The invention relates to balloons. In particular, the invention relates to balloons used for decorative purposes. More particularly the invention relates to decorative balloons with a communicative aspect. GB350180 discloses such a balloon according to the preamble of claim 1.

Balloons and in particular decorative balloons are well known. Typically such balloons may be made out of latex or synthetic rubber or alternatively may be made out of metalicised plastic films. Most are commonly filled with air or helium. These balloons come in a variety of standard shapes and sizes and may be adorned with various devices, images or communicative messages. With regard to the communicative aspect of said balloons, the mere superimposition of a message onto a decorative balloon has very clear limitations. In the first instance, such messages can be very difficult to see, particularly in conditions of darkness, glare or bright sunshine. Secondly, the very fact that the message is superimposed onto said balloon is part of the reason why the message can often seem subsidiary to the balloon itself with the attendant difficulty that a person giving a second person a balloon, for example as a token of love, may not get his or her message across sufficiently.

It is an aim amongst others of this invention to provide a solution to this and other problems.

The invention provides an inflatable balloon according to claim 1. Subsidiary aspects of the invention are provided in the dependent claims.

• Figure 1 illustrates in schematic view a balloon, not part of the claimed invention, in the shape of the English words "HAPPY BIRTHDAY".
• Figure 2 illustrates in schematic view a balloon, not part of the claimed invention, in the shape of the English words "HAPPY VALENTINE".
• Figure 3 illustrates in schematic view a balloon in the shape of a heart combined with the English words "I LOVE YOU".
• Figure 4 illustrates in schematic view a balloon, not part of the claimed invention, in the shape of a rose stem combined with the English words "I LOVE YOU".
• Figure 5 illustrates a cross-sectional of a portion of a balloon, not part of the claimed invention, showing a valve configuration in detail.
• Figure 6 illustrates in schematic view a balloon, not part of the claimed invention, in the shape of the non - English words, which represents "welcome" in a language known as Urdu.
• Figure 7 illustrates in schematic view a balloon, not part of the claimed invention, in the shape of the English words "HAPPY BIRTHDAY" incorporating multiple attachment points.
• Figure 8a illustrates a cross sectional perspective view of a balloon incorporating an inflating device within the balloon's neck.
• Figure 8b illustrates a cross sectional side view of a balloon incorporating an inflating device incorporated within the balloon's neck.
• Figure 9 illustrates a cross sectional perspective view of a balloon incorporating a sachet self inflating device incorporated within the balloon's neck.
• Figure 10 illustrates in schematic view a balloon, not part of the claimed invention, enclosing an array of inner balloon shapes.
• Figure 11 illustrates in schematic view a balloon, not part of the claimed invention, enclosing an array of inner balloon English text shapes.
• Figure 12 illustrates in schematic view a, not part of the claimed invention, and an associated inflation device.
• Figure 13 illustrates in schematic view an inflation device incorporating two inner chambers.
• Figure 14 illustrates in schematic view an inflation device incorporating one inner chamber and a detachable end portion.
• Figures 15a illustrates in schematic view a one-way valve device.
• Figure 15b illustrates in cross sectional view a one-way valve device.
• Figure 15c illustrates in schematic view a one-way valve located within the neck of the balloon.
• Figure 16a illustrates in schematic view a blank balloon.
• Figure 16b illustrates in schematic view a rectangular supporting substrate.
• Figure 16c illustrates in schematic view a balloon located about the upper surface of a supporting substrate.
• Figure 16d illustrates in schematic view a balloon located about the lower surface of a supporting substrate.
• Figure 16e illustrates in cross sectional view a balloon located about a supporting substrate with an uneven upper surface.
• Figure 16f illustrates in cross sectional view a balloon located about a supporting substrate with an even upper surface.
• Figure 16g illustrates in schematic view a balloon located about a supporting substrate being applied to a printing means.
• Figure 16h illustrates in schematic view a balloon with an image printed upon it.
• Figure 17 illustrates in schematic view a balloon laid out flat with incorporated fold lines

