CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

[0001] This application claims the benefit of provisional application Serial No. 62/205,484 filed August 14, 2015 titled, "Reusable Balloon Multi-Fill System," which provisional application is incorporated by reference herein as if reproduced in full below.

BACKGROUND

[0002] Water balloons have been a fixture of summertime activities for decades. However, tying water balloons has always been a limiting factor in the number and how fast balloons can be filled. Recent technological advances have eliminated the tying problem, such as the innovative sealing capsule used by ZORBZ® brand water balloons available from KBIDC Investments, LLC, of Austin, Texas. The advent of sealing technology that does not require tying the balloons has spawned an industry of accessories for water balloons.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0003] For a detailed description of various embodiments, reference will now be made to the accompanying drawings in which:

[0004] Figure 1 shows a perspective view of a multi-fill system in accordance with at least some embodiments;

[0005] Figure 2 shows a side elevation, partial cutaway, view of a self-sealing balloon in accordance with at least some embodiments;

[0006] Figure 3 shows a side elevation, cutaway view of a self-sealing balloon in accordance with at least some embodiments;

[0007] Figure 4 shows an overhead view of the multi-fill system in accordance with at least some embodiments;

[0008] Figure 5 shows a bottom perspective view of a threaded adapter (with the hoses removed) in accordance with at least some embodiments;

[0009] Figure 6 shows a side perspective view of a balloon nipple in accordance with at least some embodiments; [0010] Figure 7 shows a side elevation view of a balloon nipple in accordance with at least some embodiments;

[0011] Figure 8 shows a side elevation view of installation of a self-sealing balloon onto a balloon nipple in accordance with at least some embodiments; and

[0012] Figure 9 shows a method in accordance with at least some embodiments.

NOTATION AND NOMENCLATURE

[0013] Certain terms are used throughout the following description and claims to refer to particular system components. As one skilled in the art will appreciate, different companies may refer to a component by different names. This document does not intend to distinguish between components that differ in name but not function. In the following discussion and in the claims, the terms "including" and "comprising" are used in an open- ended fashion, and thus should be interpreted to mean "including, but not limited to ... ." Also, the term "couple" or "couples" is intended to mean either an indirect or direct connection. Thus, if a first device couples to a second device, that connection may be through a direct connection or through an indirect connection via other devices and connections.

[0014] "Counter bore" shall mean to aperture leading to an internal volume. However, reference to such an aperture and internal volume as a "counter bore" shall not require that the aperture and internal volume be created by a drilling or boring action. Rather, the aperture and internal volume may be created by any suitable method, including molding, casting, milling, and drilling or boring.

[0015] "About" in reference a recited value shall mean the recited value +/- 5% of the recited value.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0016] The following discussion is directed to various embodiments. Although one or more of these embodiments may be preferred, the embodiments disclosed should not be interpreted, or otherwise used, as limiting the scope of the disclosure, including the claims. In addition, one skilled in the art will understand that the following description has broad application, and the discussion of any embodiment is meant only to be exemplary of that embodiment, and not intended to intimate that the scope of the disclosure, including the claims, is limited to that embodiment. [0017] Figure 1 shows a perspective view of a multi-fill system 100 in accordance with at least some embodiments. In particular, Figure 1 shows a multi-fill system 100 that comprises a hose-end or threaded adapter 102 on a proximal end. The multi-fill system 100 further comprises a plurality of tubes or hoses 104 mechanically and fluidly coupled to the threaded adapter 102. In the example system of Figure 1 , fifteen hoses are present (not all are visible in Figure 1 ). In other systems, fewer hoses 104 may be used, and in yet still other systems a greater number of hoses may be used. On the distal end of the hoses resides a plurality of balloon nipples 106.

