Method and apparatus for internally sealing and sculpturing elastic membrane expandable containers

• US 5,141,463 A
• Filed: 03/26/1991
• Issued: 08/25/1992
• Est. Priority Date: 03/26/1991
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Graham M. Rouse Jr
• Original Assignee: Graham M. Rouse Jr
• Inventors: Rouse, Graham M. Jr.
• Primary Examiner(s): Yu, Mickey
• Application Number:
  US07/675,562
• Time in Patent Office: 518 Days
• Field of Search: 446/222, 446/224, 446/220, 446/221, 446/225, 446/219, 446/226, 137/843, 137/852, 137/223, 434/81, 434/82, 428/9, 428/12, 244/31, 244/33
• US Class Current: 446/221
• CPC Class Codes: A63H 2027/1041 Holding or sealing means, e.g. handling rods, clamps or plugs
• CPC Class Codes: A63H 2027/1058 associated with light or sound
• CPC Class Codes: A63H 2027/1075 Special shapes or constructions
• CPC Class Codes: A63H 2027/1091 with object inserted within; Means or methods for insertion of objects
• CPC Class Codes: A63H 27/10 Balloons connection of valves to inflatable elastic bodies B60C29/00; other than toy aspects B64B1/40
• CPC Class Codes: B60C 29/00 Arrangements of tyre-inflating valves to tyres or rims; Accessories for tyre-inflating valves, not otherwise provided for tools for mounting or demounting valves B60C25/18
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 137/3584 Inflatable article [e.g., tire filling chuck and/or stem]
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 137/7879 Resilient material valve

Abstract

Apparatus and method for internally sealing and sculpturing an elastic membrane expandable container is provided. One end of a generally hollow tubular insert extends into the container and stretches the elastic membrane of the container from the inside so that such end is sealed by the elastic force of the membrane. Another end of the insert extends out of the container with the container sealed therearound. The container may be pressurized by forcing materials such as fluids into the insert outward end and through the hollow insert so as to cause the elastic membrane to unseat from the sealed end thereof, thereby inflating the membrane. Once the pressure source is removed from the insert outward end, the elastic force of the membrane will cause it to contract and reseat against the tubular insert, thereby resealing it. Selection of the shape of the hollow tubular insert can in effect internally sculpture the container in a desired manner, while the hollowness of the insert in combination with its exposed outward end further provides access to the interior of the inflated container without breaking the seal thereof. Various other objects such as activated chemical lights or temperature regulation devices may thereby be selectively introduced to the container interior.

Claims

1. A method for internally sealing an expandable elastic membrane container capable of being pressurized and maintaining substances therein in a pressurizd state, comprising the steps of:

inserting into such container a relatively rigid tubular insert having a sealing end and an inflating end so that said sealing end internally seats against and stretches said elastic membrane at some point within the container so that the elastic force of said elastic membrane seals said sealing end, while said inflating end extends from the container;

sealing the container to said tubular insert generally at a point between said inflating end and said sealing end; and

connecting said inflating end to an external pressure source so that a pressurized substance travels through said tubular insert and causes the elastic membrane to unseat from said sealing end such that the pressurized substance enters into and expands the container;

wherein said tubular insert is in pressure communication with at least a second elastic membrane container and respective tubular insert thereof so that a plurality of containers may be expanded from a single external pressure source.

2. A method as in claim 1, further including the step of disconnecting the external pressure source from said inflating end so that the elastic force of the membrane reseals said sealing end.

3. A method as in claim 1, wherein the elastic membrane container comprises a balloon of predetermined size and shape.

4. A method as in claim 1, further comprising the step of internally sculpturing the expandable container by predetermining the shape of said tubular insert so that said insert internally deforms the container into a desired form.

5. A method as in claim 1, further comprising the step of inserting an illuminating device into said tubular insert for illuminating the container from its interior.

6. A method as in claim 5, wherein said illuminating device comprises an activated chemical light.

7. A method as in claim 1, further comprising the step of inserting a temperature regulation device into said tubular insert for regulating the temperature of such insert and the substance contained within the container.