Figure 1 illustrates in schematic view a balloon, not part of the claimed invention, generally indicated by 1. The balloon 1 comprises a plurality of distinctly shaped inflatable chambers 2. Notably the chambers 2 are integrally formed, rather than being separate and then subsequently arranged to form a given shape. The balloon 1 and associated chambers 2 are typically formed from Elastic Polymer materials, such as rubber, or Thermoplastic Polymer materials such as Polyvinyl Chloride (PVC). It can therefore be said that the totality of the chambers 2 is commensurate with balloon 1 in its most basic form. Balloon 1 also has a plurality of passageways 3. These passageways link adjacent chambers 2, allowing fluid to flow through said passageways 3, such as Helium gas, to be introduced to balloon 1 via inlet 4. Balloon 1 in this embodiment has a primary inlet 4 but both numbering and positioning of inlets may be advantageously varied in order to achieve various aims such as speed of inflation and ease of inflation. With regard to the latter, it may be the case that the thickness of the material comprising the balloon 1 may differ in accordance with the shape when inflated of a given area of it. For example, in relation to the balloon of Figure 1, the primary inlet 4 might advantageously be placed at the first side 5 of "H" representation 6 for example at site 7. Such a configuration would clearly be advantageous in situations where the inflation of balloon 1 was itself made into a spectacle. Said inflation would, in effect, sequentially spell the message represented by the shape of balloon 1. In other words each letter would become inflated in the order in which it was to be read, which would produce a pleasing and exciting effect.

With regard to passageways 3, a given first chamber 2A and a given second chamber 2B may be connected by one or a plurality of passageways 3. The man skilled in the art will be able to decide on the location of said passageways 3 on the basis firstly of the inflation characteristics he desires of a particular balloon 1 and secondly, on the basis of the configuration of letter representations a balloon 1. The Balloon 1 of Figure 1 features two words. It has a first set of letter representations 8, representing the word "happy" and a second set of letter representations 9 representing the word "birthday". The first set of letter representations 8 is co-located horizontally by the second set of letter representations 9. They are joined by a long passageway 10 which may advantageously be used for the display mounting of balloon. In contrast the balloon 50 of Figure 2 dispenses with this long passageway 10, instead having a first set of letter representations representing the word "happy" 51 and a second set of letter representations representing the word "valentine" 52 in vertical co-location. Although it lacks a long passageway 1 of the type shown in figure 1, this configuration in Figure 2 is advantageous over the configuration in Figure 1 because the absence of long passageway 10 in balloon 50 of Figure 2 means that a position of first set of letter representations representing the word "happy" 51 and second set of letter representations representing the word "valentine" 52 are in a relatively stable position in relation to each other, aiding the communication of the message and maintaining the shape of the structure.

Returning to figure 1, it should be made clear that the chambers 2 are shaped in forms selected from letters and numbers. In other embodiments, other conventional shapes may be added.

The chambers 2 are further distinctive in the manner in which they represent letters in particular the "P" chambers 11, "B" chamber 12, "R" chamber 13, "D" chamber 14, and "A" chamber 15 are of interest in that they feature shaped apertures 16 which advantageously facilitate the recognition of the letter representation. Indeed, in situations with a high level of bright light, where messages printed on known balloons might be rendered illegible, the presence of apertures enhances recognition still further in that the balloon 1 can be positioned in such a manner that the sun shines through the apertures 16. The presence of said apertures 16 is still further advantageous in that balloon 1 can be used to cast a silhouette in a manner that known shaped message balloons would not be able to do. Apertures 16 are a technical feature allowing for a level of closeness of representation beyond that provided by mere outlining.

Also of note is the fact that the message spelled out by the shape of balloon 1 is a result of the integrally formed construction of said balloon 1. It therefore provides an advantage over configurations of individually shaped separate letter representation balloons which would subsequently have to be stuck together or otherwise configured. This would require the use of further materials which may be both inconvenient and time-consuming.

In an alternative embodiment, balloon 1 incorporates a number of additional inlets disposed about the balloon's outer surface. The additional inlets are spaced so as to enable the balloon to be evenly inflated, therefore preventing the balloon 1 from being over inflated and becoming distorted due to inflating the balloon via a common inlet valve

Figure 3 features a balloon 100 with an inlet valve 101, a primary chamber 102 and a plurality of secondary chambers 103. The primary chamber 102 is larger than the secondary chambers 103. In the embodiment of Figure 3 the balloon 100 is shown in its inflated form and it can clearly be seen that the secondary chambers 103 are shaped in the form of letters; they are letter representations. Notably the "O" representations 104 have apertures 105 and both the "V" representation 106 and the "U" representation 107 have marked indents 108, such indents allowing for a closer representation of the shapes of the given letters. Further, the primary chamber 102 comprises an aperture 109 which takes the form of a representation of the letter "I". In other embodiments, there might be a plurality of such apertures 109, alternatively there may be no such apertures 109 and a printed or otherwise superimposed message may be used either instead of or as well as said aperture 109.

Notably inlet 101 comprises in this embodiment a non-return valve to prevent gas escaping. The operation of said valve 110 will be explained later on in the description of Figure 5. It should be borne in mine however that it this simple non-return valve configuration may be replaced by any suitable valve known to the skilled man.

