Method and apparatus for inflating objects

Abstract

A new sealant container and a tire sealing and inflating device are described. Methods of utilizing the device also are described. The new device includes a sealant container with a sealant composition; but it preferably does not include an internal propellant and preferably is not aerosol-based. In use, the sealant container is connected to a flat tire and to a pressure source which provides an external propellant. As the external propellant passes through the sealant container, the sealant composition inside the sealant container is carried to a flat tire. The tire puncture is sealed by the sealant composition, and the flat tire is inflated by the propellant.

What is claimed is:  
     
         1 . A sealant container, comprising: 
 a sealant composition inside the container;    an outlet port on the container for connection to an inflatable object; and    a inlet port on the container for connection to an external propellant,    wherein the sealant container does not include an internal propellant and is under a pressure substantially approximate the ambient pressure.    
     
     
         2 . The sealant container of  claim 1 , wherein the outlet port is a dip tube extending from the inside to the outside of the container.  
     
     
         3 . An apparatus for inflating an inflatable object, comprising: 
 a sealant container having a sealant composition, the sealant container being substantially free of an internal propellant;    an external propellant;    a first means for connecting the sealant container to the external propellant; and    a second means for connecting the sealant container to the inflatable object,    wherein the external propellant, the sealant container, and the inflatable object are connected such that at least a portion of the external propellant passes through the sealant container as it inflates the inflatable object.    
     
     
         4 . The apparatus of  claim 3 , wherein the first means includes a flexible hose with a valve.  
     
     
         5 . The apparatus of  claim 3 , wherein the second means includes a dip tube with a valve, and the dip tube extends from the inside to the outside of the sealant container.  
     
     
         6 . The apparatus of  claim 3 , wherein the external propellant is provided by an air compressor.  
     
     
         7 . The apparatus of  claim 3 , wherein the external propellant is provided by an inflated tire.  
     
     
         8 . The apparatus of  claim 3 , wherein the inflatable object is a flat tire.  
     
     
         9 . A method for inflating an inflatable object with a puncture, comprising: 
 providing a sealant container having a sealant composition, the sealant container being substantially free of an internal propellant;    connecting the sealant container to the inflatable object;    connecting the sealant container to an external propellant; and    inflating the inflatable object by the external propellant,    wherein at least a portion of the external propellant passes through the sealant container so that the sealant composition is delivered to the puncture by the external propellant.    
     
     
         10 . The method of  claim 9 , wherein the sealant container includes a dip tube connected to the inflatable object.  
     
     
         11 . The method of  claim 9 , wherein the sealant container includes an inlet port connected to the external propellant.  
     
     
         12 . The method of  claim 9 , wherein the external propellant is compressed air.  
     
     
         13 . The method of  claim 12 , wherein the compressed air is stored in a can.  
     
     
         14 . The method of  claim 12 , wherein the compressed air is pumped by hand.  
     
     
         15 . The method of  claim 12 , wherein the compressed air from an inflated tire.  
     
     
         16 . The method of  claim 12 , wherein the compressed air is pumped by an air compressor.  
     
     
         17 . The method of  claim 9 , wherein the sealant composition includes a sealant.  
     
     
         18 . The method of  claim 17 , wherein the sealant composition further includes one or more components selected from the group consisting of carrier, thickener, wetting agent, antifreeze, plug matrix, and corrosion inhibitor.  
     
     
         19 . The method of  claim 9 , wherein the external propellant is nitrogen.  
     
     
         20 . The method of  claim 9 , wherein the external propellant is carbon dioxide.  
     
     
         21 . The method of  claim 9 , wherein the inflatable object is a flat tire.