Inflation device and method of use

• US 10,640,186 B2
• Filed: 01/30/2018
• Issued: 05/05/2020
• Est. Priority Date: 01/30/2018
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Goodrich Corporation (Raytheon Technologies Corporation d/b/a RTX)
• Original Assignee: Goodrich Corporation (Raytheon Technologies Corporation d/b/a RTX)
• Inventors: Haynes, Timothy C, Hartman, Drew
• Primary Examiner(s): Kelly, Timothy P.
• Application Number:
  US15/883,964
• Publication Number:
  US 20190233173A1
• Time in Patent Office: 826 Days
• Field of Search: 417474, 417476, 417478, 417480
• CPC Class Codes: B63C 2009/042 inflatable
• CPC Class Codes: B63C 9/04 Life-rafts
• CPC Class Codes: B63C 9/23 Containers for inflatable life-saving equipment
• CPC Class Codes: B64D 25/14 Inflatable escape chutes
• CPC Class Codes: B64D 25/18 Flotation gear aircraft alighting gear B64C
• CPC Class Codes: B65D 35/44 Closures closure members of interest apart from this application B65D39/00 - B65D55/00; forming bottom closures after filling B65B7/14
• CPC Class Codes: B65D 47/06 with pouring spouts or tubes; with discharge nozzles or passages with slidable spouts B65D47/26

Abstract

Systems and methods are disclosed herein for an inflation pouch. The inflation pouch may include a border on a first end and a nozzle on a second end, wherein the border defines an interior volume of the inflation pouch, and the interior volume is in fluid communication with the nozzle. The border further comprises a zipping fastener or a hook and loop fastener. The nozzle may couple with an inflation valve of an inflatable structure. The interior volume of the inflation pouch is in fluid communication with an interior volume of the inflatable structure.

Claims

1. An emergency pack comprising:

an inflation pouch with a border on a first end and a nozzle on a second end, wherein the border defines an interior volume of the inflation pouch, and the interior volume is in fluid communication with the nozzle; and

a part housed within the inflation pouch, wherein the part comprises a life raft survival kit including medical supplies and a fire starting instrument.

2. The pack of claim 1, wherein the border of the first end further comprises a zipping fastener.

3. The pack of claim 1, wherein the border of the first end further comprises a hook and loop fastener.

4. The pack of claim 1, wherein the nozzle couples with an inflation valve on an inflatable structure, wherein the inflatable structure is at least one of a life raft or an inflatable slide.

5. The pack of claim 4, wherein the interior volume of the inflation pouch is in fluid communication with an interior volume of the inflatable structure.

6. A method of inflating an inflatable structure, the method comprising:

removing a life raft survival kit from an opening of a first end of an inflation pouch, the life raft survival kit including medical supplies and a fire starting instrument;

directing a fluid into the opening of the first end of the inflation pouch, wherein the opening defines an interior volume of the inflation pouch;

coupling a nozzle on a second end of the inflation pouch with an inflation valve of the inflatable structure, wherein the inflatable structure is at least one of a life raft or an inflatable slide of an aircraft evacuation system, wherein the interior volume of the inflation pouch is in fluid communication with an interior volume of the inflatable structure;

applying force to the first end of the inflation pouch towards the nozzle, wherein the force directs the fluid through the nozzle to the interior volume of the inflatable structure; and

inserting the life raft survival kit into the opening of the inflation pouch.

7. The method of claim 6, wherein the applying the force comprises rolling the first end of the inflation pouch towards the second end of the inflation pouch.

8. The method of claim 6, further comprising sealing the opening of the first end of the inflation pouch after directing the fluid into the first end, wherein the first end further comprises a border which defines the opening of the first end.

9. The method of claim 8, wherein the sealing comprises folding a first edge of the border over a second edge of the border.

10. The method of claim 8, wherein the sealing comprises closing a fastener located on the border.

11. The method of claim 10, wherein the fastener comprises a hook and loop fastener.

12. The method of claim 10, wherein the fastener comprises a zipping fastener.