Foil balloon adapter part, foil balloon and foil balloon automatic dispenser

Abstract

In a foil balloon dispensing apparatus folded or rolled-up foil balloons are accommodated and are each provided with an adapter part including an attachment section connected to a foil balloon and a guide section which is removably connected to the attachment section and which is disconnected from the attachment section after the foil balloon is inflated but both sections remain attached to one another by a string wound up on the adapter part and connected to the attachment and guide sections for holding and guiding the foil balloon after its removal from the dispensing apparatus.

Claims

1. A foil balloon adapter part (14) comprising a foil balloon (9) and an attachment section (14a) for attachment to the foil balloon (9) and a guide section (14b) for guiding the adapter part (14) in a guide track (8) of a foil balloon dispensing apparatus (1) and for receiving a nozzle (13) for the inflation of the foil balloon (9), the attachment section (14a) and the guide section (14b) being integrally interconnected as a single part and both being in the form of hollow bodies forming an internal flow passage for gas for the inflation of the foil balloon (9), the attachment section (14a) having a discharge opening (19) for supplying gas to the foil balloon (9) and the attachment section (14a) and the guide section (14b) being disconnectable but being still joined by a string (15), wherein the attachment section (14a) and the guide section (14b) are configured to be broken apart one from the other upon the application of a predetermined breaking force caused by a jolt-like movement of the nozzle (13) moving into the guide section (14b) after inflation of the foil balloon (9) and the nozzle (13) impacting the attachment section (14a) at a pre-set breaking area (23) of the foil balloon adapter part (14) in operative arrangement between the attachment section (14a) and the guide section (14b); wherein the attachment section (14a) includes a cone-shaped or cylindrical flow conducting part; and, wherein the adapter part (14) is provided with at least one retaining arm (21) operatively extending in spaced relationship with the cone-shaped or cylindrical flow conducting part, the at least one retaining arm (21) in contacting arrangement with the foil balloon (9) prior to inflation by holding the foil balloon (9) in a folded state in pressed relationship between the at least one retaining arm (21) and an outer surface of the cone-shaped or cylindrical flow conducting part.

2. The foil balloon adapter part (14) according to claim 1, wherein at least one of the attachment section (14a) and the guide section (14b) is provided with an annular wind-up groove (20a, 20b) for accommodating the string (15).

3. The foil balloon adapter part (14) according to claim 2, wherein the attachment section (14a) includes a first annular wind-up groove (20a) and the guide section (14b) includes a second annular wind-up groove (20b), both the first annular wind-up groove (20a) and the second annular wind-up groove (20b) for accommodating the string (15), a side wall (38) is provided in operative arrangement between the first annular wind-up groove (20a) and the second annular wind-up groove (20b), the pre-set breaking area (23) is configured to extend circularly on the side wall (38) and to define a first axially limiting wall (38a) for the first annular wind-up groove (20a) and to define a second axially limiting wall (38b) for the second annular wind-up groove (20b) such that upon the breakage at the pre-set breaking area (23) the first axially limiting wall (38a) is configured to remain with the first wind-up groove (20a) and the second axially limiting wall (38b) is configured to remain with the second wind-up groove (20b).

4. The foil balloon adapter part (14) according to claim 1, wherein the guide section (14b) is provided with an annular guide groove (22) for guidance of the guide section (14b) by the guide track (8) of the foil balloon dispensing apparatus (1).

5. The foil balloon adapter part (14) according to claim 1, wherein the attachment section (14a) of the foil balloon adapter part (14) is attached to the foil balloon (9), with the discharge opening (19) of the attachment section (14a) being adapted to be brought in a flow connection with the interior of the foil balloon (9).

6. The foil balloon adapter part (14) according to claim 5, wherein a balloon valve (12), in particular a nozzle valve, is arranged on the foil balloon (9), into which balloon valve the attachment section (14a) extends.

7. A foil balloon dispensing apparatus with the foil balloon adapter part (14) according to claim 5, including a guide track (8) for accommodating and guiding the foil balloon adapter part (14), and the nozzle (13) which is connectable to a gas reservoir and which is movable by an adjustment drive (16) between a functional position with a flow connection to the foil balloon adapter part (14) and a retracted non-functional position without flow-connection to the foil balloon adapter part (14).

