[0001] The present invention concerns a kit of parts which includes means to assist deflating an inflated balloon of elastomeric material.

[0002] Elastomeric balloons, typically of latex, are inflated by air or by helium for use as playthings or party decorations. Inflated balloons may be ruptured with an associated loud popping sound by contact with a sharp object or implement. Some people, particularly some small children, dislike or are distressed by the sound of balloons being deflated in this way.

[0003] Illuminated balloons are now well known, as disclosed in the applicant's earlier WO2008/1 10832 and GB2452236 where a small light source, typically a light emitting diode (LED), and a battery or batteries providing a power source for the light source are mounted as a unit inside the balloon. This is achieved in the applicant's known illuminated balloon by a projection, typically in the form of a flat button on a stalk, provided on the LED unit being secured by a band fitted from outside the balloon around the stalk. When said balloon is inflated and subsequently ruptured, the LED unit can become a projectile which could cause injury.

[0004] Accordingly, in order to minimise the loud noise associated with rupture of an inflated balloon and especially to minimise the safety hazard from the light unit of an illuminated balloon being flung outwards upon rupture of an inflated illuminated balloon it is desirable to provide a controlled method of balloon deflation.

[0005] The present invention proposes a method of deflating an inflated balloon of elastomeric material by providing a patch having adhesive means on a first major surface and providing an opening in a generally central region of the patch; providing the patch as a releasable patch initially releasably affixed to a sheet of backing material; peeling the patch from the backing material and 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; and puncturing the balloon at a location within the opening defined by the patch.

[0006] The presence of the patch prevents the initial tear from propagating and, as it is this which gives rise to the usual popping sound, the sound no longer occurs.

Preferably, the patch, which may be termed a "deflation sticker", should be affixed to the exterior of the balloon so as to surround a neck region providing a tied off inlet/outlet of the balloon. Then the balloon is preferably punctured by cutting off the tied off inlet/outlet of the balloon. This results in even more rapid and controlled deflation as a relatively large portion of balloon material is cut away. There is no longer any risk of any light unit mounted inside the balloon being catapulted outwards. Also, partially because of the large hole and partially because the presence of the sticker prevents the tear from propagating, there is no unwanted "bang".

[0007] The invention also proposes, as a second aspect, a kit of parts comprising at least one balloon of elastromeric material, a pack of sheet material and at least one patch carried as a peelable patch on one surface of the pack, the or each patch having its peelable surface provided with adhesive means and having an opening in a generally central region so that it may be removed from the pack and affixed to the balloon after inflation to enable safe deflation thereof according to the aforesaid method.

Preferably the pack of sheet material has a main leaf and at least one adjoining leaf delimited by a fold line, such that the balloon or balloons are enclosed between the main leaf and the folded over adjoining leaf or leaves for packaging and presentation at point of sale.

[0008] The invention will be described further, by way of example, with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:

Figure 1 is a plan view of an open pack carrying five patches (deflation stickers) forming two parts of a kit of parts in accordance with the second aspect of the present invention;

Figure 2 is a similar plan view of the open pack with five balloons placed therein, ready to be packaged for supply to point of sale; and

Figures 3, 4, and 5 show the sequence of steps in the preferred method of the invention.

[0009] In the illustrated exemplary embodiment of the kit of parts of the invention a pack 10 of sheet material, such as a card or cardboard, is provided which is cut out in the shape shown in figures 1 and 2. It has a main leaf 14 of substantially rectangular shape with adjoining leaves 1 1 , 12, 13 at each of three sides, also each of substantial rectangular shape. The join between the main leaf 14 and each of the adjoining leaves 1 1 , 12, 13, is a fold line, represented as a broken line in figures 1 and 2 and it may be scored to facilitate folding. The figures show an inner face of the opened blank of the pack 10. Five deflation stickers 21 - 25 in the form of annular adhesive patches are carried on the inner surface of the pack 10, in this case on the main leaf 14 and on faces of the adjoining leaves 12, 13. These five stickers 21 - 25 are adhered to the surface of the pack, but are relatively easily peelable therefrom by suitable choice of adhesive and of pack material or surface finish. The adhering surface of each sticker 21 - 25 itself carries releasable adhesive so that it can then be adhesively applied to an inflated balloon.

[0010] Corresponding to the number of deflation stickers 21 - 25, there are five balloons 31 - 35 in this exemplary embodiment, which are shown in figure 2 placed onto the main leaf 14 of the pack. Each balloon has an illumination device (not visible) namely an LED unit mounted inside and the contour of the button-like projection 36 by which each LED unit is secured to each balloon at a location directly opposite the respective inlet/outlet neck 37 by a band 38 of elastic material wrapped around from outside is evident.

[0011] A strip of insulating material is initially positioned between contacts of the LED and its power source and the LED is only illuminated when this strip is withdrawn. The strip extends out of each balloon 31 - 35 through the neck 37 to an enlarged end region fashioned as an arrowhead 39. The user pulls on this to remove the strip and light up the LED unit before the balloon is inflated.

[0012] The deflation stickers 21 - 25 may be brightly coloured, may be differently coloured from the surface of the pack 10 and may carry circle patterns, or any other patterns or instructions. Both the inner and outer surfaces of the pack 10, other than the stickers 21 - 25 may also carry promotional material, instructions, decorative indicia etc.

[0013] After the balloons 31 - 35 are positioned as shown in figure 2, the leaves 1 1 , 12, 13 are folded over to overlie the main leaf 14 and the balloons and each other to form a rectangular envelope which can easily be inserted into a cover of transparent plastics material for packaging, e.g. in multiples in boxes and for display at point of sale.

[0014] Also a narrow band, tape or strap may optionally be included in the pack, or wrapped around the folded pack before it is inserted into the plastic bag. The purpose of this band or strap or similar is to provide a measure of length for a user to determine the optimum or preferred maximum size of inflated balloon, namely the recommended maximum circumference. For a typical size balloon this is equivalent to a 9 inch (22.86 cm) diameter.

[0015] The end user or purchaser opens the pack and inflates the balloons when required, in each case pulling out the strip by the arrowhead pull tab 39 to illuminate the internal LED device. [0016] Subsequently when the or any of the inflated balloons is no longer required the user should follow instructions on the pack 10 to deflate said balloon 31 - 35 by using a respective sticker 21 - 25. The ring shaped sticker is pealed off from the opened pack 10, possibly being lifted first from a location indicated by a respective tab 16 marked on the pack 10. As shown in figures 3 to 5 the sticker is preferably positioned around the tied off neck 37 of the inflated balloon, lightly pressed to adhere to the balloon exterior around the knot area, and then the knot 29 should preferably be cut off using scissors. The balloon then deflates rapidly without sound and without any portion such as the LED unit being flung outwards.

[0017] Of course the foregoing is only a specific example and numerous variations in detail are possible within the scope of the invention. In particular the number of balloons and the number of stickers may differ from the above example. Also the shape of the stickers may differ. They need not be circular or ring shaped. They may be rectangular, or any regular or irregular shape and may have additional extensions. The opening in the central region may also take any shape. In the kit for the deflation method the stickers may be affixed to the balloon pack in any position or arrangement and subsequently may be adhered to the balloon at any position. When adhered other than around the knot area, the balloon can be pierced in the opening surrounded by sticker material by a pin or other sharp object. However sticking the patch around the knot and cutting off the knot is to be preferred as the most reliable way to avoid any risk of a popping sound and to achieve such rapid deflation that parts are not propelled outwards from the place when the balloon is ruptured.