[go: up one dir, main page]

US20150020480A1 - Method and system for filling bladder members - Google Patents

Method and system for filling bladder members Download PDF

Info

Publication number
US20150020480A1
US20150020480A1 US14/378,483 US201314378483A US2015020480A1 US 20150020480 A1 US20150020480 A1 US 20150020480A1 US 201314378483 A US201314378483 A US 201314378483A US 2015020480 A1 US2015020480 A1 US 2015020480A1
Authority
US
United States
Prior art keywords
web
bladder
bladders
balloon
opening
Prior art date
Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
Abandoned
Application number
US14/378,483
Other languages
English (en)
Inventor
Jerome Anzio Harris
Mills-Winkler Marie Suzanne
McHale Ann Maureen
Current Assignee (The listed assignees may be inaccurate. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation or warranty as to the accuracy of the list.)
Individual
Original Assignee
Individual
Priority date (The priority date is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the date listed.)
Filing date
Publication date
Application filed by Individual filed Critical Individual
Priority to US14/378,483 priority Critical patent/US20150020480A1/en
Publication of US20150020480A1 publication Critical patent/US20150020480A1/en
Abandoned legal-status Critical Current

Links

Images

Classifications

    • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
    • A63—SPORTS; GAMES; AMUSEMENTS
    • A63H—TOYS, e.g. TOPS, DOLLS, HOOPS OR BUILDING BLOCKS
    • A63H27/00—Toy aircraft; Other flying toys
    • A63H27/10—Balloons
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B65—CONVEYING; PACKING; STORING; HANDLING THIN OR FILAMENTARY MATERIAL
    • B65B—MACHINES, APPARATUS OR DEVICES FOR, OR METHODS OF, PACKAGING ARTICLES OR MATERIALS; UNPACKING
    • B65B3/00—Packaging plastic material, semiliquids, liquids or mixed solids and liquids, in individual containers or receptacles, e.g. bags, sacks, boxes, cartons, cans, or jars
    • B65B3/26—Methods or devices for controlling the quantity of the material fed or filled
    • B65B3/28—Methods or devices for controlling the quantity of the material fed or filled by weighing
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B65—CONVEYING; PACKING; STORING; HANDLING THIN OR FILAMENTARY MATERIAL
    • B65B—MACHINES, APPARATUS OR DEVICES FOR, OR METHODS OF, PACKAGING ARTICLES OR MATERIALS; UNPACKING
    • B65B51/00—Devices for, or methods of, sealing or securing package folds or closures; Devices for gathering or twisting wrappers, or necks of bags
    • B65B51/04—Applying separate sealing or securing members, e.g. clips
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B65—CONVEYING; PACKING; STORING; HANDLING THIN OR FILAMENTARY MATERIAL
    • B65D—CONTAINERS FOR STORAGE OR TRANSPORT OF ARTICLES OR MATERIALS, e.g. BAGS, BARRELS, BOTTLES, BOXES, CANS, CARTONS, CRATES, DRUMS, JARS, TANKS, HOPPERS, FORWARDING CONTAINERS; ACCESSORIES, CLOSURES, OR FITTINGS THEREFOR; PACKAGING ELEMENTS; PACKAGES
    • B65D83/00—Containers or packages with special means for dispensing contents
    • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
    • A63—SPORTS; GAMES; AMUSEMENTS
    • A63H—TOYS, e.g. TOPS, DOLLS, HOOPS OR BUILDING BLOCKS
    • A63H27/00—Toy aircraft; Other flying toys
    • A63H27/10—Balloons
    • A63H2027/1025—Fabrication methods or special materials therefor
    • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
    • A63—SPORTS; GAMES; AMUSEMENTS
    • A63H—TOYS, e.g. TOPS, DOLLS, HOOPS OR BUILDING BLOCKS
    • A63H27/00—Toy aircraft; Other flying toys
    • A63H27/10—Balloons
    • A63H2027/1033—Inflation devices or methods for inflating balloons
    • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
    • A63—SPORTS; GAMES; AMUSEMENTS
    • A63H—TOYS, e.g. TOPS, DOLLS, HOOPS OR BUILDING BLOCKS
    • A63H27/00—Toy aircraft; Other flying toys
    • A63H27/10—Balloons
    • A63H2027/1041—Holding or sealing means, e.g. handling rods, clamps or plugs

