System and method for filling containers with fluids

Abstract

In a method embodiment, an example method includes attaching a balloon-filling apparatus to a water supply. The apparatus includes a fitting comprising an inlet and at least four outlets. The apparatus further includes at least four branch assemblies coupled to the fitting. Each branch assembly includes: a tube extending from the fitting at a respective one of the at least four outlets; a balloon comprising a neck disposed around an end of the tube; and a fastener attaching the neck of the balloon to the end of the tube and configured to automatically seal the balloon upon detachment of the balloon from the tube. The method further includes simultaneously providing water from the attached water supply to the balloons of the balloon-filling apparatus. The method also includes detaching one or more of the balloons of the balloon-filling apparatus using a force. The force is generated at least in part by one or more of: gravity of the balloons and the water contained therein; and an upward acceleration manually applied to the balloon-filling apparatus.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . An apparatus comprising:
 a fitting configured to couple to a pressurized supply of fluid;   a first elastic ring clinching a neck of a first balloon around an end of a first flexible, tube extending from the fitting in a first direction;   a second elastic ring clinching a neck of a second balloon around an end of a second flexible tube extending from the fitting within 15 degrees of the first direction; and   a third elastic ring clinching a neck of a third balloon around an end of a third flexible tube extending from the fitting within 15 degrees of the first direction;   wherein while the three balloons are unpressurized a space between the first and second tubes and a space between the first and third tubes are less than nineteen millimeters, and the apparatus is configured to simultaneously fill the three balloons with the fluid.   
     
     
         2 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein while the three balloons are unpressurized a space between the first and second tubes and a space between the first and third tubes are less than ten millimeters. 
     
     
         3 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein while the three balloons are unpressurized a space between the first and second tubes and a space between the first and third tubes are less than an unpressurized width of the first balloon. 
     
     
         4 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the first balloon touches the second and third balloons if the balloons are unpressurized. 
     
     
         5 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the first balloon touches the second and third balloons if the balloons are pressurized with sufficient amounts of the fluid. 
     
     
         6 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the end of the second tube and the end of the third tube flex away from the end of the first tube if the balloons are pressurized with sufficient amounts of the fluid. 
     
     
         7 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein each of the three tubes comprises a length greater than ten times a width. 
     
     
         8 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the fitting comprises a female garden hose thread. 
     
     
         9 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the fitting comprises a hose quick connect adapter. 
     
     
         10 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the three balloons, with a sufficient mass of the fluid in each, are detachable from their respective tubes by gravity or by gravity in combination with an upward acceleration of their respective tubes. 
     
     
         11 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the three balloons, with a sufficient mass of the fluid in each, are simultaneously detachable from their respective tubes. 
     
     
         12 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein each of the three elastic rings is configured to seal the fluid inside its respective balloon, upon extraction of its respective tube from its respective balloon. 
     
     
         13 . An apparatus comprising:
 a fitting configured to couple to a pressurized supply of fluid;   a first elastic ring clinching a neck of a first balloon around an end of a first flexible tube extending from the fitting;   a second elastic ring clinching a neck of a second balloon around an end of a second flexible tube extending from the fitting; and   a third elastic ring clinching a neck of a third balloon around an end of a third flexible tube extending from the fitting;   wherein while the three balloons are unpressurized a space between the ends of the first and second tubes and a space between the ends of the first and third tubes are less than nineteen millimeters, and the apparatus is configured to simultaneously fill the three balloons with the fluid.   
     
     
         14 . The apparatus of  claim 13 , wherein while the three balloons are unpressurized a space between the ends of the first and second tubes and a space between the ends of the first and third tubes are less than ten millimeters. 
     
     
         15 . The apparatus of  claim 13 , wherein while the three balloons are unpressurized a space between the ends of the first and second tubes and a space between the ends of the first and third tubes are less than an unpressurized width of the first balloon. 
     
     
         16 . The apparatus of  claim 13 , wherein the first balloon touches the second and third balloons if the balloons are unpressurized. 
     
     
         17 . The apparatus of  claim 13 , wherein the first balloon touches the second and third balloons if the balloons are pressurized with sufficient amounts of the fluid. 
     
