Tethered Balloon Inflation and Sealing via One-Way Valve
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Solution Overview
Problem
Inflating, sealing, and anchoring gas inflatable balloons, such as party balloons, is a time-consuming process, especially when dealing with multiple balloons, as it requires manual inflation and subsequent anchoring, which can be labor-intensive and inefficient.
Innovation Solution
A balloon and tether assembly where the tether serves as both an inflation conduit and a means to seal the balloon, allowing gas to be introduced and retained within the balloon through a spout, with a one-way valve to prevent deflation, and the tether can be connected to a manifold for simultaneous inflation of multiple balloons.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If manual inflation and anchoring methods are used, then balloons can be inflated and displayed, but the process becomes time-consuming and labor-intensive
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines the tether (anchoring element) and inflation conduit into a single integrated component. The tether serves dual functions: it anchors the balloon to the display surface and simultaneously acts as the conduit through which inflation gas is delivered to the balloon interior, eliminating the need for separate inflation tools and anchoring steps
Solution Approach 2:
The tether is designed as a multi-functional element that performs multiple roles: it serves as the anchoring mechanism to secure the balloon, as the inflation conduit to deliver gas, and as the sealed connection point to the balloon spout. This universal design eliminates the need for multiple separate components and operations
2Reliability
If multiple balloons are inflated individually, then each balloon can be properly sealed and anchored, but the overall process becomes inefficient
Solution Approach 1:
The system is segmented into multiple independent balloon-tether assemblies that can be connected to a common gas source through a manifold. Each balloon maintains its own sealed connection through its dedicated tether, allowing independent inflation while enabling simultaneous operation of multiple balloons through the shared gas supply system
Solution Approach 2:
A manifold is introduced as an intermediary component that distributes inflation gas to multiple balloon tethers simultaneously. The manifold acts as a central distribution point that maintains sealed connections with multiple tethers, enabling parallel inflation of multiple balloons while preserving the reliability of individual sealing through each tether-balloon connection
3Reliability
If the spout is sealed tightly to prevent gas leakage, then inflation is maintained, but the spout becomes difficult to tie or anchor
Solution Approach 1:
The anchoring function is extracted from the spout area and relocated to the tether. The tether is bonded to the spout in a sealed manner, creating the gas-tight seal away from the anchoring point. This allows the spout to be sealed for inflation while the tether handles the anchoring operation, eliminating the conflict between sealing and tying
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
This solution significantly reduces the time required to inflate and anchor multiple balloons by allowing simultaneous inflation and providing a secure, sealed connection that maintains inflation, enabling faster setup and reuse of balloons.
Implementation Method 1
an adhesive is used to bond the balloon at the spout to the tether
Implementation Method 2
each inflation conduit has an associated one way valve that is adapted to enable post inflation use closure of the conduit to prevent deflation of its attached inflation balloon
Implementation Method 3
the tether is a conduit and is able to deliver gas from a gas source into the balloon to cause the balloon to be inflated
Data Source
Figure 1a
Figure 1b
Figure 1c
AI summary
A tethered balloon assembly the balloon, to be inflated via the tether which is to be subsequently closed by a one way valve to keep the balloon inflated and allow additional inflation as desired, controllable by its tether.