AU714394B3 - Self-inflating balloon - Google Patents

Description

Cli-

AUSTRALIA

Patents Act 1990 COMPLETE SPECIFICATION FOR A PETTY PATENT Name of Applicant: Actual Inventor: Address for Service: Invention Title: WORLD CONCEPTS PTY. LIMITED 067 537 964) Thomas Leslie OPIE CULLEN

CO.,

Patent Trade Mark Attorneys, 240 Queen Street, Brisbane, QId. 4000, Australia.

SELF-INFLATING BALLOON The following statement is a full description of this invention including the best method of performing it known to us: 2 SELF-INFLATING BALLOON This invention is directed to a self-inflating balloon which uses carbon dioxide which is generated by a reaction between carbonate(s) and succinic acid or a derivative thereof.

Self-inflating balloons are known in the art. The term "balloon" is meant to be interpreted broadly and can include balloons of various shapes such as spherical, oval, novelty shapes such as heart shapes, star shapes and the like, and caricature shapes such as puppets, dolls and the like.

These balloons have an internal source of gas generating agents which can be activated to generate a gas (typically carbon dioxide) which inflates the balloon. It is known to have small canisters of pressurised air within a deflated balloon. Unfortunately, these canisters can be quite dangerous as inadvertent rupture of the canister will result in explosive inflation of the balloon, and are bulky which means that the deflated balloon cannot be flat stacked. More conveniently, it is known to provide self-inflating balloons using carbon dioxide which is generated by chemical reactions of various types. One known type of chemical reaction is between lemon juice (citric acid) and baking powder (sodium bicarbonate). It is also know to provide acetic acid or tartaric acid with a bicarbonate to generate carbon dioxide. Another known chemical reaction is between sodium hydrogen carbonate and an acidic solution.

These known gas generating reactions find suitability for inflating fairly small inflatable toys but it is found that they are less suitable for inflating larger toys or larger balloons. It is also found that known gas generating reactions generate gas at undesirable rates sometimes too slowly and other times too quickly, and sometimes generate gas sporadically.

It is found to be unsatisfactory to increase the amount of the chemical reagents in order to self-inflate balloons of large volume as the reagents become too bulky and difficulties occur with a smooth, steady and full self-inflation.

It is also important to ensure that the chemical reactants are 3 non-toxic to humans, have a stable shelf life, and generate a safe gas (typically carbon dioxide). It is also important to ensure that self-inflation does not occur explosively nor does it occur too slowly. The rate of inflation should also be relatively insensitive to variations in room temperature.

Finally, it is desirable to have chemical reagents which can inflate larger volume balloons while not being too bulky.

After much research and experimentation, a particular combination of gas generating agents has been found which will allow inflatable members such as balloons to be self-inflated in a desirable manner.

It has now been found that succinic acid or a derivative thereof is an excellent compound for addition to a bicarbonate to generate sufficient volumes or carbon dioxide and in a safe and useful manner.

The composition finds particular use with larger balloons which are considered to be those having a diameter of 18cm or more.

In one form, the invention resides in a self-inflating balloon which is inflated by an internal source of gas which is generated by a reaction between carbonate(s) and succinic acid or a derivative thereof.

The derivative of succinic acid may include the anhydride thereof, a salt thereof, or any derivative which can produce succinic acid for reaction with the carbonate.

Again, and after much research and experimentation, it has been found that calcium carbonate, magnesium carbonate and/or mixtures thereof are especially suitable for reaction with the succinic acid to produce acceptable quantities and rates or carbon dioxide.

However, other types of carbonates are also envisaged providing that the reaction occurs at a satisfactory rate.

The balloon can be of various shapes and sizes and can include spherical shapes, elongate shapes, novelty shapes and the like.

The balloon material can include rubbers, silicones, multilayered laminated material having a high density and high strength, laminates of nylon, LLDPE, PET, coated materials, nylons, other types of polyethylenes, metallic bags, mylar foils, and other materials suitable for self-inflation.

Typically, the balloons are completely sealed which means that there is no inlet which requires tying after the balloon is inflated.

