INFLATABLE ILLUMINATION DEVICE

Abstract: An inflatable illumination device (10) has an inflatable chamber (12) for receiving fluid so as to cause the inflation of said device (10). Chemiluminescent light source means (20) associated with the chamber (12) provides light within said chamber. The chemiluminescent light source means (20) has a light transmitting region (28) located within said chamber.

Description: INFL-ATABLF ILLUMINATION DEVICE The present invention relates to an inflatable illumination device. Inflatable devices, for example balloons, are widely available and known for a variety of different uses such as communication devices, location indication devices and, more particularly, as decorations. It is further known to illuminate such devices, either externally or internally, although the nature of the known illuminating means used is not necessarily suited to particular characteristics of the inflatable device or the use to which the inflatable device is commonly put. Further, known illumination means also prove disadvantageous in that they are somewhat restricted as regards the nature of the illumination that they can provide, and they cannot be readily activated particularly once the device has been inflated. The present invention seeks to provide an inflatable illumination device having advantages over currently known inflatable illumination devices. In accordance with the present invention, there is provided an inflatable illumination device comprising a chamber for receiving fluid so as to cause the inflation of said device and chemiluminescent light source means arranged to provide light within said chamber, said chemiluminescent light source means having a light transmitting region located within said chamber. The provision of a chemiluminescent light source means having a light transmitting region located in said chamber provide for a light source that can be readily activated and provide for a wide variety of illumination intensities and patterns within the chamber. Preferably, said chemiluminescent light source means is arranged to be associated with an inlet member for said fluid. At least one surface of said inlet member then advantageously comprises said light transmitting region of said chemiluminescent light source means which is located within said chamber. In particular, said fluid inlet member comprises a valve member. Advantageously, the chemiluminescent light source means is arranged to operate as a two-component chemiluminescent source and, as such, said inlet member can be arranged with two discrete compartments for the two components respectively. The two aforementioned compartments are separated by a separator member which is arranged to be opened so as to allow for the mixing of the two components and therefore provide the required chemiluminescent light. In this manner, the separator member advantageously comprises a frangible separator member. Advantageously, a body portion of said inlet member is arranged to be deformable so as to provide for the destruction, and the general opening, of the separator member. The body portion of the inlet member can then be deformed manually so as to effect the mixing of the two components. Alternativeiy, the inlet member can be arranged such that the passage of the fluid therethrough, or the fluid pressure developed therein, serves to effect the mixing of the two compounds. Whilst the fluid pressure developed within the inlet member can be applied directly to the separator member, the inlet member can also be provided with a movable member which is arranged to move under the influence of the fluid passing through the inlet member and to impact against said separator member so as to effect the mixing of the two components. In particular, the movable member can comprise a movable valve member arranged to pierce said separator member, or cause the breakage thereof. The aforementioned valve member can advantageously comprise a spherical member which is also arranged to seal the inlet means once sufficient fluid has been delivered to said chamber. The light transmitted from the chemiluminescent light source means can thus be accurately directed into the chamber whilst the activation of the chemiluminescent light source means can advantageously be achieved as and when required. Irrespectrvθ of whether the chemiluminescent light source means is arranged as part of the fluid inlet member, the chemiluminescent light source means can be provided with two compartments separated by a frangible member which can comprise a glass, glass fibre, plastics or plastics foil frangible member which is arranged to break or perforate when subject to pressure. Advantageously, said chemiluminescent light source means is secured at a required location relative to said chamber. If the chemiluminescent light source means is arranged as part of the fluid inlet, it can then advantageously be located within a neck portion of said chamber, which neck portion may advantageously be deformed in a resilient member so as to receive the fluid inlet member. The fluid inlet member, and thus the chemiluminescent light source means, can then advantageously be mounted in, or removed from, the inflatable device as required. The chemiluminescent light source means can then advantageously be provided as a disposable light source such that the particular inflatable device can be re-used once a replacement chemiluminescent