Device and Method for Filling and Sealing at Least One Water Balloon

Abstract

An assembly for creating water balloons that directs water from a water source into a manifold. Filler straws extend from the manifold. Latex balloons are readied for filling by placing a neck plug into the necks of the balloons. Each neck plug has an elastomeric body that is sized to plug the neck of the balloon. A blind bore is formed into each of the neck plugs. The fill straws are advanced into the blind bores of the neck plugs. The filler straws are advanced deeper into the neck plugs, therein piercing the material of the neck plugs and eventually passing through the neck plugs. Due to the elastomeric material of the neck plugs, a watertight seal is formed around the filler straws. Water is advanced through the filler straws to fill the balloons.

Description

RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application claims the priority of Provisional Patent Application No. 62/293,582, filed Feb. 10, 2016.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

In general, the present invention relates to filling devices that are used to fill a water balloon from the spigot of a sink or hose. More particularly, the present invention relates to the structure of the balloon plug that enables the balloon to separate from a filling station and self-seal, so it does not leak after being filled.

2. Prior Art Description

In the commercial marketplace, filling stations for latex balloons exist that join a balloon to a water supply, such as the spigot of a sink or hose. Once a balloon is filled with water, the neck of the balloon must be sealed to prevent the water from escaping the balloon. Often, the stem of the balloon is simply tied into a knot once removed from the filling station. The knot seals the neck of the balloon and prevents the water within the balloon from escaping. However, tying a knot in the neck of a filled water balloon is difficult and beyond the skill level of many children.

Recently, water balloon filling stations have been designed for use with specialized balloons. The specialized balloons have seals that automatically close the neck of the balloon the instant the balloon is separated from the filling station. The seal is typically a small elastic O-ring or rubber band that is positioned around the exterior of the balloon neck. The elastic O-ring constricts the neck of the balloon and seals the neck the instant the balloon is separated from the filling station. Such balloons and filling stations are exemplified by U.S. Pat. No. 9,051,066 to Malone, entitled System And Method For Filling Containers With Fluids.

Since such prior art filling stations have balloons that can self-seal, the filling station can be configured to fill many balloons simultaneously. In this manner, multiple balloons can be created in the same period of time it takes to fill a single balloon. Since the balloons self-seal, there is no time wasted in tying the balloons closed. The balloons are merely separated from the filling station by pulling the balloons away, or physically agitating the filling station until the filled balloons fall away.

A problem associated with filling stations that fill multiple balloons at one time is that the balloons fight for space as they expand. This often causes some of the balloons to have bent, twisted or kinked necks as they fill. This can cause the seal on the balloon to fail. Accordingly, although the balloons are supposed to self-seal, it is not uncommon for some of the balloons to leak water past the neck seals after they separate from the fill station. Furthermore, it is also not uncommon for some of the balloons to not fill fully before other balloons force the under-filled balloons away from the filling station.

A need therefore exists for an improved balloon filling and sealing system that seals filled water balloons in a more consistent manner. This need is met by the present invention as described and claimed below.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention is an assembly for creating water balloons. The assembly has a connector for connecting to a water source, such as a hose or spigot. The connector directs water into a manifold. A plurality of filler straws extend from the manifold. The manifold directs water into all of the filler straws simultaneously.

Traditional latex balloons are readied for filling. To ready a balloon, a neck plug is set into the balloon neck. Each neck plug has an elastomeric body that is sized to plug the neck of the balloon. A blind bore is formed into each of the neck plugs. The fill straws are advanced into the blind bores of the neck plugs. The filler straws are advanced deeper into the neck plugs, therein piercing the material of the neck plugs and eventually passing through the neck plugs. Due to the elastomeric material of the neck plugs, a watertight seal is formed around the filler straws. Water is advanced through the filler straws to fill the balloon and create a water balloon. Once the water balloon is filled, the filler straws are retracted from the neck plugs. The neck plugs automatically seal the moment the filler straws are retracted. The result is separate water balloons that are ready for use.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

For a better understanding of the present invention, reference is made to the following description of exemplary embodiments thereof, considered in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, in which:

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of an exemplary embodiment of an assembly used to create water balloons from traditional latex balloons and a water source;

FIG. 2 is a bottom perspective view of an exemplary embodiment of a neck plug used to seal the neck of a water balloon;

FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view of the neck plug shown in FIG. 2 shown in conjunction with a latex balloon and a filler straw;

FIG. 4 shows the embodiment of FIG. 3 with the neck plug engaged by a latex balloon and pierced by a fill straw;

FIG. 5 shows the embodiment of FIG. 3 with the neck plug engaged by a latex balloon, wherein the neck plug is previously pierced by a fill straw that is now retracted; and

FIG. 6 is a cross-sectional view of an alternate embodiment of a neck plug shown in conjunction with a latex balloon and a filler straw.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Although the present invention system and method toy can be embodied in many ways, only a few exemplary embodiments are illustrated. The exemplary embodiments represent some of the best modes contemplated for the invention. However, the embodiments are merely exemplary and should not be considered limitations when interpreting the scope of the appended claims.

