One or more aspects of the present invention provide an inflatable play ball including an outer casing formed of a flexible material that is substantially non-porous to air, which, when the outer casing is fully expanded, assumes a desired play ball configuration. The outer casing of some aspects comprises an opening to permit insertion into the outer casing of a balloon in its uninflated state, a closure that is operable to substantially seal the opening during use of the ball, and at least one vent therein to permit evacuation of air from the outer casing as the balloon is inflated. The balloon of various aspects is formed of an elastomeric material, the balloon comprising a stem which initially projects through the opening and is then outside of the outer casing to permit inflation of the balloon within the outer casing, after which, the stem is tied and inserted within the outer casing.
In another aspect, a method of inflating a play ball includes: supplying an outer casing formed of a flexible material that is substantially non-porous to air, the outer casing comprising an opening, a closure, and at least one vent therein; supplying a balloon formed of an elastomeric material and comprising a stem; inserting the balloon in an uninflated state through the opening and into the outer casing while leaving the stem outside of the outer casing; inflating the balloon by supplying air or a gas through the stem; evacuating air from the outer casing through the at least one vent; tying the stem upon inflation of the balloon; inserting the stem within the outer casing; and substantially sealing the opening with the closure; thereby forming a desired play ball configuration.
Referring now to
At least one vent 14 is provided in the outer casing 10 to permit evacuation of air from the outer casing 10 while the balloon is inflated within the casing. The vent can be a traditional inflation valve 16 such as that found on a beach ball. This is also referred to herein as a port and a plug combination. Non-limiting examples of vents used in various aspects include check-valves, mesh, holes, flaps affixed with hook and loop fasteners over openings, and the like. Further aspects have the at least one vent provided a covering to help protect the integrity of the balloon during play.
As the balloon 12 inflates in some embodiments, the at least one second opening 14, if closed, is opened and air from inside the outer casing 10 is evacuated from the outer casing 10. Once the balloon 12 is inflated, the stem 13 can be knotted and the second opening 14 closed with flap 15. The knotted stem 13 can be placed inside the outer casing 10 and the first opening 11 can also be closed via any of the previously described methods.
When a balloon is inflated inside a fabric case, the air between the partially inflated balloon and the case escapes through the case. With the impervious case of the present invention, air tends to get trapped between the partially inflated balloon and the case, and may create undesirable air pockets. A single vent or hole in the case at the bottom (opposite the slit where the balloon is inflated) is not always sufficient to prevent the formation of these air pockets. Thus, in some embodiments, it is preferred to have several small holes or openings in addition to the slit where the balloon is inflated. These small holes or openings are punched in the vinyl case to prevent the formation of these air pockets.
For example, if one thinks of an inflated balloon inside a casing in accordance with the present invention, as a globe, with a balloon inserted in a slit in the casing at the North Pole, it is believed that a total of about 6 small holes, each no more than ΒΌ inch in diameter, spaced along what would be the Tropic of Cancer and the Tropic of Capricorn, provide optimum results.
Accordingly, it is preferred that the casing use as much of the impervious vinyl case as possible to prevent air from escaping from the inflated balloon. Therefore, although a large balloon is inserted in the slit for inflation, it is preferred that the slit in which the balloon is inserted be as small as possible to leave only a small area where the balloon is not covered by the vinyl. Therefore, it is preferred to heavily reinforce the slit so that a large balloon can be partially pulled inside the case (while of course leaving the neck sticking out for inflation) without tearing the slit in the vinyl.
In accordance with another aspect of the present invention, the outer casing 10 and the balloon 12 are provided in a single package for sale. Upon usage, the balloon 12 is inserted into the outer casing 10 and air is introduced into the balloon 12. Any air in the outer casing 10 is evacuated through the at least one second opening in the outer casing, and the balloon inflates to cause the outer casing 10 to assume a shape.
In accordance with a further aspect of the invention, there are no loops attached to the outer casing.
In various embodiments of the invention, the opening is reinforced. This has the benefit, among other things, of protecting the opening from tearing during insertion or removal of a balloon.
Further embodiments of the invention have at least one additional section heat sealed onto the outer casing of the ball. Because the play ball can be made of a non-porous inflatable material, it is possible to add on another section that is heat sealed into a fully enclosed area (with no holes). In embodiments of this sort, a conventional inflatable valve may be used to inflate the protrusion, at less pressure than the balloon ball. Embodiments of these types can result in a bouncing play ball with arms or legs that are decorative, or a protrusion that a child could hold onto, while retaining the high pressure characteristics of the balloon ball.
Additional embodiments of the invention have a section that is heat sealed onto the surface of the ball, creating an off weighted ball, giving a crazy wobble effect. The heat sealed section of these embodiments can be located either on the inside or outside surface of the ball.
While there have been shown, described and pointed out fundamental novel features of the invention as applied to preferred embodiments and aspects thereof, it will be understood that various omissions and substitutions and changes in the form and details of the device illustrated and in its operation may be made by those skilled in the art without departing from the spirit of the invention. It is the intention, therefore, to be limited only as indicated by the scope of the claims appended hereto.
This application is a continuation-in-part under 35 U.S.C. § 120 of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 11/534,905, filed on Sep. 25, 2006, which claimed, under 35 U.S.C. § 119(e), the benefit of and priority to U.S. Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 60/825,553, filed on Sep. 13, 2006, both of which are hereby incorporated by reference.
Number | Date | Country | |
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60825553 | Sep 2006 | US |
Number | Date | Country | |
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Parent | 11534905 | Sep 2006 | US |
Child | 11854030 | US |