Balloon 100 comprises lighting means 111. In this embodiment the lighting means 111 comprises a chamber containing a chemiluminescent composition which when activated causes balloon 100 to illuminate. In this embodiment the chamber 112 is the primary chamber 102 itself but alternatively the chamber 112 may be incorporated into one or more of the secondary chambers 103 or it may be a tertiary chamber (not shown). In this embodiment the chemiluminescent composition 113 coats the interior of the chamber and illumination is caused by a chemical reaction inaugurated by the inflation of balloon 100 itself. An appropriate chemiluminescent substance will be known to the man skilled in the art.

Figure 4 shows a still further embodiment not part of the claimed invention. Balloon 150 has primary chamber 151. Primary chamber 151 comprises an elongate tube 152 and a representational part 153. The elongate tube has a plurality of passages 154 laterally spaced along said tube 152. The lateral openings 154 form passages between said elongate tube 152 and a plurality of distinctly shaped secondary chambers 155. This is advantageous in that this configuration allows all the quick and easy inflation of said secondary chambers 155 before the inflation of portion 153.

Figure 5 shows a portion of a balloon 200, a primary chamber 201 and a secondary chamber 202. The primary chamber 201 and secondary chamber 202 are connected via a plurality of passageways 203. Notably said passageways 203 feature non-return valves 204. The non-return valves 204 are simple in construction, comprising as they do annulus 205 and flaps 206A, 206B. In use, when said balloon is inflated from an inlet (not shown) in the primary chamber 201, gas will pass from primary chamber 201 to secondary chamber 202 via three passageways 203. The passage of the gas will open flaps 206A, 206B. When the balloon is being inflated the flaps 206A, 206B will remain open. When however primary chamber 201 begins to deflate the movement of gas from secondary chamber 202 to primary chamber 201 will cause the flaps 206A, 206B to close. This is of considerable inventive utility insofar as this feature ensures that the inflation of secondary chambers 202 will endure for longer than the inflation of primary chamber or chambers 201 with the result that when primary chamber 201 starts to deflate and lose its shape, secondary chambers 202 will remain inflated and continue to represent a given configuration of letters and/or numbers for longer; therefore the message stays legible for longer. Non-return valve 204 is merely exemplary - it is particularly advantageous because it is a simple, cheap and effective form of valve, but it does not preclude the skilled man from using other valve means he may consider to be effective in the circumstances.

Figure 6 shows a balloon 208 configured into a shape of a word of non-English text, this word being "welcome" in a language known as Urdu. A normal textual representation of this word is shown 207. Languages such as Urdu (and Japanese etc) have one or more characters, which translate to an equivalent English character, therefore not limiting the use of the balloon to one specific language, such as English.

The balloon 208 has a primary chamber 209. The primary chamber 209 comprises an elongate tube 210, which is configured to represent a sequence of symbols. The elongate tube 210 incorporates an array of interconnected passageways 211 - 217 which are located about said elongate tube 210. The passageways 211 - 217 enable the symbols' shapes to remain distinctively recognisable, whilst being interconnected in a sequence to form a word in a given language ("Welcome" in the Urdu language) and enabling the balloon to be easily inflated, relatively quickly, along passageways 211 - 217, from a common inflation point (typically a one-way valve).

In another alternative embodiment of the invention, the balloon may incorporate a device which replays an audio recording, such as music, chimes, speech and any other audible sounds. The device may be incorporated within the balloon, typically within one or more of the balloon's chambers, or alternatively within a cavity formed within the balloon's outer surface when inflated. The device may also be externally attached to the balloon, typically via the balloon's neck. The device may also be activated and controlled by a controlling device from a remote location.

Figure 7 shows the balloon 1 shown in Figure one. The balloon 1 incorporates seven attachment members 219 that protrude from the balloon's outer peripheral edge 218. The attachment members are integral to balloon's body and are isolated from any of the balloon's chambers, therefore preventing the deflation or destruction of the balloon when the attachment members 219 are pierced whilst mounting the balloon 1 on a surface.

Figure 8a shows a balloon 220 incorporating a one-way valve 221 moulded or inserted within the balloon's neck 222. The one-way valve 221 incorporates a self-inflating device 223 for inflating the balloon 220. The one way valve 221 and incorporated self inflating device 223 are typically constructed from one or more plastic materials, such as polymers. The self-inflating device 223 is typically a gas cartridge or another storage vessel for containing the gases for inflating the balloon 220. The gases may be stored in a liquid or solid state form to produce a number of inflating gases, one of which is typically Helium. The self inflating device 223 is triggered when the user blows air into the balloon 220 via the one-way valve 221. The movement of air into the one way valve 221 is indicated by arrow 224. The movement of air exiting the one way valve 221, into the balloon 220 is indicated by arrow 225. The movement of air vented through the one way valve 221 displaces or ruptures the valve's membrane 226 (see Figure 7b), which subsequently triggers the self inflating device 223. The one way valve 221 is required to prevent any gases from escaping the balloon 220 during the balloon inflation process.

