Abstract:
A method to create a hollow ornamental structure utilizing an inflatable balloon, the ornamental structure features an inner shell layer created by inflating the inflatable balloon to the predetermined size and shape with a filler material, allowing said filler material to harden and pouring out access filler material when a desirable thickness of hardened filler material is attained; and a textured and colored outer shell layer. The basic form of the hollow ornamental structure can be further modified to form a container such as a vase and other decorative pieces.

Description:
RELATED APPLICATIONS 
     None. 
     FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
     The present invention relates to a method for creating a spherically shaped ornamental structure, and more particularly to a method of utilizing commercial balloons to creat such decorative pieces. 
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     It is common to utilize balloons in creating ornamental and art pieces. Two typical examples are balloon modeling or twisting and paper-mache application on balloons. 
     Paper-mache, is a composite material consisting of paper pieces or pulp, sometimes reinforced with textiles, bound with an adhesive, such as glue, starch, or wallpaper paste. It is a common technique to apply layers of paper-mache on an inflated balloon to create a spherical shell. The balloon is then punctured and paint or other coating materials will be applied on the shell for decoration and protection purposes. Sometimes, the paper-mache shells will be further decorated. Paper-mache is used on carnival masks, art decorations, sculptures and other forms of decoration. One disadvantage of paper-mache is that the end product is usually fragile and decomposable due to the raw materials such as paper, textiles and rubber glue. Also, the art pieces are usually not water proof unless a very heavy coating is applied. Also, using paper-mache to create a shell for art pieces are time consuming as users have to apply multiple layers of thin materials until a certain thickness is attained. 
     The present invention is a method to create an art decoration piece by filling up a balloon with undecomposable foam material. Coating, molding techniques will then be applied to create the desirable texture and shape of the final art piece. 
     ADVANTAGES AND SUMMARY OF INVENTION 
     One object and advantage of the present invention is to provide a undecomposable, water proof art piece in balloon shape. 
     Another object and advantage of the present invention is to provide an easier and less time consuming method to create a shell in balloon shape. 
     Another object and advantage of the present invention is to provide liberty and easiness for users to control the thickness of the shell. 
     Yet another object and advantage of the present invention is its ability to create unique texture of the final art piece. 
     Further details, objects and advantages of the present invention will become apparent through the following descriptions, and will be included and incorporated herein. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         FIGS. 1A-1H  are representative views of the manufacturing procedures of a method for creating ornamental structures  100  of the present invention. 
         FIG. 2  is a representative isometric view of one alternative treatment of the art ornamental structures  200 . 
         FIG. 3  is a representative isometric view of another alternative treatment of the art ornamental structures  300 . 
     
    
    
