PANSEGROUW BESTER JACOBUS (ZA)
| US4412568A | 1983-11-01 | |||
| US5829492A | 1998-11-03 | |||
| US3591314A | 1971-07-06 | |||
| GB878698A | 1961-10-04 |
PATENT CLAIMS
1. An inflation device for inflating containers with non-rigid walls, includes a body having an air channel incorporating,
(a) a venturi tube;
(b) a first inlet being in communication with the air channel and accordingly the venturi tube and being adapted to allow compressed air to enter the venturi tube;
(c) an outlet being in communication with the air channel and accordingly the venturi tube and being adapted to allow air to exit from the venturi tube for inflating a container;
(d) a second inlet being in communication with the air channel and accordingly the venturi tube and being adapted to allow air to be sucked into the venturi tube as a result of the compressed air entering the air channel; and
(e) a first self-closing valve located at the second inlet and being adapted to close off the second inlet if air is not sucked into the air channel.
2. A device as claimed in claim 1, which is adapted to be used to deflate containers.
3. A device as claimed in claim 2, which includes a deflating valve for deflating containers.
4. A device as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, which is used as a venturi-air flow apparatus or gun.
5. A device as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, in which the venturi tube includes a supersonic nozzle.
6. A device as claimed in claim 5, in which the supersonic nozzle is shock- free.
7. A device as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, in which air exiting the outlet has an absolute pressure of about 9 bar.
8. A device as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, in which compressed air entering the air channel has a pressure of about 9 bar absolute.
9. A device as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, which is used as a high speed inflater operating at low pressure.
10. A device as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, which has an operating pressure of about 9 bar absolute.
11. A device as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, in which the container is a dunnage bag, a sack and/or any other flexible container to be pressurized.
12. A device as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, which includes a valve connector assembly attached to the outlet of the air channel, which is adapted to be releaseably engaged to a valve associated with the container.
13. A device as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, in which the first inlet is adapted to receive an air hose.
14. A device as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, in which the first inlet includes a second self closing valve.
15. A device as claimed in claim 14, in which the second self closing valve is adapted to automatically close off the first inlet.
16. A device as claimed in claim 14 or claim 15, in which the second self closing valve includes a spring.
17. A device as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, in which the second inlet includes a first self closing valve.
18. A device as claimed in claim 17, in which the first self closing valve is adapted to automatically close of the second inlet.
19. A device as claimed in claim 17 or claim 18, in which the first self closing valve includes a spring.
20. A device as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, which is used to inflate containers provided with a one-way or semi-one way valve having a flange for securing the inflation valve to the container.
21. An inflation device for inflating containers with non-rigid walls, includes a body having an air channel incorporating,
(a) a venturi tube;
(b) a first inlet being in communication with the air channel and accordingly the venturi tube and being adapted to allow compressed air to enter the venturi tube;
(c) an outlet being in communication with the air channel and accordingly the venturi tube and being adapted to allow air to exit from the venturi tube for inflating a container;
(d) a second inlet being in communication with the air channel and accordingly the venturi tube and being adapted to allow air to be sucked into the venturi tube as a result of the compressed air entering the air channel; and
(e) a pressure relieve valve being in communication with the air channel.
22. A device as claimed in claim 21, which is adapted to be used to deflate containers.
23. A device as claimed in claim 22, which includes a deflating valve for deflating containers.
24. A device as claimed in any one of claims 21 to 23, which is used as a venturi-air flow apparatus or gun.
25. A device as claimed in any one of claims 21 to 24, in which the venturi tube includes a supersonic nozzle.
26. A device as claimed in claim 25, in which the supersonic nozzle is shock-free.
27. A device as claimed in any one of claims 21 to 26, in which air exiting the outlet has an absolute pressure of about 9 bar.
28. A device as claimed in any one of claims 21 to 27, in which compressed air entering the air channel has a pressure of about 9 bar absolute.
