NEUTRAL BUOYANCY DEVICE The present invention relates generally to a lighter-than-air device or product and in particular to a neutral buoyancy product, device or similar, particularly a balloon or balloon like device. More particularly, the present invention relates to a stabilised lighter-than- air or neutral buoyancy device and method of forming, using or controlling movement of the device in the form of a toy, decoration, play thing, amusement or the like which is able to float or be suspended in air, particularly at a predetermined or intermediate height particularly at a height intermediate ceiling or roof height and floor or ground level. Even more particularly, the present invention relates to a helium filled balloon or other sealed enclosure, preferably a flexible container, to which is applied one or more weights in order to modify the behaviour of the balloon so that it floats or is suspended in air and moves in accordance with movement of the air in which it is suspended, such as for example, along air currents, thermals and the like. The present invention finds particular application as a toy or party decoration or home decoration which floats upon an air current and moves under the effect of the air current suspended in a state of neutral buoyancy, being neither lighter nor heavier than air, at some intermediate or predetermined or preselected height including both constant and variable heights. The position of neutral buoyancy at an intermediate height is determined by the amount of weight added to the balloon, particularly the weight applied to the outer surface of the balloon being adjustable, and more particularly by adding adhesive weights or similar replaceable individual weights to the balloon. The position of the device in the air is then determined in accordance with varying temperatures and air currents that exist in the environment in which the device is

located.

Although the present invention will be described with particular reference to one form of the balloon having adhesive weights attached to the outer surface it is to be noted that the scope of the present invention is not restricted to the described embodiment but rather the present invention is more extensive in scope so as to include other forms of the device, other arrangements and other methods of modifying the behaviour of the balloon.

Helium filled balloons have been popular for quite some time as toys, novelties and play things. Such balloons can be of the latex type or of the non-latex type, sometimes referred to as the mylar or metallised type. Latex balloons are the conventional balloons formed from latex over a suitably shaped former whereas the non-latex type includes metallised balloons which are typically made from two flexible plastic sheets which are heat sealed together along their respective edges to form a sealable enclosure or similar of many different configurations. In some embodiments, one or both sheets may be decorated or metallised to provide an aesthetically pleasing balloon. The balloons can be of a variety of styles, shapes, forms or the like. Such balloons find use as play things, decorations, for entertainment, as novelties, toys and the like.

The present invention relates to both non-latex metallised balloons and to the normal traditional latex type balloons. The balloons are usually filled with a lighter-than-air gas, such as helium or the like, in order to be able to float in air at some height above the floor or similar. As used herein the expression "balloon"refers to any readily sealable or sealed inflatable toy, arrangement or device having a sealed or sealable body which is capable of being filled with a lighter-than-air gas in order to float on the air and be capable of movement along and by air currents, thermals

and the like. The term balloon will be used for convenience only and is not meant to be limiting in any way. The familiar metallised balloon having a greeting printed on the outside is one example of the type of balloon to which the present invention is particularly applicable.

Further, it is to be noted that the balloon can adopt any shape or configuration, such as being ellipsoidal, heart shaped, star shaped, in the shape of an animal, such as a bird, fish, or represent a character or image.

One problem of existing balloons is that when filled with helium or similar lighter-than-air gas the balloon floats to the top of the room to adopt a position against the ceiling where it stays until some of the gas escapes allowing it to gradually fall until it drops completely to the floor and will not rise again until reinflated, and thus must be tethered to enable it to be at a suitable height for playing with. Thus, the balloon is either way up out of reach or does not float at a height which is conductive to playing with a balloon.

Such balloons usually have a tether depending downwardly from the balloon for grasping to retrieve the balloon from the ceiling. Hitherto before it has not been possible to make the balloon float at some intermediate height that was convenient to enable the balloon to be used as a toy or play thing and thus provide entertainment, particularly to a child.

If it were possible to allow the balloon to hover at a height at which the balloon would be more fun to play with, be more entertaining and be a more pleasing and attractive play thing increased enjoyment could be derived from the balloon. By the balloon being able to float at a more or less constant height, such as for example within arms reach of a child, the balloon would be more enjoyable to play with. Accordingly there is a need to adjust the balloons buoyancy, or to alter the

amount of lift applied to the balloon, so as to influence the height at which the balloon hovers as it freely floats around without being tethered.