[0018] The example multi-fill system 100 of Figure 1 , and particularly the balloon nipples 106, are designed and constructed to be used (and reusable) with self-sealing balloons with internal sealing members. Figure 2 shows a side-elevation, partial cut away, view of a self-sealing balloon 200 in accordance with example systems, the self- sealing balloon 200 in a deflated condition. In particular, the example self-sealing balloon comprises neck region 202, and in some cases the neck region 202 defines an annular groove 204 that extends into the neck region 202. Moreover, the example self-sealing balloon 200 defines a main body 206 integrally formed with the neck region 202. Within the main body 206, as shown by the cut away, is a sealing member 208, illustratively shown as a capsule, but other forms of the sealing member may be equivalents used. During filling, the capsule is forced into the neck region 202 by floating on liquid within the main body 206. Figure 3 is a cross-sectional side-elevation view of the self-sealing balloon 200 in a filled or an inflated condition. In particular, Figure 3 shows liquid 300 within the main body 206 of the self-sealing balloon 200. The liquid causes the sealing member 208 to float, thus forcing the sealing member 208 into the internal portion of the neck region 202. The sealing member thus lodges in the neck region 202, and in some cases lodges against the inside surface of the annular groove 204. In lodging within the neck region 202 (and in some cases lodging against the inside surface of the annular groove 204), the sealing member 208 seals the liquid 300 within the self-sealing balloon 200. It is self-sealing balloons 200 similar to those shown in Figures 2 and 3 with which the example multi-fill system 100 is designed to operate, particularly the design of the balloon nipples 106. The specifics of the balloon nipples 106, as the specifics relate to the example self-sealing balloons, is discussed in greater detail below, after a discussion regarding the threaded adapter 102 and the hoses 104.

[0019] Returning to Figure 1, the specification now turns in greater detail to the threaded adapter 102. The threaded adapter 102 defines a counter bore 107 having a set of internal threads 108 configured to threadingly couple to a spigot, water hose distal end, or fill control valve. For multi-fill systems 100 designed for use in the United States, the threads 108 of the threaded adapter 102 have spacing and pitch used in the United States; however, for multi-fill systems 100 designed for use in other countries (e.g., Europe), different spacing and pitch may be used as appropriate for the intended country of sale of the product. In some countries, quick-connector type systems may be used, and thus the threaded adapter 102 may be mated with a quick-connector meeting country-specific requirements, or the threaded adapter omit the threads in favor of being constructed to integrally include the country-specific connector.

[0020] The threaded adapter 102 also defines an outside annular or exterior surface 110 configured to be gripped as the multi-fill system 100 is threadingly coupled to an appropriate device. In the example of Figure 1 , the threaded adapter 102 includes an annular trough 112 defined by the exterior surface 110. The annular trough 112 is designed and constructed to provide an improved surface for gripping the threaded adapter 102 during installation onto, and removal from, a source of water, such as a spigot or distal end of a water hose. In some cases the annular trough 112 alone is sufficient to ensure adequate gripping of the threaded adapter 102, but in other cases other means may be provided to improve the ability to grip the treaded adapter 102, such as knurl 114 shown within the example annular trough 112.

[0021] Still considering the threaded adapter 102, attention is now directed to Figure 4. Figure 4 shows an overhead view of the example multi-full system 100. In particular, visible in Figure 4 is the proximal end of threaded adapter 102, as well as several of the hoses 104 and balloon nipples 106. Also shown in Figure 4 a central axis 400 of the threaded adapter 102, but in the view of Figure 4 the central axis extends into and out of the plane of the page, and thus the central axis 400 is shown as a dot. The counter- bore 107 extends along the central axis 400, and defines inside diameter 402 (on which the threads reside, but the threads are not specifically shown in Figure 4) as well as end wall 404. Defined on the end wall 404 is a plurality of fluid passages 406, where the fluid passages extend through the end wall to hose nipples (not visible in Figure 4, but discussed more below). As shown, fifteen such fluid passages 406 are present, but the number of fluid passages may be different for multi-fill systems designed to simultaneously fill greater or fewer numbers of balloons.

[0022] The diameters of the fluid passages 406 are selected to limit the flow and pressure provided, ultimately, to self-sealing balloons coupled to the balloon nipples 106. In particular, in the United States water pressure at a home or commercial spigot may range from about 40 pounds per square inch gauge (PSIG) to about 60 PSIG or more. In order not to blow the hoses or the self-sealing balloons off the multi-fill systems when the water is initially turned on (e.g., to reduce "water hammer"), the diameters of the fluid passages 406 are selected to limit the flow and pressure applied to the hoses and the balloons during filling. In the example system the diameters of the fluid passages 406 are constant across all the fluid passages 406, and may range from 0.5 millimeters (mm) to 2.0 mm, inclusive, depending on the number of balloons to be simultaneously filled. In an example system designed to simultaneously fill 15 balloons, fluid passage diameters of 0.5 mm work well; however, larger diameters may be used for systems simultaneously filling greater numbers of balloons.

