Self-inflating screening shield, in particular umbrella

Abstract

A self-inflating screening shield, in particular umbrella, has an inflatable envelope ( 11 ) made of a flexible material. The interior of the envelope ( 11 ) is evacuated prior to use, and by means of a chemical reaction a gaseous substance can be produced therein with which the interior of the envelope ( 11 ) is inflated. The chemical reaction may consist in dissolving a sodium (bi)carbonate granulate in citric acid. The citric acid may be accommodated in a container which is made to rupture by pressure being applied externally to the envelope ( 11 ) by a user, for example at a predetermined breaking point, or by being torn at a predetermined tearing point, thus triggering the chemical reaction. A self-inflating balloon can also be produced in this way.

1 . A self-inflating screening shield comprising an inflatable envelope ( 11 ) made of flexible material, wherein two or more chemical substances are disposed spatially separate from each other inside the envelope ( 11 ) which trigger a chemical reaction when they come into contact with each other, thus producing a gaseous substance for inflating the envelope ( 11 ), wherein at least one of the chemical substances is accommodated in a container ( 12 . 2 ) which can be opened by the effect of pressure or tensile force, and wherein the container ( 12 . 2 ) has a predetermined breaking point and/or a predetermined tearing point. 
     
     
         2 . (canceled) 
     
     
         3 . (canceled) 
     
     
         4 . A self-inflating screening shield according to  claim 1 , wherein a first chemical substance of the chemical substances contains or consists of a solid, a second chemical substance of the chemical substances contains or consists of a liquid and the solid can be dissolved by the liquid, wherein the gaseous substance is one of the resultant reaction products. 
     
     
         5 . A self-inflating screening shield according to  claim 4 , wherein the first chemical substance is sodium carbonate or sodium bicarbonate and the second chemical substance comprises an acid, such that the reaction product resulting from the chemical reaction is gaseous CO 2 . 
     
     
         6 . A self-inflating screening shield according to  claim 5 , wherein the second chemical substance contains or consists of citric acid. 
     
     
         7 . A self-inflating screening shield according to  claim 1 , wherein the container ( 12 . 2 ) is disposed at a defined position inside the envelope ( 11 ) and a marking ( 12 . 4 ) is applied at a location on an outer wall of the envelope ( 11 ) which is closest to said position. 
     
     
         8 . (canceled) 
     
     
         9 . A self-inflating screening shield according to  claim 1 , wherein a handle member ( 13 ) in the form of a flexible loop is attached at a position on an outer wall of the envelope ( 11 ). 
     
     
         10 . A self-inflating screening shield according to  claim 1 , wherein the screening shield is an umbrella.