초록 ▼

A balloon inflation apparatus for inflating balloons is provided. A balloon plug having a resilient body with an outer perimeter designed to engage the inside of the neck of a balloon. The balloon plug is interconnected to a spool. A pierceable central portion is provided. The inflation apparatus in

A balloon inflation apparatus for inflating balloons is provided. A balloon plug having a resilient body with an outer perimeter designed to engage the inside of the neck of a balloon. The balloon plug is interconnected to a spool. A pierceable central portion is provided. The inflation apparatus includes an inflation station supported by a support frame. The inflation station includes an engagement opening for retaining a balloon plug with a balloon engaged therewith. The station also includes an inflation needle which has a retracted position and an inflation position that extends through the pierceable central portion of a balloon plug retained by the plug connector when the needle is in the inflation position. The inflation station also includes an actuator to move the needle between the retracted and inflation positions. A pressurized gas supply is in fluid communication with the needle and operable to selectively supply gas to the needle when the needle is in the inflation position so that a balloon engaged with the pierced plug is inflated.

대표청구항 ▼

1. A balloon inflation apparatus for inflating a balloon of the type having a neck and a body, comprising:a balloon plug having a resilient body with an outer perimeter for engaging the inside of the neck of the balloon and a pierceable central portion; a spool for interconnecting with said plug, wh

1. A balloon inflation apparatus for inflating a balloon of the type having a neck and a body, comprising:a balloon plug having a resilient body with an outer perimeter for engaging the inside of the neck of the balloon and a pierceable central portion; a spool for interconnecting with said plug, wherein said spool includes a cylindrical central core and a plurality of outwardly extending walls, and a radial engagement slot is formed therebetween said walls for engaging said interconnected spool and plug with an inflation station on the inflation apparatus; wherein said inflation station is supported by a support frame and includes an inflation needle having a retracted position and an inflation position, said needle extending through said central portion of said balloon plug interconnected to said spool when the needle is in the inflation position and the needle not extending through said central portion when the needle is in the retracted position, said inflation station further including an actuator operable to move the needle between the retracted and inflation positions; a pressurized gas supply in fluid communication with the needle and operable to selectively supply gas to the needle; means operable to actuate the actuator so that the needle moves from the retracted position to the inflation position so that the central portion of said plug connected to said spool is pierced, said means further operable to supply gas to the needle when the needle is in the inflation position so that the balloon engaged by said pierced plug is inflated.