INFLATABLE DEVICE

Abstract

An inflatable device having a bladder with an opening. A closure member at the opening of the bladder may be sealed by pinching the closure member upon inflation of the bladder. The inflatable device may be re-sealable wherein the seal created at the opening of the bladder by pinching the closure member upon inflation of the bladder, may be unsealed by pulling the closure member thereby deflating the bladder. The inflatable device may be sealed and re-sealed as desired.

Description

CROSS REFERENCE

This application claims the benefit of the filing date of U.S. Provisional Application Ser. No. 61/289,621, filed Dec. 23, 2009, entitled “Self-Sealing Balloon” the entire disclosure of which is hereby incorporated by reference into the present disclosure.

TECHNICAL FIELD

The inventive subject matter relates to an inflatable device and more particularly to an inflatable device having a pinch-seal closure that may be re-sealable.

BACKGROUND

Toy inflatable devices, such as balloons, are enjoyed by many people of all ages. A factor which limits enjoyment of inflatable devices is sealing the inflatable device after inflating it with water, air or other material. Typically, to seal the inflatable device, a knot is tied at the end. Knotting the inflatable device end may prove to be difficult for children and adults.

In the case of young children or disabled people of any age, they may lack the manual dexterity to tie the knot at the end of the inflatable device. In the case of older children or adults, knotting the inflatable devices may prove to be difficult due to the size of one's fingers relative to the size of the inflatable device end. Further, in situations such as a water balloon fight, the speed with which numerous balloons may be inflated is severely restricted by the speed with which one can seal the balloon.

Another drawback to traditional inflatable device closure methods is that once an inflatable device is knotted, it is destined for a single use. The inflatable device sealed by traditional methods may not be re-used.

There is a need for an inflatable device that is easy to seal by people of all ages and abilities. Further there is a need for an inflatable device that is re-sealable to provide multiple uses of the inflatable device.

SUMMARY

An inflatable device having a bladder with an opening. A closure member at the opening of the bladder may be sealed by pinching the closure member upon inflation of the bladder.

The inflatable device may be re-sealable wherein the seal created at the opening of the bladder by pinching the closure member upon inflation of the bladder, may be unsealed by pulling the closure member thereby deflating the bladder. The inflatable device may be sealed and re-sealed as desired.

DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a plan view of an inflatable device of the inventive subject matter;

FIG. 2 is cross-section of one embodiment of a pinch-seal closure of the inflatable device of the inventive subject matter prior to sealing;

FIG. 3 is a cross-section of the embodiment shown in FIG. 2 after sealing;

FIG. 4 is a plan view of another embodiment of a pinch-seal closure of the inflatable device of the inventive subject matter prior to sealing in a rolled and an unrolled configuration;

FIG. 4A is a cross-section of the embodiment shown in FIG. 4 after sealing;

FIG. 5 is a plan view of an unsealed inflatable device;

FIG. 6 is a plan view of another embodiment of the inflatable device of the inventive subject matter;

FIG. 7 is a cross-section of another embodiment of a pinch-seal closure of the inflatable device of the inventive subject matter prior to sealing; and

FIG. 8 is a cross-section of the embodiment shown in FIG. 7 after sealing.

Elements and steps in the figures are illustrated for simplicity and clarity and have not necessarily been rendered according to any particular sequence. For example, steps that may be performed concurrently or in different order are illustrated in the figures to help to improve understanding of embodiments of the present invention.

DESCRIPTION OF INVENTION

While various aspects of the present invention are described with reference to a particular illustrative embodiment, the invention is not limited to such embodiments, and additional modifications, applications, and embodiments may be implemented without departing from the present invention. In the figures, like reference numbers will be used to illustrate the same components. Those skilled in the art will recognize that the various components set forth herein may be altered without varying from the scope of the inventive subject matter.

FIG. 1 is a plan view of an inflatable device 10 of one embodiment of the inventive subject matter. The inflatable device 10 is a bladder 12 and may be made of any suitable material, including but not limited to rubber, Mylar, plastic, thermoplastic, foil, nylon, vinyl, and many other material variations which are too numerous to mention herein. The bladder may be of any shape or size, the variations of which are also too numerous to mention herein.

The bladder 12 has a closure member 14 for sealing the inflatable device 10 once the bladder 12 has been inflated. In the embodiment shown in FIG. 1, the closure member 14 is on a neck portion 16 of the bladder 12. It should be noted that the neck portion 16 is shown for example purposes only and one skilled in the art is capable of adapting the shape and configuration of the closure member 14 to a particular design shape and configuration of the bladder 12 without departing from the scope of the inventive subject matter.

A cross-section view of an embodiment of the closure member 14 of the inventive subject matter is shown in FIG. 2. At least one rib 18 on a first inner surface 20 of the bladder interlocks with at least one groove 22 on a second inner surface 24 of the bladder 12. The first and second surfaces 20, 24 are facing each other and the ribs 18 and grooves 22 are interconnected by pinching the surfaces 20, 24 of the bladder, thereby creating a seal 32 with minimal dexterity.

