WO2015159211A1

WO2015159211A1 - Inflator arrangement

Info

Publication number: WO2015159211A1
Application number: PCT/IB2015/052700
Authority: WO
Inventors: Bester Jacobus Pansegrouw; Ryan Fowler; Baldwin Balie
Original assignee: Stopak Pty Ltd
Current assignee: Stopak Pty Ltd
Priority date: 2014-04-14
Filing date: 2015-04-14
Publication date: 2015-10-22
Anticipated expiration: 2016-10-14

Abstract

The invention discloses an inflator arrangement for inflating containers with non-rigid walls such as bags, which includes a body including inflating means adapted to inflate containers with non-rigid walls such as bags, and having gripping means adapted to assist a user to hold the body; and an enclosure cap member adapted to at least partially enclose the body, and having at least one control member for operating the inflating means.

Description

INFLATOR ARRANGEMENT

FIELD OF INVENTION

The present invention relates to an inflator arrangement.

More particularly, the invention relates to an inflator arrangement for inflating containers with non-rigid-walls, such as dunnage bags

BACKGROUND TO INVENTION

Inflatable dunnage bags are commonly used for cushioning loads shipped in trucks, trailers and containers transported by ships, trucks or on rail. This is often the case when the cargo only partially fills the container and there exists the possibility of shifting during transport that could cause damage. Typically known dunnage bags are constructed of one or more layers of paper or woven polypropylene surrounding a plastic lining. The paper protects the bags from tearing - thus more layers are used in applications where the risk of damage to the dunnage bag is greater. Furthermore, for inflating and deflating the dunnage bag, a valve is attached by way of a hole cut in the bag during manufacture.

The dunnage bags are shipped flat from the manufacturer, and are inflated by packing and loading personnel as the containers are loaded with cargo. The bag is firstly placed in the space that it will occupy as cargo is loaded into a container, secondly the inflation device is attached to valve of the dunnage bag and subsequently the dunnage bag is filled with air until an appropriate air pressure within the bag is achieved. Typically this occurs within a few seconds. Various types of inflation devices exist for inflating containers with non-rigid walls and air-filled bags, such as sacks and dunnage bags commonly used to cushion cargo loads. Known inflation devices include tire inflation tools which have been converted or adapted and are attached to a hose leading from a source of compressed air. Some inflation devices incorporate venturi tubes and are often known as venturi airflow guns, which include a venturi tube, namely an air passage with a region of restricted diameter. In terms of Bernoulli's law (i.e. the inverse relationship between air velocity and pressure), passage of air through the restricted region of a venturi tube creates a low-pressure region resulting in a suction effect used to draw air out of an attached container.

Unfortunately the known type of inflation devices are difficult to assembly, operate and not flexible in operation and thus suffer from important limitations. For example known inflator devices are in the shape of "pistols" which take up space and are difficult to assemble and operate in small and narrow spaces.

It is an object of the invention to suggest an inflator arrangement which will assist in overcoming the aforesaid problems.

SUMMARY OF INVENTION

According to the invention, an inflator arrangement for inflating containers with non- rigid walls such as bags, includes

(a) a body including inflating means adapted to inflate containers with non- rigid walls such as bags, and having gripping means adapted to assist a user to hold the inflator arrangement; and (b) an enclosure cap member adapted to at least partially enclose the body, and having at least one control member for operating the inflating means.

The enclosure cap member may also include holding means adapted to assist a user to hold the inflator arrangement.

The enclosure cap member may be a top cover.

The arrangement may include locking means adapted to lock the enclosure cap member to the body.

The locking means may include a trigger, a trigger lever and a trigger lock.

The inflator arrangement may be assembled by positing the enclosure cap member into an upside down position and placing the body also in an upside down position into the enclosure cap member.

