US2006175210A1PendingUtilityA1

System and process of producing a soft and flexible balloon

42
Individually held — no corporate assignee on recordPriority: Feb 9, 2005Filed: Feb 9, 2005Published: Aug 10, 2006
Est. expiryFeb 9, 2025(expired)· nominal 20-yr term from priority
Inventors:Emily M. BanksChristopher Hill
B65D 81/28B65D 81/22
42
PatentIndex Score
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Cited by
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References
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Claims

Abstract

A method of producing and packaging a plastic balloon preferably includes steps of sealing the plastic balloon within a substantially airtight package and maintaining the environment within the package in such a condition as to maintain the plastic balloon in a softened and flexible state that will optimize the performance characteristics of the plastic balloon when it is inflated.

Claims

exact text as granted — not AI-modified
1 . A method of packaging a plastic balloon, comprising: 
 (a) providing a plastic balloon;    (b) inserting the plastic balloon into a package; and    (c) establishing an environment within the package that is sufficient to maintain the balloon in a softened and flexible state.    
   
   
       2 . A method of packaging a plastic balloon according to  claim 1 , wherein step (b) is performed by inserting the plastic balloon into a package that is substantially airtight, whereby loss of non-aqueous liquid from the package will be minimized.  
   
   
       3 . A method of packaging a plastic balloon according to  claim 1 , wherein step (c) is performed by providing a softening means within the package for maintaining a non-aqueous liquid atmosphere within the package.  
   
   
       4 . A method of packaging a plastic balloon according to  claim 3 , wherein said softening means comprises a porous carrier element that is at least partially saturated with a non-aqueous liquid.  
   
   
       5 . A method of packaging a plastic balloon according to  claim 3 , wherein said non-aqueous liquid is selected from the group consisting of alkanols, ketones, aldehydes, ethers, amines and esters.  
   
   
       6 . A method of packaging a plastic balloon according to  claim 5 , wherein said alkanols are selected from the group consisting of methanol, ethanol, 1-propanol, isopropyl alcohol, 1-propen-3-ol, propylene glycol, ethylene glycol, glycerol, and 2-methyl-2-propanol.  
   
   
       7 . A method of packaging a plastic balloon according to  claim 6 , wherein said alkanol is isopropyl alcohol.  
   
   
       8 . A method of packaging a plastic balloon according to  claim 1 , wherein step (c) is performed by softening the plastic balloon prior to packaging and maintaining an environment within the package that is sufficient to maintain said softened and flexible state.  
   
   
       9 . A method of packaging a plastic balloon according to  claim 8 , wherein said step of maintaining a non-aqueous liquid environment within the package that is sufficient to maintain the softened and flexible state is performed by maintaining the package in a substantially airtight condition.  
   
   
       10 . A method of packaging a plastic balloon according to  claim 4 , wherein said step of maintaining a non-aqueous liquid environment within the package that is sufficient to maintain the softened and flexible state is performed by a non-aqueous gel.  
   
   
       11 . A method of packaging a plastic balloon according to  claim 1 , wherein step (c) is performed by providing a heating means within the package for maintaining warm environment within the package.  
   
   
       12 . A method of packaging a plastic balloon according to  claim 11 , wherein said heating means is a chemical heater.  
   
   
       13 . A system for packaging a plastic balloon, comprising: 
 a package;    a plastic balloon contained within the package; and    softening means for establishing an environment within the package that is sufficient to maintain the plastic balloon in a softened and flexible state.    
   
   
       14 . A system for packaging a plastic balloon according to  claim 13 , wherein said package is substantially airtight.  
   
   
       15 . A system for packaging a plastic balloon according to  claim 13 , wherein said softening means comprises a porous carrier element that is at least partially saturated with a non-aqueous liquid.  
   
   
       16 . A system for packaging a plastic balloon according to  claim 13 , wherein said softening means comprises a porous carrier element that is at least partially saturated with a non-aqueous gel.  
   
   
       17 . A system of packaging a plastic balloon according to  claim 15 , wherein said non-aqueous liquid is selected from the group consisting of alkanols, ketones, aldehydes, ethers, amines and esters.  
   
