Patent Publication Number: US-2018036646-A1

Title: Device For Inflating Multiple Balloons Simultaneously

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCES TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
     This non-provisional utility application takes priority to the previously filed provisional application: Application No. 62/372,154 filed 8 Aug. 2016, which is hereby incorporated in its entirety by reference. 
    
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
     The present invention relates to inflating balloons, and more particularly to a device for inflating multiple pre-tied balloons simultaneously. The herein disclosed device for inflating multiple pre-tied balloons simultaneously comprises a base for fitting onto an air blower, a plurality of air tubes for directing air into multiple pre-tied balloons, and a slide plate for retaining the plurality of air tubes during inflation. The slide plate also functions to facilitate cutting off one or more of the air tubes during inflation, so that a user may determine whether one or more of the balloons has reached a desired inflation level prior to the remaining balloons reaching the desired inflation level, and thereby utilize the slide plate to cut off the flow of air to the one or more balloons that have more quickly reached the desired inflation level. The slide plate further functions to slide along the length of the air tubes, so that once all the balloons have reached the desired inflation level, the slide plate may force the balloons off the air tubes. The balloons may be pre-tied to the air tubes, so that when the balloons are forced off the air tubes via the slide plate the balloons automatically seal themselves through the natural tightening of the tie-band around the tie of the balloon. 
     A user may utilize the herein disclosed device for inflating multiple pre-tied balloons simultaneously to advantageously inflate multiple balloons quickly and efficiently. An exemplary embodiment of the present invention may inflate eight pre-tied balloons simultaneously, which when removed from the device using the slide plate, seal themselves with the pre-tied tie-bands and thus the eight inflated balloons are immediately ready for use. 
     STATEMENTS AS TO THE RIGHTS TO INVENTIONS MADE UNDER FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCH OR DEVELOPMENT 
     Not applicable. 
     REFERENCE TO A “SEQUENCE LISTING,” A TABLE, OR A COMPUTER PROGRAM LISTING APPENDIX SUBMITTED ON A COMPACT DISK 
     Not applicable. 
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     Balloons are a popular and fun decorative item, often utilized in large numbers at birthday parties and other celebratory events. While large numbers of balloons can be visually impressive, it can take significant time and resources (in the form of manpower) to inflate large numbers of balloons. 
     Traditionally, balloons are inflated (or blown up) one at a time by a person, an air blowing device, or a gas tank such as a helium tank. Balloons have historically been individually inflated because most inflating devices have only one nozzle for attaching only one balloon at a time. There is a need to a device to facilitate inflating multiple balloon simultaneously, so as to reduce the time and resources necessary to prepare an impressive number of balloons. 
     There are known devices for facilitating the preparation of multiple water balloons. An example of such a device is sold as the Bunch 0 Balloons. This device facilitates preparation of multiple water balloons by allowing the user to attach the Bunch 0 Balloons to a water hose. The water is then directed to individual water balloons, filling each balloon individually and simultaneously. But water balloons differ from air filled balloons (meaning balloons meant to be filled with air or another gas, such as helium for example), primarily because water is heavier and denser than air in the atmosphere. For this reason, and because gravity does not control air in the same way that gravity controls water, devices such as the Bunch 0 Balloons cannot function to inflate multiple air (or gas) filled balloons. 
