GB2583349A - Bloonbox - Google Patents

Abstract

A balloon inflator for inflating a balloon from a cartridge of compressed gas (B) comprises: a seal breaking means (F) for breaking a seal of the cartridge to release the compressed gas; an actuating means (M); and a gas outlet (J) in communication with the cartridge and the balloon, wherein the actuating means (M) is arranged to allow the seal breaking means (F) to pierce and break the seal such that the balloon inflates with compressed gas from the cartridge (B). The seal breaking mean may include a magnetic piercing member (G,F) held in a fixed position by a holding line (L), and a magnetic collar (E) in magnetic attraction with the piercing member (G,F). The actuation means (M) may be a heating element arranged to release the holding line (L). Once the holding line (L) is released the piercing member (G,F) is released to move under magnetic attraction to break the seal allowing gas from the cartridge (B) to inflate the balloon.

Description

OF THE INVENTION

The present invention li in the field of inflation devices for balloons Specifically, it lies in the field single use inflators for single balloons and related apparatus.

BACKGROUND TO THE ENTION

Inflation devices for balloons are known n art.Theyener pumps or compressed gas to inflate balloons, In the case of pumps, they are ains powered (although handheld operated pumps are known) and are adapted to have a balloon inserted onto the pump tip wherein the pump is 10 activated and the hailoon inflated and removed from the pump and secured to prevent the pumped gas, usually air, from escaping. Compressed gas inflators generally represent large cylinders of compressed gas, either air, cot or in many cases, helium. These cylinders have regulators attached to them and tips hien when activated, can inflate a balloon nt ich like a pump. One cylinder can inflate from 20 to up to hundreds of balloons. * ;What is lacking in the art, however, are devices that can inflate single balloons in situ where the balloon is to be enjoyed. This would include single use helium inflators which would inflate and float a single balloon which could be advantageous in the storage and selling of floating balloons for parties and other events. ;It is an object present invention to provide a single balloon device. ;SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION ;first aspect of the invention there provided a single balloon inflator for inflating a single balloon comprising: -a cartridge of compressed gas that has a impervious seal'to prevent tli compressed gas from egressing the cartridge; se breaking r Fans for breaking the seal in the compressed gas cartridge; he se breaking means to break seal in the compressed gas cartridge; an -gas outlet. ;Preferably the actuatingmeans n de manually actuated 1 autorraatio means. ;ill more preferably, the manual actuating means includes a drawstring when pulled that actuates the single balloon inflator. ;AfternativelY, the automatic actuating a. ludas electronic and agnetic actuating means. ;In a second aspect of the invention the ising a single balloon inflator of the Gist aspect of the invention costa:hits a handheld housing which further contains a balloon in air communication with gas outlet of the single balloon inflator. ;bly the handheld balloon inflator also incorporates a string connecting the balloon is the handheld housing so that when helium is employed, the inflated balloon floats out of the handheld housing limited by the length of the string. ;In a third aspect of the invention there is provided a balloon box incorporating a single balloon inflator of the first aspect of the invention together balloon and contained within a box such that when activated, the balloon inflates nd opens the box revealing the contents of the box. ;Preferabiy the balloon box contains a toy or gift. ;more preferably the balloon box contains a sound recording module for replaying recorded audio upon activation. ;BRIE DESCRI ON OF TffEDRAWINGS The present invention Is described by way of the g of the present specificatiort irk which; Fig 1 shows a first embodiment cf a singfe Moo that is electronically operated: Fig;2 shows a second embodiment of a single balloon inflator th manually operated by way of a puff string; 3 is a cutaway sectional view of the first embodiment;. ;g 