WO2015154773A1

WO2015154773A1 - Apparatus for inflating a balloon

Info

Publication number: WO2015154773A1
Application number: PCT/DE2015/200255
Authority: WO
Inventors: Annette Hofmann; Gerd Rittmann; Oliver Scheib
Original assignee: Annette Hofmann
Priority date: 2014-04-11
Filing date: 2015-04-13
Publication date: 2015-10-15
Also published as: DE102014209104B3; EP3129115A1

Abstract

The invention relates to an apparatus for inflating a balloon, having a housing for providing the balloon in a non-inflated state, an inflating device arranged in the housing, and an operating device, the inflating device comprising a connection piece for holding the mouthpiece of the balloon, a pressurised vessel for providing gas to inflate the balloon, and a triggering mechanism for opening the pressurised vessel, characterised in that the operating device has a rotary body, preferably a cylindrical sleeve, which can be coupled directly or indirectly to the pressurised vessel or to the triggering mechanism, wherein the rotary body can be rotated by pulling out a banner, cloth, flag, tab, etc. rolled up on the coupled rotary body, and a relative movement between the pressurised vessel and the triggering mechanism can be effected, as a result of which the pressurised vessel can be opened and a flow connection can be produced between the interior of the pressurised vessel and the connection piece.

Description

DEVICE FOR INFLUENCING A BALLOON

The present invention relates to a device for inflating a balloon, comprising a housing for providing the balloon in the non-inflated state, an inflator arranged in the housing and an actuating device, wherein the inflator a connector for receiving the mouthpiece of the balloon, a pressure vessel for providing Gas for inflating the balloon and a trigger mechanism for opening the pressure vessel comprises.

The invention is generally concerned with a device for inflating a balloon, in particular with a gift or joke article for inflating a balloon. An enclosure of any type includes an inflatable balloon wherein the air / gas required for inflation is provided via a pressure vessel. An integral actuator can be triggered manually, allowing the balloon to emerge from the container and more or less provide a surprising effect. In any case, the device according to the invention is a special device for inflating a balloon, which comprises an actuating device in addition to the inflator, wherein the actuating device acts within the housing on a pressure vessel or a triggering mechanism.

From practice many gift and joke articles for inflating a balloon are known. For most articles of this type, the only surprising effect is that when a case is opened, usually a box, a balloon inflates and exits the box.

By way of example, US Pat. No. 5,935,013 is mentioned, from which a device for inflating a balloon is known, wherein the balloon is arranged in the uninflated state within a container or a box, suitable as a gift box. The balloon is placed with its mouthpiece over a holding stub. A gas cartridge is irreversibly plugged into or into a valve body in a valve body which surrounds the holding stub, so that the gas in the pressure cartridge can flow into the balloon via the holding stub. To dissolve a special actuator is provided, which can be actuated by opening the lid of the box. The actuator may be a cable or a band-shaped train. In any case, the valve is actuated by opening the lid, whereby the gas contained in the print cartridge can flow into the balloon. Although the device known from US Pat. No. 5,935,013 ensures a surprising effect, namely the inflation of a balloon when the box is opened, the variety of configurations and surprising effects is limited to the inflation of a balloon by opening a box. In addition, the known construction is expensive.

The present invention is therefore based on the object to form an alternative embodiment of a device for inflating a balloon and to combine several surprise effects. In addition, the device should be as small as possible and be simple in construction and operation.

The above object is achieved by the features of claim 1. Thereafter, the generic device is characterized in that the actuating device comprises a rotary body, preferably a cylindrical sleeve, which is directly or indirectly coupled to the pressure vessel or the trigger mechanism, wherein by extending a rolled up on the coupled rotary body banner, one Cloth, a flag, a tab, etc. of the rotary body rotatable and a relative movement between the pressure vessel and release mechanism is effected, whereby the pressure vessel and a flow connection between the interior of the pressure vessel and the connecting piece can be produced.

