Balloon chin as counterbalance

Abstract

A chin portion is provided for non-latex balloons to counterbalance the weight of a device such as one or more light or sound producing devices attached to the balloon. The chin may be integral with the balloon or it may be attached as a separate entity. The chin includes a neck portion that is open to allow the chin to be inflated.

Description

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

[0001] N/A

STATEMENT REGARDING FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCH OR DEVELOPMENT

[0002] N/A

REFERENCE TO A SEQUENCE LISTING

[0003] N/A

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[0004] Balloons are popular novelty items. They are often used to celebrate a special occasion, such as a graduation, a birthday, a welcome home, etc. They are also used in displays, as decorations, are given away as promotional items and are sold as souvenirs, for example at fairs, zoos, the circus, etc.

[0005] Recently, there have been many innovations to balloons. For example, although latex was, and is still a commonly used balloon material, film-like polymeric materials such as Biaxially Oriented Nylon (BON), metallic BON, etc. have become quite popular for use in manufacturing balloons.

[0006] Film-like materials have a number of advantages over common latex. Film-like materials can be produced in a variety of colors including metallic colors, and can also be produced in transparent form. As such, balloons made from these film-like materials can be created having multi-colored bodies and ornate designs. Moreover, when transparent materials are used, the inside portion of a balloon can be used to provide another dimension to the creativeness of the design. Because these film-like materials do not yield or stretch, as do the latex materials, film-like balloons can be formed in a variety of shapes which maintain their general configuration when inflated.

[0007] The addition of lighting and sound modules is another example of a recent balloon innovation. For example, U.S. Pat. No. 5,947,581 to Schrimmer et al. discloses a lighted balloon having a self contained light member affixed to the balloon and U.S. Pat. No. 5,108,338 to Margolis discloses a musical balloon having a music producing device attached to the balloon. Other similar devices that are attached to balloons also exist.

[0008] However, balloons that have attached devices suffer from a number of drawbacks. For example, the devices must be extremely light weight so as not to impact the ability of the balloon to float when it is filled with a buoyant gas such as helium. Thus, the devices that can be attached must be limited in size and weight. Further, even if light weight, these devices tend to make the balloon list to the side on which the device is attached.

[0009] Thus, there exists a need for a counterbalance for a balloon that can compensate for the weight imbalance on one side of the balloon due to the attached device. There also exist a need for such a counterbalance that adds lift to the balloon to allow for larger devices to be attached to the balloon.

BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0010] The present invention provides a non-latex balloon counterbalanced for devices attached to the balloon. The balloon includes multiple balloon sheets such that at least two of the balloon sheets each have a body portion, a chin portion extending from the body portion and a neck portion extending from the chin portion. The body portion, the chin portion and the neck portion combine to define a periphery. The balloon sheets are attached together at the peripheries to define a balloon chamber including a body chamber, a chin chamber and a neck chamber. The chin chamber is larger than the neck chamber but smaller than the body chamber. The neck has an opening for introducing a gas to inflate the balloon.

[0011] Another aspect of the invention provides a balloon chin, which is attachable to a non-latex balloon, for counterbalancing a device attached to the balloon. The chin includes at least two balloon sheets each having a chin portion and a neck portion. The chin and neck portions together define an upper periphery and a lower periphery. The balloon sheets are attached together at the lower peripheries to define a bowl-like area. The neck portions when attached define an opening configured to allow a gas to pass through the attached peripheries. The upper peripheries are attachable to a non-latex balloon.

[0012] Still another aspect of the invention provides a method of counterbalancing a non-latex balloon having a device attached thereto. The method includes creating a chin for the balloon and locating the chin below a main portion of the balloon. The chin includes an open neck configured to allow a gas to pass therein.

