GB2509511A

GB2509511A - Illumination device for a balloon

Info

Publication number: GB2509511A
Application number: GB201300117A
Authority: GB
Inventors: James Halliburton; Tony Rhoades
Original assignee: Seatriever International Holdings Ltd
Current assignee: Seatriever International Holdings Ltd
Priority date: 2013-01-04
Filing date: 2013-01-04
Publication date: 2014-07-09
Anticipated expiration: 2033-01-04
Also published as: GB2509511B; GB201300117D0

Abstract

An illumination device 1 comprises a housing 10 containing a light source, typically an LED, and a power source, typically one or more batteries. The light source and the power source are electrically connected via contacts. Initially, a strip 3 of insulating material is interposed between the contacts. Removal of the strip 3, by pulling on its distal end 31, enables an electrical connection to be made between light source and power source, thereby illuminating the balloon 2. The illumination device 1 further comprises a flexible element 20 projecting outwardly of the housing 10. The flexible element 20 presents a significant obstacle to removal of the illumination device 1 from the balloon. The flexible element 20 has the additional benefit of reducing the choking hazard presented by the device 1. In one embodiment, the flexible element 20 is in the form of a disc projecting from the equator of the illumination device 1.

Description

Illumination Device

Technical Field of the Invention

The present invention relates to an illmnination device adapted to be provided inside the cavity of a balloon comprising a flexible wall which is at least partially transparent or translucent, In particular, the present invention relates to such an illumination device which is not mounted or attached to the walls of the balloon.

Background to the Invention

The applicant's earlier patent specification W0 2008/110832 discloses a party balloon, that is to say a toy balloon, having an illumination device mounted inside, the illumination device comprising a light enñtting diode (LED) powered by at least one -.44 L,.I LjI%i i+ .,.,,L--,-, 4-...-. .4-.._..,t4 4-uaLlery. inC slgms up vvnCn a Stiap Oi lnsulaLlllgnlalclun vv,u.iwaWflnOiii uetwcen the battery and the LED to complete the circuit and the balloon is thereby illuminated from its interior.

In the applicant's lcnown party balloon the illumination device is mounted to the 1.5 inside of the balloon wail by having a projection which is engaged from outside the balloon by an attachment element, such as a clip or a band, more specifically an 0-ring of elastic material. Projections in the form of a partially spherical button or, more preferably a flattened button, were proposed.

Attending to the mounting of the illumination device within the balloon can be intricate and time consuming work. As such, it may have a significant impact on the cost of the party balloon. Accordingly, some competing products comprise a substantially spherical illumination device provided within the balloon cavity but not attached to the balloon walls. This can provide a considerable saving in assembly time and cost but has some potential drawbacks when considering the fmished product. Firstly, since the illumination device is sized so as to be passed through the neclc of the balloon during assembly, there is significant likelihood of that the illumination device may subsequently escape the neck of the balloon before activation, whether inadvei-tently, in response to deliberate intervention or otherwise. In such circumstances, this may result in initation for the consumer if the illumination device becomes separated from the balloon. More seriously, an illumination device of a size to fit through the neck of a balloon will typically comprise a choking hazard for a child when separated from the balloon.

Accordingly such devices will fall foul of consumer safety regulations in many jurisdictions and be barred from legal sale.

It is therefore an object of the present invention to provide an illumination device for a balloon that at least partly overcomes or alleviates the above problems.

Summary of the Invention

According to a first aspect of the present invention there is provided an illumination device suitable for use inside the cavity of a balloon comprising a flexible wall which is at least partially transparent or translucent, the illumination device comprising: a light sow-ce; a power source, the power source initially disconnected from the light source; an activation means operable to enable a connection between the light source and the power source; and a housing within which the light source and power source are mounted, wherein the housing is provided with one or more flexible elements projecting outwardly of the housing.

