Low conductivity balloons and methods of producing same

Abstract

The present invention relates to articles and methods for producing non-latex balloons with low surface electrical conductivities and an extended product life. In a preferred embodiment, a multilayer composite film having an exposed metallized layer is coated with an elastomeric sealant layer that increases electrical resistivity of the balloon product to greater than 1.0 8 Ohms/sq. The invention relates to articles and methods for producing needed bonds and seal strength required to manufacture non latex balloons. The balloons of this invention have an extended product life because they are more resistant to common defects like pin holing and stress cracks than conventional balloon systems.

1 . A non-latex balloon product comprising, in combination:
 a. a polymeric film layer;   b. a metalized layer overlaying one side of the polymeric film, where the metalized layer has an exposed side; and   c. an elastomeric sealant layer overlaying the exposed side of the metalized layer,   wherein the balloon product has a surface electrical resistivity of greater than 1.0 8  Ohms/sq.   
     
     
         2 . The balloon product of  claim 1  characterized in that the polymeric film comprises polyester. 
     
     
         3 . The balloon product of  claim 1  wherein the elastomeric sealant layer comprises a melt processable polyolefin. 
     
     
         4 . The balloon product of  claim 1  wherein the dry bonding strength between the base polymeric film and the metalized layer is greater than 300 g/in. 
     
     
         5 . The elastomeric sealant layer of  claim 3  wherein the polyolefin is a melt processable polyolefin that has seal strength to itself that is greater than 2000 g/in. 
     
     
         6 . The elastomeric sealant layer of  claim 3  wherein the polyolefin is a melt processable polyolefin that has bond strength to the metalized layer that is greater than 200 g/in. 
     
     
         7 . The balloon product of  claim 1  wherein the elastomeric sealant layer is extrusion coated directly onto the exposed side of the metalized layer. 
     
     
         8 . The balloon product of  claim 1  wherein a primer layer is between the elastomeric sealant layer and the exposed side of the metalized layer. 
     
     
         9 . The balloon product of  claim 1  wherein the primer layer is a silane or polyethyleneimine based primer that is solution coated directly onto the exposed side of the metalized layer prior to adding the elastomeric sealant layer. 
     
     
         10 . A non-latex balloon product comprising, in combination:
 a. a core polyester layer having first and second sides;   b. an amorphous polyester layer adhered to the first side of the core polyester layer film;   c. a metalized layer adhered to the second side of the polyester film where the metalized layer has an exposed side;   d. a primer layer coating the exposed side of the metalized layer; and   e. a elastomeric sealant layer overlaying the primer coated exposed side of the metalized layer,   wherein the balloon product has a surface electrical resistivity of greater than 1.0 8  Ohms/sq.   
     
     
         11 . The balloon product of  claim 10  characterized in that the core polyester layer comprises polyethylene terephthalate (PET). 
     
     
         12 . The balloon product of  claim 10  wherein the elastomeric sealant layer comprises a melt processable polyolefin. 
     
     
         13 . The balloon product of  claim 10  wherein the dry bonding strength between the base polymeric film and the metalized layer is greater than 300 g/in. 
     
     
         14 . The elastomeric sealant layer of  claim 12  wherein the polyolefin is a melt processable polyolefin that has seal strength to itself that is greater than 2000 g/in. 
     
     
         15 . The elastomeric sealant layer of  claim 12  wherein the polyolefin is a melt processable polyolefin that has bond strength to the metalized layer that is greater than 200 g/in. 
     
     
         16 . The balloon product of  claim 10  wherein the primer layer is a silane or polyethyleneimine based primer that is solution coated directly onto the exposed side of the metallized layer prior to adding the elastomeric sealant layer. 
     
     
         17 . A non-latex balloon product comprising, in combination:
 a. a core polyester layer having first and second sides;   b. an amorphous polyester layer adhered to the first side of the core polyester layer;   c. a metalized layer overlaying on the amorphous polyester layer where the metalized layer has an exposed side;   d. a primer layer coating the exposed side of the metalized layer: and   e. an elastomeric sealant layer overlaying the exposed side of the metalized layer,   wherein the balloon product has a surface electrical resistivity of greater than 1.0 8  Ohms/sq.   
     
     
         18 . The balloon product of  claim 17  wherein the elastomeric sealant layer comprises a melt processable polyolefin. 
     
     
         19 . The elastomeric sealant layer of  claim 18  wherein the polyolefin is a melt processable polyolefin that has seal strength to itself that is greater than 2000 g/in. 
     
     
         20 . The elastomeric sealant layer of  claim 18  wherein the polyolefin is a melt processable polyolefin that has bond strength to the metalized layer that is greater than 200 g/in. 
     
     
         21 . The balloon product of  claim 17  wherein the primer layer is a silane or polyethyleneimine based primer that is solution coated directly onto the exposed side of the metalized layer prior to adding the elastomeric sealant layer. 
     
     
         22 . A method of manufacturing a balloon product comprising, in combination,
 a. providing a polymeric film having first and second sides;   b. applying a metallized layer overlaying the second side of the multilayered composite film, where the metalized layer has an exposed side;   c. extrusion coating an elastomeric sealant layer over the exposed side of the metallized layer sealant layer to form a laminate; and   d. thermally die cutting and welding the laminate using a mechanically driven process to form a balloon product,   wherein the balloon product has a surface electrical resistivity of greater than 1.0 8  Ohms/sq.   
     
     
         23 . The method of  claim 22  wherein a coating of primer is applied to the exposed side of the metallized layer prior to the extrusion coating of the elastomeric sealant layer 
     
     
         24 . The method of  claim 23  wherein the primed metallized layer is dried prior to extrusion coating the elastomeric sealant layer.