US20160368410A1 - Portable dunnage bag inflator - Google Patents
Portable dunnage bag inflator Download PDFInfo
- Publication number
- US20160368410A1 US20160368410A1 US15/253,111 US201615253111A US2016368410A1 US 20160368410 A1 US20160368410 A1 US 20160368410A1 US 201615253111 A US201615253111 A US 201615253111A US 2016368410 A1 US2016368410 A1 US 2016368410A1
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- US
- United States
- Prior art keywords
- dunnage bag
- air
- bag inflator
- housing
- portable
- 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
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- 239000003570 air Substances 0.000 description 105
- 230000005611 electricity Effects 0.000 description 5
- 238000012423 maintenance Methods 0.000 description 4
- 238000004519 manufacturing process Methods 0.000 description 4
- 238000000034 method Methods 0.000 description 4
- 230000008901 benefit Effects 0.000 description 3
- 239000002184 metal Substances 0.000 description 3
- 239000012080 ambient air Substances 0.000 description 2
- 239000000463 material Substances 0.000 description 2
- 238000013021 overheating Methods 0.000 description 2
- 239000011800 void material Substances 0.000 description 2
- 238000012986 modification Methods 0.000 description 1
- 230000004048 modification Effects 0.000 description 1
Images
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
-
- F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
- F04—POSITIVE - DISPLACEMENT MACHINES FOR LIQUIDS; PUMPS FOR LIQUIDS OR ELASTIC FLUIDS
- F04D—NON-POSITIVE-DISPLACEMENT PUMPS
- F04D17/00—Radial-flow pumps, e.g. centrifugal pumps; Helico-centrifugal pumps
- F04D17/08—Centrifugal pumps
- F04D17/16—Centrifugal pumps for displacing without appreciable compression
-
- F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
- F04—POSITIVE - DISPLACEMENT MACHINES FOR LIQUIDS; PUMPS FOR LIQUIDS OR ELASTIC FLUIDS
- F04D—NON-POSITIVE-DISPLACEMENT PUMPS
- F04D25/00—Pumping installations or systems
- F04D25/02—Units comprising pumps and their driving means
- F04D25/06—Units comprising pumps and their driving means the pump being electrically driven
-
- F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
- F04—POSITIVE - DISPLACEMENT MACHINES FOR LIQUIDS; PUMPS FOR LIQUIDS OR ELASTIC FLUIDS
- F04D—NON-POSITIVE-DISPLACEMENT PUMPS
- F04D25/00—Pumping installations or systems
- F04D25/02—Units comprising pumps and their driving means
- F04D25/06—Units comprising pumps and their driving means the pump being electrically driven
- F04D25/0673—Battery powered
-
- F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
- F04—POSITIVE - DISPLACEMENT MACHINES FOR LIQUIDS; PUMPS FOR LIQUIDS OR ELASTIC FLUIDS
- F04D—NON-POSITIVE-DISPLACEMENT PUMPS
- F04D25/00—Pumping installations or systems
- F04D25/02—Units comprising pumps and their driving means
- F04D25/08—Units comprising pumps and their driving means the working fluid being air, e.g. for ventilation
-
- F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
- F04—POSITIVE - DISPLACEMENT MACHINES FOR LIQUIDS; PUMPS FOR LIQUIDS OR ELASTIC FLUIDS
- F04D—NON-POSITIVE-DISPLACEMENT PUMPS
- F04D27/00—Control, e.g. regulation, of pumps, pumping installations or pumping systems specially adapted for elastic fluids
- F04D27/008—Stop safety or alarm devices, e.g. stop-and-go control; Disposition of check-valves
-
- F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
- F04—POSITIVE - DISPLACEMENT MACHINES FOR LIQUIDS; PUMPS FOR LIQUIDS OR ELASTIC FLUIDS
- F04D—NON-POSITIVE-DISPLACEMENT PUMPS
- F04D29/00—Details, component parts, or accessories
- F04D29/60—Mounting; Assembling; Disassembling
- F04D29/601—Mounting; Assembling; Disassembling specially adapted for elastic fluid pumps
-
- Y—GENERAL TAGGING OF NEW TECHNOLOGICAL DEVELOPMENTS; GENERAL TAGGING OF CROSS-SECTIONAL TECHNOLOGIES SPANNING OVER SEVERAL SECTIONS OF THE IPC; TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER USPC CROSS-REFERENCE ART COLLECTIONS [XRACs] AND DIGESTS
- Y10—TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER USPC
- Y10T—TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER US CLASSIFICATION
- Y10T137/00—Fluid handling
- Y10T137/6851—With casing, support, protector or static constructional installations
- Y10T137/6855—Vehicle
- Y10T137/6914—Vehicle supports fluid compressor and compressed fluid storage tank
Landscapes
- Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
- Mechanical Engineering (AREA)
- General Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
- Transportation (AREA)
- Buffer Packaging (AREA)
Abstract
Description
- This application is a continuation of, and claims priority to and the benefit of, U.S. patent application Ser. No. 14/326,132, which was filed on Jul. 8, 2014, which claims priority to and the benefit of U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 61/860,042, which was filed on Jul. 30, 2013, and is now expired, the entire contents of each of which are incorporated herein by reference.
