Kit for inflating and repairing inflatable articles, in particular tyres

• US 8,752,595 B2
• Filed: 07/29/2010
• Issued: 06/17/2014
• Est. Priority Date: 02/27/2004
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: TEK Global SRL (TEK Corporation)
• Original Assignee: TEK Global SRL (TEK Corporation)
• Inventors: Marini, Maurizio
• Primary Examiner(s): Maust, Timothy L
• Assistant Examiner(s): ARNETT, NICOLAS ALLEN
• Application Number:
  US12/845,897
• Publication Number:
  US 20110155279A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,419 Days
• Field of Search: 141/38, 152/415
• US Class Current: 141/38
• CPC Class Codes: B29C 73/025 fed under pressure
• CPC Class Codes: B29C 73/166 Devices or methods for introducing sealing compositions into articles
• CPC Class Codes: B29L 2030/00 Pneumatic or solid tyres or parts thereof conveyor belts B29L2031/7092; drive belts B29L2031/7094; fourdrinier belts B29L2031/733
• CPC Class Codes: B60S 5/046 using electrical or electronical means

Abstract

A kit for inflating and repairing inflatable articles, in particular tires, the kit having a compressor assembly, a container of sealing liquid and connectors for connecting the container to the compressor assembly and to an inflatable article for repair or inflation; the compressor assembly being housed in an outer casing defining a seat for the container of sealing liquid. The container is housed removably in the seat and functionally connected to the compressor assembly so as to form a compact unit ready for use.

Claims

1. A kit for inflating and repairing inflatable articles, the kit comprising a compressor assembly, a container of sealing liquid, first means for connecting the container to the compressor assembly, second means for connecting the container to an inflatable article for repair or inflation, an outer casing housing said compressor assembly in an enclosed portion thereof and comprising a seat for the container in a portion of the casing that is external to the enclosed portion, said external portion being separated from the enclosed portion by a wall and comprising a base projecting from the wall and comprising the seat, third means for releasably connecting said container to said base, so that the container, when housed in the seat, is maintained functionally connected to said compressor assembly, and a valve that is mounted in the container in a closed position and is movable to an open position wherein sealing liquid can flow out of the container when the container is housed in the seat and pressurized air is transmitted to the container from the compressor assembly, wherein in the closed position the valve prevents the sealing liquid from leaking from the container.

2. A kit according to claim 1, wherein said third means comprises a fast connection to couple said container to said base.

3. A kit according to claim 2, wherein said outer casing defines a peripheral groove and said second means comprises a hose housed in said peripheral groove.

4. A kit as claimed in claim 2, wherein the third means comprises a dispenser unit connectable detachably to said container and having an inlet fitting releasably connected to said compressor assembly and an outlet fitting connected to a hose.

5. A kit as claimed in claim 4, wherein the container comprises a neck and the dispensing unit comprises a cavity to which is fitted the neck of said container in an upside down position.

6. A kit as claimed in claim 2, comprising an additional hose cooperating with said inflatable article;

and a three-way valve input connected to said compressor assembly, and output connected to said container (3) and to said additional hose to direct a stream of compressed air selectively to said container or to said additional hose.

7. A kit as claimed in claim 6, wherein said three-way valve is controlled by a selector which can be set to a disabling position, in which operation of said compressor assembly is disabled;

to a first enabling position, in which operation of said compressor assembly is enabled, and said container is connected fluidically to said compressor assembly; and

to a second enabling position, in which operation of said compressor assembly is enabled, and said additional hose is connected.

8. The kit as claimed in claim 6 wherein when it is selected that output from the three way valve is to be directed to said inflatable article, the compressed air flows to said inflatable article through said additional hose that is directly connectable to said inflatable article.

9. The kit as claimed in claim 6 wherein said three way valve has a single input, the latter being attached to the compressor.

10. The kit as claimed in claim 6 wherein the outputs of three way valve are located upstream of the container.

11. A kit according to claim 1, wherein said outer casing defines a peripheral groove and said second means comprises a hose housed in said peripheral groove.

12. A kit as claimed in claim 11, wherein the third means comprises a dispenser unit connectable detachably to said container and having an inlet fitting releasably connected to said compressor assembly and an outlet fitting connected to a hose.

