Balloon displays

Abstract

A structural and/or decorative balloon display is comprised of a plurality of connected, inflatable chambers formed by a plurality of die applications to a plurality of layers of film. In one preferred embodiment connected chambers have and maintain fluid communication. In another preferred embodiment, connected, inflatable chambers have no fluid communication. In other preferred embodiments fluid communication is terminated after inflation. Other embodiments take advantage of variations of numbers of layers, configurations of layers, and treatment of surfaces to create special balloon forms.

What is claimed is:  
     
         15 . A balloon display comprised of a plurality of connected, inflatable chambers formed by a plurality of die applications to a plurality of layers of film.  
     
     
         16 . The article as described in claim  15 , wherein at least two die applications of said plurality of die applications are made by a single die.  
     
     
         17 . The article as described in claim  15 , wherein at least one die application is made by each of at least two different dies.  
     
     
         18 . The article as described in claim  15 , wherein a plurality of inflatable chambers thus formed are in fluid communication.  
     
     
         19 . The article as described in claim  18 , wherein at least two of said plurality of inflatable chambers thus formed are inflated and subsequently fluid communication is terminated between/among at least two of said inflated chambers.  
     
     
         20 . The article as described in claim  15 , wherein a plurality of inflatable chambers thus formed are not in fluid communication.  
     
     
         21 . The article as described in claim  15 , wherein a plurality of said inflatable chambers are inflatable through at least one manifold and wherein the fluid connections between said at least one manifold and said plurality of inflatable chambers incorporate self-sealing valves that allow fluids to pass into said plurality of inflatable chambers but inhibit the release of said fluids from said chambers.  
     
     
         22 . The article as recited in  claim 21 , wherein said manifold is located between outer layers of the film used to form said plurality of said inflatable chambers.  
     
     
         23 . The article as recited in claim  15 , wherein at least one area of surface on at least one layer of film is treated to alter the sealing characteristics of that layer of film compared to other layer/s of said plurality of layers of film.  
     
     
         24 . The article as recited in claim  15 , wherein at least one layer of film is cut in a different pattern from other layer/s of said plurality of layers of film.  
     
     
         25 . The article as recited in claim  18  wherein the connection between larger inflatable chambers incorporates at least one smaller, bulbous chamber configured to neutralize angular deflection between larger chambers when the balloon system is inflated.  
     
     
         26 . The article as recited in claim  18  wherein the connection between a plurality of inflatable chambers incorporates at least one notch in at least one seal between layers of film wherein said at least one notch is configured to facilitate bending said connection when the balloon system is inflated.  
     
     
         27 . The article as recited in claim  15  wherein said plurality of layers of film are at least three layers of film and wherein there is at least one aperture in at least one inner layer of film thereby allowing fluid communication between at least two adjacent inflatable chambers otherwise separated by said at least one inner layer of film.  
     
     
         28 . A method for creating a balloon display comprised of the following steps: 
 A die is applied to a plurality of layers of film such that adjacent layers of film are sealed together at predetermined places; and    At least one additional application of a die is made to the same plurality of layers of film such that adjacent layers of film are sealed together at predetermined places;    wherein the places sealed by the combination of die applications define a plurality of chambers that are inflatable; and    wherein said chambers thus formed are connected by the film from which said chambers are formed.    
     
     
         29 . The method as recited in  claim 28 , wherein a plurality of inflatable chambers thus formed are in fluid communication.  
     
     
         30 . The method as recited in  claim 28 , wherein a plurality of inflatable chambers thus formed are not in fluid communication.  
     
     
         31 . The method as recited in  claim 28 , with the additional step of inflating a plurality of said inflatable chambers.  
     
     
         32 . The method as recited in  claim 31 , with the additional step of terminating fluid communication betweentamong a plurality of inflated chambers that are in fluid communication.  
     
     
         33 . The method as recited in  claim 28 , wherein a plurality of said die applications are made by a single die.  
     
     
         34 . The method as recited in  claim 28 , wherein at least one die application is made by each of at least two different dies.