Inflatable having an open-weave mesh wall or window

Abstract

An inflatable includes an inflatable portion having an inlet couplable to a blower to blow air into an interior of the inflatable portion and an open weave section coupled to the inflatable portion and defining a wall or a window of the inflatable. An outer surface of the open weave section includes an image printed directly on the outer surface. In one option the image is a photo-quality digitally printed image having a resolution of at least 14 dpi.

1 . An inflatable comprising: 
 an inflatable portion having an inlet couplable to a blower to blow air into an interior of the inflatable portion; and    an open weave section coupled to the inflatable portion and defining a wall or a window of the inflatable, wherein a surface of the open weave section includes an image printed directly on the surface.    
   
   
       2 . The inflatable of  claim 1 , wherein the image is digitally printed on the surface.  
   
   
       3 . The inflatable of  claim 2 , wherein the image has a resolution of at least 14 dpi.  
   
   
       4 . The inflatable of  claim 2 , wherein the image has a resolution of at least 720 dpi.  
   
   
       5 . The inflatable of  claim 1 , wherein the open weave section extends between upward extending columns of the inflatable.  
   
   
       6 . The inflatable of  claim 1 , wherein the open weave section includes a vinyl coated mesh.  
   
   
       7 . The inflatable of  claim 1 , wherein the open weave section includes holes equal to or smaller than about {fraction (1/2)} inch.  
   
   
       8 . The inflatable of  claim 1 , wherein the open weave section includes holes equal to or smaller than about {fraction (1/4)} inch.  
   
   
       9 . An inflatable comprising: 
 an inflatable portion; and    an open weave section connected to the inflatable portion, the open weave section having an image digitally printed on a surface of the open weave section.    
   
   
       10 . The inflatable of  claim 9 , wherein the inflatable portion includes one or more support columns and the open weave section extends between the support columns.  
   
   
       11 . The inflatable of  claim 9 , wherein the open weave section includes a vinyl coated mesh having holes of about 12 inch or less.  
   
   
       12 . The inflatable of  claim 9 , wherein the image has a resolution of at least 14 dpi.  
   
   
       13 . The inflatable of  claim 9 , wherein the image is a photo-quality image having a resolution of at least 720 dpi.  
   
   
       14 . The inflatable of  claim 9 , wherein the image covers at least 9 square feet of the open weave section.  
   
   
       15 . The inflatable of  claim 14 , wherein the image covers at least 36 square feet of the open weave section.  
   
   
       16 - 18 . (canceled)  
   
   
       19 . The inflatable of  claim 1 , wherein the image is printed on the surface of the open weave section such that one can see through the open weave section.  
   
   
       20 . The inflatable of  claim 9 , wherein the image is printed on the surface of the open weave section such that one can see through the open weave section.