8. A method as in claim 2, further comprising the step of regulating the temperature of the substance contained in the container so as to thereby regulate the temperature of said tubular insert and any contents thereof.

9. A method as in claim 2, further comprising the step of controlling the contents of the container and the conditions thereof so as to correspondingly control the conditions of said tubular insert.

10. A method as in claim 1, wherein said inserting step includes expanding the container preliminarily with a vacuum inflator received about such container, so that said tubular insert may be readily inserted and positioned in the container.

11. A method as in claim 1, wherein said tubular insert is adapted to receive goods protectively for transport or storage thereof, and wherein the container is adapted to provide a custom fitting for such insert and the goods protected therein.

12. A method as in claim 1, wherein said sealing step includes providing an interference fit length of tubing about the container relatively adjacent said tubular insert inflating end.

13. A method as in claim 1, further comprising the step of providing a pressure relief tube within the container and communicating with the exterior thereof so that pressure within the container greater than a predetermined amount is vented to the container exterior.

14. A method as in claim 1, wherein said inserting step includes inserting into the container a second relatively rigid tubular insert having at least a second sealing end internally seated against and stretching the elastic membrane at some point within such container.

15. A method as in claim 14, wherein said second tubular insert is in pressure communication with the first mentioned tubular insert so that the pressurized substance causes the elastic membrane to unseat from both respective sealing ends thereof.

16. A method as in claim 1, wherein the container includes an internally mounted reinforced sealing member, and wherein said inserting step includes aligning said tubular insert so that said sealing end thereof seats against said reinforced sealing member.

17. A method as in claim 2, further including the step of connecting said inflating end to the -vent output of a venting vessel so that the elastic membrane container functions as a reservoir of overflow discharge from the venting vessel.

18. A method for sculpturing and sealing inflatable elastic balloons, comprising the steps of:

inserting a relatively rigid tubular insert of preconfigured sculptured design, and having a respective sealing end and inflating end, into an inflatable balloon so that said sealing end internally seats against and stretches said balloon at some point therein and said sculptured design deforms such balloon from within, such that said sealing end is sealed by the elastic force of the stretched balloon, and said inflating end extends from the neck of the balloon;

sealing the balloon to said tubular insert generally at the point where said inflating end extends from the balloon;

connecting said inflating end to an external pressurized gas source so that pressurized gas travels through said tubular insert to cause the balloon to become unseated from said sealing end allowing the pressurized gas to disperse into and inflate the balloon; and

interrupting the flow of pressurized gas to said inflating end so that the balloon is resealed at said sealing end, such that the remaining structure is an inflated balloon that is internally sculptured by said tubular insert deforming such balloon from the inside; and

further comprising the step of inserting a light source within said tubular insert for illuminating such balloon from the inside.

19. A method for sculpturing and sealing inflatable elastic balloons, comprising the steps of:

inserting a relatively rigid tubular insert of preconfigured sculptured design, and having a respective sealing end and inflating end, into an inflatable balloon so that said sealing end internally seats against and stretches said balloon at some point therein and said sculptured design deforms such balloon from within, such that said sealing end is sealed by the elastic force of the stretched balloon, and said inflating end extends from the neck of the balloon;

sealing the balloon to said tubular insert generally at the point where said inflating end extends from the balloon;

connecting said inflating end to an external pressurized gas source so that pressurized gas travels through said tubular insert to cause the balloon to become unseated from said sealing end allowing the pressurized gas to disperse into and inflate the balloon;

interrupting the flow of pressurized gas to said inflating end so that the balloon is resealed at said sealing end, such that the remaining structure is an inflated balloon that is internally sculptured by said tubular insert deforming such balloon from the inside; and

providing a plurality of tubular inserts in a corresponding respective plurality of elastic inflatable balloons, such tubular inserts being connected in series gas pressure communication for respective inflation of such ballons.

20. A method as in claim 19, wherein said sealing step includes exteriorly clamping the balloon about said tubular insert relatively adjacent said inflating end thereof.

