GB2577887A

GB2577887A - An attachment for a balloon

Info

Publication number: GB2577887A
Application number: GB1816394.9A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Alec Shoveller Cliff
Original assignee: Kerry Shoveller
Current assignee: Kerry Shoveller
Priority date: 2018-10-08
Filing date: 2018-10-08
Publication date: 2020-04-15
Also published as: GB201816394D0

Abstract

An illuminating balloon assembly comprises a balloon 10 including a substantially gas-impermeable membrane, a neck 16 defining an opening for inflating the balloon and at least one light-transmissive region 12 on a lower portion of the balloon, wherein a portion of the membrane reflects light internally within the balloon; and a light-bearing body 20 secured to the neck of the balloon, the light-bearing body being provided with one or more light sources arranged to direct light through the light-transmissive region and into the balloon. The light-bearing body 20 may be in the form of a collar that is secured about the neck 16 of the balloon.

Description

AN ATTACHMENT FOR A BALLOON

The present invention relates to an attachment for a balloon for the purpose of illuminating the balloon, as well as a kit comprising the attachment and a balloon.

Background of the Invention

Illuminating balloons are becoming increasingly popular and are often used as decorations for celebrating an event such as a birthday.

A number of illuminating balloons exist which comprise a light source contained within the balloon itself. However, as the light source must be placed inside the balloon before the balloon is inflated (either by the manufacturer of the balloon or by the user), the light sources are typically single-use light sources and the entire balloon (including the light source) is disposed of after use.

In addition, collars for illuminating latex balloons are known wherein the collars comprise one or more LED light sources and an opening in which the neck of a balloon can be located (see Sparkle Collars sold by Fortune Products). However, in this arrangement, the light merely either reflects off the bottom of the balloon or passes straight through the entire balloon and does not illuminate the entire balloon.

The Invention The present invention provides a balloon wherein at least a portion of the interior of the balloon is reflective, the balloon having attached, about a neck thereof, a light-bearing body which contains one or more light sources. The invention thus provides a product and method for illuminating a balloon.

Accordingly, in a first embodiment, the invention provides an illuminating balloon assembly comprising: a balloon comprising a substantially gas-impermeable membrane, a neck defining an opening for inflating the balloon and at least one light-transmissive region on a lower portion of the balloon, wherein a portion of the membrane reflects light internally within the balloon; and a light-bearing body secured to the neck of the balloon, the light-bearing body being provided with one or more light sources arranged to direct light through the light-transmissive region and into the balloon.

The balloon typically has further light transmissive regions (e.g. shaped to form letters or numbers or other characters which may together constitute a message) and therefore light reflected internally within the balloon can illuminate these further transmissive regions (e.g. to form an illuminated message).

At least a portion of the membrane of the balloon is able to reflect light internally within the balloon. Therefore, light can enter the balloon through the at least one light-transmissive region on a lower portion of the balloon and then be reflected within the balloon in to illuminate the balloon (and, when present, the further light transmissive regions).

Preferably, substantially all of the interior side of the membrane, with the exception of the at least one light-transmissive region and the further light transmissive regions, is reflective in order to enhance the illumination of the further transmissive regions. In other words, preferably substantially all (if not all) of the membrane consists of light-transmissive portions or internally reflective portions.

The membrane is constructed or formed so as to reflect light internally within the balloon.

For example, the interior surface of the balloon membrane may be at least partially coated with a reflective material (e.g. a metallic foil, such as aluminium). Alternatively, the balloon membrane may be formed from a transparent material which has coated on its outer surface a reflective (i.e. an inwardly reflective) material. In this arrangement, as the innermost surface of the balloon membrane is transparent, but is coated with an inwardly reflective material.

The substantially gas-impermeable membrane is typically made from a flexible polymer. Example of such flexible polymers include polyamides (such as a nylon) or polyesters (such as Mylar0). The flexible polymers are typically provided with a metallic coating (such as aluminium) over at least a portion of a surface thereof. As discussed above, the metal coating may act as a reflective surface in order to reflect light within the balloon.

The balloon has a lower portion from which a neck extends, the neck defining an opening which acts as an inlet for inflating the balloon. The opening in the neck of the balloon therefore provides an inlet in fluid communication with the interior space enclosed by the balloon itself. Preferably the balloon comprises only a single inlet.

