Link-o-Loons Introduction

INTRODUCTION
The inspiration for creating the unique LINK-O-LOON® came to the prolific Australian balloon artist, Jean-Michel Lucie in the early 1990s. Realizing the limitations of the conventional balloon for sculpture designs, Jean-Michel had the thought, "What could I do with a balloon that allowed me to tie on two points?" Visualizing the convenience afforded to advanced balloon designs and becoming totally committed to its development Jean-Michel contacted Premier Balloons, the only Australian manufacturer of balloons.

With the prototype, first came the arch, then a cube, followed by a sphere. Premier Balloons further developed the LINK-O-LOON®, then launched it in 1997 at the Australasian Balloon Convention. Simplistic in its use, the LINK-O-LOON allows both the novice and experienced decorator to produce balloon décor economically and extremely rapidly. It allows end to end balloon chain construction for garlands or more complex patterns for intricate designs.

APPLICATIONS

• Chain Garland – air or helium
• Helium Arches
• Tunnels and Canopies
• Pillars and Roman Columns
• Corrals – round or shaped
• 3D sculptures
• Balloon Wall
• Picture Frame
• 15cm (6”) Air-Filled Garland
• For Smaller Venues

   
SPECIFICATIONS
The LINK-O-LOON is made up of four parts:
1. Body: the large spherical part of the balloon.
2. Neck: the tube through which one inflates the balloon.
3. Bead: the rim or lip at the opening of the neck. parts
4. Tail: the unique protrusion at the opposite end of the balloon.

When the LINK-O-LOON is inflated, the tail remains uninflated, so it can be used to tie to the neck of another balloon. The LINK-O-LOON® is based on latex 30cm (12”) and 15cm (6”) balloons, but with a more symmetrical shape. It is designed and manufactured in Australia.

STEP BY STEP
The LINK-O-LOON is inflated in the same way as any other balloon and is suitable for both air and helium.
Before inflating LINK-O-LOON place as much of the neck over the inflating nozzle to maintain the rounded shape and consistency in size.

Measured Length Wise
When constructing chains the balloons should be measured length wise to ensure structures are symmetrical.

Avoids using Fishing Line
Where arches are constructed without fishing line (thanks to LINK-O-LOON®) they are free from entanglement and can confidently be bagged and transported.

6” Link-O-Loon Balloon Collars Add Strength and Beauty
Twist a cluster of 12cm (6”) Link-o-Loon balloons around each joining point.
 The chain gains rigidity and a solid appearance.
Collars can be a different color from the 12” LINK-O-LOONS®, resulting in some stunning combinations.

THE LINK-O-LOON® KNOT

* The tying of one LINK-O-LOON® with a standard 'double knot' (reef knot or granny knot) is quite secure. However, we recommend the 'LINK-O-LOON Knot is more secure, easily undone (for repairs or alterations) and prevents the burning which can create a slow deflation hole in latex..
* To tie the 'LINK-O-LOON Knot', start with a simple half hitch (the first half of the 'double knot').
* Then flip the free balloon around again to increase the length of the overlap.
* Then complete the second half of the 'double knot' and only pull it in quite loosely.

Hint: The LINK-O-LOON® knot is the best way to tie 6” duplets and larger under-inflated balloons as it eliminates leakage without needing to pull the balloons to set the knot.

Joined Neck-To-Tail
Simply tie the neck of the just-inflated LINK-O-LOON inflated LINK-O-LOON® to the tail of the previously. There is no need to tie off each LINK-O-LOON before attaching it to another. Continue in this way until the chain is the correct length. For uniformity in appearance it is recommended that when forming a LINK-O-LOON chain it is better to consistently tie neck to tail. There will be some exceptions to this general rule.

Used as Single Balloons
Air-filled LINK-O-LOONS hanging by their tails look as though they are helium-filled. The cost is much less and the 'flying time' is much greater.

A SIMPLE ARCH

• Take a bag of 25 LINK-O-LOONS and construct two chains of 12 balloons.
  Hint: Tie neck of first balloon directly to weight then simply add the rest one at a time -no worry about it floating away!
• Join the two chains tail to tail at the peak of the arch.
• Collars of 12cm (6”) Link-o-Loon balloons may be used as appropriate

                                                                                                 HINT. Adding collars of 12cm (5”) balloons will reduce the flying time.

A Balloon  Arch is now quick and reliable to erect.

Single Arch - made up of single latex balloons tied directly to a monofilament ( fishing line)
The ballons can be packed together or evenly spaced
The arch can be  dressed up with a variety of accents - such as ribbon, tulle, poly-silk leaves, fresh or silk flowers, feathers, OR...
An air-filled latex balloon can be tied directly below the helium-filled balloon, creating the High-Low Arch - a variation of the single arch
LINK-O-LOON® balloons can be used to easily create this simple but elegant arch

Rainbow Arch - includes several single arches of varying lengths that can be placed together, creating a rainbow of colors 

Swirl Arch - composed of either a three or a four cluster latex group joined together by paper clips or Twist Klips TM  and attached directly to the monofilament line

Foil Arch - can be created using helium-filled foil balloons

Swag Arch - an air filled arch that can be suspended from the ceiling or other support
It can be a Single or Swirl Arch
The ballons can be attached to the monofilament line, using a pipe cleaner twisted around the stem

formulas used to calculate approximately how many balloons are needed for a spiral arch:
  5 inch = 12 per foot
  9 inch =   8 per foot
11 inch =   6 per foot
14 inch =   4 per foot
16 inch =   4 per foot