21. A method of fabricating an aesthetic balloon creation, comprising:

providing a plastic tube with first and second ends, an elastic balloon, and a short section of a tubular fitting;

inserting the first end of the tube into the balloon and stretching the balloon over the length of the tube generally to the second end thereof;

temporarily securing the stretched balloon at the tube second end;

applying the tubular fitting to the tube second end and about the stretched balloon so as to secure and seal the stretched balloon thereat;

forcing a fluid into the tube second end so as to fill the balloon to a desired amount; and

interrupting the flow of forced fluid to the tube second end so that the elastic force of the stretched balloon seals the flow of fluid at the tube first end.

22. A method as in claim 21 wherein said forcing step includes first drawing the stretched balloon away from the tube first end so as to permit unblocked fluid flow therefrom into the balloon.

23. A method as in claim 22, wherein said forcing step includes user manipulation of the balloon exterior so as to first separate the tube first end from a portion of the stretched balloon otherwise sealed thereagainst.

24. A method as in claim 22, wherein said forcing step includes drawing a vacuum about the stretched balloon so as to first separate the tube first end from a portion of the stretched balloon otherwise sealed thereagainst.

25. A method as in claim 21, wherein said temporarily securing step includes tieing a knot in the open end of the stretched balloon, centering such knot over the tube second end, and trimming excess portions of the stretched balloon extending beyond such knot.

26. A method as in claim 21, further including the step of inserting an activated chemical light into the tube through the second end thereof so as to illuminate the balloon from its interior.

27. A method as in claim 21, further including providing a plurality of such fluid filled balloons operatively interconnected in a series arrangement.

28. A method as in claim 21, wherein said providing step includes preselecting the shape of the plastic tube so that the balloon when in its fluid filled condition will assume a desired configuration.

29. Balloon apparatus, comprising:

at least one elastic membrane expandable container capable of being pressurized and maintaining substances carried therein in a pressurized state;

a relatively rigid tubular insert having a sealing end and an inflating end, said insert extending into said expandable container an adequate distance so that said sealing end internally seats against and stretches said elastic membrane at some point within said container so that the elastic force of the stretched elastic membrane seals said sealing end, while said inflating end extends from said expandable container;

means for sealing said expandable container around said tubular insert generally at a point between said inflating end and said sealing end, so that upon connecting said inflating end to an external pressure source, a pressurized substance travels through said tubular element and causes the elastic membrane to unseat from said sealing end such that the pressurized substance enters into and expands said container, and upon disconnecting such external pressure source the elastic force of the membrane reseals said sealing end and;

at least one additional elastic membrane expandable container combined with a tubular insert and means for sealing with the inflating end of such additional container connected to said inflating end of the first mentioned container so that such containers may be pressurized from a commonly shared external pressure source.

30. Apparatus as in claim 29, wherein said at least one expandable container is capable of being pressurized with one of gases, liquids, and fine particulate substances having fluid mass properties.

31. Apparatus as in claim 29, wherein said at least one expandable container comprises a balloon of predetermined size and shape, and said tubular insert is preconfigured in a selected design for internally sculpturing said at least one expandable container by deforming said at least one expandable container from within into the selected design.

32. Apparatus as in claim 29, wherein said tubular insert is generally transparent, and wherein said apparatus further includes a light source carried within said tubular insert for illuminating said at least one expandable container from the inside.

33. Apparatus as in claim 32, wherein said light source comprises an activated chemical light.

34. Apparatus as in claim 29, further including control means carried within said tubular insert for controlling the temperature and/or pressure of the pressurized substance within said at least one expandable container.

35. Apparatus as in claim 29, wherein said sealing means comprises a collar device for fitting over said tubular insert and for sealing a portion of the elastic membrane between said tubular insert and said collar device generally near said inflating end so as to seal the elastic membrane around said tubular insert.

36. Apparatus as in claim 29, further including vacuum inflator means surrounding the elastic membrane for externally drawing the membrane away from said tubular end sealing end to facilitate pressurizing of said at least one expandable container with a relatively low pressure source which otherwise would not be sufficient to unseat said at least one elastic membrane from said sealing end, with the elastic force of such membrane resealing said sealing end upon deactuation of said vacuum inflator means.

