Supplied by the Anagram Quality Assurance Team Updated: 3/2/00
1. Care of Balloons
Flat Product:
· Keep pink pastel colors and flesh toned balloons away from direct fluorescent lights. Over a period of time, these inks may fade. We suggest keeping these colors in either their original boxes or on the lower shelves, away from fluorescent lighting.
· Do not store in an extreme humidity, heat or moisture environment. This may cause the inks to stick together.
Packaged Product:
· Handle the packages with some care. Damage to the package could possibly result in damage to the balloon inside. An example of this would be if the package gets cut or mangled, the balloon inside could also get damaged.
· Do not store in an extreme humidity, heat or moisture environment. This may cause the inks to stick together.
Inflated Product:
· It is recommended to keep inflated balloon displays away from refrigerated areas in the store. This may cause helium inflated balloons to appear deflated, because the helium’s molecular structure has shrunk, caused by the cooler environment.
· Do not allow the balloon to float upwards towards an open ceiling with open lighting, rough or sharp surfaces. There is a potential of holes being put into the balloon by coming into contact with light fixtures and these surfaces.
· Keep out of extreme heat. This will cause the balloon to expand, thus potentially causing seal failures.
· NOTE: Moving the balloons from heated areas to cool areas (air conditioned) and back again could cause potential seal defects. This is because of the expansion of the balloon after moving from the cool area to the heated area as explained above.
2. Inflation of Balloons
Air Filled Mini Balloons Using An Auto Inflation Method:
· Auto Inflator hints:
1. Prior to use, verify the machine settings; temperature, dwell, etc.
2. Maintain good air quality coming from the machine, clean out air lines.
3. Establish a regular maintenance program to keep the machine in good operation condition.
· Auto Inflation for Valved Mini Balloons:
1. If using an Auto Inflator, there are 2 different methods of inflation that can be used. These are:
· Turn off the heat seal, leaving only the air flow. Be careful not to allow the balloon to touch the heat seal. It may still be hot. The heat seal will cool off after a short period of time. By using this method, the balloon can be re-inflated in the future.
· Keep the heat seal on. This will allow the balloon to be filled, then automatically clamped shut. Adding these additional seals will keep the air inside the balloon. By using this method, the balloon cannot be re-inflated.
2. Place the balloon under the nozzle and inflate the balloon until firm. If using the auto inflator, the regulator will not allow over inflation of the balloon.
3. During inflation, keep any appendages of the balloon away from the heat seal.
4. After inflated, smooth out the valve block seal. This will allow the valve to close completely.
· Auto Inflation for Non-Valved Balloons:
1. Be careful not to allow the balloon to touch the heat seal.
2. Place the balloon under the nozzle and inflate the balloon until firm. If using the auto inflator, the regulator will not allow over inflation of the balloon.
3. In some instances, the specific design and, or, the materials that make up the balloon (such as the clear film) may cause the inflation process to be slower than normal. To achieve this, slow the flow of air to a rate that will allow the product to be fully inflated before the seal jaws are activated.
4. During inflation, keep any appendages of the balloon away from the heat seal.
5. When the balloon is full, the automatic clamps will seal the balloon shut.
· If small wrinkles are present after the automatic seal process, re-seal the balloon by placing it under the air flow and allowing the clamps to seal again.
Air Filled Mini Balloons Using a Manual Inflation method:
· Air Filled Inflation By Use Of A Cool Air Inflator:
1. Turn the inflator on to the lowest setting.
2. Place the balloon tail over the nozzle and inflate the balloon until firm, not hard.
3. After inflated, smooth out the valve block seal. This will allow the valve to close completely.
4. There is the option for adding a heat seal to the tail. This heat seal should be centered between the valve block seal and the punch hole. NOTE that by adding this heat seal, the balloon cannot be re-inflated.
· Air Filled Inflation By Use Of A Straw:
1. Place a straw into the tail, carefully going through the valve block seal, and inflate until firm. If inflated until hard, it may over-inflate.
2. After inflated, smooth out the valve block seal. This will allow the valve to close completely.
3. There is the option for adding a heat seal to the tail. This heat seal should be centered between the valve block seal and the punch hole. NOTE that by adding this heat seal, the balloon cannot be re-inflated.
· Air Filled Inflation Using A Balloon Hand Pump - For Valved Product:
1. Place the balloon onto the nozzle of the pump, holding the end of the tail onto the pump.
2. Begin to inflate by slowly moving the main body of the pump in an up and down direction.
3. As the balloon fills, hold the tail of the balloon tightly and allow air to fill all cavities of the balloon.
4. Fill the balloon to the point of being firm (NOT HARD).
5. After inflation, smooth the valve block seal. This will allow the valve to close completely.
6. There is the option for adding a heat seal to the tail. This heat seal should be centered between the valve block seal and the punch hole. NOTE that by adding this heat seal, the balloon cannot be re-inflated.