8. The foil balloon dispensing apparatus according to claim 7, including a rotatable magazine (7) with several parallel guide tracks (8) for accommodating each of a plurality of the foil balloons (9).

9. The foil balloon dispensing apparatus according to claim 8, wherein the nozzle (13) is vertically movable.

10. The foil balloon dispensing apparatus according to claim 9, wherein the foil balloon (9) in the folded state is arranged as a folded packet prior to inflation, each of said guide tracks (8) having two parallel dispenser ramps (36) in operative arrangement therewith, each dispenser ramp (36) operatively positioned beside the respective guide track (8), said two parallel dispenser ramps (36) in cooperating arrangement with the at least one retaining arm (21) and configured to pull, during a downward movement of the adapter part (14) including the nozzle (13), the folded packet of the foil balloon (9) in a sideward displacement out of engagement with the at least one retaining arm (21) so that the folded foil balloon (9) is no longer pressed onto the outer surface of the cone-shaped or cylindrical attachment section (14a) to permit the free unfolding of the foil balloon (9).

11. The foil balloon dispensing apparatus according to claim 7, wherein the adjustment drive (16) for moving the nozzle (13) between the functional and the non-functional position is a linear drive.

12. A method for operating a foil balloon dispensing apparatus according to claim 7, wherein, for the inflation of the foil balloon (9), the nozzle (13) is moved from the non-functional position to the functional position in which a flow connection to the foil balloon adapter part (14) is established and, after inflation of the foil balloon, the nozzle (13) is propelled further into the foil balloon adapter part (14) to break apart the attachment section (14a) from the guide section (14b) and the nozzle (13) is then pulled out of the adapter part (14).

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

(1) FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a foil balloon dispensing apparatus.

(2) FIG. 2 shows a longitudinal cross-section of the dispensing apparatus.

(3) FIG. 3 shows a transverse cross-section of the dispensing apparatus.

(4) FIG. 4 shows a section, enlarged, in a longitudinal cross-section of the dispensing apparatus in the area of a nozzle for filling a foil balloon.

(5) FIGS. 5 to 10 are enlarged sectional views of the dispensing apparatus during the inflation of the foil balloon.

(6) FIG. 11 shows an adapter part in a perspective view, with an attachment section for the attachment to a foil balloon and a guide section for guidance in the guide track in the dispensing apparatus.

(7) FIG. 12 is a cross-sectional view of the adapter part of FIG. 11,

(8) FIG. 13 is another perspective view of the adapter part.

(9) FIG. 14 shows the adapter part with the attachment section and the guide section in a disconnected state but joined by a string.

(10) FIG. 15 shows a foil balloon with attachment section and a guide section of the adapter part disconnected from the attachment section.

(11) FIG. 16 shows a folded foil balloon on the adapter part in a longitudinal cross-sectional view.

(12) FIG. 17 shows the folded foil balloon connected to the adapter part in a perspective view.

(13) FIGS. 18 and 19 are cross-sectional and perspective views of a folded foil balloon including the adapter part with attachment of the foil balloon to the attachment section in a different embodiment.

(14) FIG. 20 shows a rolled-up foil balloon connected to an adapter part in a cross-sectional view.

(15) FIG. 21 is a perspective view of the rolled-up foil balloon including the adapter part.

(16) FIG. 22 shows a foil balloon with a balloon valve and an internal spiral for fixing the foil balloon in a rolled-up state.

(17) FIGS. 23, 24 show a rolled-up foil balloon which is fixed to an adapter part via a cementing spot.

(18) FIG. 25 shows a rolled-up foil balloon engaged by the adapter part via two retaining arms.

(19) FIG. 26 shows an adapter part with a clamping ring for fixing the foil balloon to the adapter part.

(20) FIGS. 27, 28 show a folded balloon which is fixed to the adapter part by retaining arms and a clamping ring, shown in a cross-sectional and, respectively, a perspective view.

(21) FIG. 29 shows a further embodiment of an adapter part in a perspective view.

(22) FIG. 30 shows the adapter part of FIG. 29 with an attachment section and a guide section separated from each other.

