| 摘要 |
An inflatable, flexible device (10) for use as an expandable closure device comprises an inlet part (14) of a substantially tubular configuration, an expandable bag part (12) integrally connected to the inlet part and made fro m a highly flexible and highly elastic material such as natural rubber, synthetic rubber, plastics, polymer or elastomer materials or combinations thereof, optionally reinforced by fiber or mesh included in the material. Th e expandable bag is changeable from an unexpanded state to an expanded state b y inflating the bag through the introduction of an inflation gas into the interior through the inlet part. The expandable bag defines in the expandabl e state a sphere, and includes in its unexpanded state a plurality of inwardly bent folds extending parallel with the inlet part and extending from positio ns juxtaposed the inlet part along a major part of the outer surface of the expandable bag part. The inwardly bent folds reduce the overall diameter of the expandable device in the unexpanded state by at least 30%, preferably 40 %, further preferably 50%, further preferably 60% or 70%, such as 30%-35%, 35%- 40%, 40%-45%, 45%-50%, 50%-55%, 55%-60%, 60%-65%, 65%-70%, as compared to th e geometrical configuration defined by the expandable bag in the non-expanded state and not including the plurality of inwardly bent folds. The inlet part and the expandable bag part of the inflatable, flexible device are made from one and the same material, preferably natural rubber and further made in one and the same production process.
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