Referring to FIG. 1, the overall assembly 10 for creating water balloons 12B is shown. The assembly 10 includes a fill station 14. The fill station 14 has a female connector 16 that enables the fill station to be connected to a water source 18, such as the spigot of a sink or hose. The connector 16 directs water into a manifold 20. The manifold 20 directs water into a plurality of fill straws 22. The fill straws 22 are plastic tubes that have an outside diameter D1.

Water 24 is selectively channeled through the fill straws 22 from the manifold 20. The water 24 that is flowing through the fill straw 22 is used to fill a latex balloon 12A. This creates the water balloon 12B. In order for the water balloon 12B to be removed from the fill station 14, the neck 26 of the latex balloon 12A has to be sealed. This is accomplished using an elastomeric neck plug 30.

The neck plug 30 is positioned inside the neck 26 of the latex balloon 12A, prior to filling. The neck plug 30 blocks the neck 26 of the balloon 12A, therein trapping the water 24 inside the water balloon 12B. Referring to FIG. 2 and FIG. 3, it can be seen that the neck plug 30 has a generally cylindrical shape. The neck plug 30 has a flat top surface 28 and an opposite flat bottom surface 32. The flat top surface 28 and the flat bottom surface 32 have a common diameter D1. The neck plug 30 also has a cylindrical body 34 with the same primary diameter D1. The cylindrical body 34 extends between the flat top surface 28 and the flat bottom surface 32. One or more rounded ribs 36 are provided on the exterior of the cylindrical body 34 for a purpose that is later described. The rounded ribs 36 extend in planes that are parallel to both the flat top surface 28 and the flat bottom surface 32.

The primary diameter D1 of the cylindrical body 34 is sized to be larger than the relaxed diameter of the neck 26 of the latex balloon 12A. In this manner, the neck 26 of the latex balloon 12A must stretch in order to pass over the neck plug 30. The presence of the rounded ribs 36 increases the friction between the neck plug 30 and the neck 26 of the balloon 12A. The friction is sufficient to retain the neck plug 30 in the neck of the water balloon 12B even as the water balloon 12B is completely filled.

The neck plug 30 has a body 34 of elastomeric material, such as a silicone rubber, a tri-block copolymer/mineral oil mix, or a similar low durometer synthetic rubber that is highly pliant. Accordingly, although the neck plug 30 is strong enough to maintain its own shape when compressed in the neck 26 of the balloon 12A or water balloon 12B, the neck plug 30 is still soft. In this manner, the form of the neck plug 30 will not cause a rupture. Likewise, the neck plug 30 will not scratch or cause any contact injury if it strikes a person when thrown as part of a filled water balloon 12B.

The neck plug 30 has a length L1 between the flat top surface 28 and the flat bottom surface 32 of between five millimeters and twenty millimeters. The preferred length L1 is approximately ten millimeters. A blind bore 40 is formed into the neck plug 30 in the center of the flat bottom surface 32. The blind bore 40 penetrates the cylindrical body 34 for a second length L2, which is between 80% and 90% of the full length L1 of the neck plug 30. Accordingly, only a thin breachable segment 38 of elastomeric material exists between the end 42 of the blind bore 40 and the flat top surface 28 of the neck plug 30.

Referring to FIG. 3 and FIG. 4 in conjunction with FIG. 1 and FIG. 2, it will be understood that the diameter D2 of the blind bore 40 is smaller than the diameter D1 of the fill straws 22 that extend from the manifold 20 of the fill station 14. The neck plug 30 is placed inside the neck 26 of a balloon 12A so that the neck plug 30 blocks the neck 26. The only surface of the neck plug 30 that is visible from outside the latex balloon 12A, is the flat bottom surface 32.

A fill straw 22 is inserted into the blind bore 40 on the flat bottom surface 32 of the neck plug 30. The fill straw 22 is wider than the blind bore 40. As such, the fill straw 22 stretches the blind bore 40 as it is advanced into the blind bore 40. This creates a watertight seal between the exterior of the fill straw 22 and the interior of the blind bore 40. The fill straw 22 will advance into the blind bore 40 until the fill straw 22 contacts the breachable segment 38 at the end 42 of the blind bore 40. If enough force is provided, the fill straw 22 can break through the breachable segment 38 and be advanced directly through the neck plug 30.

Due to the elastomeric material comprising the neck plug 30, the breachable segment 38 typically tears along a single rupture line when stressed by the fill straw 22. The elastomeric material separates at the rupture line and the fill straw 22 passes through the breachable segment 38 and into the neck 26 of the latex balloon 12A.

