Abstract: A reusable, ornamental air-filled balloon structure includes a large, elongate, unbalanced upper ornamental chamber. The chamber has a valve on its bottom for inflating for use and deflating for storage of the balloon structure. A lower base ornamental chamber, that is adapted to rest on a flat surface or plane, has a centralized pocket with an aperture for transversely receiving the bottom of the upper chamber. A hidden valve for inflating the lower chamber for use and deflating for storage is provided. The upper chamber air valve is capable of being passed through the aperture and anchored to the lower chamber to secure the two chambers together while the upper chamber stays in an upright condition ideal for display. Common household filled cans are placed in the hidden centralized pocket to weigh the balloon structure down and keep it in place. The height of the upper ornamental chamber is at least three times taller than the height of the lower base chamber.

Abstract: Described are stretchable and formable lighter than air balloons including a high barrier lamination. The stretchable and formable balloons stretch when overinflated instead of failing. The balloons are formed from a lamination including a polyester film with a total thickness of 4 ?m to 12 ?m including a biaxially oriented polyester core layer and at least one amorphous copolyester skin layer. The polyester film has an Elongation % in the transverse direction (TD) or machine direction (MD) of greater than 125%.

Abstract: A balloon fill gauge for a balloon made of elastomeric expanding material has a base sheet with balloon filling indicia thereon that is temporarily tackable on to the balloon face material. An indicator tab with two ends having one end temporarily tackable onto the balloon material has its other end slideably interlockable with the base sheet. An indicator mark on the tab is alignable with the balloon filling indicia to indicate when the balloon is full as the tacked base sheet and tacked indicator tab move apart during the filling of the balloon. The balloon fill gauge alternatively may have an elongate non-stretchable indicator tab having two ends tackable onto the balloon material which physically acts to visual indicate when the balloon is full by snapping in two, popping off the balloon or changing color.

Abstract: Described are stretchable and formable lighter than air balloons including a high barrier lamination. The stretchable and formable balloons stretch when overinflated instead of failing. The balloons are formed from a lamination including a polyester film with a total thickness of 4 ?m to 12 ?m including a biaxially oriented polyester core layer and at least one amorphous copolyester skin layer. The polyester film has an Elongation % in the transverse direction (TD) or machine direction (MD) of greater than 125%.

Abstract: A long life balloon formed from a lamination. The lamination includes a polyester film with a total thickness of 4 ?m to 12 ?m. The polyester film includes a biaxially oriented polyester core layer and at least one amorphous copolyester skin layer. The lamination also includes a sealant layer and a gas barrier layer on an opposite side of the polyester film from the sealant layer. The oxygen transmission rate of the balloon is less than 0.1 cc/100 sqin/day, a bonding strength of the gas barrier layer to the surface of the polyester film is more than 300 g/in at dry conditions, a sealing strength of the balloon is more than 3.5 kg/in, and a floating time of the balloon is more than 20 days.

Abstract: A balloon holder includes a stem for locking a balloon tail in place. The stem includes an inner channel for receiving the balloon tail. The inner channel is located between side walls of the stem, and pairs of locking fingers extend from the side walls into the inner channel. The application of a deforming force to the locking fingers causes the locking fingers to bend, thereby allowing the balloon tail to enter the inner channel. When the deforming force is removed the locking fingers return to a substantially planar state, thereby locking the balloon tail in place within the inner channel.

Abstract: A long life balloon formed from a lamination. The lamination includes a polyester film with a total thickness of 4 ?m to 12 ?m. The polyester film includes a biaxially oriented polyester core layer and at least one amorphous copolyester skin layer. The lamination also includes a sealant layer and a gas barrier layer on an opposite side of the polyester film from the sealant layer. The oxygen transmission rate of the balloon is less than 0.1 cc/100 sqin/day, a bonding strength of the gas barrier layer to the surface of the polyester film is more than 300 g/in at dry conditions, a sealing strength of the balloon is more than 3.5 kg/in, and a floating time of the balloon is more than 20 days.

Abstract: A balloon fill gauge for a balloon made of elastomeric expanding material has a base sheet with balloon filling indicia thereon that is temporarily tackable on to the balloon face material. An indicator tab with two ends having one end temporarily tackable onto the balloon material has its other end slideably interlockable with the base sheet. An indicator mark on the tab is alignable with the balloon filling indicia to indicate when the balloon is full as the tacked base sheet and tacked indicator tab move apart during the filling of the balloon. The balloon fill gauge alternatively may have an elongate non-stretchable indicator tab having two ends tackable onto the balloon material which physically acts to visual indicate when the balloon is full by snapping in two, popping off the balloon or changing color.

Abstract: An improved balloon cup for mounting and supporting a balloon with the valve tail on a stick includes a frustoconical top for supporting and holding a balloon with a first depending slot therethrough for passing the balloon tail therethrough. A stem depends from the top with an open inner channel circular in cross section extending the length of the stem. The channel is in open communication with the slot through an elongated channel opening for receiving the balloon tail therethrough. After the balloon tail is placed within the inner channel, the stick is transversely placed into the circular inner channel through the elongate channel opening and the stick and balloon tail are held in place by opposing bias flanges along the elongate channel opening.

Abstract: A gas-inflatable character aerostat or balloon with at least one gas-inflatable appendage comprising a linear and non-linear gas-inflatable connecting ladder structure connecting the gas-inflatable appendage to the gas-inflatable aerostat to permit free movement of the appendage in relation to the aerostat in three dimensions. The ladder structure includes two sheets of elongate polymeric material fused together with the ladder structure to be inflated with gas between the sheets. The ladder structure includes an elongate gas-inflatable main channel and gas-inflatable lateral extensions extending from and in flow communication with the main channel.