light source means has been mounted therein. With reference to an alternative feature of the present invention, said chemiluminescent light source means can be arranged to be activated by the expansion of said chamber during the aforementioned inflation. The illumination of the device can then be readily achieved at a particular point during the inflation thereof and in a manner which is advantageously selective. Thus, the components of the chemiluminescent light source means can be associated with the inner wall of the chamber in accordance with any required pattern and concentration, so as to provide for any particular pattern of illumination within the chamber. Advantageously, said chemiluminescent light source means is provided on the inside wall of said chamber and comprises at least one of said aforementioned two components. The second of the aforementioned two components can then be introduced to the inner wall of the chamber so as to effect the chemiluminescent illumination thereof. Preferably, the second of said two components is also provided in a region of the inner wail of said chamber and, preferably, in layered relationship with the first of the two components. The two components can then be separated by way of a frangible member, or seal, which is arranged to be broken during expansion of the chamber wall that occurs during the inflation of said device. The nature of the illumination of the inflatable device, and the moment at which illumination occurs, can thereby advantageously be accurately controlled. In a particular embodiment of the present invention, the mixing of the two components of the chemiluminescent light source means can be achieved by the application of an instantaneous pressure increase to the chemiluminescent light source means and, in particular, by the application of a pressure increase of an explosive nature. Advantageously, said chemiluminescent light source means can be associated with a compressed gas source, which gas can be released in an explosive manner so as to effect the mixing of the two components of the chemiluminescent light source means. If, as mentioned above, one of the components of the chemiluminescent light source means is provided on the inner surface of said chamber, the aforementioned pressure release can be arranged to deliver, preferably in a sprayed manner, the second component of the chemiluminescent light source means so as to achieve the required illumination of the inflatable device. Alternatively, both components of the chemiluminescent light source means may be released in the aforementioned explosive manner and so sprayed onto the inner surface of said chamber so as to mix and provide for the required illumination of the inflatable device. ln accordance with a particularly compact structure, the component, or components, of the chemiluminescent light source means to be sprayed in the aforementioned manner onto the inner surface of the chamber, can advantageously be provided in a compartment arranged to experience the pressure of the fluid seeking to inflate said inflatable device. In this manner, the delivery of the at least one component of the chemiluminescent light source means onto the inner surface of the chamber can be achieved by the introduction of the pressurised fluid supply which then serves to inflate the inflatable member. It will be appreciated that the projection of at least one of the components of the chemiluminescent light source means onto the inner surface of the chamber in the aforementioned manner can prove advantageous in producing a random pattern of illumination within the inflatable device. Alternatively, insofar as one of the components of the chemiluminescent light source means is provided in a pre-determined pattern upon the inner surface of the chamber, the subsequent application of the second component of the chemiluminescent light source means to the inner surface of the chamber serves to provide for the illumination of the inflatable device at said pre-determined locations so as to provide for any particular required pattern of illumination which may include, for example, the provision of alpha numeric characters. The aforementioned feature can prove particularly advantageous if the inflatable illumination device is arranged for use as a signalling means in emergency situations. Of course, the first of the two components of the chemiluminescent light source means can be provided on any surface within the chamber, for example, by way of the provision of appropriately coated members within the chamber, which can then receive, and mix with, the second component required for illumination. Further, the second component need not be introduced to the first component in the aforementioned explosive manner, since said mixing can also be achieved merely by the introduction of the second component to the chamber in any appropriate manner, and the subsequent agitation of the chamber so as to achieve the required mixing. In another embodiment, at least one of the components of the chemiluminescent light source means can be introduced to the chamber as part of the inflating medium. In particular, the two components of the chemiluminescent light source means can be introduced into the chamber as part of the inflating medium and, preferably, in sequential steps. In an embodiment in which the components of the chemiluminescent light source means are initially provided