Patent Grant
10328353
The present invention relates to a self sealing balloon assembly and method of manufacturing the same, and more particularly, a rubber or latex balloon having a moldable adhesive loop embedded within an adhesive staging segment formed as an annular loop within a neck segment of a balloon.
Balloons are designed having a variety of shapes and sizes and are fabricated of any of a wide selection of suitable gas impervious materials, including: Mylar, latex, rubber, and the like. A pressurized gas, such as air, helium, nitrogen, and the like is used to inflate the balloon. The pressurized gas enters a balloon gas retaining expansion cavity through a balloon neck segment. The pressurized gas expands the balloon gas retaining expansion cavity. The pressurized gas is retained within the expanded balloon gas retaining expansion cavity by sealing a fill conduit provided through the balloon neck segment. This is commonly accomplished by tying a knot in the balloon neck segment.
The process of sealing pressurized gas within the expanded balloon gas retaining expansion cavity by tying a knot in the balloon neck segment presents a number of drawbacks. Initially, the process is very tedious and time consuming. The cycle time for the process of tying each balloon neck impacts the overall efficiency and profit for balloon preparation party. Once the neck of the balloon is tied into a knot, it is nearly impossible to untie the knot in order to deflate and reuse the balloon.
Latex balloons are formed by applying latex, in a liquid form, onto a balloon form and curing the latex. The elasticity of the latex enables removal of the formed and cured balloon from the balloon form. Mylar balloons are fabricated by adhering two sheets of Mylar together in accordance to a predetermined peripheral shape. Characteristics of the Mylar material direct the balloon fill process away from tying a knot in the neck segment. Conversely, tying a ribbon or similar material about the neck segment can seal the neck segment. Alternative sealing devices, such as sealing clips, and the like can be used to seal the neck segment.
In one known embodiment, a layer of adhesive tape is placed on an interior surface of the neck of the balloon. The adhesive tape is covered with a protective coating, which is removed when ready for use. The adhesive tape requires two planar surfaces to come together and join in a manner to provide a gaseous seal therebetween. Drawing two planar sheets of adhesive together to create a gaseous seal therebetween can be difficult. Any wrinkle or gap would provide an imperfection in the gaseous seal therebetween, thus creating a gas leak. Additionally, the adhesive tape can't be separated, thus eliminating any potential for deflating and reusing the balloon.
Accordingly, there remains a need in the art for a self-sealing balloon that provides a feature enabling a quick, reliable sealing process that can be separated, enabling deflation and reuse of the balloon.
The present invention overcomes the deficiencies of the known art and the problems that remain unsolved by providing an apparatus and method for quickly and reliably sealing a balloon.
In accordance with one embodiment of the present invention, the invention consists of a balloon comprising:
In one aspect, the moldable adhesive has a pliable characteristic resembling clay.
In another aspect, the moldable adhesive is dispensed about a circumference of a balloon neck mold segment of a balloon form member. The moldable adhesive preferably forms a ring about a central, longitudinal axis of the balloon neck mold segment.
In yet another aspect, the adhesive staging segment is designed to expose the moldable adhesive ring when a tensile force is applied in a longitudinal direction between ends of the tubular balloon neck segment.
In yet another aspect, the adhesive staging segment is shaped as a loop covering the peripheral surface of the moldable adhesive cross sectioned profile, wherein the adhesive staging segment loop is formed by at least one of:
In yet another aspect, the adhesive staging segment is designed to expose the moldable adhesive ring when a tensile force is applied in a longitudinal direction between ends of the tubular balloon neck segment.
In yet another aspect, the unfinished edge adhesive staging segment and the expansion cavity adhesive staging segment abut one another proximate an interior quadrant of the moldable adhesive cross sectioned profile.
In yet another aspect, a lip bead is formed at a balloon unfinished edge, wherein the balloon unfinished edge is provided at a free end of the tubular balloon neck segment.
In yet another aspect, the balloon body segment can be shaped in bulb shape, a star shape, an oblong shape, a square shape, a rectangular shape, a triangular shape, a hexagonal shape, an octagonal shape, a polygonal shape, and the like.
In accordance with a second embodiment of the present invention, the invention consists of a method for fabricating a self sealing balloon assembly, the method comprising the steps of:
In yet another aspect, the method further comprises a step of curing the balloon material.
In yet another aspect, wherein the step of shaping the adhesive staging segment into a loop is accomplished by using at least one roller. The roller would apply a frictional force to the exterior surface of the balloon material extending the material and forming the looped shape.
In yet another aspect, the method further comprises a step of generating a lip bead at a free end of the tubular balloon neck segment.
In yet another aspect, the method further comprises a step of utilizing the balloon material to aid in forming the dispensed adhesive roll.
In yet another aspect, the method further comprises a step of dispensing the adhesive material into a recess formed within the adhesive dispensing segment.
In yet another aspect, the step of shaping the adhesive staging segment into a loop is accomplished by using at least one roller, wherein roller would apply a frictional force to the exterior surface of the balloon material extending the material and forming the loop shape.
