METHOD AND SYSTEM FOR FILLING BLADDER MEMBERS

Abstract

A method and system for automatic filling are provided. The system includes a drive assembly and a source of bladders to be filled wherein the bladders are joined in serial arrangement to a feeding web. The web is configured to be moved through the system using the drive assembly. The system further includes a nozzle configured to receive a flow of filling fluid and direct the flow of fluid into each bladder in turn and a closure device positioned proximate the nozzle wherein the closure device is configured to secure each bladder when filled such that each bladder remains filled after discharge from the system. The system also includes a trigger assembly configured to activate the closure device at a predetermined level of filling of each bladder.

Description

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application claims priority to and the benefit of the filing date of U.S. Provisional Application No. 61/598,119 filed on Feb. 13, 2012, which is hereby incorporated by reference in its entirety.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The field of the invention relates generally to water amusement devices, and more specifically, to a method and system for filling a sequential stream of bladders, such as, but not limited to, water balloons automatically.

Water balloon “fights” are a popular outdoor summer activity. Typically, balloons are filled with water from a hose or spigot and the neck is tied off after sufficient filling to create the water balloon. The water balloons are used to bombard opposing players with the intent being scoring a hit on the opposing player such that the balloon breaks on impact, thereby soaking the opposing player. The water balloon fight is limited by a number of water balloons that can be generated during the time period the water balloon fight is being played. However, because the speed at which the water balloons can be deployed against the opposing players is much greater than the speed at which they can be produced, the game winds down relatively quickly as players lose interest in the slower paced game.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

In one embodiment, a system for automatic filling includes a drive assembly and a source of bladders to be filled wherein the bladders are joined in serial arrangement to a feeding web. The web is configured to be moved through the system using the drive assembly. The system further includes a nozzle configured to receive a flow of filling fluid and direct the flow of fluid into each bladder in turn and a closure device positioned proximate the nozzle wherein the closure device is configured to secure each bladder when filled such that each bladder remains filled after discharge from the system. The system also includes a trigger assembly configured to activate the closure device at a predetermined level of filling of each bladder.

In another embodiment, a method of automatically supplying sealed fluid filled bladders includes feeding a plurality of bladders sequentially arranged along a web or matrix, aligning an opening of each of the plurality of bladders with a nozzle, directing a stream of pressurized fluid through the opening into an interior of the plurality of bladders, securing the opening after a predetermined amount of pressurized fluid has entered the interior, and disengaging each of the plurality of bladders from the web or matrix upon the securing.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIGS. 1-8 show exemplary embodiments of the method and system described herein.

FIG. 1 is a schematic block diagram of an automatic water balloon filling system in accordance with an exemplary embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a schematic block diagram of a power unit for generating and distributing mechanical power used to operate the automatic features of system.

FIG. 3 is a schematic block diagram of another power unit for generating and distributing mechanical power used to operate the automatic features of system.

FIG. 4 is a perspective view of a web in accordance with an exemplary embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 5 is a side elevation view of the web shown in FIG. 4 in accordance with an exemplary embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 6 is a plan view of a web in accordance with an another embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 7 is a perspective view of an embodiment of automatic water balloon filling system.

FIG. 8 is a perspective view of another embodiment of automatic water balloon filling system.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

The following detailed description illustrates embodiments of the invention by way of example and not by way of limitation. It is contemplated that the invention has general application to analytical and methodical embodiments of automatically forming and filling bladders in industrial, commercial, and residential applications.

As used herein, an element or step recited in the singular and preceded with the word “a” or “an” should be understood as not excluding plural elements or steps, unless such exclusion is explicitly recited. Furthermore, references to “one embodiment” of the present invention are not intended to be interpreted as excluding the existence of additional embodiments that also incorporate the recited features.

FIG. 1 is a schematic block diagram of an automatic water balloon filling system 100 in accordance with an exemplary embodiment of the present invention. In the exemplary embodiment, system 100 includes a power unit 102 for generating and distributing mechanical power used to operate the automatic features of system 100. In the exemplary embodiment, power unit 102 includes a water turbine 104 configured to receive a stream 106 of pressurized water from a water source 108 through a hose 110 and a quick-release coupling pair 112. Water turbine 104 rotates under the force of stream 106 about an axis of rotation 114 to drive a turbine shaft 116. Exhaust 120 from water turbine 104, which still has sufficient pressure for filling water balloons, is channeled to a nozzle 122.

