US 12,447,038 B2
Method for filling a flexible element for supporting and stabilizing an injured person
Haakan Rugfelt, Radstadt (AT)
Assigned to KOHLBRAT & BUNZ GESELLSCHAFT M.B.H., Radstadt (AT)
Filed by KOHLBRAT & BUNZ Gesellschaft m.b.H., Radstadt (AT)
Filed on Jul. 26, 2022, as Appl. No. 17/873,764.
Application 17/873,764 is a continuation of application No. PCT/AT2020/060428, filed on Dec. 1, 2020.
Claims priority of application No. A 50064/2020 (AT), filed on Jan. 28, 2020; and application No. A 50194/2020 (AT), filed on Mar. 10, 2020.
Prior Publication US 2023/0029246 A1, Jan. 26, 2023
Int. Cl. A61F 5/058 (2006.01)
CPC A61F 5/05833 (2013.01) 11 Claims
OG exemplary drawing
 
1. A method for filling an air-tight flexible element for supporting and stabilizing an injured person with a loose granular material, the air-tight flexible element having two lengths of material connected to each other at points in an interior of the air-tight flexible element and along an edge of the air-tight flexible element, leaving a filling opening, the method comprising:
placing the air-tight flexible element within a vacuum chamber such that the filling opening extends through a first location of the vacuum chamber and is accessible outside of the vacuum chamber;
after placing the air-tight flexible element within the vacuum chamber, generating an air pressure difference between the interior of the air-tight flexible element and an external environment of the air-tight flexible element so as to expand the interior of the air-tight flexible element, the air pressure difference being generated by creating a vacuum within the vacuum chamber via a suction connection communicating with an interior of the vacuum chamber at a second location of the vacuum chamber to suction off ambient air from within the vacuum chamber, the second location of the vacuum chamber being spaced apart from the first location such that a suction stream from the suction connection does not directly communicate with a filling stream of the granular material entering the air-tight flexible element, and
after generating the air pressure difference between the interior of the air-tight flexible element and the external environment of the air-tight flexible element, filling the expanded interior of the air-tight flexible element through the filling opening with the granular material consisting of foamed polystyrene having a weight in a range between 20 kg/m3 and 70 kg/m3 to support and stabilize the injured person.