High altitude balloon and method and apparatus for its manufacture
OwnerAustyn D. Critesinventor
Life of this patent
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Abstract
A high altitude balloon, including a method and machine for manufacture, uses a perimeter border strip to couple two circular balloon panels with a lap or butt seal. Simultaneous sealing of two perimeter seals, one between the border strip and each of two balloon panels, is provided by supporting stacked balloon panels on a rotatable support and sealing around the full perimeter of the two interposed balloon panels and the border strip. The method and machine for manufacture allow for the mass production of high altitude balloons and minimize necessary material handling. The perimeter border strip can be dispensed and guided relative to the perimeter of the balloon panels for positioning before sealing together, as a bonding device is rotated relative to the balloon envelope.
Claims23
A high altitude balloon (20), comprising:
- a first panel (40) having at least a first circumferential perimeter (42);
- a second panel (60) having at least a second circumferential perimeter (62);
- and
- a border strip (80) defining a first portion (84) and a second portion (83) across a width of the strip, the first portion coupled with the first circumferential perimeter of the first panel and the second portion coupled with the second circumferential perimeter of the second panel such that upon inflation of the balloon, the first circumferential perimeter of the first panel is positioned adjacent to, and not sealingly coupled to, the second circumferential perimeter of the second panel and the border strip sealingly couples the first panel and the second panel.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.