WO2003055567A1

WO2003055567A1 - Balloon holder

Info

Publication number: WO2003055567A1
Application number: PCT/SE2002/002329
Authority: WO
Inventors: Jan Rademaekers
Original assignee: Inventor Jan Rademaekers Ab
Priority date: 2001-12-21
Filing date: 2002-12-16
Publication date: 2003-07-10
Also published as: EP1458451A1; AU2002362178A1; SE523223C2; SE0104410D0; SE0104410L

Abstract

A device for sealing and fixing a balloon (8) comprises a sealing member (x1), and a fixing member (2). The sealing member is disposed within the mouth (9) of the balloon (8) transversely thereof in order to seal against its inside. The fixing member (2) is connected to the sealing member (1) and is designed for fixing means for handling the balloon (8). The sealing member (1) is further connected to a retainer member (3) which engages with and supports the balloon (8) at or above the mouth (9). A method of inflating and sealing a balloon (8) entails that a sealing member (1) is inserted in the mouth of the balloon prior to the inflation. A part of the device is turned inside out so that it is disposed around and outside both the sealing member (1) and the mouth (9), so that the balloon (8) is held upright.

Description

BALLOON HOLDER

TECHNICAL FIELD

The present invention relates to a device for sealing and fixing a balloon, comprising a sealing member which is disposed inside the mouth of the balloon, transversely thereof in order to seal against its inside; a fixing member which is connected to the sealing member and which is designed for securing means for handling the balloon, such as a metal wire, a stick, a string or the like.

The present invention also relates to a method of inflating and sealing a balloon, a sealing member which is included in a device for sealing and fixing the balloon being inserted in the mouth of the balloon prior to the inflation.

BACKGROUND ART

Balloons are often distributed to children in advertising campaigns and other contexts. Both the giver and the receiver of the balloon think it is desirable that the balloon assumes an upright position and does not "droop" or drag on the ground. This problem may per se be solved in that the balloons are inflated with a gas which is of lower density than air and which, as a result, is capable of suspending both the balloon, possible sealing devices, as well as a device for handling the balloon, such as a string. The problem inherent in such gases is that they are expensive and that they are available in gas bottles whose replenishment and handling are circumstantial. Moreover, certain gases which achieve the desired effect are downright unsuitable because of a high risk of explosion. This problem has hitherto been solved in that the balloons are secured to a metal wire, stick or some other rigid device so that the balloon can be held up in the air. In such instance, the balloons may either be tied in place directly to the metal wire when they are sealed, or they may first be provided with a knot and thereafter secured to the metal wire in some other way. Regardless of how the procedure is carried out, the sealing and fixing of the balloons take up considerable time and work.

Moreover, the balloons are difficult to store in the inflated state, since they are quite bulky. On the other hand, it is often far too troublesome to inflate, seal and fix the balloons as they are needed. One drawback inherent in prior art devices for sealing balloons is that they do not function for inflating balloons where the sealing member has previously been mounted in place, which would be a convenient method of handling the balloons.

Nor do prior art devices always give the desired support for the balloons when they are inflated with air. Granted, the balloon may be held upright in a stick, but the balloon proper tends to droop in relation to the stick.

Further, prior art balloon sealing members which might be employed instead of knotting the balloons are complicated and expensive to manufacture. An example of such a relatively complex sealing member is disclosed in USPS 5,596,203, the sealing member having an interiorly disposed movable flap which functions as a non-return valve. Nor does this device afford the desired support when the balloon is inflated with air.

PROBLEM STRUCTURE

The intention is thus to realise a device and a method for sealing and fixing a balloon so that the balloons are simple to store, simple and rapid to inflate and so that the balloon is supported so as to give a pleasant appearance.

SOLUTION

The objects forming the basis of the present invention will be attained if the apparatus intimated by way of introduction is given the characterising feature that the sealing member is further connected to a retainer member which, in a position of use, is disposed to engage from outside with and support the balloon in an area at or above its mouth.

Concerning the method, the objects will be attained if this is characterised in that a part of the device is turned inside out so that it is disposed around and outside both the sealing member and the mouth of the balloon in order to ensure that the balloon is held upright in the inflated state.

