Abstract: A balloon valve and pouch assembly 1 is mounted in a neck portion of a balloon and comprises a balloon valve 2 and a pouch 3. The pouch 3 is adapted to receive and retain an illumination device 100 in a predetermined position. The valve 2 has a valve inlet 2A and a valve outlet 2B provided at an opposite end of the valve 2. The valve 2 is delimited by sealing path 4 and layers 2C, 2D. The pouch 3 comprises an opening 3A through which an illumination device 100 can be inserted and a closed opposite end of the pouch 3B. The pouch 3 is delimited by the first sealing path 5 and layers 3C, 3D. The layers 3C, 3D are heat-sealed together along a first sealing path 5, which is substantially V-shaped, with the open end of the V-shape defining the pouch opening 3A and the closed end of the V-shape defining the closed end of the pouch 3B.

Abstract: A balloon (10) extending generally axially from an opening (14) at a first end. The balloon comprises an elastomeric film (11) having a first thickness and a plurality of intersecting ribs (12) of a second, greater thickness formed on the film. The ribs are adapted so as to be angled with respect to the axis (13) of the balloon and any axis perpendicular thereto. Such a balloon has increased tear resistance, and can be manufactured with conventional dipping techniques without compromising the integrity of the film. The ribs may comprise a plurality of helices. There is also a former for making such a balloon and a method of using such a former to make such a balloon.

Abstract: A balloon comprises a printed display. The printed display comprises: a printed image layer; a blocking layer provided behind selected portions of the printed image layer; and a diffusion layer provided behind at least those portions of the printed image layer not backed by the blocking layer. The blocking layer acts to block illumination of portions of the printed image layer, such that the printed display provides a different appearance when lit primarily from inside the balloon to when lit primarily from outside the balloon.

Abstract: A balloon comprises a printed display. The printed display comprises: a printed image layer; a blocking layer provided behind selected portions of the printed image layer; and a diffusion layer provided behind at least those portions of the printed image layer not backed by the blocking layer. The blocking layer acts to block illumination of portions of the printed image layer, such that the printed display provides a different appearance when lit primarily from inside the balloon to when lit primarily from outside the balloon.

Abstract: An illumination device for mounting inside a balloon comprises a light source, such as LED, and a battery power source for the light source, both mounted in a housing. The housing is provided as an inner part of a first plastics material in which the battery power source is housed and an outer casing of a second plastics material, which at least partially surrounds the inner part and provides a cover for the light source. The second plastics material is transparent and resiliently deformable and may be a thermoplastics elastomer. In preferred embodiments the housing is provided as a one-piece unit which is a co-molding of the first plastics material and the second plastics material, and which is provided as two mating sections hingedly connected to each other.

Abstract: In respect of a balloon (10) having an illumination device (20), including a light emitting member, which is mounted onto the wall inside the balloon cavity, at least one sheet (22, 24) of flexible material is connected to the illumination device inside the balloon cavity to serve as a parachute for the illumination device (20) in the event of rupture of the wall of the balloon when in an inflated condition. In embodiments where the illumination device is provided with a projection (12) and is mounted to the wall of the balloon by an attachment element, such as elastic band (18), engaging said projection from outside the balloon, the or each sheet of flexible material (22, 24) serving as the parachute may be connected to the illumination device (20) and to the balloon wall by location over the projection (12) and engagement by the same attachment member.

Abstract: A balloon (10) extending generally axially from an opening (14) at a first end. The balloon comprises an elastomeric film (11) having a first thickness and a plurality of intersecting ribs (12) of a second, greater thickness formed on the film The ribs are adapted so as to be angled with respect to the axis (13) of the balloon and any axis perpendicular thereto. Such a balloon has increased tear resistance, and can be manufactured with conventional dipping techniques without compromising the integrity of the film. The ribs may comprise a plurality of helices. There is also a former for making such a balloon and a method of using such a former to make such a balloon.

Abstract: An attachment device for attachment to a membrane without puncturing the membrane. It comprises two interengaging parts (10, 12) and an O-ring (50) held by the interengaging parts (10, 12) when the device is in use. The interengaging parts (10, 12) are movable relative to one another from a position in which they are able to receive the O-ring (50) to a position in which they trap the O-ring (50). As a result, when the device is attached to a membrane (52), the interengaging parts (10, 12) can be located on one side of the membrane (52) with the O-ring (50) on the other side of the membrane (52) adjacent to the interengaging parts (10, 12), and the O-ring (50) can be slipped over at least one of the interengaging parts (10, 12) with the membrane (52) extending between the O-ring (50) and at least one of the interengaging parts (10, 12).

