GB2324480A - Self sealing valve - Google Patents

Abstract

A self sealing valve which may be attached to a plastic film balloon, is made up of three components these being an upper plastic film panel 3 perforated with an inlet hole 3A, an intermedially placed smooth surfaced washer 2 and a lower smooth surfaced flexible film panel 1. The intermedially placed washer is affixed to the underside of the upper flexible panel, its hole 2A coaxially aligned with the inlet hole of the upper flexible panel; peripherially on three sides 5A,5B,5C the lower panel being joined to the underside of the upper panel by way of a continuous "U" shaped heat seal weld ,the fourth side 5D remaining unsealed to provide an outlet of the valve into the balloon cavity . The self sealing valve upper panel film material that surrounds its inlet hole is affixed to the inner surface of the balloon film envelope (6, Figure 8) coaxially with the balloon inlet hole (6A) and externally the balloon film material surrounding the balloon inlet hole is protected by a decorative washer (9) affixed to it coaxially with the inlet.

Description

SELF SEALING VALVE COJOINED WITH PLASTIC FILM BALLOON This invention relates to plastic film balloons with self sealing valves.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION Presently marketed non-latex inflatable balloons made of thermoplastic film known in the trade as foil balloons or mylar balloons incorporate self sealing valves that necessitate appendages that are extensions of the two opposing outer panels of the foil balloon and said extension lead to and contain the inlet to the self sealing valve body that must pass between the two opposing panels circumpherential heat seal weld to then extend into the balloon cavity and from which self sealing valve end the inflating gas exhausts into the balloon cavity. Aesthetically the appendage is not very pleasing and although it provides an appendage onto which a hand holding string can be secured from the manufacturing aspect the presence of such an appendage and the need for accuracy in the placing of the self sealing valve body in aiignment with the appendage configuration must increase production cost due to a high level of manual intervention. The flexible nature of the appendage and the small proportions of the passages leading from the inlet hole to the outlet opening makes it very unlikely that a child can inflate such a balloon by mouth.

Only if the end user is technologically aware of how mouth inflation can be achieved then mouth inflation is a possibility.

The majority of the larger foil balloons are for Helium inflation whilst the smaller balloons are for air inflation and attachment to a hand holding stick All inflation cycles are done by way of a long and thin nozzle through which the inflating gas is conducted from a pressurised gas source.

Commercially available foil balloons are not sold with instruction for "D.l.Y" inflation thus the trade virtuaily retains a monopoly on the inflation process and is able to charge for the inflation process making the foil balloon a more expensive toy than it should be Latex balloons have a configuration whereby an appendage also extends from the inflatable envelope , inflation also taking place through the conduit within said appendage ,and although mouth inflation is possible it is difficult for many users and inadvisable for young children and older people to attempt because of possible lung damage Failure rates of the self sealing valve in conventional foil balloons are not extensive but leakage of the contained pressurised gas such as Helium does occur causing premature deflation OBJECTS OF THE INVENTION.

The main object of the invention is to provide means by which a "foil" balloon envelope can be manufactured with a neat peripherial configuration that is free of any appendages by situating the inflating gas inlet orifice within the expanse of one of the foil balloon panels and coaxial with the inflating gas inlet orifice and onto the inner surface of the perforated foil balloon panel a self sealing valve is securely affixed by way of a fully leak proof heat seal weld or adhesive deposit.

A further object of this invention is to.provide a foil balloon fitted with a self sealing valve that is doubly efficent when compared to valves in the trade and that incorporates larger passages for gas such as air to flow into the balloon cavity making it very easy for mouth inflation , even at the very low air pressures that mouth inflation as effected by a young child could be generated without any risk whatsoever of lung damage Another object of the invention is the facilitation of exhausting the pressurised or residual gas content from the balloon envelope by the provision of dimensionaliy generous passages from inlet to outlet of the self sealing valve through which passages a blunt and tapered ended cannule probe can be inserted to reach the balloon cavity , the contained gas being able to flow outward both through the hollow passage of the cannule probe and also laterally to the probe outside of the probe.

A further object of the invention is the capability of the self sealing valve assembly to be fitted anywhere about the balloon envelope apart from the circumpherential heat sealed edges of the balloon ,the inlet hole in the valve and/or in the balloon film panel being able to be safely and conveniently cut after completion of the affixing process of the valve to the balloon , this aspect being beneficial when tear prone thin plastic film material is used to manufacture the balloon envelope.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS The invention is illustrated in the accompanying six drawings sheets incorporating figures No.1 to No. 10 , Fig. No. 11 illustrating a prior art example.