In yet another aspect, the step of shaping the adhesive staging segment into a loop is accomplished by using at least one roller, wherein roller would apply a frictional force to the exterior surface of the balloon material extending the material and forming the loop shape.
In yet another aspect, the step of shaping the adhesive staging segment into a loop is accomplished by:
In yet another aspect, at least one of the step of forming the unfinished edge adhesive staging segment and the step of forming the expansion cavity adhesive staging segment is accomplished by applying a friction to an exterior surface of the tubular balloon neck segment.
In yet another aspect, the adhesive material is dispensed into a recess formed within the adhesive material dispensing section.
In accordance with a third embodiment of the present invention, the invention consists of a method for fabricating a self sealing balloon assembly, the method comprising the steps of:
In yet another aspect, the adhesive material dispensing section is provided as a gap formed between a lower edge of the adhesive dispensing adapter and an exterior surface of the balloon neck mold segment.
In yet another aspect, the adhesive material dispensing section is provided as a series of orifices formed through a body of the adhesive dispensing adapter.
In yet another aspect, the series of orifices are formed through the body of the adhesive dispensing adapter at a location proximate a lower edge of the body of the adhesive dispensing adapter.
In yet another aspect, the adhesive dispensing adapter is adapted to employ a pressure to aid in the dispensing of the adhesive composition. The pressure can be provided by a flow of adhesive into the adhesive dispensing adapter, air pressure or another gaseous propellant, and the like.
In yet another aspect, the balloon material is formed in a shape of a roll, encapsulating the adhesive bead.
In yet another aspect, the balloon material is formed in a “C” shape, encapsulating the adhesive bead therein.
In yet another aspect, a powder is applied to an exposed surface of the adhesive bead prior to encapsulating the adhesive bead within the balloon material.
In yet another aspect, the self sealing balloon is inflated by steps of:
In yet another aspect, the method is accomplished by automating the process.
In yet another aspect, the step of applying balloon material upon an exterior surface of the balloon body mold segment and further extending upward onto a portion of the balloon neck mold segment is accomplished by at least one of a dipping process, a spray process, a brush application process, a rolling application process, and the like.
In another variant, the sealing adhesive can be dispensed circumferentially about an exterior surface of a balloon form.
In another aspect, the sealing adhesive can be dispensed circumferentially about an exterior surface of a balloon form using a dispenser formed circumferentially about the balloon form.
In yet another aspect, the sealing adhesive can be dispensed circumferentially about an exterior surface of a balloon form using a dispenser which rotates circumferentially about the balloon form.
In yet another aspect, the sealing adhesive can be dispensed circumferentially about an exterior surface of a balloon form using a fixed dispenser and rotating the balloon form within the fixed dispenser.
In another variant, the sealing adhesive can be dispensed circumferentially about an exterior surface of a balloon form using a form adaptor, wherein the form adaptor is placed circumferentially about the provided balloon form. The form adapted is configured to dispense sealing adhesive onto the exterior surface of at least one of the form adaptor and the balloon form.
In yet another aspect, the exterior surface of the balloon form further comprises a balloon form neck adhesive receiving element.
In yet another aspect, the balloon form neck adhesive receiving element is fabricated of a material enabling ease of release of the sealing adhesive.
In yet another aspect, the balloon form neck adhesive receiving element extends outward from an exterior surface of the balloon form.
In yet another aspect, the balloon form neck adhesive receiving element is flush with the exterior surface of the balloon form.
In yet another aspect, the balloon form neck adhesive receiving element is recessed inward from the exterior surface of the balloon form.
In another application process, the process includes steps of:
In a second aspect, the step of applying the sealing adhesive is accomplished using a sealing adhesive applicator.
In another aspect, the step of applying the sealing adhesive is accomplished by dispensing the sealing adhesive from a fixed sealing adhesive applicator and rotating the adhesive applicator balloon neck support element.
In yet another aspect, the step of applying the sealing adhesive is accomplished by dispensing the sealing adhesive from a fixed adhesive applicator balloon neck support element and rotating the sealing adhesive applicator.
In yet another aspect, the step of rolling the end of the balloon neck rearward, covering the applied sealing adhesive is assisted by using a balloon neck sleeve element.
In yet another aspect, the balloon neck sleeve element is slideably assembled to the adhesive applicator balloon neck support element.
In yet another aspect, the balloon neck sleeve element includes a tapered lead in segment.
In yet another aspect, the balloon neck sleeve element includes a conically shaped lead in segment.
In yet another aspect, the balloon neck sleeve element includes a frustum shaped lead in segment.
In yet another aspect, the balloon neck sleeve element includes an interior cavity having a size and shape to receive the folded balloon neck, including the ring of sealing adhesive.
In yet another aspect, wherein the interior cavity of the balloon neck sleeve element is located forward (towards a free side) of a sliding element of the balloon neck sleeve element.
In yet another aspect, the balloon neck sleeve element interior cavity is formed having an opening span that is equal to or larger than a like span of the ring of sealing adhesive.