   
       18 . A system of packaging a plastic balloon according to  claim 17 , wherein said alkanols are selected from the group consisting of methanol, ethanol, 1 -propanol, isopropyl alcohol, 1 -propen-3-ol, propylene glycol, ethylene glycol, glycerol, and 2-methyl-2-propanol.  
   
   
       19 . A system of packaging a plastic balloon according to  claim 18 , wherein said alkanol is isopropyl alcohol.  
   
   
       20 . A system for packaging a plastic balloon according to  claim 13 , further comprising antifungal means provided within the package for inhibiting the growth of mold within the package.  
   
   
       21 . A system for packaging a plastic balloon according to  claim 13 , further comprising antibacterial means provided within the package for inhibiting the growth of mold within the package.  
   
   
       22 . A system for packaging a plastic balloon according to  claim 13 , wherein said softening means comprises a heating means.  
   
   
       23 . A system for packaging a plastic balloon according to  claim 22 , wherein said heating means is a chemical heater.  
   
   
       24 . A method of distributing a plastic balloon, comprising steps of: 
 (a) softening the plastic balloon; and    (b) distributing the plastic balloon in the softened and flexible state.    
   
   
       25 . A method of distributing a plastic balloon according to  claim 24 , wherein said step of softening the plastic balloon is performed at a manufacturing facility.  
   
   
       26 . A method of distributing a plastic balloon according to  claim 24 , wherein said step of distributing the plastic balloon is performed by transporting the plastic balloon from a manufacturing facility to a wholesale facility.  
   
   
       27 . A method of distributing a plastic balloon according to  claim 24 , wherein said step of distributing the plastic balloon is performed by transporting the plastic balloon to a retail facility.  
   
   
       28 . A method of distributing a balloon according to  claim 24 , wherein said step of distributing the plastic balloon is performed at a retail facility for consumers.  
   
   
       29 . A method of making a plastic balloon, comprising: 
 (a) providing a plastic material;    (b) treating the plastic material to ensure that the plastic material is maintained in a softened and flexible state; and    (c) making the plastic material into a balloon.    
   
   
       30 . A method of making a plastic balloon according to  claim 29 , wherein said step of treating the plastic material is performed by providing a softening means for maintaining a non-aqueous liquid atmosphere adjacent to the plastic material  
   
   
       31 . A method of making a plastic balloon according to  claim 30 , wherein said non-aqueous liquid is selected from the group consisting of alkanols, ketones, aldehydes, ethers, amines and esters.  
   
   
       32 . A method of making a plastic balloon according to  claim 31 , wherein said alkanols are selected from the group consisting of methanol, ethanol, 1 -propanol, isopropyl alcohol, 1 -propen-3-ol, propylene glycol, ethylene glycol, glycerol, and 2-methyl-2-propanol.  
   
   
       33 . A method of making a plastic balloon according to  claim 32 , wherein said alkanol is isopropyl alcohol.  
   
   
       34 . A method of making a plastic balloon according to  claim 29 , further comprising a step of packaging the balloon so that an environment is maintained within the package that is sufficient to maintain the balloon in a softened and flexible state.  
   
   
       35 . A method of making a plastic balloon, comprising: 
 (a) providing a plastic material that has been treated to ensure that the plastic material is maintained in a softened and flexible state; and    (b) making the plastic material into a balloon.    
   
   
       36 . A method of making a plastic balloon according to  claim 35 , wherein said plastic material is treated by providing a softening means for maintaining a non-aqueous liquid atmosphere adjacent to the plastic material  
   
   
       37 . A method of making a plastic balloon according to  claim 36 , wherein said non-aqueous liquid is selected from the group consisting of alkanols, ketones, aldehydes, ethers, amines and esters.  
   
   
       38 . A method of making a plastic balloon according to  claim 37 , wherein said alkanols are selected from the group consisting of methanol, ethanol, 1 -propanol, isopropyl alcohol, 1 -propen-3-ol, propylene glycol, ethylene glycol, glycerol, and 2-methyl-2-propanol.  
   
   
       39 . A method of making a plastic balloon according to  claim 38 , wherein said alkanol is isopropyl alcohol.

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