BLOWING DEVICE FOR BALLOON

Abstract

A blowing device for inflating a balloon has a hollow body having a first end and a second end and including an internal air passage through these ends. The first end is connectable with the mouth of a balloon for air to be blown into the balloon from the second end via the air passage. An air valve in the air passage is operable to block passage of air escaping from inside the balloon in a direction from the first end to the second end. Also included are a light effect generator operated by a battery, and an operating member for turning on and off the light effect generator.

Description

The present invention relates to a blowing device for balloon.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Blowing devices for use in blowing balloons are generally known, but the vast majority if not all is designed only for use as a blower. In terms of functionality, they are often put aside after balloons have been inflated. In terms of fun to use, they simply lack.

The invention seeks to eliminate or at least to mitigate such shortcomings by providing a new or otherwise improved blowing device for balloon.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

According to the invention, there is provided a blowing device for balloon, comprising a hollow body having a first end and a second end and including an internal air passage through the first and second ends. The first end is connectable with the mouth/neck of a balloon for air to be blown into a said balloon from the second end via the air passage. An air valve in the air passage is operable to block passage of air escaping from inside a said balloon in a direction from the first end to the second end. Also included are an effect generator provided at the body, which is operated by battery, and operating means provided at the body for turning on and off the effect generator.

Preferably, the effect generator comprises at least one of a light generator and a sound generator.

More preferably, the effect generator comprises a light generator which includes a light source located at or adjacent the first end of the body.

It is preferred that the air valve includes a valve member arranged to be acted upon by air inside a said balloon to close the air valve.

It is further preferred that the valve member extends across the air passage and faces the interior of the balloon for action by air inside a said balloon.

It is further preferred that the valve member is provided at the first end of the body.

In a preferred embodiment, the air valve includes a valve member extending across the first end of the body for being acted upon by air inside a said balloon to close the air valve, with the light source provided behind the valve member.

More preferably, the valve member is made of transparent or translucent material.

In a preferred embodiment, the air valve includes a valve seat provided by a part of the body.

More preferably, the valve seat is provided by the first end of the body.

More preferably, the valve seat is of a flat-cylindrical shape and extends radially outwardly of the body for receiving the valve member.

Further more preferably, the valve seat comprises a flange around the first end of the body, which flange presents a right-angled step for engaging the mouth of a said balloon.

It is preferred that the effect generator is provided at the valve member.

It is preferred that the light source is provided at the valve member.

In a preferred embodiment, the operating means includes an operating member supported for movement in the body to a closed position, resulting in closing of a power circuit of the effect generator.

More preferably, the operating member is arranged to move with a or the valve member of the air valve.

Further more preferably, the operating member is connected with the valve member for simultaneous movement.

Further more preferably, the operating member is arranged to move in one direction to turn on the effect generator and to move in the opposite direction to move the valve member to an open position of the air valve.

It is preferred that the operating means includes an operating part arranged to move the operating member in one direction to the closed position and in the opposite direction off the closed position.

It is further preferred that the operating part is provided at the second end of the body.

Advantageously, the air valve is normally-closed to block passage of air escaping from inside a said balloon.

In a preferred embodiment, the air valve is in use normally-closed to block passage of air escaping from inside a said balloon, and the air valve comprises a valve seat and a valve member which is arranged to engage the valve seat, thereby closing the air valve, under the action of pressurized air inside a said balloon.

More preferably, the air valve is provided at the first end of the body and is operated by means of an operating member extending from the valve member to the second end of the body, the operating member being movable by a force applied at the second end to open the air valve.

It is preferred that the air valve and the effect generator are arranged to operate, in that they turn on and turn off, in a complementary manner.

It is preferred that the body comprises a cylindrical tube having a central axis along which the air valve and the effect generator are provided in a co-axial arrangement.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

The invention will now be more particularly described, by way of example only, with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:

FIG. 1 is an exploded perspective view of an embodiment of a blowing device for balloon in accordance with the invention;

FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional side view of the blowing device of FIG. 1, with an air valve thereof open and an effect generator thereof in an off state; and

FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional side view corresponding to FIG. 2, showing the air valve closed and the effect generator in an on state.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

Referring to FIGS. 1 to 3 of the drawings, there is shown a blowing device 10 for balloon embodying the invention, which blowing device 10 has a hollow body 100 with a first end 110 and a second end 120 and including an internal air passage P through the first and second ends 110 and 120. The body 100 is in the form of a cylindrical tube. Its first end 110 (or front end 110 as hereinafter referred to) is connectable with, by being stretched and disposed thereupon, a mouth 21 of a balloon 20 for air to be blown via the air passage P into the balloon 20 by a user from the second end 120, or rear end 120 as hereinafter referred to. There is an air valve 200 provided in the air passage P, which is operable to block passage of air escaping from inside the balloon 20 in a direction from the front end 110 to the rear end 120, such that the balloon 20 may stay inflated. The air valve 200 is preferably normally-closed to block passage of air escaping from inside the balloon 20.

