GB2434996A - Balloon filling machine - Google Patents

Abstract

A balloon filling machine includes a container 1 and a detachable lid 2. The container includes a valve 3 in its side which allows air to pass from inside the container out. The lid 2 has a hole through the top which has a circular lip/rim. When a balloon is attached to the lip/rim and the lid 2 is attached to the container 1 the balloon can be inflated pushing air out through the valve 3. Because no air can pass back through the valve the balloon stays inflated. It is then possible to fill the balloon with material 9 using a funnel 8.

Description

<p>1 2434996 BALLOON FILLING MACHiNE The invention relates to balls and

toys made with balloons such as stress balls, juggling balls, water bombs, stress head characters. Typically balloons are filled with materials such as rice, or flour or water.</p>

<p>The difficulty in filling balloons lies in keeping the balloon inflated while it is being filled.</p>

<p>An object of the invention is to provide people with an easy way of fillmg balloons and making balls and toys.</p>

<p>Accordingly, this invention provides a wide necked container with a detachable lid. The container has a built in, one way, air valve allowing air to move out of the container and not in to the container. The lid has a hole in it with a lip/rim of the type a balloon opening can be attached to. The balloon is inflated using (for example a balloon pump). As the balloon is inflated inside the container it forces air from inside the container out through the valve. Because no air can pass back through the valve into the container the balloon stays inflated allowing it to be filled through its opening. When air is let back into the container the balloon deflates and shrinks around the filling.</p>

<p>The balloon can be deflated by opening the lid or more controllably by using a valve which when pressed allows air into the container.</p>

<p>Preferably the container is made from transparent plastic material but may be of any suitable material. The lid is a screw on/off or clip on/off A preferred embodiment of the invention will now be described with reference to the accompanying drawing in which: FIGURE 1. Shows a side view of the balloon filling machine.</p>

<p>FIGURE 2. Shows a bird's eye view of the lid.</p>

<p>FIGURE 3. Shows a side view of the lid and a balloon.</p>

<p>FIGURE 4. Shows a balloon threaded through the hole in the lid.</p>

<p>FIGURE 5. Shows the balloon stretched over the lip of the hole.</p>

<p>FIGURE 6. Is the lid attached to the container and a pump.</p>

<p>FIGURE 7. Shows the balloon being inflated.</p>

<p>FIGURE 8. Shows the balloon inflated and the pump removed.</p>

<p>FIGURE 9. Shows a funnel in the opening of the balloon.</p>

<p>FIGURE 10. Shows the lid detached and the balloon shrunken around the filling.</p>

<p>As shown in figure 1 the invention consists of a container I and a lid 2. The container has a valve 3 in its side which allows air to pass from inside the container out. The lid 2 has a hole through the top which has a circular lip 4.</p>

<p>Figure 2 shows a top view of the lid 2. When the lid is attached to the container the seal where they meet is air tight.</p>

<p>The following figures show a step by step example of the invention. Figure 3 is a side view of the lid 2 and a balloon 6. Figure 4 shows the balloon 6 threaded through the hole in the lid 2. And in figure 5 the balloon 6 is stretched and seamed over the lip 4.</p>

<p>In figure 6 the lid 2 is attached to the container 1, a pump 7 is then inserted into the hole.</p>

<p>Figure 7 shows the balloon 6 as it is inflated. As the balloon is inflated the air from inside the container is forced out through the valve 3.</p>

<p>Figure 8 shows that when the pump 7 is removed, the balloon 6 stays inflated.</p>

<p>Figure 9 shows a funnel 8 inserted in to the inflated balloon 6. It is now possible to fill the balloon by pouring a filling 9 into the funnel 8.</p>

<p>In figure 10 the lid 2 is disconnected from the container 1. The balloon 6 deflates and shrinks around the filling 9.</p>

Claims (1)

1. <p>CLAIMS</p>

   <p>1. A balloon filling machine or system comprising of a container, a valve and an air tight lid with an opening through which a balloon can be passed and seamed with its neck open.</p>

   <p>2. A machine as claimed in Claim I used to inflate and fill balloons or any rubber-like inflatable material.</p>

   <p>3. A machine as claimed in Claim I or Claim 2 with a screw on/off lid.</p>

   <p>4. A machine as claimed in Claim I or Claim 2 with a clip on/off lid.</p>

   <p>5. A machine as claimed in any preceding claim including a second valve which when pushed allows air into the container.</p>

   <p>6. A balloon filling machine as claimed in any proceeding claim which is made from metal, plastics material, wood or glass, or from a combination of these materials.</p>

   <p>7. A balloon filling machine substantially as herein described above and illustrated in the accompanying drawings.</p>