GB2301541A - Balloon machine - Google Patents

Abstract

A balloon machine (1) comprises a first balloon shaping portion (2) comprising first shaping means (3) having three first elongate members (10), and second shaping means (4) comprising two second elongate members (12). The first elongate members (10) and second elongate members (12) are moveable relative to one another such that the first elongate members can move towards and past the second elongate members. Additionally, the first elongate members are rotatable relative to the second elongate members. By means of the relative movement between the first and second elongate members a balloon may be formed into a desired shape. The shaping means may include guides (7, 8) for ensuring shaping of the balloon. The balloon may be held in place by clamping means (16, 18). The apparatus may include inflating means.

Description

BALLOON MACHINE This invention relates to a balloon machine of the type which inflates, bends and twists a balloon into a particular shape, and particularly, but not exclusively to a balloon machine for forming a balloon into a flower shape. The invention also relates to apparatus for bending and twisting the balloon.

It is known to shape balloons into numerous different shapes for example flowers, animals, swans, etc.

Sculpted, or shaped balloons particularly appeal to children who also enjoy watching a person known as a balloon artist creating such shapes. However, the shaped balloons themselves are also appealing to children who are often able to take a sculpted balloon back home after it has been created.

Certain shapes such as flowers also appeal to adults.

It is known to shape or sculpt balloons by hand. A disadvantage of this method is that a certain skill is required in order to create the shaped balloon without for example bursting the balloon. In addition the process may be time consuming.

It is often required to shape a large number of balloons for a particular event, for example a children's party and it can therefore take a very long time to create sufficient numbers of shaped balloons for such an event.

According to a first aspect of the present invention there is provided an apparatus for shaping a balloon, the apparatus comprising: clamp means for holding a balloon in a predetermined position, the balloon having a axis; first balloon shaping portion comprising: first shaping means comprising a plurality of first elongate members, each having an axis substantially at right angles to the axis of the balloon, and each positionable in contact with or close to a first surface of the balloon; second shaping means comprising one or more second elongate members each having an axis substantially parallel to the axis of the first elongate members and positionable in contact with or close to an opposite surface of the balloon such that the first elongate members are spaced apart from the second elongate members; and moving means for moving the first elongate members towards the second elongate members.

The moving means is able to move the first elongate members towards and beyond the second elongate members.

The action of moving the first elongate members towards and beyond the second elongate members causes the balloon to form into loops as the elongate members move relative to one another.

According to a second aspect of the present invention there is provided a method of shaping a balloon, the method comprising the steps of: clamping, inflating and shaping a balloon by means of the apparatus according to the first aspect of the present invention.

Advantageously the elongate members each comprise pins.

Preferably, the number of first elongate members is one greater than the number of second elongate members.

For example, there could be two first elongate members and one second elongate member.

Preferably however there are three first elongate members and two second elongate members.

The first elongate members are each spaced apart from one another, and the second elongate members are each spaced apart from one another, the first elongate members being positioned relative to the second elongate members such that the spaces between the first elongate members correspond with the second elongate members.

This means that when the first elongate members are moved relatively towards the second elongate members, the first elongate members may pass through the spaces between the second elongate members. This action helps to form elongate loops in the balloon which loops will eventually form petals in a flower shape.

Advantageously, the apparatus further comprises means for rotating the first shaping means relative to the second shaping means.

This action has the effect of forming the now looped balloon into a shape similar to the petals of a flower.

Preferably, each of the first elongate members is mounted on a first arm which arm has an axis which is substantially at right angles to both the respective first elongate member and the axis of the balloon.

The first arms extend from the first elongate members towards the second elongate members. Similarly the second arms extend from the second elongate members to the first elongate members.

Each elongate member and its associated arm may be formed integrally with one another, or alternatively the elongate member may be formed separately from the arm.

Conveniently the apparatus further comprises inflation means adapted to both hold and inflate a balloon.

Conveniently, both the first and second shaping means further comprise guides for ensuring appropriate shaping of the balloon.

Preferably the apparatus further comprises a second balloon shaping portion adapted to shape a second balloon to form for example a stem having one or more leaves.

The second balloon shaping portion may comprise a first shaping means and a second shaping means.

Conveniently the second shaping means comprises at least one pin which pin also forms part of the first shaping means forming the first balloon shaping portion.

This allows a second balloon to be formed into a stem and to be pulled into the centre of a first balloon formed into flower petals.

