LATEX BALLOON WITH METALIZED MIRRORED FINISHING

Abstract

The present disclosure refers to a latex balloon with a particular finishing as its surface is highly reflective, and with metallized tones. The balloon of the present disclosure is manufactured in at least two layers. The instant disclosure provides a balloon with metallized mirrored finishing which may also be added with several colors. Additionally, the reflective power of the balloon surface is enhanced. In addition, methods for manufacturing the present balloon are provided.

Claims

1. A method for manufacture of a latex balloon having two layers, comprising: washing a mold; bathing the mold in a coagulant agent; carrying out at least one first immersion in a first latex bath; forming a neck of the mold; immersing the mold with moistened latex film in a water bath, and maintaining the mold therein for a determined time, so as to form a leaching; carrying out a vulcanization of the mold in an oven; bathing the mold in a coagulant agent; carrying out at least a second immersion in a second latex bath; bathing the mold in talc; carrying out a second vulcanization of the mold in the oven; demolding the mold, creating a balloon product; wherein the first latex bath is an aluminum latex bath; wherein the second latex bath is a colored latex bath; wherein the first latex bath provides a first pigmented layer in aluminum latex that represents between approximately 50 weight percent and approximately 70 weight percent of the balloon; wherein the second latex bath provides a second layer with color that represents between approximately 30 weight percent and approximately 50 weight percent of the balloon; wherein said first pigmented layer comprises up to approximately 50 percent of a pigment.

2. The method according claim 1, further comprising a third immersion in a third latex bath, and wherein the third latex bath is in a coagulant agent, thus forming layers one onto another, wherein the approximate proportion between the first pigmented layer and the second colored layer is maintained.

3. The method according to claim 1, further comprising adding materials for visual finishings.

4. A latex balloon with metallized mirrored finishing, comprising: at least one first pigmented layer that represents between approximately 50 weight percent and approximately 70 weight percent of the balloon; at least a second colored layer that represents between approximately 30 weight percent and approximately 50 weight percent of the balloon; wherein the latex balloon is manufactured by a method comprising: washing a mold; bathing the mold in a coagulant agent; carrying out at least one first immersion in a first latex bath; forming a neck of the mold; immersing the mold with moistened latex film in a water bath, and maintaining the mold therein for a determined time, so as to form a leaching; carrying out a vulcanization of the mold in an oven; bathing the mold in a coagulant agent; carrying out at least a second immersion in a second latex bath; bathing the mold in talc; carrying out a second vulcanization of the mold in the oven; demolding the mold, creating the balloon; wherein the first latex bath is an aluminum latex bath; wherein the second latex bath is a colored latex bath; wherein the first latex bath provides the first pigmented layer; wherein the second latex bath provides the second pigmented layer; wherein the first pigmented layer comprises up to approximately 50 percent of a pigment.

5. The balloon according to claim 5, further comprising multiple pigmented layers and multiple colored layers, one onto another, wherein the approximate proportion between the pigmented layers and the colored layers is maintained.

6. The balloon according to claim 5, further comprising materials for visual finishings added to said layers.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0016] FIG. 1 shows a block diagram that details the manufacturing process of a latex multilayer balloon with metallized mirrored finishing.

[0017] FIG. 2 shows a diagram of the steps of the manufacturing process of a latex multilayer balloon with metallized mirrored finishing.

[0018] FIG. 3 shows a photograph of non-inflated balloons made with the process of the instant disclosure.

[0019] FIG. 4 shows a photograph of inflated balloons made with the process of the instant disclosure.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE DISCLOSURE

[0020] The present disclosure provides a method of manufacturing a latex balloon that may be formed with two layers, where said balloon is formed by providing a first pigmented layer that represents between 50 and 70 weight percent of the balloon, and providing a second colored layer that represents between 30 and 50 weight percent of the balloon. With these proportions, a balloon composition that reflects a great amount of light with metallized effect is obtained because of said first layer, while allowing, in addition, to visualize the color added to said second layer.

[0021] In a disclosed embodiment, both of the layers are overlaid such that the first layer is made on the outer side second layer.

[0022] The chemical-physical conditions necessary to use commercial pigments in a latex solution have already been developed. Said pigments are commonly used for other applications in non-related industries, such as the automotive industry, in order to obtain metallized finishings.

[0023] In addition, the instant disclosure uses aluminum pigments that are applied on said first layer to obtain a metalized effect thereon. In a disclosed embodiment, said first layer comprises up to 50 percent of pigment.