[0013] The invention will next be described in connection with certain illustrated embodiments; however, it should be clear to those skilled in the art that various modifications, additions and subtractions can be made without departing from the spirit or scope of the claims.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE DRAWINGS

[0014] For a fuller understanding of the nature of the invention, reference should be made to the following detailed description and accompanying drawings, in which:

[0015] FIG. 1 is a front view of a balloon sheet in accordance with an embodiment of the invention;

[0016] FIG. 2 is a side view of two balloon sheets of the embodiment of FIG. 1 attached at their peripheries;

[0017] FIG. 3 is a front view of a balloon sheet in accordance with an alternate embodiment of the invention;

[0018] FIG. 4 is a front view of a balloon chin sheet in accordance with an alternate embodiment of the invention;

[0019] FIG. 5 is a front view of another alternate embodiment of a balloon chin sheet in accordance with an embodiment of the invention;

[0020] FIG. 6 is a front view of yet another alternate embodiment of a balloon chin sheet in accordance with an embodiment of the invention;

[0021] FIG. 7 is a front view of another alternate embodiment of a balloon chin sheet in accordance with an embodiment of the invention;

[0022] FIG. 8 is a front view of another alternate embodiment of a balloon chin sheet in accordance with an embodiment of the invention;

[0023] FIG. 9 is a front view of an alternate embodiment balloon chin sheet being attached to another balloon; and,

[0024] FIG. 10 is a balloon in accordance with FIG. 2 illustrating a device attached to the balloon.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0025] As illustrated in FIGS. 1,2 and 10, the invention provides a balloon 10 having a body 40, a chin 20 and a valve 30. The balloon 10 is formed of a substantially gas-impermeable, pressurizable material. In one form, the balloon 10 is formed from a film-like polymeric material, such as polyethylene terephthalate (commonly referred to as PET). PET can be formed as a fabric, a film and the like. The balloon 10 may also be formed from Biaxially Oriented Nylon (BON), metallic BON, combinations of these materials or other film-like materials.

[0026] Non-latex balloons are generally formed from a valve assembly 30 and two flexible sheets 5 that are cut into patterns and sealed together. The valve assembly 30 is typically formed from two lengths of polyethylene or polypropylene (although not required to be this material), heat bonded along the longer edges. During manufacture of the balloon 10, a “pick and place” machine tack-welds the valve in place against one of the flexible sheets. The outer edges (or peripheries) 99 of the flexible sheets 5 are then heat sealed to form the balloon 10. Those skilled in the art will recognize that there are various methods and devices for sealing such balloons 10. However, since the methods and devices for sealing the balloon are not critical to the present invention they will not be described further. In a typical arrangement, the balloon 10 will be filled with a buoyant gas, such as helium, which has a lesser density than air, so that the balloon 10 floats. As illustrated by FIG. 10, it is becoming popular to attach novelty devices 80 such as lights and/or sound producing devices 80 onto non-latex balloons 10. These novelty devices are generally attached to the front or rear of the balloon 10, either on the inner surface or the outer surface. Unfortunately, when a balloon 10 is inflated, with one of these novelty devices 80 attached, the balloon 10 tends to list to the side where the device 80 is attached. Depending upon the weight of the device 80 the listing could be very pronounced. Adding the chin 20 of the present invention alleviates a substantial part, if not all of this problem. Further, attaching the novelty device 80 to the chin 20, instead of to the body 40 further assists in alleviating the problem.

[0027] Adding the chin 20 to the balloon 10 elongates the balloon 20 thus making it more difficult for the device 80 to tip the balloon 10 to one side. Additionally, the chin 20 adds extra volume to the inside of the balloon 10 that can be filled with helium or the like, thus giving the balloon 10 more lift. The additional lift enables the balloon 10 to carry more weight, such as more powerful devices 80, additional power sources, larger devices 80 or possibly multiple novelty devices 80.

[0028] The chin 20 is preferably designed into the pattern of the sheets 5 that form the balloon 10 (as illustrated in FIGS. 1 and 3). While the chin 20 has been illustrates as substantially semicircular, those skilled in the art will recognize that other shapes may be employed for the chin 20. Alternatively, the chin 20 may be a separate entity that is attached to another balloon shape (as illustrated in FIG. 9).

[0029] FIGS. 4-8 illustrate some alternate designs for the chin 20 wherein the chin 20 is a separate entity attachable to another balloon 10. As seen from these figures, the chin 20 may include a neck 30, which is open to allow inflation of the chin 20. Additionally, the chin 20 may be made up of two portions, an upper portion 50 and a lower portion 70. The lower portion 70 is the portion of the chin 20 that will inflate and add the additional lift to the balloon 10. Thus, the peripheries of the lower portion are attached to each other to form a bowl or cup-like shape. As illustrated, the lower portion 70 may be generally round or oval although other shapes not illustrated may be employed without departing from the scope of the invention. The upper portion 50 may also be circular or oval and is the portion that will attach to the balloon 10. While for certain shaped balloons, the upper portion 50 may not be necessary, in others the upper portion allows the chin to be attached without leaving gaps between the chin and the balloon.

