Balloon Deflation Patch for Controlled Quiet Release
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Solution Overview
Problem
Inflated elastomeric balloons, especially illuminated ones, rupture loudly and pose a safety hazard when deflated, as the light source can become a projectile upon bursting, which is distressing and potentially injurious.
Innovation Solution
A deflation sticker with adhesive on one surface and a central opening is applied to the balloon's exterior, allowing for controlled deflation by puncturing within the opening, preventing tear propagation and minimizing noise and safety risks.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If the balloon is punctured to deflate it, then the balloon can be deflated, but a loud popping sound occurs and internal components can become projectiles
Solution Approach 1:
A deflation patch acts as an intermediary element between the puncture point and the balloon material. The patch with its central opening provides a controlled pathway for air escape while the surrounding adhesive material prevents uncontrolled tear propagation, thereby eliminating the loud popping sound and preventing internal components from becoming projectiles.
Solution Approach 2:
The deflation patch segments the balloon surface into two functional zones: the central opening for controlled air escape and the surrounding adhesive material for tear prevention. This segmentation allows the deflation process to be separated from the harmful effects of uncontrolled rupture.
2Productivity
If a sharp object is used to puncture the balloon, then deflation can occur, but the tear propagates uncontrollably causing noise and safety hazards
Solution Approach 1:
The deflation patch is applied to the balloon surface before puncture. This preliminary action creates a controlled zone that guides the puncture and prevents uncontrolled tear propagation, ensuring reliable and safe deflation while maintaining rapid air escape through the central opening.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
The method ensures quiet, controlled deflation of balloons without ejecting internal components, reducing noise and safety hazards by preventing tear propagation and creating a larger hole for rapid deflation.
Implementation Method 1
providing a patch having adhesive means on a first major surface... affixing the patch to the exterior of the balloon by pressing the first major surface of the patch into contact with the exterior of the balloon so that the adhesive means adheres to the balloon
Data Source
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AI summary
A kit of parts comprises at least one balloon of elastomeric material (31 - 35), a pack of sheet material having a main leaf (14) and at least one adjoining leaf (1 1 - 13) delimited by a fold line, such that the balloon or balloons (31 - 35) are enclosed between the main leaf (14) and the folded over adjoining leaf or leaves (1 1 - 13) for packaging and presentation at point of sale, and at least one patch (21 - 25) carried as a peelable patch on one surface of the pack. The or each patch (21 - 25) has its peelable surface provided with adhesive means and has an opening in a generally central region so that it may be removed from the pack and affixed to the balloon or one of the balloons after inflation to enable safe deflation. In this respect the patch should be fixed to the exterior of the balloon by pressing its adhesive peelable surface into contact with the exterior of the balloon so that it adheres to the balloon, and the balloon should then be punctured at a location inside the opening defined by the patch.