Abstract: The present invention relates to articles and methods for producing non-latex balloons with low surface electrical conductivities and an extended product life. In a preferred embodiment, a multilayer composite film having an exposed metalized layer is coated with an elastomeric sealant layer that increases electrical resistivity of the balloon product to greater than 1.08 Ohms/sq. The invention relates to articles and methods for producing needed bonds and seal strength required to manufacture non latex balloons. The balloons of this invention have an extended product life because they are more resistant to common defects like pin holing and stress cracks than conventional balloon systems.

Abstract: A long life balloon formed from a lamination. The lamination includes a polyester film with a total thickness of 4 ?m to 12 ?m. The polyester film includes a biaxially oriented polyester core layer and at least one amorphous copolyester skin layer. The lamination also includes a sealant layer and a gas barrier layer on an opposite side of the polyester film from the sealant layer. The oxygen transmission rate of the balloon is less than 0.1 cc/100 sqin/day, a bonding strength of the gas barrier layer to the surface of the polyester film is more than 300 g/in at dry conditions, a sealing strength of the balloon is more than 3.5 kg/in, and a floating time of the balloon is more than 20 days.

Abstract: A long life balloon formed from a lamination. The lamination includes a polyester film with a total thickness of 4 ?m to 12 ?m. The polyester film includes a biaxially oriented polyester core layer and at least one amorphous copolyester skin layer. The lamination also includes a sealant layer and a gas barrier layer on an opposite side of the polyester film from the sealant layer. The oxygen transmission rate of the balloon is less than 0.1 cc/100 sqin/day, a bonding strength of the gas barrier layer to the surface of the polyester film is more than 300 g/in at dry conditions, a sealing strength of the balloon is more than 3.5 kg/in, and a floating time of the balloon is more than 20 days.

Abstract: A method of constructing an aerostat involves using a self-mating adhesive system to bind a first barrier film and a second barrier film together. The adhesive precursors of the self-mating adhesive system are applied to the first and second barrier films at the desired point of bonding between the films. Following the application of the adhesive precursors, the barrier films are pressed together to bring the adhesive precursors into contact with each other. A self-mating adhesive layer, which binds the first and second barrier films together, is formed as a result of the reaction between the adhesive precursors. Thereafter the aerostat is die cut out of the web film. The method of the present invention results in aerostats with a bond line at the edge of the desired shape. These aerostats have a reduced weight compared to aerostats made using conventional practices employing a heat sealing layer.

Abstract: The present invention relates to articles and methods for producing non-latex balloons with low surface electrical conductivities and an extended product life. In a preferred embodiment, a multilayer composite film having an exposed metallized layer is coated with an elastomeric sealant layer that increases electrical resistivity of the balloon product to greater than 1.08 Ohms/sq. The invention relates to articles and methods for producing needed bonds and seal strength required to manufacture non latex balloons. The balloons of this invention have an extended product life because they are more resistant to common defects like pin holing and stress cracks than conventional balloon systems.

Abstract: The present invention relates to articles and methods for producing non-latex balloons with low surface electrical conductivities and an extended product life. In a preferred embodiment, a multilayer composite film having an exposed metallized layer is coated with an elastomeric sealant layer that increases electrical resistivity of the balloon product to greater than 1.08 Ohms/sq. The invention relates to articles and methods for producing needed bonds and seal strength required to manufacture non latex balloons. The balloons of this invention have an extended product life because they are more resistant to common defects like pin holing and stress cracks than conventional balloon systems.

Abstract: A balloon with an attached magnetic speaker sound module. The sound module has a housing containing a magnetic speaker, a power source, and wiring connecting the magnetic speaker the power source. The magnetic speaker is mounted in the housing adjacent an aperture in the housing. The balloon may be constructed of two sides with different weights, with the magnetic speaker adhered to the side with lesser weight so that the balloon floats upright. Alternatively, a counter-weight may be attached to the side of the balloon opposite the magnetic speaker sound module. A method of manufacturing a balloon with an attached magnetic speaker sound module. The balloon is caused to float upright either by constructing the balloon of two sides with different weights and attaching the magnetic speaker sound module to the side with the lesser weight, or by attaching a counter-weight to the side of the balloon opposite the magnetic speaker sound module.

Abstract: Formation of an aerostat through the application of a pressure sensitive adhesive onto one or more barrier films at the desired point of bonding between the films. The adhesive is applied about the periphery prior to the point of bonding the two barrier films together. The method of the present invention results in aerostats with a bond line at the edge of the desired shape. The reduced weight, in comparison to conventional practices employing a heat sealing layer, enables intricate designs and smaller volume aerostats.

Abstract: An ornamental sound music module for a balloon has an ornamental suitably raised face with a peripheral lip or flange. A backer board is adhered to the rear of the ornamental face creating a housing. A central aperture is within the backer board with an annular support rim for supporting the outer disc portion of a piezoelectric buzzer in a firm manner to encourage the central regions of the buzzer to generate optimum music. A circuit board is contained within the housing and is connected to the buzzer by wires. The backer board suitably has an adhesive to allow the ornamental sound module to be affixed to a metalized nylon film balloon.

Abstract: An inflatable, non-latex balloon with an attached bag for holding items. The balloon with attached bag has an inflatable portion and a non-inflatable portion. The inflatable portion or balloon is inflatable with air or gas, while the non-inflatable portion forms a bag for holding items. The balloon and bag are preferably constructed unitarily from sheets of heat-sealable film. The bag may be closed as for example by a tie. The bag may be either opaque, translucent, or transparent.