US20060084359A1 - Inflation valve for recreational balloon - Google Patents

Inflation valve for recreational balloon Download PDF

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Publication number
US20060084359A1
US20060084359A1 US10/969,614 US96961404A US2006084359A1 US 20060084359 A1 US20060084359 A1 US 20060084359A1 US 96961404 A US96961404 A US 96961404A US 2006084359 A1 US2006084359 A1 US 2006084359A1
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US
United States
Prior art keywords
housing
needle
port
balloon
capsule
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
US10/969,614
Inventor
Tak Wong
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.)
TK Wong and Associates Ltd
Original Assignee
TK Wong and Associates Ltd
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 TK Wong and Associates Ltd filed Critical TK Wong and Associates Ltd
Priority to US10/969,614 priority Critical patent/US20060084359A1/en
Assigned to T.K. WONG & ASSOCIATES LTD. reassignment T.K. WONG & ASSOCIATES LTD. ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNORS INTEREST (SEE DOCUMENT FOR DETAILS). Assignors: WONG, TAK KO
Priority to GB0517866A priority patent/GB2420841B/en
Publication of US20060084359A1 publication Critical patent/US20060084359A1/en
Priority to HK06113350A priority patent/HK1092860A1/en
Abandoned legal-status Critical Current

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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
    • F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
    • F16—ENGINEERING ELEMENTS AND UNITS; GENERAL MEASURES FOR PRODUCING AND MAINTAINING EFFECTIVE FUNCTIONING OF MACHINES OR INSTALLATIONS; THERMAL INSULATION IN GENERAL
    • F16K—VALVES; TAPS; COCKS; ACTUATING-FLOATS; DEVICES FOR VENTING OR AERATING
    • F16K15/00—Check valves
    • F16K15/20—Check valves specially designed for inflatable bodies, e.g. tyres
    • 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
    • A63H2027/1083—Valves or nozzles