4 is a close up view of the cutaway view Fig 5 is close up view of an aspect of the second, manuals r operated, y sectional view ctron' embodiment, with a side vent, Fig 7 is a perspective view of a balloon box comprising a bailee inflator 15 of the first embodiment of tne invention. ;Fig 8 is a perspective view of a balloon box comprising a balloon inflator of the first emballitient of the invention together with ails optional sound recording unit; Fig 9 is a perspective view of a balloon box comprising a balloon inflator mbodiment of the invention together with an air tube; Fig 10 is a perspective view of a balloon box comprising a balloon inflator of the first embodiment of the invention together with a balloon holder, Fig 11 is a perspective view of a balloon box comprising a balloon inflator of the first embodiment of the invention together with a toy; Fig 12 is a perspective view of a balloon box in its packaging; Fig 13 is a perspective view of an unopened balloon box out of its packaging; lly operated Fig 14 is a perspective of an unopened balloon box out of its: packaging, prior to activation and inflation, Fig 15 is a perspective view of a balloon box n a initial stages of infiatiori: Fig 16 p c view of a balloon box in a more advanced state of perspective view a balloon x in a corripleted inflated state; state g 18 is a perspective vi loon box in a completed inflated ype of balloon ( and toy: perspective view of a balloon box in a completed inflated state with different type of balloon (foil) and toy: Fig 20 is a perspective view of a balloon box in a completed inflated e with a still different type of balloon (foil) and toy; Hg 21 is a handheld balloon inflator incorporating a single balloon inflator of Fig 2 which is manually operated; Fig 22 is the handheld balloon inflator of Fig 22 a rherein thed has been pul ed and the helium balloon inflated and released. ;DETAILED DESCRIPTION ;There is a need for single balloon inflators in the mark at. The incorporation of such inflators with a balloon allows for a greatly expanded nge of uses and products that incorporate self--inflating single balloons including vending machines for such balloons. ;Shown in Figs 1 and 2 are embodiments of the first aspect of the invention which are single balloon inflators 10 and 20 respectively. These devices incorporate a compressed gas ca dodge that contain compressed -r, 002 or helium. These are commercially available and often used, in the 002 context, for inflating tyres. ;Single balloon inflator 1U is an electric lly operated b intiato ncorporated a battery or power source 12 for powering the actuatingmeans. ;Single balloon inflator 20 incorporates manual actuation means w' e. ;present embodiment is cord 22 which is pulled to actuate the inflator 20. Referring to Figs 3 and 4 there is depicted a cutaway view of embodiments single balloon inflator 10 which is electronically actuated. in these figures the following is depicted' A Rear Sealing Cap B -Miniature Gas Canister (Cartridge§ Example 16g CO2 car 25cg Helium C Outer Housing * -Housing Cylinder Locator Inserts E Collar Magnet Threaded Holder F -Hollow Piercing Soike/Needie 2Orrim is N52 Rare Earth Extra Powerful rtagnetHammer H Spike/Needle Holding Nut f -Tension Spring J -Top Gas Outflow Exhaust Tube K-Trigger Housing Filament Lin on Line) Under M w Wire iieat4r Element (HG 2 Electrical Operat N -Mono Line Hold Pin -Power Battery (Coin Cell) P -Electronics (FIG 2 Electrical Operation) Q 20rnm Dia N52 Rare Earth Extra Powerful Magnet Collar R -Electronic Trigger by Heating Wire and Melt and Break Mono Line In the embodiment shown in Figs 3 and 4 the gas cartridge B is hold in position within the body of the inflator 10 wherein the neck of the cartridge is held within a magnetic collar WE This collar assembly WE attracts magnetic hammer 0 which is held in place by a filament line L To actuate the inflator 10 30 the filament fine L must be cut which releases the magnetic hammer G and causes the pike F to pierce the cartridge B. This is done by heating element M which is heated by electronics P powered by battery O. Fig 5 shows the manually actuated inflator 20. Pull cord 22 is depicted as item S in the figure. Puffing the puilcord 22 results in the release of the netic hammer (as shown with respect to the previous embodiment) described above).

