Inflatable umbrella and method for the production thereof

Abstract

A method for producing an inflatable umbrella with a number of struts n, in which n films are positioned on top of one another in at least some regions; two films form cover layers and the other films are folded as intermediate layers and arranged between the cover layers; the films are connected along a first contour, with each pair of adjacent films being connected to each other; and the umbrella is separated from the films in at least some regions along a second contour. The invention also relates to an inflatable umbrella.

1 . A method for producing an inflatable umbrella with a number of struts (n) comprising the following steps:
 placing n films on top of one another in at least some regions; with two films forming cover layers and positioning the other films as intermediate layers, folded—particularly in the middle, and positioned between the cover layers;   connecting the films along a first contour, with each pair of adjacent films being connected to each other; and   at least partially separating the umbrella from the films along a second contour.   
     
     
         2 . The method according to  claim 1 , wherein the at least partial separation of the umbrella is carried out by perforation or punching of the films along the second contour. 
     
     
         3 . The method according to  claim 1 , wherein connecting the films is carried out using an adhesive and/or welding. 
     
     
         4 . The method according to  claim 1 , comprising using 4, 6 or 8 films. 
     
     
         5 . The method according to  claim 1 , wherein the first contour and/or the second contour forms at least two strut regions that each constitute half of a strut. 
     
     
         6 . The method according to  claim 1 , wherein the first contour and/or the second contour forms at least one holding element region, which constitutes an nth part of a central holding element. 
     
     
         7 . The method according to  claim 1 , wherein the first contour and/or the second contour forms at least one umbrella surface. 
     
     
         8 . The method according to  claim 1 , wherein in a border region between two strut regions and/or between a respective strut region and a holding element region, the films are not connected to each other in at least some regions. 
     
     
         9 . The method according to  claim 1 , wherein the first contour and second contour overlap in at least some regions and/or are congruent in at least some regions and/or the second contour extends along an outer edge of the first contour in at least some regions. 
     
     
         10 . The method according to  claim 6 , wherein the first contour extends in an interrupted fashion at a lower end of the holding element region. 
     
     
         11 . The method according to  claim 1 , wherein all of the films are connected to one another in a core region that lies on the first contour in at least some regions. 
     
     
         12 . The method according to  claim 1 , comprising folding and arranging the intermediate layers between the cover layers so that all of the films are situated essentially adjacent to one another along their folded edges or central axes. 
     
     
         13 . The method according to  claim 1 , wherein the first contour and/or the second contour extend in an axially symmetrical fashion on at least one folded edge and/or at least one central axis. 
     
     
         14 . The method according to  claim 1 , further comprising, before and/or after separating the umbrella, fastening a mouth piece to the umbrella using an adhesive. 
     
     
         15 . The method according to  claim 1 , wherein the first contour has a width of 1 mm to 10 mm. 
     
     
         16 . The method according to  claim 1 , comprising providing at least one umbrella surface with a coating and/or with printing and/or at least partially coated films and/or films with printing. 
     
     
         17 . An inflatable umbrella with a number of struts (n), produced using a method according to  claim 1 , wherein the umbrella has n films, of which two films are embodied as cover layers and the other films are arranged as intermediate layers between the cover layers, with each pair of adjacent films being connected to each other. 
     
     
         18 . The inflatable umbrella according to  claim 17 , wherein all n films have an identical outer contour. 
     
     
         19 . The inflatable umbrella according to  claim 17 , wherein the films that form an intermediate layer are folded in the middle. 
     
     
         20 . The inflatable umbrella according to  claim 19 , wherein two intermediate layers are adjacent to each other at their folded edges. 
     
     
         21 . The inflatable umbrella according to  claim 17 , wherein an outer contour is essentially Y-shaped and the outer contour connects free ends of short legs of the Y-shape, as a result of which an umbrella surface is suspended between the short legs.