- Inflatable dunnage bags are commonly used to stabilize cargo during transportation of cargo containers (such as railroad cars and semi-trailers), which improves safety and reduces the likelihood of damage to the cargo. Generally, after some or all of the cargo is loaded into a cargo container, one or more dunnage bags are positioned in any voids or spaces between the cargo and/or between the cargo and the walls of the cargo container. The dunnage bags are inflated to a designated operating pressure using a pneumatic source, in most known implementations in the load securement industry, a pneumatic compressor is employed as the pneumatic source. This pneumatic compressor is typically a large-scale, stationary pneumatic compressor centrally located in the warehouse or factory from which the cargo is being transported.
- The dunnage bags may be inflated and positioned in the voids or spaces either after all of the cargo has been loaded into the cargo container or intermittently during loading, such as after each piece of cargo is loaded. In the latter instances, the user loads some of the cargo into the cargo container using a cargo mover (such as a forklift truck or a pallet jack), inflates one or more dunnage bags, positions the dunnage bags in any voids or spaces surrounding that cargo, and repeats the process for additional cargo until all of the cargo is loaded and all of the dunnage bags are inflated and positioned.
- One way in which users may inflate the dunnage bags is by inflating the dunnage bags within the cargo container itself (i.e., at point-of-use) using the stationary pneumatic compressor. In these cases, the user locates a compressed air hose connected to the stationary pneumatic compressor and brings the compressed air hose into the cargo container. The user then inflates the dunnage bags using the compressed air hose (and an appropriate inflator tool) and positions the inflated dunnage bags in the void(s) or space(s).
- Various problems arise in these instances. Because the compressed air hose is typically stored at the stationary pneumatic compressor, it is time consuming for the user to travel to retrieve the compressed air hose whenever the user desires to inflate a dunnage bag. Since the compressed air hose has a finite length, in some instances the compressed air hose may be too short to reach the cargo container and, therefore, the stationary pneumatic compressor is not able to deliver the compressed air at the point-of-use to inflate the dunnage bag(s). In other words, in these instances, there is no way to route the compressed air from the stationary pneumatic compressor to the dunnage bag(s) to inflate the dunnage bag(s) and, therefore, more time-consuming, less environmentally friendly, and more expensive solutions must be employed (such as alternatives to dunnage bags or the alternative inflation process described below).
- Additionally, the long compressed air hose itself can be problematic as it is likely to snag, rip, or cause a tripping hazard within the warehouse or factory. Further, since the stationary pneumatic compressor by definition employs compressed air to fill the dunnage bag(s), one must pay for the energy to manufacture the compressed air, pay to store and maintain the compressed air, pay for floor space to store the pneumatic compressor itself, and pay for any required maintenance when the pneumatic compressor breaks down. Additionally, in instances in which the user desires to inflate and position dunnage bags intermittently during loading of the cargo, the user must repeatedly bring the compressed air hose back and forth into and out of the cargo container to ensure that the compressed air hose does not interfere with the loading of the cargo, which adds substantial time to the cargo loading process.
- Another (less frequently used) way in which users may inflate the dunnage bags is by inflating the dunnage bags at the stationary pneumatic compressor itself In these instances, after loading some or all of the cargo into the cargo container, the user brings deflated dunnage bags to the stationary pneumatic compressor. The user inflates the dunnage bags to the designated operating pressure using the stationary pneumatic compressor. The user then brings the inflated dunnage bags back to the cargo container and positions the inflated dunnage bags in the void(s) or space(s).