Therefore, it is the aim of the present invention to provide a neutral buoyancy device and method of producing neutral buoyancy so that the device is able to float or hover without being tethered and remains free to be influenced by air currents and temperature whilst maintaining some intermediate height thus adding to the enjoyment of playing with the device.

According to one aspect of the present invention there is provided a neutral buoyancy product, particularly in the form of an inflatable article, such as a toy, amusement device or similar, particularly a balloon, which when weighted to neutral buoyancy is capable of movement at an intermediate height through the air due to the effects of the air current upon which the device floats, said device including a body portion capable of being inflated by a gas to produce lift in the device and at least one weight means for attaching to the device to assist in determining the state of neutral buoyancy, being neither heavier nor lighter than air, wherein one or more weight means can be applied to the device in order to determine the neutral buoyancy position adapted by the device in use.

According, to another aspect of the present invention there is provided a method of creating a state of neutral buoyancy, being neither heavier nor lighter than air in which a balloon-like device can float or hover including the steps of inflating the device to cause the device to float, attaching one or more weight means to the device to alter the height at which the balloon floats or hovers so that the device can float or hover and is capable of movement under the effect of the air current upon which the device floats and/or temperature or the like.

According to another aspect of the present

invention there is provided a neutral buoyancy device capable of adopting a first height corresponding to a first position of neutral buoyancy, including a body portion capable of being inflated by a gas to produce lift in the device so that the device is capable of being raised to the first position of neutral buoyancy when the device is free to move, a sealing means for substantially sealing the body portion against escape of the gas so as to maintain the device in a substantially inflated condition allowing the device to move freely, and at least one weight means for connection to the device to modify the height at which the device can adopt at a second position of neutral buoyancy, characterised in that when the weight means is connected to the device and the device is free to move, the device adopts the second position of neutral buoyancy corresponding to the modified height, wherein the modified height of the second position of neutral buoyancy is different to the height of the first position of neutral buoyancy, thereby allowing the device to move at or about an intermediate height for amusement.

According to another aspect of the present invention, there is provided a method of modifying a state of neutral buoyancy of a device, so as to permit the device to be used for amusement, including the steps of: inflating the device with gas so as to apply lift to the device, so that the device is capable of adopting a first height corresponding to a first position of neutral buoyancy, substantially sealing the device so as to substantially prevent escape of the gas from the device, thereby allowing the device to move freely ; connecting at least one weight means to the device to modify the height at which the device can float to a second position of neutral buoyancy, characterised in that when the weight is connected to the device and the device is free to move, the device adopts the second

position of neutral buoyancy corresponding to the modified height, wherein the modified height of the second position of neutral buoyancy is different to the height of the first position of neutral buoyancy, thereby allowing the device to freely move at or about the modified height in accordance with movement of air in which the device is suspended.

According to another aspect of the present invention, there is provided a neutral buoyancy device capable of adopting an intermediate height, particularly a variable intermediate height, corresponding to a second position of neutral buoyancy, including a body portion capable of being inflated by a gas to produce lift in the device so as to raise the device to a first height corresponding to a first position of neutral buoyancy, a sealing means to seal the body portion against substantial escape of the gas so as to maintain the body in an inflated condition thereby permitting the device to move freely, and at least one weight means for connection to the device to assist in determining another state of neutral buoyancy of the device, characterised in that when the weight means is connected to the device, the first height at which the device would float due to the effect of lift of the gas within the device is modified by the effect of gravity on the weight means to alter the height of the device at the second neutral buoyancy position to a height different to the first height, thereby allowing the device to be used for amusement.

According to another aspect of the present invention, there is provided a method of creating a state of neutral buoyancy of a device, enabling the device to be used for amusement, including the steps of: inflating the device with a gas so as to apply lift to the device so that the device would float at a first height corresponding to a first position of neutral buoyancy; sealing the device so as to substantially

prevent escape of the gas from the device; connecting at least one weight means to the device to modify the height at which the device would float due to the effect of buoyancy on the gas to a different height, said first height corresponding to a first position of neutral buoyancy and said second height corresponding to a second position of neutral buoyancy, characterised in that when the weight means is connected to the device the position of neutral buoyancy is altered from the first position to the second position wherein the second position of the neutral buoyancy of the device is different to the first position of neutral buoyancy.