· Inflation Using A Balloon Hand Pump - For Non-Valved Product:
1. Follow step numbers 1-4 for valved balloons except hold the balloon tail tight after inflation to minimize leakage.
2. Eliminate any wrinkles in the balloon tail and apply a heat seal.
· Any wrinkles in the heat seal will cause the balloon to leak. If a wrinkle is present, re-seal the balloon.
REMEMBER:
It is critical to the function of any balloon that it be inflated to the point of being firm, not hard. The natural creases in the balloon must be present. If they are not, the balloon is over inflated.
· Over inflation increases the potential for the seal to separate from the inside out, causing seal failures.
Helium Balloon Inflation:
· Using a regulated helium inflator:
1. Be certain to use the ‘Mylar’ setting on the helium regulator.
2. Holding the balloon at the tip of the valve opening, carefully insert the nozzle of the inflator at the same angle as the valve seal, into the opening of the valve.
3. During inflation, remove all sharp edges and objects from around the inflation area. If the balloon touches anything sharp during inflation, small holes can be punched into the balloon, causing them to leak.
· Regulated helium or air flow during inflation is highly recommended.
· This is critical to the performance of the balloon.
By using a regulated flow, it will allow the balloon to fill completely, not over inflate; thus not damage either the balloon or the valve.
· Using a Non-Regulated Helium Flow:
4. Holding the balloon at the tip of the valve opening, carefully insert the nozzle of the inflator at the same angle as the valve seal, into the opening of the valve.
5. Inflate slowly, be certain not to over-inflate the balloon.
· Fast inflation can cause valve and/or balloon failures.
6. During inflation, remove all sharp edges and objects from the inflation area.
7. Caution needs to be used with the flow of helium into the balloon that it is not over-inflated. Inflate them to the point of being firm, not hard. The natural creases in the balloon must be present.
· Over inflation increases the potential for seal failure.
Re-Inflation of Valved Balloons:
· Air Filled Mini Balloons
These can be un-cupped and re-inflated, if they were not heat sealed after the initial inflation. The number of re-inflations can be 5+ times. These will hold the same amount of air up to 8-10 weeks after the initial inflation.
· If not inflated properly, they may hold the air for a shorter amount of time due to valve breakdowns.
· IF AN ADDITIONAL HEAT SEAL HAS BEEN ADDED TO THE BALLOON, RE-INFLATION IS NOT POSSIBLE.
Tips for Re-Inflating Air Filled Mini Balloons:
1. Insert a straw carefully into the punch hole; do not tear the punch hole during this process. Enter the valve block seal by no more than ¼”; begin to add air into the balloon.
· If a straw is placed into the balloon past the valve block seal, a potential for valve failure can occur.
2. If re-inflating using an Auto Inflator, be sure to turn off the power source for the heat seal. Place the balloon under the air flow and inflate the balloon.
3. When re-inflation is complete, the cup can be re-attached to the balloon.
· Helium Shapes:
The number of re-inflations can be 5+ times. These will hold the helium for 1-3 weeks, depending on the size and shape.
Tips for Re-Inflating Helium Balloons:
1. Initial inflation should be done using regulated helium flows
2. All future inflations should be done using the same regulated helium flow.
3. Care must be used during re-inflation with the hole punch. Avoid tearing the hole punch through the valve block seal. This will cause helium to leak out of the valve.
If re-inflating using non-regulated helium flow, inflate the balloon to the point of being firm, not hard.
5. Inflation of Multiple Paneled Balloons:
Care must be used when inflating 3 and 4 panel balloons. Some things to remember about the inflation of 3 and 4 panel balloons:
1. Inflate the balloon slowly. Make sure to use the mylar setting on the inflation regulator.
2. Partially inflate the balloon until the 3rd and 4th panels open up.
3. Stop inflating at this point.
4. Manually separate the 3rd and 4th panels at the seams.
5. Finish inflating the balloon until full.
This will reduce the possibility of the balloon tearing as it is being inflated.
If inflating a multiple paneled balloon using non-regulated helium flow, use extra caution.
1. Inflate the balloon slowly. Do not use a fast flow of helium into the balloon. If possible, use a minimal flow.
2. To continue inflating the balloon, follow steps 2 to 5 as listed above.
Note:
· The flat balloons may appear to have seals coming apart. This is the inside panel of the balloon.
· There will be some “popping” noises as the balloon is inflating. This is the inside panels of the balloon opening up.