Young children, disabled people, and adults alike may seal the bladder easily and effectively. Further, because the interlocking ribs and groves are not permanently deformed upon interlock, the seal may be broken and re-sealed as desired without affecting the integrity of the bladder. Therefore, the bladder inflated and deflated many times. This is particularly advantageous for decorative inflatable devices that may be used on occasion. For example, holidays, birthdays and the like. The inflatable device may be inflated temporarily for the duration of the occasion and then deflated and stored for re-use at a future date.

The closure member 14 may have a color-coded sealing feature. The interlocking ribs 18 on a first surface 20 of the bladder 12 may be a first color 26 and the interlocking grooves 22 on a second inner surface 24 of the bladder 12 may be a second color 28. Referring to FIG. 3, the seal 32 is shown. When the ribs and grooves on each surface 20, 24 are pinched together and become connected forming the seal 32, the two colors merge to form a third color 30.

FIG. 4 is a plan view of another embodiment of the inflatable device 40. In FIG. 4, the bladder 42 is configured with a closure member 44 on the neck portion 46 having adhesive 48 applied thereto. The adhesive 48 is covered by a protective paper until the point in time the bladder 42 is inflated and the seal is initiated. The neck portion 46 remains rolled up during inflation. Upon inflation of the bladder 42, the paper is removed exposing the adhesive 48. The neck portion 46 is unfolded or unrolled as shown in the dashed outline of FIG. 4. The unrolled neck portion 46 is then pinched at the point of the adhesive 48 to create the seal 32 as shown in FIG. 4A. It should be noted that reusability of the adhesive closure member is dependent upon the durability and quality of the adhesive 48. Multiple inflations and deflations may be possible up to the point that the adhesive 38 loses its ability to maintain the seal 32. The inflatable device 40 is shown again in FIG. 5 in an unsealed configuration with the paper 50 shown covering the adhesive.

FIG. 6 is a plan view of another embodiment of the inflatable device 60 of the inventive subject matter. The bladder 62 has a closure member 64 for sealing the inflatable device 60 once the bladder 62 has been inflated. In the embodiment shown in FIG. 5, the closure member 64 is on a neck portion 66 of the bladder 62. It should be noted that the neck portion 66 is shown for example purposes only and one skilled in the art is capable of adapting the shape and configuration of the closure member 64 to a particular design shape and configuration of the bladder 62 without departing from the scope of the inventive subject matter.

A cross-section view of an embodiment of the closure member 64 of the inventive subject matter is shown in FIG. 7. A first plurality of interlocking ribs 68 on a first inner surface 70 of the bladder and second set of interlocking ribs 72 on a second inner surface 74 of the bladder 62. The first and second surfaces 70, 74 are facing each other and the ribs 68 and ribs 72 are interconnected by pinching together the surfaces 70, 74 of the bladder 60 thereby creating a seal with minimal dexterity. Young children, disabled people, and adults alike may seal the bladder easily and effectively. Further, because the interlocking ribs and groves are not permanently deformed upon interlock, the seal may be broken and re-sealed as desired without affecting the integrity of the bladder. Therefore, the bladder inflated and deflated many times. This is particularly advantageous for decorative inflatable devices that may be used on occasion. For example, holidays, birthdays and the like. The inflatable device may be inflated temporarily for the duration of the occasion and then deflated and stored for re-use at a future date.

The closure member 64 may have a color-coded sealing feature as shown in FIGS. 7 and 8. The interlocking ridges on a first surface 70 of the bladder 62 may be a first color 76 and the interlocking ridges on a second inner surface 74 of the bladder 62 may be a second color 78, wherein when the ridges on each surface 70, 74 are pinched and connected, the two colors 76, 78 merge to form a third color 80, see FIG. 8, whose presence indicates a complete seal 32 of the bladder 62 has been created.

In any embodiment of the inventive subject matter, the seal is created without the need for knotting or tying the inflatable device. The inflatable device may be used multiple times without destroying the integrity of the bladder. The seal is created with minimal dexterity. Furthermore, the bladder may be inflated with air, water, helium or other suitable mediums without affecting the ability to seal and re-seal the bladder.

It is an advantage of the inventive subject matter that an easy and effective means for inflating, sealing and deflating an inflatable device is provided. The inventive subject matter is easy for young children, those with disabilities and adults allowing those of all ages and capabilities to enjoy the inflatable device. Another advantage of the inventive subject matter is the ability to re-use the inflatable device multiple times. The closure member of the inventive subject matter allows the inflatable device to be deflated, re-inflated and re-sealed multiple times without destroying the integrity of the bladder.

In the foregoing specification, the invention has been described with reference to specific exemplary embodiments. Various modifications and changes may be made, however, without departing from the scope of the present invention as set forth in the claims. The specification and figures are illustrative, rather than restrictive, and modifications are intended to be included within the scope of the present invention. Accordingly, the scope of the invention should be determined by the claims and their legal equivalents rather than by merely the examples described.