When inflated, the balloon has at least one light-transmissive region on the lower portion of the balloon. The balloon may comprise a light-transmissive region which surrounds the neck. For example, the balloon may comprise a continuous light-transmissive region surrounding or encompassing the neck of the balloon. Alternatively, the balloon may comprise a number of discrete light-transmissive windows arranged around the lower portion of the balloon so as to surround the neck of the balloon. The light-transmissive regions may be transparent or translucent. The light transmissive region(s) may be immediately adjacent the neck or spaced apart from the neck, although still within the lower portion of the balloon, provided that the light transmissive region(s) are located such that light from the light-bearing body can pass through the light-transmissive region(s) into the balloon. For example, the light transmissive region(s) may be immediately adjacent the neck or spaced apart from the neck by a distance of up to about 3 cm, more usually up to about 2 cm, for example up to about 1.5 cm, and more preferably up to about 1 cm.

At least 5% of the surface area of the balloon when inflated, for example at least 10% or at least 15%, may be light-transmissive.

The majority of the balloon may be formed from a flexible foil material, for example a flexible foil as described above, whilst the balloon may comprise one or more continuous or discrete light-transmissive windows formed of a transparent plastics material (such as polyethylene. Alternatively, the windows may be uncoated portions of a transparent polyester or polyamide film (e.g. a nylon film without a metallic coating as described above).

The balloon may comprise one or more further light transmitting regions at other positions of the balloon (i.e. in addition to those in the vicinity of the neck of the balloon). These further light transmitting regions may be shaped so as to form letters or numbers or other characters which together constitute a message. In one embodiment, the letters, numbers or other characters are defined by transparent or translucent regions of the balloon. In another embodiment, the letters, numbers or other characters are defined by substantially opaque regions, or regions of relatively reduced transparency, that are set within a light transmitting region so that the letters, numbers or other characters appear as darker regions (e.g. silhouettes) against an illuminated background.

The transparent or translucent regions of the balloon may be coloured so that the message shows up in one or more colours.

When further light transmitting regions are provided, the interior of the balloon may also be provided with reflective portions so as to reflect light from the light sources towards the further light transmitting regions.

The balloon is attached to a light-bearing body, which provides a source of light for illuminating the balloon. In one embodiment, the balloon is removably attached to the light-bearing body and hence the light-bearing body can be reused on multiple balloons.

The light-bearing body may take the form of a collar which sits about the neck of the balloon and extends laterally from the neck. The collar may comprise an opening or an aperture, wherein the neck of the balloon extends through the opening/aperture.

The collar can have a depth (from top to bottom) which is less than a distance by which the collar extends laterally from the neck. Thus, for example, the collar can be disc-shaped or plate-shaped. The disc-shaped or plate-shaped collar may have a central opening (or a slot or opening which extends to a centre of the disc-shaped or plate-shaped collar) through which the neck of the balloon can extend.

Alternatively, the light-bearing body may comprise a plug which is inserted into the neck of the balloon (when inflated) and simultaneously acts as a stopper to prevent gas from exiting the balloon via the neck. The light-bearing body typically comprises in addition to the plug a light-bearing portion extending laterally with respect to the plug, the light-bearing portion comprising the one or more light sources.

The balloon may be held on the light-bearing body through friction between the interior of the neck of the balloon and the plug and/or the neck of the balloon gripping the plug. Alternatively, the balloon may be provided with a clamping element (such as a cable tie) for clamping the neck of the balloon about the plug. Alternatively or additionally, the balloon and/or the plug may be provided with an adhesive to hold the balloon on the plug.

The properties and features of construction of the light-bearing body described below apply to both a light-bearing body in the form of a plug and a light-bearing body in the form of a collar, unless the context indicates otherwise.

Thus, the light-bearing body is typically made from a lightweight material. The term lightweight' as used herein refers to a weight which can be suspended by a helium balloon. In other words, the light-bearing body is made of a material which is light enough which, when attached to a helium balloon, still allows the balloon to float in the air. For example, the light-bearing body may have a weight of 50g or less, typically 40g or less, preferably 30g or less, 20g or less or 109 or less.

The light-bearing body may therefore be formed from a wooden material such as balsa wood or cedar wood. Alternatively, the light-bearing body may be formed from a lightweight plastics material such as a plastic with a cellular structure (e.g. a plastics foam).

Preferably, the light-bearing body may be formed from a resilient material. Examples of suitable resilient materials include sponges or foams such as polyurethane. The foams may be open-cell foams or closed-cell foams, although it is noted that open-cell foams may be more prone to deformation.

When formed from a resilient material, the light-bearing body may comprise an aperture in the form of a hole or slit in the resilient material. Therefore, deformation of the resilient material results in the aperture changing shape to assist with threading the balloon through the aperture.

