Patents Assigned to M & D Balloons, Inc.
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Publication number: 20040226649Abstract: Buoyant balloons are provided with a texturizing layer which is operated upon with embossing or other techniques to provide interesting visual effects. The texturizing is formed on the outer surface of the texturizing layer, which is located on the outer surface of the balloon film. One or more ink coatings may be used in conjunction with the texturized balloon film to augment visual interest.Type: ApplicationFiled: April 5, 2004Publication date: November 18, 2004Applicant: M & D Balloons, Inc.Inventors: Mark Van Dyke, William Ward, Robert Schulteis
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Publication number: 20030111760Abstract: Buoyant balloons are provided with a texturizing layer which is operated upon with embossing or other techniques to provide interesting visual effects. The texturizing is formed on the outer surface of the texturizing layer, which is located on the outer surface of the balloon film. One or more ink coatings may be used in conjunction with the texturized balloon film to augment visual interest.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 13, 2001Publication date: June 19, 2003Applicant: M & D BALLOONS, INC.Inventors: Mark Van Dyke, William Ward, Robert Schulteis
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Publication number: 20020094396Abstract: Balloon films for buoyant toy balloons include a support layer, a gas barrier layer, and a metalization layer. In one embodiment, the barrier layer also serves as a support layer for the metalization. In other embodiments, the support layer is additional to the barrier layer. A sealant layer is added to allow balloon manufacture using commercial techniques.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 13, 2001Publication date: July 18, 2002Applicant: M & D BALLOONS, INC.Inventors: William Ward, Mark Van Dyke, Robert Schulteis
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Patent number: 5857636Abstract: A mechanism is provided for unwinding ribbon from a supply spool, for rolling the ribbon to form a wound roll, and for cutting the roll free of the supply. The rolled ribbon segments resulting from this operation are transported to a conveyor for assembly with a toy balloon.Type: GrantFiled: September 5, 1995Date of Patent: January 12, 1999Assignee: M & D Balloons, Inc.Inventor: Richard John Kurtz
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Patent number: 5806165Abstract: A method of providing a toy balloon with a ribbon comprising the steps of providing a toy balloon, a roll of ribbon having a free end, and a conveyor having a table portion for supporting at least a portion of the toy balloon and an adjacent recess for receiving the ribbon roll and for orienting the ribbon free end to overlie the table portion. The toy balloon is placed on the table portion and the ribbon roll is placed in the recess so as to overlie the toy balloon with the ribbon free end and securing the ribbon free end to the toy balloon.Type: GrantFiled: March 24, 1997Date of Patent: September 15, 1998Assignee: M & D Balloons, Inc.Inventor: Richard John Kurtz
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Patent number: 5797783Abstract: A balloon kit package is provided to facilitate erection of a balloon assembly in a desired manner so as to prevent unintentional loss of buoyant balloons. The kit package includes an uninflated balloon, a placard greeting card or other object of mass sufficient of mass to overcome the buoyancy of the balloon when inflated and articles such as a ribbon for joining the balloon to the placard. In an alternative embodiment, the neck of the balloon is inserted directly into the placard. In package form the balloon kit is sealed in a plastic overwrap.Type: GrantFiled: July 3, 1996Date of Patent: August 25, 1998Assignee: M & D Balloons, Inc.Inventor: Dale Alan Harris
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Patent number: 5779614Abstract: An arrangement is provided for the automatic folding of toy balloons. A series of folding plates are provided along a path of travel and a vacuum conveyor provides traction force for the balloon as it slides across the folding plates. The folding plates interfere with the path of travel of the balloon causing the balloon to fold side-to-side. Tucking blades fold the balloon lengthwise to complete the folding operation.Type: GrantFiled: September 5, 1995Date of Patent: July 14, 1998Assignee: M & D Balloons, Inc.Inventor: Richard John Kurtz
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Patent number: 5733406Abstract: Valve making apparatus heat seals valve films together, and cools the resulting product web. Valves are preferably formed in two side-by-side serial arrays, with each operation of a valve die forming multiple balloon valves, including a portion of a balloon valve to be completed on a subsequent operation of the sealing die. A tension control and web conveyor are also disclosed.Type: GrantFiled: October 2, 1995Date of Patent: March 31, 1998Assignee: M & D Balloons, Inc.Inventor: Karl Dean Knight