(23) FIG. 31 shows a folded foil balloon including a balloon strap for attachment to an adapter part, according to FIGS. 29 and, respectively 30.

(24) FIG. 32 is a representation as shown in FIG. 31 however seen from an opposite direction.

(25) FIG. 33 is a longitudinal cross-sectional view of a folded foil balloon with a balloon strap and an adapter part as shown in FIGS. 29 and, respectively, 30.

(26) FIG. 34 shows the set-up as shown in FIG. 3 in a perspective view.

(27) FIG. 35 is a perspective partial view of a foil balloon dispensing apparatus with two parallel dispensing ramps.

(28) FIG. 36 shows a cross-section of the dispensing apparatus taken at the level of the dispensing ramps with a folded balloon in a position above the dispensing ramps.

(29) FIG. 37 is a view like FIG. 36 but with a folded balloon in a downwardly displaced position.

(30) FIG. 38 is a top view of a folded foil balloon on an adapter part, with a barcode imprinted on the foil balloon.

DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

(31) In the various figures identical components are designated by the same reference numerals.

(32) FIG. 1 shows a foil balloon dispensing apparatus 1 for accommodating, filling and dispensing foil balloons. The dispensing apparatus 1 includes a plurality of foil balloons, which may have different colors, shapes, sizes or design imprints and which are deposited in the dispensing apparatus 1 in a non-filled state. The foil balloons have an outer membrane in the form of for example a plastic or aluminum foil. As gas for filling the foil balloons preferably helium is used.

(33) The dispensing apparatus 1 is provided with a visual product display 2 and a selection display 3 as well as a money insertion arrangement 4. Above the money insertion arrangement 4, there is an arrangement for payment by credit or charge cards. By way of the selection display 3 a desired product as shown in the product display 2 can be selected. Optionally, a monitor 5 may be arranged on the dispensing apparatus 1. On the side of the dispensing apparatus 1 there is a collection basket 6 into which the filled foil balloons are released via a dispensing opening formed in the dispensing apparatus 1. FIGS. 2 to 4 show a gas-filled foil balloon 9 disposed in the collection basket 6.

(34) The design of the dispensing apparatus 1 is shown in greater detail in FIGS. 2 to 4. In the dispensing apparatus 1 there is a magazine 7 which is rotatable about a vertical axis and includes, distributed about its circumference, a plurality, for example eight, guide tracks 8, in each of which a plurality of foil balloons 9 are arranged in a folded state. The foil balloons 9 may be different in different guide tracks 8.

(35) In the dispensing apparatus are furthermore two gas cylinders 10 arranged which are filled with helium. Each of the gas cylinders 10 is connected via a hose 11, which includes a valve 12, with a nozzle 13 (FIG. 14) via which the foil balloons 9 are inflated. After one gas cylinder 10 is empty the second gas cylinder 10 can be placed in service via the valve 12. When a foil balloon has been inflated by gas from the gas cylinder 10 the inflated foil balloon 9 is released and can be removed from the collection basket 6.

(36) Each foil balloon 9 is provided with an attachment section 14a of an adapter part 14, which attachment section 14a is connected via a string 15 to a guide section 14b of the adapter part. The guide section 14b can be manually grasped in order to hold the inflated balloon and to carry it.

(37) FIGS. 5 to 10 illustrate the various steps of the filling procedure for inflating the foil balloon 9 in the dispensing apparatus 1. The nozzle 13 is vertically and horizontally movable by means of a symbolically represented adjustment drive 16 (FIG. 7). In the retracted non-functional position, the nozzle 13 is disposed at a distance from the foil balloons 9 which are arranged in rows in the guide tracks 8. After a selection is made, the magazine 7 is rotated about its longitudinal axis and the nozzle is moved by its adjustment drive 16 horizontally out of its non-functional position (FIG. 5) to the advanced position (FIG. 6) until the tip of the nozzle 13 projects into the guide section of the adapter part 14. At the outer circumference of the tip of the nozzle 13 there is a seal ring 17 (FIG. 5) which ensures a flow-tight connection between the nozzle 13 and the adapter part 14 in the functional position of the nozzle 13.