The light-bearing body may be sufficiently resilient such that it can be deformed to change the shape of the aperture and allow the neck of a balloon to be passed through the aperture. The light-bearing body should however be sufficiently rigid to protect the components within the light-bearing body from damage due to external forces.

The light-bearing body comprises one or more light sources and typically a source of electrical power for powering the light sources. The light-bearing body optionally further comprises a switch for turning the light sources on and/or off. For a single use balloon, the light-bearing body may comprise a pull-tab switch. The tab is made from an electrically insulating material and is positioned between two electrical contacts within the circuit comprising the battery and the lights. When the tab is removed, the electricity can flow between the electrical contacts to conduct electricity from the battery to the lights and thereby illuminate the balloon. For a reusable balloon, the light-bearing body may instead comprise a two-way (e.g. single pole single throw) electrical switch. These components may be held within the light-bearing body or may be attached to an outer surface of the light-bearing body.

For example, the light-bearing body may comprise one or more recesses for housing the light sources, the source of electrical power and/or a switch.

The light sources may be distributed in an equidistant manner around the light-bearing body to provide lighting to the balloon from 3600. The light-bearing body may therefore comprise an annular recess on an upper surface of the light-bearing body, wherein the one or more light sources are located within the recess.

The light-bearing body typically also comprises a cover to hold the light sources within the recesses. The cover comprises one or more light-transmissive windows (e.g. windows made from a transparent or translucent material) or openings which are positioned such that light from the lights sources within the light-bearing body illuminates the light transmitting regions of the balloon. Typically, the cover is provided with translucent windows or openings such that a maximum amount of the light produced by the light sources can be used to illuminated the balloon.

The light-bearing body may comprise from four to thirty light sources, typically from eight and twenty-four light sources (such as LEDs), more typically from twelve and twenty light sources (e.g. eighteen light sources).

Alternatively, the light source may take the form of an annular lighting element (such as a light ring) which is located within the light-bearing body.

The light sources may provide constant (i.e. non-flashing) light or they may be arranged to provide pulses of light (i.e. they may be flashing lights). The light sources may be connected together so as to form a chain that extends through the light-bearing body.

The light sources may be light-emitting diodes (LEDs). When the light sources comprise or consist of LEDs, the LEDs can collectively emit light of a single colour or more than one colour. For example, they may be arranged so as to flash different colours.

The source of power for the light sources may be a connector for connecting to an external power source such as a mains supply or transformer but, more preferably, the power source is a battery. The light sources are therefore typically capable of being power by one or more batteries. Examples of such light sources include light emitting diodes (LEDs). The light-bearing body may therefore comprise a further recess (in addition to the recess(es) in which the light sources are located), in which the battery is housed.

The light sources are typically arranged so that light from the light sources is directed in an upward direction (i.e. in a direction towards the balloon when in use) to enhance illumination. Accordingly, the light-bearing body may comprise one or more light outlets at or on its upper surface (i.e. the surface facing the balloon when in use). The light outlets may take the form of the light sources themselves or openings in the light-bearing body through which light from light sources within the light-bearing body can pass to illuminate the balloon.

For example, the light sources may be located within a recess in the light bearing body, wherein the recess (and if present windows and/or openings) are shaped to direct the light from the openings/windows. In this arrangement, the windows/openings serve as light outlets.

The light-bearing body preferably also comprises a switch for switching the light sources on and off. The switch is typically arranged so that at least a main body of the switch is contained within the light-bearing body but the switch can be actuated when the light-bearing body is assembled. An actuatable arm or lever of the switch may protrude through one of the faces of the light-bearing body.

The assembly may further comprise a valve. The valve can be positioned within the neck of the balloon and allows a gas (such as helium) to the blown or pumped into the interior of the balloon to inflate it, whilst preventing gas from escaping, to prevent the balloon from deflating. The valve may also contain a release mechanism, which opens the valve and allows the gas to exit the interior of the balloon, thereby allowing the balloon to be deflated after use.

Alternatively, the assembly may be provided with a stopper, which fits tightly within the neck of the balloon to seal the balloon.

The valve or stopper may also serve to hold the balloon within the light-bearing body.

The valve or stopper can be placed within the neck of the balloon once the neck has been threaded through an aperture in the light-bearing body. As the valve/stopper is larger than the aperture, the balloon cannot be pulled out of the light-bearing body when the valve/stopper is held within the balloon neck. Alternatively, the balloon may be provided with a clip which is attached to the neck of the balloon. Again, as the clip is larger than the aperture, the balloon cannot be pulled out of the light-bearing body without removing the clip.

