INFLATABLE BALL
An inflatable pet toy adopted for use in an inflated state and ambient air state. The inflatable pet toy includes an inner layer, an intermediate layer, and an outer layer. The inner layer forms a selectively inflatable bladder for receiving pressurized air. The inner layer is configured to resist bursting. The intermediate layer coupled to the inner layer. The outer layer substantially surrounds the intermediate layer.
1 . An inflatable pet toy adapted for use in an inflated state and ambient air state comprising:
an inner layer forming a selectively inflatable bladder for receiving pressurized air, the inner layer configured to resist bursting;
an intermediate layer coupled to the inner layer; and
an outer layer substantially surrounding the intermediate layer.
2 . The inflatable pet toy according to claim 1 , wherein the intermediate layer substantially surrounds the inner layer.
3 . The inflatable pet toy according to claim 1 , wherein the outer layer substantially surrounds the intermediate layer.
4 . The inflatable pet toy according to claim 1 , wherein the intermediate layer has a substantially uniform thickness.
5 . The inflatable pet toy of claim 1 , wherein:
the inner layer has an inner layer thickness;
the intermediate layer has an intermediate layer thickness; and
the outer layer has an outer layer thickness, the intermediate layer thickness being less than both the inner layer thickness and the outer layer thickness.
6 . The inflatable pet toy according to claim 1 , wherein the inner layer has an inner layer thickness ranging from approximately 1500 to 2000 micrometers.
7 . The inflatable pet toy of claim 6 , wherein:
the intermediate layer has an intermediate layer thickness; and
the outer layer has an outer layer thickness, the intermediate layer thickness being less than the outer layer thickness.
8 . The inflatable pet toy according to claim 6 , wherein the intermediate layer has an intermediate layer thickness being less than the inner layer thickness.
9 . The inflatable pet toy of claim 1 , wherein in a fully inflated state the inflatable pet toy has a size ranging from about 55 centimeters to 85 centimeters.
10 . The inflatable pet toy according to claim 1 , wherein the outer layer is formed from a plurality of coupled rubber panels.
11 . The inflatable pet toy according to claim 1 , wherein the inner layer is adapted to receive pressurized air to transition from the ambient air state to the inflated state.
12 . The inflatable pet toy of claim 1 , wherein in the inflated state, the pet toy substantially assumes a desired shape and the pet toy substantially retains the desired shape when the pet toy is in the ambient air state in part as a result of a material property of the inner layer.
13 . The inflatable pet toy of claim 1 , wherein the intermediate layer includes ethylene vinyl acetate foam sprayed over the inner layer.
14 . A method for making an inflatable pet toy adapted for use in an inflated state and an ambient air state, the method comprising:
forming a selectively inflatable bladder for receiving pressurized air, the inflatable bladder configured to resist bursting;
forming an intermediate layer which substantially surrounds the inflatable bladder, the intermediate layer being coupled to the inflatable bladder; and
forming an outer layer which substantially surrounds the intermediate layer, the outer layer being coupled to the intermediate layer.
15 . The method of claim 14 , wherein:
the inflatable bladder has an inflatable bladder thickness;
the intermediate layer has an intermediate layer thickness; and
the outer layer has an outer layer thickness, the intermediate layer thickness being less than both the inflatable bladder thickness and the outer layer thickness.
16 . The method of claim 14 , wherein the intermediate layer substantially encapsulates the inflatable bladder.
17 . The method of claim 14 , wherein the outer layer contacts the intermediate layer.
18 . The method of claim 14 , wherein the inflatable bladder has an inflatable bladder thickness ranging from approximately 1500 to 2000 micrometers.
19 . The method of claim 18 , wherein:
the intermediate layer has an intermediate layer thickness; and
the outer layer has an outer layer thickness, the intermediate layer thickness being less than the outer layer thickness.
20 . An inflatable pet toy adapted for use in an inflated state and ambient air state comprising:
an inflatable bladder for selectively receiving pressurized air, after receiving pressurized air, the pet toy is in the inflated state and substantially assumes a desired shape, and substantially retains the desired shape when the pet toy is in the ambient air state in part as a result of a material property of the inflatable bladder;
an intermediate layer coupled to the inflatable bladder; and
an outer layer coupled to the intermediate layer.