Automated balloon inflation device

An automated balloon inflation device which has a supply of pressurized gas, a nozzle for receiving a balloon, and an actuator for sequentially closing a clamp on the balloon and the nozzle and subsequently supplying the pressurized gas to the balloon for the inflation thereof. Furthermore, a key-weight device may be employed for the dual purpose of controlling the supply of pressurized gas to the nozzle and to prevent the inadvertent loss of an inflated balloon which is secured to the key-weight. Additionally, the automated balloon inflation device is constructed so that any consumer may inflate a balloon with pressurized gas.

TECHNICAL FIELD 
The invention herein resides generally in the art of automated balloon 
inflation devices. More particularly, the present invention relates to an 
automated balloon inflation device in a self-contained enclosure that is 
safe for consumers to use. Specifically, the present invention relates to 
a self-contained automated balloon inflation device that is actuated by 
employing a key-weight device which is preferably secured to the balloon 
by a ribbon. 
BACKGROUND ART 
Balloons are known to be used in many different ways. Hot air balloons are 
employed as recreational devices and for observing ground based activities 
from a relatively stationary position in the sky. Weather balloons are 
employed to track atmospheric conditions such as wind speed, barometric 
pressure and air temperature. One very popular use of balloons is to 
entertain children at birthday parties, amusement parks and other such 
events. Typically, balloons are made of latex rubber, non-latex synthetic 
material or other flexible semi-rigid materials and are usually filled 
with air or a lighter than air gas such as helium. Recently, the use of 
helium in non-latex synthetic material balloons with a self sealing valve 
has become quite popular. Moreover, balloons can be imprinted with various 
colorful designs to delight children and adults of all ages. 
Unfortunately, the use of helium inflated balloons is limited because of 
the inherent dangers in using a dangerous pressurized gas to inflate the 
balloons. Moreover, trained personnel are required to operate balloon 
inflation devices that employ pressurized gas. 
Although several automated balloon inflation devices are available there 
are very few readily usable by the average consumer. Some of these balloon 
inflating devices require the insertion of the balloon onto a nozzle, 
which is in communication with the pressurized gas supply, without the 
benefit of a clamping device to hold the balloon. This lack of a clamping 
device may allow the dangerous pressurized gas to be misdirected away from 
the balloon. As such, the balloon may be under inflated. Another detriment 
to using currently available balloon inflation devices is that the 
consumer still has direct access to the source of pressurized gas. If the 
gas is an inert gas, such as helium, it is conceivable that the consumer 
could become asphyxiated. Furthermore, if a person were to place their 
mouth directly on the nozzle of the pressurized gas supply, the pressure 
could severely injure that person's lungs. 
There is also an inherent danger in the use of metallic non-latex synthetic 
balloons filled with a lighter than air gas. It is well known that 
metallic non-latex synthetic balloons are conductive and that if they come 
in contact with electrical power lines, the power lines may be shorted out 
causing a power failure in the immediate area. Another danger of balloons 
filled with a lighter than air gas is that after the gas escapes, the 
balloon may settle anywhere in the environment. As a result, the balloon 
may come in contact with wildlife and cause unnecessary injury or, at the 
very least, add to undesirable litter. In fact, some states are so 
concerned with these dangers that legislation has been enacted to require 
the use of balloon weights to prevent the balloons from aimlessly floating 
away. 
Based upon the foregoing, it is evident that there is a need for an 
automated balloon inflation device in a self contained enclosure that can 
be used by the average consumer. Furthermore, there is also a need for an 
automated balloon inflation device which ensures that a balloon weight is 
attached to the lighter than air filled balloon so that the balloon 
complies with the necessary state laws. 
DISCLOSURE OF THE INVENTION 
In light of the foregoing, it is a first aspect of the present invention to 
provide an automated balloon inflation device. 
Another aspect of the present invention is to provide an automated balloon 
inflation device in a self-contained enclosure. 
Still a further aspect of the present invention is to provide an automated 
balloon inflation device accessible for use by a consumer. 
An additional aspect of the present invention is to provide an automated 
balloon inflation device for a user, wherein the consumer does not have 
access to a pressurized gas supply nor any internal components of the 
device. 
Yet an additional aspect of the present invention is to provide an 
automated balloon inflation device that requires the use of a key-weight 
before the device can be operated. 