The carbonate(s) and the succinic acid are placed within the deflated balloon. The components are separated from each other but are able to be mixed together when desired to generate the carbon dioxide to inflate the balloon.

In order to make the balloon fairly slim when deflated, the chemical compounds are within fairly large and thin pouches or sachets.

The pouches or sachets can be ruptured or otherwise broken open at a desired time to start the self-inflation process.

In one form of the invention, a compound pouch is provided having an internal sealed pouch surrounded by an external sealed pouch.

The internal sealed pouch houses the succinic acid while the external sealed pouch houses the carbonate(s). In this manner, the compound pouch can be squeezed by a person's fingers to mix the ingredients together.

In order to facilitate gas generation at an acceptable rate, the succinic acid is at least partially dissolved into solution. Typically, an aqueous solution of succinic acid is provided in the internal sealed pouch while a dry mix of carbonate(s) is in the external sealed pouch.

In one form, the ratio of succinic acid to the carbonate(s) is such to allow an excess of the carbonate(s) to be present after the reaction has been completed. Typically, a ratio of 1.2:1.1 is considered useful.

The present invention is also directed to the realisation that the rate of gas inflation should vary over time in order to provide inflation at an acceptable time. It is found that initially, inflation should be more rapid followed by slower amounts of inflation.

It has now been found that this can be achieved by using a promoter with the succinic acid. In one form, the promoter comprises an additional acid which allows a more rapid evolution of carbon dioxide gas at the beginning of the reaction phase. A suitable acid is acetic acid.

In one form therefore, the invention resides in using succinic acid dissolved in aqueous which contains a dilute solution of the promoter (typically acetic acid). A 0.5% solution of acetic acid is considered suitable.

Again, it is preferred that an excess of carbonate(s) is provided.

An embodiment of the invention will be described and with reference to the drawing which illustrated schematically a self-inflating balloon.

Referring to the figure, there is illustrated a flattened balloon made of mylar foil. Inside balloon 10 is a compound pouch which consists of a plastic outer pouch 11 formed of PET PET and CPP, and a thin plastic inner pouch 12 formed of OPP and PP.

Inner pouch 12 contains a solution of succinic acid dissolved in aqueous acetic acid. The plastic outer pouch 11 contains calcium carbonate or dolomite which is a mixture of calcium and magnesium carbonates.

With the use of succinic acid and calcium carbonate, the ratio between the acid and the carbonate is 1.2:1.1 to allow a surplus of the carbonate to be present after the reaction has been completed.

If dolomite is used, the ratio of succinic acid to dolomite is 1.2:1.0 again to allow an excess of the carbonate to be present.

The addition of the dilute acetic acid generates carbon dioxide gas initially at a faster rate (presumably with the reaction of acetic acid with a carbonate), and then at a slower rate (presumably with the reaction of the succinic acid with the carbonate).

The chemical components allows balloons in excess of 18cm to be self-inflated adequately and at an appreciable rate.

The formulation is non-toxic and can be used by all family members even the invalid or elderly.

The particular chemical composition allows a balloon to be inflated in under 30 seconds or so which is considered superior to other types of self-inflating agents. The chemical components are fairly lightweight and are stable which means that the deflated balloons can be sent all around the world with little likelihood of spontaneous inflation.

The amount of acid and carbonate(s) will vary depending on the 6 volume of carbon dioxide required. It is considered that a person skilled in the art and using the above ratios would be able to determine the weight components required.

It should be appreciated that various other changes and modifications can be made to the embodiment described without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention as claimed.

Claims (3)

1. A self-inflating balloon which is inflated by an internal source of gas which is generated by a reaction between carbonate(s) and an acqueous solution of succinic acid, and a promoter which comprises acetic acid, the aqueous solution providing an initial more rapid inflation rate to the balloon.

2. The balloon of claim 1 wherein the carbonate(s) is calcium carbonate, magnesium carbonate, or a mixture thereof.

3. The balloon of claim 1 or claim 2 substantially as hereinbefore described and with reference to the drawing. DATED this 15th day of October 1999 WORLD CONCEPTS PTY. LIMITED 067 537 964) By their Patent Attorneys CULLEN CO.