Typically, the gas is a lighter-than-air gas and more typically helium or similar gas. More typically, the gas is a mixture of gases. It is to be noted that any suitable gas or mixture of gases may be used to inflate the balloon.

Typically, the first position of neutral buoyancy corresponds to the height at which the device would float or be suspended under the effect of lift alone without any weight being added to the device, apart from the weight of the device alone. More typically, the first position of neutral buoyancy corresponds to the first height. Even more typically, the first position of neutral buoyancy is against the ceiling or roof of the building in which the device is located. Even more typically, the first height could be??? Typically, the second position of neutral buoyancy corresponds to the height at which the device floats or is suspended due to the combined effects of lift on the device caused by the device being inflated with the gas and gravity due to the weights connected to the device. More typically, the second position of neutral buoyancy corresponds to the second height or the modified height or second heights or modified heights.

More typically, the second height is the modified height.

The second height is any height other then the first

height and can include constant and variable height.

Typically, the first height is greater than the second or modified height. More typically, the first height is at or towards the ceiling of the room, building or similar in which the device is located. Even more typically, the second height includes a height corresponding to the height of a person, especially a child, playing with the device, typically a height less than or about equal to the height of the outstretched hand of the person. Even more typically, the second height is about between waist height and head height, typically about chest height or similar. Even more typically, the device spends most of its time at a height within the range from ceiling or roof height to ground or floor level, more typically the height of an outstretched hand of a person and ground level ie. at a variable height.

Typically, the weight means are weights, more typically adhesive weights, even more typically, the weights are self-adhesive weights provided with adhesive in the form of a film of adhesive attached to a surface of the weights, typically the inner surface of the weights in use. Even more typically, the weights are replaceable and/or removable weights capable of being removed from the device and reused or reapplied to the device or other similar devices, and/or to adjust the weight of the device.

Typically, the self-adhesive weights can be made of any suitable material, particularly material of sufficient weight or heavy enough to weigh down the helium filled balloon to neutral buoyancy at an intermediate height, which is to say that the balloon sits in the air or floats in the air at some intermediate height, typically neither moving substantially vertically up nor down unless disturbed. Typically, the balloon is weighted so as to float or hover in the air at a height between ceiling and floor, preferably about waist height

and the height of an outstretched hand held above the head of a child or similar height in accordance with the number, style and/or type of weights applied to the balloon. The balloon, when let free, hovers and floats anywhere and at any height totally at the disposal of the imperceptible and invisible air currents and temperatures in the room to describe a more or less random movement.

Typically, the weights are made of a magnetised matter, such as for example, magnetised rubber, a rubber material containing metal or other material adding weight to the rubber. More typically, the weights are provided with a single sticky surface of adhesive or adhesive surface which is used to adhere the weight directly onto the outer surface of the balloon so that the weight becomes flat against the balloon surface. Typically, the adhesive is a releasable adhesive or similar. It is to be noted that typically the weights do not protrude or dangle off the balloon as an appendage, but rather stick directly to and lie substantially flat against the curvature of the balloon's outer surface, i. e., conform to the shape of the balloon.

Typically, the weights are substantially planar, being square, rectangular, circular, star shaped, elliptical or other suitable shape. More typically, the shapes are circular. More typically, the weights are arranged in strips of interconnected weights permitting individual weights to be separated from each other for either applying the weights to the device or removing weights from the device or similar.

Typically, the weights are placed on and are stuck to a part of the outer surface of the balloon or each other, more typically, to one of the sheets forming the balloon, in a non-specific pattern. It is to be noted that the placement of the weights is dictated by their function which is to balance and stabilise the balloon so that it floats"horizontally"or in a preselected orientation in the air at variable heights

for any given set of conditions. Typically, the weights are placed in a regularly repeating pattern, or at regularly spaced apart locations.

Typically, the weights can be of any shape, size or configuration. More typically, one or more weights are applied to the balloon surface so that it reaches neutral buoyancy. During use, individual weights can be removed to counter the reduction in lift of the gas. If necessary, the weights are reusable and are replaceable onto the balloon. The weights are adjustable in that small portions of the weight can be removed to compensate for a reduction in buoyancy of the device caused by escape of gas.