The body including the inflating means may include

(a) an air channel provided in the body and having appropriate first and second open ends;

(b) a venturi tube in the body and being in communication with the first and second open ends of the air channel;

(d) a first inlet in the body and being in communication with the air channel and the venturi tube and being adapted to allow compressed air to enter the venturi tube via the air channel to the second open end; (e) an outlet in the body and being in communication with the second open end of the air channel via the venturi tube and being adapted to allow air to exit from the venturi tube for inflating a container when joined to the outlet;

(f) a second inlet in the body and being in communication with the first open end of the air channel and being adapted to allow ambient air to be sucked into the venturi tube as a result of compressed air entering the air channel and passing through the venturi tube;

The inflator arrangement may include a valve connector assembly attached to the outlet which is adapted to be releasably engaged to a valve.

The arrangement may include a first self-closing valve located at the second inlet in the body and being adapted to close off the second inlet if the pressure in the air channel is greater than the ambient pressure.

The arrangement may include sensor means associated with the body and being adapted to indicate the pressure in a container, such as a bag, joined to the body.

The arrangement may include a manually operable valve means being adapted cause the supply of compressed air into the air channel to be interrupted.

The arrangement may include sensor means associated with the body and being adapted to indicate continuously the pressure in a container, such as a bag, joined to the body. The arrangement may include a shut-off valve in the container, such as a bag, and being in communication with the air channel.

The manually operable valve means may include a ball valve and/or a spring operated trigger valve and/or a shut-off valve.

The inflator arrangement may also be used to deflate the containers, whereby the first self-closing valve is removed and/or disabled and the venturi tube is reversed.

The sensor means may be adapted to continuously indicate the pressure inside the container whilst the container is being inflated.

The inflator arrangement may be a venturi-air flow apparatus.

The venturi tube may include a supersonic nozzle.

In use the air exiting the outlet may have an absolute pressure of about 0 to 9 bar.

In use the compressed air entering the air channel may have a pressure of up to 9 bar absolute.

The supersonic nozzle may be a shock-free type.

The inflator arrangement may be used as a high speed inflator operating at low pressure.

In use the operating pressure of the inflator arrangement may be about 9 bar absolute.

The body may have a flange for securing the inflation valve to the container. The container may be a dunnage bag, a sack and/or any other flexible container to be pressurized.

The body may include threads suitable for cooperating with complementary threads of a container's inlet.

The device may include a valve connector assembly attached to the outlet of the air channel, which is adapted to be releasably engaged to a valve.

The venturi tube may include a frusto-conical bore.

The first inlet may be adapted to receive an air hose for supplying compressed air. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

The invention will now be described by way of example with reference to the accompanying schematic drawings.

In the drawings there is shown in

Figure 1 a perspective view of an inflator arrangement in accordance with the invention.

Figure 2 a top view of the inflator arrangement as seen along arrow II in Figure

1 ;

Figure 3 a side view of the inflator arrangement as seen along arrow III in Figure

1 ; Figure 4 a perspective view of the assembly of the inflator arrangement shown in Figure 1 , but with the enclosure cap member and body in a pre- assembly state and with both the enclosure cap member and the body in an upside down position;

Figure 5 a side view of the assembly of the inflator arrangement as seen along arrow V in Figure 4; and

Figure 6 a side view of the assembly of the inflator arrangement as seen upside down along arrow VI in Figure 4, but with the inflator arrangement in assembled state.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

Referring to the drawings, an inflator arrangement in accordance with the invention, generally indicated by reference numeral 10, is shown.

An inflator arrangement for inflating containers with non-rigid walls such as bags, includes

(a) a body 12 including inflating means adapted to inflating containers with non-rigid walls such as bags, and having gripping means 14 adapted to assist a user to hold the inflator arrangement 10;

(b) an enclosure cap member 16 adapted to at least partially enclose the body 12, and having at least one control member 18 for operating the inflating means. The enclosure cap member 16 includes holding means 20 adapted to assist a user to hold the inflator arrangement 10.

The enclosure cap member 16 is a top cover.

The arrangement 10 includes locking means adapted to lock the enclosure cap member 16 to the body 12. The locking means may include a trigger 22, a trigger lever 24 and a trigger lock 26.

The inflator arrangement 10 can be assembled by positioning the enclosure cap member 16 into an upside down position and placing the body 12 also in an upside down position into the enclosure cap member 16.

