U.S. patent application number 11/193556 was filed with the patent office on 2007-02-15 for balloon with a pocket and method of making.
Invention is credited to Paul A. Ansolabehere, John J. Gilbert, Robert E. Greenwald, Wayne P. Senger.
Application Number | 20070037472 11/193556 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 37743115 |
Filed Date | 2007-02-15 |
United States Patent
Application |
20070037472 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Greenwald; Robert E. ; et
al. |
February 15, 2007 |
Balloon with a pocket and method of making
Abstract
A non-latex balloon has at least two outer balloon layers of a
polymer such as nylon, with an inner layer of heat-sealable
material. A self-sealing valve is heat-sealed to the inner surface
of one of the outer layers. An inner balloon layer is placed
adjacent the outer balloon layers and heat-sealed to one of them to
form an enclosed pocket. Two inner balloon layers may be used to
form two pockets. The seal of the pockets may be releasable by the
user to put a sundry item into the pocket or the sundry item may be
manufactured into the pocket. A method of manufacture of a balloon
product includes the steps of: placing a valve between two outer
sheets of heat-sealable material; placing an inner sheet of
material between the two outer sheets; and heat-sealing the valve
to the outer sheets and heat-sealing the inner sheet to an outer
sheet to form a sealed balloon with a pocket between the inner
sheet and the outer sheet. Two pockets may be produced by using a
second inner sheet.
Inventors: |
Greenwald; Robert E.; (Coon
Rapids, MN) ; Gilbert; John J.; (Maple Grove, MN)
; Senger; Wayne P.; (New Brighton, MN) ;
Ansolabehere; Paul A.; (Minnetonka, MN) |
Correspondence
Address: |
BRIGGS AND MORGAN P.A.
2200 IDS CENTER
80 SOUTH 8TH ST
MINNEAPOLIS
MN
55402
US
|
Family ID: |
37743115 |
Appl. No.: |
11/193556 |
Filed: |
July 29, 2005 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
446/220 |
Current CPC
Class: |
A63H 2027/1025 20130101;
A63H 27/10 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
446/220 |
International
Class: |
A63H 3/06 20060101
A63H003/06 |
Claims
1. A non-latex balloon comprising: (a) at least two outer balloon
layers, each outer balloon layer having an edge, an outer surface,
and an inner surface, the inner surfaces having a heat-sealable
material; (b) a self-sealing valve, heat-sealed to the inner
surface of the edge of one outer balloon layer; (c) an inner
balloon layer having an outer surface, an inner surface, and an
edge, placed adjacent the outer balloon layers; and (d) wherein the
inner surface of one outer balloon layer is heat-sealed to the
outer surface of the inner balloon layer at the edges of the inner
balloon layer, thereby forming an enclosed pocket therebetween.
2. The balloon of claim 1, wherein the heat-sealable material
further comprises linear low-density polyethylene.
3. The balloon of claim 1, further comprising a metallic layer on
the outer surface of the inner balloon layer.
4. The balloon of claim 3, wherein the metallic layer comprises
vacuum-deposited aluminum.
5. The balloon of claim 1, further comprising a sundry item
enclosed in the pocket.
6. The balloon of claim 5, wherein the outer balloon layer is
releasable from the inner balloon layer at the edges of the pocket,
thereby permitting access to the sundry item.
7. The balloon of claim 1, further comprising an access opening in
the outer balloon layer over the pocket, thereby permitting sundry
items to be inserted in the pocket.
8. A non-latex balloon comprising: (a) two outer balloon layers,
each outer balloon layer having an edge, an outer surface, and an
inner surface, the inner surfaces having a heat-sealable material;
(b) a self-sealing valve, heat-sealed to the inner surface of the
edge of one outer balloon layer; (c) two inner balloon layers, each
having an outer surface, an inner surface, and an edge, the inner
surfaces comprising a material resistant to heat-sealing, placed
adjacent the outer balloon layers; and (d) wherein the inner
surface of each outer balloon layer is heat-sealed to the outer
surface of the corresponding inner balloon layer at the edges of
the inner balloon layer, thereby forming an enclosed pocket
therebetween.
9. The balloon of claim 8, wherein the heat-sealable material
further comprises linear low-density polyethylene.
