Inflation device

Abstract

An inflation device for inflating containers having a body with an air channel therein being in the form of a venturi tube. A first inlet is provided in the body, being in communication with the air channel, to allow compressed air to flow into the air channel. An outlet is provided in the body, being in communication with the air channel, to allow the air to exit the air channel for inflating a container joined to the outlet. A second inlet is provided in the body, being in communication with the first inlet, to allow ambient air to be sucked into the air channel as a result of the compressed air flowing in the air channel and passing through the venturi tube. A self-closing valve and sensor means are also provided.

1 . An inflation device for inflating containers with non-rigid walls such as bags, which includes
 (a) a body;   (b) an air channel provided in the body and having appropriate first and second open ends;   (c) a venturi tube in the body and being in communication with the first and second open ends of the air channel;   (d) a first inlet in the body and being in communication with the air channel and the venturi tube and being adapted to allow compressed air to enter the venturi tube via the air channel to the second open end;   (e) an outlet in the body and being in communication with the second open end of the air channel via the venturi tube and being adapted to allow air to exit from the venturi tube for inflating a container when joined to the outlet;   (f) a second inlet in the body and being in communication with the first open end of the air channel and being adapted to allow ambient air to be sucked into the venturi tube as a result of compressed air entering the air channel and passing through the venturi tube;   (g) a first self-closing valve located at the second inlet in the body and being adapted to close off the second inlet if the pressure in the air channel is greater than the ambient pressure;   (h) a sensor means associated with the body and being adapted to indicate continuously the pressure in a container, such as a bag, joined to the body; and   (i) a manually operable valve means being adapted to cause the supply of compressed air into the air channel to be interrupted.   
     
     
         2 . A device as claimed in  claim 1 , in which the manually operable valve includes a ball-valve and/or spring-operated trigger valve and/or a shut-off valve. 
     
     
         3 . A device as claimed in  claim 1 , which is adapted to be used to deflate the containers, whereby the first self closing valve is removed and/or disabled and the venture tube is reversed. 
     
     
         4 . A device as claimed in  claim 1 , in which the sensor means is be adapted to continuously indicate the pressure inside the container whilst the container is being inflated. 
     
     
         5 . A device as claimed in  claim 1 , which is a venturi-air flow apparatus or gun. 
     
     
         6 . A device as claimed in  claim 1 , in which the venturi tube includes a supersonic nozzle. 
     
     
         7 . A device as claimed in  claim 1 , in which in use the air exiting the outlet has an absolute pressure of about 0 to 9 bar. 
     
     
         8 . A device as claimed in  claim 1 , in which in use the compressed air entering the air channel has a pressure of up to 9 bar absolute. 
     
     
         9 . A device as claimed in  claim 6 , in which the supersonic nozzle is a shock-free type. 
     
     
         10 . A device as claimed in  claim 1 , which is adapted to be used as a high speed inflator operating at low pressure. 
     
     
         11 . A device as claimed in  claim 1 , in which in use the operating pressure of the inflation device is about 9 bar absolute. 
     
     
         12 . A device as claimed in  claim 1 , in which the body includes a flange for securing the inflation valve to the container. 
     
     
         13 . A device as claimed in  claim 1 , in which the container is a dunnage bag, a sack and/or any other flexible container to be pressurized. 
     
     
         14 . A device as claimed in  claim 1 , in which the body includes threads suitable for cooperating with complementary threads of a container's inlet. 
     
     
         15 . A device as claimed in  claim 1 , which includes a valve connector assembly attached to the outlet of the air channel, which is adapted to be releasably engaged to a valve. 
     
     
         16 . A device as claimed in  claim 1 , in which the venturi tube includes a frusto-conical bore. 
     
     
         17 . A device as claimed in  claim 1 , in which the first inlet is adapted to receive an air hose for supplying compressed air. 
     
     
         18 . A method of inflating containers with non-rigid walls, such as bags, which includes the steps
 (a) of joining the outlet of an inflation device as set out herein to the inlet of a container to be inflated;   (b) of allowing compressed air to enter the first inlet for inflating the container;   (c) of sucking air into the second inlet by means of a venture tube;   (d) of determining and indicating the pressure in the container;   (e) of manually interrupting the supply of compressed air into the container by manually operable valve means; and   (f) of removing the container when the compressed air supply has been interrupted manually.