A balloon cartridge 124 includes a plurality of balloons 126 coupled to a matrix or web 128 for handling, conveying, supporting, and guiding balloons 126 from cartridge 124. A distributor 130 distributes mechanical power received from shaft 116 to cartridge 124 for feeding web 128 from cartridge 124. Distributor 130 also distributes mechanical power to a balloon closure device 132, which upon signal from a trip device 134, applies a closure tie 136 to a throat 138 of each balloon 126 after balloon 126 has filled sufficiently, for example, to a predetermined diameter or weight as indicated by trip device 134. In the exemplary embodiment, closure ties 136 are mounted within or outside web 128 in a position associated with a respective balloon 126. In various embodiments, closure ties 136 are supplied in a magazine 140, which may supply closure ties 136 through a bias mechanism 142 on-board magazine 140, or magazine 140 may also receive mechanical power from distributor 130 for feeding and/or closing closure ties 136.

During operation, water pressure operates water turbine 104, which supplies power to automatically feed balloons 126 on web 128 into position opposite nozzle 122. Residual water pressure is directed into throat 138 to fill balloon 126, which at a predetermined diameter or weight, initiates trip device 134 to cause closure tie 136 to be applied to throat 138, balloon 126 to be dislodged from web 128, so that the filled balloon 126 can fall away clear of system 100. The operation repeats for each balloon that is fed from cartridge 124 until, for example, water pressure is removed.

FIG. 2 is a schematic block diagram of a power unit 202 for generating and distributing mechanical power used to operate the automatic features of system 100. In the exemplary embodiment, power unit 202 includes an electric motor 204 and a battery 206 or other suitable power source to supply electrical power to motor 204.

FIG. 3 is a schematic block diagram of a power unit 302 for generating and distributing mechanical power used to operate the automatic features of system 100. In the exemplary embodiment, power unit 302 includes a biasing member 304, for example, a windable spring to supply mechanical power to shaft 116. Biasing member 304 may be charged manually using a key 306 or winding handle.

FIG. 4 is a perspective view of a web 128 in accordance with an exemplary embodiment of the present invention. In the exemplary embodiment, web 128 is an elongate, thin flat ribbon-like matrix comprising a plurality of apertures 402 spaced evenly along a centerline 404 of web 128. Apertures 402 are configured to receive and maintain a respective balloon 126. In a first state 406, balloon 126 is rolled to a condensed configuration. Web 128 and balloons 126 may be covered in a sheath 408, which may take the form of a membrane surrounding web 128 and balloons 126 to maintain balloons in their condensed configuration and to protect the balloon from abrasion and moisture until ready for use. In a second state 410, balloon 126 is distended from its condensed configuration and ready for filling. Transition from first state 406 to second state 410 may be aided by a flow of pressurized water from nozzle 122. For example, as balloon 126 begins to fill and distend, the increased size and force of expansion due to the introduction of pressurized water into balloon 126 tends to exert an outward force against sheath 408 causing sheath 408 to split or otherwise break-apart to permit the continued expansion of balloon 126.

FIG. 5 is a side elevation view of web 128 in accordance with an exemplary embodiment of the present invention. In the exemplary embodiment, throat 138 of balloon 126 is fed through one of the plurality of apertures 402 formed in web 128. A lip 502 formed about a distal end 504 of throat 138 extends away from web 128 on a side opposite from balloon 126. A seal 506 may positioned between an underside of lip 504 and web 128. Seal 506 may also serve to secure throat 138 in web 128 by adhesion, interference, compression, or other method.

FIG. 6 is a plan view of a web 602 in accordance with another embodiment of the present invention. In this embodiment, web 602 includes three columns 604 of pluralities of apertures 606. Each aperture 606 is configured to receive throat 138 of a respective balloon, as described above. Web 602 may perforated along perforated lines 608 cut into web 602 to facilitate separating web 602 into three separate web portions, a first web portion 610, a second web portion 612, and a third web portion. As web 602 advances toward respective nozzles 612, web 602 tears along perforations 608 and/or is cut by an edge 614. Web 602 is directed toward nozzles 612 by a common power unit 616 or by separate power units 618 associated with each nozzle 612.

FIG. 7 is a perspective view of an embodiment of automatic water balloon filling system 100. In this embodiment, automatic water balloon filling system 100 includes a housing 700 surrounding most components of automatic water balloon filling system 100. Housing 700 is ergonomic for grasping with a human hand and facilitates the operation of automatic water balloon filling system 100. Housing 700 includes a collapsible stand 702, a water balloon multi-dispenser tip 704, a cartridge feed receptacle 706, and a water supply connection 708.