A further aspect of the present invention is to provide an automated 
balloon inflation device which has a door to prevent the consumer from 
being exposed to any pressurized gas during the balloon inflation process. 
Another aspect of the present invention is to provide an automated balloon 
inflation device such that when the door to the device is being closed a 
clamping device is activated to hold the balloon onto a nozzle during the 
inflation process. 
Yet a further aspect of the present invention is to provide a nozzle that 
is flexibly movable with respect to a clamping device 
Still a further aspect of the present invention is to provide an automated 
balloon inflation device wherein a pressurized gas supply to inflate the 
balloon to a desired pressure is only activated upon complete closure of 
the door. 
Yet a further aspect of the present invention is to provide an automated 
balloon inflation device that is safer than any previously known 
self-service balloon inflation device. 
The foregoing and other aspect of the invention which shall become apparent 
as the detailed description proceeds, are achieved by an automated balloon 
inflation device for inflating balloons, comprising: a supply of 
pressurized gas; a nozzle for receiving a balloon wherein the nozzle is 
communicative with the pressurized gas; and an actuator which closes a 
clamp on the balloon and which provides the pressurized gas to the nozzle 
for inflating the balloon. 
The present invention also provides a method of inflating a balloon 
comprising the steps of: providing a balloon with a neck; providing a 
balloon inflation device which has a source of pressurized gas, a nozzle 
communicative with the source of pressurized gas and a clamp operatively 
controlled by the source of pressurized gas; disposing the neck of the 
balloon onto the nozzle; and engaging an actuator such that the 
pressurized gas closes the clamp on the neck and provides the pressurized 
gas to the nozzle for inflating the balloon. 
The present invention also provides another method for inflating a balloon 
comprising the steps of: providing a housing with a base that separates a 
cabinet portion from a hood portion, wherein the cabinet portion receives 
a supply of pressurized gas, wherein said hood portion has a door opening 
which receives a door, and wherein said panel has a key-weight slot 
received therein and a clamp and a nozzle secured thereto; inserting a 
key-weight into the key-weight slot so as to allow pressurized gas to flow 
through a key-weight valve; disposing a balloon on the nozzle; closing the 
door which engages a clamp valve and an inflation valve to allow 
pressurized gas to flow from the key-weight valve to the clamp thereby 
closing the clamp on the balloon and to allow pressurized gas to flow from 
the key-weight valve to the nozzle to inflate the balloon; opening the 
door to disengage the clamp valve and the inflation valve so as to 
discontinue the flow of pressurized gas to the nozzle and the clamp, 
thereby disengaging the clamp from the balloon; removing the inflated 
balloon from the nozzle; and removing the key-weight from the key-weight 
slot.

BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION 
Referring now to the drawings and more particularly to FIG. 1, it can be 
seen that an automated balloon inflation device according to the present 
invention is designated generally by the numeral 10. Generally, the 
automated balloon inflation device 10 includes a supply of pressurized gas 
12, a key-weight valve 14 communicative with the pressurized gas supply 
12, a clamp 16 operatively controlled by the pressurized gas supply 12, a 
nozzle 18 communicative with the pressurized gas supply 12, and an 
actuator 19 which provides the pressurized gas 12 to at least the nozzle 
18. As will be described in detail hereinbelow, the operator of the device 
10 inserts a balloon onto the nozzle 18 and engages the actuator 19 
whereupon the clamp 16 secures the balloon to the nozzle 18 so as to allow 
the source of pressurized gas 12 to inflate the balloon. The drawings are 
exemplary of a balloon inflation device used with balloons made of 
metallic polyester resin material sold under the trademark "Mylar," which 
is owned by the DuPont Corporation. The present invention could also be 
practiced with any other latex or non-latex synthetic balloon material. 
Furthermore, although the supply of pressurized gas in the preferred 
embodiment is helium, the present invention could also be practiced with 
any type of pressurized gas. 