10. The balloon of claim 8, further comprising a metallic layer on
the outer surface of the inner balloon layer.
11. The balloon of claim 10, wherein the metallic layer comprises
vacuum-deposited aluminum.
12. The balloon of claim 8, further comprising a sundry item
enclosed in the pocket.
13. The balloon of claim 12, wherein the outer balloon layer is
releasable from the inner balloon layer at the edges of the pocket,
thereby permitting access to the sundry item.
14. The balloon of claim 8, further comprising an access opening in
the outer balloon layer over the pocket, thereby permitting sundry
items to be inserted in the pocket.
15. A non-latex balloon comprising: (a) at least two outer balloon
layers, each outer balloon layer having an edge, an outer surface,
and an inner surface, the inner surfaces having a heat-sealable
material; (b) a self-sealing valve, heat-sealed to the inner
surface of the edge of one outer balloon layer; (c) an inner
balloon layer having an outer surface, an inner surface, and an
edge, placed adjacent the outer balloon layers; (d) wherein the
inner surface of one outer balloon layer is heat-sealed to the
outer surface of the inner balloon layer at the edges of the inner
balloon layer, thereby forming an enclosed pocket therebetween; and
(e) a valve communicating with the pocket for inflating the
pocket.
16. The balloon of claim 15, further comprising an additional inner
balloon layer opposing the first inner balloon layer, the opposing
surfaces of the inner balloon layers comprising a material
resistant to heat sealing.
17. A method of manufacturing a balloon product, comprising the
steps of: (a) placing a valve between two outer sheets of
heat-sealable material; (b) placing an inner sheet of material
between the two outer sheets, and (c) heat-sealing the valve to the
outer sheets and the inner sheet to an outer sheet, thereby forming
a sealed balloon with a pocket between the inner sheet and the
outer sheet.
18. The method of claim 18, further comprising the steps of: (d)
placing a second inner sheet of material between the two outer
sheets; (e) temporarily adhering the two inner sheets to one
another; and (f) heat sealing the second inner sheet to the other
outer sheet.
19. The method of claim 18, wherein the inner sheets each comprise
an inner surface of non-heat sealable material, thereby preventing
the inner sheets from sealing to one another.
20. The method of claim 19, further comprising the step of cutting
through the outer and inner layers to produce a finished balloon.
Description
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0001] The present invention relates generally to non-latex
balloons and more particularly to a non-latex balloon having a
resealable pocket for display and holding of various items.
[0002] Non-latex balloons have been popular for many years.
Non-latex balloons, often referred to as metallized balloons, are
characterized as balloons that are comprised of materials that have
no elastic properties. Such materials include plastic, foil, mylar,
and nylon. A variety of non-latex balloons have been made available
to the public, including brightly colored, transparent, and even
multi-layered balloons. Further, balloons which centrally house
various materials have been produced. See, for example, U.S. Pat.
Nos. 5,338,243, 4,837,955, 5,254,026 and 5,108,339 the teachings
thereof which are herein incorporated by reference. Further, a
self-sealing valve has been introduced, which allows the balloon to
be easily and quickly inflated and further eliminates the need for
tying or heat-sealing of the balloon stem. See U.S. Pat. No.
4,917,646 and the teachings thereof which are incorporated herein
by reference.
[0003] The aforementioned balloons include various embodiments,
some which feature display and containment of centrally-housed
items. These balloons, however, are constructed solely for purposes
of displaying items which are affixed and contained within the
balloon and thereby further limit the outer layer of the balloon,
requiring transparency. In addition, balloons which feature display
of a centrally-housed item require manufacture of a singular
constructable component to structurally support the
centrally-housed item, whether by permanent seal of a
centrally-housed item, manufacture of a singular housing fixture,
which is centrally housed, or a support umbilical which holds the
item in a fixed position. Further, the items for display are
limited, due to manufacturing and housing constraints. For example,
inserting items for display and containment during the
manufacturing process can provide for a more economical
distribution of the product. Further, providing a versatile yet
predictable containment region will permit insertion of as few as
one (for example, a piece of candy) or multiple items (for example,
confetti) during the manufacturing process. Further, providing a
versatile means of both inserting and removing items from the
containment region will allow for a variety of uses for the balloon
product. Lastly, providing a streamlined manufacturing process
using similar materials, as well as simultaneous heat-sealing and
adhesion capabilities, makes the process more efficient and
economical.