[0023] Figure 5 shows bottom perspective view of the threaded adapter 102. In particular, Figure 5 shows the distal end of the threaded adapter 102 with the hoses removed to expose the hose nipples 500 (not all the hose nipples specifically marked with a reference number). Each hose nipple 500 comprises a tubular body that extends away from the distal surface 502. Each hose nipple has an outside diameter designed and constructed to telescope within an internal diameter of a hose 104 (Figure 1). In some cases, the frictional fit between the outside diameter of each hose nipple 500 and an inside diameter of each hose is sufficient to hold the hoses mechanically to the hose nipples 500 and thus the threaded adapter 102; however, in other cases adhesive may be used to enhance the coupling. Each hose nipple 500 is associated with the fluid passage 406 such that a fluid passage 406 extends one each through a hose nipple 500. In most cases, the fluid passages 406 defined through the hose nipples 500 are a constant cross-section along their lengths for manufacturing purposes, but varying diameters can be used.

[0024] Returning briefly to Figure 1 , in the example system each hose 104 is a plastic hose that defines a proximal end (coupled to the hose nipples 500), a distal end (coupled to the balloon nipples 106), and an internal flow channel or lumen. In some cases the internal diameter of the flow channel within each hose may be about 1.5 mm, but again larger and smaller internal diameters may be equivalently used. Each hose defines a length from the proximal end near the threaded adapter 102 to the distal end near the balloon nipples 106, and the length may be selected based on the number of balloons the multi-fill system 100 can simultaneously fill. In the example case of a multi-fill system 100 simultaneously filling 15 balloons, the length of the hoses 104 may be on the order of 20 to 30 centimeters (cm). If fewer hoses/nipples are used, then the length may be shortened (e.g., a multi-fill system that fills two balloons simultaneously, the hose lengths may be less than 10 cm). By contrast, for multi-fill systems 100 filling more than 15 balloons simultaneously, the lengths of the hoses may be 30 cm or more. The length of the hoses contemplates the number of balloons to be filled and the space needed for each balloon to remain attached to its respective balloon nipple 106 when close to the full condition without forces between the balloons prematurely causing the balloon nipples 106 to be prematurely dislodged from the balloons. In this way, the size of the balloons filled will be substantially constant.

[0025] Figure 6 shows a side perspective view of a balloon nipple 106 in accordance with example systems. In particular, the balloon nipple 106 comprises a connector 600 on a proximal end of the balloon nipple 106, the connector 600 couples to a respective hose 104. In example systems, the connector 600 telescopes within its respective hose 104, and thus the connector has an outside diameter configured to produce a friction fit with the inside diameter of its respective hose. In some cases an adhesive may be used to adhere the hose to the connector 600. The balloon nipple 106 further comprise a shoulder region 602 defined between the connector 600 a frustum region 604 (the frustum region discussed more below). The shoulder region has a width, measured radially between an outside surface of the connector 600 and a narrow portion 606 of the frustum region 604, where the width of the shoulder region is about equal to a thickness of the hose 104. Thus, when a hose is installed on the connector 600, the outside diameter of the hose forms a relatively smooth transition from the outside diameter of the hose 104 to frustum region 604.

[0026] The frustum region 604 is distal to and abuts the connector 600. The frustum region 604 defines a conic frustum 608 with the narrow portion 606 proximate the connector 600, and a wide portion 610 opposite the narrow portion. Distal to and abutting the frustum region 604 is trough region 612. Trough region 612 comprises an annular trough 614 with a smallest outside diameter D smaller than the outside diameter of the wide portion 610. More detail regarding the trough region is provided in the elevation view of Figure 7 below. However, note that the wide portion 610 of the frustum region 604 in combination with the trough region 612 creates an expanded rib region 620 of increased diameter (relative to the narrow portion 606) that encircles balloon nipple 106 and thus creates a proximal surface (the frustum region 604) to help hold the self-sealing balloon on the balloon nipple 106 during filling. Moreover, the lower or distal portion 622 of the trough region 612 also creates an expanded rib region 624 of increased diameter (relative to the smallest diameter of the trough region 612) that encircles balloon nipple 106 and thus creates a proximal surface (distal half of the trough region 612) to help hold the self-sealing balloon on the balloon nipple 106 during filling. Note that in the example embodiment shown the distal portion 622 defines a smaller diameter than the wider portion 610, which may help in removal of a self-sealing balloon after filling.