29. A device as claimed in any one of claims 21 to 28, which is used as a high speed inflater operating at low pressure.
30. A device as claimed in any one of claims 21 to 29, which has an operating pressure of about 9 bar absolute.
31. A device as claimed in any one of claims 21 to 30, in which the container is a dunnage bag, a sack and/or any other flexible container to be pressurized.
32. A device as claimed in any one of claims 21 to 31, which includes a valve connector assembly attached to the outlet of the air channel, which is adapted to be releaseably engaged to a valve associated with the container.
33. A device as claimed in any one of claims 21 to 32, in which the first inlet is adapted to receive an air hose.
34. A device as claimed in any one of claims 21 to 33, in which the first inlet includes a second self closing valve.
35. A device as claimed in claim 34, in which the second self closing valve is adapted to automatically close off the first inlet.
36. A device as claimed in claim 34 or claim 35, in which the second self closing valve includes a spring.
37. A device as claimed in any one of claims 21 to 36, in which the second inlet includes a first self closing valve.
38. A device as claimed in claim 37, in which the first self closing valve is adapted to automatically close of the second inlet.
39. A device as claimed in claim 37 or claim 38, in which the first self closing valve includes a spring.
40. A device as claimed in any one of claims 21 to 39, which is used to inflate containers provided with a one-way or semi-one way valve having a flange for securing the inflation valve to the container.
41. An inflation device for inflating containers with non-rigid walls, includes a body having an air channel incorporating,
(a) a venturi tube;
(b) a first inlet being in communication with the air channel and accordingly the venturi tube and being adapted to allow compressed air to enter the venturi tube;
(c) an outlet being in communication with the air channel and accordingly the venturi tube and being adapted to allow air to exit from the venturi tube for inflating a container;
(d) a second inlet being in communication with the air channel and accordingly the venturi tube and being adapted to allow air to be sucked into the venturi tube as a result of the compressed air entering the air channel;
(f) a first self-closing valve located at the second inlet and being adapted to close off the second inlet if air is not sucked into the air channel; and
(g) a pressure relieve valve being in communication with the air channel.
42. A device as claimed in claim 41, which is adapted to be used to deflate containers.
43. A device as claimed in claim 42, which includes a deflating valve for deflating containers.
44. A device as claimed in any one of claims 41 to 43, which is used as a venturi-air flow apparatus or gun.
45. A device as claimed in any one of claims 41 to 44, in which the venturi tube includes a supersonic nozzle.
46. A device as claimed in claim 45, in which the supersonic nozzle is shock-free.
47. A device as claimed in any one of claims 41 to 46, in which air exiting the outlet has an absolute pressure of about 9 bar.
48. A device as claimed in any one of claims 41 to 47, in which compressed air entering the air channel has a pressure of about 9 bar absolute.
49. A device as claimed in any one of claims 41 to 48, which is used as a high speed inflater operating at low pressure.
50. A device as claimed in any one of claims 41 to 49, which has an operating pressure of about 9 bar absolute.
51. A device as claimed in any one of claims 41 to 50, in which the container is a dunnage bag, a sack and/or any other flexible container to be pressurized.
52. A device as claimed in any one of claims 41 to 51, which includes a valve connector assembly attached to the outlet of the air channel, which is adapted to be releaseably engaged to a valve associated with the container.
53. A device as claimed in any one of claims 41 to 52, in which the first inlet is adapted to receive an air hose.
54. A device as claimed in any one of claims 41 to 53, in which the first inlet includes a second self closing valve.
55. A device as claimed in claim 54, in which the second self closing valve is adapted to automatically close off the first inlet.
56. A device as claimed in claim 54 or claim 55, in which the second self closing valve includes a spring.
57. A device as claimed in any one of claims 41 to 56, in which the second inlet includes a first self closing valve.
58. A device as claimed in claim 57, in which the first self closing valve is adapted to automatically close of the second inlet.