In accordance with the invention, it has first been recognized that it is of very particular advantage to connect at least two effects to one another, namely by taking off a flat, windable tension element, hereinafter referred to simply as a banner. This banner may for example be provided with a greeting message that becomes visible when the actuating device is triggered. At the same time the balloon is inflated. This is realized in a sophisticated manner in that the banner is rolled up on a rotary body, which can be coupled to the inflator. The coupling of the rotating body is to be understood as a "sharpening" of the inflator Before coupling, the rotary body, as far as the banner allows, freely rotatable, at least not yet acts on the inflator The banner can in this state as often pulled out and again After coupling the rotary body to the inflator, rotating the rotary body by pulling the banner out of the housing causes relative movement between the pressure vessel and the firing mechanism and opens the flow connection between the interior of the inflator The operation of an additional valve is not necessary - as is known in practice - quite the contrary, the invention goes a completely different way, namely changes the position of the pressure vessel and / or the trigger mechanism to each other for example, over he realized a thread. By means of the device according to the invention, for example, a donor can edit the banner as desired and then "curl" the device or the inflator for the recipient by coupling the rotary body after curling the banner The recipient can take off his greeting message from the housing and thus escape and inflate Thus, it is possible to design the housing in the form of a roller, which is preferably designed as a cylindrical sleeve in order to provide space for the pressure vessel in its interior In the case of reusability, the triggering mechanism and the housing must be designed accordingly. Consequently, with the device according to the invention an alternative embodiment of a device for inflating a balloon is realized and combined several surprise effects. Advantageously, the tripping mechanism is a piercing spike. The piercing pin engages or stings during the relative movement of pressure vessel and release mechanism in the pressure vessel to establish the flow connection. In this case, the pressure vessel may for example be closed by a pierceable sealing membrane or a reusable sealing ring, which are penetrated by the piercing spike to produce a flow connection. In this case, the pressure vessel may be closed, for example, by a pierceable membrane or a reusable sealing ring, which are penetrated by the tapping mandrel. As a result, a flow connection is established. The membrane to be pierced is firmly connected to the usually commercially available pressure vessel (for example CO2 cartridge). An additional ring seal prevents the escape of gas into an area next to the balloon. A 100% filling of the balloon with the gas is thereby realized. In a further advantageous manner, the pressure vessel is designed as a gas cartridge which can be inserted or screwed into the device, in particular as a CO2 cartridge, which may generally contain compressed or liquid gas. Commercially available gas cartridges, well filled with other gases, can be used. Such gas cartridges optionally also comprise sealing means and may be thermally insulated due to cooling during the discharge of the gas through its pressure housing or through a jacket of the pressure housing. This has the further advantage of avoiding condensation on the surface of the cartridge housing and thus also icing of the cartridge on the surface. This can also be accomplished by thermally isolating the cartridge as a whole, for example, by surrounding the cartridge with a shell that is removable and reusable.

In a sophisticated manner, the rotary body can be coupled with a coupling element which is rigidly arranged on the pressure vessel or the triggering mechanism. The Coupling to the coupling element can be done by screwing and / or engagement of the rotary body in the direction of the coupling element.

To rotate the rotary body and / or to couple the rotary body with the Aufblaseinrich- device or with the coupling element, the rotary body in an ideal manner on a rotary and / or pressure element. Here, a rotary and / or pressure element at the distal end of the sleeve at a location accessible to the user at the housing offers. It is particularly advantageous if the banner has a handle to take off. In the rolled-up state of the banner, this handle is preferably on the outside of the housing and snaps into this.

By turning the rotary body, the solid banner can be rolled up again in an advantageous manner, namely, the rotary body can be rotated by means of a rotary and / or pressure element. Also conceivable is a aufzuspannende spring that automates the curling or at least favors.

It is particularly advantageous to design the banner in such a way that it can be individually labeled in advance or only after it has been removed, for example, by the person giving the gift and / or can be printed and / or painted. Thus, the banner can be provided with a variety of greetings, news, photos and / or other images that the recipient sees when the banner is pulled out and thus when the device is operated. Thus, the device allows in two ways a surprise effect, on the one hand, the rolling of the banner and on the other the inflation of the balloon.

In a particularly sophisticated manner, the banner in the extended state of the rotary body is removable. This can be done by cutting and / or tearing off. By a connector and / or double-sided tape and / or a Velcro connection, the banner is malleable to a lampshade.

For optimal use of the lampshade, one or more can be provided in a housing in the handle of the banner and / or in the preferably revealable housing Lampshade holder may be arranged, which can be arranged on the housing such that the lampshade is fastened thereto or at least can be stored thereon. In this case, the handle of the banner may be a handle housing which is obviously and has one or more lampshade holders inside. Additionally or alternatively, the housing of the device may be apparent and include one or more removable and / or hinged and / or extendable lampshade holders.