Further advantages will be attained if the present invention is further given the characterising features as set forth in appended subclaims 2 to 6 and 8 to 9, respectively. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE ACCOMPANYING DRAWINGS

The present invention will now be described in greater detail hereinbelow, with reference to the accompanying Drawings. In the accompanying Drawings:

Fig. 1 is a straight side elevation of a first embodiment of the present invention;

Fig. 2 is a top plan view of the device according to the present invention;

Fig. 3 is a view of the device according to the present invention in the mounted state; and

Fig. 4 shows an alternative embodiment of the present invention.

DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

In the following disclosure, expressions such as upwards, downwards, outside, inside and the like will be employed. These and other expressions relate to directions and positions of a balloon which is in a normal, inflated state on a stick.

Fig. 1 shows a device according to the present invention for sealing and fixing a balloon. The device includes uppermost a sealing member 1 in the form of a substantially planar and substantially circular disk. The sealing member 1 has a substantially smooth outer periphery against which the inside of a mouth of a balloon is intended to abut when the sealing member is mounted in a balloon. The sealing member 1 in such instance extends transversely over the mouth of the balloon. The material of the mouth of the balloon is sufficiently elastic to close tightly around the sealing member 1 and the need for movable valve means in the sealing member 1 is thereby eliminated. In other words, the mouth of the balloon is utilised so as, together with the sealing member 1, to realise an efficient seal in that an expansion of the mouth around the sealing member 1 makes possible a passage of air past the sealing member, while the mouth rapidly reassumes its form after the inflation and closes tightly around the sealing member 1. The device further includes a fixing member 2 for securing some means for handling the balloon. In the preferred embodiment, the fixing device is substantially in the form of an upwardly closed tube 2. In the tube 2, a stick or the like may be inserted. The device further includes a retainer member 3 in its lower region. As described below, the retainer member 3 functions, in a position of use, so as to support a balloon in which the sealing member is applied.

In the preferred embodiment, the retainer member includes a number of support legs 4 and, in the preferred embodiment, these are four in number. The support legs 4 are, in the preferred embodiment, gently bent outwards in the mounting position as illustrated in Fig. 1. Depending on the material thickness and other material properties, they may be provided with rigidifying ribs on their insides. In the upper edge of the support legs 4, there is disposed a unifying annulus 5 which interconnects the upper regions of the support legs 4 with one another and with an upper portion of the device according to the invention.

The unifying annulus 5 is in turn connected to the sealing member 1 by the intermediary of a number of thin bridges 6. The bridges are so thin and possess such material properties that they are highly flexible. It is thereby possible to redirect the retainer member 3 so that the support legs 4 point in the directly opposite direction to that shown in Fig. 1. Possibly, the support legs 4 may be rendered thinner or may be provided with some other bending indication in the area where the bend is desired.

The entire device according to the invention is of one piece manufacture, preferably from a plastic material which may impart the desired flexibility to the bridges 6, at the same time as the sealing member 1 is sufficiently rigid for the sealing against the inside of the mouth of the balloon to be satisfactory. The advantages inherent in this feature are that only one part need be manufactured for realising both sealing of the balloon, as well as fixing possibilities for a stick or the like and supporting the balloon. Tool and manufacturing costs are thereby reduced to a minimum. The mounting of the device according to the present invention in the balloon is also simplified and costs herefor are reduced.

Fig. 2 shows a top plan view of the device according to the present invention. In the Figure, it will be apparent that the sealing member 1 consists of a complete plate which is smooth on the upper side and which is substantially circular. Since the plate is whole, no air can pass through it. When the sealing member 1 is disposed inside the mouth of a balloon transversely thereof, the rubber membrane in the balloon will abut tightly against the periphery of the sealing member 1. If sufficiently high pressure is employed, it is however possible to force air past the periphery of the sealing member 1 and further into the balloon. As is best seen in Fig. 1, the sealing member 1 is provided, along its periphery, with a number of upwardly directed projections 7. The projections 7 are locking heels which assist in retaining the unifying annulus 5 above the sealing member 1 when the device has been placed in the position of use with a redirected retainer member 3.