     For a better understanding of the invention reference is made to the following detailed description of the preferred embodiments thereof which should be taken in conjunction with the prior described drawings. 
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT 
     The description that follows is presented to enable one skilled in the art to make and use the present invention, and is provided in the context of a particular application and its requirements. Various modifications to the disclosed embodiments will be apparent to those skilled in the art, and the general principals discussed below may be applied to other embodiments and applications without departing from the scope and spirit of the invention. Therefore, the invention is not intended to be limited to the embodiments disclosed, but the invention is to be given the largest possible scope which is consistent with the principals and features described herein. 
       FIGS. 1A-1H  are representative views of the manufacturing procedures of a method for creating ornamental structures  100  of the present invention. As shown in  1 A, the method  100  commences by selecting a balloon  102  of the desirable inflatable size, shape. In one embodiment, balloon  102  is made of materials that are not capable of sustaining the filler material  106  as it is much heavier than air. As shown in  FIG. 1B , a nozzle  104  is inserted in balloon  102  and dispose filler material  106  therein; while air  108  inside the balloon  102  is let out. In one embodiment, disposed filler material  106  will expend in volume and fill the entire capacity within the balloon  102  and continue to expand its size. In one embodiment, filler material  106  is commercially available foam based sealing material which will harden during curing. One example of filler material  106  is Hilti® CF 810 Crack and Joint Pro Insulating Filler Foam. As best shown in  FIG. 1C , users will dispose filler material  106  inside balloon  102  until desirable size is attained. Users will be mindful that since filler material  106  is expendable, they should stop disposing filler material  106  just shy of the desirable size of the balloon  102  is attained. As shown in  FIG. 1D , once desirable size of balloon  102  is attained, users will retract nozzle  104  and seal the balloon  102  with a clamp  110 . The curing process begins and users must wait while filler material  106  harden. Optionally, users can mold the shape of balloon  102  slightly with hand or molding tools. Alternatively, users can also use balloon  102  of different shapes to change the shape of finished art structure  180 . 
     During the curing process, users can periodically check the thickness of hardened shell  112  by poking hole(s)  115  on the balloon  102 . As best shown in  FIG. 1E , once the desirable thickness of shell  112  is attained, users will dislodge clamp  110  and pour out the still liquefied filler material  106 . Alternatively, users can wait until filler material  106  completely solidified and create a solid spherical art piece instead. 
     As best shown in  FIG. 1F , once shell  112  is completely hardened, users can then apply one or more coat of stucco or plaster  114  directly on the balloon  102 . While stucco or plaster  114  is still wet, users can then optionally create surface texture either by hand or tools. After desirable surface texture is created, stucco or plaster  114  will be allowed to air dry until it hardens. Subsequently, as best shown in  FIG. 1G , users will decorate stucco or plaster surface  114  with paint  116 . Paint  116  can be applied by hand, tools such as a paint brush or spray pen  118 . After paint  116  is completely dry, users can optionally apply one or more coats of 2 part resin to make the entire art structure  180  waterproof and scratch proof Paint  116  preferably is acrylic paint. 
       FIG. 2  is a representative isometric view of one alternative treatment of the art ornamental structures  200 . As shown in  FIG. 2 , users can easily convert art structure  180  into a decorative art piece with a hand-held handle  200 . As shown in  FIG. 2 , a stick  202  of any material can be affixed on the art structure  180  as handle, with mechanical or chemical means. To further decorate the decorative art piece with a hand-held handle  200 , users can cut into art structure  180  and take out a slice of the shell  204 . This decoration technique is especially appropriate when the art structure  180  is decorated as a fruit. Preferably, users should not cut through shell  112  of art structure  180  so as not to expose the hollow cavity  115 . Alternatively, users can let filler material  106  completely solidified when creating the art structure  180  for this application. 
       FIGS. 3A and 3B  are representative isometric views of another alternative treatment of the art ornamental structures  300 . As best shown in  FIG. 3A , during curing process, after the desirable thickness of shell  112  is attained, users can empty out most of the liquefied filler material  106  and leave a small amount such that it will form a thicker base  302 . When shell  112  including base  302  is completely set, users can apply surface treatment as best described in  FIGS. 1F to 1H  to form art structure  304 . In order to make art structure  304  into a vase or container, users can cut art structure  304  along cutting plane X and Y. Users can then apply coating and paint on base bottom  310  and opening rim  312  to protect the finished product  300 . 
     For a better understanding of the invention reference is made to the following detailed description of the preferred embodiments thereof which should be taken in conjunction with the prior described drawings. 
     Unless defined otherwise, all technical and scientific terms used herein have the same meaning as commonly understood by one of ordinary skill in the art to which the present invention belongs. Although any methods and materials similar or equivalent to those described can be used in the practice or testing of the present invention, the preferred methods and materials are now described. All publications and patent documents referenced in the present invention are incorporated herein by reference. 
     While the principles of the invention have been made clear in illustrative embodiments, there will be immediately obvious to those skilled in the art many modifications of structure, arrangement, proportions, the elements, materials, and components used in the practice of the invention, and otherwise, which are particularly adapted to specific environments and operative requirements without departing from those principles. The appended claims are intended to cover and embrace any and all such modifications, with the limits only of the true purview, spirit and scope of the invention.