Furthermore, it is conceivable that in the region where the lampshade can be arranged, a preferably electric light source is arranged or can be arranged. This light source could be, for example, before the structure of the lampshade holder and the lampshade inside the housing. Alternatively, a holder for a tealight is conceivable. In a particularly advantageous manner, a mechanical sound generator, preferably a whistle, a diaphragm, etc. is assigned in the connection piece. The gas flowing into the balloon activates the sound generator. Thus, for example, a whistling sound can be generated, which underlines the visual effect of the inflation of a balloon and the associated surprise.

It is also conceivable that the connecting piece is associated with a further unit for generating an optical and / or acoustic effect, which is actuated by the gas flowing into the balloon. This may, for example, be a light effect or the output of confetti.

It is also conceivable that the actuating device comprises a preferably electric sound module or preferably acts on a sound module via the actuating member. At the same time or delayed to the inflation of the balloon, the output of music and / or voice information can activate, for example, the singing of a birthday song. Any combinations with sound and / or lighting effects can be generated.

In a further advantageous manner, the inflator has a manually or automatically operable relief valve for discharging the balloon Gas on. In this case, the balloon could remain on the fitting for receiving the mouthpiece and inflated several times in the state there and also relieved by discharging the gas or be returned to its original state. Furthermore, a sudden and user-fearful escape of the gas from the balloon upon withdrawal of the balloon from the fitting can be prevented, for example, by the ingress of a backflow preventing valve in the mouthpiece of the balloon. Other solutions are conceivable. Also conceivable is the embodiment with two or more inflators, so that at the same time two or more balloons are inflatable. Any advantageous effects can be achieved, in particular in relation to the surprise that arises when the container is opened for the unsuspecting recipient. It is also conceivable that with simultaneous triggering a time-delayed inflation of the individual balloons takes place, namely the fact that the flow paths are configured with different flow cross sections to the respective connecting pieces. Other mechanisms for delaying the inflation of one or the other balloon, for example by using suitable throttling pieces, can be realized.

In particular for inflating a plurality of balloons, the inflator could comprise two or more identical or different pressure vessels, for example using the same or different gas cartridges, even with different gases, namely to produce different effects. Again, it can be "played" with different effects.

As already mentioned above, the housing is in a particularly advantageous manner a gift item, for example in the form of a roll. Accordingly, the movable part of the device is an extendable banner, which rotates the rotary body located in the housing and triggers the inflation of the balloon, namely via a relative movement between the pressure vessel and the triggering mechanism. There are now various possibilities for designing and developing the teaching of the present invention in an advantageous manner. For this purpose, on the one hand to the claims subordinate to claim 1 and on the other hand to refer to the following explanation of preferred embodiments of the invention with reference to the drawings. In conjunction with the explanation of the preferred embodiments of the invention with reference to the drawings, also generally preferred embodiments and developments of the teaching are explained.

In the drawing show

1 is a schematic side view of an embodiment of a device according to the invention with their individual components,

FIG. 2 is a schematic side view of the article of FIG. 1 in the closed state of the housing, FIG.

Fig. 3 in a schematic side view of the object of Fig. 1 and

2 with undressed banner,

4 is a schematic side view of the object of FIGS. 1 to 3 in the course including the extraction of the banner, the curling of the banner by rotating the rotating body and the "arming" by pressing the rotating body,

Fig. 5 is a schematic side view of the subject matter of FIGS.

1 to 4, wherein the separated banner serves as a lampshade,

Fig. 6 in a schematic side view another

Embodiment of a device according to the invention with its individual components,

Fig. 7 is a schematic side view of the article of FIG. 6 in the open state of the housing and Fig. 8 is a schematic side view of the subject matter of FIGS.

I to 8 with stripped banner and inflated balloon.

1 shows a schematic view of an embodiment of a device 1 according to the invention for inflating a balloon 3. An essential part of the device 1 is a housing 2 for providing a balloon 3 in the non-inflated state, an inflator 4 arranged in the housing 2 and an actuating device 5.