     
         18 . The apparatus of  claim 13 , wherein the end of the second tube and the end of the third tube flex away from the end of the first tube if the balloons are pressurized with sufficient amounts of the fluid. 
     
     
         19 . The apparatus of  claim 13 , wherein each of the three tubes comprises a length greater than ten times a width. 
     
     
         20 . The apparatus of  claim 13 , wherein the fitting comprises a female garden hose thread. 
     
     
         21 . The apparatus of  claim 13 , wherein the fitting comprises a hose quick connect adapter. 
     
     
         22 . The apparatus of  claim 13 , wherein the three balloons, with a sufficient mass of the fluid in each, are detachable from their respective tubes by gravity or by gravity in combination with an upward acceleration of their respective tubes. 
     
     
         23 . The apparatus of  claim 13 , wherein the three balloons, with a sufficient mass of the fluid in each, are simultaneously detachable from their respective tubes. 
     
     
         24 . The apparatus of  claim 13 , wherein each of the three elastic rings is configured to seal the fluid inside its respective balloon, upon extraction of its respective tube from its respective balloon. 
     
     
         25 . An apparatus comprising:
 a fitting configured to couple to a pressurized supply of fluid;   a first elastic ring clinching a neck of a first balloon around an end of a first flexible tube extending from the fitting;   a second elastic ring clinching a neck of a second balloon around an end of a second flexible tube extending from the fitting; and   a third elastic ring clinching a neck of a third balloon around an end of a third flexible tube extending from the fitting;   wherein the apparatus is configured to simultaneously fill the three balloons with the fluid, and the first balloon touches the second and third balloons if the balloons are pressurized with sufficient amounts of the fluid.   
     
     
         26 . The apparatus of  claim 25 , wherein while the three balloons are unpressurized a space between the first and second tubes and a space between the first and third tubes are less than nineteen millimeters. 
     
     
         27 . The apparatus of  claim 25 , wherein while the three balloons are unpressurized a space between the first and second tubes and a space between the first and third tubes are less than ten millimeters. 
     
     
         28 . The apparatus of  claim 25 , wherein while the three balloons are unpressurized a space between the first and second tubes and a space between the first and third tubes are less than an unpressurized width of the first balloon. 
     
     
         29 . The apparatus of  claim 25 , wherein the first balloon touches the second and third balloons if the balloons are unpressurized. 
     
     
         30 . The apparatus of  claim 25 , wherein the end of the second tube and the end of the third tube flex away from the end of the first tube if the balloons are pressurized with sufficient amounts of the fluid. 
     
     
         31 . The apparatus of  claim 25 , wherein each of the three tubes comprises a length greater than ten times a width. 
     
     
         32 . The apparatus of  claim 25 , wherein the fitting comprises a female garden hose thread. 
     
     
         33 . The apparatus of  claim 25 , wherein the fitting comprises a hose quick connect adapter. 
     
     
         34 . The apparatus of  claim 25 , wherein the three balloons, with a sufficient mass of the fluid in each, are detachable from their respective tubes by gravity or by gravity in combination with an upward acceleration of their respective tubes. 
     
     
         35 . The apparatus of  claim 25 , wherein the three balloons, with a sufficient mass of the fluid in each, are simultaneously detachable from their respective tubes. 
     
     
         36 . The apparatus of  claim 25 , wherein each of the three elastic rings is configured to seal the fluid inside its respective balloon, upon extraction of its respective tube from its respective balloon. 
     
     
         37 . An apparatus comprising:
 a fitting configured to couple to a pressurized supply of fluid;   a first elastic ring clinching a neck of a first balloon around an end of a first flexible tube extending from the fitting;   a second elastic ring clinching a neck of a second balloon around an end of a second flexible tube extending from the fitting; and   a third elastic ring clinching a neck of a third balloon around an end of a third flexible tube extending from the fitting;   wherein the apparatus is configured to simultaneously fill the three balloons with the fluid, and the three balloons, with a sufficient mass of the fluid in each, are detachable from their respective tubes by gravity or by gravity in combination with an upward acceleration of their respective tubes.   
     
     
         38 . The apparatus of  claim 37 , wherein while the three balloons are unpressurized a space between the first and second tubes and a space between the first and third tubes are less than nineteen millimeters. 
     
