Patent Publication Number: US-2020282321-A1

Title: Blowing device for balloon

Description:
The present invention relates to a blowing device for balloon. 
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     Blowing devices for use in blowing balloons are generally known, but the vast majority if not all is designed only for use as a blower. In terms of functionality, they are often put aside after balloons have been inflated. In terms of fun to use, they simply lack. 
     The invention seeks to eliminate or at least to mitigate such shortcomings by providing a new or otherwise improved blowing device for balloon. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     According to the invention, there is provided a blowing device for balloon, comprising a hollow body having a first end and a second end and including an internal air passage through the first and second ends. The first end is connectable with the mouth/neck of a balloon for air to be blown into a said balloon from the second end via the air passage. An air valve in the air passage is operable to block passage of air escaping from inside a said balloon in a direction from the first end to the second end. Also included are an effect generator provided at the body, which is operated by battery, and operating means provided at the body for turning on and off the effect generator. 
     Preferably, the effect generator comprises at least one of a light generator and a sound generator. 
     More preferably, the effect generator comprises a light generator which includes a light source located at or adjacent the first end of the body. 
     It is preferred that the air valve includes a valve member arranged to be acted upon by air inside a said balloon to close the air valve. 
     It is further preferred that the valve member extends across the air passage and faces the interior of the balloon for action by air inside a said balloon. 
     It is further preferred that the valve member is provided at the first end of the body. 
     In a preferred embodiment, the air valve includes a valve member extending across the first end of the body for being acted upon by air inside a said balloon to close the air valve, with the light source provided behind the valve member. 
     More preferably, the valve member is made of transparent or translucent material. 
     In a preferred embodiment, the air valve includes a valve seat provided by a part of the body. 
     More preferably, the valve seat is provided by the first end of the body. 
     More preferably, the valve seat is of a flat-cylindrical shape and extends radially outwardly of the body for receiving the valve member. 
     Further more preferably, the valve seat comprises a flange around the first end of the body, which flange presents a right-angled step for engaging the mouth of a said balloon. 
     It is preferred that the effect generator is provided at the valve member. 
     It is preferred that the light source is provided at the valve member. 
     In a preferred embodiment, the operating means includes an operating member supported for movement in the body to a closed position, resulting in closing of a power circuit of the effect generator. 
     More preferably, the operating member is arranged to move with a or the valve member of the air valve. 
     Further more preferably, the operating member is connected with the valve member for simultaneous movement. 
     Further more preferably, the operating member is arranged to move in one direction to turn on the effect generator and to move in the opposite direction to move the valve member to an open position of the air valve. 
     It is preferred that the operating means includes an operating part arranged to move the operating member in one direction to the closed position and in the opposite direction off the closed position. 
     It is further preferred that the operating part is provided at the second end of the body. 
     Advantageously, the air valve is normally-closed to block passage of air escaping from inside a said balloon. 
     In a preferred embodiment, the air valve is in use normally-closed to block passage of air escaping from inside a said balloon, and the air valve comprises a valve seat and a valve member which is arranged to engage the valve seat, thereby closing the air valve, under the action of pressurized air inside a said balloon. 
     More preferably, the air valve is provided at the first end of the body and is operated by means of an operating member extending from the valve member to the second end of the body, the operating member being movable by a force applied at the second end to open the air valve. 
     It is preferred that the air valve and the effect generator are arranged to operate, in that they turn on and turn off, in a complementary manner. 
     It is preferred that the body comprises a cylindrical tube having a central axis along which the air valve and the effect generator are provided in a co-axial arrangement. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS 
       The invention will now be more particularly described, by way of example only, with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which: 
         FIG. 1  is an exploded perspective view of an embodiment of a blowing device for balloon in accordance with the invention; 
         FIG. 2  is a cross-sectional side view of the blowing device of  FIG. 1 , with an air valve thereof open and an effect generator thereof in an off state; and 
         FIG. 3  is a cross-sectional side view corresponding to  FIG. 2 , showing the air valve closed and the effect generator in an on state. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENT 
     Referring to  FIGS. 1 to 3  of the drawings, there is shown a blowing device  10  for balloon embodying the invention, which blowing device  10  has a hollow body  100  with a first end  110  and a second end  120  and including an internal air passage P through the first and second ends  110  and  120 . The body  100  is in the form of a cylindrical tube. Its first end  110  (or front end  110  as hereinafter referred to) is connectable with, by being stretched and disposed thereupon, a mouth  21  of a balloon  20  for air to be blown via the air passage P into the balloon  20  by a user from the second end  120 , or rear end  120  as hereinafter referred to. There is an air valve  200  provided in the air passage P, which is operable to block passage of air escaping from inside the balloon  20  in a direction from the front end  110  to the rear end  120 , such that the balloon  20  may stay inflated. The air valve  200  is preferably normally-closed to block passage of air escaping from inside the balloon  20 . 