- Various problems arise in these instances as well. Since the stationary pneumatic compressor is typically located relatively far from the cargo loading zone, it is time consuming for the user to travel back and forth to the stationary pneumatic compressor whenever the user desires to inflate a dunnage bag. Additionally, the fact that the user is not near the cargo container when the user is inflating the dunnage bags makes it difficult for the user to inflate the dunnage bags to the correct size, and requires the user to deflate and re-inflate incorrectly filled dunnage bags. Further, as noted above, since the stationary pneumatic compressor by definition employs compressed air to fill the dunnage bag(s), one must pay for the energy to manufacture the compressed air, pay to store and maintain, the compressed air, pay for floor space to store the pneumatic compressor itself, and pay for any required maintenance when the pneumatic compressor breaks down. Additionally, in instances in which the user desires to inflate and position dunnage bags intermittently during loading of the cargo, the user must repeatedly bring the dunnage bags back and forth to the stationary pneumatic compressor to inflate them, which adds substantial time to the cargo loading process.
- Accordingly, there is a need fir a new and improved apparatus for inflating dunnage bags that solves these problems.
- Various embodiments of the present disclosure provide a portable dunnage bag inflator that provides a compact, pressurized source of air and that is easily mounted onto a movable cargo mover (such as a forklift truck or a pallet jack). Generally, the portable dunnage bag inflator includes an impellor-driven blower that, in operation, draws air at atmospheric pressure through an air intake grid or air inlet into the impellor and expels the air through an inflation hose. Since the portable dunnage bag inflator includes an impellor-driven blower, the pressure of the expelled air is higher than atmospheric pressure. This enables dunnage bags to be inflated to the desired specifications at point-of-use (e.g., during or after loading of cargo into a cargo container) and eliminates the need for a compressed air supply.
- In one embodiment, the portable dunnage bag inflator of the present disclosure includes: (a) a pressurized air generator defining one or more air inlet openings and an air outlet, the pressurized air generator configured to draw air at a first pressure through the one or more air inlet openings into the pressurized air generator and expel the air at a second higher pressure through the air outlet; (b) a cargo mover mounting bracket attached to the pressurized air generator and configured to attach to a frame of a cargo mover; and (c) an inflation hose assembly fluidly connected to the air outlet of the pressurized air generator.
- In another embodiment, the portable dunnage bag inflator of the present disclosure includes: (a) a pressurized air generator including; (i) a housing defining one or more air inlet openings therethrough and an air outlet therethrough, (ii) an impellor mounted within the housing, and (iii) a motor mounted within the housing and connected to the impellor such that the motor is configured to drive the impellor such that the impellor draws air at a first pressure through the one or more air inlet openings into the impellor and expels the air at the second higher pressure through the air outlet; (b) a cargo mover mounting bracket attached to the housing of the pressurized air generator and configured to attach to a frame of a cargo mover; and (c) an inflation hose assembly fluidly connected to the air outlet of the pressurized air generator.
- In another embodiment, the portable dunnage bag inflator of the present disclosure includes: (a) a pressurized air generator including: (i) a housing including: (A) housing base including a plurality of walls, one of which defines one or more air inlet openings therethrough and one of which defines an air outlet therethrough; and (B) a cover attached to the housing base; (ii) an impellor mounted within the housing; and (iii) an electric motor mounted within the housing, electrically connectible to a power source of a cargo mover, and connected to the impellor such that the electric motor is configured to drive the impellor such that the impellor draws air at substantially atmospheric pressure through the one or more air inlet openings into the impellor and expels the air at the second higher pressure through the air outlet; (b) a cargo mover mounting bracket attached to the housing of the pressurized air generator and configured to attach to a frame of the cargo mover; and (c) an inflation hose assembly fluidly connected to the air outlet of the pressurized air generator, the inflation hose assembly including: (i) an inflation hose, (ii) a hose connector on one end of the inflation hose and configured to connect the inflation hose to the pressurized air generator, and (iii) an inflator head on an opposite end of the inflation hose and configured to attach to a dunnage bag.
- The portable dunnage bag inflator of the present disclosure solves the above-described problems. More specifically, since the portable dunnage bag inflator of the present disclosure is mobile due to its attachment to the cargo mover, a user may inflate the dunnage bags immediately after loading cargo into a cargo container. In instances in which a compressed air hose is typically brought to the cargo container to inflate dunnage bags, the portable dunnage bag inflator of the present disclosure eliminates the wasted time required to locate the compressed air hose, bring the compressed air hose to the cargo container, and return the compressed air hose to the proper location. The portable dunnage bag inflator of the present disclosure also eliminates the potential safety hazard caused by the compressed air hose laying around the floor of the warehouse or factory.
