US20120114505A1 - Inflation device - Google Patents

Inflation device Download PDF

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Publication number
US20120114505A1
US20120114505A1 US13/292,862 US201113292862A US2012114505A1 US 20120114505 A1 US20120114505 A1 US 20120114505A1 US 201113292862 A US201113292862 A US 201113292862A US 2012114505 A1 US2012114505 A1 US 2012114505A1
Authority
US
United States
Prior art keywords
air
container
air channel
inlet
venturi tube
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
US13/292,862
Other languages
English (en)
Inventor
Bester Jacobus Pansegrouw
Detlev Ahlert
Shakoor MOOSA
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.)
Stopak Pty Ltd
Original Assignee
Stopak Pty 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 Stopak Pty Ltd filed Critical Stopak Pty Ltd
Assigned to STOPAK (PTY) LTD reassignment STOPAK (PTY) LTD ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNORS INTEREST (SEE DOCUMENT FOR DETAILS). Assignors: AHLERT, DETLEV, MOOSA, SHAKOOR, PANSEGROUW, BESTER JACOBUS
Publication of US20120114505A1 publication Critical patent/US20120114505A1/en
Abandoned legal-status Critical Current

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Classifications

    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B60—VEHICLES IN GENERAL
    • B60P—VEHICLES ADAPTED FOR LOAD TRANSPORTATION OR TO TRANSPORT, TO CARRY, OR TO COMPRISE SPECIAL LOADS OR OBJECTS
    • B60P7/00—Securing or covering of load on vehicles
    • B60P7/06—Securing of load
    • B60P7/065—Securing of load by pressurizing or creating a vacuum in a bag, cover or the like
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B65—CONVEYING; PACKING; STORING; HANDLING THIN OR FILAMENTARY MATERIAL
    • B65B—MACHINES, APPARATUS OR DEVICES FOR, OR METHODS OF, PACKAGING ARTICLES OR MATERIALS; UNPACKING
    • B65B55/00—Preserving, protecting or purifying packages or package contents in association with packaging
    • B65B55/20—Embedding contents in shock-absorbing media, e.g. plastic foam, granular material