59. A device as claimed in claim 57 or claim 58, in which the first self closing valve includes a spring.
60. A device as claimed in any one of claims 41 to 59, which is used to inflate containers provided with a one-way or semi-one way valve having a flange for securing the inflation valve to the container.
61. A method of inflating containers with non-rigid walls, which includes the steps
(a) of providing an inflation device including a body having an air channel incorporating a venturi tube;
(b) of allowing compressed air to enter the venturi tube through a first inlet being in communication with the air channel and accordingly the venturi tube;
(c) of allowing air to be sucked through a second inlet being in communication with the air channel and accordingly the venturi tube, and into the venturi tube as a result of the compressed air entering the air channel;
(d) of closing off the second inlet if air is not sucked into the air channel by means of a first self-closing valve located at the second inlet; and (e) of allowing air to escape from the air channel by means of a pressure relieve valve being in communication with the air channel, if a predetermined pressure is exceeded; and
(f) of allowing air to exit from the venturi tube through an outlet being in communication with the air channel and accordingly the venturi tube for inflating a container.
62. A method as claimed in claim 61, which includes the step of deflating containers by means of a deflating valve.
63. A method as claimed in claim 61 or claim 62, in which the container is a dunnage bag, a sack and/or any other flexible container to be pressurized .
64. A method as claimed in any one of claims 61 to 63, which includes the step of attaching a valve connector assembly to the outlet of the air channel, the valve connector assembly being adapted to be releaseably engaged to a valve associated with the container.
65. A method as claimed in any one of claims 61 to 64, which includes the step of attaching an air hose to the first inlet.
66. A method as claimed in any one of claims 61 to 65, which includes the step of automatically closing off the first inlet by means of a second self closing valve provided at the first inlet.
67. A method as claimed in any one of claims 61 to 66, which includes the step of automatically closing off the second inlet by means of a first self closing valve provided at the second inlet.
68. An inflation device substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to the accompanying drawing.
69. A method of inflating containers with non-rigid walls substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to the accompanying drawing. |
Inflation device
FIELD OF INVENTION
The present invention relates to an inflation device.
More particularly, the invention relates to an inflation device for inflating containers with non-rigid-walls, such as dunnage bags
BACKGROUND TO INVENTION
Inflatable dunnage bags are commonly used for cushioning loads shipped in trucks, trailers and containers transported by ships, trucks or rail. This is often the case when the cargo only partially fills the container and there exists the possibility of shifting during transport that could cause damage. Typically known dunnage bags are constructed of one or more layers of paper surrounding a plastic lining. The paper protect the bags from tearing - thus more layers are used in applications where the risk of damage to the dunnage bag is greater. Furthermore, for inflating and deflating the dunnage bag, a valve is attached by way of a hole cut in the bag during manufacture.
The dunnage bags are shipped flat from the manufacturer, and are inflated by packing and loading personnel as the containers are loaded with cargo. The bag is firstly placed in the space that it will occupy as cargo is loaded into a container, secondly the inflation device is attached to valve of the dunnage bag and subsequently the dunnage bag is filled with air until an appropriate air pressure within the bag is achieved. Often this occurs within a few seconds.
Various types of inflation devices exist for inflating containers with non-rigid walls and air-filled bags, such as sacks and dunnage bags commonly used to cushion cargo loads. Known inflation devices include tire inflation tools which have been converted or adapted and are attached to a hose leading from a source of compressed air. Some inflation devices incorporate venture tubes and are often known as venturi air-flow guns including a venturi tube, namely an air passage with a region of restricted diameter. In terms of Bernoulli's inverse relationship between air velocity and pressure, passage of air through
the restricted region of a venturi tube creates a low-pressure region resulting in a suction effect used to draw air out of an attached container.
Unfortunately the known type of inflation devices are difficult to operate and not flexible in operation and thus suffer from important limitations.
It is an object of the invention to suggest an inflation device which will assist in overcoming the aforesaid problems.