(38) After the nozzle 13 is engaged in the adapter part 14, the nozzle 13 together with the adapter part 14 and the foil balloon 9 are moved vertically downwardly into a further track 18 by a further activation of the adjustment drive 16 so that the foil balloon is now in a position at the level of the collection basket 6. Then the valve 12 of the gas cylinder is opened so that gas flows from the gas cylinder via the hose and the nozzle 13 and the adapter part 14 into the foil balloon 9 and unfolds the balloon while inflating it (FIG. 8).

(39) In a further step as shown in FIG. 9, the nozzle 13 moves forward with a jolt into the adapter part 14 whereby the attachment section 14a of the adapter part 14 is disconnected from the guide section 14b. The connection between the attachment section 14 and the guide section 14b includes a breaking point which is broken by the jolt-like movement of the nozzle 13 into the adapter part 14 while the guide section 14b remains on the nozzle 14 because it is held in the guide track. The two sections 14a and 14b however are still interconnected by the string 15.

(40) In a last step as shown in FIG. 10 the nozzle 13 is fully retracted into its non-functional position whereby also the guide section 14b is removed from the nozzle 13 and can slide downwardly out of the guide track 8 so that the foil balloon 9 can be taken out of the collection basket. The annular guide section can be used for grasping and guiding the foil balloon 9.

(41) FIGS. 11 to 13 show an adapter part 14 with the attachment section 14a and the guide section 14b interconnected whereas FIG. 14 shows the adapter part 14 with the attachment section 14a and the guide section 14b separated. As shown in the cross-sectional view of FIG. 12, both sections 14a and 14b are hollow bodies and include an internal passage for conducting the gas from the gas reservoir via the guide section 14b and the attachment section 14a into the foil balloon 3. The attachment section 14a is cone-shaped and narrows down toward the discharge tip thereof. Adjacent the tip of the attachment section 14a there is a discharge opening 19 for discharging the gas.

(42) At the outside of the conical attachment section 14a there is a wind-up groove 20a for accommodating the string 15. The wind-up groove 20a is arranged adjacent the guide section 14b which is also provided with a wind-up groove 20b so that the two wind-up grooves 20a and 20b of the two sections are positioned adjacent one another. While the foil balloon is stored in the dispensing apparatus the string 15 is wound up in the two wind-up grooves 20a and 20b.

(43) The attachment section 14a is further provided with two retaining arms 21 which are parallel to each other and each extends from a wall that delimits the wind-up groove 20a. The two retaining arms are provided to hold the foil balloon in its folded or rolled-up state on the surface of the conical attachment section 14a. The two retaining arms are curved or, respectively, bent. With the introduction of gas into the foil balloon, the foil balloon is released from the engagement by the holding arms 21.

(44) The guide section 14b has an annular shape. It is provided with an annular circumferential guide groove 22 via which the adapter part 14 is guided in the dispensing apparatus 1 in the guide track 8. The guide groove 22 facilitates the sliding of the adapter part 14 including the folded or rolled-up foil balloon 9 in one of the guide tracks along the guide track.

(45) The attachment section 14a and the guide section 14b are a plastic component formed integrally in a common manufacturing process. They are joined by the breaking point 23. The breaking point by which the sections 14a and 14b are joined facilitates the disconnection of the two sections 14a and 14b when a sufficiently large separating force is applied to the sections 14a and 14b to separate them. This occurs—as described earlier—when, after inflation of the foil balloon, the nozzle 13 is moved so far into the guide section 14b that the front end of the nozzle abuts the attachment section 14a. Since the guide section 14b is held in the guide track, the impact of the nozzle results in a breaking of the breaking point 23 and the disconnection of the attachment section 14a from the guide section 14b.

(46) FIGS. 13 and 14 show another embodiment of the adapter part 14 wherein the holding arms 21 are part of the guide section 14b. The two holding arms 21 extend in this case from outer wall delimiting the wind-up groove 20b.

(47) It is furthermore shown in FIG. 13 that the front wall delimiting the wind-up groove 20b is provided with a connecting groove 24 through which the string 15 extends. The string 15 is wound up partially in the wind-up groove 20a of the attachment section 14a and partially in the wind-up groove 20b of the guide section 14b. The connecting groove 24 extends in axial direction and establishes a path between the wind-up grooves 20a 20b which accommodate the string 15.