Definitions

  • the present invention relates to an inflation device.
  • the invention relates to an inflation device for inflating containers with non-rigid-walls, such as dunnage bags.
  • dunnage bags are commonly used for cushioning loads shipped in trucks, trailers and containers transported by ships, trucks or rail. This is often the case when the cargo only partially fills the container and there exists the possibility of shifting during transport that could cause damage.
  • dunnage bags are constructed of one or more layers of paper or woven polypropylene surrounding a plastic lining. The paper protects the bags from tearing—thus more layers are used in applications where the risk of damage to the dunnage bag is greater.
  • a valve is attached by way of a hole cut in the bag during manufacture.
  • dunnage bags are shipped flat from the manufacturer, and are inflated by packing and loading personnel as the containers are loaded with cargo.
  • the bag is firstly placed in the space that it will occupy as cargo is loaded into a container, secondly the inflation device is attached to valve of the dunnage bag and subsequently the dunnage bag is filled with air until an appropriate air pressure within the bag is achieved. Typically this occurs within a few seconds.
  • Various types of inflation devices exist for inflating containers with non-rigid walls and air-filled bags, such as sacks and dunnage bags commonly used to cushion cargo loads.
  • Known inflation devices include tire inflation tools which have been converted or adapted and are attached to a hose leading from a source of compressed air.
  • Some inflation devices incorporate venturi tubes and are often known as venturi air-flow guns, which include a venturi tube, namely an air passage with a region of restricted diameter.
  • venturi air-flow guns which include a venturi tube, namely an air passage with a region of restricted diameter.
  • PCT/IB2009/050851 STOPAK (PTY) LTD et al discloses an inflation device for inflating containers with non-rigid walls such as bags, which includes a body having a venturi shaped air channel. First and second air inlets lead into the air channel, with an outlet being adapted to allow air to exit from the air channel for inflating a container when joined to the outlet. The second inlet is adapted to be closed by a self-closing valve if air does not flow through the air channel.
  • a sensor associated with the body is adapted to detect when a container, such as a bag, joined to the body has been filled to a predetermined degree and then causes the flow of air through the air channel to be interrupted automatically.
  • this inflation device is expensive and requires electricity and batteries to operate which often are not available at the sites where dunnage bags are inflated.
  • an inflation device for inflating containers with non-rigid walls such as bags includes
  • an inflation device for inflating containers with non-rigid walls includes
  • a method of inflating containers with non-rigid walls, such as bags includes the steps
  • the manually operable valve means may include a ball valve and/or a spring operated trigger valve and/or a shut-off valve.
  • the inflation device may also be used to deflate the containers, whereby the first self closing valve is removed and/or disabled and the venture tube is reversed.
  • the sensor means may be adapted to continuously indicate the pressure inside the container whilst the container is being inflated.
  • the inflation device may be a venturi-air flow apparatus or gun.
  • the venturi tube may include a supersonic nozzle.
  • the air exiting the outlet may have an absolute pressure of about 0 to 9 bar.
  • the compressed air entering the air channel may have a pressure of up to 9 bar absolute.
  • the supersonic nozzle may be a shock-free type.
  • the inflation device may be used as a high speed inflator operating at low pressure.
  • the operating pressure of the inflation device may be about 9 bar absolute.
  • the body may have a flange for securing the inflation valve to the container.
  • the container may be a dunnage bag, a sack and/or any other flexible container to be pressurized.
  • the body may include threads suitable for cooperating with complementary threads of a container's inlet.
  • the device may include a valve connector assembly attached to the outlet of the air channel, which is adapted to be releasably engaged to a valve.
  • the venturi tube may include a frusto-conical bore.
  • the first inlet may be adapted to receive an air hose for supplying compressed air.
  • FIG. 1 a perspective view of an inflation device in accordance with the invention.
  • FIG. 2 a section top view of the inflation device as seen from arrows II-II in FIG. 1 ;
  • FIG. 3 a second perspective view of the inflation device shown in FIG. 1 , whereby the inflation device is adapted to be a deflator;
  • FIG. 4 a sectional side view of the inflation device as seen from arrows IV-IV in FIG. 3 , whereby the inflation device is adapted to be a deflator;
  • FIG. 5 a perspective view of the air channel of the inflation device as shown in FIG. 1 ;
  • FIG. 6 a side view of the air channel of the inflation device as seen from arrow VI in FIG. 5 ;
  • FIG. 7 a sectional side view of the air channel of the inflation device as seen from arrows VII-VII in FIG. 5 .
  • an inflation device in accordance with the invention generally indicated by reference numeral 10 , is shown.
  • the inflation device 10 is intended for inflating containers with non-rigid walls such as bags.
  • the inflation device 10 includes
  • the body 12 furthermore has a handle 32 for suitably gripping and holding the inflation device 10 during filling of a bag.
  • the sensor means 30 is adapted to continuously indicate the pressure inside the container whilst the container is being inflated.
  • the inflation device 10 can also be used to deflate containers whereby the first self closing valve is removed and/or disabled and the venture tube is reversed as can be seen from FIGS. 3 and 4 .
  • the inflation device 10 is typically in the form of a venturi-air flow apparatus or gun.
  • the venturi tube 20 includes a supersonic nozzle 34 , which is of a shock-free type.
  • the air exiting the outlet 24 can have an absolute pressure of about 9 bar.
  • the compressed air entering the air inlet 22 can have a pressure of about 9 bar absolute.
  • the outlet 24 is adapted to be releasably engaged to an inlet valve of a container to be inflated.
  • the fitting 36 connected to the first inlet 22 is adapted to be coupled to an air hose. It is also provided with a second self closing valve (not shown). This second self closing valve is adapted to close off the first inlet 22 , e.g. when caused to do so by the operator.
  • the venturi tube 20 has a first self-closing valve 28 at the second inlet 26 adapted to assist in closing the inlet 26 to the venturi tube 20 .
  • the container to be inflated can be a dunnage bag, a sack and/or any other flexible container to be pressurized.
  • the container is generally provided with a valve having a flange for securing the outlet 24 to the container.
  • the valve is generally a one-way or semi-one way valve.
  • the inflation device 10 in accordance with the invention can be used as a high speed inflator operating at low pressure for inflating containers having non-rigid walls.
  • the operating pressure of the inflation device 10 typically is about 9 bar absolute.
  • the air channel 14 may also be provided with a pressure relief valve.
  • the inflation device 10 in accordance with the invention thus provides a method of inflating containers with non-rigid walls, which includes the steps

Landscapes

  • Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
  • Transportation (AREA)
  • Mechanical Engineering (AREA)
  • Supplying Of Containers To The Packaging Station (AREA)
  • Pipe Accessories (AREA)
US13/292,862 2009-05-12 2011-11-09 Inflation device Abandoned US20120114505A1 (en)

Applications Claiming Priority (3)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
ZA2009/03257 2009-05-12
ZA200903257 2009-05-12
PCT/IB2010/051762 WO2010131137A1 (en) 2009-05-12 2010-04-22 Inflation device