In yet another aspect, a balloon sealing adhesive applicator assembly includes a plurality of adhesive applicator balloon neck support elements.
In yet another aspect, a balloon sealing adhesive applicator assembly includes a plurality of adhesive applicator balloon neck support elements, each of the adhesive applicator balloon neck support elements is rotationally supported by an adhesive applicator balloon neck support element operating frame arm of an adhesive applicator balloon neck support element operating frame.
In yet another aspect, the adhesive applicator balloon neck support element operating frame is adapted to rotate about a central axis.
These and other aspects, features, and advantages of the present invention will become more readily apparent from the attached drawings and the detailed description of the preferred embodiments, which follow.
The preferred embodiments of the invention will hereinafter be described in conjunction with the appended drawings provided to illustrate and not to limit the invention, in which:
Like reference numerals refer to like parts throughout the several views of the drawings.
Detailed embodiments of the present invention are disclosed herein. It will be understood that the disclosed embodiments are merely exemplary of the invention that may be embodied in various and alternative forms. The figures are not necessarily to scale, and some features may be exaggerated or minimized to show details of particular embodiments, features, or elements. Specific structural and functional details, dimensions, or shapes disclosed herein are not limiting but serve as a basis for the claims and for teaching a person of ordinary skill in the art the described and claimed features of embodiments of the present invention. The following detailed description is merely exemplary in nature and is not intended to limit the described embodiments or the application and uses of the described embodiments. As used herein, the word “exemplary” or “illustrative” means “serving as an example, instance, or illustration.” Any implementation described herein as “exemplary” or “illustrative” is not necessarily to be construed as preferred or advantageous over other implementations. All of the implementations described below are exemplary implementations provided to enable persons skilled in the art to make or use the embodiments of the disclosure and are not intended to limit the scope of the disclosure, which is defined by the claims. For purposes of description herein, the terms “upper”, “lower”, “left”, “rear”, “right”, “front”, “vertical”, “horizontal”, and derivatives thereof shall relate to the invention as oriented in
One or more balloons 200 are formed using a quick seal balloon fabrication form 100 as illustrated in
Each balloon form member 120 is shaped to include a balloon body mold segment 130 extending from a balloon neck mold segment 140. The balloon body mold segment 130 can be shaped in any desired shape, wherein the shape of the balloon body mold segment 130 defines the shape of the finished balloon gas retaining expansion cavity 210. The balloon neck mold segment 140 is preferably shaped having a circular cross sectional shape to form a circular, tubular balloon neck segment 220. An adhesive dispensing segment 150 is provided in a central region of the balloon neck mold segment 140 as illustrated in
The adhesive roll 170 is formed as a moldable adhesive ring having a moldable adhesive cross sectioned profile formed into a ring or annular shape. The fabrication process positions the moldable adhesive ring 170 to circumscribe an interior circumference of a portion of a length of an interior of the tubular balloon neck segment 220. An adhesive staging segment 172 will be formed from the tubular balloon neck segment 220, wherein the adhesive staging segment 172 will at least partially cover a peripheral surface of the moldable adhesive cross sectioned profile 180.
It is understood that the adhesive roll 170 can be applied using other application methods, including rolling, forming, and the like. The dispensed adhesive roll 170 can be fabricated of any suitable material, wherein one exemplary material is a high tack pressure sensitive adhesive solder under a Product Number 3794 offered by 3M and a second exemplary material is a reusable putty sold under a brand name of DAP BLUESTIK offered by DAP Products incorporated.
The dispensed adhesive roll 170 can be fabricated of a thermoplastic general purpose, high tack, pressure sensitive adhesive that can be spray or bead applied. The chemical base is a block co-polymer. The adhesive material preferably conforms to ASTM D 4236. The composition of the adhesive material can include a rubber-based vehicle.
Although the exemplary embodiment presents an adhesive dispensing segment 150 having a recess formed about a circumference of the balloon neck mold segment 140, it is understood that the adhesive dispensing segment 150 can comprise the plurality of adhesive dispensing apertures 160 in fluid communication with the adhesive primary delivery conduit 162 via a series of adhesive distribution delivery conduits 164, exclusive of the recess formed by the base adhesive control surface 152 and angled adhesive control surface 154.
The exemplary quick seal balloon fabrication form 100 includes a fabrication manifold 110. The fabrication manifold 110 would include a series of fluid conduits (not shown) forming a manifold for transferring an adhesive material from an adhesive material reservoir (not shown) to each of the individual form transition member 114 via any transfer mechanism. The transfer mechanism can be a pump, a pressurized system, and the like. A series of individual form transition member 114 (or similar feature) can be integrated into the fabrication manifold 110 or assembled to a fabrication manifold form surface 112 of the fabrication manifold 110, wherein each balloon form member 120 is attached to the fabrication manifold 110 via the individual form transition member 114. The individual form transition member 114 can provide fluid communication between the manifold of the fabrication manifold 110 and each respective adhesive primary delivery conduit 162. This configuration provides a single passageway for conveyance and disbursement of the adhesive material between the adhesive material reservoir and each of the adhesive dispensing segments 150.