The blowing device 10 also includes an effect generator 300 provided at the body 100, which is operated by battery and serves to add fun, and operating means 400 also provided at the body 100 for turning on and off the effect generator 300. The tubular body 100 has a central axis along which the air valve 200 and the effect generator 300 are provided in a co-axial arrangement.

Generally stated, the effect generator 300 comprises at least one of a light generator and a sound generator. In the described embodiment, the effect generator 300 comprises a light generator 300 which includes a light source 310 located at or adjacent the front end 110 of the body 100 for in use shining light directly into the balloon 20. The light source 210 is implemented by an LED bulb 210.

The air valve 200 includes a valve member 210 and a valve seat 220 with which the valve member 210 co-operates to perform valve closing and opening functions. The valve member 210 is provided at the front end 110 of the body 100, and so is the valve seat 220. The valve seat 220 is provided by the front end 110, which is an integral part of the body 100. The valve seat 220 (i.e. the front end 110) is of a flat-cylindrical shape and extends radially outwardly of the body 100 for receiving the valve member 210.

With the tubular body 100 being cylindrical in shape, the valve seat 220 is shaped likewise but is relatively wider and much shorter to form a head 220A of the body 100 with a shape resembling that of the letter “T” in cross-section taken along the central axis. The T-shaped head 220A acts as a radially-protruding barrier for reliably engaging and holding the balloon 20, by its mouth (or neck) 21 from inside, to stay on the blowing device 10. In particular, the T-shaped head 220A includes a circular flange at and around the front end 110 of the body 100, which flange in cross-section provides a lateral protrusion 220B which projects at right angles from the peripheral surface of the body 100 and represents a right-angled step, acting as the said barrier, for engaging the balloon's month 21.

The valve member 210 has a round shape, more specifically resembling a hat with a cylindrical crown and a flat annular brim, and is made of a transparent or translucent material. The valve member 210 extends across, and partially within, the T-shaped front end 110 of the body 100 and hence across the air passage P, in a position in use facing the interior of the balloon 20 (through the mouth 21 thereof) for being action upon by pressurized air inside the balloon 20, thereby closing the air valve 200 and keeping it closed.

The effect generator 300 and in particular the LED bulb 310 is provided at or behind the valve member 210, being located within the crown part of the valve member 210. With the valve member 210 in use facing the interior of the balloon 20, the LED bulb 310 shines light directly into the balloon 20, thereby illuminating the balloon 20 from inside to make it visually attractive to play with or for display.

The LED bulb 310 has a first terminal 311 of its two terminals 311/312 extended rearwardly and then folded to form a space Q with the second terminal 312, in which space Q a pile of three battery cells 313 are located co-axially right behind the LED bulb 310 for energizing the same. The two terminals 311/312 with the battery cells 313 together form a power circuit, which is normally-open by presence of a gap R left between a free end 311A of the first terminal 311 and an exposed cathode 313A of the last battery cell 313. The power circuit is completed upon pressing of the terminal end 311A against the cathode 313A, thereby closing the gap R and hence turning on the LED bulb 310.

The LED bulb 310 and the battery cells 313 together form a light module 300A of a shape resembling that of a plug.

Turning now to the operating means 400, it is provided by an oblong operating member 410 disposed co-axially in the tubular body 100, and includes an operating part preferably in the form of a tubular knob 420 connected co-axially at the rear end 120. The operating member 410 has a tube-like body with an end cap 411 at its front end and two oblong cutouts in its opposite sides to form a pair of legs 412, each having a free end with a rearward-facing step 413 on its outer surface. A bridge 414 extends diametrically across the two legs 412, at a position axially behind the end cap 411. The knob 420 has an annular track 421 formed by a step on and around its inner surface, which includes a pair of diametrically-opposite raised portions providing respective cams 422. The knob 420 includes a bridge 423 extending diametrically across opposite sides of the knob's inner surface.