Related Parent Applications (1)

Application Number Title Priority Date Filing Date
PCT/IB2010/051762 Continuation WO2010131137A1 (en) 2009-05-12 2010-04-22 Inflation device

Publications (1)

Publication Number Publication Date
US20120114505A1 true US20120114505A1 (en) 2012-05-10

Family

ID=43084672

Family Applications (1)

Application Number Title Priority Date Filing Date
US13/292,862 Abandoned US20120114505A1 (en) 2009-05-12 2011-11-09 Inflation device

Country Status (6)

Country Link
US (1) US20120114505A1 (de)
EP (1) EP2429906A4 (de)
AU (1) AU2010247030A1 (de)
CA (1) CA2761693A1 (de)
WO (1) WO2010131137A1 (de)
ZA (1) ZA201108194B (de)

Cited By (10)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
WO2015159211A1 (en) * 2014-04-14 2015-10-22 Stopak (Pty) Ltd Inflator arrangement
US20160346987A1 (en) * 2015-05-27 2016-12-01 Plastic Omnium Advanced Innovation And Research Method for manufacturing a hollow body, in particular a fuel tank
USD863016S1 (en) * 2017-09-19 2019-10-15 Campbell Hausfeld, Llc Inflation gun
US10562436B2 (en) 2013-07-30 2020-02-18 Signode Industrial Group Llc Portable dunnage bag inflator
WO2020053876A1 (en) * 2018-09-12 2020-03-19 Stopak India Pvt. Ltd. Inflator with automatic shut-off functionality
USD904461S1 (en) 2018-09-21 2020-12-08 Stopak India Pvt. Ltd. Inflator
USD928841S1 (en) 2019-04-10 2021-08-24 Signode Industrial Group Llc Inflator
USD943636S1 (en) 2020-05-26 2022-02-15 Signode Industrial Group Llc Inflator
WO2022042256A1 (zh) * 2020-08-25 2022-03-03 东辉休闲运动用品(上海)有限公司 一种充气系统、按摩水池空气供应系统及充气方法
US11401069B1 (en) * 2016-06-28 2022-08-02 Amazon Technologies, Inc. Gas injected auto-dunnage formation within a filled and sealed container

Citations (12)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US3064878A (en) * 1958-01-03 1962-11-20 Nash Engineering Co Method and apparatus for high performance evacuation system
US3551073A (en) * 1968-12-16 1970-12-29 Chandler Evans Inc Pumping system with improved jet inducer
US4595344A (en) * 1982-09-30 1986-06-17 Briley Patrick B Ejector and method of controlling same
US4792284A (en) * 1985-09-21 1988-12-20 Straub Paul W Device for creating and exploiting a pressure difference and the technical application thereof
US20030213518A1 (en) * 2002-05-20 2003-11-20 Illinois Tool Works Inc. Air bag inflation/ deflation system
US20050178436A1 (en) * 2004-02-17 2005-08-18 Detlev Ahlert Inflation valve
US7066442B2 (en) * 2004-11-23 2006-06-27 Rose Machine & Tool, Llc Valve
US20070095937A1 (en) * 2004-05-31 2007-05-03 Shuowei Chuang Method and System For Generating Microbubble-Contained Liquid and Microbubble Generator To Be Assembled in the System
WO2008099237A1 (en) * 2007-02-16 2008-08-21 Stopak (Pty) Ltd Inflation device
US20100043914A1 (en) * 2007-03-13 2010-02-25 Stopak (Pty) Ltd. Inflation valve
US7770612B1 (en) * 2009-09-04 2010-08-10 Jimmy Earle Brown Pressure-actuated air gun
US7913724B2 (en) * 2008-03-04 2011-03-29 Stopak (Pty) Ltd. Inflation device

Family Cites Families (6)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US2859908A (en) * 1955-05-10 1958-11-11 Specialties Dev Corp Aspirating device
GB878698A (en) * 1959-03-18 1961-10-04 Kidde Walter Co Ltd Improvements in or relating to inflation devices
US3591314A (en) * 1969-02-28 1971-07-06 Ind Covers Inc Aspirator apparatus for bag-inflation system
US5180456A (en) * 1991-11-15 1993-01-19 Eaton Corporation Adaptive inflation control for vehicle central tire inflation system
US5579999A (en) * 1993-07-19 1996-12-03 The United States Of America As Represented By The United States National Aeronautics And Space Administration Shock-free supersonic elliptic nozzles and method of forming same
US6253919B1 (en) * 1998-04-13 2001-07-03 Sealed Air Corporation Inflatable packing material