The flexible elements can be readily deformed to enable insertion of the illumination device through the neck of a balloon but are not readily deformed once within the balloon. As such they provide a significant obstacle to removal of the illumination device from the balloon. Furthermore, even if such an illumination device were to be removed from the balloon the flexible elements additionally reduce the potential choking hazard posed by the device.

The or each flexible element may be adapted to fold substantially adjacent to the exterior surfaces of the housing. In such embodiments, the or each flexible element is preferably adapted to resiliently rebound to a projecting position after folding.

The flexible elements may take any suitable shape. In particular, suitable shapes may be substantially planar, substantially elongate, substantially circular or arcuate, substantially tubular, substantially square, rectangular or of other substantially polygonal font. In one embodiment, the or each flexible element may comprise a flexible spine projecting outwardly of the housing. In a farther embodiment, the or each flexible element may comprise a block of resiliently deformable material. Preferably, said blocks may comprise foam material.

The or each flexible element may comprise a fin. In one embodiment, the or each flexible element comprises one or more less flexible ribs having one or more flexible sheets extending therefrom or therebetween. The less flexible ribs may serve to aid resilient rebound of the elements. The more flexible sheets may act as a parachute for the illumination device in the event of rupture of the balloon. As such, the sheets increase the drag on the illumination device and thus reduce its velocity. This reduces the rislc of injury caused by the illumination device in the event of rupture of the balloon.

The surface of the housing may be adapted to provide recesses corresponding to all or part of the or each flexible element. In particular, the housing may be adapted to 4.

provide recesses corresponding to the rib portions of flexible elements. The recesses enable the device to present a smaller smoother profile for insertion through the neck of a balloon.

The flexible elements may be provided at opposing sides of the housing or the or each flexible element may be provided around an equator of the housing.

The housing is preferably at least partly transparent, translucent or reflective. In this maimer, the housing does not inhibit the illumination of the balloon by the light source, The housing may have any suitable shape. Preferably, the housing has a substantially smooth or curved exterior. This is advantageous to reduce the risk of the housing causing a rupture of the balloon. It is also advantageous in that it reduces the risk of injury posed by the housing if the balloon is ruptured. In one preferred embodiment, the housing is substantially spherical. In another preferred embodiment, the housing is substantially elongate. In further embodiments, the housing may be substantially egg shaped or substantially disc shaped.

The housing may be formed of a resiliently deformable material. This can reduce the risk of injury posed by the device, particularly after balloon rupture.

The light source may take any suitable form. Preferably, the light source is an LED. The power source may take any suitable form. Preferably, the power source is one or more batteries.

The activation means may comprise a manually actuated switch. The switch is operable to coumect the light source to the power source. Preferably, the activation means comprises a strip of insulating material, an end of which is initially interposed between contacts of an electrical connection between the light source and the power source, withdrawal of the strip thereby enabling connection between the contacts. Hence removal of the strip provides an electrical connection between the light source and power source. The strip of insulating material maybe adapted to project out of the neck of the balloon. The strip may be provided with an outer end region of enlarged width.

Preferably, the outer end region projects outside the neck of the balloon. The strip may further be provided with a second region of enlarged width at a spacing from the enlarged outer end region. The width of said second region may be chosen so that it tends to remain inside the neck of the balloon, with the rim of the balloon membrane lodged between the respective enlarged width regions, unless a significant force is used to pull the strip outwardly of the balloon. This prevents inadvertent pulling out of the strip during transport and handling of the uninulated balloon prior to use. The provision of a strip of this form may provide a further obstacle to removal of the illumination device from a balloon.

According to a second aspect of the present invention, there is provided a balloon provided with an illumination device according to the first aspect of the present invention therein.

The balloon of the second aspect ofthe present invention may incorporate any or all features of the first aspect of the present invention as required or desired.