Externally, the end cap 411 locates and carries the valve member 210, with the latter snap-fitted co-axially over and around the former. Internally, the end cap 411 holds the light module 300A co-axially therein, with the LED bulb 310 pointing forward. The end cap 411 is made of a transparent (or translucent) material such that the LED bulb 310 may shine light through the end cap 411 as well as the valve member 210 and into the balloon 20.

For assembling, the operating member 410 is inserted rearwardly into the body 100 via the front end 110, with its two legs 412 then projecting out from the rear end 120 and connecting with the knob 420. The legs 412 latch with the knob 420 by its steps 413 with the latter's track 421, for cam action with the respective cams 422.

During insertion, the legs 412 extend past the bridge 414 therebetween and finally stop at an axial position with the light module 300A and in particular its terminal end 311A reaching just short of the bridge 414 (FIG. 2). In this position, the terminal end 311A stays off the cathode 313A (i.e. the gap R unaffected), so the LED bulb 310 stays turned off. This condition corresponds to an OFF position of the operating member 410, as opposed to an ON position thereof, between which positions the operating member 410 is movable by the knob 420 upon turning in opposite directions.

In the ON position, the operating member 410 moves on with the terminal end 311A being stopped by the bridge 414 (FIG. 3), thereby the terminal end 311A takes on the cathode 313A and hence comes into contact therewith (i.e. the gap R closed) and so the LED bulb 310 is turned on.

The operating member 410 is subject to the aforesaid cam action brought about by the knob 420, in which its legs 412 are moved from a rest position to a raised position on the track 412 when their steps 413 are pushed up by the respective cams 422 when the knob 420 is turned. The legs 412 will be allowed to return to the rest position upon reverse turning of the knob 420.

In the rest position, the valve member 210 (which is carried by the operating member 410) stays off the valve seat 220 (FIG. 2), so that the air valve 200 is open to allow air to be blown through the blowing device 10 into the balloon 20, corresponding to an OPEN position of the operating member 410.

Towards the raised position, the operating member 410 is moved up by the cams 422 in a direction that is rearward relative to the body 100, with the result that it brings the valve member 210 into contact with the valve seat 220, thereby closing the valve 200 (FIG. 3). In this position, the air valve 200 is shut off to block air escaping from inside the balloon 20 (thereby keeping the balloon 20 inflated), corresponding to a CLOSED position of the operating member 410.

Generally stated, the operating member 410 is supported for movement in the body 100 to the CLOSED position, resulting in closing of the power circuit of the effect generator 300, and is arranged to move with the valve member 210 of the air valve 200. For simplicity, the operating member 410 is connected with the valve member 210 for simultaneous movement therewith.

It is apparent from the foregoing description that the OFF position of the operating member 410 is also its OPEN position (FIG. 2) and that the ON position corresponds to its CLOSED position (FIG. 3). The operating member 410 is movable by the knob 420 in one direction to the ON/CLOSED position (to turn on the effect generator 300 and close the air valve 200) and in the opposite direction off the ON/CLOSED position to the OFF/OPEN position (to turn off the effect generator 300 and open the air valve 200).

In all, the air valve 200 is closed (i.e. turned off) when the effect generator 300 is turned on, and it is open (i.e. turned on) when the effect generator 300 is turned off. Thus, the air valve 200 and the effect generator 300 are arranged to operate, in that they turn on and turn off, in a complementary manner.

The blowing device 10 offers an additional function which is particularly useful, in that while staying attached to the balloon 20 it allows the balloon 20 to deflate upon a simple user's action. As described above, the valve member 210 is arranged to engage the valve seat 220 under the action of pressurized air inside the balloon 20, thereby closing the air valve 200 or keeping the same closed. The air valve 200 is in use normally-closed to block passage of air escaping from inside the balloon 20.

The air valve 200 is provided at the front end 110 of the body 120 and is operated by means of the operating member 410, which extends from the valve member 210 to reach the rear end 120 of the body 100, where the operating member 410 latches by its free ends bearing the steps 413 with the knob 420. By pressing upon its free ends through the knob 420, the operating member 410 may be pushed slightly inwards, against the action of the pressurized air inside the balloon 20, to such an extent sufficient to separate the valve member 210 from the valve seat 220, thereby opening the air valve 200 and hence allowing the balloon 20 to deflate. The balloon 20 may then be stored away and re-used. This is another advantage of using the blowing device 10.