As the balloon is typically inflated with a gas lighter than air (such as helium), the balloon can be provided with a tether (for example, a length of string or ribbon) for securing the balloon to an object such that the balloon is suspended and floats in the air.

In a second aspect of the invention, there is provided a kit comprising: a balloon having a neck defining an opening for inflating the balloon and at least one light-transmissive region on a lower portion of the balloon; and a light-bearing body securable to the neck of the balloon, the light-bearing body being provided with one or more light sources arranged to direct light through the light-transmissive region and into the balloon.

In a third aspect of the invention there is provided a light-bearing body (for example, a light-bearing body as described herein) for illuminating a balloon (for example a balloon having at least one light-transmissive region), the light-bearing body being configured to be secured about or within the neck of the balloon and having a light-bearing portion which, when the light-bearing body is secured to the neck of the balloon, extends laterally with respect to the neck of the balloon, the light-bearing portion comprising one or more light sources.

As discussed above, the light-bearing body may take the form of a collar which sits about the neck of the balloon. The collar may comprise an opening or an aperture, wherein the neck of the balloon extends through the opening/aperture.

It will be readily understood that the balloons and light-bearing bodies of the second and third aspects of the invention may have the features of the balloon and light-bearing body described in connection with the first aspect of the invention.

The invention will now be described in more detail, but not limited, by reference to the specific embodiments illustrated in the accompanying drawings Figures 1 to 4.

Brief Description of the Drawings

Figure 1 is a side view of an inflated balloon held within a collar according to one embodiment of the invention.

Figure 2 is a top down view of the collar. Figure 3 is a bottom up view of the collar.

Figure 4 is a cross-sectional schematic view of the collar.

Detailed Description of the Invention

Referring to the drawings, in an embodiment of the invention there is a balloon (10) provided with a collar (20) and a valve (40) as shown in Figure 1.

The balloon (10) is inflatable and is made from a foil comprising a film of nylon coated with aluminium. Such foil balloons are well known.

Balloons typically comprise a neck portion (16) which defines an opening through which a gas can be pumped or blown to inflate the balloon The balloon (10) is typically inflated with helium (or another gas lighter than air).

The balloon (10) has a transparent portion (12) formed from an uncoated film of nylon which surrounds the neck (16) in the lower portion of the balloon (10).

The upper portion of the balloon (14) may be provided with further light transmitting regions! windows in the shape of letters and numbers. These regions/windows may also be made of a transparent/translucent material.

The balloon (10) is also fitted with a one-way valve (40) within the opening. The one-way valve allows a gas to enter the balloon but prevents gas from escaping to ease inflation of the balloon. After use, the one-way valve (40) can simply be removed from the balloon opening to allow the balloon to deflate. One-way valves for inflating balloons are well known and examples of such valves can be obtained from partyrama.co.uk or the self-sealing balloon valves from CLICK4Balloons.co.uk.

The neck of the balloon (16) or the valve (40) may be connected to a length of string (18) for tethering the balloon to another object.

The collar (20), shown in more detail in Figures 2 to 4, comprises a body formed of a resilient material, such as a polyurethane foam. The foam body contains a central aperture (24) through which the neck (16) of a balloon can be threaded. The foam is sufficiently resilient such that the body can be deformed which results in a change in shape of the aperture (24) (to allow the neck of a balloon to be passed through the aperture) whilst being sufficiently rigid to protect the components within the collar (such as a battery, LEDs and wires) from damage due to external forces.

On the upper surface of the collar (i.e. the side facing the balloon when in use), is an annular channel (36) embedded into the foam body. Arranged within the annular channel (36) is a chain of LED lights linked by wiring. The wires from the LED are connected via soldered connections to a printed circuit board (not shown) which controls the operation of the LED lights. Connected to the printed circuit board and mounted on the underside of the collar is an on-off switch (32).

On the upper surface of the collar and disposed on top of the annular channel (36) is a cover (26) comprising one or more transparent windows (28) through which light from the LEDs can pass.

The light from the LEDs pass through windows/openings (28) in the body and through the light transmitting region (12) of the balloon thereby to illuminate the balloon (and, where present, the message displayed on the balloon).

On its underside (i.e. the side opposite the annular channel), the collar also comprises a battery housing which is accessible through a door (30), the door (30) being secured to the housing by means of screws (34).

Disposed within the battery housing is a battery (38) which is connected to the LED lights and on-off switch (32) and PCB by wires.

Plastic pull-out strips can be positioned between each battery and an adjacent electrical contact surface to prevent premature activation and loss of power from the batteries In use, the pull-out strips are removed from the battery housings and the switch is moved to the "on" position to switch on the LED lights. The lights are typically arranged to flash on and off, although they can alternatively be set up in a non-flashing mode.