Fig.No.1 is a perspective view of a self sealing valve unit not yet affixed to the inner surface of a baloon plastic film panel.

Fig. No.2 is an enlarged front perspective partial cross sectional view about sectional plane A-A of the self sealing valve unit shown in Fig. No.1 Fig. No.3 is an enlarged front perspective partial cross sectional view about sectional plane B-B of the self sealing valve unit shown in Fig. No. 1 Fig. No. 4 is a cross sectional view illustrating one conceptual model of the assembly apparatus to effect the first heat seal welding stage in the manufacture of the self sealing valve.

Fig. No.5 is a cross sectional view illustrating one conceptual model of the assembly apparatus to effect the second heat seal welding stage in the manufacture of the self sealing valve .

Fig. No.6 is a cross sectional view illustrating one conceptual model of the assembly apparatus to effect the attachment of the self sealing valve unit by the heat seal welding process to the inner surface of one panel of the two or more panels making up a plastic film balloon.

Fig. No.7 is an enlarged cross sectional view of the self sealing valve as attached to and contained within the cavity of a plastic film balloon as shown in Fig. No.6 further showing an additional external washer attached to the outer surface of the plastic film panel coaxially with the inlet orifice.

Fig. No. 8 is an exploded view in perspective representation of the velf sealing valve components and features such as heat sealing welds as in one preferred mode replaced by adhesive deposits to effect the joining of the self sealing valve components to one another and to the balloon plastic film envelope Fig. No. 9 is a partial perspective view of the balloon flexible film panel that incorporates the inlet orifice and of the self sealing valve illustrating the passages from the inlet hole to the outlet accomodating a cannular probe to effect the exhausting of the gas contained within the plastic film balloon cavity.

Fig. No.10 is a perspective view of an inflated round flexible plastic film balloon shown free of any appendages and incorporating the self sealing valve unit.

Fig. No.11 is a perspective view of a prior art inflated round flexible plastic film balloon known in the trade as a" Mylar" balloon or foil balloon which invariably incorporates an appendage that partly houses a self sealing valve DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODYMENT The basic embodyment of the present invention as shown in figures No.1 to No.10 requires that the self sealing valve unit prior to its affixing to inner surface of the balloon consists of three primary components,of these one being a thin and flexible plastic film panel (1), the other being a rigid and relatively thick plastic washer (2) and another being a thin and flexible plastic panel (3) Flexible plastic panel (1) is featureless,rigid plastic washer (2) is of smooth configuration on both sides and incorporates hole (2A) and flexible plastic panel (3)incorporated inlet hole (3A) that is similar in magnitude to and when affixed to washer (2) is coaxial with hole (2A). Washer (2) upper surface (2B) is firmly attached to the underside of panel (3) by way of a continuous heat seal weld (4) or a continuous adhesive deposit (4) . Further , panel (1) is secured to panel (3) by a "U" shaped heat seal weld (5), the bottom end of the "U" shaped weld displaying a bulbeous enlargment as with a keyhole pattern said "U" shaped weld (5) completely and continuously effects a seal along three sides (5A)(5B)(5C) and leaves unsealed the fourth side thus generating an outlet (5D) , heat seal weld (5) portion (5C) surrounds the periphery of yet is situated substantially clear of the periphery of washer (2), by way of example 40 mm diameter ,such peripherial clearance by way of example being 12mm , whilst the two parallel portions (5A) and (5B) of heat seal weld (5) being substantially apart from one another , by way of example 25 mm.