It is noted that the force pushing the operating member 410 inwards is applied at the body's rear end 120 (i.e. through the knob 420). Also, the extent to which the operating member 410 may be pushed inwards corresponds to, or is provided by, the degree of movement of the valve member 210 to reach the valve seat 220 under the action of the pressurized air inside the balloon 20. In all, there is a certain degree of freedom of movement of the valve member 210 relative to the valve seat 220, which is only marginal but sufficient to allow self-closing of the air valve 200 by the air inside the balloon 20 and/or manual opening by a user, i.e. from the outside by pushing the operating member 410 inwards.

In a slightly different embodiment, the valve seat 220 (i.e. the front end 110) is of a trumpet or bell shape. The valve seat 220 is flared outwardly of the body 100 for receiving the valve member 210, with the valve member 210 extending across, and partially within, the bell-shaped front end 110 of the body 100 and hence across the air passage P for shutting off or opening the air passage P.

The blowing device 10 according to the subject invention is designed to stay attached to keep the balloon 20 inflated and to add fun by way of light and/or sound effect brought about by the effect generator 300.

The invention has been given by way of example only, and various modifications of and/or alterations to the described embodiment may be made by persons skilled in the art without departing from the scope of the invention as specified in the appended claims.

Claims

1. A blowing device for inflating a balloon, comprising: a hollow body having a first end and a second end and including an internal air passage through the first and second ends, the first end being connectable with a mouth of a balloon for permitting air to be blown into the balloon from the second end via the air passage;an air valve in the air passage, the air valve being operable to block passage of air escaping from inside the balloon in a direction from the first end to the second end;an effect generator provided at the body, the effect generator being operated by a battery; andoperating means provided at the body for turning on and off the effect generator.

2. The blowing device as claimed in claim 1, wherein the effect generator comprises at least one of a light generator and a sound generator.

3. The blowing device as claimed in claim 1, wherein the air valve includes a valve member arranged to be acted upon by air inside the balloon to close the air valve.

4. The blowing device as claimed in claim 3, wherein the valve member extends across the air passage and faces the interior of the balloon for action by air inside the balloon.

5. The blowing device as claimed in claim 3, wherein the valve member is provided at the first end of the body.

6. The blowing device as claimed in claim 2, wherein the effect generator comprises a light generator which includes a light source located at or adjacent the first end of the body, andthe air valve includes a valve member extending across the first end of the body for being acted upon by air inside the balloon to close the air valve, with the light source provided behind the valve member.

7. The blowing device as claimed in claim 3, wherein the air valve includes a valve seat provided by a part of the body.

8. The blowing device as claimed in claim 7, wherein the valve seat has a flat-cylindrical shape and extends radially outwardly of the body for receiving the valve member.

9. The blowing device as claimed in claim 8, wherein the valve seat comprises a flange around the first end of the body, which flange presents a right-angled step for engaging the mouth of the balloon.

10. The blowing device as claimed in claim 3, wherein the effect generator is provided at the valve member.

11. The blowing device as claimed in claim 3, wherein the effect generator comprises a light generator which includes a light source located at or adjacent the first end of the body, and the light source is provided at the valve member.

12. The blowing device as claimed in claim 1, wherein the operating means includes an operating member supported for movement in the body to a closed position, resulting in closing of a power circuit of the effect generator.

13. The blowing device as claimed in claim 12, wherein the operating member is arranged to move with a valve member of the air valve.

14. The blowing device as claimed in claim 13, wherein the operating member is connected with the valve member for simultaneous movement.

15. The blowing device as claimed in claim 13, wherein the operating member is arranged to move in a first direction to turn on the effect generator and to move in a second direction, opposite the first direction, to move the valve member to an open position of the air valve.

16. The blowing device as claimed in claim 12, wherein the operating means includes an operating part arranged to move the operating member in a first direction to the closed position and in a second direction, opposite the first direction, off the closed position.

17. The blowing device as claimed in claim 1, wherein the air valve is, in use, normally-closed to block passage of air escaping from inside the balloon, andthe air valve comprises a valve seat and a valve member which is arranged to engage the valve seat, thereby closing the air valve, under the action of pressurized air inside the balloon.

18. The blowing device as claimed in claim 17, wherein the air valve is provided at the first end of the body and is operated by means of an operating member extending from the valve member to the second end of the body, the operating member being movable by a force applied at the second end to open the air valve.

19. The blowing device as claimed in claim 1, wherein the air valve and the effect generator turn on and turn off, in a complementary manner.

20. The blowing device as claimed in claim 1, wherein the body comprises a cylindrical tube having a central axis along which the air valve and the effect generator are provided in a co-axial arrangement.