Definitions

  • the present invention relates to an inflation valve for a recreational toy balloon. More particularly, although not exclusively, the invention relates to a toy balloon having a captured inset valve enabling the balloon to be repeatedly inflated.
  • Inflated balloons made of thermoplastic rubber and other highly elastic material deflate over time as a result of the migration of gas through the stretched thermoplastic membrane across which there is a significant pressure differential. Upon deflation or partial deflation, such balloons are generally discarded.
  • an inflation valve for a recreational balloon comprising:
  • the inflation valve further comprises:
  • the inflation valve further comprises a pair of said needle ports and a pair of said housing ports all mutually aligned in the open position.
  • the inflation valve further comprises a pair of said needle ports, a pair of said capsule ports and a pair of said housing ports all mutually aligned in the open position.
  • the housing comprises a top opening and a bottom opening both extending from the compartment and being of similar diameter to the diameter of the cylinder, both openings being stretchable over the capsule to enable insertion of the capsule in the compartment.
  • the housing is made of a gelatinous composite material consisting of SEBS and mineral oil.
  • the gelatinous composition to mineral oil ratio of the housing is about 1:8.
  • the capsule is harder than the housing.
  • the capsule is made of a gelatinous composite material consisting of SEBS and mineral oil.
  • the gelatinous composition to mineral oil ratio of the capsule is about 1:8.
  • a balloon made of a highly elastic material and having a neck into which the above-disclosed valve is inserted.
  • the balloon is made of a gelatinous composite material consisting of SEBS and mineral oil.
  • the gelatinous composition to mineral oil ratio of the balloon is about 1:3.
  • the balloon and housing are made of the same material.
  • FIG. 1 is a schematic parts-exploded cross-sectional elevation of a recreational balloon and an inflation valve
  • FIG. 2 is a schematic cross-sectional elevation of the recreational balloon and inflation valve of FIG. 1 , with the inflation valve in an open configurations
  • FIG. 3 is a schematic cross-sectional view of the inflation valve and balloon taken at III-III in FIG. 2 ,
  • FIG. 4 is a schematic cross-sectional view of the inflation valve taken at IV-IV in FIG. 2 ,
  • FIG. 5 is a schematic cross-sectional elevation of the recreational balloon and inflation valve of FIG. 1 , with the inflation valve in a closed configuration
  • FIG. 6 is a schematic cross-sectional view of the inflation valve and balloon taken at VI-VI in FIG. 5 .
  • FIG. 7 is a schematic cross-sectional view of the inflation valve taken at VII-VII in FIG. 5 .
  • an inflatable recreational balloon 10 typically formed of a gelatinous composite material consisting of SEBS and mineral oil in a ratio of 1:8.
  • the balloon has a frustoconical opening 23 into which there is received a housing 11 .
  • the housing 11 is also typically formed of the same material as that from which the balloon is made.
  • the housing 11 has a top opening 26 and a bottom opening 27 . Between the openings there is a hollow compartment 20 having a pair of diametrically opposed housing ports 19 extending through a wall 28 of the housing.
  • the SEBS material is highly elastic and can expand to many times its relaxed size. Being formed of the same material, there is a good bond between the balloon opening 23 and the external surface of the wall 18 of the housing 11 .
  • the compartment 20 has an annular groove 22 as depicted.
  • a capsule 12 also made of SEBS material, but typically of harder consistency—having a ratio of SEBS to mineral oil of about 1:3.
  • the capsule 12 has a flange 21 that fits into the groove 22 of the housing.
  • the capsule also comprises a pair of diametrically opposed capsule ports 17 .
  • An inflation needle 13 extends through the cylinder 18 of the capsule 12 and is typically formed of a hard material such as polypropylene or any hard plastics material.
  • the inflation needle 13 has a longitudinal passage 14 and a finger gripping flange 24 .
  • a pair of diametrically opposed needle ports 15 extend from the passage 14 .
  • the needle also comprises a tapered stopper 16 as depicted.
  • the balloon and inflation valve are depicted in an inflation configuration in FIG. 2 .
  • the needle ports 15 , capsule ports 17 and housing ports 19 are all aligned so that air can pass through the passage 14 to the balloon interior.
  • the stopper 16 prevents the inflation needle 13 from being withdrawn from the housing 11 .
  • the diameter of the top and bottom openings 26 and 27 of the housing 11 are essentially of the same diameter as that of the cylinder 18 . This diameter corresponds with the external diameter of the inflation needle 13 .
  • the external surface of the capsule 12 and internal surface of the cavity 20 are provided with longitudinal ribs 25 that intermesh with one another.
  • the finger grip 24 is raised to align the respective ports.
  • the balloon can then be inflated by blowing through the passage 14 .
  • the grip 24 can be pressed down so that the needle ports 15 move out of alignment with the remaining ports.
  • the inflation needle might be configured to rotate instead of push in and out to enable alignment of the needle ports 15 with the capsule ports 17 .
  • the capsule 12 might be omitted—in which case the inflation needle might be received directly by the housing

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  • Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
  • General Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
  • Mechanical Engineering (AREA)
  • Toys (AREA)

Abstract

An inflation valve for a recreational balloon includes a housing for fitting within the neck of a balloon and formed of resilient, highly stretchable material. A wall of the housing surrounds an internal compartment and a housing port extends from the compartment through the wall. A needle extends through the compartment and has a longitudinal air passage therein and a needle port extending from the air passage. The needle is movable within the compartment from a closed position in which the needle port is not aligned with the housing port to an open position in which the needle port is aligned with the housing port.