The quick seal balloon fabrication form 100 is transferred placing the multiple balloon form members 120 attached thereto into a vat containing liquid balloon forming material. The liquid balloon forming material coats the balloon body mold segment 130 and balloon neck mold segment 140 of each of the balloon form members 120. The illustration shows two (2) of the four (4) balloon form members 120 being coated with liquid balloon forming material to present a before and after state. It is noted that the liquid balloon forming material is applied to the balloon form member 120, where the liquid balloon forming material covers the adhesive dispensing segment 150. A balloon unfinished edge 222 is created at the terminal end of the self sealing balloon 200.
A volume of adhesive material is dispensed through the manifold, where the material is separated into each of the adhesive primary delivery conduit 162. The adhesive material continues through the adhesive primary delivery conduit 162, where it is disbursed into each of the adhesive distribution delivery conduits 164 and dispensed through the plurality of adhesive dispensing apertures 160. In a first embodiment, the adhesive material is dispensed prior to coating the balloon form member 120 with the balloon material as illustrated in
The self sealing balloon 200 is subjected to a continuous flow of steps to form an adhesive staging segment 172 partially or completely encapsulating the dispensed adhesive roll 170 presented in the exemplary embodiments illustrated in
Initially, the rollers 190 apply a frictional force to the exterior surface of the tubular balloon neck segment 220, causing the adhesive staging segment 172 to extend and begin rolling downward, towards the balloon gas retaining expansion cavity 210 as illustrated in
The adhesive staging segment 172 can be defined as having two segments: an unfinished edge adhesive staging segment 182 and an expansion cavity adhesive staging segment 184. The unfinished edge adhesive staging segment 182 can be defined as a portion of the adhesive staging segment 172 extending from a midline of the dispensed adhesive roll 170 towards the balloon unfinished edge 222. The expansion cavity adhesive staging segment 184 can be defined as a portion of the adhesive staging segment 172 extending from a midline of the dispensed adhesive roll 170 towards the balloon body segment 210.
Although the balloon neck mold segment 140 is illustrated having parallel sides, the balloon neck mold segment 140 can have a taper, where the diameter or circumference proximate the fabrication manifold 110 is smaller than the diameter or circumference proximate the balloon body mold segment 130. The tapered configuration can aid in forming the adhesive staging segment 172.
The balloon unfinished edge 222 can be finished either prior to forming the adhesive staging segment 172, parallel to forming the adhesive staging segment 172, or subsequent to forming the adhesive staging segment 172. The balloon unfinished edge 222 is finished by rolling the free end of the tubular balloon neck segment 220 using at least one lip bead roller 192. The one or more lip bead rollers 192 are positioned about a circumference of the tubular balloon neck segment 220. The lip bead roller 192 frictionally engages with the interior surface 212 of the tubular balloon neck segment 220 causing the free end of the tubular balloon neck segment 220 to roll outward forming a lip bead 224.
Once completed, the self sealing balloon 200 is removed from the balloon form member 120 using any common balloon fabrication separation procedure.
In use, the self sealing balloon 200 is inflated by inserting pressurized inflating gas 230 into the balloon gas retaining expansion cavity 210, as illustrated in
Any individual can deflate the self sealing balloon 200 by pulling the adhesive staging segment 172 open; separating the blob of adhesive material to form a venting passageway. The entrapped air 232 would be released through the venting passageway, deflating the balloon gas retaining expansion cavity 210. The deflated self sealing balloon 200 can be re-inflated and resealed if desired. It is noted that the re-inflation process can require additional finesse, as the dispensed adhesive roll 170 is no longer entrapped within the adhesive staging segment 172.
The self sealing balloon 200 can be fabricated in accordance with a variety of processes, including a first exemplary self-sealing balloon fabrication flow diagram 300 presented in
The first exemplary self-sealing balloon fabrication flow diagram 300 and second exemplary self-sealing balloon fabrication flow diagram 301 differ wherein in the first exemplary self-sealing balloon fabrication flow diagram 300, the step of dispensing the adhesive material upon the adhesive dispensing segment 150 (block 312) is accomplished prior to the step of applying the balloon material onto the balloon form member 120 (block 314) and in the second exemplary self-sealing balloon fabrication flow diagram 301, the step of dispensing the adhesive material upon the adhesive dispensing segment 150 (block 312) is accomplished subsequent to the step of applying the balloon material onto the balloon form member 120 (block 314) and preferably after the balloon material is at least partially cured (block 316). In the second exemplary self-sealing balloon fabrication flow diagram 301, the balloon material can act as the optional, removable form.
The dispensed adhesive roll 170 is encased within an adhesive staging segment 172 by at least one adhesive staging segment roller 190 (blocks 318 through 324). The encasing process initiates by activating the at least one adhesive staging segment roller 190 (block 318). The at least one adhesive staging segment roller 190 frictionally engages with the exterior surface of the tubular balloon neck segment 220 to begin stretching the material to form the adhesive staging segment 172 (block 320). The at least one adhesive staging segment roller 190 continues to draw the section of the tubular balloon neck segment 220, where the interior surface of the tubular balloon neck segment 220 grips the dispensed adhesive roll 170 and draws the dispensed adhesive roll 170 into the adhesive staging segment 172 (block 322). The forming process continues until the adhesive staging segment 172 is formed into the desired shape, finalizing the formation of the adhesive staging segment 172 (block 324).