The balloon is preferably at least partly transparent or translucent. The balloon may be formed in one piece of elastomeric material. An example of a suitable elastomeric material is latex. The balloon may alternatively be fonned from two sheets of flexible material connected around their edges. Such sheeting may comprise substantially inelastic material. Examples of suitable inelastic sheet material include metallised plastics material or Mylar

Detailed Description of the Invention

In order that the invention may be more clearly understood embodiments thereof will now be described, by way of example only, with reference to the accompanying drawings, of which: Figure Ia is a cross-sectional illustration of an illumination device according to the

prior art prior to activation;

Figure lb is a cross-sectional illustration of an illumination device according to the

prior art afler activation;

Figure 2 is a schematic illustration of an illumination device according to the prior art provided within a balloon; Figure 3a is a side view of an illumination device according to the present invention; Figure 3b is a plan view of an illumination device according to figure 3a; Figure 3c is a side view of an illumination device according to figures 3a and 3b, wherein the flexible element has been folded for insertion into a balloon; Figure 4a is a side view of an alternative embodiment of an illumination device according to the present invention; Figure 4b is a plan view of an alternative embodiment of an illumination device according to figure 4a; Figure 5a is a plan view of an alternative embodiment of an illumination device according to the present invention; Figure 5b is a side view of an illumination device according to figure 5a, wherein the flexible element has been folded for insertion into a balloon; Figure 6 is a side view of an illumination device according to the present invention, the view omitting the flexible element to better illustrate surface formations of the housing; Figure 7a is a perspective view of another alternative embodiment of an illumination device according to the present invention; Figure 7b is an end view of the illumination device of figure 7a; Figure 8a isa schematic illustration of an illumination device according to figures 3a, 3b and 3c provided within a balloon; Figure 8b is a schematic illustration of an illumination device according to figure 7a and 7b provided within a balloon; Figure 9a is a plan view of a flu-ther alternative embodiment of an illumination device according to the present invention; Figure 9b is a side view of anpther thither alternative embodiment of an illumination device according to the present invention; Figure 9c is a side view of a still fin-ther alternative embodiment of an illumination device according to the present invention; Figure 9d is a side view of one more alternative embodiment of an illumination device according to the present invention; Figure 9e is a side view of an additional alternative embodiment of an illumination device according to the present invention; Figure 9f is a side view of another additional alternative embodiment of an illumination device according to the present invention; and Figure 9g is a side view of still one more alternative embodiment of an illumination device according to the present invention.

Turning now to figures 1 a, lb & 2 a known illumination device 1 for use inside a balloon 2 is shown. The illumination device 1 is provided inside the at least partly transparent or translucent balloon 2 for the purpose of illuminating the balloon 2.

The illumination device 1 comprises a housing 10 containing a light source 11, typically an LED, and a power source 12, typically one or more batteries. The light source 11 and the power source 12 are electrically connected via contacts 13, 14.

Initially, a sthp 3 of insulating material is interposed between the contacts 13, 15.

Removal ofthe strip 3, by pulling on its distal end, enables an electrical connection to be made between light source 11 and power source 12, thereby illuminating the balloon 2, The housing 10 has a substantially spherical exterior. Inside the housing, cavity 16 is adapted to hold both the light source 11 and power source 12. The spherical nature of the housing facilitates insertion of the housing into the balloon 2 through its neclc 4.

The spherical shape however also provides the drawback that the illumination device 1 can also pass back through the neck 4 relatively easily. Furthermore, the spherical shape, along with being sized so as to fit through the neck 4 means that the illumination device 1 presents a choking hazard.

Turning now to figures 3a-3c, an improved illumination device I according o the present invention is shown. As compared with the device of figures 1 & 2, the improved device 1 comprises an additional flexible element 20 projecting outwardly of the housing 10. Tn this embodiment, the flexible element 20 is in the form of a disc projecting from the equator of the illumination device 1. As is illustrated in figure 3c, the flexible element 20 may be folded downwardly to facilitate passing the device 1 through a balloon neck 4. Once introduced into the balloon 2, the flexible element 20 will resiliently rebound so as to project from the equator of the housing 10. In the projecting position, the flexible element presents a significant obstacle to removal of the illumination device 1 from the balloon. The flexible element 20 has the additional benefit of reducing the choking hazard presented by the device 1.