Fig. 3 shows the device in use. In practice, use takes place as follows. First, a balloon 8 is passed over the sealing member 1 so that the sealing member 1 is positioned substantially transversely of the mouth 9 of the balloon 8. In such instance, the side walls of the mouth 9 close tightly around the sealing member 1. At the same time, the mouth 9 of the balloon is stretched to such an extent that it tends to pull together at other places than where it is placed under outward tension by the sealing member 1. This entails that the edge of the mouth 9 tends to press the bridges 6 inwards. Hence, the bridges 6 are gently bent in the area of the edge of the mouth 9. This bending initiates and facilitates a twisting of the device so that the unifying annulus 5 is drawn over the edge of the mouth 9 outside it so far that the annulus 5 is finally positioned above the sealing member 1. That side of the unifying annulus 5 which was previously turned to face inwards has now been turned inside out. The retainer member 3 in the form of the support legs 4 has correspondingly been turned so that the earlier insides are now turned to face outwards. In such instance, the support legs 4 lightly abut against the balloon 8 and support it when it is inflated. Hence, the balloon 8 will be held in the upright position even when exposed to light to moderate forces from, for example, the wind.

When the device has been turned inside out to the position of use, a stick 10, a metal wire or the like is mounted in the fixing member 2. A string could possibly be mounted in the fixing member, but the generally desired upright position of the balloon will then only be attained if the balloon is inflated with a gas that is lighter than air, which in general, as was mentioned above, is not desirable for various reasons. The balloon 8 is now ready-assembled and can be stored prior to inflation.

Thereafter, or alternatively before the stick 10 or the like has been mounted in the fixing member 2, balloon 8 is inflated. In this instance, the nozzle of a pump, for example an electric pump, is applied against the lower edge of the bent bridges 6. In such instance, the nozzle of the pump will be located in the immediate proximity of the mouth 9 of the balloon 8. The nozzle of the pump may possibly be specifically adapted so that it wholly or partly accommodates the stick 10. It is also possible to cause the nozzle of the pump to extend a distance outside the mouth 9 of the balloon 8. It will thereby be possible simply to store ready-assembled balloons in the deflated state for inflation at a later occasion.

The nozzle of the pump employed may also be adapted so that it is provided, in its upper end, with a number of recesses corresponding to the bent bridges 6. In this instance, the edge of the mouth 9 of the balloon may come into closer abutment with the nozzle of the pump.

A further possibility for adapting the nozzle is to provide a removable adapter in the original nozzle, the adapter having the desired properties.

As was intimated above, it is, in many cases, entirely possible that a certain leakage of air takes place outside the mouth 9 of the balloon 8 on inflation, but this is generally not a problem. A sufficient volume of air is fed in the lower region of the mouth 9 below the sealing member 1. When the air pressure in this area of the mouth 9 becomes sufficiently elevated, the mouth 9 will be stretched out and the air may pass the periphery of the sealing member 1 and further into the balloon 8. The rubber membrane in the wall of the mouth 9 thus functions as a seal. As a result, no specifically provided non-return valve in the sealing member is necessary.

The pump is most generally provided with a set of movable stretching devices, ideally four in number, which are symmetrically disposed in the nozzle of the pump. The stretching devices are insertible in the mouth 9 of the balloon 8 in order to stretch it so that inflation is facilitated and leakage outside the mouth 9 of the balloon 8 is reduced to a minimum.

DESCRIPTION OF ALTERNATIVE EMBODIMENTS

According to one alternative embodiment of the present invention, this is manufactured so that the support legs 4 already from the outset point upwards in the manner which is shown in Fig. 3. Thus, the device according to the present invention is constantly in the position of, use and no redirection is necessary. This avoids one working phase in practical application. Mounting of the sealing member 1 transversely of the inside of the mouth of the balloon is possible, since the space between the sealing member 1 is accessible between the bridges 6. Possibly, mounting may be carried out with the aid of a machine or a tool adapted for the purpose. When mounting is put into effect by machine, it is also an advantage that the working phase involving the redirectioning is avoided, since the machine will then be less complicated. Those advantages which derive from the fact that the sealing member 1 and the retainer member 3 are of one piece manufacture with each other, namely that the construction will be simple to manufacture and use, remain in place. Naturally, it is conceivable that the bridges 6 are so thin and flexible that a redirectioning is still possible, even if this possibility is most generally not put into use.