- Further, the portable dunnage bag inflator of the present disclosure eliminates the possibility that the compressed air hose may not be long enough to reach the cargo container. Additionally, since the portable dunnage bag inflator of the present disclosure is its own source of pressurized air, the portable dunnage bag inflator reduces or eliminates the need to manufacture compressed air, store and maintain compressed air, find floor space to store the pneumatic compressor itself, and perform maintenance when the pneumatic compressor breaks down. Further, since the portable dunnage bag inflator of the present disclosure is mounted to the cargo mover, in cases in which the user intermittently inflates and positions dunnage bags during loading, the portable dunnage bag inflator of the present disclosure eliminates the time wasted bringing the compressed air hose back and forth into and out of the cargo container.
- In instances in which deflated dunnage bags are typically brought to the stationary pneumatic compressor for inflation, the portable dunnage bag inflator of the present disclosure eliminates the wasted time required to transport the deflated and inflated dunnage bags to and from the stationary pneumatic compressor. Additionally, the portable dunnage bag inflator of the present disclosure reduces the likelihood that the user will under:inflate or overinflate the dunnage bags because the user is inflating the dunnage bags near or inside the cargo container and may easily view the voids or spaces into which the dunnage bags will be positioned. Further, since the portable dunnage bag inflator of the present disclosure is its own source of pressurized air, the portable dunnage bag inflator reduces or eliminates the need to manufacture compressed air, store and maintain compressed air, find floor space to store the pneumatic compressor itself, and perform maintenance when the pneumatic compressor breaks down. Additionally, since the portable dunnage bag inflator of the present disclosure is mounted to the cargo mover, in cases in which the user intermittently inflates and positions dunnage bags during loading, the portable dunnage bag inflator of the present disclosure eliminates the time wasted bringing the dunnage bags back and forth to the stationary pneumatic compressor for inflation.
- Additional features and advantages of the present disclosure are described in, and will be apparent from, the following Detailed Description and the Figures.
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FIG. 1 is a top isometric view of one embodiment of the portable dunnage bag inflator of the present disclosure. -
FIG. 2 is a front view of the portable dunnage bag inflator ofFIG. 1 . -
FIG. 3 is a top isometric view of the portable dunnage bag inflator ofFIG. 1 with the cover and a portion of the impeller housing of the portable dunnage bag inflator removed. -
FIG. 4 is a right side cross-sectional view of the portable dunnage bag inflator ofFIG. 1 taken substantially along Line IV-IV ofFIG. 1 . -
FIG. 5 is a top view of the portable dunnage bag inflator ofFIG. 1 . -
FIG. 6 is a left side view of the portable dunnage bag inflator ofFIG. 1 . - Various embodiments of the present disclosure provide a portable dunnage bag inflator that provides a compact, pressurized source of air and that is easily mounted onto a movable cargo mover (such as a forklift truck or a pallet jack). Generally, the portable dunnage bag inflator includes an impellor-driven blower that, in operation, draws air at atmospheric pressure through an air intake grid or air inlet into the impellor and expels the air through an inflation hose. Since the portable dunnage bag inflator includes an impellor-driven blower, the pressure of the expelled air is higher than atmospheric pressure. This enables dunnage bags to be inflated to the desired specifications at point-of-use (e.g., during or after loading of cargo into a cargo container) and eliminates the need for a compressed air supply.