within discrete compartments, the said compartments can advantageously be arranged within a portion of the inflatable illumination device which is arranged to serve as a handle or hand grip etc. Further, the mixing of the two components of the chemiluminescent light source means can be arranged to occur within a shaped receptacle for the two components, which receptacle can be provided in any required shape, and extend in any required manner within the chamber so as to provide for the particular pattern of illumination required. As will be appreciated, the shape of the aforementtoned receptacle can thereby serve to enhance the decorative nature of the inflatable illumination device. Preferably, the inflatable illumination device also comprises fluorescent material for enhancing the illumination thereof. Further, the chamber of the device can be advantageously provided with a transparent wall or with a wall which is opaque in particular regions so as to determine the particular pattern of illumination provided. The inflatable illumination device can then comprise an emergency signalling device, decorative device or a communication device as required. In one particular embodiment, the inflatable illumination device is arranged to be filled with a gaseous substance, for example helium or hydrogen. Preferably, said inflatable illumination device comprises a balloon which is arranged to be inflated, and illuminated, as and when required. The chemiluminescent light source means is based on a chemical reaction between any two or more suitable compounds which are widely known in the chemiluminescent art and which can be selected according to the particular illumination requirement. [Examples of known compounds are described in the US-A-3576987 although, of course, the present application is not restricted to merely the examples disclosed in US-A-3576987. The invention is described further hereinafter by way of example only, with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which: Fig. 1 is a schematic view of an inflatable illumination device embodying the present invention; Fig. 2 is a view of a portion of the device of Fig. 1 in accordance with a further embodiment of the present invention; Fig. 3 is a similar view of a portion of Fig. 1 but in accordance with another embodiment of the present invention; Fig. 4 is a view similar to that of Figs. 2 and 3 but of a region of an inflatable illumination device according to yet another embodiment of the present invention; Rg. 5 is a cross-sectional view through the line V-V of Fig. 4; and, Fig. 6 is a cross-sectional view through the chamber wall of an inflatable illumination device according to yet a further embodiment of the present invention. Fig 1. is a schematic side view of an inflatable illumination device 10 embodying the present invention which comprises a balloon 12 arranged with an air inlet member 14. The balloon 12 is shown in an inflated state which is achieved by the introduction of air by way of a mouthpiece 16 having an opening 18 for communication with an appropriate air supply. A bung (not shown) is inserted into the opening 18 of the mouthpiece 16 once the balloon 12 has reached the required degree of inflation. The air inlet 14 comprises a hollow cylindrical inlet body 20 which is divided into two stacked annular compartments 22, 24 by means of a frangible separator member 26. The compartments 22, 24 are annular in nature by virtue of the extension of the air passage originating in the mouthpiece 16 and extending into the balloon 12. The air inlet body 20 is formed from a plastics material such that only one of its wails 28 is transparent to light. It will be appreciated from Fig. 1 that wall 28 forms part of the inner surface of the chamber of balloon 12 for receiving the air introduced by way of the mouthpiece 16. The cylindrical side wail 29 of the inlet body 20 is flexible and can be flexed in the direction of arrows A by hand. The inlet body 20 is arranged such that, as shown in Fig. 1 , once the balloon 12 has been inflated to the required extent and the opening 18 of the mouthpiece 16 blocked off by insertion of the bung as mentioned above, flexing of the cylindrical side wall 29 of the inlet body 20 in the direction of arrows A serves to break the frangible separator 26 which is generally rigid in nature and this allows for communication between the two stacked annular compartments 22, 24. The compartments 22, 24 contain respective components of a chemiluminescent light source and so the destruction of the frangible separator member 26 serves to effect the mixing of the chemiluminescent compound initially stored in compartment 22 with the chemiluminescent compound initially stored in the compartment 24. In known manner, the mixing of these two compounds leads to a chemiluminescent effect such that light is transmitted from the inlet body 20. As mentioned above, the only transparent wall portion of the inlet body 20 is the upper annular wall 28 and so the light generated by the mixing of the aforementioned two compounds leads to the emission of light only in the directions of arrows B, i.e. into the balloon 12. To enhance the transmission of light only into the balloon 12, the inner surfaces of the walls of the inlet body 20, with the exception of the annular wall 28, can be coated with a reflectfve medium. As mentioned above, the light emitted in the direction of arrows B