At any suitable point during the process, at least one lip bead roller 192 is activated and proceeds in forming a lip bead 224 at the balloon unfinished edge 222 of the tubular balloon neck segment 220 (block 330). It is understood that any known process can be utilized to form the lip bead 224.
If the balloon material is not yet cured, the process finalizes the curing of the balloon material (block 326). The self sealing balloon 200 is removed from the balloon form member 120 using any suitable separation process (block 328). At any suitable point in the process, an image can be applied to an exterior surface of the self sealing balloon 200. This image can be printed thereon, sprayed thereon, and the like. The self sealing balloon 200 can be fabricated of a single colored balloon material, a balloon material comprising a swirl of multiple colors, dipped at different levels into different vats of balloon material, each vat comprising a different balloon material color, and the like to create unique balloons 200. The self sealing balloon 200 may be tested to ensure against defects prior to packaging and shipping to a distributor, retailer, and the like, thus terminating the process (block 340).
The self sealing balloon 200 can be inflated in accordance with a variety of processes, with an exemplary self-sealing balloon inflation flow diagram 400 being presented in
The previously described balloon forming processes utilize a custom balloon form member 120 to fabricate the self sealing balloon 200. A self-sealing balloon 600, as illustrated in
Each balloon form member 120 requires a custom design, wherein the design is directed towards a fabrication of the self sealing balloon 200 by including the adhesive dispensing segment 150. A first variant is presented in
In practice, balloon forming material, such as latex, in liquid form, is applied to an exterior surface of the balloon form member 720 and the adhesive adapter exterior surface 756 as illustrated in
The balloon fabrication process can be modified to introduce a powder applying subassembly 780 for application of a surface protecting powder 790 onto the applied moldable adhesive composition 771, as illustrated in
Upon completion of the application of the surface protecting powder 790, the process would continue rolling the lip bead 624, entrapping the power coated applied moldable adhesive composition 771 therein as illustrated in
Another variant of an adhesive applicator is an adhesive dispensing adapter 950, which is illustrated in
In use, a pressure would be applied to the adhesive storage volumetric space 962. The pressure into the adhesive storage volumetric space 962 can be provided by a flow of moldable adhesive composition 970, airflow, a piston, or any other suitable pressure forming source. In the exemplary embodiment, the moldable adhesive composition 970 is supplied to the adhesive storage volumetric space 962 through a propellant/adhesive supply conduit passageway 968 of a propellant/adhesive supply conduit 966. A supply line orifice 963 is formed through the frustum shaped adapter body top panel 953, providing fluid communication between the propellant/adhesive supply conduit passageway 968 and the adhesive storage volumetric space 962. The sourced moldable adhesive composition 970 provides the volume of material and the associated pressure for dispensing the moldable adhesive composition 970 to form the applied moldable adhesive composition 971. The formation of the applied moldable adhesive composition 971 would be controlled by the volume supplied through the propellant/adhesive supply conduit 966 and the time duration of the distribution (application of pressure). The process can optionally include the powder applying subassembly 780 for application of the surface protecting powder 790. Upon completion of the dispensing and formation of the applied moldable adhesive composition 771, the process would continue rolling the lip bead 624, entrapping the applied moldable adhesive composition 971 therein as illustrated in
The self sealing balloon 600 can be fabricated in accordance with a variety of processes, including a third exemplary self-sealing balloon fabrication flow diagram 1000 presented in
Adhesive material is dispensed onto the lip bead adhesive receiving surface 626 by adhesive dispensing adapter 750, 950 (block 1020) as illustrated in
The self sealing balloon 600 can be inflated in accordance with a variety of processes, with an exemplary self-sealing balloon inflation flow diagram 1100 being presented in
In a portion of the above exemplary methods for applying the sealing adhesive to the neck of the balloon initially applies the sealing adhesive to a balloon form prior to an application of liquid latex upon the balloon form to manufacture the balloon. A second portion of the above exemplary methods for applying the sealing adhesive to the neck of the balloon initially applies the sealing adhesive to a prefabricated balloon, wherein the balloon neck is partially rolled. The process comprises a step of dipping the rolled portion of the balloon neck into a volume of sealing adhesive.