Typically, the balloon is also decorated with various adhesive shapes. More typically, the shapes can be cut from paper, adhesive paper, adhesive vinyl or the like, be shapes of"glow in the dark"fluorescent and/or adhesive material or similar materials. It is to be noted that any decoration can be used to portray or decorate the balloon in any suitable manner so that it has the appearance of another article, such as for example, a space-ship, animal, character, image or object. More typically, the balloon can take the shape of a bird, particularly an owl, a fish, a ball, a winged device or the like, including cartoon characters, mythical characters, fantasy characters and the like.

Typically, the decorations can be placed at the discretion of the person playing with the balloon.

Typically, the decorations may be the weights that are added to the balloon or may be different to the weights added to the balloon to balance the amount of lift caused by the lighter-than-air gas used to inflate the balloon to balance the balloon at a point to achieve neutral buoyancy allowing the balloon to float through the air and move of its own accord under the effect of movement of air currents.

Typically, the weights are attached to the

under surface or underneath the balloon at a strategic location, such as for example, at a central point or at a central axis, to balance and stablise the balloon so that it floats in a desired orientation or position. More typically, the desired position is a substantially horizontal position. Even more typically the desired position is in accordance with the shape of the balloon.

Typically, the weights are added at the central axis of the balloon or an equi spaced or equally distributed about the central axis of a point on the lower surface of the balloon.

The present invention will now be described by way of example with reference to the following drawings in which.

Figure 1 is an underneath plan view of one form of the balloon of the present invention.

Figure 2 is a side elevation view of the balloon of figure 1.

The novelty balloon product or device of the present invention includes any type of product or device including without limitation, a toy, an amusement device, a greeting device or advertising product, having at least one lighter-than-air balloon or similar device of any shape such as a circle, star, heart or the like and including without limitation latex and non latex devices.

In figure 1 there is shown one form of one type of a device made in accordance with the present invention being a substantially elliptical or similar shaped balloon, generally denoted as 2, composed of two flexible sheets 4,6, having respective edges overlapping each other and being heat sealed together around the equator to form a seam 8 extending around the circumference or perimeter of the balloon thereby forming a sealable container or enclosure. The flexible sheets are gas impermeable and are made from any material that substantially prevents gas migration through the sheet material. Each sheet may be a single layer or multiple

layer. If multiple layers are present, the individual layers can be of the same composition or of different compositions depending upon the characteristics required of the sheet material and/or device. The layers may be opaque, transparent, translucent or variations thereof.

The outer layers may be protective layers whereas the intermediate layers may be decorative and/or provided with printing or other indicia. The outer layer or layers may be provided with indicia, such as decoration, printing, or other visual material or special effects, such as for example, visual effects or the like.

Balloon 2 is also provided with valve 10 for permitting the introduction of helium or other lighter- than-air gas or gases to inflate balloon 2. Valve 10 is typically sealable to prevent escape of gas from inside balloon 2. Typically, valve 10 is a one-way valve allowing gas to be admitted into balloon 2 but preventing escape of gas out through valve 10 in the other direction. In one embodiment, valve 10 is resealable to allow additional gas to be introduced into the balloon periodically, to keep balloon 10 in an inflated condition during use of the balloon 10 or over time, particularly to allow the balloon to float at a higher height or to raise the height at which the balloon floats.

Weights in the form of planar adhesive patches or weights 12 are applied to the outer surface of the lower sheet 6 of balloon 2 to increase the weight of balloon 2 so that the height at which balloon 2 floats can be altered. It is to be noted that weights 12 can take any suitable form and be of any suitable type, and be of any suitable weight and size. Further any number of individual weights can be used. A particular preferred form of weight is made from magnetised rubber material, similar to the material from which fridge magnets are made.

The preferred embodiment of adhesive weights 12 which are made from magnetized rubber. Such weights

provide stabilisation and balance to the balloon and brings the balloon 2 to a neutral buoyancy status working in conjunction with the weight of the adhesive decorations 14, typically made from paper, vinyl and/or fluorescent materials or the like. The size of weights 12 may be pre-determined or the weights can be cut to shape and size to suit the buoyancy of the individual balloon. The weights are able to be removed and replaced. In one preferred form the weights are available in circles or strips of interconnected individual weights having a releasable adhesive. This function allows their gradual removal (they can be peeled off and on) which prolongs the floating life of the balloon as the helium loses its inherent lift either by escaping from the balloon through valve 10 or escaping by any other means. The self-adhesive weights 12 made of magnetized rubber provide a quick and easy method to apply and take off the weights. The weights will stick and peel off repeatedly allowing for the replacement, removal and reuse of the weights as desired.