The interior of the balloon may be provided with a reflective inner surface to enhance the brightness of the illumination.

In use, the balloon neck (16) is threaded through the central aperture (24) of the collar (20). The valve (40) is inserted into the opening in the neck of the balloon (16) and serves to retain the collar on the neck of the balloon.

The balloon is then inflated by passing/pumping a gas (such as helium) through the one-way valve (40) and into the balloon (10). The LEDs are turned on using switch (32).

After use, the balloon can be deflated by removing the valve (40) from the neck opening and allowing the gas (e.g. helium) inside the balloon to escape. Hence, the balloon is reusable.

It will readily be apparent that numerous modifications and alterations may be made to the specific embodiments of the invention described above without departing from the principles underlying the invention. All such modifications and alterations are intended to be embraced by this application.

Claims

CLAIMSAn illuminating balloon assembly comprising: a balloon comprising a substantially gas-impermeable membrane, a neck defining an opening for inflating the balloon and at least one light-transmissive region on a lower portion of the balloon, wherein a portion of the membrane reflects light internally within the balloon; and a light-bearing body secured to the neck of the balloon, the light-bearing body being provided with one or more light sources arranged to direct light through the light-transmissive region and into the balloon.
2. An illuminating balloon assembly according to claim 1 wherein a continuous light-transmissive window surrounds the neck of the balloon.
3. An illuminating balloon assembly according to claim 1 wherein the balloon comprises one or more further light transmitting regions in addition to those on a lower portion of the balloon which are shaped so as to form letters or numbers or other characters which together constitute a message
4. An illuminating balloon assembly according to any one of claims 1 to 3 wherein the light-bearing body is in the form of a collar that it secured about the neck of the balloon and extends laterally from the neck.
5. An illuminating balloon assembly according to any one of claims 1 to 4 wherein the light-bearing body has a weight of 50g or less, typically 40g or less, preferably 30g or less or 20g or less
6. An illuminating balloon assembly according to any one of claims 1 to 5 wherein the light-bearing body comprises a resilient material.
7. An illuminating balloon assembly according to any one of claims 1 to 6 wherein the light-bearing body comprises one or more recesses in which the one or more light sources are located.
8. An illuminating balloon assembly according to any one of claims 1 to 7 wherein the light-bearing body comprises an annular recess in which the one or more light sources are located.
9. An illuminating balloon assembly according to any one of claims 1 to 8 wherein the light source is a ring-shaped lighting element.
10. An illuminating balloon assembly according to any one of claims 1 to 8 comprising between eight and twenty-four light sources.
11. An illuminating balloon assembly according to any one of claims 1 to 10, wherein the light-bearing body further comprises a switch for turning the light sources on and off.
12. An illuminating balloon assembly according to any one of claims 1 to 11 wherein the light-bearing body has one or more light outlets at or on an upper surface of the light-bearing body.
13. An illuminating balloon assembly according to any one of claims 1 to 12 having a one-way valve inserted into the neck of the balloon.
14. An illuminating balloon assembly according to any one of claims 1 to 13 wherein the light-bearing body is removably and reattachably secured to the neck of the balloon.
15. A kit comprising: a balloon comprising a substantially gas-impermeable membrane, a neck defining an opening for inflating the balloon and at least one light-transmissive region on a lower portion of the balloon, wherein a portion of the membrane is formed to reflect light internally within the balloon; and a light-bearing body securable to the neck of the balloon, the light-bearing body being provided with one or more light sources arranged to direct light through the light-transmissive region and into the balloon; wherein the balloon and the light-bearing body are as defined in any one of claims 1 to 14
16. A light-bearing body for securing in or about a neck of a balloon to provide an illuminating balloon assembly as defined in any one of claims 1 to 13, the fight-bearing body being provided with one or more light sources and a source of electrical power for powering the light sources; wherein the light-bearing body: takes the form of a collar which sits about the neck of the balloon and extends laterally from the neck and comprises one or more light outlets at or on an upper surface of the collar; or comprises a plug which is insertable into the neck of the balloon (when inflated) and acts as a stopper to prevent gas from exiting the balloon via the neck, and a light-bearing portion which extends laterally with respect to the plug, the light-bearing portion being provided with the one or more light sources.
17. A light-bearing body according to claim 16 which takes the form of a collar which sits about the neck of the balloon and extends laterally from the neck, the collar having an opening or an aperture, through which the neck of the balloon can extend.