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US 2005/0229985 A1Published application
Inflatable, flexible device for use as an expandable closure device, and a method of producing said device
OwnerKeld Saxenfeltinventor
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OwnerKeld Saxenfeltinventor
Estimating the term…
An inflatable, flexible device (10) for use as an expandable closure device comprises an inlet part (14) of a substantially tubular configuration, an expandable bag part (12) integrally connected to the inlet part and made from a highly flexible and highly elastic material such as natural rubber, synthetic rubber, plastics, polymer or elastomer materials or combinations thereof, optionally reinforced by fiber or mesh included in the material. The expandable bag is changeable from an unexpanded state to an expanded state by inflating the bag through the introduction of an inflation gas into the interior through the inlet part. The expandable bag defines in the expandable state a sphere, and includes in its unexpanded state a plurality of inwardly bent folds extending parallel with the inlet part and extending from positions juxtaposed the inlet part along a major part of the outer surface of the expandable bag part. The inwardly bent folds reduce the overall diameter of the expandable device in the unexpanded state by at least 30%, preferably 40%, further preferably 50%, further preferably 60% or 70%, such as 30%-35%, 35%-40%, 40%-45%, 45%-50%, 50%-55%, 55%-60%, 60%-65%, 65%-70%, as compared to the geometrical configuration defined by the expandable bag in the non-expanded state and not including the plurality of inwardly bent folds. The inlet part and the expandable bag part of the inflatable, flexible device are made from one and the same material, preferably natural rubber and further made in one and the same production process.
An inflatable, flexible device for use as an expandable closure device, comprising:
A method of producing an inflatable, flexible device having an inlet part and an expandable bag part connected to said inlet part and made from a flexible and elastic material, said expandable bag part being changeable from an unexpanded state to an expanded state by inflating said bag part through the introduction of gas through said inlet part, said expandable bag part defining in said expandable state a sphere, said expandable bag part including in its unexpanded state a plurality of inwardly bent folds extending parallel with said inlet part and extending from positions juxtaposed said inlet part along a major part of the outer surface of said expandable bag part, said folds reducing the overall diameter of said expandable device in said unexpanded state by at least about 30%, as compared to the geometrical configuration defined by said expandable bag part in said unexpanded state and not including said plurality of inwardly bent folds, the method comprising the steps of:
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.