The affixing of the self sealing valve unit to the inner surface of one panel (6) of the balloon flexible film panels (6)(7) whereby the balloon envelope inlet hole (6A) is substantially coaxial with the self sealing valve inlet hole (3A) is effected by way of an annular heat seal weld (6B)(6BB) which is executed as shown in Fig.No.7 whereby the heat and pressure that causes the melting effect which brings about the welding to one another of balloon film panel (6),valve panel (3) and valve washer (2) extend from the leading surface (12A) of the welding probe (12) through the balloon plastic film panel (6) on through the self sealing valve plastic film upper panel (3) to reach the upper surface (2B) of plastic washer (2), the thickness of the body of washer (2) being sufficent to act as a heat sink and barrier to the conduction of high levels of heat through to the lower surface (2C) thus preventing any physical distortion of the lower sealing surface (2C) and the opposing upper sealing surface of plastic flexible panel (1) When material specification requires the use of incompatible plastic raw materials that make heat seal welding not an option then heat seal ; welds (4) and (6B) can be substituted within the manufacturing process by equivalent and compensating applications of adhesive or equivalent in effect double sided adhesive washers(4) and (6B) ,as shown in Fig. No. 4 and 35 in which is also further shown that external inlet washer (9) is applied to the top side of the balloon upper flexible film panel (6) and secured in place by way of an adhesive deposit or equivalent in effect double sided adhesive washer (8) The manufacturing process in sequential priority and done exclusively by way of the heat seal welding process is sequentially shown in Figures (5)(6)and (7).

The self sealing valve unit embodies two separate sealing actions , each provided by a separate sealing effects generated in two distinct portions of the self sealing valve The self sealing valve first sealing effect takes place in valve portion between the two lateral welds (5A) and (5B) whereby on the cessation of each inflation cycle the increased internal pressure within the balloon cavity causes the portions of panels (1) and (3) confined between lateral welds (5A) and (5B) which portions on the inflation cycle were forced apart are now forced to collapse on one another and effect a sealing effect preventing a back flow of gas from outled (5C) towards the valve/balloon inlet defined by progressively increasing in size by small increments holes (2A),(3A)*(6A) and (9A) The self sealing valve second sealing effect takes place at the contact interface between the washer (2) lower smooth surface (2C) and the opposing portion of the upper surface of lower panel (1), said portion being within the confine of heat seal weld (5C) , whereby similarly to the first sealing effect on the cessation of each inflation cycle the increased pressure within the balloon envelope causes the flexible plastic panel (1) to collapse against flexible panel (3) and where present against the lower surface (2C) of washer (2) thereby generating an effective seal all over surface (2C) providing a secondary barrier to any gas escaping from the balloon cavity through the valve first sealing portion.

The resultant rigid formation of thick washers (2) and (9) interleaved by flexible plastic film panels (3) and (6) provides a solid formation which at the initial stage of inflation can be held between one's fingers providing assured handiing during inflation by the application of a wide opening nozzle tip device for pressurised gas sourced equipment based inflation or the lips when inflation is by mouth to the outer surface of washer (9), finger grip being released as unnecessary once the balloon cavity is nearly filled and internal gas pressure provides back up resisting support to the weighing-down forces applied by the inflating nozzle tip or mouth's lips to the surface of the outer washer (9) The self sealing valve further provides the facility for a foil balloon firstly being inflated with the aid of equipment with Helium gas and after a lapse of time when much of the buoyancy generating Helium gas has seeped through the balloon plastic film panels reinflation to full blown configuration of the balloon envelope is easily achieved with air blown in through the self sealing valve by mouth inflation.

Economics of scale determining costs of production make it uneconomic to produce balloon units of less than 250mm diameter at the equatorial heat sealed weld when the balloon is fully inflated , thus the dimensions of the self sealing valve unit need not greatly change from the embodyment of the self sealing valve for larger unit whereby said valve flexible film panels (1) and (3), by way of example approximate 100mm in width and 180mm in length.and washers (2) and (9) by way of example 40 mm outside diameter and 1 mm thick whilst their inlet holes respectively 14 mm and 16 mm diameter Proportions can change without appreciably affecting effectiveness, function and the fulfilling of the objectives of the invention such as among others the provision of a doubly effective self sealing valve , the facilitating of inflation by mouth and a plastic flexible film balloon devoid of any appendage

Claims (1)

1- A self sealing valve making possible appendage free and principally mouth inflated plastic film balloons whereby said self sealing valve made up of two flexible plastic panels with an interleaved rigid plastic washer is fully contained within the balloon cavity and is affixed to the inside surface of one of the panels that constitute the balloon envelope , said self sealing valve inlet hole being coaxial with and connecting with the balloon inlet hole and within the body of the self sealing valve leading on firstly from said inlet hole , secondly circumpherentially over the rim and the exposed annular surface of the rigid washer that is an integral part of the inlet hole and thirdly along and within the body of the self sealing valve to lead to the outlet of the self sealing valve which discharges into the balloon cavity , said passages , expanding at each inflation cycle and collapsing at the cessation of each inflation cycle , embody two self sealing modes that operate in series and thus by which cumulative effects a very effective double seal effect barring gas flow through the valve body is obtained

2- A self sealing valve as claimed in Claim 1 having a twin laminar body consisting of a lower and upper flexible plastic film panels which are heat sealed together along in a modified version of the letter "U" shaped pattern in which the closed end embodies a diametrically enlarged configuration relative to the sides of the letter "U" as in an open ended keyhole configuration substantially at the centre of which diametrically enlarged configuration the upper panel incorporates an inlet hole that substantially coaxially connects to the balloon inlet hole.

