Adhesive bonding and miscellaneous chemical manufacture – Methods – Surface bonding and/or assembly therefor
Reexamination Certificate
1998-05-18
2001-02-06
Yao, Sam Chuan (Department: 1733)
Adhesive bonding and miscellaneous chemical manufacture
Methods
Surface bonding and/or assembly therefor
C156S308400, C446S220000
Reexamination Certificate
active
06183591
ABSTRACT:
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
This invention relates to sealing balloon necks. In particular, it relates to a sealable balloon neck of latex, to a method and an apparatus for preparing such a balloon neck, and to a method and apparatus for preparing inflated balloons for release.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
I refer to my published applications No. GB 2200299 and WO90/00430 which relate to techniques for sealing a balloon neck, and which also describe other conventional techniques to seal necks.
A problem with conventional techniques is that they usually involve additional parts being supplied with the balloon. For example, an adhesive-sealable balloon may include a plastics tube inserted into the open neck to enable the balloon to be inflated without interfering with the adhesive. A valve-sealable balloon necessarily includes a one-way valve fitted into the balloon neck. Such additional parts are undesirable because they add to the cost and complexity of manufacture. Also, in the case of valve-sealable balloons, it has been found that the valves from balloons used in large quantities at promotional or sporting events may be deposited in farmland once the balloons have deflated and decayed. The valves can easily be eaten by farm animals and cause internal injuries to the animals, or they can cause damage to farm machinery.
A further problem with valve-sealed balloons is that the valve adds significantly to the weight of the balloon, which reduces the balloons buoyancy. In the case of balloons filled with heliox, it has been found that a 30 cm (12 inch) size balloon is required in order to generate sufficient lift to rise when fitted with a conventional valve. Such a size of balloon requires 35% more gas for filling than would a more economical 25 cm (10 inch) size balloon, which is normally unable to rise when fitted with a valve.
Additionally, conventional techniques do not permit efficient automatic inflating and releasing of balloons on a large scale at a remote release site. Often, when a large balloon release is planned at, for example, an outdoor event, a hundred or more people will be required to inflate and seal the balloons manually. Such techniques are very time consuming and labour intensive, and this adds significantly to the cost of the balloon release.
The present invention has been devised with the above drawbacks in mind.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
In a first aspect, the invention provides a balloon neck of latex, wherein at least a region of the inner surface of the neck comprises a refreshed latex surface, the refreshed region extending substantially around an inner circumference of the neck, such that the neck can be sealed by bringing opposed areas of the refreshed surface into direct contact with each other to form a latex—latex bond.
The term “refreshed latex surface” is intended to include latex material whose surface is substantially clean of contaminants such as dust, dirt and, in particular, chalk and/or silicon which is often used with balloons. I have found that when two such refreshed latex surfaces are pressed into contact with each other, a direct bond is formed without the need for any additional adhesive coating. The bond may be in the form of a cold weld. The latex does not, however, seem to be susceptible to forming a bond with other types of material.
With such an arrangement, it is no longer necessary to provide additional parts to seal the balloon neck, or to assist in inflating the balloon neck prior to forming the seal.
When bringing the opposed areas of the neck into contact with each other, the neck is preferably squeezed, pinched and/or stretched such that the refreshed areas are pressed directly against each other.
It will be appreciated that in some cases, an end portion of the neck including the refreshed region may be temporarily everted so that the inner surface of the end portion faces outwardly. However, it will be understood that when the balloon is to be sealed, the everted portion of the neck would be reverted, so that the refreshed surface would be facing inwardly.
Preferably, the refreshed region includes a substantially annular region on the inner surface of the neck.
Optionally, a removable layer of protective material may be placed over the refreshed region to prevent the refreshed surface from loosing its bonding quality, for example, by becoming contaminated with dust. The protective material may, for example, comprise a tape of non-latex material, such as an adhesive tape with a metal foil backing. However, it has been found that a refreshed latex surface remain can retain its “active” bonding quality even if it is not protected by such a protective layer.
Preferably, the protective layer, if fitted, includes a pull-tab to enable the protective layer to be removed quickly and easily.
In a second aspect, the invention provides a method of preparing a latex balloon neck for sealing, the method comprising refreshing the latex material at a region of the inner surface of the balloon neck, which region extends substantially around an inner circumference of the neck, such that the neck can be sealed by bringing opposed areas of the refreshed surface into direct contact with each other to form a latex—latex bond.
Preferably, the step of refreshing the latex material comprises cleaning the surface of the material. The cleaning may comprise a step of abrasion and/or it may comprise applying a cleaning fluid to the region to be refreshed. For example, such a cleaning fluid may comprise a solvent, such as an alcohol. Preferably, the cleaning fluid is chosen such that it does not degrade the latex material.
A particularly suitable solvent is isopropanol, but other cleaning fluids could be used. It has been found that water can be used as the cleaning fluid, although this might not achieve a very durable latex—latex bond. Isopropanol is believed to be particularly advantageous as it does not tend to degrade the latex material, as might certain other solvents.
Preferably, in the case of a cleaning fluid being used, the method further comprises a step of drying the refreshed surface. If an alcohol is used as the cleaning fluid, the step of drying may comprise allowing the surface to dry under ambient conditions. The drying might, for example, be performed by ambient or heated aspiration. At normal room temperature, the neck would only take a matter of seconds or minutes to dry sufficiently. Alternatively, the drying may be formed by wiping the surface with a dry wiper.
Optionally, the method may further comprise a step of applying a protective layer of material over the refreshed surface.
Preferably, the steps of refreshing the surface, and of applying the protective layer, are performed with the end portion of the neck everted on a mandrel. This provides easy access to the “inner” surface of the neck, which might otherwise be difficult with the neck in a non-everted condition. A suitable method and apparatus for everting the neck are described in my published application No. WO90/00430. Alternatively, an “insert” method may be used for accessing the interior of the neck without everting the neck.
In a preferred form, the invention provides a method for preparing a plurality of latex balloons for sealing, the method comprising sorting a supply of latex balloons into individual sorted balloons, refreshing the latex material of each balloon at a region of the inner surface of the balloon neck, which region extends around one or more inner circumferences of the neck, such that the neck can be sealed by bringing opposed areas of the refreshed latex surface into direct contact with each other to form a latex—latex bond.
Preferably, the step of sorting the balloons comprises orientating the balloons such that each balloon is orientated in a predetermined direction.
Preferably, the method comprises everting the necks of the balloons to provide access to the inner surface of the neck.
In a third aspect, the invention, provides an apparatus for preparing a latex balloon neck for sealing, the apparatus comprising means for refreshing the surface of t
Harter Secrest & Emery LLP
Salai Esq. Stephen B.
Self Sealing Systems Limited
Shaw Esq. Brian B.
Yao Sam Chuan
LandOfFree
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