In particular, the pressurized gas supply 12 is connected to a feed line 20 
which is operative with the key-weight valve 14. The operation of the 
key-weight valve 14 is controlled by the insertion of a key-weight into a 
key-weight slot 22. The key-weight valve 14 is connected to a feed line 24 
which is communicative with a splitter valve 26. The splitter valve 26 has 
two output ports, one of which is connected to a feed line 28 and the 
other of which is connected to a feed line 30. The opposite end of feed 
line 28 is connected to a clamp valve 32 which is connected to a feed line 
34. The feed line 34 is connected to an air cylinder 36 which operatively 
controls the position of the damp 16. Those skilled in the art will 
appreciate that the air cylinder 36 is operable with any type of 
pressurized gas such as helium. The opposite end of feed line 30 is 
operatively connected to an inflation valve 38. The inflation valve 38 is 
connected to a feed line 40 which supplies pressurized gas 12 to a 
pressure regulator 42. The pressure regulator 42 is connected to a feed 
line 44 which is communicative with the nozzle 18. 
Referring now to FIG. 2, it can be seen that the automated balloon 
inflation device 10 is contained within a housing designated generally by 
the numeral 50. The housing 50 has a cabinet portion 52 which stores the 
pressurized gas supply 12, the feed lines 20, 24, 28, 30, 34, 40 and 44, 
the key-weight valve 14, the splitter valve 26, the clamp valve 32, the 
air cylinder 36 and the pressure regulator 42. The housing 50 also has a 
hood portion 54 which has a door opening 56. A base 58 separates the 
cabinet portion 52 from the hood portion 54. It will be appreciated that 
the clamp 16 is securably attached to the base 58 and is accessible 
through the hood portion 54 via the door opening 56. The base 58 has a 
bore 58a through which the nozzle 18 is slidably retained therein. It will 
further be appreciated that the air cylinder 36 is received within the 
base 58 so that the air cylinder 36 is cooperative with the clamp 16. The 
door opening 56 has a plurality of door channels 60 for receiving an 
access door 62. The access door 62 is slidably moved from an open position 
to a closed position by exerting a force on a door handle 64. It will also 
be appreciated that the base 58 has a key-weight slot 22 with a key-weight 
channel 68. Those skilled in the art will appreciate that the key-weight 
valve 14 is operatively disposed within the key-weight channel 68. 
Referring now to FIG. 3, a detailed view of the clamp 16 and the nozzle 18 
is shown. In particular, it can be seen that the nozzle 18 is mounted to 
the base 58 and connected to the feed line 44. The nozzle 18 includes a 
tubular portion 72 which has a bore or orifice 70. The nozzle 18 is 
positioned such that it is in a working relationship with the clamp 16. 
The clamp 16, shown in the open position, has an upper block 74 with a 
nozzle receiving portion or channel 76 which conforms to the shape of the 
nozzle tubular portion 72. A plurality of guide posts 78 are received 
within the upper block 74 and also within a movable block 80. The movable 
block 80 has guide holes 82 which slidably receive the guide posts 78. The 
movable block 80 has a cylinder receiving portion 86 that is operative 
with the air cylinder 36 which is communicative to feed line 28. The 
movable block 80 also has a nozzle receiving portion 84 which conforms to 
the shape of the tubular portion 72. Those skilled in the art will 
appreciate that the tubular portion 72 receives a balloon 88 there on. The 
balloon 88 has a neck 90 which snugly fits on to the tubular portion 72. 
As seen in FIG. 4, when an air cylinder 36 receives a supply of pressurized 
gas 12 through the feed line 28, a cylinder piston 91 extending into the 
cylinder receiving portion 86 exerts an upward force on the movable block 
80. As a result, the movable block 80 is slidably moved along the guide 
posts 78 to clamp or firmly secure the neck 90 of the balloon 88 between 
the movable block 80 and the upper block 74. The nozzle 18, which is 
slidably movable within the bore 58a, slides upward as the nozzle portion 
84 engages the tubular portion 72 until the movable block 80 is stopped by 
the upper block 84. It will be appreciated that the nozzle receiving 
portions 76 and 84 securely conform around the neck 90 to prevent any 
inadvertent loss of pressurized gas 12 during the inflation process. 
Referring now to FIG. 5, a key-weight, designated generally by the numeral 
94, is shown. The key-weight 94 includes a body 95 which has a ridge 96 
that extends outwardly therefrom and which is adapted to engage the 
key-weight valve 14. The ridge 96 has a ramp 97 at one or both ends 
thereof that is integral with the body 95. The body 95 also has a ring or 
other means 92 defining a ribbon hole 98 which receives a ribbon 100 
therein. It will be appreciated that the opposite end of the ribbon 100 is 
secured to the neck 90 of the balloon 88. It will further be appreciated 
that the key-weight 94 is received within the key-weight slot 22 shown in 
FIG. 2. Furthermore, the key-weight ridge 96 is received within the 
key-weight channel 68. As such, the key-weight 94 enables an automated 
balloon inflation device for operation. 