Definitions

  • the field of the invention relates generally to water amusement devices, and more specifically, to a method and system for filling a sequential stream of bladders, such as, but not limited to, water balloons automatically.
  • Water balloon “fights” are a popular outdoor summer activity. Typically, balloons are filled with water from a hose or spigot and the neck is tied off after sufficient filling to create the water balloon. The water balloons are used to bombard opposing players with the intent being scoring a hit on the opposing player such that the balloon breaks on impact, thereby soaking the opposing player.
  • the water balloon fight is limited by a number of water balloons that can be generated during the time period the water balloon fight is being played. However, because the speed at which the water balloons can be deployed against the opposing players is much greater than the speed at which they can be produced, the game winds down relatively quickly as players lose interest in the slower paced game.
  • a system for automatic filling includes a drive assembly and a source of bladders to be filled wherein the bladders are joined in serial arrangement to a feeding web.
  • the web is configured to be moved through the system using the drive assembly.
  • the system further includes a nozzle configured to receive a flow of filling fluid and direct the flow of fluid into each bladder in turn and a closure device positioned proximate the nozzle wherein the closure device is configured to secure each bladder when filled such that each bladder remains filled after discharge from the system.
  • the system also includes a trigger assembly configured to activate the closure device at a predetermined level of filling of each bladder.
  • a method of automatically supplying sealed fluid filled bladders includes feeding a plurality of bladders sequentially arranged along a web or matrix, aligning an opening of each of the plurality of bladders with a nozzle, directing a stream of pressurized fluid through the opening into an interior of the plurality of bladders, securing the opening after a predetermined amount of pressurized fluid has entered the interior, and disengaging each of the plurality of bladders from the web or matrix upon the securing.
  • FIGS. 1-8 show exemplary embodiments of the method and system described herein.
  • FIG. 1 is a schematic block diagram of an automatic water balloon filling system in accordance with an exemplary embodiment of the present invention.
  • FIG. 2 is a schematic block diagram of a power unit for generating and distributing mechanical power used to operate the automatic features of system.
  • FIG. 3 is a schematic block diagram of another power unit for generating and distributing mechanical power used to operate the automatic features of system.
  • FIG. 4 is a perspective view of a web in accordance with an exemplary embodiment of the present invention.
  • FIG. 5 is a side elevation view of the web shown in FIG. 4 in accordance with an exemplary embodiment of the present invention.
  • FIG. 6 is a plan view of a web in accordance with an another embodiment of the present invention.
  • FIG. 7 is a perspective view of an embodiment of automatic water balloon filling system.
  • FIG. 8 is a perspective view of another embodiment of automatic water balloon filling system.
  • FIG. 1 is a schematic block diagram of an automatic water balloon filling system 100 in accordance with an exemplary embodiment of the present invention.
  • system 100 includes a power unit 102 for generating and distributing mechanical power used to operate the automatic features of system 100 .
  • power unit 102 includes a water turbine 104 configured to receive a stream 106 of pressurized water from a water source 108 through a hose 110 and a quick-release coupling pair 112 .
  • Water turbine 104 rotates under the force of stream 106 about an axis of rotation 114 to drive a turbine shaft 116 .
  • Exhaust 120 from water turbine 104 which still has sufficient pressure for filling water balloons, is channeled to a nozzle 122 .
  • a balloon cartridge 124 includes a plurality of balloons 126 coupled to a matrix or web 128 for handling, conveying, supporting, and guiding balloons 126 from cartridge 124 .
  • a distributor 130 distributes mechanical power received from shaft 116 to cartridge 124 for feeding web 128 from cartridge 124 .
  • Distributor 130 also distributes mechanical power to a balloon closure device 132 , which upon signal from a trip device 134 , applies a closure tie 136 to a throat 138 of each balloon 126 after balloon 126 has filled sufficiently, for example, to a predetermined diameter or weight as indicated by trip device 134 .
  • closure ties 136 are mounted within or outside web 128 in a position associated with a respective balloon 126 .