13. A kit as claimed in claim 12, wherein the container comprises a neck and the dispensing unit comprises a cavity to which is fitted the neck of said container in an upside down position.

14. A kit as claimed in claim 11, comprising an additional hose cooperating with said inflatable article;

and a three-way valve input connected to said compressor assembly, and output connected to said container (3) and to said additional hose to direct a stream of compressed air selectively to said container or to said additional hose.

15. A kit as claimed in claim 14, wherein said three-way valve is controlled by a selector which can be set to a disabling position, in which operation of said compressor assembly is disabled;

to a first enabling position, in which operation of said compressor assembly is enabled, and said container is connected fluidically to said compressor assembly; and

to a second enabling position, in which operation of said compressor assembly is enabled, and said additional hose is connected.

16. The kit as claimed in claim 14 wherein when it is selected that output from the three way valve is to be directed to said inflatable article, the compressed air flows to said inflatable article through said additional hose that is directly connectable to said inflatable article.

17. The kit as claimed in claim 14 wherein said three way valve has a single input, the latter being attached to the compressor.

18. The kit as claimed in claim 14 wherein the outputs of three way valve are located upstream of the container.

19. A kit as claimed in claim 1, wherein the third means comprises a dispenser unit connectable detachably to said container and having an inlet fitting releasably connected to said compressor assembly and an outlet fitting connected to a hose.

20. A kit as claimed in claim 19, wherein the container comprises a neck and the dispensing unit comprises a cavity to which is fitted the neck of said container in an upside down position.

21. A kit as claimed in claim 20, comprising an additional hose cooperating with said inflatable article;

and a three-way valve input connected to said compressor assembly, and output connected to said container (3) and to said additional hose to direct a stream of compressed air selectively to said container or to said additional hose.

22. A kit as claimed in claim 21, wherein said three-way valve is controlled by a selector which can be set to a disabling position, in which operation of said compressor assembly is disabled;

to a first enabling position, in which operation of said compressor assembly is enabled, and said container is connected fluidically to said compressor assembly; and

to a second enabling position, in which operation of said compressor assembly is enabled, and said additional hose is connected.

23. The kit as claimed in claim 21 wherein when it is selected that output from the three way valve is to be directed to said inflatable article, the compressed air flows to said inflatable article through said additional hose that is directly connectable to said inflatable article.

24. The kit as claimed in claim 21 wherein said three way valve has a single input, the latter being attached to the compressor.

25. The kit as claimed in claim 21 wherein the outputs of three way valve are located upstream of the container.

26. A kit as claimed in claim 19 comprising an additional hose cooperating with said inflatable article;

and a three-way valve input connected to said compressor assembly, and output connected to said container (3) and to said additional hose to direct a stream of compressed air selectively to said container or to said additional hose.

27. A kit as claimed in claim 26, wherein said three-way valve is controlled by a selector which can be set to a disabling position, in which operation of said compressor assembly is disabled;

to a first enabling position, in which operation of said compressor assembly is enabled, and said container is connected fluidically to said compressor assembly; and

to a second enabling position, in which operation of said compressor assembly is enabled, and said additional hose is connected.

28. The kit as claimed in claim 26 wherein when it is selected that output from the three way valve is to be directed to said inflatable article, the compressed air flows to said inflatable article through said additional hose that is directly connectable to said inflatable article.

29. The kit as claimed in claim 26 wherein said three way valve has a single input, the latter being attached to the compressor.

30. The kit as claimed in claim 26 wherein the outputs of three way valve are located upstream of the container.

31. A method for inflating an inflatable article comprising:

(a) providing the kit of claim 1 assembled with the container housed in the seat and fluidically connected to the compressor assembly;

(b) connecting the container to the inflatable article; and

(c) inflating the inflatable article by causing air compressed by the compressor assembly to be transmitted to the container to pressurize the container and to cause compressed air and sealing liquid to flow from the container to the inflatable article.

32. The kit according to claim 1, wherein the container comprises a tubular member that protrudes out of a bottom of the container and through which the sealing liquid can flow when compressed air from the compressor assembly is transmitted to the container with the container housed in the seat.

