IPC분류정보
국가/구분 |
United States(US) Patent
등록
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국제특허분류(IPC7판) |
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출원번호 |
US-0742339
(2003-12-19)
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우선권정보 |
NL-1022235 (2002-12-20) |
발명자
/ 주소 |
- van Mil, Jeroen Vincent
- Bokker, Philip Nicolees
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대리인 / 주소 |
Epstein Drangel Bazerman &
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인용정보 |
피인용 횟수 :
1 인용 특허 :
3 |
초록
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The invention relates to a device for use in retrieving an object, e.g. a pair of spectacles, a key ring or a GPS device, that falls in water. According to the invention the device is provided with a holder that is resistant in regard of spray water and atmospheric humidity in which an inflatable bo
The invention relates to a device for use in retrieving an object, e.g. a pair of spectacles, a key ring or a GPS device, that falls in water. According to the invention the device is provided with a holder that is resistant in regard of spray water and atmospheric humidity in which an inflatable body is enclosed. In the event of activation of the device, the formation of gas required for the exertion of a flotation or driving force occurs within the inflatable body itself. The reagents required for the gas formation are preferably provided in mutual separation within the inflatable body.
대표청구항
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1. Device for use in retrieving an object that falls in water or in saving a person who falls in water, whereby the device is provided with:means for attaching the device to the object to be retrieved or means with which the person to be saved can carry the device with him, respectively, a spray wat
1. Device for use in retrieving an object that falls in water or in saving a person who falls in water, whereby the device is provided with:means for attaching the device to the object to be retrieved or means with which the person to be saved can carry the device with him, respectively, a spray water-resistant holder that comprises a mechanism for opening of the holder, which holder in its closed state encompasses an empty, inflatable body of a substantially gas-impermeable matter in a folded state, and one or more reagents which react under the influence of water that has entered the holder to form a gas, which gas serves for filling the folded inflatable body in order to exert a flotation or driving force on the object attached to the device or on the person carrying the device characterized in thatthe reagents which under the influence of water form gas are comprised within the substantially gas-impermeable inflatable body itself and (that) the inflatable body comprises a water-permeable substance. 2. Device according to claim 1, characterized in that the water-permeable substance of the substantially gas-impermeable and inflatable body is water-absorbing.3. Device according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the water-permeable substance of the substantially gas-impermeable and inflatable body has a predetermined overpressure-releasing function.4. Device according to claim 1, characterized in that the substantially gas-impermeable and inflatable body comprising a water-permeable substance is provided with a swelling agent.5. Device according to claim 1, characterized in that the water-permeable substance is porous and comprises a swelling agent that substantially closes the pores when water is absorbed.6. Device according to claim 1, characterized in that the inflatable body comprises in part a water-permeable substance and in part a plastic.7. The device of claim 6 wherein said plastic is polypropene.8. The device of claim 6 wherein said plastic is polyethene.9. Device according to claim 1, characterized in that the inflatable body as in its folded state can be provided with means for enhancing the eventual unfolding of the inflatable body.10. The device of claim 9 wherein said enhancing means comprises a string.11. The device of claim 9 wherein said enhancing means comprises a spring.12. Device according to claim 1, characterized in that the inflatable body is divided into compartments and it is provided in one or several of these compartments with one or more reagents that react under the influence of water that has entered the holder to form the gas that causes a flotation or driving force.13. Device according to claim 12, characterized in that the one or more reagents that react under the influence of water to form the gas that brings about a flotation or driving force, are mutually separated within the compartment in which they have been provided.14. Device according to claim 13, characterized in that the mutual separation of the reagents comprises a water-soluble substance.15. The device of claim 14 wherein said substance is in a separator layer.16. Device according to claim 12, characterized in that the arrangement of the compartments, and within the compartments (the arrangement of) the one or more reagents which react under the influence of water entering the inflatable body to form the gas that causes a flotation or driving force is such, that the gas formed at the start of the reaction can fill the body partly and thereby bring about a draught or “chimney” effect by which the reaction can propagate.17. Device according to claim 16, or a device for use in retrieving an object that falls in water or in saving a person who falls in water, whereby the device is provided with:means for attaching the device to the object to be retrieved or means with which the person to be saved can carry the device with him, respectively, a spray water-resistant holder that comprises a mechanism for opening of the holder, which holder in its closed state encompasses an empty, inflatable body of a substantially gas-impermeable matter in a folded state, and one or more reagents which react under the influence of water that has entered the holder to form a gas, which gas serves for filling the folded inflatable body in order to exert a flotation or driving force on the object attached to the device or on the person carrying the device, characterized in thatthe mechanism for the opening of the spray water-resistant holder comprises at the outer surface of the holder a substance that is not soluble in humidity and soluble in water. 