     
         39 . The apparatus of  claim 37 , wherein while the three balloons are unpressurized a space between the first and second tubes and a space between the first and third tubes are less than ten millimeters. 
     
     
         40 . The apparatus of  claim 37 , wherein while the three balloons are unpressurized a space between the first and second tubes and a space between the first and third tubes are less than an unpressurized width of the first balloon. 
     
     
         41 . The apparatus of  claim 37 , wherein the first balloon touches the second and third balloons if the balloons are unpressurized. 
     
     
         42 . The apparatus of  claim 37 , wherein the first balloon touches the second and third balloons if the balloons are pressurized with sufficient amounts of the fluid. 
     
     
         43 . The apparatus of  claim 37 , wherein the end of the second tube and the end of the third tube flex away from the end of the first tube if the balloons are pressurized with sufficient amounts of the fluid. 
     
     
         44 . The apparatus of  claim 37 , wherein each of the three tubes comprises a length greater than ten times a width. 
     
     
         45 . The apparatus of  claim 37 , wherein the fitting comprises a female garden hose thread. 
     
     
         46 . The apparatus of  claim 37 , wherein the fitting comprises a hose quick connect adapter. 
     
     
         47 . The apparatus of  claim 37 , wherein the three balloons, with a sufficient mass of the fluid in each, are simultaneously detachable from their respective tubes. 
     
     
         48 . The apparatus of  claim 37 , wherein each of the three elastic rings is configured to seal the fluid inside its respective balloon, upon extraction of its respective tube from its respective balloon. 
     
     
         49 . An apparatus comprising:
 a fitting configured to couple to a pressurized supply of fluid;   a first balloon removably attached to an end of a first flexible tube extending from the fitting in a first direction;   a second balloon removably attached to an end of a second flexible tube extending from the fitting within 15 degrees of the first direction; and   a third balloon removably attached to an end of a third flexible tube extending from the fitting within 15 degrees of the first direction;   wherein while the three balloons are unpressurized a space between the first and second tubes and a space between the first and third tubes are less than nineteen millimeters, and the apparatus k configured to simultaneously fill the three balloons with the fluid.   
     
     
         50 . The apparatus of  claim 49 , wherein while the three balloons are unpressurized a space between the first and second tubes and a space between the first and third tubes are less than ten millimeters. 
     
     
         51 . The apparatus of  claim 49 , wherein while the three balloons are unpressurized a space between the first and second tubes and a space between the first and third tubes are less than an unpressurized width of the first balloon. 
     
     
         52 . The apparatus of  claim 49 , wherein the first balloon touches the second and third balloons if the balloons are unpressurized. 
     
     
         53 . The apparatus of  claim 49 , wherein the first balloon touches the second and third balloons if the balloons are pressurized with sufficient amounts of the fluid. 
     
     
         54 . The apparatus of  claim 49 , wherein the end of the second tube and the end of the third tube flex away from the end of the first tube if the balloons are pressurized with sufficient amounts of the fluid. 
     
     
         55 . The apparatus of  claim 49 , wherein each of the three tubes comprises a length greater than ten times a width. 
     
     
         56 . The apparatus of  claim 49 , wherein the fitting comprises a female garden hose thread. 
     
     
         57 . The apparatus of  claim 49 , wherein the fitting comprises a hose quick connect adapter. 
     
     
         58 . The apparatus of  claim 49 , wherein the three balloons, with a sufficient mass of the fluid in each, are detachable from their respective tubes by gravity or by gravity in combination with an upward acceleration of their respective tubes. 
     
     
         59 . The apparatus of  claim 49 , wherein the three balloons, with a sufficient mass of the fluid in each, are simultaneously detachable from their respective tubes. 
     
     
         60 . The apparatus of  claim 49 , wherein each of the three balloons is configured to automatically seal the fluid inside upon detachment from its respective tube. 
     
     
         61 . The apparatus of  claim 49 , wherein the first balloon is removably attached to the end of the first tube with a first elastic ring, the second balloon is removably attached to the end of the second tube with a second elastic ring, and the third balloon is removably attached to the end of the third tube with a third elastic ring. 
     