[0004] There is a need for a balloon which overcomes the display
and containment limitations herein discussed, and which further
provides an efficient and economical method of manufacture
regarding the same.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0005] A non-latex balloon has at least two outer balloon layers of
a polymer such as nylon, with an inner layer of heat-sealable
material. A self-sealing valve is heat-sealed to the inner surface
of one of the outer layers. An inner balloon layer is placed
adjacent the outer balloon layers and heat-sealed to one of them to
form an enclosed pocket. Two inner balloon layers may be used to
form two pockets. The seal of the pockets may be releasable by the
user to put a sundry item into the pocket or the sundry item may be
manufactured into the pocket. A method of manufacture of a balloon
product includes the steps of: placing a valve between two outer
sheets of heat-sealable material; placing an inner sheet of
material between the two outer sheets; and heat-sealing the valve
to the outer sheets and heat-sealing the inner sheet to an outer
sheet to form a sealed balloon with a pocket between the inner
sheet and the outer sheet. Two pockets may be produced by using a
second inner sheet.
[0006] A principal object and advantage of the balloon is to
provide a display and/or containment pocket of simple
construction.
[0007] Another principal object and advantage of the balloon is to
provide a display and/or containment pocket of inexpensive
construction.
[0008] Another principal object and advantage of the balloon is to
provide a display and/or containment pocket that may be removed or
modified to insert items.
[0009] Another principal object and advantage of the balloon is to
provide a display and/or containment pocket that can hold a variety
of items.
[0010] Another principal object and advantage of the balloon is to
provide a display and/or containment pocket that may be decorative
and functional.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0011] FIG. 1 is a front elevational view of a balloon product.
[0012] FIG. 2 is a side cross-sectional view of a balloon
product.
[0013] FIG. 3 is a front elevational view of a second embodiment of
a balloon product.
[0014] FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view of a balloon product taken
at approximately the lines 4 of FIG. 3.
[0015] FIG. 5 is a perspective view of a third embodiment of a
balloon product.
[0016] FIG. 6 is a side elevational view of a balloon product.
[0017] FIG. 7 is a detailed view of a balloon product of the
circled area of FIG. 5
[0018] FIGS. 8 and 9 are schematic views of a method of manufacture
of a balloon product.
[0019] FIG. 10 is a schematic of the construction of the balloon
layers.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS
[0020] A first embodiment of the present invention is generally
shown in the FIGS. as reference numeral 10.
[0021] The first embodiment (FIGS. 1 and 2) is a non-latex balloon
10, comprising at least two outer balloon layers 12a, 12b, each
outer balloon layer having an edge 14, an outer surface 16, and an
inner surface 18, the inner surfaces 18 having a heat sealable
material 20.
[0022] The non-latex balloon 10 further comprises a self-sealing
valve 22, the valve 22 being heat-sealed to the inner surface 18 of
one of the edges 14 of one of the outer layers 12a, 12b.
[0023] The non-latex balloon 10 further comprises an inner balloon
layer 24 having an outer surface 26, an inner surface 28, and an
edge 30, the inner layer 24 being placed adjacent the outer layers
12a, 12b. The inner surface 18 of one of the outer layers 12a, 12b
is heat-sealed to the outer surface 26 of the inner layer 24 at the
edge 30, thereby forming an enclosed pocket 32.
[0024] Preferably, the heat-sealable material 20 comprises linear
low-density polyethylene 20a. In the preferred construction, the
outer surface 26 of the inner layer 24 and the inner surface 18 of
the outer layers 12a, 12b comprise this heat-sealable material.
[0025] The balloon 10 may optionally further comprise a metallic
layer 21 on the outer surface 26 of the inner layer 24, thereby
making the pocket 32 opaque. Preferably, the metallic layer 21
comprises vacuum-deposited aluminum.
[0026] A sundry item 40 may be enclosed in the pocket 32, either
during manufacture or later. In order to permit such an item to be
inserted in the pocket 32 after manufacture, the outer layer 12a or
12b is releasable from the inner layer 24. Alternatively, as shown
in FIG. 3, the pocket 32 may have an access opening 25.