Description

    BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
  • The present invention relates to an inflation valve for a recreational toy balloon. More particularly, although not exclusively, the invention relates to a toy balloon having a captured inset valve enabling the balloon to be repeatedly inflated.
  • Inflated balloons made of thermoplastic rubber and other highly elastic material deflate over time as a result of the migration of gas through the stretched thermoplastic membrane across which there is a significant pressure differential. Upon deflation or partial deflation, such balloons are generally discarded.
    • OBJECT OF THE INVENTION
  • It is an object of the present invention to overcome or substantially ameliorate the above disadvantage and/or more generally to provide an inflation valve for a recreational balloon and a special recreational balloon incorporating such a valve.
    • DISCLOSURE OF THE INVENTION
  • There is disclosed herein an inflation valve for a recreational balloon, comprising:
      • a housing for fitting within the neck of a balloon and formed of resilient, highly stretchable material having a wall surrounding an internal compartment and a housing port extending from the compartment through the wall,
      • a needle extending through the compartment and having a longitudinal air passage therein and a needle port extending from the air passage, the needle movable within the compartment from a closed position in which the needle port is not aligned with the housing port to an open position in which the needle port is aligned with the housing port.
  • Preferably, the inflation valve further comprises:
      • a capsule captured within the compartment of the housing and having a cylinder therein and a capsule port aligned with the housing port, wherein
      • the needle fits within and extends through the cylinder and wherein in the closed position of the needle, the needle port is not aligned with the capsule port and in the open position of the needle, the needle port is aligned with the capsule port.
  • Preferably, the inflation valve further comprises a pair of said needle ports and a pair of said housing ports all mutually aligned in the open position.
  • Preferably, the inflation valve further comprises a pair of said needle ports, a pair of said capsule ports and a pair of said housing ports all mutually aligned in the open position.
  • Preferably, the housing comprises a top opening and a bottom opening both extending from the compartment and being of similar diameter to the diameter of the cylinder, both openings being stretchable over the capsule to enable insertion of the capsule in the compartment.
  • Preferably, the housing is made of a gelatinous composite material consisting of SEBS and mineral oil.
  • Preferably, the gelatinous composition to mineral oil ratio of the housing is about 1:8.
  • Preferably, the capsule is harder than the housing.
  • Preferably, the capsule is made of a gelatinous composite material consisting of SEBS and mineral oil.
  • Preferably, the gelatinous composition to mineral oil ratio of the capsule is about 1:8.
  • There is further disclosed herein a balloon made of a highly elastic material and having a neck into which the above-disclosed valve is inserted.
  • Preferably, the balloon is made of a gelatinous composite material consisting of SEBS and mineral oil.
  • Preferably, the gelatinous composition to mineral oil ratio of the balloon is about 1:3.
  • Preferably, the balloon and housing are made of the same material.
    • BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
  • A preferred form of the present invention will now be described by way of example with reference to the accompanying drawings, wherein:
  • FIG. 1 is a schematic parts-exploded cross-sectional elevation of a recreational balloon and an inflation valve,
  • FIG. 2 is a schematic cross-sectional elevation of the recreational balloon and inflation valve of FIG. 1, with the inflation valve in an open configurations
  • FIG. 3 is a schematic cross-sectional view of the inflation valve and balloon taken at III-III in FIG. 2,
  • FIG. 4 is a schematic cross-sectional view of the inflation valve taken at IV-IV in FIG. 2,
  • FIG. 5 is a schematic cross-sectional elevation of the recreational balloon and inflation valve of FIG. 1, with the inflation valve in a closed configuration,
  • FIG. 6 is a schematic cross-sectional view of the inflation valve and balloon taken at VI-VI in FIG. 5, and
  • FIG. 7 is a schematic cross-sectional view of the inflation valve taken at VII-VII in FIG. 5.
    • Description of the Preferred Embodiment
  • In the accompanying drawings there is depicted schematically an inflatable recreational balloon 10 typically formed of a gelatinous composite material consisting of SEBS and mineral oil in a ratio of 1:8. The balloon has a frustoconical opening 23 into which there is received a housing 11. The housing 11 is also typically formed of the same material as that from which the balloon is made.
  • The housing 11 has a top opening 26 and a bottom opening 27. Between the openings there is a hollow compartment 20 having a pair of diametrically opposed housing ports 19 extending through a wall 28 of the housing.
  • The SEBS material is highly elastic and can expand to many times its relaxed size. Being formed of the same material, there is a good bond between the balloon opening 23 and the external surface of the wall 18 of the housing 11.
  • The compartment 20 has an annular groove 22 as depicted.
  • Pitted within the compartment 20 is a capsule 12 also made of SEBS material, but typically of harder consistency—having a ratio of SEBS to mineral oil of about 1:3. The capsule 12 has a flange 21 that fits into the groove 22 of the housing. The capsule also comprises a pair of diametrically opposed capsule ports 17. There is a hollow cylinder 18 extending through the capsule 12.
  • An inflation needle 13 extends through the cylinder 18 of the capsule 12 and is typically formed of a hard material such as polypropylene or any hard plastics material.
  • The inflation needle 13 has a longitudinal passage 14 and a finger gripping flange 24. A pair of diametrically opposed needle ports 15 extend from the passage 14. The needle also comprises a tapered stopper 16 as depicted.
  • The balloon and inflation valve are depicted in an inflation configuration in FIG. 2. In this configuration, the needle ports 15, capsule ports 17 and housing ports 19 are all aligned so that air can pass through the passage 14 to the balloon interior.
  • The stopper 16 prevents the inflation needle 13 from being withdrawn from the housing 11.
  • It should be noted that the diameter of the top and bottom openings 26 and 27 of the housing 11 are essentially of the same diameter as that of the cylinder 18. This diameter corresponds with the external diameter of the inflation needle 13.
  • In order to ensure that the capsule ports 17 align with the housing ports 19, the external surface of the capsule 12 and internal surface of the cavity 20 are provided with longitudinal ribs 25 that intermesh with one another.
  • In order to inflate the balloon, the finger grip 24 is raised to align the respective ports. The balloon can then be inflated by blowing through the passage 14. When the balloon is inflated to a desired level, the grip 24 can be pressed down so that the needle ports 15 move out of alignment with the remaining ports.
  • It should be appreciated that modifications and alterations obvious to those skilled in the art are not to be considered as beyond the scope of the present invention. For example, the inflation needle might be configured to rotate instead of push in and out to enable alignment of the needle ports 15 with the capsule ports 17. Furthermore, the capsule 12 might be omitted—in which case the inflation needle might be received directly by the housing

