Self-sealing valve, a self-sealing, non-latex balloon, and a method for producing such a balloon
First Claim
Patent Images
1. A self-sealing valve, for use with a non-latex balloon having a stem and a body, comprising, in combination:
- a first flexible plastic valve sheet having a first inlet end and a first outlet end;
a second flexible plastic valve sheet having a second inlet end and a second outlet end;
said first and second flexible plastic valve sheets being secured together and defining a valve inlet and a valve outlet; and
barrier means for providing a bonding barrier between said first and second flexible plastic valve sheets at said valve inlet;
said second inlet end of said second flexible plastic valve sheet extending beyond said first inlet end of said first flexible plastic valve sheet to provide a positioning tab to be secured within said stem of said non-latex balloon;
said self-sealing valve extending from said stem into said body and lying entirely within said non-latex balloon when said self-sealing valve is secured within said stem.
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Abstract
The present invention relates to a self-sealing flexible plastic valve for a non-latex balloon. The valve is made from two flexible plastic sheets, bonded together to define a valve inlet, a valve outlet and a valve passageway. The inlet end of one sheet extends beyond the other to provide a positioning tab to be bonded to the balloon sheet such that the valve inlet is within the balloon stem. A bonding barrier at the inlet end avoids sealing during fabrication and facilitates automated insertion of the valve into the balloon.
148 Citations
14 Claims
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1. A self-sealing valve, for use with a non-latex balloon having a stem and a body, comprising, in combination:
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a first flexible plastic valve sheet having a first inlet end and a first outlet end; a second flexible plastic valve sheet having a second inlet end and a second outlet end; said first and second flexible plastic valve sheets being secured together and defining a valve inlet and a valve outlet; and barrier means for providing a bonding barrier between said first and second flexible plastic valve sheets at said valve inlet; said second inlet end of said second flexible plastic valve sheet extending beyond said first inlet end of said first flexible plastic valve sheet to provide a positioning tab to be secured within said stem of said non-latex balloon; said self-sealing valve extending from said stem into said body and lying entirely within said non-latex balloon when said self-sealing valve is secured within said stem. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4)
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5. A self-sealing, non-latex balloon having a body and a stem comprising, in combination:
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a first balloon sheet having an interior surface; a second balloon sheet bonded to said first balloon sheet so as to define said body and said stem; and a self-sealing valve having a first floating portion within said body and a second portion bonded to said first and second balloon sheets within said stem, said self-sealing valve including a first flexible plastic valve sheet bonded to a second flexible plastic valve sheet so as to provide a positioning tab and a valve inlet defining said second portion, said positioning tab being initially bonded to said interior surface of said first balloon sheet at a predetermined position and orientation with respect thereto; said valve inlet being bonded to said first and second balloon sheets within said stem; said self-sealing valve further including barrier means for providing a bonding barrier between said first and second flexible plastic valve sheets at said valve inlet. - View Dependent Claims (6, 7, 8, 9)
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10. A method for producing a self-sealing, non-latex balloon, having a body and a stem defined by a first balloon sheet bonded to a second balloon sheet, comprising the steps of:
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bonding a first flexible plastic valve sheet to a second flexible plastic valve sheet so as to provide a valve having a valve inlet, a valve outlet, and a positioning tab; treating at least one of said first and second flexible plastic valve sheets to provide barrier means for providing a bonding barrier between said first and second flexible plastic valve sheets at said valve inlet; bonding said positioning tab to said first balloon sheet at a predetermined position such that said valve has a predetermined orientation with respect to said first balloon sheet; registering said second balloon sheet with respect to said first balloon sheet; and bonding said first and second balloon sheets together and to said valve such that said valve includes a first floating portion within said body and a second portion bonded to said balloon stem, said second portion including said positioning tab and said valve inlet. - View Dependent Claims (11, 12, 13)
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14. A self-sealing, non-latex balloon having a body and a stem comprising, in combination:
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a first balloon sheet having an interior surface; a second balloon sheet bonded to said first balloon sheet so as to define said body and said stem; and a self-sealing valve having a first floating portion within said body and a second portion heat-fused to said first and second balloon sheets within said stem, said self-sealing valve including a first flexible plastic valve sheet, having a thickness in the range of one (1.0) to two (2.0) mil, bonded to a second flexible plastic valve sheet, having a thickness in the range of one (1.0) to two (2.0) mils, so as to provide a positioning tab and a valve inlet defining said second portion, said positioning tab being initially bonded to said interior surface of said first balloon sheet at a predetermined position and a predetermined orientation with respect thereto; said valve inlet being bonded to said first and second balloon sheets within said stem; said self-sealing valve further including a bonding barrier of heat-resistant ink applied to at least one of said first and second flexible plastic valve sheets at said valve inlet; said self-sealing valve further defining a valve passageway having an inlet section, an outlet section and an offset section, such that said inlet section has a width greater than said outlet section.
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Specification