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Patent number: 5595521Abstract: Balloon assemblies and valves for balloons have improved inflation capabilities. The inlet ends of the balloon valves are disrupted either with a slit or a portion of material removal to prevent the inlet end from being folded back into the valve passageway during insertion of an inflation probe. With the inlet end slit, the slit portions are readily folded back by the inflation probe, thus preventing potential blockage of the valve inlet.Type: GrantFiled: June 7, 1995Date of Patent: January 21, 1997Assignee: M & D Balloons, Inc.Inventor: Charles R. Becker
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Patent number: 5514022Abstract: A balloon package is provided to facilitate erection of a balloon assembly, which prevents unintentional loss of buoyant balloons. The package includes an uninflated balloon, a placard or preferably planar object of a mass sufficient to overcome the buoyancy of the balloon when inflated and articles such as a ribbon for joining the balloon to the placard. In an alternative embodiment, the neck of the balloon is inserted directly into the placard. In package form the balloon kit is sealed in a plastic overwrap.Type: GrantFiled: November 2, 1994Date of Patent: May 7, 1996Assignee: M & D Balloons, Inc.Inventor: Dale A. Harris
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Patent number: 5482492Abstract: Balloon assemblies and valves for balloons have improved inflation capabilities. The inlet ends of the balloon valves are disrupted either with a slit or a portion of material removal to prevent the inlet end from being folded back into the valve passageway during insertion of an inflation probe. With the inlet end slit, the slit portions are readily folded back by the inflation probe, thus preventing potential blockage of the valve inlet.Type: GrantFiled: January 10, 1994Date of Patent: January 9, 1996Assignee: M & D Balloons, Inc.Inventor: Charles R. Becker
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Patent number: 5378299Abstract: A method of making a balloon includes providing two balloon films and providing two valve films. The two valve films are placed one on top of the other and then inserted between the two balloon films. Then a portion of each of the valve films is tack sealed to its respective adjacent balloon film. The valve films are then sealed together to form a valve passageway therein. During the valve sealing step, the balloon films are held in a fanned out manner. Finally, the balloon films are sealed together along the perimeter thereof to form the balloon.Type: GrantFiled: April 5, 1993Date of Patent: January 3, 1995Assignee: M & D Balloons, Inc.Inventors: John McGrath, Dennis Cope, Scott Harris, Charles Becker
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Patent number: 5378186Abstract: A balloon of at least two balloons is facilitated by a connecting tab on one balloon joined to a collar on another balloon. The collar wraps around the connecting tab to contribute to the aesthetic appearance of the balloon assembly by hiding the balloon joinder.Type: GrantFiled: January 10, 1994Date of Patent: January 3, 1995Assignee: M & D Balloons, Inc.Inventor: Charles R. Becker
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Patent number: 5248275Abstract: A balloon includes a pair of overlying valve film strips disposed between a pair of overlying balloon films, which include neck and body portions. The valve film strips extend at an angle to a central axis of the neck portions, and valve seals formed in the valve film strips direct incoming gas from an inlet adjacent the neck, to an outlet between the body portions. Methods of assembling the balloons by forming the valve seams and neck seams without moving the balloon films or valve film strips is also disclosed.Type: GrantFiled: May 20, 1991Date of Patent: September 28, 1993Assignee: M & D Balloons, Inc.Inventors: John McGrath, Dennis Cope, Scott Harris, Charles Becker
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Patent number: 4597244Abstract: A method for forming an inflated gift wrapping includes the insertion of a gift or other item into an open-end of an envelope, at least partially inflating the envelope with an inert gas and thereafter completely sealing the envelope. The envelope is thus formed into an inflated gift wrapping, preferably composed of a pair of overlying panels that are heat-sealed together about their perimeters. In a preferred embodiment of this invention, the packaged item is inserted into a first open-end of the envelope, the first end of the envelope is heat-sealed, the envelope is pressurized with the inert gas through a second and opposite open end thereof, and then the second end of the envelope is heat-sealed to form a fully closed and sealed wrapping.Type: GrantFiled: July 27, 1984Date of Patent: July 1, 1986Assignee: M & D Balloons, Inc.Inventor: Daniel A. Pharo