Another exemplary method of applying a sealing adhesive to an interior surface of a balloon neck is illustrated in a series of steps presented in
The process employs a sealing adhesive applicator assembly 1300 for aiding the process for applying the sealing adhesive to a prefabricated balloon. The sealing adhesive applicator assembly 1300 includes an adhesive applicator balloon neck sleeve element 1350 slideably assembled to a sealing adhesive applicator balloon neck support element 1310. The sealing adhesive applicator balloon neck support element 1310 includes an elongated, tubular structure preferably formed having a balloon neck support element, frustum shaped lead-in segment 1312 located at a free end of the sealing adhesive applicator balloon neck support element 1310. A section of the sealing adhesive applicator balloon neck support element 1310 extending rearward from the balloon neck support element, frustum shaped lead-in segment 1312 is preferably formed having a continuous cross section shape and size. The sealing adhesive applicator balloon neck support element 1310 can include distance indicators, such as a balloon neck support element, distal segment indicator 1315 and a balloon neck support element, proximal segment indicator 1317. A segment of the sealing adhesive applicator balloon neck support element 1310 extending between the rearward end of the balloon neck support element, frustum shaped lead-in segment 1312 and the balloon neck support element, distal segment indicator 1315 is identified as a balloon neck support element, distal parallel shaped segment 1314. A segment of the sealing adhesive applicator balloon neck support element 1310 extending between the balloon neck support element, distal segment indicator 1315 and the balloon neck support element, proximal segment indicator 1317 is identified as a balloon neck support element, central adhesive applicator segment 1316. The balloon neck support element, distal segment indicator 1315 and the balloon neck support element, proximal segment indicator 1317 are used as references when placing a neck portion of a prefabricated balloon onto the sealing adhesive applicator balloon neck support element 1310.
The adhesive applicator balloon neck sleeve element 1350 is designed to define a balloon neck sleeve element, interior cavity 1356. The balloon neck sleeve element, interior cavity 1356 would be accessible through an opening defined by a free end of the balloon neck sleeve element, frustum shaped lead-in segment 1352. An inner boundary of the balloon neck sleeve element, interior cavity 1356 is defined by an exterior surface of the sealing adhesive applicator balloon neck support element 1310. The adhesive applicator balloon neck sleeve element 1350 is slideably assembled to the sealing adhesive applicator balloon neck support element 1310. The sliding interface created between the adhesive applicator balloon neck sleeve element 1350 and the sealing adhesive applicator balloon neck support element 1310 can be provided by any suitable design. The exemplary illustration includes a pair of radially arranged support elements 1362, 1364 extending inward from an interior surface of the balloon neck sleeve element, distal parallel shaped segment 1354. Each of the radially arranged support elements 1362, 1364 includes a balloon neck sleeve support surface 1363, 1365. The balloon neck sleeve support surfaces 1363, 1365 are designed to slideably engage with the exterior surface of the sealing adhesive applicator balloon neck support element 1310. At least one stop can be integral with the exterior surface of the sealing adhesive applicator balloon neck support element 1310, wherein one stop can be located to limit a sliding motion of the adhesive applicator balloon neck sleeve element 1350 in a first direction and a second stop can be located to limit a sliding motion of the adhesive applicator balloon neck sleeve element 1350 in a second, or opposite direction. Each at least one stop can be any suitable formation, such as a bossed feature extending outward from the exterior surface of the sealing adhesive applicator balloon neck support element 1310, a flange extending outward from the exterior surface of the sealing adhesive applicator balloon neck support element 1310, and the like. In an enhanced version, the sliding elements can include a sliding bearing, a linear slide bearing, a bearing sleeve, and the like.
The sealing adhesive applicator assembly 1300 preferably includes an automated or semi-automated sealing adhesive applicator, such as an adhesive dispenser assembly 1380. The adhesive dispenser assembly 1380 can be of any suitable dispensing design capable of applying the sealing adhesive 1390 onto the prefabricated balloon or the sealing adhesive applicator balloon neck support element 1310. The sealing adhesive 1390 is delivered to an adhesive dispenser 1382 by an adhesive supply conduit 1384. The delivery system can also provide sufficient pressure to dispense the adhesive 1390 onto a target surface, such as an interior surface of the balloon neck. An adhesive dispensing orifice 1386 is formed through adhesive dispenser 1382, wherein the adhesive dispensing orifice 1386 is designed to transfer the adhesive 1390 from the adhesive dispenser 1382 to the target surface. The adhesive dispensing orifice 1386 can include a single orifice or dispensing passage (as shown) or a series of dispensing passages. The adhesive dispenser 1382 can be formed to include a nozzle shape leading to the adhesive dispensing orifice 1386. The exemplary adhesive dispenser assembly 1380 includes an adhesive dispenser assembly 1380 that is preferably positionably adjustable to stage to and retract from a dispensing position. The movements of the adhesive dispenser assembly 1380 can be accomplished by employing any of a variety of manual and/or automated movement mechanisms. The adhesive dispenser assembly 1380 can employ a pressure system, a screw drive system, a piston drive system or any other suitable mechanism for dispensing the adhesive 1390 from the adhesive dispenser assembly 1380.
The sealing adhesive applicator assembly 1300 is designed to aid in an application of a bead of adhesive 1390 onto an interior surface 1426 of a balloon neck 1420 of a prefabricated self-sealing balloon 1400. The prefabricated self-sealing balloon 1400 is similar to the self-sealing balloon 200, 600. The self-sealing balloon 1400 is similar to the self sealing balloons 200, 600 with like elements of the self-sealing balloon 1400 being numbered in a similar manner as the self-sealing balloon 200, 600, with a prefix of the numeral “14”.