     The blowing device  10  also includes an effect generator  300  provided at the body  100 , which is operated by battery and serves to add fun, and operating means  400  also provided at the body  100  for turning on and off the effect generator  300 . The tubular body  100  has a central axis along which the air valve  200  and the effect generator  300  are provided in a co-axial arrangement. 
     Generally stated, the effect generator  300  comprises at least one of a light generator and a sound generator. In the described embodiment, the effect generator  300  comprises a light generator  300  which includes a light source  310  located at or adjacent the front end  110  of the body  100  for in use shining light directly into the balloon  20 . The light source  210  is implemented by an LED bulb  210 . 
     The air valve  200  includes a valve member  210  and a valve seat  220  with which the valve member  210  co-operates to perform valve closing and opening functions. The valve member  210  is provided at the front end  110  of the body  100 , and so is the valve seat  220 . The valve seat  220  is provided by the front end  110 , which is an integral part of the body  100 . The valve seat  220  (i.e. the front end  110 ) is of a flat-cylindrical shape and extends radially outwardly of the body  100  for receiving the valve member  210 . 
     With the tubular body  100  being cylindrical in shape, the valve seat  220  is shaped likewise but is relatively wider and much shorter to form a head  220 A of the body  100  with a shape resembling that of the letter “T” in cross-section taken along the central axis. The T-shaped head  220 A acts as a radially-protruding barrier for reliably engaging and holding the balloon  20 , by its mouth (or neck)  21  from inside, to stay on the blowing device  10 . In particular, the T-shaped head  220 A includes a circular flange at and around the front end  110  of the body  100 , which flange in cross-section provides a lateral protrusion  220 B which projects at right angles from the peripheral surface of the body  100  and represents a right-angled step, acting as the said barrier, for engaging the balloon&#39;s month  21 . 
     The valve member  210  has a round shape, more specifically resembling a hat with a cylindrical crown and a flat annular brim, and is made of a transparent or translucent material. The valve member  210  extends across, and partially within, the T-shaped front end  110  of the body  100  and hence across the air passage P, in a position in use facing the interior of the balloon  20  (through the mouth  21  thereof) for being action upon by pressurized air inside the balloon  20 , thereby closing the air valve  200  and keeping it closed. 
     The effect generator  300  and in particular the LED bulb  310  is provided at or behind the valve member  210 , being located within the crown part of the valve member  210 . With the valve member  210  in use facing the interior of the balloon  20 , the LED bulb  310  shines light directly into the balloon  20 , thereby illuminating the balloon  20  from inside to make it visually attractive to play with or for display. 
     The LED bulb  310  has a first terminal  311  of its two terminals  311 / 312  extended rearwardly and then folded to form a space Q with the second terminal  312 , in which space Q a pile of three battery cells  313  are located co-axially right behind the LED bulb  310  for energizing the same. The two terminals  311 / 312  with the battery cells  313  together form a power circuit, which is normally-open by presence of a gap R left between a free end  311 A of the first terminal  311  and an exposed cathode  313 A of the last battery cell  313 . The power circuit is completed upon pressing of the terminal end  311 A against the cathode  313 A, thereby closing the gap R and hence turning on the LED bulb  310 . 
     The LED bulb  310  and the battery cells  313  together form a light module  300 A of a shape resembling that of a plug. 
     Turning now to the operating means  400 , it is provided by an oblong operating member  410  disposed co-axially in the tubular body  100 , and includes an operating part preferably in the form of a tubular knob  420  connected co-axially at the rear end  120 . The operating member  410  has a tube-like body with an end cap  411  at its front end and two oblong cutouts in its opposite sides to form a pair of legs  412 , each having a free end with a rearward-facing step  413  on its outer surface. A bridge  414  extends diametrically across the two legs  412 , at a position axially behind the end cap  411 . The knob  420  has an annular track  421  formed by a step on and around its inner surface, which includes a pair of diametrically-opposite raised portions providing respective cams  422 . The knob  420  includes a bridge  423  extending diametrically across opposite sides of the knob&#39;s inner surface. 
     Externally, the end cap  411  locates and carries the valve member  210 , with the latter snap-fitted co-axially over and around the former. Internally, the end cap  411  holds the light module  300 A co-axially therein, with the LED bulb  310  pointing forward. The end cap  411  is made of a transparent (or translucent) material such that the LED bulb  310  may shine light through the end cap  411  as well as the valve member  210  and into the balloon  20 . 
     For assembling, the operating member  410  is inserted rearwardly into the body  100  via the front end  110 , with its two legs  412  then projecting out from the rear end  120  and connecting with the knob  420 . The legs  412  latch with the knob  420  by its steps  413  with the latter&#39;s track  421 , for cam action with the respective cams  422 . 
     During insertion, the legs  412  extend past the bridge  414  therebetween and finally stop at an axial position with the light module  300 A and in particular its terminal end  311 A reaching just short of the bridge  414  ( FIG. 2 ). In this position, the terminal end  311 A stays off the cathode  313 A (i.e. the gap R unaffected), so the LED bulb  310  stays turned off. This condition corresponds to an OFF position of the operating member  410 , as opposed to an ON position thereof, between which positions the operating member  410  is movable by the knob  420  upon turning in opposite directions. 