A further possible development of the flexible element 20 is shown in figures 4a & 4b. In these figures, the flexible element 20 comprises a sheet 22 and ribs 21. The sheet 22 is typically made from thinner more flexible material than the ribs 21. In this way, the ribs 21 may provide the majority of the structural strength and resilient rebound of the flexible element 20 whilst the thinner sheets 22 reduce the overall mass of the flexible element. This rib 21 and sheet 22 construction can make it easier for a manufacturer to fold the flexible element 20 for insertion through the neck 4. The sheets 22 may also act as a parachute if the device 1 is violently ejected from a ruptured balloon 2, This reduces the ejection velocity of the device 1, and thus the potential for injury, should this event occur.

A further variant of this rib 21 and sheet 22 construction is shown in figures Sa and Sb. In this example, the sheet is provided with a plurali' of apertures 23. The apertures 23 may help further reduce the weight of the sheet 22 or its choking potential.

The apertures 23 may also enable a cord 25 to be threaded through successive apertures 23 to hold the flexible element 20 in a folded position, ftirther facilitating insertion of the device through a balloon neck 4. In such cases, the cord 25 may be cut, untied or otherwise removed after insertion to allow the flexible element 20 to resiliently rebound.

Additionally shown in figure 5 are fold lines 24, which may be perforated or pre-scored in some embodiments. The fold lines 24 facilitate folding of the sheet 22.

Inembodiments such as those shown in figures 4 & 5, the housing 10 may also be adapted to aid the folding of the flexible element 20 for insertion. As is shown in figure 6, the lower half of a housing 10 may be provided with a plurality of recessed groove 16 colTesponding to ribs 21.

Turning now to figures 7a & 7b, a thrther alternative form of an illumination device I is shown. In this embodiment, the device 1 is provided with an elongate curved housing 10 rather than the spherical housing shown hi the previous figures. Additionally, there is provided a pair of flexible elements 20 projecting from opposing side of the housing. In this instance, the elements 20 are in the form of simple fins or wings. The elements 20 may be wrapped around the sides of the housing for insertion in the manner shown in figure 7b.

Turning now to figure Sa, an illumination device I according to the embodiment of figure 3 is provided within a balloon 2. The insulating strip 3 of the device I extends through the neck 4 to the exterior of the balloon 2. By pulling on the end of strip 3, the device 1 may be activated to illuminate the balloon 2. As can be seen in this figure, the end of the strip 3 is provided with an enlarged outer end region 3 1 hi the shape of an arrowhead. The enlarged outer end region 31 prevents the end of the strip from passing through the necic 4. The strip is also provided with a second region of enlarged width 32.

The second region 32 is adapted so that it can be rolled or folded carefully to allow it to pass through the neck 4 but that when lying flat tends to remain inside the neclc 4. This acts both to prevent the strip being inadvertently removed and further acts to help prevent inadvertent removal of the device I. Whilst the above description covers many possible embodiments of the present invention, the skilled man will appreciate that many variations are possible without departing from the scope of the invention. In this context, figures 9a-9g briefly illustrate some thither possible embodiments of the present invention. In figure 9a, the housing 10 is provided with a substantially square projecting element 20. Typically, the square projecting element may be a flexible sheet, In figure 9b, the flexible elements 20 are a pair of elongate ribbons.

In figure 9c, the flexible elements 20 comprise a plurality of outwardly directed spines. Whilst inthe embodiment shown the spines project in substantially all directions, in other embodiments a more limited number of spines may be provided and/or spines may be confined to specific areas of the exterior of the housing 10. In particular, the spines may be arranged to project outwardly of the equator of the housing 10 only.

In figure 9d & 9e, the flexible members 20 comprise blocks of resiliently deformable foam material. In the embodiment of 9d a thinner block of a less deformable foam material is used than in the embodiment of figure 9e. The use of foam with greater deformabihty allows a block of greater thickness to be used without compromising the ability to insert the device I, through the neclc 4 of a balloon during manufacture.