The inflator 4 comprises a connector 6 for receiving the mouthpiece of the balloon 3. Furthermore, a pressure vessel 7 for providing gas for inflating the balloon 3 and a trigger mechanism 8 for opening the pressure vessel 7 is provided. The tripping mechanism 8 is a piercing spike. Between tapping mandrel 8 and the pressure vessel 7, a seal 19 is arranged, which is penetrated by the tapping mandrel. The pressure vessel 7 is designed as a CO2 cartridge. The actuating device 5 has a rotary body 10 in the form of a rotatable cylindrical sleeve, a coupling element 9 which can be coupled to the sleeve 10 and a banner 11 which is rolled up and pulled out on the sleeve 10. The cylindrical sleeve 10 has sufficient space in the interior for the CO2 cartridge 7. The sleeve 10 is rotatable by pulling the banner 1 1. The coupling element 9 is rigidly arranged on the pressure vessel 7. By pressing the sleeve 10 in the direction of the coupling element 9, the sleeve 10 can be coupled to the coupling element 9. The sleeve 10 has on the coupling element opposite end to a rotating and pressing element 12, whereby the banner

II rolled again and the sleeve 10 can be pressed against the coupling element 9. Are the sleeve 10 and the coupling element 9 in the coupled state causes rotation of the sleeve 10 - either by pulling the banner 1 1 or by rotating the rotary member 12 - a relative movement of the pressure vessel 7 to the piercing mandrel 8. Here, the piercing pin 8 passes through the seal 19 through the diaphragm of the pressure vessel. The Seal 19 is used in the Ausführungsbespiel shown here only to seal against the environment. By the piercing mandrel, the flow connection between the interior of the pressure vessel 7 and the connector 6, so that the balloon 3 is inflated. The rotation of the sleeve 10 causes a relative displacement of the pressure vessel in the direction of the piercing mandrel. It should be noted at this point that this is a relative movement between the sleeve and the pressure vessel, regardless of the concrete movement of one or the other component. The banner 1 1 has a handle 13 for extending the banner 1 1 on. Specifically, the handle 13 is formed as a two-part handle shell. In the handle shell 13 2 lampshade brackets 14 are arranged.

Above the balloon 3 or at the upper end of the housing 2, a lid 16 is arranged. Under the cover a cardboard disc 20 is arranged, which serves as an advertising medium.

Fig. 2 shows a schematic view of the article of Fig. 1 in the closed state. The housing 2 is tubular and has a base 15 for setting up the device 1. At the base 15, the rotating and pressing element 12 of the sleeve 10 is arranged. Laterally on the housing 2 is the handle 13 of the banner 1 1 at. At the upper end of the housing 2, a lid 16 is arranged. Fig. 3 shows a schematic view of the subject matter of FIGS. 1 and 2, wherein the banner 1 1 is pulled out of the housing 2. The release mechanism 4 is not yet activated.

Fig. 4 also shows the subject matter of FIGS. 1 to 3, in concrete terms, the steps to "arming" the inflator 4. In a first step, the donor draws the banner 1 1 on the handle 13 of the banner 1 1 from the housing. 2 out, for example, to label the banner 1 1. Subsequently, the donor turns the banner 1 1 by pressing the rotary and pressing member 12 back to the sleeve 10 and the banner 1 1 disappears again in Housing 2. Thereafter, the rotary and pressure element 12 is pressed and thus the sleeve 10 is coupled to the coupling element 9. Fig. 5 shows a schematic view of the subject matter of FIGS. 1 to 4. The banner 1 1 is separated from the sleeve 10 in the extended state and by double-sided adhesive tape, which already on the banner 1 1 The lampshade holders 14 shown in Fig. 1 are orthogonally attachable to each other at the upper end of the housing 2. In the center, in the area where the lampshade 18 is mountable, an electric light source 21 is preferably arranged Lampshade 18 put together banner 1 1 is attachable to the lampshade holder 14. Thus, after the surprise effect of removing a banner 1 1 and simultaneously inflate a balloon 3, a lamp, for example, as a decoration on a birthday table realized the greeting message and / or pictures on the banner are especially beautiful and decorative presentable.

6 and 7 show a further embodiment of a device 1 according to the invention with a housing 2, a cover 16, a sleeve 10 arranged in the housing 2, a pressure vessel 7 which can be arranged in the sleeve 10, a handle 13 for a device shown in FIGS and 7 not shown Banner 1 1, a connector 6 and arranged on the connector 6 coupling element 9. Here, the sleeve 2 in two ring rails 17, one on the sleeve 10 and one on the inner wall of the housing 2, out.

Since the sleeve 10 remains axially in the same position, the coupling element 9 no longer engages as soon as the banner 1 1 has been pulled out about halfway. Thus, the sleeve 10 can rotate freely. Alternatively, the thread length could be matched to the banner length.