Abstract: An illumination device for mounting inside a balloon comprises a light source, such as LED, and a battery power source for the light source, both mounted in a housing. The housing is provided as an inner part of a first plastics material in which the battery power source is housed and an outer casing of a second plastics material, which at least partially surrounds the inner part and provides a cover for the light source. The second plastics material is transparent and resiliently deformable and may be a thermoplastics elastomer. In preferred embodiments the housing is provided as a one-piece unit which is a co-moulding of the first plastics material and the second plastics material, and which is provided as two mating sections hingedly connected to each other.

Abstract: An electronic unit incorporating an LED or a sound source, a battery power source, and a displaceable actuator to connect the LED or sound source to the power source, is mounted inside a non-latex balloon by firstly being bonded by means of a cover sheet to the exterior of one of the flexible strips of a self-sealing valve located in and through the neck of the balloon. This may take place by heat sealing and simultaneously with the bonding together by heat seal of the respective elongate strips of the valve. Thereafter, the combined unit and self-sealing valve are bonded, again preferably by heat sealing, between respective balloon sheets in the vicinity of the stem of the balloon. Winged portions on the inflation valve strips and the cover and corresponding bulges where the balloon body emerges to the balloon stem may be provided.

Abstract: In respect of a balloon (10) having an illumination device (20), including a light emitting member, which is mounted onto the wall inside the balloon cavity, at least one sheet (22, 24) of flexible material is connected to the illumination device inside the balloon cavity to serve as a parachute for the illumination device (20) in the event of rupture of the wall of the balloon when in an inflated condition. In embodiments where the illumination device is provided with a projection (12) and is mounted to the wall of the balloon by an attachment element, such as elastic band (18), engaging said projection from outside the balloon, the or each sheet of flexible material (22, 24) serving as the parachute may be connected to the illumination device (20) and to the balloon wall by location over the projection (12) and engagement by the same attachment member.

Abstract: A device which will act efficiently as a float for any article (e.g. keys, mobile telephone, wallet) attached thereto when dropped into water comprises an inflatable bag (14) of substantially waterproof and air impervious material, a container (12) of compressed gas, and trigger means (16,30,32) associated with the container (12) and operable upon immersion of the device in water to open the container (12) and allow gas from the container (14) to inflate the bag (14). The trigger means comprises a valve (16) mounted on the container (12) and connecting the container to the inflatable bag (14), retainer means (30) operative to hold the valve (16) in a closed condition, and water reactive means (32) which, upon contact with water, serves to release the retainer means (30) and allow the valve to open. The water reactive means may comprise a band of material (32), at least part of which is water reactive.

Abstract: An attachment device for attachment to a membrane without puncturing the membrane. It comprises two interengaging parts (10, 12) and an O-ring (50) held by the interengaging parts (10, 12) when the device is in use. The interengaging parts (10, 12) are movable relative to one another from a position in which they are able to receive the O-ring (50) to a position in which they trap the O-ring (50). As a result, when the device is attached to a membrane (52), the interengaging parts (10, 12) can be located on one side of the membrane (52) with the O-ring (50) on the other side of the membrane (52) adjacent to the interengaging parts (10, 12), and the O-ring (50) can be slipped over at least one of the interengaging parts (10, 12) with the membrane (52) extending between the O-ring (50) and at least one of the interengaging parts (10, 12).

Abstract: An electronic unit incorporating an LED or a sound source, a battery power source, and a displaceable actuator to connect the LED or sound source to the power source, is mounted inside a non-latex balloon by firstly being bonded by means of a cover sheet to the exterior of one of the flexible strips of a self-sealing valve located in and through the neck of the balloon. This may take place by heat sealing and simultaneously with the bonding together by heat seal of the respective elongate strips of the valve. Thereafter, the combined unit and self-sealing valve are bonded, again preferably by heat sealing, between respective balloon sheets in the vicinity of the stem of the balloon. Winged portions on the inflation valve strips and the cover and corresponding bulges where the balloon body emerges to the balloon stem may be provided.