Referring again to FIG. 2, it can be seen that the access door 62 carries 
thereon the actuator 19 which has a clamp activator 102 and a nozzle 
activator 104. Those skilled in the art will appreciate that as the access 
door 62 is closed, the clamp activator 102 comes in contact with the clamp 
valve 32 while a short time later the nozzle activator 104 comes in 
contact with the inflation valve 38. In the preferred embodiment, the damp 
valve 32 is a three-way roller valve so that as the access door 62 is 
opened and closed, the damp valve 32 is gradually opened and closed. By 
employing a three-way roller valve as clamp valve 32, any gas trapped 
within the feed line 34 is vented to atmosphere. 
In operation, a consumer will purchase an uninflated balloon 88 which is 
attached to a ribbon 100 that has at its opposite end a key-weight 94. The 
consumer will insert the key-weight 94 into the key-weight slot 22 so as 
to activate the key-weight valve 14. The body 95, which has an outwardly 
extending ridge 96 that is received by the key-weight channel 68, 
operatively engages (opens and closes) the key-weight valve 14 which is 
communicative with the pressurized gas supply 12. The ramp 97, which 
provides a transitional slope between the body 95 and ridge 96, functions 
to gradually engage the key-weight valve 14. In other words, the ramp 97 
makes first contact with the key-weight valve 14 as it is inserted into 
the key-weight channel 68 and the ridge 96 holds the key-weight valve 14 
in an enabling position once it is fully inserted. By engaging the 
key-weight valve 14 with the ridge 96, the pressurized gas flows from the 
supply 12 through the feed lines 20 and 24 to the splitter valve 26. 
Meanwhile, the consumer will insert the balloon neck 90 onto the tubular 
portion 72 of the nozzle 18. In the preferred embodiment, the balloon 88 
has a one-way valve which allows pressurized gas to enter, but not exit, 
the balloon. After the balloon has been disposed on the nozzle 18, the 
consumer spreads the balloon 88 out so that it inflates evenly. 
Afterwards, the consumer slidably moves the access door 62 and the actuator 
19 carried thereon into a closed position such that the clamp activator 
102 engages the clamp valve 32 and the nozzle activator 104 engages the 
inflation valve 38. Those skilled in the art will appreciate that the gas 
12 then flows from the feed line 28 through the clamp valve 32, through 
the feed line 34 to the air cylinder 36. At this time, the air cylinder 36 
is actuated by the pressurized gas supply and causes the cylinder piston 
91 contained therein to forcibly move the movable block 80, which slidably 
moves the nozzle 18, along the guide posts 78 into mating contact with the 
upper block 74 so as to clamp around the balloon neck 90 and the nozzle 
tubular portion 72. Subsequently, when the nozzle activator 104 engages 
the inflation valve 38, the pressurized gas 12 flows through the feed 
lines 30 and 40 to the pressure regulator 42. From the pressure regulator 
42, the gas 12 flows through the feed line 44 then into the orifice 70 and 
into the balloon 88 for the inflation thereof. Those skilled in the art 
will appreciate that the pressure regulator 42 is set at a predetermined 
pressure such that the balloon secured to the nozzle 18 does not over 
inflate. 
As best seen in FIG. 2, it is apparent that the damp activator 102 and the 
nozzle activator 104 are carried on the access door 62 in a manner that 
allows sequential activation of the clamp 16 before pressurized gas 12 is 
supplied to the nozzle 18. This is done so that the pressurized gas 12 
does not force the balloon 88 off of the nozzle 18 before the clamp 16 is 
engaged. This feature also prevents the inadvertent emission of 
pressurized gas 12 into the hood portion 54 of the housing 50. 