Fig. 8 shows a schematic view of the subject matter of FIGS. 1 to 7 after actuation of the actuator 5, namely with extended, labeled banner 1 1 and inflated balloon. 3 With regard to further advantageous embodiments of the device according to the invention, reference is made to avoid repetition to the general part of the specification and to the appended claims. Finally, it should be expressly understood that the above-described embodiments of the device according to the invention are only for the purpose of discussion of the claimed teaching, but do not limit themselves to the embodiments.

LIST OF REFERENCE NUMBERS

1 device

2 housings

3 balloon

4 inflator

5 actuator

6 connection piece

7 pressure vessel / gas cartridge / CO ₂ cartridge

8 release mechanism / piercing spike

9 coupling element

10 rotary body / sleeve

11 banners

12 rotary and pressure element

13 handle / handle housing

14 lampshade holders

15 Floor space of the housing

16 lids

17 ring rail

18 lampshade

19 seal

20 advertising media

21 light source

Claims

An apparatus for inflating a balloon, comprising a housing for providing the balloon in the non-inflated state, an inflator arranged in the housing and an actuator, wherein the inflator a connector for receiving the mouthpiece of the balloon, a pressure vessel for providing gas for inflation the balloon and a trigger mechanism for opening the pressure vessel comprises

characterized in that the actuating device has a rotary body, preferably a cylindrical sleeve, which can be coupled directly or indirectly to the pressure vessel or the triggering mechanism, wherein by pulling out a rolled up on the coupled rotary body banner, a cloth, a flag, a tab, etc. rotatable the rotating body and a relative movement between the pressure vessel and the trigger mechanism can be effected, whereby the pressure vessel and a flow connection between the interior of the pressure vessel and the connection piece can be produced clearly.

2. Apparatus according to claim 1, characterized in that the tripping mechanism is designed as a piercing spike.

3. Apparatus according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the pressure vessel is designed as a gas cartridge, in particular as a CO ² cartridge.

4. Device according to one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that the rotary body can be coupled by coupling to a rigidly arranged on the pressure vessel or the trigger mechanism coupling element, wherein the coupling to the coupling element by screwing and / or engagement of the rotating body in Direction of the coupling element takes place.

5. Device according to one of claims 1 to 4, characterized in that the rotary body has a rotating and / or pressure element for rotating and / or engaging the sleeve.

6. Device according to one of claims 1 to 5, characterized in that the banner has a handle for pulling, which preferably rests in the rolled-up state on the outside of the housing and optionally latched.

7. Device according to one of claims 1 to 6, characterized in that the banner can be rolled by manual rotation of the rotating body and / or rolling by a aufzuspannende spring or rubber rope can be automated or at least favors.

8. Device according to one of claims 1 to 7, characterized in that the banner can be individually labeled in advance or only after taking off and / or printable and / or painted.

9. Device according to one of claims 1 to 8, characterized in that the banner in the extended state of the rotary body is removable and / or cut and / or torn off and formable by plug connection and / or double-sided adhesive coating and / or Velcro connection to a lampshade.

10. The device according to claim 9, characterized in that arranged on and / or in the apparent handle of the banner and / or in the preferably disclosed housing lampshade holders, wherein the lampshade holders can be arranged on the housing.

11. Device according to one of claims 9 and 10, characterized in that in the region in which the lampshade is fastened, a preferably electric light source is arranged or can be arranged.

12. Device according to one of claims 1 to 11, characterized in that the connecting piece, a mechanical sound generator, preferably a whistle or a membrane is assigned, which can be actuated by the gas flowing into the balloon.

ADJUSTED SHEET (REG EL 91)

ISA / EP

13. Device according to one of claims 1 to 12, characterized in that the connection piece and / or housing another unit for generating an optical and / or acoustic effect, preferably a light effect or the output of confetti is assigned, by the in the gas flowing in the balloon can be actuated, wherein confetti, colored powder or other particles, which are located between the cover and the advertising medium, can be distributed by expanding the balloon and optionally by blowing off the cover.

14. The device according to one of claims 1 to 13, characterized in that the actuating device comprises a preferably electrical sound module or preferably acts on a sound module via the actuating member, so that at the same time or delayed to inflate the balloon, the output of music and / or Voice information is activated.

15. Device according to one of claims 1 to 14, characterized in that the gas pressure device has a manually or automatically operable relief valve for discharging the gas, for example, in the balloon up.