Depicter further embodiment of the electrically actuated but with a side vent I for the gas to escape., 7 to 11 are depictions of a balloon box 30 which incorporates a single balloon inflator 10 together with other components. in Fig 8 an optional recording module is shown which is adapted to replay an audio recording when activated Fig 9 shows the air tube which is connected to the gas outlet of the singe balloon inflator. fig 10 shows the integrated balloon older which is connected to the air tube and which contains a balloon in an uninflated state. Fig 11 shows the addition of a toy or gift within the box.

Figs 12 to 17 show a sequence of depictions of the balloon box fromits packaged state (Fig 12) to its fully inflated state (Fig 17), Addition& embodiments of the balloon are shown in Figs 18-20.

The balloon box 30 can be activated electronically by a vario s switching 20 options. This can be a micro switch/reed switch/pressure switch and may have a time delay. When used in the balloon box 30 the opening of the lid will release either a reed switch or a pull micro switch. Likely the coin cell battery and its terminal connections will constitute the switch. This will effectively have the pod unpowereci until lid opened to prevent time related voltage leak and maintain long shelf life. The optional voice/music module may also be triggered at same time. Other embodiments may involve the lid opening which switches on the music module which then starts a music or greeting countdown and after a set time the inflator 10 is triggered starting the inflation of the balloon. In still further embodiments the inflator 10 within a balloon box 30 or separately, may loo be optionally triggered' by remote control. When the inflator are ated via a keychain button or a srnartahone app the selection of balloon will autornatllcal without a user touching thorn.

Fig 21 depicts a handheld balloon inflator 40 that incorporates within its housing a single balloon inflator 20 (not shown) that incorporates a cord 22 h t, pulied, inflates a balloon 42 which is cAontained within the inflator 40. The balloon is connected to a string such that when a helium car ds the balloon floats and is held in place by a string connected to the held inflator 40. In practice, the balloon is filled with helium through 'one way valve that also release excess gas once fully inflated. The balloon has a pre tied ribbon string from attached to the base of the balloon and to the inside the held package cone. Once the balloon is inflated the user separates the balloon from the cone and the balloon automatically seats at the one way valve, Ter balloon then floats up on the ribbon string and is weighted down or held in 15 hand by the remaining cone shape package that still holds the used and empty Helium Sloan Pod. The cone once inverted sits steady on a flat. surface and the balloon can float above. Or the cone can be held in the hand and r;nein floating above the users head.

INDUSTRIAL APPLICABILITY

The present invention is useful in the fold gifts. party accessories and apparatus used at sporting and cultural events.

Claims (7)

1. CLAIMS1. A balloon inflator for inflating a single balloon from a cartridge of compressed gas comprising: a seal breaking means for breaking a seal of the cartridge to release the compressed gas; an actuating means; and a gas outlet in communication with the cartridge and the balloon, wherein the actuating means is arranged to allow the seal breaking means to break the seal such that the balloon inflates with compressed gas from the cartridge.
2. 2. A balloon inflator according to claim 1, wherein the sealing breaking means comprises: O a magnetic piercing member held in a fixed position by a holding line; and C\I 15 a magnetic collar, in magnetic attraction with the piercing member, for holding the cartridge at a neck of the cartridge in a position such that the seal of the cartridge faces the piercing member, wherein the actuation means is arranged to release the holding line such that the piercing member is released from its fixed position and pieces the seal.
3. 3. A balloon inflator according to claim 2, wherein the actuation means is a heating element arranged to release the holding line.
4. 4. A balloon inflator according to claim 2, wherein the actuation means is a pull cord that is arranged to release the holding line.
5. 5. A container comprising the balloon inflator according to any of claims 1 to 4, wherein the actuation means of the balloon inflator is arranged to be actuated by opening the container.
6. 6. A container according to claim 5, further comprising a recording module adapted to replay an audio recording when activated.
7. 7. A container according to claim 6, wherein the recording module is arranged to be activated by at least one of a micro switch; a reed switch; pressure switch; or a remote control.O cY) OO