In figure 9±; the flexible element comprises an elongate tube or skirt attached to the equator of the housing 10. Where the tube is particularly elongate, as shown in figure 9±; it may be wrapped around the housing 10 to facilitate insertion into the balloon 2.

Where the tube 20 is of lesser extent, this may not be necessary.

In figure 9g, the flexible elements comprise one or more elastic bands wrapped around the outer surface of the housing 10. Increasing the number or thickness of the bands may be used to Thither secure the device 1 within the balloon 2.

It is of course to be understood that the invention is not to be restricted to the details of the above embodiments which are described by way of example only.

Claims

CLAIMS1. An illumination device suitable for use inside the cavity of a balloon comprising a flexible wall which is at least partially transparent or translucent, the illumination device comprising: a light source; a power source, the power source initially disconnected from the light source; an activation means operable to enable a connection between the light source and the power source; and a housing within which the light source and power source are mounted, wherein the housing is provided with one or more flexible elements projecting outwardly of the housing.
2. An illumination device as claimed in claim 1 wherein the or each flexible element is adapted to be fold substantially adjacent to the exterior surfaces of the housing.
3. An illumination device as claimed in claim 2 wherein the or each flexible element is adapted to resiliently rebound to a projecting position after folding.
4. An illumination device as claimed in any preceding claim wherein the or each flexible element is substantially planar.
5. An illumination device as claimed in any preceding claim wherein the or each flexible element is substantially elongate.
6. An illumination device as claimed in any preceding claim wherein the or cach flexible element is substantially circular or arcuate.
7. An illumination device as claimed in any preceding claim wherein the or each flexible element is substantially tubular.
8. An illumination device as claimed in any preceding claim wherein the or each flexible element is substantially square, rectangular or of other substantially polygonal foun.
9. An illumination device as claimed in any preceding claim wherein the or each flexible element comprises a flexible spine projecting outwardly of the housing.
10. An illumination device as claimed in any preceding claim wherein the or each flexible element comprises a block of resiliently deformable material.
11. An illumination device as claimed in any preceding claim wherein the or each flexible element comprises a fin.
12. An illumination device as claimed in any preceding claim wherein the or each flexible element comprises one or more less flexible ribs having one or more flexible sheets extending therefrom or therebetween.
13. An illumination device as claimed in any preceding claim wherein the surface of the housing is adapted to provide recesses corresponding to all or part of the or each flexible element.
14. An illumination device as claimed in any preceding claim wherein each flexible element is provided at opposing sides of the housing.
15. An illumination device as claimed in any preceding claim wherein the or each flexible element is provided around an equator of the housing.
16. An illumination device as claimed in any preceding claim wherein the housing has a substantially smooth or curved exterior.
17. An illumination device as claimed hi claim 16 wherein the housing is substantially spherical.
18. An illumination device as claimed in claim 16 wherein housing is substantially elongate.
19. An illumination device as claimed in any preceding claim wherein the housing is formed of a resiliently defonnable material.
20. An illumination device as claimed in any preceding claim wherein the activation means comprises a manually actuated switch.
21. An illumination device as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 19 wherein the activation means comprises a strip of insulating material, an end of which is initially interposed between contacis of an electrical connection between the light source and the power source, withdrawal of the strip thereby enabling connection between the contacts.
22. An illumination device as claimed in claim 21 wherein the strip is provided with an outer end region of enlarged width.
23. An illumination device as claimed in claim 22 wherein the strip is provided with a second region of enlarged width at a spacing from the enlarged outer end region.
24. A balloon provided with an illumination device according to any one of claims 1 to 23.
25. A balloon as claimed in claim 24 wherein the balloon is at least partly transparent or translucent.
26. A balloon as claimed in claim 24 or claim 25 wherein the balloon is formed in one piece of elastomeric material.
27. A balloon as claimed in claim 24 or claim 25 wherein the balloon is formed from two sheets of flexible matenal connected around their edges.