Figure 8b shows a cross sectional view of a balloon 220 comprising a one way valve 221 moulded or inserted within the balloon's neck 222. The one way valve 221 is shown to incorporate a self-inflating device 223 and its associated membrane 226.

Figure 9 shows a balloon 229 incorporating a self-inflating device 227 which has been moulded or inserted within the balloon's neck 228. The self-inflating device 227 is typically of a squeezable sachet type and is shown to inflate the balloon 229 when external pressure is applied to the sides of the self-inflating device 227. The external pressure is typically in the form of the user's grip, therefore squeezing the self inflating device 227 and causing it to rupture. This action causes the contained chemicals within the self-inflating device 227 to react with each other and produce a gas which is vented into the balloon 229, therefore causing the balloon 229 to inflate. The venting of the gas within the balloon 229 is indicated by arrow 230. The self-inflating device 227 will incorporates a predetermined charge to ensure the balloon does not over inflate and is neither distorted nor destroyed.

In an alternative embodiment of the invention, the balloon may incorporate a relief valve to ensure a safe and non-hazardous deflation of the balloon.

In an alternative embodiment of the invention, the balloon does not incorporate an aperture within the neck of the balloon, for inflating the balloon.

Figure 10 shows an inflated balloon 235 enclosing an array of heart shaped inner chambers 236. The array of heart shaped chambers is connected together via a number of tubular passageways 237. The tubular passageways 237 communicate the inflating gas to each heart shaped chamber from the balloon's gas inlet 238 via tubular passageway 239. The balloon inlet 238 is shown in a closed state via an inlet closing device 240, such as a form of interlocking clamp.

Figure 11 shows an inflated balloon 241, not part of the claimed invention, enclosing an array of text shaped inner chambers 242. The array of text shaped inner chambers is connected via a number of tubular passage ways 244. The tubular passageways 244 communicate the inflating gas to each letter shaped chamber from the balloon's gas inlet 231 via tubular passageway 231. The letter shaped chambers are configured to detail the English words "happy birthday".

Figure 12 shows an inflating device 245 incorporating a conical elongate member 246, protruding perpendicular from the inflating device's peripheral edge. The conical elongate member 246 is inserted into the neck 262 of a balloon 247 via a one way valve device 248. The inflation gases, typically Helium, contained within the inflation device 245 are then vented into the balloon 247 in the direction indicated by arrows 249, to enable the inflation of the balloon 247.

Figure 13 shows an alternative embodiment of the inflation device 250, which incorporates two inner storage chambers 251 and 252. The body of the inflation device 250 is constructed from a resilient, flexible polymer material, which when twisted in the direction shown by arrow 253 ruptures an internal barrier 254. The rupturing of the internal barrier 254 enables the chemical substances contained within inner chamber 251 to mix with the chemical substance contained within inner chamber 252, therefore, causing a reaction which produces an inflating gas that is vented into the balloon via the conical elongate member 255 as indicated by arrow 256.

Figure 14 shows an inflating device 257 which has an inner chamber 258 that contains predetermined charge of inflating gas or gases. The gas contained within inner chamber 258 is vented from the inflating device 257 via the conical elongate member 259 in the general direction indicated by arrows 260. The contained gas is communicated from the inflation device 257 when detachable portion 261 is removed from the conical elongate member 259.

Figure 15A shows a view of a one-way valve 266. The one-way valve 266 is constructed from two rectangular membrane portions 267 (only one is show), attached together to form an elongated passageway 268. The passageway 268 is shown to communicate gas in a vertical direction, as indicated by arrows 270. The rectangular membrane portions are attached together along broken lines 271 and 272.

Figure 15B shows a cross-sectional view of the one-way valve 266 which shows the passageway for communicating gas along the one valve's length.

Figure 15C shows a balloon 265 incorporating the one-way valve 266, which has been moulded or inserted within the balloon's neck 267. The one-way valve 266 is shown to communicate gas in a vertical direction into the balloon's inner chamber 269, as indicated by arrows 274.