After the balloon 88 has inflated to the preselected pressure as set by the 
pressure regulator 42, the consumer opens the access door 62 so as to 
disengage the clamp activator 102 from the clamp valve 32 and also to 
disengage the nozzle activator 104 from the inflation valve 38. As should 
be apparent from the above description, the pressurized gas 12 stops 
flowing to the nozzle 18 and subsequently the pressurized gas 12 stops 
flowing to the air cylinder 36 so as to release clamping pressure from the 
balloon neck 90 so that the damp 16 and nozzle 18 return to their starting 
position. As the damp valve 32 is opened, any gas within the feed line 34 
is quickly released to atmosphere. Afterwards, the consumer reaches into 
the hood portion 54 through the door opening 56, removes the balloon 88 
from the nozzle 18 and withdraws the key-weight 94 from the key-weight 
slot 22. 
In the preferred embodiment, the hood portion 54 is constructed of an 
optically clear material such as glass or plastic so that the consumer can 
see the balloon 88 during the inflation process. This allows the consumer 
to quickly ascertain whether the balloon 88 is properly installed on the 
nozzle 18 and whether the damp 16 has properly secured the balloon 88. If 
the balloon is not properly secured in the clamp 16, the consumer can open 
the access door 62 and reaffix the balloon 88 to the nozzle 18. It will 
also be appreciated that the cabinet portion 52 contains the necessary 
pressurized gas supply 12 and all of the inner workings of the automated 
balloon inflation device 10 so that they are not accessible to the 
consumer. The structure of device 10 greatly decreases the consumers 
access to the pressurized gas supply 12. In the preferred embodiment, the 
pressurized gas supply is helium, although any other lighter than air gas 
could be used. 
It is apparent then from the above description of the operation of the 
automated balloon inflation device 10 that the problems associated with 
the previous balloon inflation devices have been overcome. In particular, 
the balloon inflation device 10 is convenient and safe to use by virtue of 
the fact that the pressurized gas supply and all of the inner workings are 
inaccessible to the consumer. Furthermore, by only allowing the inflation 
process to occur when the access door 62 has dosed the hood portion 54, 
the consumer is prevented from inadvertently inhaling the pressurized gas. 
As such, the danger of the consumer becoming asphyxiated or of having 
their lungs injured is virtually eliminated. 
Another advantage of the automated balloon inflation device 10 is the 
requirement that the key-weight 94 be inserted into the key-weight slot 22 
before the operation of the device 10 can commence. This particular 
feature has several advantages. First, it ensures that a key-weight 94 is 
used with a balloon 88 that is going to be filled with a lighter than air 
gas. As such, the possibility of a helium filled metallic non-latex 
synthetic material balloon interfering with electrical power lines and the 
possibility of such a balloon harming the environment is greatly reduced. 
Furthermore, the key-weight 94 prevents the inflated balloon 88 from 
inadvertently floating away to the distress of the person holding the 
balloon. Another advantage of the automated balloon inflation device 10 is 
that the pressure regulator 42 prevents the balloon 88 from over 
inflating. This is accomplished even if the access door 62 remains dosed 
for an extended period of time. Of course, an embodiment of this device 
could be operated without requiring the use of a key-weight 94. 
Of course, other alternative embodiments of the present invention are 
possible. In a first alternative embodiment, the nozzle 18 has a flexible 
tubular portion 72 so that the nozzle 18 may be secured to the base 58. As 
a result, the tubular portion 72 is already in contact with either the 
nozzle receiving portion 76 or 84 prior to the clamping operation. This 
embodiment reduces the amount of wear on the clamp 16 and the nozzle 18. 
It will also be appreciated that other clamping devices could be employed 
to secure a balloon to a nozzle during the inflation process. lnstead of 
movable blocks securing the balloon, it is conceivable that 
cylinder-actuated calipers could secure the balloon to the nozzle. 
Additionally, the damping device could be directly secured to the door 
actuator so that as the door is closed, a clamp pivotally secures the 
balloon to the nozzle, whereupon the inflation process is started. 
Thus, it can be seen that the objects of the invention have been satisfied 
by the structure presented above. It should be apparent to those skilled 
in the art that the objects of the present invention could be practiced 
with any type of balloon or adapted to perform with any type of 
pressurized gas. 
While the preferred embodiment of the invention has been presented and 
described in detail, it will be understood that the invention is not 
limited thereto or thereby. Especially in that various materials and 
configurations may be used in the construction of the invention to meet 
the various need of the consumer. Accordingly, for an appreciation of the 
true scope and breadth of the invention, reference should be made to the 
following claims.