     There is, therefore, a need for a device for inflating multiple air- or gas-filled balloons simultaneously. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE DRAWING 
         FIG. 1A  illustrates an isometric view of an exemplary embodiment of a device for inflating multiple balloons simultaneously, in accordance with the present invention; 
         FIG. 1B  illustrates a top-down view of an exemplary embodiment of a device for inflating multiple balloons simultaneously, in accordance with the present invention; 
         FIG. 2A  illustrates a cross-section view of a check valve, a component of an exemplary embodiment of a device for inflating multiple balloons simultaneously, in accordance with the present invention; 
         FIG. 2B  illustrates an isometric view of a check valve, a component of an exemplary embodiment of a device for inflating multiple balloons simultaneously, in accordance with the present invention; 
         FIG. 2C  illustrates an end view of a check valve, a component of an exemplary embodiment of a device for inflating multiple balloons simultaneously, in accordance with the present invention; 
         FIG. 2D  illustrates a side view of a check valve, a component of an exemplary embodiment of a device for inflating multiple balloons simultaneously, in accordance with the present invention; 
         FIG. 2E  illustrates a front view of a check valve, a component of an exemplary embodiment of a device for inflating multiple balloons simultaneously, in accordance with the present invention; 
         FIG. 2F  illustrates an isometric view of a check flap for fitting onto the check valve illustrated in  FIG. 2A  through  FIG. 2D , a component of an exemplary embodiment of a device for inflating multiple balloons simultaneously, in accordance with the present invention; 
         FIG. 3A  illustrates a side view of a base manifold, a component of an exemplary embodiment of a device for inflating multiple balloons simultaneously, in accordance with the present invention; 
         FIG. 3B  illustrates a cross-section view of a base manifold, a component of an exemplary embodiment of a device for inflating multiple balloons simultaneously, in accordance with the present invention; 
         FIG. 3C  illustrates a top-down view of a base manifold, a component of an exemplary embodiment of a device for inflating multiple balloons simultaneously, in accordance with the present invention; 
         FIG. 4A  illustrates an isometric view of a slide plate, a component of an exemplary embodiment of a device for inflating multiple balloons simultaneously, in accordance with the present invention; 
         FIG. 4B  illustrates a top-down view of a slide plate, a component of an exemplary embodiment of a device for inflating multiple balloons simultaneously, in accordance with the present invention; and 
         FIG. 4C  illustrates a side view of a slide plate, a component of an exemplary embodiment of a device for inflating multiple balloons simultaneously, in accordance with the present invention. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
     The herein disclosed device for inflating multiple pre-tied balloons simultaneously comprises a base for fitting onto an air blower, a plurality of air tubes for directing air into multiple pre-tied balloons, and a slide plate for retaining the plurality of air tubes during inflation. The slide plate also functions to facilitate cutting off one or more of the air tubes during inflation, so that a user may determine whether one or more of the balloons has reached a desired inflation level prior to the remaining balloons reaching the desired inflation level, and thereby utilize the slide plate to cut off the flow of air to the one or more balloons that have more quickly reached the desired inflation level. The slide plate further functions to slide along the length of the air tubes, so that once all the balloons have reached the desired inflation level, the slide plate may force the balloons off the air tubes. A user may utilize the herein disclosed device for inflating multiple pre-tied balloons simultaneously to advantageously inflate multiple balloons quickly and efficiently. An exemplary embodiment of the present invention may inflate eight pre-tied balloons simultaneously, which when removed from the device using the slide plate, seal themselves with the pre-tied tie-bands and thus the eight inflated balloons are immediately ready for use. 
     Referring to  FIG. 1A  and  FIG. 1B , an overview of the present invention is illustrated to show the components of an exemplary embodiment assembled to form a device for inflating multiple pre-tied balloons simultaneously. Device  101  for inflating multiple pre-tied balloons simultaneously may include check valve  4 , base manifold  1 , first set of air tubes  2 , slide plate  6 , tie-bands  7 , balloons  8 , and second set of air tubes  3 . 
     To utilize device  101  for inflating multiple balloons simultaneously, a user may place check valve  4  onto an air blower, so that device  101  may stand substantially upright (with check valve  4  at the bottom and first set of air tubes  2  and second set of air tubes  3  protruding upwardly). The user then may turn on the air blower, causing air to enter device  101  through check valve  4  and proceed through base manifold  1  and into first set of air tubes  2  and second set of air tubes  3 . The air from the blower proceeds through the air tubes to balloons  8 , which may be pre-tied onto each of the air tubes. When the user determines that balloons  8  have reached a desired inflation, the user then may move slide plate  6  along the air tubes to force balloons  8  off of the air tubes. If balloons  8  have been pre-tied to the air tubes using tie-bands  7 , balloons  8  will each seal themselves for use with the tie-band. Balloons  8  may seal themselves through the natural tightening of tie-bands  7  when balloons  8  are forced off of the air tubes. 