therefore enters the internal cavity of the balloon 12 so as to illuminate the same. The illumination of the balloon 12 can be further enhanced by the provision of appropriate material, for example fluorescent material, on the surface of the balloon 12. As will be appreciated, the destruction of the frangible separator member 26 can occur prior to the inflation of the balloon 12 and the order in which activation of the chemiluminescent light source means, and the inflation of the balloon 12, occurs, is dependent very much upon user choice. Fig. 2 shows a portion of a balloon 112 provided with an air inlet 114 comprising an air inlet body 120 of a similar form to that shown in Fig. 1. Again, the air inlet body 120 is divided into two stacked annular compartments 122, 124 and air is introduced into the balloon 112, through the air inlet body 120, by way of a mouthpiece 116 having an opening 118. However, in the embodiment of Fig. 2, the air passage extending through the air inlet body 120 from the mouthpiece 116 is provided with a step formation 127 which serves to resist the passage of air through the passage and into the balloon 112. The step formation 127 is formed as a flexible portion of the air inlet passage and this portion also engages a central region of a frangible separator member 126 which separates the two annular stacked compartments 122, 124. The frangible separator member 126 is again a rigid, brittle member. Thus, during the introduction of air into the balloon 112 by way of the mouthpiece 116, the flexible portion of the air inlet formed by the shoulder formation 127 is deformed under the pressure of the air being introduced into the balloon 112, and this flexing of the shoulder formation 127 serves to break the frangible separator member 126 so as to provide for communication between the stacked annular compartments 122, 124. The communication between the compartments 122, 124 allows for the mixing of the compounds initially stored therein and, as with the embodiment of the invention illustrated in Fig. 1 , this mixing provides for the generation of light in accordance with a chemiluminescent effect. It will therefore be appreciated that the embodiment of the present invention illustrated in Fig. 2 comprises an example of the present invention in which the activation of the chemiluminescent light source occurs in response to air being introduced into the balloon 112 by way of mouthpiece 116. Turning now to Fig. 3, there is shown yet a further embodiment of the present invention. In Fig. 3, a balloon 212 extends from an air inlet 214 comprising an inlet body 220 associated with a mouthpiece 216 having an opening 218. The inlet body 220 is divided into three compartments. A first compartment 230 comprises an annular compartment containing compressed air. A second compartment 232 comprises a semi- cylindrical compartment in which a first chemiluminescent compound is located, and the third compartment 234 comprises a semi-cylindrical compartment located as the mirror image of the semi-circular compartment 232, and which includes the second chemiluminescent compound. As with the previously illustrated embodiments, the balloon can be inflated, and illuminated, into discrete steps. In order to illuminate the balloon, a frangible separator member 226 which separates both of the second 232 and third 234 compartments from the annular compartment 230 is caused to rupture so allowing the escape of the compressed air located therein. In view of the rigidity of the inlet body 220, the compressed air initially located in the annular compartment 230 can only escape from the inlet body 220 by rupturing the upper annular wall 228 of the inlet body 220. The upper annular wall 228 of the inlet body 220 is designed as a sufficiently frangible membrane which allows for the aforementioned rupture once the compressed air has been released from the annular compartment 230. In escaping in a rapid manner from the inlet body 220, the compressed air serves to expel the contents of the semi-cylindrical compartments 232, 234 in an explosive manner which, in turn, serves to spray the chemiluminescent compounds onto the inner surface of the balloon 212. This spraying of the contents of the semi-cylindrical compartments 232, 234 serves to facilitate mixing and this in turn leads to the activation of the chemiluminescent light source which, in this instance, is actually achieved on the inner surface of the balloon 212. The balloon can then be inflated as required by way of the mouthpiece 216. As a further feature, the semi cylindrical compartments 232, 234 may be proved with particulate members, such as small shaped pellets, which are projected onto the inner surface of the balloon to achieve an illumination patter which may arise from the bouncing and deflection of the particles within the balloon and the manner of impact with, and sliding on, the inner surface of the balloon. Of course, as an alternative to the embodiment illustrated in Fig. 3, it will be appreciated that the amount of compressed air in the annular compartment 230 can be sufficient not only to allow for the explosive release of the contents of the semi-cylindrical compartments 232, 234, but can also serve to inflate the balloon 212. In this manner, there is then no need to provide the mouthpiece 216, or the passageway extending through the inlet body 220 from the mouthpiece 216, illustrated in Fig. 3. Still