Valuables flotation device (VFD)
View Patent ↗A water activated, self-inflating, automatic floatation device that can be easily attached to small personal items of value for easy retrieval if accidentally dropped into a deep or low visibility body of water such as a lake, pond, stream, river, or ocean. The automatic flotation device is comprised of a housing, an inflatable bladder, water activated gas producing compound, an orifice plate, a gas expansion port, and a removable housing cover. The automatic floatation device will inflate the bladder regardless of orientation under water. The automatic floatation device is small enough that it can be attached to glasses, keys, cell phones, hats, basically any small personal item of value.
1 . A water-activated, self-inflating apparatus attachable to a personal article, comprising:
a housing containing:
a bladder storage cavity containing a compressed inflatable bladder; and
a reactant storage cavity containing a water-activated gas-producing compound; and
a gas expansion port connecting the reactant storage cavity to the bladder storage cavity;
an orifice plate containing:
a water inlet orifice permitting water to enter the reactant storage cavity; and
an air relief orifice permitting air to escape from the reactant storage cavity;
one or more hydro-expanding elements positioned directly over both the water inlet orifice and the air relief orifice, the hydro-expanding elements:
(i) allowing simultaneous water entry and air escape as the apparatus sinks in water; and
(ii) expanding upon sufficient water exposure to seal both the water inlet orifice and the air relief orifice;
wherein sealing of both orifices forces gas produced by the compound through the gas expansion port into the inflatable bladder;
a bladder seal attachment feature securing the inflatable bladder to the gas expansion port; and
a removable housing cover displaced by expansion of the inflatable bladder,
whereby the inflatable bladder inflates regardless of underwater orientation and floats the attached personal article to the surface of a body of water.
2 . The apparatus of claim 1 , wherein the hydro-expanding elements expand radially to cover both orifices.
3 . The apparatus of claim 1 , wherein the orifice plate lacks spring-loaded or ball-type valves.
4 . The apparatus of claim 1 , wherein the water inlet orifice and the air relief orifice are sized to prevent activation from incidental moisture.
5 . The apparatus of claim 1 , wherein the water inlet orifice and air relieve orifice are filled with a water dissolving material to prevent activation from incidental moisture.
6 . The apparatus of claim 1 , wherein the removable housing cover is a press-fit cap.
7 . The apparatus of claim 1 , wherein the housing includes a magnet.
8 . The apparatus of claim 1 , wherein the housing is configured as a collapsible grip structure for attachment to a mobile device.
9 . The apparatus of claim 1 , wherein the housing is configured as an eyewear retainer.
10 . A method of underwater inflation comprising:
simultaneously permitting water entry and air escape through a water inlet orifice and an air relief orifice;
expanding one or more hydro-expanding elements to seal both orifices;
forcing gas generated by a water-activated compound into an inflatable bladder through a gas expansion port;
whereby the bladder inflates and floats the apparatus regardless of underwater orientation.
11 . The method of claim 10 , wherein the water inlet orifice and the air relief orifice operate without spring-loaded valves, ball valves, or electronic control components.
12 . The method of claim 10 wherein said forcing of produced gas into an inflatable bladder is accomplished by having a separate bladder storage cavity and a separate reactant storage cavity inside a housing that is connected by said gas expansion port.
13 . The method of claim 10 , wherein the water inlet orifice and air relief orifice are sized to prevent activation from incidental moisture including rain, humidity, or sweat.
14 . The method of claim 10 , wherein water enters the apparatus only at a rate permitted by air escaping through the air relief orifice.
15 . A passive, water-activated flotation apparatus attachable to a personal article, comprising:
a housing defining:
a reactant chamber containing a water-activated gas-producing compound; and
a bladder chamber containing a compressed inflatable bladder;
a gas expansion passage connecting the reactant chamber to the bladder chamber;
a fluid exchange interface including:
at least one water entry opening; and
at least one air exit opening; a water-responsive sealing material;
wherein:
(i) the water entry opening and the air exit opening are configured to permit simultaneous inward water flow and outward air flow during submersion without the use of mechanical one-way valves;
(ii) the reactant chamber becomes fluidly isolated from the surrounding water after initial submersion by expansion of the water responsive sealing material positioned adjacent the fluid exchange interface;
(iii) isolation of the reactant chamber causes gas generated by the compound to increase internal pressure within the reactant chamber; and
(iv) the increased internal pressure forces gas through the gas expansion passage into the inflatable bladder, causing the bladder to deploy from the housing and provide buoyancy;
whereby the apparatus inflates underwater regardless of spatial orientation and floats the attached personal article to the surface.
16 . The water activated flotation apparatus of claim 15 wherein said housing is a collapsible grip structure attachable to a mobile device.
17 . The water activated flotation apparatus of claim 15 wherein said housing contains a magnet for attaching to valuables.
18 . The water activated flotation apparatus of claim 15 wherein said housing is the form factor of a peel and stick label.
19 . The water activated flotation apparatus of claim 15 wherein said housing is in the form factor of an eyewear retainer.
20 . The water activated flotation apparatus of claim 15 wherein said housing is attached to a pin clip for mounting.