- Referring now to the drawings,
FIGS. 1 to 6 illustrate one embodiment of the portable dunnage bag inflator of the present disclosure, which is generally indicated bynumeral 10. In this embodiment, the portabledunnage bag inflator 10 includes: (a) a pressurizedair generator 100, (b) a cargomover mounting bracket 200 attached to the pressurizedair generator 100 and configured to attach the portabledunnage bag inflator 10 to aframe 400 of a cargo mover (shown inFIGS. 4 and 6 ); and (c) a removableinflation hose assembly 300 fluidly connected to and configured to receive pressurized air expelled from the pressurizedair generator 100. - In this embodiment, the pressurized
air generator 100 includes: (a) a generally cubical housing including: (i) ahousing base 110 having fourside walls bottom 110 e; and (ii) a U-shapedcover 120 having acover base 120 a attached to a top of thehousing base 110 to enclose components mounted within thehousing base 110 and twoopposing side walls cover base 120 a; (b) anelectric motor 130 mounted within the housing and operable via a power source of the cargo mover (not shown); (c) animpeller housing 140 mounted within the housing; (d) animpeller 150 mounted within theimpeller housing 140 and connected to theelectric motor 130 such that theelectric motor 130 may drive theimpellor 150; (e) a sealedelectrical cord 160 that includes an open end connection at one end (not shown) and that is electrically connected to (and used to supply power to) theelectric motor 130 at the opposite end; (f) apower switch 170 mounted to the housing and configured to turn theelectric motor 130 on or off; and (g) an inflator head securer 180 (such as a retaining clip) mounted to the housing and configured to secure aninflator head 320 of the inflation hose assembly (described below). - In this embodiment, the housing defines a plurality of openings (such as slots) therethrough, which collectively form an air intake grid or
air inlet 190 through which theimpellor 150 may draw ambient air. In this illustrated embodiment, the plurality of openings forming theair intake grid 190 are defined through one of the side wails 110 d of thehousing base 110, though it should be appreciated that the openings may be defined through any suitable portion of the housing (such as any suitable side wall or side walls of the housing base, the bottom of the housing base, and/or the cover base of the cover). - Additionally, in this embodiment, the housing defines a
circular air outlet 195 therethrough through which the impellor expels pressurized air. In this illustrated embodiment, theair outlet 195 is defined through one of theside walls 110 d of thehousing base 110, though it should be appreciated that the air outlet may be defined through any suitable portion of the housing (such as any suitable side wall of the housing base, the bottom of the housing base, or the cover base of the cover). - Further, in this embodiment, the housing is approximately 6 inches (15.25 centimeters)×6 inches×6 inches, though it should be appreciated that the housing may be any suitable size in other embodiments. In other embodiments, the housing takes any suitable shape (such as a cylindrical shape) other than the generally cubical shape.
- In this embodiment, the inflator head securer 180 is mounted to the
side wall 120 c of thecover 120 of the housing, though it should be appreciated that the inflator head securer may be mounted to any suitable portion of the housing (such as the housing base or the other side wall of the cover). - In this embodiment, the cargo
mover mounting bracket 200 is attached to theside wall 120 b of thecover 120 of the housing, though it should be appreciated that the cargomover mounting bracket 200 may be attached to any suitable portion of the housing (such as the housing base or the other side wall of the cover). - In this embodiment, the
power switch 170 is mounted to one of theside walls 110 d of thehousing base 110 of the housing, though it should be appreciated that the power switch may be mounted to any suitable portion of the housing (such as any suitable side wall of the housing base, the bottom of the housing base, or the cover). In another embodiment, the power switch is mounted to the inflation hose assembly. - In this embodiment, the
inflation hose assembly 300 includes: (a) a flexible andexpandable inflation hose 325, (b) ahose connector 330 on one end of theinflation hose 325 and configured to removably connect theinflation hose 325 to thehousing base 110 such that theair outlet 195 through thehousing base 110 is fluidly connected to theinflation hose 325, and (iii) an inflator head 320 (which is threaded in one embodiment) on the opposite end of theinflation hose 325 and configured to attach to a dunnage bag. In this embodiment, as noted above, theinflation hose assembly 300 is fluidly connected to thepressurized air generator 100 via a connection between thehose connector 330 and thehousing base 110 proximate theair outlet 195. It should be appreciated, however, that the inflation hose assembly may be fluidly connected to the pressurized air generator in any other suitable manner. - In this embodiment, the inflation hose is expandable to approximately 15 feet in length (4.572 meters), though in other embodiments the inflation hose is expandable to approximately 10 feet in length (3.048 meters), approximately 20 feet in length (6.096 meters), or any other suitable length. In certain embodiments, the inflation hose assembly and the housing are configured such that the user may replace an inflation hose of one length with an inflation hose of another length as dictated by the particular situation in which the portable dunnage bag inflator is used.
- It should be appreciated that the configuration and/or the size of the cargo mover mounting bracket may differ from the illustrated embodiment based on the type and/or size of cargo mover to which the portable dunnage bag inflator is to be mounted. In certain embodiments, the cargo mover mounting bracket is removable such that the user may replace the cargo mover mounting bracket with one that is compatible with the cargo mover to which the user desires to attach the portable dunnage bag inflator.