3- A self sealing valve as claimed in Claim 2 whereby the circular weld configuration at the lower portion ot the letter "U" shaped heat seal weld is enlarged into a bulbous shape to generate an incomplete circular pocket of generous dimension to contain a plastic washer which is affixed by heat seal welding or adhesive to the underside of the upper flexible panel of the valve body so positioned that the washer hole is substantially coaxial with the inlet hole in the upper panel , there being ample clearance left between the peripherial outer edge of the washer and the inner edge of the partiy circular heat seal weld that generates the pocket in which the washer is situated.

4- A self sealing valve as claimed in Claim 1 that embodies two distinct self sealing configurations that function in series ,the first sealing effect is effected by the lay-flat tubular formation that extends from the outlet end towards the inlet fringing thick washer g this portion being expandible on inflation and collapsible on itself on deflation , the second sealing effect is effected about the area fringing the inlet hole whereby the free surface of the thick washer functions as a seating area for the opposite facing lower plastic film panel which on each inflation cycle the plastic film panel lifts off the seating area on the washer and on each deflation cycle the plastic film panel collapses onto the washer seating area thus effecting a second seal that has to cope only with the minimal volume of gas which may have passed through the first seal 5 A self sealing valve as claimed in Claim 1 having between its upper and lower flexible plastic panels a thick plastic washer that is thick enough to provide a firm bonding surface and adequate heat sink capacity to permit the valve upper plastic flexible panel and the balloon panel to which it is to be affixed on the inside of to be secured to by the heat seal welding process without causing deformation ot the washer seating surface and of the lower flexible plastic panel opposing/seating surface thus ensuring pristine conditions for the second sealing effect.

6- A self sealing valve as claimed in Claim 5 having an adhesive coating in the form of an adhesive layer or double sided adhesive tape washer interposed between the valve upper flexible panel and the interposed washer bonding said washer to the upper panel 7- A self sealing valve as claimed in Claim 5 having an adhesive coating in the form of an adhesive layer or double sided adhesive tape washer interposed between the upper surface of the self sealing valve upper panel and the inner surface of the balloon panel bonding the upper panel of the self sealing valve to the inner surface of the balloon panel coaxially with the balloon inlet hole.

8- A self sealing appendage-free flexible plastic film balloon made up of a multiplicity of panels one of which incorporates an inlet hole whereby relative to the balloon inlet hole internally to the balloon panel a self sealing valve is affixed and further relative to the inlet hole externally to the balloon panel is coaxially affixed a decorative and annotated thin plastic washer dimensionally substantially similar to the washer present within the valve body, said decorative external washer being affixed to the outer skin of the balloon by way of an adhesive coating or double sided adhesive tape washer placed between the underside of the washer and the outer skin of the balloon substantially coaxially with the inlet hole.

9- A self sealing valve incorporated into a flexible plastic film balloon substantially as described herein with reference to Figures 1 to 10 of the accompanying drawings.

