Inflatable
From Free net encyclopedia
An inflatable is an object that can be inflated, usually with air, but hydrogen, helium and nitrogen are also used. The advantage of an inflatable is that it can be stored in a small space when not inflated, since inflatables depend on the presence of a gas to maintain their size and shape.
Typical examples of an inflatable include the inflatable boat, the balloon, the airship and numerous air-filled swimming pool toys.
Smaller-scale inflatables (such as pool toys) generally consist of one or more "air chambers", which are hollow enclosures bound by a soft and flexible airtight material (such as vinyl), which a gas can enter into or leave from through valves (usually one on each air chamber). The design dependence upon an enclosed pocket of gas leads to a need for a very durable surface material and/or ease of repair of tears and holes on the material, since a puncture or tear will result in the escape of the gas inside (a leak) and the deflation of the inflatable, which depends on the gas's pressure to hold its form. Detectable leaks can be caused by holes (from punctures or tears) on the material, the separating of seams, the separating of valve parts, or an improperly shut or improperly closing valve. Even if an inflatable possesses no macroscopic leaks, the gas inside will usually diffuse out of the inflatable, albeit at a much slower rate, until equilibrium is reached with the pressure outside the inflatable.
Most inflatables are made of material that does not stretch upon inflation; a notable exception of this is the balloon, whose rubber stretches greatly when inflated.
The airship is usually inflated with helium as it is lighter than air and does not burn unlike hydrogen airships such as the Hindenburg.
The inflatable dartboard is a classic example of a useless object, ranking alongside the chocolate teapot.
The DVD Ant Farm has directions for making your own inflatables, using plastic bags and an iron.
Large scale decorative inflatables are often seen at festivals such as giant cones. These are made out of rip stop nylon and have a constant flow of cold air inflataing them.
Examples of inflatables
(plus various other inflatable swimming pool toys of various shapes and sizes)