- To prepare the portable
dunnage bag inflator 10 for use, the portabledunnage bag inflator 10 is mounted to theframe 400 of the cargo mover using the cargomover mounting bracket 200 and one or more suitable fasteners such as bolts (as shown) or screws. The open end (not shown) of theelectrical cord 160 of the portabledunnage bag inflator 10 is wired into the cargo mover such that theelectrical motor 130 of the portabledunnage bag inflator 10 may draw electricity from the power source of the cargo mover. In certain instances, the power source of the cargo mover is a 12 volt battery, though it should be appreciated that the portable dunnage bag inflator may be employed with a cargo mover having any suitable power source. - Once mounted to the cargo mover and connected to the power source of the cargo mover, the portable
dunnage bag inflator 10 may be used to inflate a dunnage bag. In operation, a user removes theinflator head 320 from the inflator head securer 180 (if necessary) and unwraps theinflation hose 325 from the cover 120 (if necessary). The user manipulates thepower switch 170 into the “ON” position. This causes theelectrical motor 130 to spin theimpellor 150. This, in turn: (a) causes ambient air at atmospheric pressure to be drawn into theimpellor 150 through theair intake grid 190; (b) causes the air to travel around theimpellor 150 and out of theimpellor 150 through theair outlet 195; (c) causes the air to travel from theair outlet 195 through theinflation hose 325; and (d) causes the air to be expelled from theinflation hose 325. The user then connects theinflator head 320 of theinflation hose assembly 300 to the dunnage bag. Once attached, the air travels into the dunnage bag through theinflator head 320, thus inflating the dunnage bag. When the dunnage bag is inflated to the desired pressure, the user removes theinflator head 320 from the dunnage bag and manipulates thepower switch 170 into the “OFF” position. The user may then, if desired, wrap theinflation hose 325 around thecover 120 and insert theinflator head 320 into theinflator head securer 180. - Since the portable dunnage bag inflator is an impellor-driven blower, the pressure of the air expelled through the inflator head into the dunnage bag is higher than atmospheric pressure. In certain embodiments, the pressure of the expelled air is 1.3 to 1.5 pounds per square inch gage pressure.
- In one embodiment, the flow rate of air through the portable dunnage bag inflator is approximately 20 cubic feet per minute (approximately 0.566 cubic meters per minute), though it should be appreciated that the portable dunnage bag inflator may be configured to operate at any suitable air flow rate (such as by varying the sizes of one or more of the components or the speed at which the impellor rotates).
- In other embodiments, the portable dunnage bag inflator includes its own power source, such as a rechargeable battery or a replaceable battery, to power the electrical motor. In one such embodiment, the portable dunnage bag inflator may still draw electricity from the power source of the forklift truck via the electrical cord as a back-up when its own power source is drained.
- In certain embodiments, the housing (and, particularly, the housing base and the cover) may be employed as a hose reel around which the inflation hose may be wound.
- In another embodiment, the electrical cord includes a plug rather than an open end connection. In this embodiment, the plug is plugged into an outlet of the cargo mover such that the electrical motor of the portable dunnage bag inflator may draw electricity from the power source of the cargo mover.
- It should be appreciated that the embodiment of the portable dunnage bag inflator illustrated in the accompanying Figures employs one example configuration of components and one example size and shape of each of the components. It should be appreciated that other embodiments of the portable dunnage bag inflator may employ different configurations of the components and/or components of different sizes or shapes.
- In one embodiment: (a) the housing base, the impeller housing, the impellor, the power switch, the inflator head, the inflation hose, and the hose connector of made of plastic; (b) the cover and the cargo mover mounting bracket are made of painted metal; (c) the electric motor and the electrical cord are made of metal and plastic; and (d) the inflator head securer is made of plastic-coated metal. It should be appreciated, however, that each component may be made of any suitable material or materials.
