Nonconductive films for lighter than air balloons
AssigneeSan Diego Gas & Electric Company
InventorsEldridge M. MOUNT, III, Denis S. SANFORD
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Abstract
Non-conductive films for constructing lighter than air balloons are provided. A non-conductive film may comprise multiple layers of gas barrier polymers. An outer surface printable layer and an interior heat or ultrasonically sealable layer may also be included. Each gas barrier film may comprise multiple (e.g., from 3 to approximately 75) barrier layers. A gas barrier core has a nano-layer structure. A gas barrier core may also comprise a biodegradable film or a bio-based film. A non-conductive film may comprise a metal layer for enhancing gas barrier properties. The metal layer may be discontinuous. The metal layer may be conductive and coated with an insulating top coat.
Claims14
A method of creating a non-conductive film for lighter than air balloons, comprising:
- providing a gas barrier core;
- applying a metal layer to the gas barrier core;
- applying a heat sealing layer to the gas barrier core to form a non-conductive film;
- depositing a metal adhesion prevention agent comprising oil on the non-conductive film to create a pattern;
- and
- vapor depositing a metal comprising aluminum over the patterned outer layer of the film resulting in a patterned aluminum layer comprising a set of isolated aluminum areas and a set of transparent areas.
A non-conductive film for lighter than air balloons, comprising:
- a gas barrier core;
- a metal layer applied on the gas barrier core;
- a heat sealing layer applied on the gas barrier core to form a non-conductive film;
- a metal adhesion prevention agent comprising oil deposited on the non-conductive film to create a pattern;
- and
- a metal comprising aluminum vapor deposited over the patterned outer layer of the film resulting in a patterned aluminum layer comprising a set of isolated aluminum areas and a set of transparent areas.
An apparatus, comprising:
- a non-conductive lighter than air balloon comprising a film having a plurality of layers, the plurality of layers comprising a metal layer and a heat sealing layer;
- a gas barrier core comprising having a first surface and a second surface;
- a metal adhesion prevention agent comprising oil deposited on the film to create a pattern;
- and
- a metal layer comprising aluminum vapor deposited over the patterned outer layer of the film resulting in a patterned aluminum layer;
- wherein the patterned aluminum layer comprises a set of isolated aluminum areas and a set of transparent un-metalized areas.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.