GB2350409A

GB2350409A - Storage bag for use as a low pressure inflation device

Info

Publication number: GB2350409A
Application number: GB9912138A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Steven John Culverwell
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 1999-05-26
Filing date: 1999-05-26
Publication date: 2000-11-29
Also published as: GB9912138D0

Abstract

A flexible envelope 10 of a thin non-porous material forms a bag into which a deflated air bed or similar inflatable item can be stored. An air inlet opening 11 is provided with a low pressure reclosable seal, e.g. by tying a length of cord around the mouth of the opening. An outlet 14 is formed by a length of tube having a connector 15 which includes a non-return valve. The envelope 10 has a complementary connector 16 to which the connector 15 can be joined so that the tube 14 can be used as a carrying handle. In one embodiment the article to be stored is inserted through the opening 11. In another embodiment the envelope is formed as inner and outer non-porous bags sealed together around their common mouths 12 which could be provided with a zip or buttons.

Description

&!h ^ 550409 Steven John Culverwell LOW PRESSURE INFLATION DEVICE

TECHNICAL FIELD OF THE INVENTION

This invention relates to inflation devices for air beds, buoyancy rings and similar items which require inflation at a relatively low pressure.

BACKGROUND

A variety of air beds, buoyancy rings and similar inflatable items are frequently used in camping, caravanning and other recreational activities. More often than not the item is inflated by manually blowing air into an inlet tube, which is both time consuming and exhausting.

People suffering from asthma and other health problems are unable to use their lungs for inflation of such devices and they must therefore use a pump which is an additional item to transport and store and is often relatively expensive.

The present invention seeks to provide a simple, new and inventive form of inflation device to assist in the task of inflating such items.

2 P884 SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention proposes an inflation devicecomprising aflexible nonporous envelope which can be filled with air through a closable inlet, the envelope being provided with an air outlet for connection with the device to be inflated, which outlet includes a non-return valve.

In a preferred embodiment of the inflation device the envelope is formed as a bag in which a deflated air bed or other device can be stored. The item can be inserted through the closable inlet, or a separate opening may be provided for the purpose.

The air outlet preferably comprises an elongate tube. Connection means may be provided for releasably connecting a free end of the air inlet to the envelope such that the air inlet can be used as a carrying handle.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The following description and the accompanying drawings referred to therein are included by way of non-limiting example in order to illustrate how the invention may be put into practice. In the drawings:

Figure 1 is a side view of a low pressure inflation device in accordance with the invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

3 P884 The inflation device comprises an envelope 10 which can be formed of a thin and flexible but non-porous and tough plastic material such as pvc, rubber or a similar non-porous material. The envelope could have an outer cover of a woven porous material such as cotton.

The envelope is formed as a bag into which a deflated air bed or similar inflatable item can be inserted for transport and storage. In one form of the device a single opening 11 can be provided. The opening can be provided with a low pressure reclosable seal, e.g. in the form of pressfit mouldings, to retain the air bed in the bag and, when used as an inflation device, prevent substantial escape of air from the envelope. The opening could also be sealed by tying a length of cord around the mouth of the opening 11.

In another form of the device the envelope can be formed as inner and outer non-porous bags sealed together around their common mouths 12 so that the space between the two bags forms a sealed envelope. In this embodiment the mouths 12 are not required to form an air seal so that they could, for example, be provided with a zip or buttons for retaining the air bed therein. The envelope 10 is provided With a separate air inlet opening 11 for admitting air to the space between the two bags. The opening 11 may again have a simple low pressure seal, as described.

The envelope has an outlet 14 comprising an elongate length of polythene or elastomeric tube which is joined to the envelope at one end to communicate with the air space within the envelope. The tube has a suitable connector 15 at its free end for making an air-tight connection with the air bed. The outlet tube also includes a non-return valve of known form, which is conveniently incorporated Within the connector 15.

4 P884 The envelope 10 also has a complementary connector 16 to which the connector 15 can be firmly but releasably joined (e.g. by screw threads) as indicated in outline only, so that the outlet tube 14 can be used as a carrying handle for the inflation device.

When the deflated air bed is removed from the envelope 10 the inflation device can be used to inflate the bed as follows. First, the outlet connector 15 is coupled to the air bed and then the air inlet opening 11 is manually held open to admit air into the envelope. The opening is then closed to seal the air inside the envelope. The envelope is squashed, e.g. by sitting on the envelope, to force air through the outlet 14 and nonreturn valve into the air bed. In the case of a small air bed or similar item there may be sufficient air in the envelope to inflate the item in one go, but with larger items the envelope may need to be refilled several times. Since the non-return valve prevents escape of air from the air bed the opening 11 can be re-opened to refill the envelope without deflation.

The inflation device thus has additional utility as a storage and carrying device, allows inflation of low pressure items without requiring the users lungs, and is considerably less expensive than a pump.

Claims

It will be appreciated that the features disclosed herein may be present

in any feasible combination. Whilst the above description lays emphasis on those areas which, in combination, are believed to be new, protection is claimed for any inventive combination of the features disclosed herein.

P884 CLAIMS 1. A low pressure inflation device comprising a flexible non porous envelope which can be filled with air through a closable inlet, the envelope being provided with an air outlet for connection with an article to be inflated, which outlet includes a non-return valve.
2. A low pressure inflation device according to Claim 1, in which the closable inlet is provided with a press-fit seal.
3. A low pressure inflation device according to Claim 1, in which the closable inlet has a flexible protruding mouth which can be sealed by tying a length of cord around it.
4. A low pressure inflation device according to any preceding claim, in which the air outlet comprises an elongate tube.
5. A low pressure inflation device according to Claim 4, in which connection means is provided for releasably connecting a free end of the outlet tube to the envelope such that the tube can be used as a carrying handle.

6. A low pressure inflation device according to any preceding claim, in which the envelope has an outer cover of a porous woven material.
6 P884
7. A storage bag for use as a low pressure inflation device comprising a flexible non-porous envelope which can be filled with air through a closable inlet which can be sealed to prevent escape of air and which also forms a mouth of the bag through which an article to be stored therein can be inserted, the envelope being provided with an air outlet for connection with an article to be inflated, which outlet includes a non- return valve.
8. A storage bag for use as a low pressure inflation device comprising a flexible non-porous envelope formed as inner and outer bags sealed together around their common mouths through which an article to be stored can be inserted into the inner bag, in which the envelope can be filled with air through a closable inlet which can be sealed to prevent escape of air, the envelope being provided with an air outlet for connection with an article to be inflated, which outlet includes a non-return valve.
9. A storage bag according to Claim 8, in which the common mouths of the bags are provided with a zip.
10. A storage bag according to Claim 8, in which the common mouths of the bags are provided with buttons.
11. A storage bag according to Claim 8, 9 or 10, in which the closable inlet is provided with a press-fit seal.
12. A storage bag according to Claim 8, 9 or 10, in which the closable inlet has a flexible protruding mouth which can be sealed by tying 7 P884 a length of cord around it.
13. A storage bag according to any of Claims 8 to 12, in which the air outlet comprises an elongate tube.
14. A storage bag according to Claim 13, in which connection means is provided for releasably connecting a free end of the outlet tube to the envelope such that the tube can be used as a carrying handle.
15. A storage bag according to any of Claims 8 to 14, in which the envelope has an outer cover of a porous woven material.
16. A low pressure inflation device substantially as described with reference to the drawing.
17. A storage bag for use as a low pressure inflation device substantially as described with reference to the drawing.