  • closure ties 136 are supplied in a magazine 140 , which may supply closure ties 136 through a bias mechanism 142 on-board magazine 140 , or magazine 140 may also receive mechanical power from distributor 130 for feeding and/or closing closure ties 136 .
  • water pressure operates water turbine 104 , which supplies power to automatically feed balloons 126 on web 128 into position opposite nozzle 122 .
  • Residual water pressure is directed into throat 138 to fill balloon 126 , which at a predetermined diameter or weight, initiates trip device 134 to cause closure tie 136 to be applied to throat 138 , balloon 126 to be dislodged from web 128 , so that the filled balloon 126 can fall away clear of system 100 .
  • the operation repeats for each balloon that is fed from cartridge 124 until, for example, water pressure is removed.
  • FIG. 2 is a schematic block diagram of a power unit 202 for generating and distributing mechanical power used to operate the automatic features of system 100 .
  • power unit 202 includes an electric motor 204 and a battery 206 or other suitable power source to supply electrical power to motor 204 .
  • FIG. 3 is a schematic block diagram of a power unit 302 for generating and distributing mechanical power used to operate the automatic features of system 100 .
  • power unit 302 includes a biasing member 304 , for example, a windable spring to supply mechanical power to shaft 116 .
  • Biasing member 304 may be charged manually using a key 306 or winding handle.
  • FIG. 4 is a perspective view of a web 128 in accordance with an exemplary embodiment of the present invention.
  • web 128 is an elongate, thin flat ribbon-like matrix comprising a plurality of apertures 402 spaced evenly along a centerline 404 of web 128 .
  • Apertures 402 are configured to receive and maintain a respective balloon 126 .
  • balloon 126 is rolled to a condensed configuration.
  • Web 128 and balloons 126 may be covered in a sheath 408 , which may take the form of a membrane surrounding web 128 and balloons 126 to maintain balloons in their condensed configuration and to protect the balloon from abrasion and moisture until ready for use.
  • a second state 410 balloon 126 is distended from its condensed configuration and ready for filling. Transition from first state 406 to second state 410 may be aided by a flow of pressurized water from nozzle 122 . For example, as balloon 126 begins to fill and distend, the increased size and force of expansion due to the introduction of pressurized water into balloon 126 tends to exert an outward force against sheath 408 causing sheath 408 to split or otherwise break-apart to permit the continued expansion of balloon 126 .
  • FIG. 5 is a side elevation view of web 128 in accordance with an exemplary embodiment of the present invention.
  • throat 138 of balloon 126 is fed through one of the plurality of apertures 402 formed in web 128 .
  • a lip 502 formed about a distal end 504 of throat 138 extends away from web 128 on a side opposite from balloon 126 .
  • a seal 506 may positioned between an underside of lip 504 and web 128 . Seal 506 may also serve to secure throat 138 in web 128 by adhesion, interference, compression, or other method.
  • FIG. 6 is a plan view of a web 602 in accordance with another embodiment of the present invention.
  • web 602 includes three columns 604 of pluralities of apertures 606 .
  • Each aperture 606 is configured to receive throat 138 of a respective balloon, as described above.
  • Web 602 may perforated along perforated lines 608 cut into web 602 to facilitate separating web 602 into three separate web portions, a first web portion 610 , a second web portion 612 , and a third web portion.
  • web 602 tears along perforations 608 and/or is cut by an edge 614 .
  • Web 602 is directed toward nozzles 612 by a common power unit 616 or by separate power units 618 associated with each nozzle 612 .
  • FIG. 7 is a perspective view of an embodiment of automatic water balloon filling system 100 .
  • automatic water balloon filling system 100 includes a housing 700 surrounding most components of automatic water balloon filling system 100 .
  • Housing 700 is ergonomic for grasping with a human hand and facilitates the operation of automatic water balloon filling system 100 .
  • Housing 700 includes a collapsible stand 702 , a water balloon multi-dispenser tip 704 , a cartridge feed receptacle 706 , and a water supply connection 708 .
  • FIG. 8 is a perspective view of another embodiment of automatic water balloon filling system 100 .
  • automatic water balloon filling system 100 includes a housing 800 surrounding most components of automatic water balloon filling system 100 .
  • Housing 800 is also ergonomic for grasping with a human hand and facilitates the operation of automatic water balloon filling system 100 .
  • Housing 800 includes a water balloon dispenser chute 804 , a cartridge feed receptacle 806 , and a water supply connection 808 .

