Self inflating balloon

Abstract

A self-inflating balloon ( 100 ) comprising: an inflatable bag ( 16 ) of substantially air impervious material; a container of compressed gas ( 14 ); trigger means ( 22 ) associated with the container ( 14 ) operable to allow gas from the container ( 14 ) to inflate the bag ( 16 ); and an enclosure ( 10 ) in which the bag ( 16 ), the container ( 14 ) and the trigger means ( 22 ) are housed. Opening the enclosure ( 10 ) may activate the trigger means ( 22 ) or provide access for activation of the trigger means ( 22 ). The balloon ( 100 ) may additionally comprise an illumination device ( 26 ).

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A self-inflating balloon comprising: an inflatable bag of substantially air impervious material; a container of compressed gas; trigger means associated with the container operable to allow gas from the container to inflate the bag; and an enclosure in which the bag, the container and the trigger means are housed, wherein opening the enclosure activates the trigger means or provides access for activation of the trigger means and the balloon additionally comprises an illumination device. 
     
     
         2 . A self-inflating balloon as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein the gas container is provided with a container gas valve, through which the compressed gas exits the container. 
     
     
         3 . A self-inflating balloon as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein the inflatable bag comprises a neck portion and a body portion. 
     
     
         4 . A self-inflating balloon as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein the inflatable bag is substantially or partially translucent. 
     
     
         5 . A self-inflating balloon as claimed in  claim 3 , wherein the neck portion of the inflatable bag is provided with a one-way valve that is engagable with the gas container valve. 
     
     
         6 . A self-inflating balloon as claimed in  claim 5 , wherein the one way valve is bonded to the inner surface of the neck of the inflatable bag such that no gas can pass therebetween. 
     
     
         7 . A self-inflating balloon as claimed in  claim 5 , wherein the one-way valve is releasably engagable with the gas container valve. 
     
     
         8 . A self-inflating balloon as claimed in  claim 2 , wherein the gas valve is provided with a spring or other biasing means operable to urge the gas valve open, the biasing means opposed by the trigger means. 
     
     
         9 . A self-inflating balloon as claimed in  claim 8 , wherein the inflation trigger means comprises a removable pull tab initially positioned to hold the spring or biasing means in a position where the gas valve is held closed. 
     
     
         10 . A self-inflating balloon as claimed in  claim 2 ,
 wherein the gas valve is provided with a spring or other biasing means operable to urge the gas valve shut, the biasing means opposed by the trigger means.   
     
     
         11 . A self-inflating balloon as claimed in  claim 10 , wherein the trigger means comprises a switch or button operable to open the gas valve when activated. 
     
     
         12 . (canceled) 
     
     
         13 . A self-inflating balloon as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein the illumination device is one or more light emitting diodes (LED). 
     
     
         14 . A self-inflating balloon as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein the illumination device is provided with a power supply comprising at least one battery or an energy scavenging means. 
     
     
         15 . (canceled) 
     
     
         16 . A self-inflating balloon as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein the illumination device is controlled in response to the activation of a trigger means. 
     
     
         17 . A self-inflating balloon as claimed in  claim 16 , wherein the illumination device trigger means comprises an insulating material initially located between the battery or batteries and the LED, said material being capable of being withdrawn from extending between the battery or batteries in order to complete a circuit. 
     
     
         18 . A self-inflating balloon as claimed in  claim 16 , wherein the illumination device trigger means comprises a switch or button. 
     
     
         19 . A self-inflating balloon as claimed in  claim 16 , wherein the illumination device trigger means comprises a sensor operable to receive a control signal. 
     
     
         20 . A self-inflating balloon as claimed in  claim 16 , wherein the inflation trigger means is also the illumination device trigger means. 
     
     
         21 . A self-inflating balloon as claimed in  claim 16 , wherein the illumination device trigger means is separate to the inflation trigger means. 
     
     
         22 . A self-inflating balloon as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein the illumination means is provided in the neck of the inflatable bag. 
     
     
         23 . A self-inflating balloon as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein the illumination means is provided at a distal end of the body of the bag. 
     
     
         24 . A self-inflating balloon as claimed in  claim 23 , wherein the illumination device has a projection whereby it is attached to the inner side of the inflatable bag, by a clip, band or O-ring fitted onto the projection from outside the balloon. 
     
     
         25 . A self-inflating balloon as claimed in  claim 1 , additionally comprising an audio player operable to output sounds. 
     
     
         26 . A self-inflating balloon as claimed in  claim 25 , wherein the audio player is controlled in response to the activation of a trigger means. 
     
     
         27 . A self-inflating balloon as claimed in  claim 26 , wherein the audio player trigger means comprises a switch or button. 
     
     
         28 . A self-inflating balloon as claimed in  claim 26 , wherein the audio player trigger means comprises a sensor operable to receive a control signal. 
     
     
         29 . A self-inflating balloon as claimed in  claim 26 , wherein the inflation trigger means and/or the illumination device trigger means is also the audio player trigger means. 
     
     
         30 . A self-inflating balloon as claimed in  claim 26 , wherein the audio player trigger means is separate to the inflation trigger means and/or the illumination device trigger means. 
     
     
         31 . A self-inflating balloon as claimed in  claim 25 , wherein the audio player is provided integrally with the illumination means. 
     
     
         32 . A self-inflating balloon as claimed in  claim 25 , wherein the audio player is provided separately to the illumination means. 
     
     
         33 . A self-inflating balloon as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein the enclosure is a box with a removable lid and the inflation trigger means is attached at at least one end to the underside of the lid. 
     
     
         34 . A self-inflating balloon as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein the enclosure is a flexible bag and the inflation trigger means is attached at at least one end to the inner surface of the flexible bag.