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 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 process for fabricating a high barrier lamination suitable for the construction of lighter than air materials including providing a thin, two layer thermoplastic film consisting of an amorphous copolyester skin and a high crystalline polyester core; plasma treating the high crystalline polyester core layer to a surface energy of about 50 to about 68 dyne; depositing a metal barrier layer to an optical density of about 2.2 to about 3.2; and extrusion coating a linear low density polyethylene sealant layer on the amorphous copolyester skin layer.

Abstract: A weight for a lighter-than-air balloon is disclosed. The weight includes a spool, adapted to receive a ribbon for attachment to the balloon, and a hook, including a ribbon catch and adapted to facilitate display of the balloon.