[0027] Still referring to Figure 6, the example balloon nipple 106 further comprises a tubular region 616 distal to and abutting the trough region 612. The tubular region 616 has an outside diameter D1 that is constant over at least a portion of the tubular region 616, and in example cases the outside diameter D1 of the tubular region 616 is smaller than the outside diameter D of the trough region 612. Finally with respect to Figure 6, visible is a fluid passage 618. In the example system the fluid passage 618 is defined, at least in part, along a central axis 620 of the balloon nipple 106. The fluid passage 618 is fluidly connected to the internal flow lumen of the hose 104, and ultimately to the counter bore 107 of the threaded adapter 102 (Figure 1 ).

[0028] Figure 7 shows a side elevation view of a balloon nipple 106 in accordance with example systems. In particular, Figure 7 shows the connector 600, the shoulder region 602, frustum region 604, trough region 612, and tubular region 616. In the example system, the connector 600 has a diameter D2 being about 2.90 mm, and a length L2 being about 5.5 mm; however, other sizes and lengths of the connecter 600 may be equivalency used depending on the size of the hose 104 to which the balloon nipple 106 couples. The example shoulder region 602 has a width W of about 0.75 mm, again depending on the wall thickness of the hose 104 (Figure 1 ) to which the balloon nipple 106 couples. The narrow portion 606 of the frustum region 604 may have a diameter D3 of about 4.3 mm, again depending on the wall thickness of the hose 104 to which the balloon nipple 106 couples and assuming a relatively smooth transition from an outside surface of the hose 104 to the frustum region 604. The wide portion 606 of the frustum region 604 may have a diameter D4 of about 7.2 mm in the example systems, and the length L3 of the frustum region 604 may be about 4.2 mm, and thus from an angle a of about 103 angular degrees.

[0029] Still referring to Figure 7, in the example systems the trough region 612 may have a length L4 of about 4.4 mm to 7.0 mm, inclusive, and a smallest diameter D of about 6.7 mm. The various dimensions of the trough region 612 result in a radius of curvature R of the profile of the trough region 612 being less than the diameter D4, and in some cases the same or less than the diameter D. In the example systems the lower or distal portion of the trough region 612 has a diameter D5 less than the diameter D4, and in some cases the diameter D5 is about 7.00 mm. Finally with respect to the Figure 7, the tubular region 616 in the example system has a diameter D1 of about 5.5 mm, and a length of about 3.7 mm.

[0030] The specification now turns to an example installation of a balloon over a balloon nipple to describe how the various features of the balloon nipple 106 are utilized. Figure 8 shows an elevation view of installation of a balloon in accordance with at least some embodiments. In particular, visible in Figure 8 is a hose 104 coupled to a balloon nipple 106 with a self-sealing balloon 200 telescoped over the balloon nipple. In example systems, the frustum region 604, having the largest diameter (i.e., the wide portion 610) is a feature that helps hold the self-sealing balloon 200 on the balloon nipple 106 during filling (others discussed below). However, stretching the self-sealing balloon 200 over the wide portion may be difficult, particular for people with small hands, like children. In order to assist the installation, the curvature of the trough region 612 may be used. That is, the curvature of the trough region 612 increases the surface area of contact between the fingers and/or thumb and the balloon, and the increased surface area of contact may be useful in providing sufficient force to move the self-sealing balloon 200 over the wide portion 610. Moreover, the trough region 612 enables a rolling action of the fingers and/or thumbs that further assists. That is, because of the curvature of the trough region 612 the user may roll the fingers and/or thumbs along the trough region 612 from the distal end toward the proximal end (i.e., roll toward the frustum region 604), as shown by the hand 800 and arrows 802 and 804. Such a rolling action may find advantage over pure pushing action, the pushing toward the frustum region 604.

