Method of producing an internal tensioning structure useable with inflatable devices

• US 8,562,773 B2
• Filed: 11/05/2012
• Issued: 10/22/2013
• Est. Priority Date: 03/02/2012
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Intex Marketing Ltd. (Intex Corporation)
• Original Assignee: Intex Recreation Corporation (Intex Corporation)
• Inventors: Lin, Hua Hsiang, Hsu, Yaw Yuan
• Primary Examiner(s): Lee, Katarzyna Wyrozebski
• Assistant Examiner(s): Patel, Vishal I
• Application Number:
  US13/668,799
• Publication Number:
  US 20130228268A1
• Time in Patent Office: 351 Days
• Field of Search: 156/166, 156/272.2, 156/158, 156/163, 156/178, 156/179, 156/308.2, 156/434, 156/439, 156/440, 568/1, 572/7, 572/8, 572/9, 515/8, 571/1, 571/0, 571/2, 139/410
• US Class Current: 156/166
• CPC Class Codes: A47C 27/081 of pneumatic type
• CPC Class Codes: A47C 27/087 with means for connecting opposite sides, e.g. internal ties or strips
• CPC Class Codes: B29C 65/02 by heating, with or without pressure
• CPC Class Codes: B29C 65/04 Dielectric heating, e.g. high-frequency welding , i.e. radio frequency welding of plastic materials having dielectric properties, e.g. PVC
• CPC Class Codes: B29C 65/18 using heated tools
• CPC Class Codes: B29C 66/1122 Single lap to lap joints, i.e. overlap joints B29C66/45, B29C66/472, B29C66/52272 take precedence
• CPC Class Codes: B29C 66/433 Casing-in, i.e. enclosing an element between two sheets by an outlined seam for bookbinding B42C11/06; for packaging B65B; by laminating B32B37/00; enclosing tubular articles between substantially flat elements B29C66/53261
• CPC Class Codes: B29C 66/439 Joining sheets for making inflated articles without using a mould
• CPC Class Codes: B29C 66/45 Joining of substantially the whole surface of the articles methods or apparatus for laminating B32B37/00
• CPC Class Codes: B29C 66/47 Joining single elements to sheets, plates or other substantially flat surfaces B29C66/5326 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: B29C 66/472 said single elements being substantially flat
• CPC Class Codes: B29C 66/4722 Fixing strips to surfaces other than edge faces fixing strips to edge faces B29C63/0026
• CPC Class Codes: B29C 66/474 said single elements being substantially non-flat
• CPC Class Codes: B29C 66/53462 joining substantially flat covers and substantially flat bottoms to open ends of container bodies
• CPC Class Codes: B29C 66/69 General aspects of joining filaments bundling articles B65B13/00; interconnecting successive lengths of material B65H69/00
• CPC Class Codes: B29C 66/71 characterised by the composition of the plastics material of the parts to be joined welding bar compositions B29C65/125
• CPC Class Codes: B29C 66/723 being multi-layered B29C66/7292, B29C66/72941 take precedence
• CPC Class Codes: B29C 66/7352 Thickness, e.g. very thin
• CPC Class Codes: B29C 66/83413 cooperating rollers, cylinders or drums
• CPC Class Codes: B29C 66/8432 Machines for making separate joints at the same time mounted in parallel or in series
• CPC Class Codes: B29C 66/919 : characterised by specific temperature, heat or thermal flux values or ranges specific electrical resistance values B29C66/81262
• CPC Class Codes: B29C 66/949 : characterised by specific time values or ranges
• CPC Class Codes: B29D 22/02 : Inflatable articles
• CPC Class Codes: B29K 2027/06 : PVC, i.e. polyvinylchloride
• CPC Class Codes: B29L 2022/02 : Inflatable articles balls B29L2031/54 ; inner tyres B29L2023/245
• CPC Class Codes: B29L 2031/751 : Mattresses, cushions upholstery B29L2031/58
• CPC Class Codes: B32B 2307/54 : Yield strength; Tensile strength
• CPC Class Codes: B32B 2307/558 : Impact strength, toughness
• CPC Class Codes: B32B 2398/00 : Unspecified macromolecular compounds
• CPC Class Codes: B32B 2479/00 : Furniture upholstery B32B2601/00
• CPC Class Codes: B32B 27/12 : next to a fibrous or filamentary layer
• CPC Class Codes: B32B 5/022 : Non-woven fabric

Abstract

An internal tensioning structure for use in an inflatable product fulfills the basic function of maintaining two adjacent inflatable surfaces in a desired geometric arrangement when the inflatable product is pressurized. The tensioning structure is formed by connecting a pair of plastic strips sheets via spaced-apart strands, such as strings or wires. When pulled taut, the strands provide a high tensile strength between the two opposed plastic strips. At the same time, the plastic strips facilitate a strong, long-lasting weld between the tensioning structure and the inflatable product.

Claims

1. A method for producing a tensioning structure of an inflatable product, the method comprising:

aligning a plurality of strands with a strand guide,

positioning a first weld strip adjacent to the plurality of strands;

positioning a second weld strip adjacent to the plurality of strands with the plurality of strands positioned between the first and second weld strips;

positioning third and fourth welds strips adjacent to the plurality of strands spaced apart from the first and second weld strips;

positioning the plurality of strands into at least one of a welder and an adhesive device; and

activating the welder or adhesive device to fixedly connect the first weld strip to the plurality of strands and couple the first and second weld strips together and the third and fourth weld strips together.

2. The method of claim 1, further comprising step of cutting the first weld strip along its longitudinal length after the activating step.

3. The method of claim 1, further comprising the step of coupling the first weld strip to an interior surface of an inflatable product.

4. The method of claim 1, further comprising a step of coupling at least one of the first and second weld strips to a first sheet of an inflatable product and coupling at least one of the third and fourth weld strips to a second sheet an inflatable product.

5. The method of claim 4, further comprising a step of cutting the first, second, third, and fourth weld strips along their longitudinal length before the coupling step.