An exemplary method for applying the adhesive 1390 onto the prefabricated self-sealing balloon 1400 is outlined in a fourth exemplary self-sealing balloon fabrication flow diagram 1500 presented in
The fourth exemplary self-sealing balloon fabrication flow diagram 1500 initiates at a start step (block 1402). A sealing adhesive applicator assembly 1300 is obtained in accordance with an obtain adhesive applicator form step 1502. The sealing adhesive applicator assembly 1300 can be assembled to or integrated with an automated device for automating the adhesive application process. During the same acquisition step, a plurality of prefabricated self-sealing balloons 1400 would be supplied for receiving of the adhesive 1390.
The prefabricated self-sealing balloon 1400 would be mounted onto the sealing adhesive applicator balloon neck support element 1310. The balloon neck support element, frustum shaped lead-in segment 1312 is designed to aid in the process of mounting the tubular balloon neck segment 1420 of the prefabricated self-sealing balloon 1400 onto the sealing adhesive applicator balloon neck support element 1310. The free end of the balloon neck support element, frustum shaped lead-in segment 1312 is preferably of a size and shape that is proximate to the size and shape of the opening of the tubular balloon neck segment 1420 of the prefabricated self-sealing balloon 1400, thus easing or simplifying the mounting process by avoiding or minimizing any initial stretching of the tubular balloon neck segment 1420 process. The free, rolled end of the tubular balloon neck segment 1420 is placed upon the balloon neck support element, frustum shaped lead-in segment 1312, as shown in
A lip bead 1424 is formed at a free end of the tubular balloon neck segment 1420. The lip bead 1424 is partially unrolled rearward, from the free end of the sealing adhesive applicator balloon neck support element 1310, mounting the tubular balloon neck segment 1420 onto the balloon neck support element, frustum shaped lead-in segment 1312 and continuing along the balloon neck support element, distal parallel shaped segment 1314 of the sealing adhesive applicator balloon neck support element 1310, as referenced by an unrolling neck upward motion 1370 illustrated in
The adhesive dispenser assembly 1380 is moved into a staging or application position as shown in
Once the dispensed adhesive 1391 is applied and inspected, the adhesive dispenser 1382 is retracted into a stored position, as referenced by an applicator retraction motion 1374, and illustrated in
In an alternate configuration, the adhesive dispenser assembly 1380 can be integrated into the adhesive applicator balloon neck sleeve element 1350. When using this configuration, the adhesive applicator balloon neck sleeve element 1350 would be slideably positioned into a location to dispense the adhesive 1390, forming the dispensed adhesive 1391 on the lip bead adhesive receiving surface 1426 of the tubular balloon neck segment 1420. The process would then continue by dispensing the adhesive 1390, forming the dispensed adhesive 1391 on the lip bead adhesive receiving surface 1426 of the tubular balloon neck segment 1420. The balloon neck sleeve element, interior cavity opening span 1359 would be designed to accommodate the largest dispensed adhesive span 1399 of an acceptable dispensed volume of adhesive 1390.
The adhesive applicator balloon neck sleeve element 1350 is slid forward, towards the free end of the sealing adhesive applicator balloon neck support element 1310 (step 1520). The opening at the free end of the balloon neck sleeve element, frustum shaped lead-in segment 1352 is designed having a balloon neck sleeve element, interior cavity opening span 1359. The balloon neck sleeve element, frustum shaped lead-in segment 1352 would be located at a working end of a balloon neck sleeve element, distal parallel shaped segment 1354. The applied dispensed adhesive 1391 has a dispensed adhesive span 1399. The balloon neck sleeve element, interior cavity opening span 1359 is greater than the dispensed adhesive span 1399, enabling the adhesive applicator balloon neck sleeve element 1350 to pass over the dispensed adhesive 1391 without contacting with the dispensed adhesive 1391.
The dispensed adhesive 1391 is preferably applied proximate the return curve formed in the tubular balloon neck segment 1420, the return curve being located proximate the balloon neck support element, proximal segment indicator 1317. The free end of the balloon neck sleeve element, frustum shaped lead-in segment 1352 would be positioned proximate the balloon neck support element, distal segment indicator 1315, as illustrated in
The adhesive applicator balloon neck sleeve element 1350 is drawn rearward, away from the free end of the sealing adhesive applicator balloon neck support element 1310, as referenced by an initial sleeve retraction motion 1377 (step 1524), which draws the lip bead adhesive covering neck segment 1428 rearward. When the curve defining the lip bead adhesive covering neck segment 1428 approached the dispensed adhesive 1391, an encasing formation balloon neck retention force 1378 is applied to the region proximate the dispensed adhesive 1391, as illustrated in
A number of variants of apparatuses and method of applying a sealing adhesive to an interior surface of a self-sealing balloon were described above. Several optional features can be included in the adhesive dispenser assemblies. The optional features are introduced in the exemplary illustration presented in
The adhesive dispenser assembly 1680 would operate in the same manner as the adhesive dispenser assembly 1380. Like elements of the adhesive dispenser assembly 1680 and the adhesive dispenser assembly 1380 are numbered the same, except being preceded by the numeral “16”. In the exemplary illustrated implementation, a balloon sealing adhesive applicator assembly 1600 is representative of any suitable sealing adhesive applicator assembly described herein.
