of from 45 degrees or more to 120 degrees or
less. The interior angle is to be understood as the angle of the
planes in the direction of the overhanging portion 46, shown at
angle C in FIG. 2.
[0036] In embodiments employing a pressure transducer for pressure
sensor 32, the use of a pressure transducer and its communication
with a processor can be achieved in multiple ways and units might
be purchased providing all necessary components. In some
embodiments, as seen in FIG. 3, the pressure sensor 32 is a
pressure transducer communicating with an amplifier 52 that
amplifies the voltage output of the pressure transducer to be read
by a comparator 54. The comparator 54 produces an output (e.g. a 0
or 1) to the processor 34 based on whether the amplified output
relates to a pressure below a desired inflation pressure (i.e., an
established threshold pressure) or a pressure equal to or greater
than a desired inflation pressure. Once the pressure indicated by
the voltage is above the desired inflation pressure, the output of
the comparator 54 to the processor 34 causes the processor 34 to
immediately place the on/off valve 14 in the "off" state, thus
preventing further gas flow into the balloon B.
[0037] In some embodiments, as seen in FIG. 4, the pressure sensor
32 is a pressure transducer that communicates with an amplifier 52
that amplifies an analog voltage output of the pressure transducer
to and analog-digital converter 56 that outputs a converted digital
signal to the processor 34. The processor determines whether the
digital signal relates to a pressure below a desired inflation
pressure (i.e., an established threshold pressure) or a pressure
equal to or greater than a desired inflation pressure. Once the
pressure indicated by the voltage is above the desired inflation
pressure, the output of the comparator 54 to the processor 34
causes the processor 34 to immediately place the on/off valve 14 in
the "off" state, thus preventing further gas flow into the
balloon.
[0038] While in accordance with the patent statues only the
preferred embodiments of the present invention have been described
in detail, the present invention is not to be limited thereto or
thereby. Rather, the scope of the invention shall include all
modifications and variations that fall within the scope of the
attached claims.
* * * * *