SUMMARY OF INVENTION
According to the invention, an inflation device for inflating containers with non-rigid walls, includes a body having an air channel incorporating,
(a) a venturi tube;
(b) a first inlet being in communication with the air channel and accordingly the venturi tube and being adapted to allow compressed air to enter the venturi tube;
(c) an outlet being in communication with the air channel and accordingly the venturi tube and being adapted to allow air to exit from the venturi tube for inflating a container;
(d) a second inlet being in communication with the air channel and accordingly the venturi tube and being adapted to allow air to be sucked into the venturi tube as a result of the compressed air entering the air channel; and
(e) a first self-closing valve located at the second inlet and being adapted to close off the second inlet if air is not sucked into the air channel.
Also according to the invention, an inflation device for inflating containers with non-rigid walls, includes a body having an air channel incorporating,
(a) a venturi tube;
(b) a first inlet being in communication with the air channel and accordingly the venturi tube and being adapted to allow compressed air to enter the venturi tube;
(c) an outlet being in communication with the air channel and accordingly the venturi tube and being adapted to allow air to exit from the venturi tube for inflating a container;
(d) a second inlet being in communication with the air channel and accordingly the venturi tube and being adapted to allow air to be sucked into the venturi tube as a result of the compressed air entering the air channel; and
(e) a pressure relieve valve being in communication with the air channel .
Yet further according to the invention, an inflation device for inflating containers with non-rigid walls, includes a body having an air channel incorporating,
(a) a venturi tube;
(b) a first inlet being in communication with the air channel and accordingly the venturi tube and being adapted to allow compressed air to enter the venturi tube;
(c) an outlet being in communication with the air channel and accordingly the venturi tube and being adapted to allow air to exit from the venturi tube for inflating a container;
(d) a second inlet being in communication with the air channel and accordingly the venturi tube and being adapted to allow air to be sucked into the venturi tube as a result of the compressed air entering the air channel;
(f) a first self-closing valve located at the second inlet and being adapted to close off the second inlet if air is not sucked into the air channel; and
(g) a pressure relieve valve being in communication with the air channel .
Yet further according to the invention, there is provided a method of inflating containers with non-rigid walls, includes the steps
(a) of providing an inflation device including a body having an air channel incorporating a venturi tube;
(b) of allowing compressed air to enter the venturi tube through a first inlet being in communication with the air channel and accordingly the venturi tube;
(c) of allowing air to be sucked through a second inlet being in communication with the air channel and accordingly the venturi tube, and into the venturi tube as a result of the compressed air entering the air channel;
(d) of closing off the second inlet if air is not sucked into the air channel by means of a first self-closing valve located at the second inlet; and
(e) of allowing air to escape from the air channel by means of a pressure relieve valve being in communication with the air channel, if a predetermined pressure is exceeded; and
(f) of allowing air to exit from the venturi tube through an outlet being in communication with the air channel and accordingly the venturi tube for inflating a container.
The inflation device may be used to deflate the containers.
The inflation device may include a deflating valve used to deflate the containers.
The inflation device may be a venturi-air flow apparatus or gun.
The venture tube may include a supersonic nozzle.
The air exiting the outlet may have an absolute pressure of about 9 bar.
The compressed air entering the air channel may have a pressure of 9 bar absolute.
The supersonic nozzle may be shock-free.
The inflation device may be used as a high speed inflater operating at low pressure.
The operating pressure of the inflation device may be about 9 bar absolute.
The body may be provided with a flange for securing the inflation valve to the container.
The container may be a dunnage bag, a sack and/or any other flexible container to be pressurized.
The body and the cap may include cooperating threads.
The device may include a valve connector assembly attached to the outlet of the air channel, which is adapted to be releaseably engaged to a valve.
The venturi tube may include a frustoconical bore.
The first inlet may be adapted to receive an air hose.
The first inlet may include a second self closing valve.
The second self closing valve may be adapted to automatically close off the first inlet.