     Referring to  FIG. 2A through 2F , a check valve component of the herein disclosed device for inflating multiple balloons simultaneously is shown from various viewing angles. Check valve  4  may be formed in a hollow and substantially cylindrical shape, with a plurality of spokes and a protrusion at one end, as illustrated in  FIG. 2A ,  FIG. 2B ,  FIG. 2C ,  FIG. 2D , and  FIG. 2E . Check valve  4  may be formed of check valve body  41 , with check valve flap  42  fitting onto the protrusion formed at one end of check valve  4 . Check valve  4  may be formed of any non-permeable-to-air material, and those skilled in the art will recognize that many suitable materials may be used herein. An exemplary embodiment of check valve  4  may be formed of a plastic material such as polypropylene. The purpose of check valve  4  is to allow air to flow from the air blower, through the check valve, and up into the air tubes; the air will then flow through the air tubes into balloons  8 . Check valve  4  does not allow air to flow in the opposite direction, from the air tubes back down into the air blower. Check valves are well known, and any type of check valve known in the art may be utilized at check valve  4  of device  101 . The check valve illustrates in  FIG. 2A  through  FIG. 2F  is included herein to demonstrate an exemplary embodiment. 
     Referring to  FIG. 3A  through  FIG. 3C , a base manifold component of the herein disclosed device for inflating multiple balloons simultaneously is shown from various viewing angles. Base manifold  1  may be formed in a hollow and substantially cylindrical shape by base manifold body  11 , with a plurality of manifold apertures  12  formed on one end. As assembled into device  101 , each of the air tubes (both of the first set of air tubes  2  and of the second set of air tubes  3 ) fit into a manifold aperture of the plurality of manifold apertures  12 . An exemplary embodiment of the present invention may include eight manifold apertures  12  formed in base manifold  1 . This exemplary embodiment forms eight manifold apertures to correspond to eight air tubes directing air to eight pre-tied balloons. But those skilled in the art will recognize that alternative embodiments of base manifold  1  may form any number of apertures (such as two apertures corresponding to two air tubes directing air to two pre-tied balloons, for example), and all such alternative embodiments are intended to be included herein. 
     Check valve  4  (comprising check valve body  41  and check valve flap  42 ) and base manifold  1  may be combined into a base for fitting onto an air blower. In this embodiment, the base may include a check valve and a base manifold. In this way, check value  4  and base manifold  1  may be formed of a single material, such as polypropylene plastic for example. Those skilled in the art will recognize that the check value and the base manifold may be combined into a single component, or two permanently attached components, without altering the functionality of the herein disclosed device  101  for inflating multiple balloons simultaneously. 
     Referring to  FIG. 4A  through  FIG. 4C , a slide plate component of the herein disclosed device  101  is shown from various viewing angles. Slide plate  6  may be formed of a plastic material, such as polypropylene. But those skilled in the art will recognize that any material capable of retaining rigidity against the force created by the pressurized air tubes may be utilized to form slide plate  6 , and all such materials are intended to be included herein. Slide plate  6  may be a relatively thin (see side view in  FIG. 4C ) piece of plastic forming a plurality of slide plate apertures  62  for retaining the air tubes (both of the first set of air tubes  2  and of the second set of air tubes  3 ), and also forming a plurality of cut-off apertures  63  for facilitating cutting off one or more air tubes during inflation. Slide plate apertures  62  may be of a larger (or greater) diameter than the air tubes, so that the air tubes may run through slide plate  6  by running through slide plate apertures  62 . Slide plate apertures  62  may be of a small (or lesser) diameter than the tie portion of balloons  8 , so that when a user moves slide plate  6  along the length of the air tubes, slide plate  6  forces balloons  8  off the air tubes. 