FIG. 8 is a perspective view of another embodiment of automatic water balloon filling system 100. In this embodiment, automatic water balloon filling system 100 includes a housing 800 surrounding most components of automatic water balloon filling system 100. Housing 800 is also ergonomic for grasping with a human hand and facilitates the operation of automatic water balloon filling system 100. Housing 800 includes a water balloon dispenser chute 804, a cartridge feed receptacle 806, and a water supply connection 808.

This written description uses examples to disclose the invention, including the best mode, and also to enable any person skilled in the art to practice the invention, including making and using any devices or systems and performing any incorporated methods. The patentable scope of the invention is defined by the claims, and may include other examples that occur to those skilled in the art. Such other examples are intended to be within the scope of the claims if they have structural elements that do not differ from the literal language of the claims, or if they include equivalent structural elements with insubstantial differences from the literal languages of the claims.

Claims

1. An automatic filling system comprising:

a drive assembly;

a source of bladders to be filled, said bladders comprising a throat having an opening, said bladders joined in serial arrangement to a feeding web, said web configured to be moved through the system using said drive assembly;

a nozzle configured to receive a flow of filling fluid and direct the flow of fluid into each bladder in turn;

a closure device proximate said nozzle, said closure device configured to secure each bladder when filled such that each bladder remains filled after discharge from the system; and

a trigger assembly configured to activate the closure device at a predetermined level of filling of each bladder.

2. The system of claim 1, wherein said drive assembly comprises at least one of a turbine, an electric motor, and a bias member as a source of drive power.

3. The system of claim 1, further comprising a feeder comprising a mechanical power coupler, said feeder configured to contact the bladder feeding web and translate the feeding web from a stored position along a feed path through the automatic filling system.

4. The system of claim 1, wherein said feeder is configured to align the opening of each bladder with the nozzle prior to a filling step.

5. The system of claim 1, further comprising a reloadable bladder cartridge enclosing the source of bladders to be filled, the bladders removably coupled to the bladder feeding web.

6. The system of claim 1, wherein the trigger assembly is configured to determine a level of filling of each bladder using at least one of a weight and a size of the bladder.

7. The system of claim 1, wherein the closure device is configured to tie the throat of the bladder.

8. The system of claim 1, wherein the closure device is configured to clamp the throat of the bladder.

9. The system of claim 1, wherein the nozzle is configured to engage the opening of bladder being filled in a water tight seal.

10. A reloadable balloon cartridge comprising:

a base comprising an attachment device configured to couple to a complementary attachment member positioned on a automatic balloon filling system;

a cover configured to couple to said base enclosing an interior volume;

a feeder comprising a mechanical power coupler, said feeder configured to contact a balloon feeding web and translate the web through the cartridge from a stored position along a feed path to a cartridge outlet.

11. The balloon cartridge of claim 10, further comprising an elongate flexible web positioned within the balloon cartridge, the web comprising a length and a centerline axis extending along the length of the web.

12. The balloon cartridge of claim 11, further comprising a plurality of balloons coupled the web.

13. The balloon cartridge of claim 10, wherein said web comprises a plurality of holes therethrough extending along the length and substantially aligned along the centerline.

14. The balloon cartridge of claim 10, wherein said web comprises a plurality of balloon attachment points extending along the length and substantially aligned along the centerline, the balloon attachment points each comprising a coupler configured to removably attach one of the plurality of balloons to the web.

15. The balloon cartridge of claim 10, wherein said mechanical power coupler is configured to couple to a mechanical power distributor and deliver mechanical power from a drive assembly to the feeder.

16. A method of automatically supplying sealed fluid filled bladders, said method comprising:

feeding a plurality of bladders sequentially arranged along a web;

aligning an opening of each of the plurality of bladders with a nozzle;

directing a stream of pressurized fluid through the opening into an interior of the plurality of bladders;

securing the opening after a predetermined amount of pressurized fluid has entered the interior; and

disengaging each of the plurality of bladders from the web upon the securing.

17. The method of claim 16, further comprising determining that a predetermined amount of pressurized fluid has entered the interior using at least one of a weight of the bladder and a diameter of the bladder.

18. The method of claim 16, wherein the plurality of bladders and the web are enclosed in a splittable sheath configured to protect the plurality of bladders and wherein directing a stream of pressurized fluid through the opening into an interior of the plurality of bladders comprises splitting the sheath during an expansion of the bladders during filling.

19. The method of claim 16, wherein securing the opening comprises tying the opening of the bladder.

20. The method of claim 16, wherein securing the opening comprises clamping the opening of the bladder.