Once the fill straw 22 extends through the neck plug 30 and into the balloon 12A, water 24 can be advanced through the fill straw 22 and into the latex balloon 12A to create a water balloon 12B. The flow of water 24 is continued until the water balloon 12B is full. Referring to FIG. 5, it can be seen that once the water balloon 12B is filled, the fill straw 22 is pulled out of the water balloon 12B and the neck plug 30. The elastomeric nature of the neck plug 30 combined with the hydraulic pressure of the water 24 causes the rupture in the breachable segment 38 to automatically seal. The result is a full and sealed water balloon 12B.

Returning to FIG. 1, it will be understood that the assembly 10 can be sold with multiple fill straws 22 that are pre-loaded with neck plugs 30 and balloons 12A. In this manner, once removed from its packaging, the assembly 10 need only be connected to a water source 18. Once water 24 is provided, all of the attached latex balloons 12A will automatically fill with water. Once filled, the water balloons 12B can be removed from the fill straws 22 or may fall away from the fill straws 22 under the force of their own weight. In either scenario, the neck plugs 30 in the water balloons 12B self seal the moment the fill straws 22 separates from the neck plugs 30.

Referring to FIG. 6, an alternate embodiment of the neck plug 50 is shown. In this embodiment, the rounded ribs of the previous embodiment are removed and replaced with grooves 52. The grooves 52 increase the friction with the neck 26 of the balloon 12A and, therefore, serve the same purpose as rounded ribs.

The embodiment in FIG. 6 also shows an alternate shape for the top surface 54 of the neck plug 50. The neck plug 50 has a top surface 54 with a central apex 56. The blind bore 58 extends internally to a point just below the apex 56. The shape of the apex 56 assists with the insertion of the neck plug 50 into the neck 26 of a balloon 12A. The shape of the apex 56 also acts to better seal any breach made in the top surface 54 at the apex 56, because the hydraulic pressure presses against the angled top surfaces and acts to close any rupture.

It will be understood that the embodiments of the present invention that are illustrated and described are merely exemplary and that a person skilled in the art can make many variations to those embodiments. All such embodiments are intended to be included within the scope of the present invention as defined by the claims.

Claims

1. An assembly for creating water balloons, comprising:

a connector for connecting to a water source;

a manifold coupled to said connector;

filler straws extending from said manifold;

balloons having balloon necks;

neck plugs set inside said balloon necks of said balloons, wherein each of said neck plugs has a different one of said filler straws extending therethrough.

2. The assembly according to claim 1, wherein said neck plugs are made of elastomeric material.

3. The assembly according to claim 2, wherein said neck plugs contain blind bores formed therein, wherein said blind bores terminate within said neck plugs at closed ends.

4. The assembly according to claim 3, wherein said filler straws extend into said blind bores and are forced through said closed ends, therein extending through said neck plugs.

5. The assembly according to claim 4, wherein said filler straws have a first diameter and said blind bores have a second diameter that is smaller than said first diameter.

6. The assembly according to claim 2, wherein each of said neck plugs has a cylindrical body that extends between two end surfaces.

7. The assembly according to claim 6, wherein said balloon necks have a relaxed internal diameter and said cylindrical body has a maximum diameter that is greater than said relaxed internal diameter.

8. The assembly according to claim 6, further including structures on said cylindrical body that increase friction between said cylindrical body and said balloon necks.

9. An assembly for filling a balloon, comprising:

a filler straw;

a balloon having a balloon neck;

a neck plug disposed within said balloon neck of said balloon, wherein said neck plug internally seals said balloon neck;

wherein said filler straw pierces said neck plug and extends through said neck plug, therein providing a conduit to fill said balloon.

10. The assembly according to claim 9, wherein said filler straw creates a hole in said neck plug that automatically seals when said filler straw is retracted from said neck plug.

11. The assembly according to claim 9, wherein said neck plug is made of elastomeric material.

12. The assembly according to claim 11, wherein said neck plug contains a blind bore formed therein, wherein said blind bore terminates within said neck plug at a closed end.

13. The assembly according to claim 12, wherein said filler straw extends into said blind bore and is forced through said closed end, therein extending through said neck plug.

14. The assembly according to claim 13, wherein said filler straw has a first diameter and said blind bore has a second diameter that is smaller than said first diameter.

15. The assembly according to claim 9, wherein said neck plug has a cylindrical body that extends between two end surfaces.

16. The assembly according to claim 9, wherein said balloon neck has a relaxed internal diameter and said cylindrical body has a maximum diameter that is greater than said relaxed internal diameter.

17. The assembly according to claim 16, further including structures on said cylindrical body that increase friction between said cylindrical body and said balloon neck.

18. A balloon assembly, comprising:

a balloon having a neck;

an elastomeric plug disposed in said neck and blocking said neck, wherein said elastomeric plug has an opening formed therethrough that is collapsed closed in part by a compression force applied to said elastomeric plug by said neck of said balloon, wherein said balloon is filled through said opening.

19. The assembly according to claim 18, wherein said elastomeric plug contains a blind bore formed therein, wherein said blind bore terminates within said elastomeric plug at a closed end.

20. The assembly according to claim 18, wherein said opening extends through said elastomeric plug from said closed end of said blind bore.