     In the ON position, the operating member  410  moves on with the terminal end  311 A being stopped by the bridge  414  ( FIG. 3 ), thereby the terminal end  311 A takes on the cathode  313 A and hence comes into contact therewith (i.e. the gap R closed) and so the LED bulb  310  is turned on. 
     The operating member  410  is subject to the aforesaid cam action brought about by the knob  420 , in which its legs  412  are moved from a rest position to a raised position on the track  412  when their steps  413  are pushed up by the respective cams  422  when the knob  420  is turned. The legs  412  will be allowed to return to the rest position upon reverse turning of the knob  420 . 
     In the rest position, the valve member  210  (which is carried by the operating member  410 ) stays off the valve seat  220  ( FIG. 2 ), so that the air valve  200  is open to allow air to be blown through the blowing device  10  into the balloon  20 , corresponding to an OPEN position of the operating member  410 . 
     Towards the raised position, the operating member  410  is moved up by the cams  422  in a direction that is rearward relative to the body  100 , with the result that it brings the valve member  210  into contact with the valve seat  220 , thereby closing the valve  200  ( FIG. 3 ). In this position, the air valve  200  is shut off to block air escaping from inside the balloon  20  (thereby keeping the balloon  20  inflated), corresponding to a CLOSED position of the operating member  410 . 
     Generally stated, the operating member  410  is supported for movement in the body  100  to the CLOSED position, resulting in closing of the power circuit of the effect generator  300 , and is arranged to move with the valve member  210  of the air valve  200 . For simplicity, the operating member  410  is connected with the valve member  210  for simultaneous movement therewith. 
     It is apparent from the foregoing description that the OFF position of the operating member  410  is also its OPEN position ( FIG. 2 ) and that the ON position corresponds to its CLOSED position ( FIG. 3 ). The operating member  410  is movable by the knob  420  in one direction to the ON/CLOSED position (to turn on the effect generator  300  and close the air valve  200 ) and in the opposite direction off the ON/CLOSED position to the OFF/OPEN position (to turn off the effect generator  300  and open the air valve  200 ). 
     In all, the air valve  200  is closed (i.e. turned off) when the effect generator  300  is turned on, and it is open (i.e. turned on) when the effect generator  300  is turned off. Thus, the air valve  200  and the effect generator  300  are arranged to operate, in that they turn on and turn off, in a complementary manner. 
     The blowing device  10  offers an additional function which is particularly useful, in that while staying attached to the balloon  20  it allows the balloon  20  to deflate upon a simple user&#39;s action. As described above, the valve member  210  is arranged to engage the valve seat  220  under the action of pressurized air inside the balloon  20 , thereby closing the air valve  200  or keeping the same closed. The air valve  200  is in use normally-closed to block passage of air escaping from inside the balloon  20 . 
     The air valve  200  is provided at the front end  110  of the body  120  and is operated by means of the operating member  410 , which extends from the valve member  210  to reach the rear end  120  of the body  100 , where the operating member  410  latches by its free ends bearing the steps  413  with the knob  420 . By pressing upon its free ends through the knob  420 , the operating member  410  may be pushed slightly inwards, against the action of the pressurized air inside the balloon  20 , to such an extent sufficient to separate the valve member  210  from the valve seat  220 , thereby opening the air valve  200  and hence allowing the balloon  20  to deflate. The balloon  20  may then be stored away and re-used. This is another advantage of using the blowing device  10 . 
     It is noted that the force pushing the operating member  410  inwards is applied at the body&#39;s rear end  120  (i.e. through the knob  420 ). Also, the extent to which the operating member  410  may be pushed inwards corresponds to, or is provided by, the degree of movement of the valve member  210  to reach the valve seat  220  under the action of the pressurized air inside the balloon  20 . In all, there is a certain degree of freedom of movement of the valve member  210  relative to the valve seat  220 , which is only marginal but sufficient to allow self-closing of the air valve  200  by the air inside the balloon  20  and/or manual opening by a user, i.e. from the outside by pushing the operating member  410  inwards. 
     In a slightly different embodiment, the valve seat  220  (i.e. the front end  110 ) is of a trumpet or bell shape. The valve seat  220  is flared outwardly of the body  100  for receiving the valve member  210 , with the valve member  210  extending across, and partially within, the bell-shaped front end  110  of the body  100  and hence across the air passage P for shutting off or opening the air passage P. 
     The blowing device  10  according to the subject invention is designed to stay attached to keep the balloon  20  inflated and to add fun by way of light and/or sound effect brought about by the effect generator  300 . 
     The invention has been given by way of example only, and various modifications of and/or alterations to the described embodiment may be made by persons skilled in the art without departing from the scope of the invention as specified in the appended claims.