The body 10 including the inflating means includes

(a) an air channel provided in the body 12 and having appropriate first open end and second open end;

(b) a venturi tube in the body 12 and being in communication with the first open end and second open end of the air channel;

(c) a first inlet 28 in the body and being in communication with the air channel and the venturi tube and being adapted to allow compressed air to enter the venturi tube via the air channel to the second open end;

(d) an outlet 30 in the body and being in communication with the second open end of the air channel via the venturi tube and being adapted to allow air to exit from the venturi tube for inflating a container when joined to the outlet 30; (e) a second inlet 32 in the body 12 and being in communication with the first open end of the air channel and being adapted to allow ambient air to be sucked into the venturi tube as a result of compressed air entering the air channel and passing through the venturi tube;

The inflator arrangement 10 includes a valve connector assembly 34 attached to the outlet 30 which is adapted to be releasably engaged to a valve.

The arrangement 10 can include a first self-closing valve located at the second inlet in the body 12 and being adapted to close off the second inlet 32 if the pressure in the air channel is greater than the ambient pressure.

The arrangement 10 can include sensor means associated with the body 12 and being adapted to indicate the pressure in a container, such as a bag, joined to the body 12.

The arrangement 10 can include a manually operable valve means being adapted cause the supply of compressed air into the air channel to be interrupted.

The arrangement 10 include sensor means associated with the body 12 and being adapted to indicate continuously the pressure in a container, such as a bag, joined to the body 12.

The arrangement 10 can include a shut-off valve in the container, such as a bag, and being in communication with the air channel.

The manually operable valve means can include a ball valve and/or a spring operated trigger valve and/or a shut-off valve. The inflator arrangement 10 can also be used to deflate the containers, whereby the first self-closing valve is removed and/or disabled and the venturi tube is reversed.

The sensor means can be adapted to continuously indicate the pressure inside the container whilst the container is being inflated.

The inflator arrangement 10 can be a venturi-air flow apparatus.

The venturi tube can include a supersonic nozzle.

In use the air exiting the outlet 30 can have an absolute pressure of about 0 to 9 bar.

In use the compressed air entering the air channel can have a pressure of up to 9 bar absolute.

The supersonic nozzle can be a shock-free type.

The inflator arrangement 10 can be used as a high speed inflator operating at low pressure.

In use the operating pressure of the inflator arrangement 10 can be about 9 bar absolute.

The body 12 can have a flange for securing the inflator arrangement to the container.

The container may be a dunnage bag, a sack and/or any other flexible container to be pressurized.

The body 12 includes threads suitable for cooperating with complementary threads of a container's inlet. The venturi tube may include a frusto-conical bore.

The first inlet may be adapted to receive an air hose for supplying compressed air. Assembly

Referring to Figure 4, Step 1 is to turn and hold the enclosure cap member 16 upside down, then to take the body 12 and hold it upside down over the top of the enclosure cap member 16. Step 2 is to bring the enclosure cap member 1 6 and the body 12 together while aligning the trigger lever and the trigger lock with the respective cavities on the trigger. When they are in position, carefully bring the enclosure cap member 16 and the body together to align the holes on the enclosure cap member with bosses on the body 12.

Referring to Figure 5: is a side view of the enclosure cap member 16 and the body 12 showing the position of the trigger 22, the trigger lever 24 and the trigger lock 26 during assembly.

Referring to Figure 6: Step 3 is to clamp the enclosure cap member 16 and the body 12 together by hand bringing the split-lines into alignment. While holding the assembly together by hand, periodically check that the trigger is operation and return it to its original position after being pressed.

Claims

PATENT CLAIMS

1 . An inflator arrangement for inflating containers with non-rigid walls such as bags, which includes

(a) a body including inflating means adapted to inflate containers with non- rigid walls such as bags, and having gripping means adapted to assist a user to hold the body; and

(b) an enclosure cap member adapted to at least partially enclose the body, and having at least one control member for operating the inflating means.

2. An arrangement as claimed in claim 1 , in which the enclosure cap member includes holding means adapted to assist a user to hold the body.