The invention will now be further described by way of example only with reference to the accompanying drawings in which: Figure 1 is a schematic representation of an apparatus for shaping a balloon; Figure 2 is a schematic representation of the first balloon shaping portion forming part of the apparatus of Figure 1; Figures 3a-3d are a schematic representations of the balloon shaping portion of Figure 2 wherein the balloon has been shaped into loops; Figure 4 is a schematic representation of the balloon shaping portion of Figure 2 after the balloon has been further inflated; Figure 5 is a schematic representation of the balloon shaping portion of Figure 2 after the first shaping means comprising the first set of pins has been rotated relative to the second shaping means;; Figure 6 is a schematic representation of the balloon shaping portion of Figure 5 after the ends of the balloon have been released; Figure 7 is a schematic representation of a moving chassis suitable for use with the first and second balloon shaping portions of the apparatus of Figure 1; Figure 8 is a schematic representation of a motor suitable for rotating the first shaping means of the apparatus of Figure 1; Figures 9a-9c are schematic representations showing details of the novel of the inflating means for inflating the balloon and forming part of the apparatus of Figure 1; Figures lOa and lOb are schematic representations of a lower clamp holding the balloon in position in the apparatus of Figure 1; Figures lia and lib are schematic representations showing a second balloon shaping portion forming part of the apparatus of Figure 1;; Figures 12a and 12b are schematic representations showing the pneumatic system used to inflate the balloon forming part of the apparatus of Figure 1; and Figures 13a and 13b are schematic representations of the pins.

Referring to the Figures a balloon machine according to the present invention is designated generally by the reference numeral 1.

The machine 1 comprises a first balloon shaping portion 2 comprising a first shaping means 3 having three first elongate members 10 in the form of pins. The first balloon shaping portion 2 further comprises second shaping means 4 comprising two second elongate members. The first shaping means 3 is positioned to one side of a balloon 14 held in position by clamping means 16, 18, whilst second shaping means 4 is positioned on an opposite side of balloon 14. The first pins 10 are positioned relative to the second pins 12 such that each second pin 12 is aligned with a space 18 between first pins 10. Each of the first pins 10 is supported by first arms 5, whilst each second pin 12 is supported by second arms 6.

Referring to Figures 3 and 3a, it can be seen that the first pins 10 are caused to move towards the second pins 12 such that the second pins 12 pass through the spaces 18. This causes the balloon 14 to form into a sinusoidal looped shape.

The first pins 10 and the second pins 12 are each moved by a moving chassis 70 (Figure 7) although any other suitable means of moving the pins 10, 12 could be used. The moving chassis 70 comprises right and left handed screw threads 71, 72 respectively rotatable by a geared motor 73 via toothed belts 74 driven by belt drive 75.

The apparatus 1 further comprises wire guides 7, 8 shown in detail in Figure 3b which guide the inflating balloon and help to keep the inflating balloon close to the pin arms 5, 6.

The guides are shaped to allow the pins to pass each other when moving as explained hereinabove.

The first shaping means 3 is mounted on twisting means 8 which, for example, comprises a motor 80 having an integral reduction drive and a reduction worm drive 81 shown in Figure 8. The worm drive 81 allows the motor 80 to be situated substantially perpendicular to the twist axis 82 which allows space savings to be made. The twisting means 800 is mounted on moving chassis 70 which obviates the need to use complex and expensive sliding drive systems.

It is important that the twisting means stops twisting at the appropriate point. If twisting stops either too early or too late, components of the apparatus 1 will be out of alignment and other events such as eventual release of the shaped balloon, and movement of the chassis 7 will not be possible due to mis-alignment of components. In this respect a proximity sensor is used to detect the correct position of the twisting means and to cause rotation to stop when the mechanism 800 is in an appropriate position.

The twisting means further comprises a proximity sensor to ensure that the twisting mechanism stops at an appropriate point.

The apparatus further comprises balloon inflation means 9 shown in detail in Figures 9a and 9b in the form of a tube 10 for pumping air into the balloon as it is shaped. The balloon inflation means also serves to secure the open end of the balloon as it is shaped.

The mouth of the balloon may be placed in an aperture formed in a clamp 91. The tube 10 which is tapered to form a nozzle 93 may then be placed in the mouth of the balloon. This arrangement has the effect of sealing the balloon with the tube thus allowing air to be pumped into the balloon. In addition the mouth of the balloon is held between the tapered nozzle 92 of the tube and the aperture in the clamp.

The nozzle of the tube may be spring loaded with spring 92 to ensure a good seal between the nozzle 93 and the clamp 91.