Claims (14)

1. An inflation valve for a recreational balloon, comprising:
a housing for fitting within the neck of a balloon and formed of resilient, highly stretchable material having a wall surrounding an internal compartment and a housing port extending from the compartment through the wall,
a needle extending through the compartment and having a longitudinal air passage therein and a needle port extending from the air passage, the needle movable within the compartment from a closed position in which the needle port is not aligned with the housing port to an open position in which the needle port is aligned with the housing port.
2. The inflation valve of claim 1, further comprising:
a capsule captured within the compartment of the housing and having a cylinder therein and a capsule port aligned with the housing port, wherein
the needle fits within and extends through the cylinder and wherein in the closed position of the needle, the needle port is not aligned with the capsule port and in the open position of the needle, the needle port is aligned with the capsule port.
3. The inflation valve of claim 1, comprising a pair of said needle ports and a pair of said housing ports all mutually aligned in the open position.
4. The inflation valve of claim 2, comprising a pair of said needle ports, a pair of said capsule ports and a pair of said housing ports all mutually aligned in the open position.
5. The inflation valve of claim 2, wherein the housing comprises a top opening and a bottom opening both extending from the compartment and being of similar diameter to the diameter of the cylinder, both openings being stretchable over the capsule to enable insertion of the capsule in the compartment.
6. The inflation valve of claim 1, wherein the housing is made of a gelatinous composite material consisting of SEBS and mineral oil.
7. The inflation valve of claim 6, wherein the gelatinous composition to mineral oil ratio of the housing is about 1:8.
8. The inflation valve of claim 2, wherein the capsule is harder than the housing.
9. The inflation valve of claim 8, wherein the capsule is made of a gelatinous composite material consisting of SEBS and mineral oil.
10. The inflation valve of claim 9, wherein the gelatinous composition to mineral oil ratio of the capsule is about 1:3.
11. A balloon made of a highly elastic material and having a neck into which the valve of claim 1 is inserted.
12. The balloon of claim 11, being made of a gelatinous composite material consisting of SEBS and mineral oil.
13. The balloon of claim 12, wherein the gelatinous composition to mineral oil ratio of the balloon is about 1:8.
14. The balloon of claim 11, wherein the balloon and housing are made of the same material.
US10/969,614 2004-10-20 2004-10-20 Inflation valve for recreational balloon Abandoned US20060084359A1 (en)

Priority Applications (3)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
US10/969,614 US20060084359A1 (en) 2004-10-20 2004-10-20 Inflation valve for recreational balloon
GB0517866A GB2420841B (en) 2004-10-20 2005-09-02 Inflation valve for recreational balloon
HK06113350A HK1092860A1 (en) 2004-10-20 2006-12-05 Inflation valve for recreational balloon

Applications Claiming Priority (1)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
US10/969,614 US20060084359A1 (en) 2004-10-20 2004-10-20 Inflation valve for recreational balloon

Publications (1)

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US20060084359A1 true US20060084359A1 (en) 2006-04-20

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US10/969,614 Abandoned US20060084359A1 (en) 2004-10-20 2004-10-20 Inflation valve for recreational balloon

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US (1) US20060084359A1 (en)
GB (1) GB2420841B (en)
HK (1) HK1092860A1 (en)