[0030] In a configuration where the chin 20 is separately attached, the chin 20 can be attached in a centered manner or it may be attached off center to compensate for heavier devices 80. When attaching the chin 20, either it will not be attached over the valve of the main balloon 10 or the valve 30 of the main balloon 10 will be removed and replaced with a opening that enables the balloon to be inflated through a valve 30 in the chin 20. The chin 20 may be attached to the main balloon by heat sealing or tack welding. The upper edges of the chin 20 are be attached to the sheets that form the main balloon 10.

[0031] It will be understood that changes may be made in the above construction and in the foregoing sequences of operation without departing from the scope of the invention. It is accordingly intended that all matter contained in the above description or shown in the accompanying drawings be interpreted as illustrative rather than in a limiting sense.

[0032] It is also to be understood that the following claims are intended to cover all of the generic and specific features of the invention as described herein, and all statements of the scope of the invention which, as a matter of language, might be said to fall therebetween.

Claims

1. A non-latex balloon counterbalanced for devices attached to the balloon, said balloon comprising:

a plurality of balloon sheets;

two of the plurality of sheets each having a body portion and a chin portion extending from the body portion and a neck portion extending from the chin portion;

the body portion, the chin portion and the neck portion defining a periphery;

the two balloon sheets being coupled together at the peripheries to define a chamber including a body, a chin and a neck;

the chin being larger than the neck and smaller than the body; and,

said neck having an opening therein for introducing a gas to inflate the balloon.

2. The balloon according to claim 1 wherein:

said balloon sheets comprise Biaxially Oriented Nylon (BON).

3. The balloon according to claim 1 further comprising a light producing device attached to said balloon.

4. The balloon according to claim 3 further comprising a plurality of light producing devices attached to said balloon.

5. The balloon according to claim 1 further comprising a sound producing device attached to said balloon.

6. The balloon according to claim 5 further comprising a plurality of sound producing devices attached to said balloon.

7. The balloon according to claim 5 further comprising a light producing device attached to said balloon.

8. A balloon chin attachable to a non-latex balloon for counterbalancing a device attached to the balloon, said chin comprising:

at least two balloon sheets each having a chin portion and a neck portion, said chin and neck portions defining an upper periphery and a lower periphery;

the balloon sheets being coupled together at said lower peripheries to define a bowl-like area; and,

said neck portions defining an opening configured to allow a gas to pass through said coupled peripheries.

9. The balloon chin according to claim 8 wherein said upper peripheries are attachable to a non-latex balloon.

10. The balloon chin according to claim 8 wherein said upper peripheries are integral with a balloon sheet, the balloon sheet including a body portion.

11. The balloon chin according to claim 8 wherein:

said chin portions of said balloon sheets are circular.

12. The balloon chin according to claim 8 wherein:

said chin portions of said balloon sheets are oval.

13. The balloon chin according to claim 8 wherein:

said chin portions of said balloon sheets include an lower portion and an upper portion;

said lower portion being substantially a half of a circle and said upper portion being substantially another half of a smaller circle.

14. The balloon chin according to claim 8 wherein:

said chin portions of said balloon sheets include an lower portion and an upper portion;

said lower portion being substantially a half of an oval and said upper portion being substantially another half of a smaller oval.

15. A method of counterbalancing a non-latex balloon having a device attached thereto, said method comprising:

creating a chin for said balloon; and,

locating said chin below a main portion of said balloon;

wherein said chin includes an open neck configured to allow a gas to pass into said chin.

16. The method according to claim 15 further comprising forming said chin integrally with said main portion of said balloon.

17. The method according to claim 15 further comprising bonding said chin to said main portion of said balloon.

18. The method according to claim 15 further comprising creating an opening in said main portion of said balloon such that a gas passing into said chin portion can pass into said main portion.