Fig. 4 shows an example of yet a further alternative embodiment of the device according to the invention. The major difference in relation to the preferred embodiment is that the lower ends of the support legs 4 are united by a lower annulus 11. When the device is turned inside out in the manner described above, the support legs 4 will be forced outwards by the lower annulus 11 and be thereby bent. In such instance, a retainer member 3 is realised in the form of a supporting "basket". Otherwise, the function is substantially the same as that described above.

Yet ^a further alternative embodiment is realised if the device according to the present invention as shown in Fig. 4 is manufactured so that, right from the outset, it is located in the position of use and does not require any redirectioning in a manner corresponding to that described for the alternative embodiment with support legs. Thus, the device according to the present invention is provided right from the outset with a retainer member 3 in the form of an upwardly directed basket which is open towards the balloon. The configuration of the basket may naturally be varied depending on considerations of production engineering. The number of bridges 6 and the number of support legs 4 may be varied. It is even possible that the number of bridges 6 and the number of legs 4 differ from one another so that, for example, the bridges 6 pairwise merge into a single support leg 4. Nor is the unifying annulus 5 totally necessary in this embodiment, since the locking of the annulus 5 above the sealing member 1 is not necessary for holding the retainer member in the position of use. After all, the position of use is the natural state and the device according to the present invention does not run the risk of unintentionally reverting to a position where the retainer member 3 is reversed. The present invention may be modified further without departing from the scope of the appended Claims.

Claims

WHAT IS CLAIMED IS:

1. A device for sealing and fixing a balloon (8), comprising: a sealing member (1) which is disposed inside the mouth (9) of the balloon (8), transversely thereof in order to seal against its inside; a fixing member (2) which is connected to the sealing member (1) and which is designed for securing means for handling the balloon (8), such as a metal wire, a stick (10), a string or the like, characterised in that the sealing member (1) is further connected to a retainer member (3) which, in a position of use, is disposed to engage with from the outside and support the balloon (8) in an area at or above its mouth (9).

2. The device as claimed in Claim 1, characterised in that the retainer member (3) is redirectional for realising a mounting position in addition to the position of use.

3. The device as claimed in Claim 1 or 2, characterised in that at least two connecting members (6) extend between the sealing member (1) and the retainer member (3).

4. The device as claimed in Claim 3, characterised in that the retainer member (3) is redirectional by folding or bending of the connecting members (6).

5. The device as claimed in any of Claims 2 to 4, characterised in that the transverse dimension of the sealing member (1) is less than the transverse dimension of at least some portion of the retainer member (3), so that the retainer member (3), on redirectioning, is wholly or partly movable over or past the sealing member (1).

6. The device as claimed in any of Claims 1 to 4, characterised in that the fixing member (2) comprises a tube closed at its upper end.

7. A method of inflating and sealing a balloon (8), a sealing member (1) being included in a device for sealing and fixing the balloon (8) being inserted in the mouth (9) of the balloon (8) prior to the inflation, characterised in that a part of the device is turned inside out so that it is disposed around and outside both the sealing member (1) and the mouth (9) in order to realise that the balloon (8) is held upright in the inflated state.

8. The method as claimed in Claim 7, characterised in that the inflation takes place by a pump being provided adjacent the mouth (9) so that air is aspirated into the mouth (9), past the periphery of the sealing member (1) and into the balloon (8).

9. The method as claimed in Claim 7 or 8, characterised in that the mouth (9) is temporarily stretched further before and during the inflation.

10. The method as claimed in any of Claims 7 to 9, characterised in that means for handling the balloon (8), such as a metal wire, a stick (10) or the like is applied in a fixing member (2) in the device for sealing and fixing the balloon (8).

11. The method as claimed in any of Claims 7 to 10, characterised in that the balloon is intermediately stored during a period prior to the inflation, but after the mounting of at least the sealing member.