Hi

I know you guys are clever and may be able to solve this!

I was part of a discussion (about 8 years ago on B******HQ - can I say that here?!) and this wasn't solved then ...

Can anyone make a complete circle out if an inflated 260, with a bubble or ball or several inside so it can roll around 360' ie a continuous circle?

Leave it at that simple poser fro now and see what transpires.......

John
The Infotainer
AirCraft

Was this something you are aware has been successfully done, or just a general question?

I would say it wouldnt be possible without some fancy equipment.

Essentially you asking for a complete 'donut' to be formed, this would require the removal of the bottom of the balloon, and then seal it to the nozzle of the balloon. This would create an uninflated 'donut', this would then need to be inflated, and a ball etc inserted (or insert the ball before the sealing of the 2 ends). At which point the inflation would require a hole (admitedly it could be small) to inflate via, and then be resealed. However any holes would stretch when the latex streches during inflation.

The other option would be to inflate a 260 and insert you ball, and not tie off, but hold closed, you would then need to block the air escaping from the bottom, and cut the bottom off. This would give you an inflated 260, ball inside, with you holding both ends to stop deflation. You could then insert the unflated nozzle (as this would be smaller). in to the bottom of the 260, and create a complete circle this way, but that will require some sort of sealing to stop deflation again. and the smaller nozzle would probably still limit ball movement.

Does that make sense? Else i'll try and get diagrams.

Pete

Hey Pete

No you described the problem just as I understand it .... but it's a problem looking for a solution.

QuoteEssentially you asking for a complete 'donut' to be formed ...

Exactly!

Certainly making one and then inflating may be a possibility, but I prefer to think there's a solution to be had by inflating and then errrrrrrh........ tampering!

Whilst I've not achieved it, it must be possible to make one that is 360' less the single thickness of latex. ie inflate and put the nozzle end over the tip end. Done! This may require a gadget or a second pair of hands or both. But I can visualize that step.

Then 'all' that needs to be done is to break that seal at the tip (inside the donut) and it shouldn't deflate as it's now a sealed entity.

That's my theory!

But that's also why there is not yet a solution.

But once upon a time they'd have said it would be impossible to do all that can be done now. We see people get inside a balloon! We see them turned into anything. Once you say it is impossible ..... it is!

John Gordon

Is this what you mean

Very nice Graeme  Photoshop I presume :lol:

Of course that's exactly what I mean .... but I expect that in a real example there would need to be some kind of second balloon (perhaps uninflated) tied near the join.

So ... is it like perpetual motion? Impossible?

John

Ralph dewey had mentioned in one of his BHQ monthly articles that they had actualy done this. Referencing the same inital discussion you mentioned, he said that they had stayed up late a in a jam room and, with lots of rubber cement they were able to come up with what you are describing.

I could be mis-quoting him, it's been a while since I've read the column - but if you look through the column arcives you'll find what I'm talking about. It didn't sound pretty, whatever the result.