(48) FIG. 15 shows the attachment section 14a of the adapter part 14 and the guide section 14b separated from each other but interconnected by the string 15 with the foil balloon connected to the attachment section 14a. The attachment section 14a extends into a balloon valve 25 which is part of the foil balloon 9 and via which the foil balloon has been inflated. Without the pressure of the supply gas flowing into the balloon the valve 25 is closed to prevent deflation of the foil balloon.

(49) FIGS. 16 and 17 show the connection between the foil balloon 9 and the adapter part 14 during storage of the folded foil balloon in the dispensing apparatus. The foil balloon is folded several times, in particular with a combination of longitudinal and transverse folds. In this form, it is clamped by the two retaining arms 21 which extend from the attachment section 14a in such a way that a part of the foil balloon 9 abuts the outer surface of the cone-shaped attachment section 14a.

(50) In the embodiment of FIGS. 18 and 19 the folded foil balloon 9 is attached to the outer surface of the cone-shaped attachment section 14a by a cement. Holding arms are not needed in this embodiment. The cement may be provided as a connecting spot or a connecting stripe. The attachment force which is generated by the cement 26 is of a strength which prevents a release of the foil balloon 9 from the attachment section 14a during inflation of the balloon.

(51) By an additional application of cement, particularly in the form of a spot application, a section of the foil balloon 9 which is disposed directly on the cone of the attachment section 14a and cemented thereto may be cemented to additional layers of the foil balloon in order to secure the foil balloon in its folded state. Upon inflation of the foil balloon 9 the cemented spots 26 are ripped as the foil balloon is unfolded.

(52) In the embodiment according to FIGS. 20 to 22 the foil balloon is rolled up and is held in the rolled-up state on the attachment section 14a by a thin spiral wire 27 which is cemented to the foil balloon 9 at the inside thereof. Upon inflation of the foil balloon the spiral wire 27 is rolled off so that the foil balloon 9 can be unrolled and released.

(53) The foil balloon 9 is rolled up also in the exemplary embodiment shown in FIGS. 23 and 24. The foil balloon 9 is attached to the surface of the conical attachment section 14a by a cement 26. The cement 26 may be applied in the form of a spot or a stripe or it may be applied to a certain surface area.

(54) In the exemplary embodiment according to FIG. 25 the adapter part 14 is provided with two bent holding arms 21 which extend parallel to one another and which hold the rolled-up foil balloon 9 and press it against the outer surface of the cone-shaped attachment section 14a.

(55) In FIGS. 26 to 28 a further exemplary embodiment is shown wherein a clamping ring 28 is used for connecting the foil balloon 9 to the adapter part 14. The clamping ring 28 is moved over the balloon opening of the foil balloon 9 whereupon the adapter part 14 is inserted into the balloon opening and the clamping ring 28 is locked to the adapter part 14. To this end the clamping ring 28 is provided with clamping projections 29 which are distributed over the circumference of the clamping ring 28 and project axially beyond the clamping ring 25 and over the groove wall which delimits the wind-up groove 20a at the outside of the conical attachment section 14a for retaining the clamping ring 28 in its mounted position. Additionally, the adapter part 14 has two retaining arms 21 which clampingly retain the folded foil balloon 9.

(56) FIGS. 29 and 30 show an embodiment of an adapter part 14 consisting of an attachment section 14a and a guide section 14b. Herein the attachment section 14a has a hollow cylindrical flow guide element with a discharge opening 19 at the front end thereof for the gas to be supplied to the foil balloon. The front end is provided with an axial projection 30 in the form of a prong. The projection 30 is formed integrally with the flow guide element of the attachment section 14a and forms an insert aid for facilitating insertion of the cylindrical flow element into an inflow opening of the foil balloon.

(57) FIG. 29 also shows the breaking point or area 23 which in this case is circular and is formed on a side wall 38 between the wind-up groove 20a which is part of the attachment section 14a and the wind-up groove 20b which is part of the guide section 14b. The breaking area 23 extends circularly on the side wall 38. With the breakage of the breaking area and the removal of the attachment section 14a from the guide section 14b (FIG. 30), the axially limiting walls 38a, 38b of the wind-up grooves 20a and 20b remain in place.