     Cut-off apertures  63  may be formed at a greater radial distance than slide plate apertures  62 , from the center of slide plate  6 . Cut-off apertures  63  may be formed in a substantially rectangular shape, as may be seen in  FIG. 4A  and  FIG. 4B , with a cut-out running from the aperture to the outside of slide plate  6 . The purpose of cut-off apertures  63  is to facilitate a user cutting off air running to one or more of the balloons during inflation. In this way, a user may determine if one or more of the balloons has inflated to a desired level before the remaining balloons have done so. If the user determines that this has occurred, and the user wishes to stop air flow to a particular balloon, the user may bend the particular balloon&#39;s air tube downward so that the air tube bends at an acute angle (stopping air from flowing through the acute angle and therefore stopping air from flowing to the particular balloon). The air tube may then be slotted through the cut-out portion of cut-off aperture  63 , and retained within the rectangular portion of cut-off aperture  63  until the user is ready to remove all balloons from device  101  by utilizing slide plate  6  to slide (or force) the balloons off the air tubes. 
     The plurality of air tubes comprising the present invention may include a first set of air tubes having a first length and a second set of air tubes having a second length. In an exemplary embodiment, the first length is less than the second length, so that the first set of air tubes ends relatively lower than the second set of air tubes. In this way, substantially more balloons can be inflated simultaneously because the balloons attached to the first set of air tubes (at a relatively lower position) may inflate in a separate physical location (physically lower) than the balloons attached to the send set of air tubes (at a relatively higher position). 
     The present invention has been described as for placement on an air blower, and described as facilitating air travelling through the base, through the air tubes, and into the balloons to inflate the balloons with air. But those skilled in the art will recognize that gases other than air may be utilized with the herein disclosed device to inflate balloons with gases other than air (with helium, for example), and all such gases are intended to be included herein. The word air, as used herein, is intended to include any gas capable of inflating a balloon. For example, helium may be utilized to inflate balloons with the herein disclosed device. An alternative embodiment of the present invention includes an adaptor attachment which may be placed into the check valve to facilitate the check value (or the entire base component comprising a check valve and a base manifold) functionally fitting onto various blowing devices. For the purposes of this application, the phrase blowing device is intended to additionally include any tank storing any gas that is capable of inflating balloons. 
     The present invention has also been described as inflating multiple pre-tied balloons. An exemplary embodiment utilizes eight pre-tied balloons, meaning that a balloon is pre-tied (using a tie-band, which may be a standard rubber band formed of a synthetic rubber or plastic, for example) to an air tube so that the balloon is snuggly attached to the air tube before use and during inflation, but may be forced off the air tubes by moving slide plate  6  along the air tubes. But the present invention may alternatively be utilized with balloons that have not been pre-tied to air tubes, and such a situation is intended to be included herein. Balloons with relatively tight tie portions may be placed onto air tubes fixed in place within base manifold  1 , so that the balloons stay in place during inflation without the use of tie-bands. 
     All dimensions shown in  FIG. 2A ,  FIG. 3C ,  FIG. 4B  and  FIG. 4C  are intended to be exemplary and are included to illustrate a preferred embodiment of the present invention. But it will be apparent to those skilled in the art that alternative dimensions for the present invention may adequately address the issue of inflating multiple balloons simultaneously, and all such alternative dimensions for the present invention are intended to be included herein. 
     While the present invention has been illustrated and described herein in terms of a preferred embodiment and several alternatives, it is to be understood that the devices described herein can have a multitude of additional uses and applications. Accordingly, the invention should not be limited to just the particular description and various drawing figures contained in this specification that merely illustrate a preferred embodiment and application of the principles of the invention.