- In certain embodiments, the portable dunnage bag inflator includes a thermal protection device configured to prevent the portable dunnage bag inflator from overheating (and, therefore, to protect the portable dunnage bag inflator from damage caused by such overheating). In various embodiments, the thermal protection device is supported by the housing. In certain such embodiments, the thermal protection device measures the temperature inside the housing of the dunnage bag inflator. When the measured temperature inside the housing of the dunnage bag inflator exceeds a designated maximum operating temperature (which may be any suitable temperature), the thermal protection device automatically cuts the power to the electrical motor (such as by breaking the electrical circuit that provides electricity to the electrical motor), which prevents the electrical motor from operating. Thereafter, once the measured temperature inside the housing of the dunnage bag inflator falls below the designated maximum operating temperature, the thermal protection device automatically restores power to the electrical motor (such as by closing the electrical circuit that provides electricity to the electrical motor), which enables the electrical motor to operate. In other embodiments, the thermal protection device automatically restores power to the electrical motor when the measured temperature inside the housing of the dunnage bag inflator reaches or falls below a second operating temperature that is lower than the designated maximum operating temperature instead of when the measured temperature inside the housing of the dunnage bag inflator falls below the designated maximum operating temperature.
- In certain embodiments, the portable dunnage bag inflator is configured to operate in conjunction with a direct current to direct current converter configured to convert a first direct current of a first voltage to a second different direct current of a second different voltage. In one example embodiment, the direct current to direct current converter is configured to convert a 36 volt or a 48 volt direct current (such as that employed by an electrically-powered forklift) to a 12 volt direct current (such as that employed by a gas-powered forklift). This direct current to direct current converter enables the portable dunnage bag inflator to be used in conjunction with a variety of different direct current power sources. It should be appreciated that the first voltage and the second voltage may be any suitable voltages.
- While the portable dunnage bag inflator is described herein as being configured to inflate dunnage bags, it should be appreciated that the portable dunnage bag inflator of the present disclosure may, in certain embodiments, be configured to inflate items other than dunnage bags.
- It should be understood that modifications and variations may be effected without departing from the scope of the novel concepts of the present disclosure, and it should be understood that this application is to be limited only by the scope of the appended claims.
Claims (20)
Priority Applications (1)
Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
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US15/253,111 US20160368410A1 (en) | 2013-07-30 | 2016-08-31 | Portable dunnage bag inflator |
Applications Claiming Priority (3)
Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
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US201361860042P | 2013-07-30 | 2013-07-30 | |
US14/326,132 US10562436B2 (en) | 2013-07-30 | 2014-07-08 | Portable dunnage bag inflator |
US15/253,111 US20160368410A1 (en) | 2013-07-30 | 2016-08-31 | Portable dunnage bag inflator |
Related Parent Applications (1)
Application Number | Title | Priority Date | Filing Date |
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US14/326,132 Continuation US10562436B2 (en) | 2013-07-30 | 2014-07-08 | Portable dunnage bag inflator |
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US20160368410A1 true US20160368410A1 (en) | 2016-12-22 |
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ID=52426561
Family Applications (2)
Application Number | Title | Priority Date | Filing Date |
---|---|---|---|
US14/326,132 Active 2038-01-27 US10562436B2 (en) | 2013-07-30 | 2014-07-08 | Portable dunnage bag inflator |
US15/253,111 Abandoned US20160368410A1 (en) | 2013-07-30 | 2016-08-31 | Portable dunnage bag inflator |
Family Applications Before (1)
Application Number | Title | Priority Date | Filing Date |
---|---|---|---|
US14/326,132 Active 2038-01-27 US10562436B2 (en) | 2013-07-30 | 2014-07-08 | Portable dunnage bag inflator |
Country Status (3)
Country | Link |
---|---|
US (2) | US10562436B2 (en) |
EP (1) | EP3027463B1 (en) |
WO (1) | WO2015017122A1 (en) |
Families Citing this family (7)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
USD807402S1 (en) | 2016-03-16 | 2018-01-09 | Vernon L. Flora | Portable air inflation device |
US20180106257A1 (en) * | 2016-10-17 | 2018-04-19 | Signode Industrial Group Llc | Portable dunnage bag inflation system |
JP6618938B2 (en) | 2017-02-10 | 2019-12-11 | 株式会社東芝 | Transducers and transducer arrays |
CN112770899B (en) | 2018-09-12 | 2022-11-25 | 信诺印度有限公司 | Inflator with automatic interrupting function |
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 |
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- 2014-07-15 EP EP14747242.7A patent/EP3027463B1/en active Active
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2016
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Also Published As
Publication number | Publication date |
---|---|
EP3027463B1 (en) | 2019-02-20 |
US10562436B2 (en) | 2020-02-18 |
EP3027463A1 (en) | 2016-06-08 |
US20150034196A1 (en) | 2015-02-05 |
WO2015017122A1 (en) | 2015-02-05 |
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