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US 6,183,591 B2Granted
Apparatus for preparing a latex balloon neck for sealing
AssigneeSelf Sealing Systems Limited
InventorPhilip E. Lang
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
Apparatus for preparing a latex balloon neck for sealing includes a cleaner and a refresher for cleaning and refreshing the surface of latex material at a region of the inner surface of the neck of a balloon and extending substantially around an inner circumference of the neck so that the neck can be sealed by bring opposed areas of the refreshed surface into direct contact with each other to form a latex—latex bond.
Claims13
Apparatus for preparing inflating and sealing balloons, the apparatus comprising:
- a mandrel supporting a latex balloon neck;
- a supply of non-adhesive cleaning fluid that does not degrade latex:
- an everter, cooperating with the mandrel for exposing an inside surface of the balloon neck for refreshing and for supporting a cleaned balloon neck for drying;
- a refresher cooperating with the mandrel for applying the non-adhesive cleaning fluid which does not degrade latex to the exposed inside surface of the balloon neck while the balloon neck is supported by the mandrel for refreshing the surface and, after drying, leaving it suitable for sealing by bringing opposed areas of the refreshed surface together to form a latex—latex bond
- means for sorting a supply of such balloons into individual sorted balloons;
- means for inflating each balloon after sorting and refreshing;
- and
- means for sealing each balloon after inflation by bringing opposed areas of the refreshed latex balloon surface into direct contact with each other to form a latex—latex bond.
5 more elements
Apparatus for preparing a latex balloon neck for non-adhesive sealing comprising:
- a mandrel supporting a balloon neck;
- a supply of non-adhesive cleaning fluid that does not degrade latex;
- an everter, cooperating with the mandrel for exposing an inside surface of the balloon neck for refreshing and for supporting a cleaned balloon neck for drying;
- and
- a refresher cooperating with the mandrel for applying the non-adhesive cleaning fluid which does not degrade latex to the exposed inside surface of the balloon neck while the balloon neck is supported by the mandrel for refreshing the surface and, after drying, leaving it suitable for sealing by bringing opposed areas of the refreshed surface together to form a latex—latex bond.
2 more elements
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.