37. Apparatus as in claim 29, further comprising a pressure relief tube having a pressure end extending into said at least one expandable container seating against the elastic membrane and sealed thereby with a greater elastic force than that sealing said tubular insert sealing end, said pressure relief tube having a vent end extending out of said at least one expandable container with the container sealed therearound, so that upon pressurization the elastic membrane will unseat first from said tubular insert sealing end allowing said at least one expandable container to inflate to a maximum limit where the elastic membrane unseats from said pressure relief tube pressure end, thereby allowing the pressurized substance to flow into said overpressure tube and exit said at least one expandable container via said vent end until the pressure in such expandable container reduces to a point that the elastic force of the membrane reseals said overpressure tube pressure end.

38. Apparatus as in claim 29, wherein said tubular insert comprises a plurality of appendages each having at least one sealing end contacting and sealing internally with the elastic membrane.

39. Apparatus as in claim 29, further including a reinforced sealing member carried on said at least one interior of the container and positioned so as to sealingly engage said tubular insert sealing end.

40. Balloon apparatus for internally sealing and sculpturing balloons, comprising:

a first inflatable balloon;

a relatively rigid tubular insert of preconfigured sculptured design having a respective sealing end and inflating end, said tubular insert extending into said first inflatable balloon so that said sealing end internally seats against and stretches the balloon at some point therein while said tubular insert sculptured design deforms such balloon from within, such that said sealing end is sealed by the elastic force of the stretched balloon, with said inflating end extending from the neck of the balloon;

means for sealing the balloon around said tubular insert generally at the point where said inflating end extends from the balloon so that upon inflation of the balloon by connecting said inflating end to an external pressurized gas source, pressurized gas travels through said tubular insert causing the balloon to become unseated from said sealing end allowing the pressurized gas to disperse into and inflate the balloon, and so that upon interrupting the flow of pressurized gas to said inflating end the balloon is resealed at said sealing end, such that the remaining structure comprises an inflated balloon that is internally sculptured by said tubular insert deforming such balloon from within; and

further including a plurality of such tubular inserts received in a corresponding plurality of inflatable balloons and respectively sealed in combination therewith by a corresponding plurality of means for sealing, such plurality of combinations being arranged in a user-defined configuration of parallel and/or series pressurized gas connections.

41. Apparatus as in claim 40, wherein said tubular insert is generally transparent, and said apparatus further comprises a light source carried within said tubular insert for illuminating said first balloon from the inside.

42. Apparatus as in claim 40, wherein said means for sealing comprises a collar device fitting over said tubular insert generally at the point where said inflating end extends from said first balloon and sealing a portion of such balloon between said tubular insert and said collar device.

43. An aesthetic balloon configuration, comprising:

an elastic balloon;

a hollow -tube with first and second ends in respective fluid communication with the hollow interior of such tube, such tube being at least partially received within said elastic balloon such that said tube first end is within said balloon while said tube second end is without; and

a short section of tubular fitting- received about said tube relatively adjacent said second end thereof with said balloon stretched down thereto an adequate distance such that said tube first end is sealed by the elastic force of said balloon drawing the interior of said balloon into sealing contact with said tube first end while the stretched balloon is sealed between said tube and said tubular fitting, so that introduction of fluid into said tube second end pressurized to an extent greater than said balloon elastic force will unseal said tube first end to permit fluid to enter said balloon through said tube, while removal of such pressure at said tube second end will permit said balloon elastic force to reseal said tube first end and capture fluid previously introduced into said balloon.

44. An aesthetic balloon configuration as in claim 43, wherein said hollow tube is preconfigured in a desired shape so as to internally impart a corresponding desired shape to the balloon stretched thereover.

45. An aesthetic balloon configuration as in claim 43, further including a light source inserted into said hollow tube for illuminating said balloon from the interior thereof.

46. An aesthetic balloon configuration as in claim 43, further including a plurality of respectively combined balloons, tubes, and tubular fittings, collectively combined in selected parallel and/or series fluid connections for obtaining a user-desired overall aesthetic configuration.