     
         62 . An apparatus comprising:
 a fitting configured to couple to a pressurized supply of fluid;   a first balloon removably attached to an end of a first flexible tube extending from the fitting;   a second balloon removably attached to an end of a second flexible tube extending from the fitting; and   a third balloon removably attached to an end of a third flexible tube extending from the fitting;   wherein while the three balloons are unpressurized a space between the ends of the first and second tubes and a space between the ends of the first and third tubes are less than nineteen millimeters, and the apparatus is configured to simultaneously fill the three balloons with the fluid.   
     
     
         63 . The apparatus of  claim 62 , wherein while the three balloons are unpressurized a space between the ends of the first and second tubes and a space between the ends of the first and third tubes are less than ten millimeters. 
     
     
         64 . The apparatus of  claim 62 , wherein while the three balloons are unpressurized a space between the ends of the first and second tubes and a space between the ends of the first and third tubes are less than an unpressurized width of the first balloon. 
     
     
         65 . The apparatus of  claim 62 , wherein the first balloon touches the second and third balloons if the balloons are unpressurized. 
     
     
         66 . The apparatus of  claim 62 , wherein the first balloon touches the second and third balloons if the balloons are pressurized with sufficient amounts of the fluid. 
     
     
         67 . The apparatus of  claim 62 , wherein the end of the second tube and the end of the third tube flex away from the end of the first tube if the balloons are pressurized with sufficient amounts of the fluid. 
     
     
         68 . The apparatus of  claim 62 , wherein each of the three tubes comprises a length greater than ten times a width. 
     
     
         69 . The apparatus of  claim 62 , wherein the fitting comprises a female garden hose thread. 
     
     
         70 . The apparatus of  claim 62 , wherein the fitting comprises a hose quick connect adapter. 
     
     
         71 . The apparatus of  claim 62 , wherein the three balloons, with a sufficient mass of the fluid in each, are detachable from their respective tubes by gravity or by gravity in combination with an upward acceleration of their respective tubes. 
     
     
         72 . The apparatus of  claim 62 , wherein the three balloons, with a sufficient mass of the fluid in each, are simultaneously detachable from their respective tubes. 
     
     
         73 . The apparatus of  claim 62 , wherein each of the three balloons is configured to automatically seal the fluid inside upon detachment from its respective tube. 
     
     
         74 . The apparatus of  claim 62 , wherein the first balloon is removably attached to the end of the first tube with a first elastic ring, the second balloon is removably attached to the end of the second tube with a second elastic ring, and the third balloon is removably attached to the end of the third tube with a third elastic ring. 
     
     
         75 . An apparatus comprising:
 a fitting configured to couple to a pressurized supply of fluid;   a first balloon removably attached to an end of a first flexible tube extending from the fitting;   a second balloon removably attached to an end of a second flexible tube extending from the fitting; and   a third balloon removably attached to an end of a third flexible tube extending from the fitting;   wherein the apparatus is configured to simultaneously fill the three balloons with the fluid, and the first balloon touches the second and third balloons if the balloons are pressurized with sufficient amounts of the fluid.   
     
     
         76 . The apparatus of  claim 75 , wherein while the three balloons are unpressurized a space between the first and second tubes and a space between the first and third tubes are less than nineteen millimeters. 
     
     
         77 . The apparatus of  claim 75 , wherein while the three balloons are unpressurized a space between the first and second tubes and a space between the first and third tubes are less than ten millimeters. 
     
     
         78 . The apparatus of  claim 75 , wherein while the three balloons are unpressurized a space between the first and second tubes and a space between the first and third tubes are less than an unpressurized width of the first balloon. 
     
     
         79 . The apparatus of  claim 75 , wherein the first balloon touches the second and third balloons if the balloons are unpressurized. 
     
     
         80 . The apparatus of  claim 75 , wherein the end of the second tube and the end of the third tube flex away from the end of the first tube if the balloons are pressurized with sufficient amounts of the fluid. 
     
     
         81 . The apparatus of  claim 75 , wherein each of the three tubes comprises a length greater than ten times a width. 
     
     
         82 . The apparatus of  claim 75 , wherein the fitting comprises a female garden hose thread. 
     