In the balloon sealing adhesive applicator assembly 1600, the adhesive supply conduit 1684 is additionally employed to support the adhesive dispenser 1682. The exemplary adhesive dispenser 1382 includes an adhesive dispensing orifice 1386 having a single passageway. The adhesive dispenser 1682 includes a plurality of dispensing passageways 1686. The sealing adhesive 1690 would be applied to a balloon form neck adhesive receiving element 1650 assembled to a balloon form neck segment 1640, forming a dispensed sealing adhesive 1691. One or both of the balloon form neck segment 1640 and/or the adhesive dispenser assembly 1680 would rotate 1688 about a balloon form neck segment rotational axis 1649 during the application process, forming a circumferentially covering dispensed sealing adhesive 1691. The plurality of dispensing passageways 1686 can provide a more consistent application of the sealing adhesive 1690, forming a broader and consistent dispensed sealing adhesive 1691. The dispensed sealing adhesive 1691 would have a substantially consistent depth (or radial thickness) across a wider axial distance. The balloon form neck adhesive receiving element 1650 would have a surface fabricated of a material that aids in a transfer of the dispensed sealing adhesive 1691 from the balloon form neck adhesive receiving element 1650 to the surface of the neck of the balloon. The exemplary balloon form neck adhesive receiving element 1650 is shown to be proud of the surface of the balloon form neck segment 1640. It is understood that the balloon form neck adhesive receiving element 1650 can be proud of the surface of the balloon form neck segment 1640, co-planar with the surface of the balloon form neck segment 1640, recessed within the surface of the balloon form neck segment 1640, or any combination thereof. The exposed annular surface of the balloon form neck adhesive receiving element 1650 can be planar, as shown, convex, concave, or any combination thereof. Although the dispensing formation of the adhesive dispenser 1682 includes one or more passageways 1686, the dispensing formation of the 1682 can employ any of a variety of dispensing configurations, including a brush, a roller, one or more dispensing needles, or any other suitable dispensing configuration. The dispensing configuration can apply a dispensed sealing adhesive 1691 having a smooth exterior surface, a textured exterior surface, a planar exterior surface, a concave exterior surface, a convex exterior surface, a non-porous or gas free interior volume, a porous interior volume, and the like, or any combination thereof. The adhesive dispenser assembly 1680 can have multiple dispensing subassemblies integrated therewith, enabling dispensing of different materials or compositions to form the dispensed sealing adhesive 1691. This can include a configuration for dispensing a two or multiple part mixture simultaneously or sequentially to form the dispensed sealing adhesive 1691. Similarly, the configuration can be used to inject a gas into the dispensed sealing adhesive 1691.
The sealing adhesive applicator assembly 1300 is illustrated as an independent assembly. A plurality of sealing adhesive applicator assemblies 1300 can be integrated into a single assembly, such as a balloon sealing adhesive applicator assembly 1700, illustrated in
The above-described embodiments are merely exemplary illustrations of implementations set forth for a clear understanding of the principles of the invention. Many variations, combinations, modifications or equivalents may be substituted for elements thereof without departing from the scope of the invention. Therefore, it is intended that the invention not be limited to the particular embodiments disclosed as the best mode contemplated for carrying out this invention, but that the invention will include all the embodiments falling within the scope of the appended claims.
This Non-Provisional Patent Application claims a common domestic benefit as follows: wherein this Non-Provisional Utility Patent Application is a Continuation-In-Part claiming the benefit of co-pending U.S. Non-Provisional patent application Ser. No. 14/930,646, filed on Nov. 2, 2015,wherein U.S. Non-Provisional patent application Ser. No. 14/930,646 claims a domestic benefit under multiple branches as follows:A) wherein U.S. Non-Provisional patent application Ser. No. 14/930,646 is a Continuation-In-Part claiming the benefit of U.S. Non-Provisional patent application Ser. No. 13/952,608, filed on Jul. 27, 2013 (now issued as U.S. Pat. No. 9,174,141 on Nov. 3, 2015), andwherein U.S. Non-Provisional patent application Ser. No. 13/952,608 is a Non-Provisional Patent Application which claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 61/676,969, filed on Jul. 29, 2012; andB) wherein U.S. Non-Provisional patent application Ser. No. 14/930,646 is also a Non-Provisional Patent Application which claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 62/103,520, filed on Jan. 14, 2015,C) wherein the entireties each of above the above applications are incorporated herein by reference.
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| Number | Date | Country | |
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| Number | Date | Country | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Parent | 14930646 | Nov 2015 | US |
| Child | 15798309 | US | |
| Parent | 13952608 | Jul 2013 | US |
| Child | 14930646 | US |
