Systems, apparatus, and methods related to recreational balls with illuminated surfaces are described herein. In some embodiments, an apparatus includes an air-tight object having an outer layer and an inner layer. The opacity of the outer layer is greater than the opacity of the inner layer. The outer layer defines an aperture. Additionally, a light module is configured to send light from an interior of the air-tight object through the aperture of the outer layer.

An apparatus integrating a zoetrope including a panel made of a transparent material and strips made of an opaque material that attach to the panel at equal distance from one another. The strips include a series of graduated images at the inner side of the panel. The series of images differ slightly and progressively from one to the next. The transparent panel and the strips present a zoetrope in which the transparent panel acts as slits allowing a user to view the images on the strips at the inner side of the panel, and the strips act as a series of segments obscuring the view of the inner side of the panel. The user rotates the panel at an appropriate speed to view the images alternatively through the transparent panel and obscure the images by the strips in rapid succession creating the perception of an animation of the images.

An apparatus integrating a zoetrope including a panel made of a transparent material and strips made of an opaque material that attach to the panel at equal distance from one another. The strips include a series of graduated images at the inner side of the panel. The series of images differ slightly and progressively from one to the next. The transparent panel and the strips present a zoetrope in which the transparent panel acts as slits allowing a user to view the images on the strips at the inner side of the panel, and the strips act as a series of segments obscuring the view of the inner side of the panel. The user rotates the panel at an appropriate speed to view the images alternatively through the transparent panel and obscure the images by the strips in rapid succession creating the perception of an animation of the images.

An inflatable solar-powered light is provided. The solar-powered light includes a bladder and a solar-powered light assembly disposed entirely within the bladder. The solar-powered light assembly includes a solar panel, a rechargeable battery in electrical communication with the solar panel, and at least one light-emitting diode in electrical communication with the rechargeable battery. The bladder is substantially transparent, flexible, inflatable, and collapsible.

A sports ball and a method of manufacturing the same are provided. The sports ball having a bladder, an outer cover layer, and an intermediate structure disposed between the outer cover layer and the bladder. The intermediate structure includes a restriction structure comprising a plurality of overlapping layers of cross-linked polymer film wrapped about the bladder. The sports ball may be formed via the steps of surrounding the bladder, having a first initial circumferential dimension, with a plurality of overlapping layers of cross-linked polymer shrink film, such that the cross-linked shrink film forms a restriction structure in a first dimensional state; applying a heat shrinking process to the cross-linked polymer shrink film to contract the restriction structure from the first dimensional state to a second dimensional state; inflating the bladder to a second circumferential dimension; and disposing the outer cover layer and intermediate layers about the bladder and restriction structure.

A ball includes a bladder that has a majority weight component of a material of a first material class. The ball includes at least one intermediate layer that is arranged exterior to the bladder and that has a majority weight component of the material of the first material class. The ball includes at least one exterior layer that is arranged exterior to the at least one intermediate layer and that has a majority weight component of the material of the first material class.

A ball includes a bladder that has a majority weight component of a material of a first material class. The ball includes at least one intermediate layer that is arranged exterior to the bladder and that has a majority weight component of the material of the first material class. The ball includes at least one exterior layer that is arranged exterior to the at least one intermediate layer and that has a majority weight component of the material of the first material class.

In an aspect, an apparatus is provided and includes an air-tight object having an outer layer, an inner layer, and a cover, and a light module. The opacity of the outer layer is greater than the opacity of the inner layer. The outer layer defines a first aperture and a second aperture. The inner layer and the cover define a first interior region. The inner layer defines a second interior region. The light module is encapsulated within the first interior region and is configured to send light through the inner layer, through the second interior region of the air-tight object, and through the second aperture of the outer layer, wherein the cover is disposed between the light module and the outer layer.

In an aspect, an apparatus is provided and includes an air-tight object having an outer layer, an inner layer, and a cover, and a light module. The opacity of the outer layer is greater than the opacity of the inner layer. The outer layer defines a first aperture and a second aperture. The inner layer and the cover define a first interior region. The inner layer defines a second interior region. The light module is encapsulated within the first interior region and is configured to send light through the inner layer, through the second interior region of the air-tight object, and through the second aperture of the outer layer, wherein the cover is disposed between the light module and the outer layer.

An inflatable solar-powered light is provided. The solar-powered light includes a bladder and a solar-powered light assembly disposed entirely within the bladder. The solar-powered light assembly includes a solar panel, a rechargeable battery in electrical communication with the solar panel, and at least one light-emitting diode in electrical communication with the rechargeable battery. The bladder is substantially transparent, flexible, inflatable, and collapsible.