     
         83 . The apparatus of  claim 75 , wherein the fitting comprises a hose quick connect adapter. 
     
     
         84 . The apparatus of  claim 75 , wherein the three balloons, with a sufficient mass of the fluid in each, are detachable from their respective tubes by gravity or by gravity in combination with an upward acceleration of their respective tubes. 
     
     
         85 . The apparatus of  claim 75 , wherein the three balloons, with a sufficient mass of the fluid in each, are simultaneously detachable from their respective tubes. 
     
     
         86 . The apparatus of  claim 75 , wherein each of the three balloons is configured to automatically seal the fluid inside upon detachment from its respective tube. 
     
     
         87 . The apparatus of  claim 75 , wherein the first balloon is removably attached to the end of the first tube with a first elastic ring, the second balloon is removably attached to the end of the second tube with a second elastic ring, and the third balloon is removably attached to the end of the third tube with a third elastic ring. 
     
     
         88 . An apparatus comprising:
 a fitting configured to couple to a pressurized supply of fluid;   a first balloon removably attached to an end of a first flexible tube extending from the fitting;   a second balloon removably attached to an end of a second flexible tube extending from the fitting; and   a third balloon removably attached to an end of a third flexible tube extending from the fitting;   wherein the apparatus is configured to simultaneously fill the three balloons with the fluid, and the three balloons, with a sufficient mass of the fluid in each, are detachable from their respective tubes by gravity or by gravity in combination with an upward acceleration of their respective tubes.   
     
     
         89 . The apparatus of  claim 88 , wherein while the three balloons are unpressurized a space between the first and second tubes and a space between the first and third tubes are less than nineteen millimeters. 
     
     
         90 . The apparatus of  claim 88 , wherein while the three balloons are unpressurized a space between the first and second tubes and a space between the first and third tubes are less than ten millimeters. 
     
     
         91 . The apparatus of  claim 88 , wherein while the three balloons are unpressurized a space between the first and second tubes and a space between the first and third tubes are less than an unpressurized width of the first balloon. 
     
     
         92 . The apparatus of  claim 88 , wherein the first balloon touches the second and third balloons if the balloons are unpressurized. 
     
     
         93 . The apparatus of  claim 88 , wherein the first balloon touches the second and third balloons if the balloons are pressurized with sufficient amounts of the fluid. 
     
     
         94 . The apparatus of  claim 88 , wherein the end of the second tube and the end of the third tube flex away from the end of the first tube if the balloons are pressurized with sufficient amounts of the fluid. 
     
     
         95 . The apparatus of  claim 88 , wherein each of the three tubes comprises a length greater than ten times a width. 
     
     
         96 . The apparatus of  claim 88 , wherein the fitting comprises a female garden hose thread. 
     
     
         97 . The apparatus of  claim 88 , wherein the fitting comprises a hose quick connect adapter. 
     
     
         98 . The apparatus of  claim 88 , wherein the three balloons, with a sufficient mass of the fluid in each, are simultaneously detachable from their respective tubes. 
     
     
         99 . The apparatus of  claim 88 , wherein each of the three balloons is configured to automatically seal the fluid inside upon detachment from its respective tube. 
     
     
         100 . The apparatus of  claim 88 , wherein the first balloon is removably attached to the end of the first tube with a first elastic ring, the second balloon is removably attached to the end of the second tube with a second elastic ring, and the third balloon is removably attached to the end of the third tube with a third elastic ring. 
     
     
         101 . A method comprising:
 attaching a balloon-filling apparatus to a water supply, the apparatus comprising:
 a fitting comprising an inlet and at least four outlets; and 
 at least four branch assemblies coupled to the fitting, each branch assembly comprising:
 a tube extending from the fitting at a respective one of the at least four outlets; 
 a balloon comprising a neck disposed around an end of the tube; and 
 a fastener attaching the neck of the balloon to the end of the tube and configured to automatically seal the balloon upon detachment of the balloon from the tube; 
 
   providing water from the attached water supply to the balloons of the balloon-filling apparatus;   detaching one or more of the balloons of the balloon-filling apparatus using a force generated at least in part by one or more of:
 gravity of the balloons and the water contained therein; and 
 an upward acceleration manually applied to the balloon-filling apparatus.