Modular balloon support
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Solution Overview
Problem
Traditional helium-filled balloons are limited by material degradation, allergenic concerns, helium scarcity, and cost inefficiencies, making them unsuitable for long-term outdoor marketing displays.
Innovation Solution
A modular helium-free balloon cluster system with interchangeable and detachable components, including balloon supports and couplers, that mimic the appearance of helium-filled balloons and can be easily assembled and disassembled, using materials like clear plastic and composite materials to maintain shape and stability.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If traditional helium-filled balloons are used, then they can provide buoyancy and visual appeal, but they suffer from material degradation, allergenic concerns, helium scarcity, and high cost
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces expensive, fragile helium-filled balloons with inexpensive, durable plastic balloons that do not rely on helium. The plastic balloons can be reused multiple times and are not subject to material degradation like latex or Mylar, eliminating allergenic concerns while maintaining visual appeal for marketing displays
Solution Approach 2:
The patent uses composite material structures including plastic balloons combined with support wires, couplers, and weighting systems. This composite approach allows the balloons to maintain their shape and stability without relying on helium buoyancy, while the modular components enable easy assembly and disassembly
2Duration of action of moving object
If helium-filled balloons are used, then they can float and attract attention, but helium supplies are dwindling and costs are increasing
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the dependency on helium gas from the balloon system entirely. By using plastic balloons filled with ordinary air or other gases, the invention eliminates the need for scarce helium supplies while maintaining the visual appeal and attention-grabbing function of balloons for outdoor marketing displays
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the physical parameters of the balloon system by transitioning from lightweight latex/Mylar balloons requiring helium to heavier plastic balloons that can be filled with ordinary air. This parameter change includes modifying the material density, fill gas type, and incorporating support structures to achieve stable display configurations without helium
3Ease of manufacture
If traditional balloon materials like latex or Mylar are used, then they can provide balloon functionality, but latex oxidizes and becomes brittle while Mylar quickly loses helium
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces short-lived latex and Mylar balloons with durable plastic balloons that can be reused multiple times. The plastic material does not oxidize or become brittle like latex, and does not require helium retention like Mylar, thereby extending the operational lifespan while maintaining ease of manufacture through simple inflation and display setup
4Ease of operation
If helium-filled balloons are used for outdoor displays, then they can attract public attention, but they have limited period of use and become deflated
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces deflatable helium balloons with durable plastic balloons that maintain their shape and appearance over extended periods. The plastic material is more resistant to punctures and degradation, allowing outdoor displays to remain intact for longer durations while maintaining ease of setup through simple assembly of modular components
Data Source
AI summary
The general inventive technology in this application includes methods and apparatus for producing a modular balloon cluster. Such modular balloon clusters may include a plurality of helium-free balloons coupled with a central modular adaptor forming a cluster. In certain cases, multiple modular adaptors may be positioned on a display pole and may even be positioned in an offset manner forming a continuous spiral balloon cluster display.