Amendments to the claims have been filed as follows CLAIMS 1- A self sealing valve making possible appendage-free and principally mouth inflated balloons whereby said sealing valve is made up of two flexible thin plastic film panels with internally an interleaved smoothly finished plastic washer substantially thicker than the film panels said flexible plastic film panels being heat sealed to one anotner along three sides by a continuous weld line that generates a "tadpole' shaped cavity having a iarge head and an elongated tail configuration whereby the enlarged head portion ot the cavity is continuous with the tail portion of tne cavity in such a manner that the valve inlet to the ;tadpole" configured cavity is a hole formed on one flexible panel substantially concentrical with the head portion of the cavity and the valve outlet from the 'tadpole" configured cavity is at the unsealed tail end of said cavity and is generated at each inflation sequence by the forcing apart one from the other of the opposing portions of the flexible panels that extend between the longitudinal heat seal weld iines defining the tail configuration of the cavity , said generated outlet discharging into the balloon cavity , further, the interleaved smooth surfaced rigid plastic washer is fully contained within and concentrically with the enlarged head portion cavity well clear of the surrounding weld lines that define the head cavity and also concentricaliy with the valve inlet hole it is affixed with a gas tight annular join to the inner surface of the valve flexible pane: that incorporates the valve inlet hole the self sealing valve unit being affixed to the inner surface of one of the two or more panels that constitute the balloon envelope.said balloon panel incorporating the balloon inlet hole to which the valve inlet hole is also concentrically aligned further the valve assembly is attached to said balioon panel by way of an annular gas tight bond bonding to one another the relative expanse of plastic film material that surrounds the valve inlet hole and the balloon inlet hole leaving the rest of the valve body constituted by the two flexible plastic film panels totally separate from the balloon envelope as an internal pendulous appendage of the balloon envelope whereby the two layered expanse of flexible plastic film that extends within the confines of the three sided "tadpole" configured weld seal are free to move apart from one another at each inflation cycle as and when the infiowing gas pressure is greater than the pressure of the gas contained within the balloon envelope and conversely are also free to collapse upon one another at the cessation of each inflation cycle when the dual sealing effect takes effect in series collapsing firstly along the tail portion of the tadpole shaped" cavity whereby the collapse upon one another of the two opposing expanses of flexible panel of said tail portion bar any gas flow from the balioon cavity through the passage constituted by the elongated tail portion of the "tadpole' shaped cavity and secondly if or when any minimal gas voiume that may have found a conduit along the collapsed tail portion passage reaches the collapsed "head" end portion of the 'tadpole shaped cavity said gas will try to penetrate said head portion with a slightly reduced pressure and will not be able to force apart the opposing flexible plastic film expanses of the head end portion of the "tadpole' shaped cavity that have collapsed one upon the other and one upon the smooth seating surface of the rigid washer that surrounds the inlet hole thus generating a second sealing effect effectively barring the exiting through the iniet hole of any gas from the balloon cavity which for any reason may have passed through the balioon valve tail conduit ,said dual sealing effect taking place in series practically reduces any exiting gas flow through the valve body to zero.

2- A self sealing valve as ciaimed in Claim 1 whereby the plastic washer is affixed by heat seal welding or adhesive to the underside of the upper flexible panel of the valve body and is so positioned that the washer hole is substantially coaxial with the inlet hole of the upper panel , there being ample clearance left between the upper peripherial outer edge of the washer and the inner edge of the partly circular heat seal weld that generates the pocket in which the washer is situated 3- A self sealing valve as claimed in Claim 1 having between it upper and lower flexible plastic panels a thick plastic washer that is thick enough to provide a firm bonding surface and adequate heat sink capacity to permit the valve upper plastic flexible panel and the balloon panel to which it is to be affixed on the inside of to be secured to by the heat seal welding process without causing deformation of the washer seating surface and of the lower flexible plastic panel opposing/seating surface thus ensuring pristine conditions for the second sealing effect 4- A self sealing valve as claimed in Claim 3 having an adhesive coating in the form of an adhesive layer or double sided adhesive thape washer interposed between the valve upper flexible panel and the interposed washer bonding said washer to the valve upper flexible panel 5- A self sealing valve as claimed in Claim 3 having an adhesive coating in the form of an adhesive layer or double sided adhesive tape washer interposed between the upper surface of the self sealing valve upper panel and the inner surface of the balloon panel bonding the upper panel of the self sealing valve to the inner surface of the balioon panel coaxially with the balloon inlet hole 6- A self sealing free of any external appendage flexible plastic film balioon made up of a multiplicity of panels one of which incorporates an inlet hole whereby relative to the balloon inlet hole internally to the balloon panel is affixed a self sealing valve according to any one of the preceeding claims and further relative to the balloon inlet hole exiernaliy to the ablloon panel is coaxially affixed a decorative and annotated plastic washer dimensionally substantially similar to the washer present within the valve body , said decorative external washer being affixed to the outer skin substantially coaxial with the balloon inlet hole by way of an adhesive coating or double sided adhesive tape washer pl;aced between the underside of the outer washer and the outer skin of the balloon 7- A self sealing valve incorporated into a flexible plastic film balloon substantially as described herein with reference to Figures 1 to 10 of the accompanying drawings