Patent ID: 7913724

Claim:
An inflation device for inflating containers with non-rigid walls, the inflation device comprising: a body; an air channel provided in the body and having opposite first and second open ends; a venturi tube positioned in the body and being in communication with the first and second open ends of the air channel; a first inlet in the body and being in communication with the air channel and the venturi tube, the first inlet configured to allow compressed air to enter the venturi tube via the air channel and advance to the second open end; an outlet in the body and being in communication with the second open end of the air channel via the venturi tube, the outlet configured to allow air to exit from the venturi tube such that the air inflates a container when the container is joined to the outlet; a second inlet in the body and being in communication with the first open end of the air channel, the second inlet configured to allow ambient air to be sucked into the venturi tube as a result of compressed air entering the air channel and passing through the venturi tube; a first self-closing valve located at the second inlet in the body, the first self-closing valve configured to close off the second inlet if air is not sucked into the air channel; a sensor means associated with the body and configured to detect when a container joined to the body has been filled with air to a predetermined degree, the sensor means configured to interrupt the supply of compressed air entering the channel upon achieving the predetermined level; and a deflating valve positioned in the body; wherein the device is configured to deflate the container.