a further embodiment of the present invention is illustrated with reference to Figs. 4 and 5. Fig. 4 is a schematic side view of an inlet body 320 from which a balloon 312 extends in a similar manner as illustrated in Figs. 1 to 3. The embodiment of Fig. 4 is somewhat similar to the embodiment of Fig. 2 in that two annually stacked compartments 322, 324 are provided in the inlet body 320 and which house first and second chemiluminescent compounds respectively. A frangible separator member 326 not only serves to separate the contents of the two compartments 322, 324 but also as activation portions 338 which extend radially inwardly into the air passage which extends through the inlet body 320 from the mouthpiece 316 to the balloon 312. The region of the passageway into which the activation portion 338 of the frangible separator member 326 extends comprises an enlarged chamber portion 336 of the passageway. At the bottom of the chamber 336, there is provided an annular shoulder 340 upon which can sit, in a sealing manner, a sealing ball 342. When in the position shown in Fig. 4, the sealing ball 342 rests on the shoulders of the lower region of the passageway chamber 336 in a manner which serves to seal the inside of the balloon 312 from the environment. In order to achieve inflation of the balloon, air is introduced to the balloon 312 via the opening 318 in the passageway 316 and this serves to lift the ball 342 from the valve seat formed by the shoulders 340 of the passageway chamber 336 in such a manner that the ball 342 strikes against the activation portion 338 of the annular frangible separator member 326. The frangible separator member 326 is a brittle material such that the impact of the ball 342 on the activation portion 338 serves to break the seal provided by the frangible separator member 326 so that the contents of the two annular compartments 322, 324 can mix. As before, the contents of the two annular compartments 322, 324 comprise two chemiluminescent compounds respectively which, when mixed, serve as a chemiluminescent light source. The continued introduction of air into the balloon 312 via the passageway chamber 336 serves to inflate the balloon 312 to the required degree. Once inflation is complete, the air pressure developed within the balloon 312 serves to urge the ball 342 back onto the valve seat formed by the shoulders 340 at the lower extent of the passageway chamber 336, and this serves to retain the balloon 312 in its inflated state. Fig. 5 is a cross sectional view along the line V - V in Fig. 4 which serves to illustrate the lateral dimensions of the inlet body 320, frangible separator member 326, passageway chamber 336 and the activation portions 338 all for the frangible separator member 326. It will be appreciated that, in the embodiment of Figs. 4 and 5, the mechanism responsible for the inflation of the balloon 312 is also responsible for the activation of the chemiluminescent light source and this can advantageously serve to simplify the use of this illustrated embodiment of the present invention. Turning now to Fig. 6, there is shown a schematic side view of a balloon 412 according to still another embodiment of the present invention. The inlet body 420 in Fig. 6 does not include any compartments and merely has an air inlet passageway extending therethrough from a mouthpiece 416 into the balloon 412. Fig. 6 also illustrates an enlarged sectional view of a portion of the balloon 412 which has chemiluminescent compounds applied to the inner surface thereof. As can be seen, a first chemiluminescent compound 344 is applied to the inner surface of the balloon 412 and this is then covered by an inner sealing layer 346. A layer of a second chemiluminescent compound 348 is then applied to the sealing layer 346 so as to achieve the laminar structure illustrated in Fig. 6. The sealing layer 346 is frangible in nature and generally has no elasticity. Thus, during the inflation of the balloon 412, the separating sealing layer 346 fails to expand along with the balloon 412 and so breaks up. This allows the two chemiluminescent compound layers 344, 348 to come into contact with each other so as to provide for illumination within the balloon 412. It will of course be appreciated that in providing the chemiluminescent compound 344, 348 in this manner on the inner surface of the balloon 412, the compounds 344, 348 can be provided in any required concentration, and in any required pattern so as to provide for a particular illuminated design on the inner surface of the balloon 412. It is of course necessary to provide the chemiluminescent compound layers 344, 348 with some degree of elasticity so that they can expand along with the balloon 412 without suffering the destruction that occurs with the separating sealing layer 346. Fig. 6 therefore illustrates yet another embodiment of the present invention in which the illumination of the balloon 412 occurs in response to the inflation thereof. The invention is not restricted to the details of the foregoing embodiment. For example, the invention can be achieved by provision of a combination of the illustrated embodiments in that the inner surface of the balloon can be provided with just a single layer of a chemiluminescent compound while the second compound is projected onto that inner surface in an explosive manner similar to that illustrated with a reference to Fig. 3. Further, shaped