The first closing valve and the second closing valve may include a spring adapted to assist the valves in closing the respective openings.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWING
The invention will now be described by way of example with reference to the accompanying schematic drawing.
In the drawing there is shown a sectional side view of an inflation device in accordance with the invention.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF DRAWING
Referring to the drawing, an inflation device in accordance with the invention, generally indicated by reference numeral 10, is shown.
The inflation device 10 for inflating containers with non-rigid walls, includes a body 11 having an air channel 12 incorporating,
(a) a venturi tube 14;
(b) a first inlet 16 being in communication with the air channel 12 and accordingly the venturi tube 14 and being adapted to allow compressed air to enter the venturi tube 14;
(c) an outlet 18 being in communication with the air channel 12 and accordingly the venturi tube 14 and being adapted to allow air to exit from the venturi tube 14 for inflating a container;
(d) a second inlet 20 being in communication with the air channel 12 and accordingly the venturi tube 14 and being adapted to allow air to be sucked into the venturi tube 14 as a result of the compressed air entering the air channel 12;
(f) a first self-closing valve 22 located at the second inlet 20 and being adapted to close off the second inlet 20 if air is not sucked into the air channel 12; and
(g) a pressure relieve valve 24 being in communication with the air channel 12 for allowing air to escape from the air channel 12 if a predetermined pressure is exceeded.
The inflation device 10 can also be used to deflate containers by means of a deflating valve (not shown).
The inflation device 10 is thus a venturi-air flow apparatus or gun.
The venturi tube 14 can include a supersonic nozzle, which is shock-free.
The air exiting the outlet 18 can have an absolute pressure of about 9 bar.
The compressed air entering the air channel 12 can have a pressure of about 9 bar absolute.
The inflation device 10 includes a valve connector assembly attached to the outlet 18 of the air channel 12, which is adapted to be releaseably engaged to a valve associated with a container to be inflated.
The first inlet 16 is adapted to receive an air hose. The first inlet 16 is also provided with a second self closing valve 26. The second self closing valve 26 is adapted to automatically close off the first inlet 16.
The first self closing valve 22 includes a spring (not shown) adapted to assist in closing the second inlet 20.
The second self closing valve 26 includes a spring (not shown) adapted to assist in closing the first inlet 16.
The container to be inflated can a dunnage bag, a sack and/or any other flexible container to be pressurized. The container is generally provided with a valve having a flange for securing the inflation valve to the container. The valve is generally a one-way or semi-one way valve.
The inflation device 10 in accordance with the invention can thus be used as a high speed inflater operating at low pressure for inflating containers having non-rigid walls. The operating pressure of the inflation device 10 is about 9 bar absolute.
The inflation device 10 in accordance with the invention, thus provides a method of inflating containers with non-rigid walls, which includes the steps
(a) of providing an inflation device 10 including a body 11 having an air channel 12 incorporating a venturi tube 14;
(b) of allowing compressed air to enter the venturi tube 14 through a first inlet 16 being in communication with the air channel 12 and accordingly the venturi tube 14;
(c) of allowing air to be sucked through a second inlet 20 being in communication with the air channel 12 and accordingly the venturi tube 14, and into the venturi tube 14 as a result of the compressed air entering the air channel 12;
(d) of closing off the second inlet 20 if air is not sucked into the air channel 12 by means of a first self-closing valve 22 located at the second inlet 20; and
(e) of allowing air to escape from the air channel 12 by means of a pressure relieve valve 24 being in communication with the air channel 12, if a predetermined pressure is exceeded; and
(f) of allowing air to exit from the venturi tube 14 through an outlet 18 being in communication with the air channel 12 and accordingly the venturi tube 14 for inflating a container.
LIST OF REFERENCE NUMERALS
10 inflation device
11 body
12 air channel
14 venturi tube
16 first inlet
18 outlet
20 second inlet
22 first self closing valve
24 pressure relieve valve
26 second self closing valve