3. An arrangement as claimed in claim 1 or claim 2, in which the enclosure cap member is a top cover.

4. An arrangement as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, which includes locking means adapted to lock the enclosure cap member to the body.

5. An arrangement as claimed in claim 4, in which the locking means includes a trigger, a trigger lever and a trigger lock.

6. An arrangement as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, which is assembled by positing the enclosure cap member into an upside down position and placing the body also in an upside down position into the enclosure cap member.

7. An arrangement as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, in which the body including the inflating means includes

(d) a first inlet in the body and being in communication with the air channel and the venturi tube and being adapted to allow compressed air to enter the venturi tube via the air channel to the second open end;

(e) an outlet in the body and being in communication with the second open end of the air channel via the venturi tube and being adapted to allow air to exit from the venturi tube for inflating a container when joined to the outlet; and

(f) a second inlet in the body and being in communication with the first open end of the air channel and being adapted to allow ambient air to be sucked into the venturi tube as a result of compressed air entering the air channel and passing through the venturi tube.

8. An arrangement as claimed in claim 7, which includes a valve connector assembly attached to the outlet which is adapted to be releasably engaged to a valve.

9. An arrangement as claimed in claim 7 or claim 8, which includes a first self- closing valve located at the second inlet in the body and being adapted to close off the second inlet if the pressure in the air channel is greater than the ambient pressure.

10. An arrangement as claimed in any one claims 7 to 9, which includes sensor means associated with the body and being adapted to indicate the pressure in a container, such as a bag, joined to the body.

1 1 . An arrangement as claimed in any one of claims 7 to 10, which includes a manually operable valve means being adapted to cause the supply of compressed air into the air channel to be interrupted.

12. An arrangement as claimed in any one of claims 7 to 1 1 , which includes sensor means associated with the body and being adapted to indicate continuously the pressure in a container, such as a bag, joined to the body.

13. An arrangement as claimed in any one of claims 7 to 10, which includes a shut- off valve in the container, such as a bag, and being in communication with the air channel.

14. An arrangement as claimed in any one of claims 1 1 to 13, in which the manually operable valve means includes a ball valve and/or a spring operated trigger valve and/or a shut-off valve.

15. An arrangement as claimed in any one of claims 9 to 14, which is adapted to be used to deflate the containers, whereby the first self-closing valve is removed and/or disabled and the venturi tube is reversed.

16. An arrangement as claimed in any one of claims 10 to 15, in which the sensor means are adapted to continuously indicate the pressure inside the container whilst the container is being inflated.

17. An arrangement as claimed in any one of claims 7 to 16, in which the venturi tube includes a supersonic nozzle.

18. An arrangement as claimed in any one of claims 7 to 17, in which, in use, the air exiting the outlet has an absolute pressure of about 0 to 9 bar.

19. An arrangement as claimed in any one of claims 7 to 18, in which, in use, the compressed air entering the air channel has a pressure of up to 9 bar absolute.

20. An arrangement as claimed in claim 19, in which the supersonic nozzle is a shock-free type.

21 . An arrangement as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, which is adapted to be used as a high speed inflator operating at low pressure.

22. An arrangement as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, which, in use, the operating pressure of the inflator arrangement is about 9 bar absolute.

23. An arrangement as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, in which the body has a flange for securing the inflation valve to the container.

24. An arrangement as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, in which the container is a dunnage bag, a sack and/or any other flexible container to be pressurized.

25. An arrangement as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, in which the body includes threads suitable for cooperating with complementary threads of a container's inlet.

26. An arrangement as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, which includes a valve connector assembly attached to the outlet of the air channel, which is adapted to be releasably engaged to a valve.

27. An arrangement as claimed in claim 7, in which the venturi tube includes a frusto-conical bore.

28. An arrangement as claimed in claim 7, in which the first inlet is adapted to receive an air hose for supplying compressed air.

29. An arrangement as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, which is an venturi-air flow apparatus.

30. An inflator arrangement for inflating containers with non-rigid walls such as bags, substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to the accompanying drawings.