formations, or elements, can be provided within the balloon and these may be coated with at least one of the chemiluminescent compounds. Again, the second chemiluminescent compound can be projected onto the surface of any such formations or elements in an explosive manner similar to that suggested with reference to Fig. 3. Also, any appropriate gas can be chosen for inflating the balloon and gasses such as helium can prove particularly useful when employing the present invention as a communication, or emergency warning, device. T e balloon may be formed of any appropriate fluorescent material or members which may be arranged in any particular pattern, whether alpha-numeric or otherwise. The fluorescent material can also be provided on the inner surface of the balloon, and to any required pattern, such that the light illuminating from the chemiluminescent light source causes the fluorescent material or members to fluoresce. Moreover, the fluorescent members may be arranged so that they are fixed or movable, perhaps through the influence of gravity, within the balloon and so that they are also partly transparent. The fluorescent members can also be arranged for movement within the balloon whilst gas is being introduced thereto and the fluorescent members can be of a nature which allows for their adhesion to the inner surface of the balloon after being subjected to the aforementioned movement under the influence of the gas. Further, a fluorescent member can be provided which is mounted within the balloon by way of a connecting member which, if required, can extend through a sealed opening within the balloon, i.e. through the balloon inlet. The material forming the balloon may itself be provided with pockets within which is located the appropriate chemiluminescent material such that during the inflation of the balloon, and thus the expansion of the aforementioned material, the pockets are caused to burst and/or communicate so as to effect the required mixing of the chemiluminescent compounds. The balloon itself may be made of a metal foil material. The chemiluminescent materials may be fixed in the mouthpiece or otherwise to the outside of the balloon so as to provide the required illumination. Alternatively, a metal foil balloon may be encased by a transparent balloon according to any of the examples described above. A variety of means and methods can be employed for sealing the balloon. For example, the balloon can be simply sealed by tying a knot in the inlet portion thereof. Alternatively, the chemiluminescent light source device can also be incorporated within a sealing device for the balloon once inflated. Further, adhesive surfaces can be provided so that the inner walls of an inlet portion can be sealed together or sealed onto a sealing device located within the inlet region. A sealing element having a widened, or mushroom- like head can also be provided which serves to stretch the inlet region of the balloon around the periphery thereof so as to create the required seal. Also, a resonant member such as a whistle, may be attached to an inlet portion of the balloon so as to provide for an audible warning should any gas escape from the balloon. It will be appreciated that other modifications and variations may be made to the embodiments described and illustrated within the scope of the present application.

Claims: ________ 1. An inflatable illumination device, the device comprising a chamber for receiving fluid so as to cause the inflation of said device and chemiluminescent light source means arranged to provide light within said chamber, said chemiluminescent light source means having a light transmitting region located within said chamber. 2. A device according to claim 1 , wherein said chemiluminescent light source means is arranged to be associated with an inlet member for said fluid. 3. A device according to claim 2, wherein at least one surface of said inlet member comprises said light transmitting region of said chemiluminescent light source means which is located within said chamber. 4. A device according to claim 2 or claim 3, wherein the fluid inlet member comprises a valve member. 5. A device according to any of claims 2 to 4, wherein the chemiluminescent light source means is arranged to operate as a two-component chemiluminescent source. 6. A device according to claim 5, wherein said inlet member comprises two discrete compartments for the two components respectively. 7. A device according to claim 6, wherein said two compartments are separated by a separator member which is arranged to be opened so as to allow for the mixing of the two components and therefore provide the required chemiluminescent light. 8. A device according to claim 7, wherein the separator member is a frangible separator member. 9. A device according to claim 7 or claim 8, wherein a body portion of said inlet member is arranged to be deformable so as to provide for the destruction and general opening of the separator member. 10. A device according to any of claims 5 to 9, wherein the inlet member is arranged such that the passage of the fluid therethrough, or the fluid pressure developed therein, serves to effect the mixing of the two compounds. 11. A device according to claim 7, wherein the inlet member is provided with a movable member which is arranged to move under the influence of the fluid passing through the inlet member and to impact against said separator member so as to effect the mixing of the two components. 