Patent Citations (13)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US3064878A (en) * 1958-01-03 1962-11-20 Nash Engineering Co Method and apparatus for high performance evacuation system
US3551073A (en) * 1968-12-16 1970-12-29 Chandler Evans Inc Pumping system with improved jet inducer
US4595344A (en) * 1982-09-30 1986-06-17 Briley Patrick B Ejector and method of controlling same
US4792284A (en) * 1985-09-21 1988-12-20 Straub Paul W Device for creating and exploiting a pressure difference and the technical application thereof
US7610929B2 (en) * 2002-05-20 2009-11-03 Illinois Tool Works Inc. Air bag inflation/ deflation system
US20030213518A1 (en) * 2002-05-20 2003-11-20 Illinois Tool Works Inc. Air bag inflation/ deflation system
US20050178436A1 (en) * 2004-02-17 2005-08-18 Detlev Ahlert Inflation valve
US20070095937A1 (en) * 2004-05-31 2007-05-03 Shuowei Chuang Method and System For Generating Microbubble-Contained Liquid and Microbubble Generator To Be Assembled in the System
US7066442B2 (en) * 2004-11-23 2006-06-27 Rose Machine & Tool, Llc Valve
WO2008099237A1 (en) * 2007-02-16 2008-08-21 Stopak (Pty) Ltd Inflation device
US20100043914A1 (en) * 2007-03-13 2010-02-25 Stopak (Pty) Ltd. Inflation valve
US7913724B2 (en) * 2008-03-04 2011-03-29 Stopak (Pty) Ltd. Inflation device
US7770612B1 (en) * 2009-09-04 2010-08-10 Jimmy Earle Brown Pressure-actuated air gun

Cited By (15)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US10562436B2 (en) 2013-07-30 2020-02-18 Signode Industrial Group Llc Portable dunnage bag inflator
WO2015159211A1 (en) * 2014-04-14 2015-10-22 Stopak (Pty) Ltd Inflator arrangement
US20160346987A1 (en) * 2015-05-27 2016-12-01 Plastic Omnium Advanced Innovation And Research Method for manufacturing a hollow body, in particular a fuel tank
US10189201B2 (en) * 2015-05-27 2019-01-29 Plastic Omnium Advanced Innovation And Research Method for manufacturing a hollow body, in particular a fuel tank
US11401069B1 (en) * 2016-06-28 2022-08-02 Amazon Technologies, Inc. Gas injected auto-dunnage formation within a filled and sealed container
USD889230S1 (en) * 2017-09-19 2020-07-07 Campbell Hausfeld, Llc Inflation gun
USD863016S1 (en) * 2017-09-19 2019-10-15 Campbell Hausfeld, Llc Inflation gun
WO2020053876A1 (en) * 2018-09-12 2020-03-19 Stopak India Pvt. Ltd. Inflator with automatic shut-off functionality
US11392150B2 (en) 2018-09-12 2022-07-19 Stopak India Pvt. Ltd. Inflator with automatic shut-off functionality
USD904461S1 (en) 2018-09-21 2020-12-08 Stopak India Pvt. Ltd. Inflator
USD915468S1 (en) 2018-09-21 2021-04-06 Stopak India Pvt. Ltd. Inflator
USD928841S1 (en) 2019-04-10 2021-08-24 Signode Industrial Group Llc Inflator
USD943636S1 (en) 2020-05-26 2022-02-15 Signode Industrial Group Llc Inflator
USD979608S1 (en) 2020-05-26 2023-02-28 Signode Industrial Group Llc Inflator
WO2022042256A1 (zh) * 2020-08-25 2022-03-03 东辉休闲运动用品(上海)有限公司 一种充气系统、按摩水池空气供应系统及充气方法

Also Published As

Publication number Publication date
AU2010247030A1 (en) 2011-12-08
ZA201108194B (en) 2012-09-26
EP2429906A4 (de) 2017-11-22
CA2761693A1 (en) 2010-11-18
WO2010131137A1 (en) 2010-11-18
EP2429906A1 (de) 2012-03-21

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Legal Events

Date Code Title Description
AS Assignment

Owner name: STOPAK (PTY) LTD, SOUTH AFRICA

Free format text: ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNORS INTEREST;ASSIGNORS:PANSEGROUW, BESTER JACOBUS;AHLERT, DETLEV;MOOSA, SHAKOOR;REEL/FRAME:027586/0415

Effective date: 20120119

STCB Information on status: application discontinuation

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