Inflatable play ball

Abstract

A play ball comprising an outer casing having a first opening and at least one second opening that operates as a vent and a balloon is provided. The outer casing is substantially non-porous. An uninflated balloon is inserted into the outer casing through an opening. During inflation of the balloon, air from within the outer casing is released through the at least one vent. The play ball can additional sections and can be provided in kit form.

1 . An inflatable play ball comprising:
 an outer casing formed of a flexible material that is substantially non-porous which assumes a desired play ball configuration when expanded, the outer casing having a first opening and a second opening; and   a removable balloon formed of an elastomeric material, the balloon being inside the outer casing and having a closeable opening aligned with the first opening in the outer casing;   wherein when the balloon is inflated through the closeable opening in the balloon, air in the outer casing is evacuated through the second opening.   
   
   
       2 . The inflatable play ball of  claim 1 , wherein the first opening is closeable. 
   
   
       3 . The inflatable play ball of  claim 2 , wherein the second opening is closeable. 
   
   
       4 . The inflatable play ball of  claim 2 , wherein the second opening is closeable. 
   
   
       5 . The inflatable play ball of  claim 1 , further comprising one or more additional second openings. 
   
   
       6 . The inflatable play ball of  claim 5 , wherein the one or more additional second openings are closeable. 
   
   
       7 . The inflatable play ball of  claim 5 , wherein each of the second openings are about 0.25 inch in diameter. 
   
   
       8 . The inflatable play ball of  claim 5 , wherein there are six second openings. 
   
   
       9 . The inflatable play ball of  claim 1 , wherein the closeable opening in the balloon is knotted. 
   
   
       10 . The inflatable play ball of  claim 1 , wherein the closeable opening in the balloon is closed by a valve. 
   
   
       11 . The inflatable play ball of  claim 1 , wherein the flexible material includes a polymeric plastic film. 
   
   
       12 . The inflatable play ball of  claim 1 , wherein the flexible material comprises polyvinyl chloride. 
   
   
       13 . The inflatable play ball of  claim 5 , wherein the flexible material comprises a fabric material and a rubber coating adhered to the fabric material. 
   
   
       14 . The inflatable play ball of  claim 13 , wherein the rubber coating is adhered to an outer surface of the outer casing. 
   
   
       15 . The inflatable play ball of  claim 13 , wherein the rubber coating is adhered to an inner surface of the outer casing. 
   
   
       16 . The inflatable play ball of  claim 1 , wherein the flexible material includes an impermeable membrane. 
   
   
       17 . The inflatable play ball of  claim 1 , further comprising at least one additional section heat sealed onto the outer casing. 
   
   
       18 . The inflatable play ball of  claim 17 , wherein at least one additional section comprises an inflation valve. 
   
   
       19 . The inflatable play ball of  claim 1 , further comprising additional section, wherein the additional section causes the ball to be off-balance. 
   
   
       20 . A kit comprising:
 an outer casing formed of a flexible material that is substantially non-porous which assumes a desired play ball configuration when expanded, the outer casing having a first opening and at least two second openings; and   a balloon in its uninflated state formed of an elastomeric material adapted to be placed inside the outer casing through the first opening; and   packaging enclosing the outer casing and the balloon.   
   
   
       21 . The kit of  claim 20 , further comprising one or more balloons in their uninflated states. 
   
   
       22 . The kit of  claim 20 , further comprising at least one additional section heat sealed to the outer casing. 
   
   
       23 . The kit of  claim 22 , wherein at least one additional section comprises an inflation valve. 
   
   
       24 . The kit of  claim 20 , further comprising at least one additional section heat sealed to the inside of the outer casing.