12. A device according to claim 11 , wherein the movable member comprises a movable valve member arranged to pierce said separator member or cause the breakage thereof. 13. A device according to claim 12, wherein the valve member comprises a spherical member which is arranged to seal the inlet means once sufficient fluid has been delivered to said chamber. 14. A device according to claim 1 , wherein the chemiluminescent light source means is provided with two compartments separated by a frangible member which is arranged to break or perforate when subject to pressure. 15. A device according to claim 1 , wherein the chemiluminescent light source means is arranged as part of the fluid inlet and is located within a neck portion of said chamber, which neck portion is deformable in a resilient member so as to receive the fluid inlet member. 16. A device according to claim 15, wherein the fluid inlet member and the chemiluminescent light source means are removably mounted in the inflatable device. 17. A device according to claim 1 , wherein said chemiluminescent light source means is arranged to be activated by the expansion of said chamber during the aforementioned inflation. 18. A device according to claim 17, wherein the components of the chemiluminescent light source means are associated with the inner wall of the chamber in accordance with any required pattern and concentration, so as to provide for any particular pattern of illumination within the chamber. 19. A device according to claim 17 or claim 18, wherein said chemiluminescent light source means is provided on the inside wall of said chamber and comprises at least one of said aforementioned two components. 20. A device according to claim 19, wherein the second of said two components is also provided in a region of the inner wall of said chamber in layered relationship with the first of the two components. 21. A device according to claim 20, wherein the two components are separated by a frangible member or seal which is arranged to be broken during expansion of the chamber wall that occurs during the inflation of said device. 22. A device according to any of claims 1 to 21 , wherein the mixing of the two components of the chemiluminescent light source means is achieved by the application of an instantaneous pressure increase to the chemiluminescent light source means. 23. A device according to any of claims 1 to 22, wherein said chemiluminescent light source means is associated with a compressed gas source, which gas can be released in an explosive manner so as to effect the mixing of the two components of the chemiluminescent light source means. 24. A device according to claim 22 when dependent on claim 19, wherein the aforementioned pressure release can be arranged to deliver the second component of the chemiluminescent light source means so as to achieve the required illumination of the inflatable device. 25. A device according to claim 1 , wherein the chemiluminescent light source means is arranged to operate as a two-component chemiluminescent source, the arrangement being such that both components of the chemiluminescent light source means are released in an explosive manner and so sprayed onto the inner surface of said chamber so as to mix and provide for the required illumination of the inflatable device. 26. A device according to claim 24 or claim 25. wherein the component or components of the chemiluminescent light source means to be sprayed onto the inner surface of the chamber are provided in a compartment arranged to experience the pressure of the fluid seeking to inflate said inflatable device. 27. A device according to claim 19, wherein one of the components of the chemiluminescent light source means is provided in a pre-determined pattem upon the inner surface of the chamber, the subsequent application of the second component of the chemiluminescent light source means to the inner surface of the chamber serving to provide for the illumination of the inflatable device at said pre-determined locations so as to provide for a predetermined required pattem of illumination. 28. A device according to claim 5, wherein at least one of the components of the chemiluminescent light source means can be introduced to the chamber as part of the inflating medium. 29. A device according to claim 28, wherein the two components of the chemiluminescent light source means are introduced into the chamber as part of the inflating medium. 30. A device according to claim 5, wherein mixing of the two components of the chemiluminescent light source means is arranged to occur within a shaped receptacle for the two components, which receptacle is provided in a predetermined shape and extends in a predetermined manner within the chamber so as to provide for the particular pattem of illumination required. 31. A device according to any of claims 1 to 30, wherein the inflatable illumination device also comprises fluorescent material for enhancing the illumination thereof. 32. A device according to any of claims 1 to 31 , wherein the chamber of the device has a transparent wall or a wall which is opaque in particular regions so as to determine the particular pattem of illumination provided.

Inventors: BISOTTO RICCARDO, BISOTTO, RICCARDO
Applicants: BISOTTO RICCARDO, BISOTTO, RICCARDO
Application year: 1996
Main classification: F21P1
IPC codes: F21K2, F21S8