Valve assembly for expandable bladder and method of manufacturing the same

Abstract

The present invention relates to expandable bodies or systems with bounding walls or bladder structures and at least one valve assembly thermally bonded thereto. More particularly, the present invention provides a fluid valve assembly for expandable fluid-containing bodies typically made from a thermoplastic rubber material or the like, which will exhibit significantly increased strength and durability during expansion and while expanded, especially at and around the interface between the fluid valve assembly and the bounding wall of the expandable body because of the enhanced strength of the fluid valve assembly interface through thermal sealing.

Description

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS[0001]This application relates to and claims priority from U.S. Ser. No. 62 / 424,520 filed Nov. 20, 2016, the entire contents of which are incorporated herein by reference.BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTIONField of the Invention[0002]The present invention relates to expandable bodies or systems with bounding walls or fluid containing bladder structures and at least one fluid valve assembly. More particularly, the present invention provides a fluid valve assembly for expandable bodies typically made from thermoplastic rubber material and the like which will exhibit significantly increased strength and durability during fluid expansion and while expanded especially at and around the interface between the fluid valve assembly and the bounding wall of the expandable body.Description of the Related Art[0003]The prior art is directed to methods and apparatus for flexible air valves for use in inflatable bodies including, for example, balloons, sports balls, ...

AI Technical Summary

Benefits of technology

[0017]The primary objective of the present invention is to provide an improved fluid valve assembly for expandable bodies typically made from thermoplastic rubber material and the like which will exhibit significantly increased strength and durability during inflation and while inflated, especially at and around the interface between the valve assembly and the bounding wall of the inflatable body while providing secure closure of the fluid valve.

[0018]In accordance with one aspect of the invention, there is provided for expandable bodies or systems with bounding walls or bladder structures least one valve assembly thermally bonded thereto. More particularly, the present invention provides a fluid valve assembly for expandable fluid-containing bodies typically made from a thermoplastic rubber material or the like, which will exhibit significantly increased strength and durability during expansion and while expanded, especially at and around the interface between the fluid valve assembly and the bounding wall of the expandable body because of the enhanced strength of the fluid valve assembly interface through thermal sealing.

[0019]It is additionally understood that an fluid valve assembly for attachment to an expandable thermoplastic rubber bladder or bounding wall structure, the fluid valve assembly comprising a valve member having a flange extending radially therefrom, the valve member including an inner bore formed therein as a slot valve extending therefrom with a central opening communicating with the bore of the valve member. The opening of the slot valve has an inner dimension such that fluid may not flow in a reverse direction therethrough in because opposing extending side walls are sealingly press fit theretogether. The valve member further comprises an integrally formed lip-and-inlet contour around the bore of the valve member and the slot member providing added strength and durability during and after expansion and allowing flex-engagement of the lip-and-inlet contours to provide a reliable seal of the expansion bladder or bounding wall. The valve member including a peripheral sealing flange extended radially therefrom for attaching to the bladder or bounding wall.

Problems solved by technology

However, the effectiveness of a conventional water supply is not effectively provided through a reducer due to the non-compressible nature of fluid.

As a result, typically, there is no particular fluid-inflation-mechanism that would be used.

However, the plug which is made of compressible material may fail after use.

In addition, the air valve has no protective structure to absorb a force from the inflating needle.

Ultimately, there are no recognized fluid valves for use conventionally known in the art that would allow the use in combination with an expandable bladder.

On the other hand, TPEs / TPRs, relative to conventional rubber or thermoset, require relatively more expensive raw materials, are generally unable to be loaded with low cost fillers, such as carbon black (therefore preventing TPEs from being used in automobile tires), have poor chemical and heat resistance, and have high compression set and low thermal stability.

Also, TPEs / TPRs may soften or melt at elevated temperatures above which they lose their rubbery behaviour.

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