[0024] In alternative embodiments, the method includes providing multiple layers, one onto another, wherein the proportion between pigmented layers and colored layers is maintained. Thus, the layers overlying allows a bigger reinforcement between the balloon's layers, which affects positively the reflective and coloring effect of each layer.

[0025] In alternative embodiments, in a step prior to the application of the second layer, the balloon is subjected to a bath with saline, such that the balloon is vulcanized as an intermediate step before binding both of the layers. This optional vulcanizing provides the balloon layers with a higher resistance.

[0026] Additionally, the method involves the inclusion of visual finishing materials to the layers, such as glitter, or color combinations.

[0027] As shown in FIG. 1, the process includes a set of steps in order to carry out the disclosed method, and to achieve the desired results for the balloon. In addition, said steps are schematically shown in FIG. 2. Generally, the steps comprise:

[0028] Washing (10, 11): This step consists of a mold washing, specifically, it refers to a chemical and mechanical washing so as to eliminate any residual materials used in the process. A good mold washing allows obtaining a more uniform film in the balloon.

[0029] Coagulant bath (20, 21): The balloon mold is washed with a saline dispersion that contains at least one demolding agent. A uniform bath allows obtaining a balloon film with no defects of appearance. In addition, this step allows limiting of the weight variation.

[0030] Immersion in latex with aluminum (30, 31): The mold is immersed in a high-vacuum bath with pigmented latex and aluminum, remaining therein for a definite time. Said immersion allows obtaining a film that is uniform in weight, color, and thickness, giving to the balloon a good appearance.

[0031] Neck formation (40, 41): With mechanical aid, necks are formed in the moistened latex film. The neck gives the balloon support while inflating, and is an aesthetic factor for balloons.

[0032] Leaching (50, 51): Mold with the moistened latex film is dipped in a water bath, staying there for some time. A good leaching makes possible to eliminate the excess of humectants used in the process, as well as to reduce the amount of water-soluble nitrosamines and proteins.

[0033] Vulcanizing (60, 61): The mold with the moistened latex film is introduced to the oven to dry said film and to carry out the vulcanization reaction. Vulcanization allows the balloon to get suitable mechanical properties, that make possible to meet the functions thereof.

[0034] Coagulant bath (70, 71): The mold is subjected to a bath with a saline dispersion. A uniform bath allows to obtain a balloon film with no defects of appearance, besides, this step allows to decrease weight variation.

[0035] Immersion in pigmented latex (80, 81): The mold is subjected to an immersion bath with pigmented latex, staying a definite time therein. This immersion makes possible to obtain a film with uniform weight, color, and thickness, giving the balloon a suitable appearance.

[0036] Talc bath (90, 91): The mold with moistened latex film is introduced into a bath with an anti-adherent dispersion, preferably talc. This process allows for demolding the balloon with no deformations.

[0037] Vulcanization (100, 101): The mold with moistened latex film is introduced again into an oven in order to dry the film and to carry out the vulcanization reaction. This step allows the balloon to get suitable mechanical properties, that make possible to meet the functions thereof.

[0038] Demolding (110, 111): Demolding the vulcanized balloon.

[0039] A latex balloon with metallized mirrored finishing manufactured by the method before mentioned is also disclosed. Said balloon has the particularity of being formed by multiple layers, such as, for example, two layers; however, no balloon of the prior art has the highly reflective metallized finishing disclosed herein. Said finishing is made of two particular layers, which make up the balloon, and have the following characteristics: the disclosed balloon comprises a first pigmented layer that represents between 50 and 70 weight percent of the balloon, and a second colored layer that represents between 30 and 50 weight percent of said balloon. Said first layer is formed on the outer side of the second layer. Also, said first layer comprises up to 50 percent of pigment, wherein said pigment is an aluminum pigment.

[0040] As shown in FIG. 3, the resultant balloon 300 may be appreciated in its non-inflated state as a balloon with a metallic inside, and colored with no metallic effect outside; however, in the inflated state, as shown in FIG. 4, the layers expand and transparency allows to see a metallized effect of the first layer and the color of the second layer of the balloon 300.

[0041] In other embodiments, the balloon comprises multiple layers, one onto another, wherein the proportion between pigmented layers and colored layers is maintained.

[0042] Additionally, the balloon may be subjected to a bath with saline solution, so as to vulcanize said balloon. Said vulcanization increases the balloon's resistance.

[0043] Finally, the balloon may also composed by materials for visual finishing, which are added to the layers.