Elastic Ring and Colloid Sealing for Balloon Filling
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing methods for filling and sealing inflatable containers, such as balloons, are time-consuming and prone to leaks due to human effort and defects in the containers, leading to inefficient and unreliable fluid filling processes.
Innovation Solution
A system with a fitting and branch assemblies that includes a tube, a balloon or container, and an elastic ring, along with colloid particles that automatically seal the container upon detachment, preventing leaks through defects like pinholes or fold gaps by plugging them with suspended particles.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If manual filling methods are used, then flexibility and simplicity are maintained, but productivity and time efficiency deteriorate due to time-consuming individual filling and sealing operations
Solution Approach 1:
The system divides the filling operation into multiple parallel branches (at least three branch assemblies), each capable of independently filling a container. This segmentation allows simultaneous filling of multiple containers, dramatically increasing productivity while keeping each individual branch relatively simple in design.
Solution Approach 2:
The elastic ring serves multiple functions: it seals the container opening during filling, maintains the connection between tube and container, and enables automatic detachment when the container is fully filled. This multi-functionality reduces the need for additional complex components.
2Reliability
If manual tying and sealing methods are used, then device complexity is minimized, but reliability deteriorates due to leaks and inconsistent sealing quality
Solution Approach 1:
The elastic ring automatically seals the container opening and maintains the connection without requiring manual intervention. When the container is fully filled, the increased volume causes the container to detach automatically from the tube, providing self-regulating filling and sealing.
Solution Approach 2:
The system utilizes changes in container volume as a parameter to control the filling process. As the container fills and its volume increases, the gravitational force on the container eventually overcomes the elastic ring's holding force, causing automatic detachment and sealing.
3Productivity
If compressed air or helium tanks are used for inflation, then filling speed is improved, but reliability deteriorates due to pinhole defects and fold gaps causing leaks
Solution Approach 1:
The elastic ring acts as an intermediary sealing element between the tube and container opening. It provides a reliable seal that is not dependent on the container's material integrity, effectively compensating for pinhole defects and fold gaps in the container wall.
Solution Approach 2:
The elastic ring is positioned to seal the container opening before the filling process begins. This pre-sealing prevents leaks through defects in the container material during the high-speed filling operation, cushioning against potential leakage issues.
4Productivity
If water balloons are filled by hand one at a time, then device complexity is minimized, but productivity and time efficiency deteriorate significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The system segments the filling operation into multiple parallel branches, each handling one container independently. This allows a single operator to fill multiple containers simultaneously by simply operating the water source, dramatically increasing throughput while maintaining operational simplicity.
Solution Approach 2:
The elastic ring and gravitational force work together to automate the sealing and detachment processes. The operator only needs to control water flow; the system automatically seals each container when filled and detaches it from the tube, eliminating the need for manual tying operations.
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
Enables a single operator to simultaneously fill and seal multiple containers efficiently, minimizing leaks while maintaining the fluid's viscosity and characteristics, and ensuring effective sealing of containers without significant thickening of the liquid.
Implementation Method 1
Each elastic ring compresses the neck of the balloon around the end of the tube. The elastic ring is configured to restrict detachment of the balloon from the tube and to automatically seal the opening of the balloon upon detachment of the balloon from the tube.
Implementation Method 2
The plurality of colloid particles, if suspended within water, are capable of plugging a hole 500 microns wide or less that would otherwise permit water to leak from the balloon.
Implementation Method 3
The restriction of the elastic ring is limited such that the balloon, if filled with a sufficient amount of water, is detachable by gravity or by gravity combined with a manually applied acceleration of the tube.
Data Source
AI summary
In one embodiment, an apparatus for simultaneously filling balloons with water generally includes a fitting and at least three branch assemblies coupled to the fitting. The fitting includes an inlet and at least three outlets. Each branch assembly includes a tube, a balloon, an elastic ring, and a plurality of colloid particles disposed within the balloon. For each branch assembly, the tube extends from its respective fitting at a respective one of the at least three outlets; the balloon has a neck defining an opening through which an end of the tube is inserted; and the elastic ring. Each elastic ring compresses the neck of the balloon around the end of the tube. The elastic ring is configured to restrict detachment of the balloon from the tube and to automatically seal the opening of the balloon upon detachment of the balloon from the tube. The restriction of the elastic ring is limited such that the balloon, if filled with a sufficient amount of water, is detachable by gravity or by gravity combined with a manually applied acceleration of the tube. The plurality of colloid particles, if suspended within water, are capable of plugging a hole 500 microns wide or less that would otherwise permit water to leak from the balloon.