Engineering:Oral inflation valve
An oral inflation valve is present on most swim toys and beach balls. These inflation valves can also be filled with air pumps, which makes the process easier, faster and more hygienic. Since the valve is placed in the mouth and saliva can be ejected into the inflatable object, the valve is subjected to some health concerns; diseases like common cold, herpes, Hepatitis B, Hepatitis C and many others can be spread through the saliva in the air valve.[1] Therefore, they should not be used orally if the inflatable object is shared, or should at least be sanitized first.
The inflation valves have caps, which require to be open in order to fill the object with air by placing the lips and blow air inside it or the air pump's hose, and closed after finish. To deflate an object and make transport or storage easier, the cap can be opened for the air to be drained and the object can be squeezed so the deflation process is quicker. Some valves contain safety structures that require additional actions to let air through when the cap is removed.[2]
In other objects
Life preserver vests are often inflated with CO2, but also have an oral inflation tube.[3] Some models of lifting bags for diving also have inflation valves.[4]
References
- ↑ "Does Saliva Have Health Risks? 3 Ways Germs Can Spread" (in en-US). Health Essentials from Cleveland Clinic. 2016-06-17. https://health.clevelandclinic.org/does-saliva-have-health-risks-3-ways-germs-can-spread/.
- ↑ "Frequently Asked Questions - Help Center - SwimWays". http://www.swimways.com/frequently-asked-questions.aspx.
- ↑ Baltic inflatable lifejackets
- ↑ "75lb Lift Bag". https://www.diverite.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/10/75LB-Lift-Bag_LB1904.jpg.
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