For example, the steps recited in any method or process claims may be executed in any order and are not limited to the specific order presented in the claims. Additionally, the components and/or elements recited in any apparatus claims may be assembled or otherwise operationally configured in a variety of permutations and are accordingly not limited to the specific configuration recited in the claims.

Benefits, other advantages and solutions to problems have been described above with regard to particular embodiments; however, any benefit, advantage, solution to problem or any element that may cause any particular benefit, advantage or solution to occur or to become more pronounced are not to be construed as critical, required or essential features or components of any or all the claims.

The terms “comprise”, “comprises”, “comprising”, “having”, “including”, “includes” or any variation thereof, are intended to reference a non-exclusive inclusion, such that a process, method, article, composition or apparatus that comprises a list of elements does not include only those elements recited, but may also include other elements not expressly listed or inherent to such process, method, article, composition or apparatus. Other combinations and/or modifications of the above-described structures, arrangements, applications, proportions, elements, materials or components used in the practice of the present invention, in addition to those not specifically recited, may be varied or otherwise particularly adapted to specific environments, manufacturing specifications, design parameters or other operating requirements without departing from the general principles of the same.

Claims

1. An inflatable device comprising:

a bladder having an opening;

a closure member at the opening of the bladder;

a seal created at the opening of the bladder, the seal being created by pinching the closure member upon inflation of the bladder.

2. The inflatable device of claim 1 wherein the closure member further comprises:

at least one rib on a first inner surface of the bladder opening;

at least one groove on a second inner surface of the bladder opening;

wherein the at least one rib and at least one groove are interlocked by pinching the bladder opening thereby forming the seal.

3. The inflatable device of claim 2 wherein the closure member further comprises:

a first color for the at least one rib;

a second color for the at least one groove; and

a third color for the seal created upon interlocking the at least one rib and the at least one groove and merging the first and second colors.

4. The inflatable device of claim 1 further comprising:

a neck member of the bladder at the opening and the closure member being on the neck of the member; and

an adhesive applied at the closure member;

wherein the seal is formed by unrolling the neck member and pinching the neck member at the point of adhesive.

5. The inflatable device of claim 4 wherein the adhesive is covered by a removable paper until which time the bladder is inflated and the paper is removed to unroll the neck member and form the seal.

6. The inflatable device of claim 1 wherein the closure member further comprises:

a first set of interlocking ribs on a first inner surface of the bladder opening;

a second set of interlocking ribs on a second surface of the bladder opening, the first set of interlocking ribs being offset from the second set of interlocking ribs; and

wherein the first and second sets of interlocking ribs are interlocked by pinching the bladder opening thereby forming the seal.

7. The inflatable device of claim 6 wherein the closure member further comprises:

a first color for the first set of interlocking ribs;

a second color for the second set of interlocking ribs; and

a third color for the seal created upon interlocking the sets of interlocking ribs and merging the first and second colors.

8. A re-sealable inflatable device comprising:

a bladder having an opening;

a re-sealable closure member at the opening of the bladder;

a seal created at the opening of the bladder, the seal being created by pinching the closure member upon inflation of the bladder and unsealed by pulling the closure member thereby deflating the bladder.

9. The re-sealable inflatable device of claim 8 wherein the re-sealable closure member further comprises:

a set of interlocking ribs on a first inner surface of the bladder opening;

second set of interlocking ribs on a second inner surface of the bladder opening, the set of interlocking ribs on the first inner surface being offset from the second set of interlocking ribs on the second inner surface;

wherein the interlocking ribs are interlocked by pinching the bladder opening thereby forming the seal and the interlocking ribs are unlocked by pulling apart the interlocking ribs thereby breaking the seal.

10. The re-sealable inflatable device of claim 9 wherein the closure member further comprises:

a first color for the set of interlocking ribs on the first inner surface;

a second color for the second set of interlocking ribs on the second inner surface; and

a third color for the seal created upon merging the first color and the second color of the interlocked ribs.

11. The re-sealable inflatable device of claim 8 further comprising:

a neck member of the bladder at the opening and the closure member being on the neck of the member; and

an adhesive applied at the closure member;

wherein the seal is created by unrolling the neck member onto itself and pinching the closure member at the point of adhesive and the seal is broken by pulling apart the neck member.

12. The re-sealable inflatable device of claim 11 wherein the adhesive is covered by a removable paper until which time the bladder is inflated and the paper is removed.

13. The re-sealable inflatable device of claim 8 wherein the re-sealable closure member further comprises:

at least one rib on a first inner surface of the bladder opening;

at least one interlocking groove on a second surface of the bladder opening; and

wherein the at least one rib and the at least one interlocking groove are interlocked by pinching the bladder opening thereby forming the seal and the interlocking ribs are unlocked by pulling apart the at least one rib and the at least one interlocking groove, thereby breaking the seal.

14. The re-sealable inflatable device of claim 13 wherein the closure member further comprises:

a first color for the at least one rib on the first inner surface;

a second color for the at least one interlocking groove on the second inner surface; and

a third color for the seal created upon merging the first color and the second color of the interlocked at least one rib and at least one groove.