[0031] Moreover, the frustum region 612 may also assist in holding the self-sealing balloon 200 on the balloon nipple 106 during filling. That is, the trough region 612 creates rib region 624 (Figure 6) which provides additional proximal facing surface to hold the self-sealing balloon 200 in place. That is, during filling, as the additional water weight enters the self-sealing balloon 200, the balloon tends to elongate (along the axis 620 of Figure 6). The trough region 612, and particularly the rib region 624 created by the trough region 612, acts to help hold the balloon on the balloon nipple 106 until the proper amount of water in the balloon is reached. Finally, tubular region 616 assist in holding the neck 202 of the self-sealing balloon 200 open to enable the sealing member 208 (Figure 2) to lodge within the neck of the balloon, and in some cases the sealing member 208 may abut the distal end of the tubular region 616 during filling. Once the balloon drops off the balloon nipple, the neck of the balloon then seals against capsule, sealing the water within the balloon.

[0032] In the example system shown, a single fluid passage 618 is defined at the distal end of each balloon nipple 106. In the case of a single aperture defined by the single fluid passage 618, the single aperture may have a radius of about 0.75 mm (i.e., a diameter of about 1.5 mm). However, in other cases multiple apertures may be defined at the distal end of each balloon nipple 106. Whether a single aperture 618, or multiple aperture, the aperture(s) represent a flow area of about 1.76 mm ² (about 0.88 mm ² of flow area for each aperture for dual aperture setups). The inside diameter of the hoses 104 and the flow area into the balloons represented by the apertures in the nipples 106 may act to regulate the flow of the fluids into the balloon. For example, initially air trapped in the hoses 104 may be forced into the balloons when the water is forced into the threaded adapter 102, and the hoses 104 and nipples 106 help regulate the flow (to keep from blowing the balloons off the nipples 106). As the water starts to flow, the hoses 104 and nipples 106 help account for initially high water pressure (which initially may be 100 psig or more), again to reduce kinetic transfer of energy to the balloons and therefore reduce the instances of the balloons on the nipples being prematurely dislodged.

[0033] In use, the user obtains a plurality of ZORBZ® brand water balloons, and attaches the balloons one each onto respective balloon nipples 106 by telescoping the balloons over the balloon nipples 106. ZORBZ® brand water balloons have a neck region with a reduced diameter portion, and the reduced diameter portion is telescoped over the nipple at least as far as the conic frustum portion 602. Once each nipple of the multi-fill system has a balloon attached thereto, the water can be turned on while the multi-fill system is held with the threaded adapter above the balloons. The hoses are flexible, and as the balloons begin to fill, the central axis 620 of the balloon nipples 106 tend to align substantially with the force of gravity (which assists the sealing members 208 in the balloons to float to the neck for sealing). Once the proper amount of water is placed in each balloon, the water flow is stopped, and the multi-fill system is translated upward in a quick motion (impulse force applied), which separates the balloon nipples from the balloons and enables the capsules in the balloons to seat properly in the neck of the balloons. Thereafter the fun begins, and the multi-fill system can be reloaded with more ZORBZ® brand water balloons.

[0034] Figure 9 shows a method in accordance with at least some embodiments. In particular, the method starts (block 900) and comprises simultaneously filling a plurality of balloons (block 902). The simultaneous filling of the plurality of balloons may comprise: installing a plurality of balloons one each over a plurality of nipples of a multi-fill header, each balloon having an internal sealing member, each balloon nipple of the plurality of nipples coupled a respective hose, and each balloon nipple comprising a frustum region and a trough region (block 904); applying fluid simultaneously to the plurality of balloons though the plurality of nipples (block 906); and maintaining each balloon of the plurality of balloons on its respective balloon nipple by interaction of the balloon with the frustum and trough region (block 908). Thereafter, the method may comprise simultaneously disconnecting the plurality of balloons by an impulse force opposite the force of gravity (block 910), and the example method ends (block 912).

[0035] The above discussion is meant to be illustrative of the principles and various embodiments. Numerous variations and modifications will become apparent to those skilled in the art once the above disclosure is fully appreciated. For example, while the trough region may provide advantages in installation and holding the balloons, in other cases (e.g., smaller balloon volumes, balloons with thicker rubber), the trough region may be omitted and the balloon nipples comprise only the frustum region and the tubular region. It is intended that the following claims be interpreted to embrace all such variations and modifications.