Landscapes

  • Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
  • Mechanical Engineering (AREA)
  • Toys (AREA)
US14/378,483 2012-02-13 2013-02-13 Method and system for filling bladder members Abandoned US20150020480A1 (en)

Priority Applications (1)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
US14/378,483 US20150020480A1 (en) 2012-02-13 2013-02-13 Method and system for filling bladder members

Applications Claiming Priority (3)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
US201261598119P 2012-02-13 2012-02-13
US14/378,483 US20150020480A1 (en) 2012-02-13 2013-02-13 Method and system for filling bladder members
PCT/US2013/025959 WO2013123067A1 (en) 2012-02-13 2013-02-13 Method and system for automatically filling bladder members

Publications (1)

Publication Number Publication Date
US20150020480A1 true US20150020480A1 (en) 2015-01-22

Family

ID=48984664

Family Applications (1)

Application Number Title Priority Date Filing Date
US14/378,483 Abandoned US20150020480A1 (en) 2012-02-13 2013-02-13 Method and system for filling bladder members

Country Status (7)

Country Link
US (1) US20150020480A1 (es)
EP (1) EP2814586A4 (es)
CN (1) CN104428043A (es)
AU (1) AU2013221678A1 (es)
BR (1) BR112014020005A2 (es)
MX (1) MX2014009695A (es)
WO (1) WO2013123067A1 (es)

Cited By (3)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US9051066B1 (en) * 2014-02-07 2015-06-09 Tinnus Enterprises, Llc System and method for filling containers with fluids
EP3439758A4 (en) * 2016-04-04 2019-02-13 Creative Impact Inc. GAS INFLATABLE BALLOONS
US10493370B2 (en) 2016-06-21 2019-12-03 Tinnus Enterprises, Llc System and method for filling containers with fluids and sealing the filled containers

Families Citing this family (4)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US20160368628A1 (en) 2015-06-19 2016-12-22 Telebrands Corp. System, device, and method for filling at least one balloon
US9776744B2 (en) 2015-06-19 2017-10-03 Telebrands Corp. Container sealing device
US10259600B2 (en) 2015-06-19 2019-04-16 Telebrands Corp. Container sealing device
CN108506187A (zh) * 2018-05-30 2018-09-07 肖楚君 一种气球充气装置

Citations (14)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US3380490A (en) * 1966-01-11 1968-04-30 Miner Ind Inc Balloon vending machine
US3536110A (en) * 1968-07-19 1970-10-27 Miner Ind Inc Balloon vending machine
US3616823A (en) * 1970-05-27 1971-11-02 Miner Ind Inc Balloon vending machine
US4386636A (en) * 1981-03-19 1983-06-07 Scholle Corporation Container conveyor for flexible container filling machine
US4417607A (en) * 1981-06-29 1983-11-29 Scholle Corporation Apparatus and method for aseptically filling flexible containers
US4676285A (en) * 1985-04-01 1987-06-30 Liqui-Box Corporation Uncapper for containers having friction caps carrying flexible tubes
US5067301A (en) * 1989-08-15 1991-11-26 The Commonwealth Industrial Gases Ltd. Balloon inflating machine
US5282930A (en) * 1988-07-11 1994-02-01 Lang Philip E Process and apparatus for the preparation of balloons
US5370161A (en) * 1993-07-06 1994-12-06 Shafer; Erik J. Balloon vending machine
US5573048A (en) * 1994-12-05 1996-11-12 Abco Automation, Inc. Liquid filling device and method
US6488557B1 (en) * 2000-03-31 2002-12-03 Argo Consulting, Inc. Balloon inflation apparatus and plug therefor
US6892770B2 (en) * 2003-10-14 2005-05-17 George W. Ratermann System and method for inflating balloons
US20110316275A1 (en) * 2006-06-09 2011-12-29 Newco Projects Limited Device and method for tying a knot
US8132599B2 (en) * 2008-03-07 2012-03-13 Conray, Inc. Automated balloon inflator system

Family Cites Families (4)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
CN2224646Y (zh) * 1994-12-15 1996-04-17 力城玩具实业有限公司 吹气球玩具
US5651402A (en) * 1995-02-02 1997-07-29 David C. Nelson Of Premium Balloon Accessories Automated balloon inflation device
SE532864C2 (sv) * 2008-02-20 2010-04-27 Abbey Sonko Vattenballongpistol
US20110253256A1 (en) * 2010-04-16 2011-10-20 Finley Michael S Balloon sealing systems and methods