(58) In the shown exemplary embodiment only one engagement arm 21 is shown provided on the adapter part 14, which engagement arm 21 extends from the guide section at least approximately in axial direction. The engagement arm 21 is arranged spaced from the flow guide element of the attachment section 14a and parallel thereto. The folded foil balloon can be clamped that is held between the flow guide element of the attachment section 14a and the engagement arm 21.

(59) The two delimiting walls of the wind-up groove 20b on the guide section 14b are provided with notches 31 and 32 for accommodating the string 15 by which the attachment section 14a and the guide section 14b are interconnected. The notches 31 and 32 are arranged angularly displaced. A further wall of the guide section 14b which delimits the guide groove 22 is provided with openings 33 permitting an attachment of the string.

(60) FIGS. 31 and 32 each show a folded foil balloon 9 including an adapter part 14, wherein each foil balloon 9 is provided with a balloon strap 34. The balloon strap 34 is formed integrally with the foil balloon 9. The balloon strap 34 may be used for the attachment of the foil balloon 9 to be adapter part 14, in particular via the string 15 as it is shown in FIGS. 33 and 34.

(61) The balloon strap 34 may be provided with an inflow opening 35 of the foil balloon (FIG. 31) via which the foil balloon can be inflated.

(62) The representations of FIGS. 33 and 34 correspond to those of FIGS. 16 and 17 except that in FIGS. 33 and 34 an adapter part as shown in FIGS. 29 and 30 is used. Furthermore, the foil balloon 9 includes the balloon strap 34 which has been described above and which is attached to the attachment section 14a in the wind-up groove 14a via the string 15. The string 15 extends through the notches 31 and 32 and is fixed at one of the openings 33 which are provided in the guide section 14b. The single engagement arm 21 abuts the top side of the folded foil balloon and presses the foil balloon 9 against the flow component of the attachment section 14a disposed below.

(63) FIGS. 35 to 37 show sections of the dispensing apparatus 1, which, in the area of the guide track 8, is provided with two parallel dispenser ramps. The two dispenser ramps 36 are provided in order to pull, during downward movement of the adapter part 14 including the nozzle 13, the folded packet of the foil balloon 9 sidewardly out of the attachment section 14a so as to facilitate a subsequent unfolding of the foil balloon during its inflation. By this sideward displacement of the foil balloon 9, the foil balloon is removed from the engagement by the holding arm 21 of the adapter part 14 so that the foil balloon is no longer pressed onto the adapter part 14 permitting the free unfolding of the foil balloon.

(64) As apparent from the top view as shown in FIG. 38 the folded packet of the foil balloon 9 is provided at its top side with a barcode imprint 37 which contains various technical information, for example the pressure of the inflating gas and the amount of gas, which depend on the type of foil balloon to be inflated. The barcode 37 can be read by a respective code reader disposed in the dispensing apparatus. The information can be processed in a control unit and the gas flow for the inflation of the foil balloon 9 can be controlled accordingly.

LISTING OF REFERENCE NUMBERS

(65) 1 foil balloon dispensing apparatus

(66) 2 product display

(67) 3 selection display

(68) 4 money insertion arrangement

(69) 5 monitor

(70) 6 collection basket

(71) 7 magazine

(72) 8 guide track

(73) 9 foil balloon

(74) 10 gas cylinder

(75) 11 hose

(76) 12 valve

(77) 13 nozzle

(78) 14 adapter part

(79) 14a attachment section

(80) 14b guide section

(81) 15 string

(82) 16 adjustment drive

(83) 17 seal ring

(84) 18 track

(85) 19 discharge opening

(86) 20a wind-up groove

(87) 20b wind-up groove

(88) 21 retaining arm

(89) 22 guide groove

(90) 23 breaking point

(91) 24 connecting groove

(92) 25 balloon valve

(93) 26 cement

(94) 27 spiral wire

(95) 28 clamping ring

(96) 29 clamping projection

(97) 30 projection (insertion aid)

(98) 31 notch

(99) 32 notch

(100) 33 opening

(101) 34 balloon strap

(102) 35 inflow opening

(103) 36 dispenser ramp

(104) 37 barcode