Final sealing of the balloon occurs through the twisting of the balloon which occurs when the first shaping means is rotated. This means that the open end of the balloon does not additionally have to be sealed by for example tying it in a knot.

The apparatus further comprises a lower clamping means 11 shown in detail in Figures 10a and 10b in the form of a scissor type clamping jaw.

Referring to Figure 10b, scissor jaws 130 are shown in more detail. One of the jaws 132 is spring loaded so that the clamp may snap closed onto an end of the balloon 14 to be held in position.

In order to form a second balloon 150 into a stem having leaves, a similar process may be used to that described hereinabove to form a flower shape using a second balloon shaping means 160 shown in detail in Figures lla and llb.

A three pin system 110 having first shaping means 110 comprising two elongate members 113, and second shaping means 114 comprising one elongate member 115 may be used to form a stem.

One of the pins 114 of the first shaping means forming part of the first balloon shaping portion mentioned hereinabove may be used as the elongate member forming the second shaping means for use in forming a stem. This has the advantage of sealing the stem balloon into the central portion of the balloon formed into a flower.

As seen in Figure llb, the position of the second balloon shaping means 160 relative to the first balloon shaping means 110 results in the balloon 150 being used to form a stem inflating in a curved shape. The curve is very useful as it makes the machine as compact as possible and also introduces a bend into the stem. A bent stem can result in a much better flower shape.

Referring to Figures 12a and 12b a pneumatic system 200 for inflating a first balloon 14 and a second balloon 150 is shown. An electrically powered compressor generates a low level of air pressure when required which is directed into either the first balloon 14 at outlet 210 or the second balloon 150 at outlet 220. The flow of air is controlled by valves.

Once either of the balloons 14, 150 is fully inflated, the compressor switches off, and a small amount of air from the fully inflated balloon is allowed to escape. This is because a completely full balloon will burst once it is twisted. The air is released by means of a valve.

The inflation is controlled by a sensor in the form of a micro switch which halts inflation once the balloon is full and allows air to be released. When a balloon is inflated it progressively inflates down the length of the balloon as shown in Figure 12b. A sensor may therefore sense when the lower end of the balloon has inflated. This will indicate the full inflation of the balloon.

When a small amount of air is allowed to escape from the inflated balloon, the balloon deflates substantially uniformly along the length of the balloon.

Once the inflated balloon has been appropriately shaped and twisted, pins 10, 12 which may be pivotably attached to arms 5, 6 by means of pivots 250 may be disengaged from one arm by pivoting the pin 10 allowing easy release or the balloon.

The pin may then be pivoted back into its original position.

Claims (13)

1. Apparatus for shaping a balloon, the apparatus comprising: clamp means for holding a balloon in a predetermined position, the balloon having an axis; first balloon shaping portion comprising: first shaping means comprising a plurality of first elongate members each having an axis substantially at right angles to the axis of the balloon, and each positionable in contact with or closer to a surface of the balloon; second shaping means comprising one or more second elongate members each having an axis substantially parallel to the axis of the first elongate members and positionable in contact with or close to an opposite surface of the balloon such that the first elongate members are spaced apart from the second elongate members; and moving means for moving the first elongate members towards the second elongate members.

2. Apparatus according to claim 1 wherein each elongate member comprises a pin.

3. Apparatus according to claim 1 or claim 2 wherein the number of first elongate members is one greater than the number of second elongate members.

4. Apparatus according to claim 3 wherein there are three first elongate members and two second elongate members.

5. Apparatus according to any one of the preceding claims further comprising rotating means for rotating first shaping means relative to the second shaping means.

6. Apparatus according to any one of the preceding claims wherein each of the first elongate members is mounted on an arm which arm has an axis which is substantially at right angles to a respective first elongate member and to the axis of the balloon.

7. Apparatus according to any one of the preceding claims wherein each of the second elongate members is mounted on a second arm which arm has an axis which is substantially at right angles to a respective second elongate member and to the axis of the balloon.

8. Apparatus according to any one of the preceding claims further comprising inflation means adapted to both hold and inflate a balloon.

9. Apparatus according to any one of the preceding claims wherein both the first and second shaping means further comprise guides for ensuring appropriate shaping of the balloon.

10. Apparatus according to any one of the preceding claims further comprising a second balloon shaping portion adapted to shape a second balloon.

11. A method of shaping a balloon comprising the steps of clamping, inflating and shaping a balloon by means of the apparatus according to any one of the preceding claims.

12. An apparatus substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to the accompanying drawings.

13. A method substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to the accompanying drawings.