Patent Citations (14)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US3380490A (en) * 1966-01-11 1968-04-30 Miner Ind Inc Balloon vending machine
US3536110A (en) * 1968-07-19 1970-10-27 Miner Ind Inc Balloon vending machine
US3616823A (en) * 1970-05-27 1971-11-02 Miner Ind Inc Balloon vending machine
US4386636A (en) * 1981-03-19 1983-06-07 Scholle Corporation Container conveyor for flexible container filling machine
US4417607A (en) * 1981-06-29 1983-11-29 Scholle Corporation Apparatus and method for aseptically filling flexible containers
US4676285A (en) * 1985-04-01 1987-06-30 Liqui-Box Corporation Uncapper for containers having friction caps carrying flexible tubes
US5282930A (en) * 1988-07-11 1994-02-01 Lang Philip E Process and apparatus for the preparation of balloons
US5067301A (en) * 1989-08-15 1991-11-26 The Commonwealth Industrial Gases Ltd. Balloon inflating machine
US5370161A (en) * 1993-07-06 1994-12-06 Shafer; Erik J. Balloon vending machine
US5573048A (en) * 1994-12-05 1996-11-12 Abco Automation, Inc. Liquid filling device and method
US6488557B1 (en) * 2000-03-31 2002-12-03 Argo Consulting, Inc. Balloon inflation apparatus and plug therefor
US6892770B2 (en) * 2003-10-14 2005-05-17 George W. Ratermann System and method for inflating balloons
US20110316275A1 (en) * 2006-06-09 2011-12-29 Newco Projects Limited Device and method for tying a knot
US8132599B2 (en) * 2008-03-07 2012-03-13 Conray, Inc. Automated balloon inflator system

Cited By (9)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US9051066B1 (en) * 2014-02-07 2015-06-09 Tinnus Enterprises, Llc System and method for filling containers with fluids
US9315282B2 (en) 2014-02-07 2016-04-19 Tinnus Enterprises, Llc System and method for filling containers with fluids
US9527612B2 (en) 2014-02-07 2016-12-27 Tinnus Enterprises, Llc System and method for filling containers with fluids
US9533779B2 (en) 2014-02-07 2017-01-03 Tinnus Enterprises, Llc System and method for filling containers with fluids
US9682789B2 (en) 2014-02-07 2017-06-20 Tinnus Enterprises, Llc System and method for filling containers with fluids
US9950817B2 (en) 2014-02-07 2018-04-24 Tinnus Enterprises, Llc System and method for filling containers with fluids
US10894620B2 (en) 2014-02-07 2021-01-19 Tinnus Enterprises Llc System and method for filling containers with fluids
EP3439758A4 (en) * 2016-04-04 2019-02-13 Creative Impact Inc. GAS INFLATABLE BALLOONS
US10493370B2 (en) 2016-06-21 2019-12-03 Tinnus Enterprises, Llc System and method for filling containers with fluids and sealing the filled containers

Also Published As

Publication number Publication date
EP2814586A4 (en) 2015-11-18
WO2013123067A1 (en) 2013-08-22
MX2014009695A (es) 2015-06-04
BR112014020005A2 (pt) 2019-09-24
EP2814586A1 (en) 2014-12-24
AU2013221678A1 (en) 2014-10-02
CN104428043A (zh) 2015-03-18

Similar Documents

Publication Publication Date Title
US20150020480A1 (en) Method and system for filling bladder members
JP5840673B2 (ja) ゴルフティー巻戻し器具
US20090095273A1 (en) Pitching machine for baseball and softball batting practice
EP1930673A3 (en) Ice dispensing and detecting apparatus
WO2008139411A3 (en) Smoking device, charging means and method of using it
WO2008139473A3 (en) Delivery device for delivering bioactive agents to internal tissue in a body
EP2574548A3 (en) Container delivery system rapid deployment device
US7231913B2 (en) Ball throwing and pitching machine feeder device
ES2581353T3 (es) Dispositivo y procedimiento para pelar un producto alargado que va a pelarse
CA3025557C (en) Apparatus and method for collecting and throwing a fluid
US20140353186A1 (en) Reconfigurable golf ball container
WO2016201744A1 (zh) 储库结块清除工具、清库装置及具有清理功能的物料储库
CA2554224A1 (en) An endoluminal surgical delivery system
US10272303B2 (en) Method for reconditioning golf tees
JP2013188453A5 (es)
SE537666C2 (sv) Införsel av munstycke i spritspåse
CN101643121A (zh) 微型标贴的贴标装置
US8769757B2 (en) Cleaning system
ES2238915B1 (es) Procedimiento para el envolvimiento total o parcial de piezas huecas para la construccion.
WO2008023298A3 (en) Plan or map protector and storage apparatus
US7887388B2 (en) Manual air pump powered car racing game
CN206824054U (zh) 手推式喷雾器
ES2634330T3 (es) Conjunto y procedimiento de atado
US6776684B1 (en) Fire crackler stick
CN205730250U (zh) 一种便捷体育记分装置

Legal Events

Date Code Title Description
STCB Information on status: application discontinuation

Free format text: ABANDONED -- FAILURE TO RESPOND TO AN OFFICE ACTION