18. Device according to claim 17, characterized in that the layer of the substance that is not soluble in humidity and soluble in water comprises a substantial part of the outer surface of the spray water-resistant holder.19. Device according to claim 17, characterized in that the spray water-resistant holder comprises a water-soluble plastic foil.20. The device of claim 19 wherein said foil comprises a printable surface.21. The device of claim 19 wherein said foil is biodegradable.22. Device according to claim 1, characterized in that the device has an elongate shape or a zig-zagged shape, so that it can be attached to the object.23. The device of claim 22 wherein the object is a pair of spectacles with an arm and the device is attributed to the arm of the spectacle.24. A life jacket or an item of clothing that is provided with a device according to claim 1.25. The device of claim 24 wherein the items of clothing is a skirt.26. The device of claim 24 wherein the item of clothing is a pair of trousers.27. Device according to claim 1, provided on a vehicle or vessel for exerting a flotation or driving force on one or more parts of the vehicle or vessel.28. Method of manufacturing a device according to claim 1, characterized in that the method comprises the following steps:forming an outer layer of matter, which in regard of its mechanical strength and rate of dissolution in water is suitable for the side of the device that is to be eventually exposed to water, in a mold providing adjacent to the outer layer a layer of water-permeable substance, providing an inner layer of water-soluble substance having a lower melting temperature than that of the outer layer, on the side adjacent to the layer of water-permeable substance and facing away from the outer layer, and applying heat and/or pressure for melting the three layers such that the matter of the inner layer is melted into the layer of water-permeable substance. 29. The method of claim 28 wherein the water permeable substance is water-absorbing.30. The device of any of claims 14, 17 or 28 wherein said substance comprises polyvinylalcohol.31. Device suitable for use in retrieving an object, that falls in water, whereby the device is provided with:means for attaching the device to the object to be retrieved, a holder which comprises a mechanism for the closure and opening of the holder, which holder in its closed state encloses an inflatable body; and one or more reagents which react under the influence of water that has entered the holder to form a gas, which gas serves for filling a folded inflatable body in order to exert a flotation or driving force on the object attached to the device, characterized in thatthe holder is resistant in regard of spray water and atmospheric humidity, the holder in its closed state encloses an empty, substantially gas-impermeable body, and the reagents which under the influence of water form gas are comprised within the substantially gas-impermeable inflatable body itself. 32. Device according to claim 31, characterized in that the inflatable body is divided into compartments and it is provided in one or several of these compartments with one or more reagents that react under the influence of water that has entered the holder to form the gas that causes a flotation or driving force.33. Device according to claim 32, characterized in that the one or more reagent-comprising compartments provided in the inflatable body are freely floatable.34. Device according to any of claims 31 or 32, characterized in that the one or more reagents that react under the influence of water to form the gas that brings about a flotation or driving force, are mutually separated within the compartment in which they have been provided.35. Device according to claim 34, characterized in that the mutual separation of the reagents is water-soluble or can disintegrate in water.36. The device of claim 31 whereas the object is a GPS device.37. Device according to claim 31, characterized in that the arrangement of the compartments, and within the compartments (the arrangement of) the one or more reagents which react under the influence of water entering the inflatable body to form the gas that causes a flotation or driving force is such, that the gas formed at the start of the reaction can fill the body partly and thereby bring about a draught or “chimney” effect by which the reaction can propagate.38. Device according to claim 31, characterized in that the holder is provided as a first housing (“outer housing”) which comprises a second housing (“inner housing”), whereby the second housing is provided with a water-permeable opening, and whereby the second housing is provided between the inflatable body and the first housing.39. Device according to claim 38, characterized in that the water-permeable opening of the second housing can be closed air-tight.40. Device according to claim 39, characterized in that the water-permeable opening of the second housing can be closed air-tight by means of a pressing member.41. The device of claim 40 wherein the pressing member comprises a spring.42. Device according to claim 38, characterized in that a part of the second housing is provided as an elongate member, whereby the elongate member has a closed end and at its other end provides a connection to the inflatable body.43. The device of claim 42 wherein said closed end is substantially V-shaped.44. Device according to claim 38, characterized in that the second housing comprises sections of varying breadths.45. Device according to claim 44, characterized in that the second housing a narrow section at or near its part with the closed end and comprises a broad section at or near the part of its other end.46. Device according to claim 32, characterized in that the closure mechanism of the holder is provided with a number of mutually engaging hooks.47. The device of claim 46 wherein said closure mechanism comprises a mechanism for biasing the hooks in the closed state of the holder.48. Device according to claim 32, characterized in that the holder is provided with means that expand in the presence of water, said means, when the holder opens exerting a force on the closure for enhancing the opening of the holder.49. Device according to claim 32, characterized in that the holder has sides and is provided on its inside with rib means and curved surface sections for keeping the inflatable body away from the sides of the holder.50. The device of claims 1 or 32 further comprising means for detaching said device attaching means.51. The device of claims 22 or 31 wherein the object is a key ring.
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