The preferred embodiment of the adhesive decorations 14 is adhesive paper or vinyl, cut into predetermined shapes or non specified shapes. The shapes can be stuck on and removed allowing for repeated -redecoration- and personalization of the balloon 2.

Other decorations can be applied to the outer surface of balloon 2. In one form the decorations can take the form of circles 14 that give the impression of windows of a space ship. However, any decoration to produce any image can be used.

Operations of the present invention will now be described.

One form of the novelty balloon product of the present invention comprises in combination a lighter- than-air balloon 2 together with stabilizing and balancing weights 12 adhered to the said lighter-than-air balloon. The said stabilizing and balancing weights

being of, but not restricted to, self adhesive magnetized rubber which are attached directly to and lie along the contour of the balloon's surface.

Balloon 2, in an inflated condition with helium but without weights 12 attached, would rise to a considerable height if untethered. If the balloon was not confined within a building or similar it would rise into the sky and be blown away on the wind. In a building it would rest against the ceiling or roof of the building if untethered. These positions are the first position of neutral buoyancy which is the height to which a balloon would rise naturally under the influence of lift or is the limit of the height to which the balloon is allowed to rise. When the weights 12 are attached to the outer skin of balloon 10, the effect of gravity lowers the position of the balloon to a lower height.

This is the second position of neutral buoyancy and is the height at which playing with the balloon provides the most enjoyment.

The resulting neutral buoyancy novelty balloon, when released in a closed environment such as the room of a house or building, floats to the second position of neutral buoyancy and floats about at about this height or at similar variable heights. At these heights, the balloon reacts to the thermal currents in the space, such as for example, moving, floating, traveling, rising and sinking in response to heat, air currents, draughts and movement of the air in which the balloon floats or is s suspended. To the observer or the person playing with the balloon, the balloon appears to develop imaginary "independent reasoning"and"thought"as the balloon "chooses"where to float in the house, such as for example, following a person as they walk through the room due to the production of air currents and temperature variations somewhat like a slipstream effect as air moves into the space formerly occupied by the person as they move.

A typical example of movement of the balloon device of the present invention is as follows. The balloon device will"visit"the refrigerator, for instance because of the heat generated by the cooling elements, located at the rear of the refrigerator. The balloon will travel vertically very quickly near a heater or computer or other heat source. It will"sulk"in a corner if it is too cold. It will travel in repeated patterns if it gets"caught"for instance between a floor heater near your feet and the computer on the desk. It begins a wild, rapid and circular repeated pattern until 1 pushed off course by some other influence. Other factors will influence movement of the balloon. one modification of the present invention includes the decorations 14 or adhesive weights 12 being made from a malleable material such as for example from a deformable plastics material which is also adhesive. A typical example of such material includes polymeric material marketed under the name"blue tac"or similar.

With this embodiment the blue tac forms the adhesive weights and also the decoration. In a still further embodiment a basket, gondola or similar provided with flexible members in the form of fibres can be suspended from the blue tac adhesive weights. Examples of fibres include string, twine, cotton, wire, wool, fishing line or the like. By attaching a basket with a number of suspending strings or the like a replica of a hot air balloon can be formed. Movement of this form of the device can be the same or different to that already described.

In another embodiment weights can be placed in the suspended basket to further adjust the height at which the balloon floats. The weights can take any suitable form or shape and may include characters being transported by the balloon. Further, the characters may form the characters of a story in a book, CD, tape, cassette or the like. Further the device of the present

invention may be part of a package or kit including details relating to the neutral buoyancy device and/or characters.

The described arrangement has been advanced by explanation and many modifications may be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention which includes every novel feature and novel combination of features herein disclosed.

Those skilled in the art will appreciate that the invention described herein is susceptible to variations and modifications other than those specifically described. It is understood that the invention includes all such variations and modifications which fall within the spirit and scope.