INFLATION DEVICE AND METHOD OF USE

• US 20190233173A1
• Filed: 01/30/2018
• Published: 08/01/2019
• Est. Priority Date: 01/30/2018
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Goodrich Corporation (Rtx Corporation)
• Original Assignee: Goodrich Corporation (Rtx Corporation)
• Inventors: Haynes, Timothy C., Hartman, Drew
• Granted Patent: US 10,640,186 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• 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 inflation pouch comprising:

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.

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

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

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

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

6. The inflation pouch of claim 1, wherein the border further comprises a first edge and a second edge, wherein the first edge can be folded over the second edge to seal the first end closed.

7. The inflation pouch of claim 1, wherein the inflation pouch houses at least one of a life raft survival kit or a life raft canopy.

8. 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.

9. The pack of claim 8, wherein the part comprises at least one of a life raft survival kit or a life raft canopy.

10. The pack of claim 8, wherein the border of the first end further comprises a zipping fastener.

11. The pack of claim 8, wherein the border of the first end further comprises a hook and loop fastener.

12. The pack of claim 8, 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.

13. The pack of claim 12, wherein the interior volume of the inflation pouch is in fluid communication with an interior volume of the inflatable structure.

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

directing a fluid into an opening of a first end of an 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 interior volume of the inflation pouch is in fluid communication with an interior volume of the inflatable structure; and

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.

15. The method of claim 14, wherein the applying the force comprises rolling the first end of the inflation pouch towards the second end of the inflation pouch.

16. The method of claim 14, 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.

17. The method of claim 16, wherein the sealing comprises folding a first edge of the border over a second edge of the border.

18. The method of claim 16, wherein the sealing comprises closing a fastener located on the border.

19. The method of claim 18, wherein the fastener comprises a hook and loop fastener.

20. The method of claim 18, wherein the fastener comprises a zipping fastener.