[0027] A second embodiment of the present invention is generally
shown in the FIGS. as reference numeral 110.
[0028] The second embodiment is a non-latex balloon 110 comprising
two outer balloon layers 12a, 12b, each outer balloon layer having
an edge 14, an outer surface 16, and an inner surface 18, the inner
surfaces 18 having a heat sealable material 20.
[0029] The non-latex balloon 110 further comprises a self-sealing
valve 22, the valve 22 being heat-sealed to the inner surface 18 of
one of the edge 14 of one of the outer layers 12a, 12b.
[0030] The non-latex balloon 110 further comprises two inner
balloon layers 24a, 24b, each having an outer surface 26, an inner
surface 28, and an edge 30, the inner layers 24a, 24b being placed
adjacent to the outer layers 12a, 12b. The inner surfaces 18 of
each of the outer layers 12a, 12b are heat-sealed to the outer
surfaces 26 of the inner layers 24a, 24b at the edges 30, thereby
forming enclosed pockets 32a, 32b. To promote this, the outer
surfaces 26 of the inner layers may also have a heat-sealable
material 20. The inner surfaces 28 of each of the inner layers 24a,
24b comprise a material resistant to heat-sealing, such as
nylon.
[0031] A third embodiment 210 of the present invention is shown in
FIG. 5. The balloon 210 is similar to the previous embodiments with
the addition of a second valve 222 to inflate one of the pockets
32a, 32b.
[0032] The preferred structure of the outer layers 12a, 12b and the
inner layers 24a, 24b is shown in FIG. 10. As can be seen, each of
the layers is constructed of a plastic polymer 15 such as
polyolefin, nylon, polyester, polyethylene, etc. The layers should
be substantially clear to allow a user to see into the balloon. The
material may also include vacuum-deposited aluminum 21 as discussed
above. Where it is desirable for the layers to bond together (as in
the facing surfaces of the two outer layers) a heat sealable
material 20 such as linear low-density polyethylene (LLDP) may be
applied to the nylon or other material over a layer of primer 17.
Otherwise, the material 15 of the layers (such as nylon) is not
sealable by applied heat.
[0033] A method of manufacturing a balloon product is shown in
FIGS. 8 and 9 comprises the steps of: (a) placing a valve 22
between two outer sheets 12a, 12b of heat-sealable material; (b)
placing an inner sheet 24a between the two outer sheets 12a, 12b;
and (c) heat-sealing the valve 22 to at least one outer sheet and
heat-sealing the inner sheet to one of the outer sheets, thereby
forming a sealed balloon with a pocket 32 between the inner sheet
24 and an outer sheet 12a or 12b. To make a balloon with two
pockets, the method comprises the additional steps of: (d) placing
a second inner sheet 24b of material between the outer sheets 12a,
12b; (e) temporarily adhering the two inner sheets 24a, 24b to one
another to keep them in alignment; and (f) heat sealing the second
inner sheet 24b to the other outer sheet 12a or 12b. In order to
prevent the two inner sheets 24a, 24b from heat-sealing to each
other, the inner surface 28 of the inner sheets comprises a layer
of non-heat sealable material 20.
[0034] The method is schematically illustrated in FIGS. 8 and 9, in
which material for the outer sheets 12a, 12b is unwound from rolls
300 as the two inner sheets 24a, 24b are placed adjacent to one of
the outer sheets, followed by the valve 22. A spot 302 of adhesive
is placed between the two inner sheets to keep them in alignment.
Tack adhesive 303 may also be applied between the outer layers and
inner layers to keep them in alignment. The complex of outer
sheets, inner sheets, and valve is then carried past a first pair
of heat seal dies 304 so that the first pair 304 of heat seal dies
line up with the valve 22, thus heat-sealing the valve 22 to the
two outer sheets 12a, 12b. Next, the complex is carried past a
second pair 306 of heat seal dies, a third pair 308 of heat seal
dies, and a fourth pair 310 of heat seal dies which preferably
simultaneously heat-seal the inner sheets to the outer sheets and
the outer sheets to each other. The complex is then cut at cut
lines 312 to produce a balloon for shipment. At the time of
inflation, the spot of adhesive 302 is broken as the inner layers
24a, 24b separate from each other.
* * * * *