33. A kit for inflating and repairing inflatable articles, the kit comprising a compressor assembly, a container of sealing liquid, first means for connecting the container to the compressor assembly, second means for connecting the container to an inflatable article for repair or inflation, an outer casing housing said compressor assembly in an enclosed portion thereof and comprising a seat for the container in a portion of the casing that is external to the enclosed portion, said external portion being separated from the enclosed portion by a wall and comprising a base projecting from the wall and comprising the seat, third means for releasably connecting said container to said base, and a three-way valve input connected to said compressor assembly, and output connected to direct a stream of compressed air selectively to said container or to said inflatable article.

34. A kit as claimed in claim 33, wherein said three-way valve is controlled by a selector which can be set to a disabling position, in which operation of said compressor assembly is disabled;

to a first enabling position, in which operation of said compressor assembly is enabled, and said container is connected fluidically to said compressor assembly; and

to a second enabling position, in which operation of said compressor assembly is enabled, and a hose is connected fluidically to said compressor assembly for connecting the compressor assembly to the inflatable article.

35. A method for inflating an inflatable article comprising:

(a) providing the kit of claim 33 assembled with the container housed in the seat and fluidically connected to the compressor assembly;

(b) connecting the container to the inflatable article; and

(c) inflating the inflatable article by causing air compressed by the compressor assembly to be transmitted to the container so as to pressurize the container and to cause compressed air and sealing liquid to flow from the container to the inflatable article.

36. A method for inflating an inflatable article comprising:

(a) providing the kit of claim 33;

(b) connecting the compressor assembly to the inflatable article; and

(c) inflating the inflatable article by causing air compressed by the compressor assembly to flow to the inflatable article.

37. The kit according to claim 33, wherein the first means comprises a first hose for connecting the container to the compressor assembly, the second means comprises a second hose for connecting the container to the inflatable article, and the kit comprises an additional hose for connecting the compressor assembly to the inflatable article.

38. The kit according to claim 33, wherein the container comprises a tubular member that protrudes out of a bottom of the container and through which the sealing liquid can flow when compressed air from the compressor assembly is transmitted to the container with the container housed in the seat.

39. The kit as claimed in claim 33 wherein when it is selected that output from the three way valve is to be directed to said inflatable article, the compressed air flows directly to said inflatable article.

40. The kit as claimed in claim 33 wherein said three way valve has a single input, the latter being attached to the compressor.

41. The kit as claimed in claim 33 wherein the outputs of three way valve are located upstream of the container.

42. A kit for inflating and repairing inflatable articles, the kit comprising a compressor assembly, a container of sealing liquid, first means for connecting the container to the compressor assembly, second means for connecting the container to an inflatable article for repair or inflation, an outer casing housing said compressor assembly in an enclosed portion thereof and comprising a seat for the container in a portion of the casing that is external to the enclosed portion, said external portion being separated from the enclosed portion by a wall and comprising a base projecting from the wall and comprising the seat, third means for releasably connecting said container to said base, so that the container, when housed in the seat, is maintained functionally connected to said compressor assembly, and fourth means for selectively switching components of the kit between a plurality of operating modes when the container is housed in the seat, the container is fluidically connected to the compressor assembly, and each of the container and compressor assembly is fluidically connected to the inflatable article, including a first mode wherein the compressor assembly is enabled and compressed air from the compressor assembly is transmitted to the container, a second mode wherein the compressor assembly is enabled and compressed air from the compressor assembly is transmitted to the inflatable article, and a third mode wherein the compressor assembly is disabled so that the compressor assembly cannot be started accidentally when the components are not in the first or second modes.

43. A method for inflating an inflatable article comprising:

(a) providing the kit of claim 42 assembled with the container housed in the seat and fluidically connected to the compressor assembly;

(b) connecting the container to the inflatable article; and

(c) inflating the inflatable article by causing air compressed by the compressor assembly to be transmitted to the container to pressurize the container and to cause compressed air and sealing liquid to flow from the container to the inflatable article.

44. A method for inflating an inflatable article comprising:

(a) providing the kit of claim 42;

(b) connecting the compressor assembly to the inflatable article; and

(c) inflating the inflatable article by causing air compressed by the compressor assembly to flow from the compressor assembly to the inflatable article.

45. The kit according to claim 42, wherein the container comprises a tubular member that protrudes out of a bottom of the container and through which the sealing liquid can flow when compressed air from the compressor assembly is transmitted to the container with the container housed in the seat.