Cited By (1)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US20080146268A1 (en) * 2006-12-14 2008-06-19 Motorola, Inc. Multimodal phone data session management enhancement that alleviates dual transmission problems

Citations (14)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US65511A (en) * 1867-06-04 Improvement in steam gauge-cooks
US231110A (en) * 1880-08-10 Cylinder-cock
US2792669A (en) * 1956-10-15 1957-05-21 James A Jackson Balloon
US3162974A (en) * 1961-11-20 1964-12-29 James A Jackson One-piece balloon valve and holder
US3410299A (en) * 1966-05-18 1968-11-12 Nat Latex Prod Co Valve for inflatable article
US3902517A (en) * 1973-11-27 1975-09-02 Richard Hastwell Pump and valve assembly for pressurizing fuel tanks for portable stoves, lanterns and the like
US3905387A (en) * 1974-10-03 1975-09-16 Munro M Grant Needle type inflation valve
US4292999A (en) * 1979-02-07 1981-10-06 Anton Szollmann Valve for toy balloons
US4320776A (en) * 1979-12-20 1982-03-23 Yang Wen H Construction of the ball bladder orifice
US5033498A (en) * 1990-06-08 1991-07-23 The Schlueter Company Valve for inflated article
US5915407A (en) * 1998-06-16 1999-06-29 The National Latex Products Company Ball with inflation valve sleeve for rapid deflation
US20040159350A1 (en) * 2003-02-13 2004-08-19 I-Chuan Lai Inflation valve for an inflatable article
US6918409B1 (en) * 2001-12-13 2005-07-19 Honeywell International Inc. Spool and poppet inlet metering valve
US20050173000A1 (en) * 2004-02-10 2005-08-11 Wang Swei M. Air valve for inflatable bladder

Family Cites Families (1)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
GB2138015B (en) * 1983-04-13 1986-12-10 Wilson Sporting Goods Inflation needle lubricating plug insert-type valve assembly

Patent Citations (14)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US65511A (en) * 1867-06-04 Improvement in steam gauge-cooks
US231110A (en) * 1880-08-10 Cylinder-cock
US2792669A (en) * 1956-10-15 1957-05-21 James A Jackson Balloon
US3162974A (en) * 1961-11-20 1964-12-29 James A Jackson One-piece balloon valve and holder
US3410299A (en) * 1966-05-18 1968-11-12 Nat Latex Prod Co Valve for inflatable article
US3902517A (en) * 1973-11-27 1975-09-02 Richard Hastwell Pump and valve assembly for pressurizing fuel tanks for portable stoves, lanterns and the like
US3905387A (en) * 1974-10-03 1975-09-16 Munro M Grant Needle type inflation valve
US4292999A (en) * 1979-02-07 1981-10-06 Anton Szollmann Valve for toy balloons
US4320776A (en) * 1979-12-20 1982-03-23 Yang Wen H Construction of the ball bladder orifice
US5033498A (en) * 1990-06-08 1991-07-23 The Schlueter Company Valve for inflated article
US5915407A (en) * 1998-06-16 1999-06-29 The National Latex Products Company Ball with inflation valve sleeve for rapid deflation
US6918409B1 (en) * 2001-12-13 2005-07-19 Honeywell International Inc. Spool and poppet inlet metering valve
US20040159350A1 (en) * 2003-02-13 2004-08-19 I-Chuan Lai Inflation valve for an inflatable article
US20050173000A1 (en) * 2004-02-10 2005-08-11 Wang Swei M. Air valve for inflatable bladder

Cited By (2)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US20080146268A1 (en) * 2006-12-14 2008-06-19 Motorola, Inc. Multimodal phone data session management enhancement that alleviates dual transmission problems
US8744519B2 (en) 2006-12-14 2014-06-03 Motorola Mobility Llc Multimodal phone data session management enhancement that alleviates dual transmission problems

Also Published As

Publication number Publication date
GB0517866D0 (en) 2005-10-12
HK1092860A1 (en) 2007-02-16
GB2420841A (en) 2006-06-07
GB2420841B (en) 2007-01-10

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Legal Events

Date Code Title Description
AS Assignment

Owner name: T.K. WONG & ASSOCIATES LTD., CHINA

Free format text: ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNORS INTEREST;ASSIGNOR:WONG, TAK KO;REEL/FRAME:015925/0449

Effective date: 20041007

STCB Information on status: application discontinuation

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