The two rectangular membrane portions 267 of the one-way valve 266 have their inner surfaces coated with an adhesive; the adhesive is typically a PVC based adhesive. When gas is applied to the one-way valve 266, the inner surfaces of the passageway separate to allow pressurised gas through the one-way valve 266. When the pressurised gas has stopped being applied to the one-way valve 266, the pressure from the gas contained within the balloon 265 forces the inner surfaces to close together and adhere together to prevent the gas contained within the balloon 265 from leaking out, therefore closing the one-way valve 266.

In an alternative embodiment of the one-way valve 266, the two rectangular membrane portions are formed form materials which have sticky or adhesive characteristics / properties.

Figure 16a shows a view of a balloon 274, which has a portion of the outer surface 275 coated in a primer material 276 to enable the printing of an image onto the balloon's primed outer surface area 277. The primer material is typically a porous white polyurethane material mixed with a matt material, which will enable the ink of the printed image to key into the primed outer surface 277 of the balloon 274. The balloon 274 has an inner surface, which is coated with an adhesive. The balloon 274 has an outer surface, apart from the outer surface 275 coated in a primer material 276, coated with an adhesive.

Figure 16b shows a rectangular supporting substrate 278, which is typically formed from a portion of cardboard.

Figure 16c shows the balloon 274 located about the supporting substrate 278, with the primed outer surface area 277 located centrally on supporting substrate 278. The rectangular outline of the supporting substrate 278 is clearly shown and the primed outer surface area 277 of the balloon is supported by the upper surface of the supporting substrate 278.

Figure 16d shows portions of the balloon 274, which are draped and secured about the lower surface of the supporting substrate 278. The portions of balloon 274 are secured together and to the substrate 278 by strips of self-adhesive tape 279. The draping portions of the balloon 274 are secured to prevent the balloon 274 from moving about the supporting substrate 278 and preventing any of the portions from getting caught in any machinery and possibly causing damage to the balloon 274.

Figure 16e shows a cross sectional view of the balloon 274 located about the supporting substrate 278. The hanging portions of the balloon 274 are adhered to the substrate 278 and together via adhesive tape 279. The upper surface 280 of the balloon 274 is shown to be uneven, which due to the inner chamber of the balloon contains air pockets or voids. The uneven upper surface of the balloon 274 may cause the printing means to scuff the surface upper surface 280 of the balloon 274, which may smear the image whilst it is being printed, or cause damage to the balloon 274.

Figure 16f shows a cross sectional view of the balloon 274 located about and flattened against the supporting substrate 278. The hanging portions of the balloon 274 are adhered to the substrate 278 and together via adhesive tape 279. The glued inner surface of the balloon (not shown) enables the two sides of the balloon 281 and 282 to adhere together and prevent any lateral movement of one side in relation to the other side. The outer surface 283 of side 282 is coated in adhesive and is shown to be adhered to supporting substrate 278. The flattening of the balloon 274 onto the supporting substrate will eliminate any pockets of air or voids between the balloon 274 and supporting substrate 278. Therefore, when the balloon 274 and supporting substrate 278 are applied to a printing means, typically an ink-jet printing means, they are clasped between two rollers, one of the rollers being a driven pinch roller. As the pinch roller passes the balloon 274 and supporting substrate through the printing means, it grips only one side 281 of the balloon 274. The balloon sides 281 and 282 are adhered together and are restrained from having any lateral movement, which prevents any distortions of the image and any possible jamming of the printing means that may cause damage to the balloon 274.

Figure 16g shows the balloon 274 located about the supporting substrate 278 being applied to a printing means, such as a typical inkjet printer. Arrow 286 indicates the direction of travel of the balloon 274 and supporting substrate 278 through the printing means and under the ink-jet printing head 288. Rotational arrows 284 and 285 show the rotation of the two pinch rollers 283 and 287.

Figure 16h shows the balloon 274 after the printing process has been completed, with the image 289 printed upon onto the balloon's primed outer surface area 277.

Figure 17 shows an alternative embodiment of the balloon 290 shown in Figures 16a to 16h. The balloon 290 is shown to be laying flat on a supporting substrate (not shown). The balloon incorporates fold lines 291 and 292 which predetermine the direction in which the balloon is folded about the supporting substrate. The balloon 290 incorporates the same adhesive inner and outer surface as described in Figure 16f.

The balloon 290 lies flat on the supporting substrate without any over hanging portions. The adhesive inner surface prevents any lateral movement of one side of the balloon 290 in relation to the other side of the balloon. The adhesive outer layer prevents any lateral movement of the balloon 290 in relation with the supporting substrate. The balloon 290 is shown to have the primed outer surface 293 centrally located upon the upper surface balloon 294, which is ready to receive the printing of the image. Therefore, both embodiments of the balloon may be applied to the printing means shown in Figure 16g.