Patent Application
20160074763
There are many types of light up objects and types of novelty items, such as headgear, necklaces, bracelets, drinking cups, etc. These types of devices are popular gift items and oftentimes may be found at amusement parks, parties and other types of social events. Another type of item is a device that is inserted into a balloon that illuminates the balloon from the inside of the balloon. These devices may contain a light emitting diode (LED) and a power source (battery) for powering the LED. The device is generally inserted into a neck of the balloon so that the LED is within the balloon. A switch may then be actuated to cause the LED to illuminate the balloon from within the balloon.
According to one aspect of the present disclosure, an apparatus for sealing and illuminating a balloon is disclosed. The apparatus comprises: a body element insertable into an opening of a balloon, the body element enabling inflation of the balloon through an intake tube thereof; a light module for illuminating an interior of the balloon; and a sealing element having a first end couplable to the body element and a second end extending freely from the body element, the second end of the sealing element sealable below the intake tube to prevent deflation of the balloon.
For a more complete understanding of the present application, the objects and advantages thereof, reference is now made to the following descriptions taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, in which:
Embodiments of the present disclosure provide an apparatus for sealing and illuminating a balloon. The apparatus comprises: a body element insertable into an opening of a balloon, the body element enabling inflation of the balloon through an intake tube thereof; a light module for illuminating an interior of the balloon; and a sealing element having a first end couplable to the body element and a second end extending freely from the body element, the second end of the sealing element sealable below the intake tube to prevent deflation of the balloon.
With reference now to the Figures and in particular with reference to
As best illustrated in
Light module 24 comprises one or more light elements 42 (e.g., light emitting diodes (LEDs)) powered by an onboard power supply 44, such as replaceable or non-replaceable batteries. In the illustrated embodiment, power supply 44 is located within a housing 50 located between light elements 42 and support 30 (e.g., located within interior area 46 of balloon 12 when apparatus 10 is inserted into balloon 12). However, it should be understood that power supply 44 may be otherwise located on apparatus 10. Light module 24 is insertable into balloon 12 such that light elements 42 are located within in interior area 46 of balloon 12. In some embodiments, light module 24 may comprise a plurality of light elements 42 of a number of different colors. In the illustrated embodiment, light module 24 is located at a distal end of support 30 relative to sealing portion 32 or intake tube 26. However, it should be understood that light module 24 may be otherwise located on apparatus 10. In the illustrated embodiment, light elements 42 face/extend upwards away from body element 20 to create evenly dispersed light throughout balloon 12. Light elements 42 may include any number and/or color of lights.
Light module 24 may also include an activation switch 52 for controlling various aspects of light module 24. For example, light module 24 may include a sound or voice chip used to illuminate light elements 42 by means of sound or voice activation. Activation switch 52 may be used to turn light module 24 (e.g., light elements 42) on/off. Activation switch 52 may also control the illumination of light elements 42 using the sound/voice chip. Activation switch 52 may also control a variety of other functions including, but not limited to: controlling what colors are illuminated, controlling which light elements 42 are illuminated, and controlling the speed and/or pattern of the light element 42 illumination/deactivation. In the illustrated embodiment, a single activation switch 52 is depicted; however, it should be understood that additional switches may be provided to control different features. Further, in the illustrated embodiment, activation switch 52 is located adjacent light elements 42 such that activation switch 52 is located within interior area 46 of balloon 12 when apparatus 10 is inserted into balloon 12. Activation switch 52 may be activated before or after insertion of apparatus 10 into balloon 12. However, activation switch 52 may be otherwise located on apparatus 10.
In the illustrated embodiment, sealing portion 32 comprises a circular configuration extending outwardly to a greater distance or diameter than intake tube 26 and/or support 30 to enable sealing portion 32 to sealably engage neck 34 of balloon 12. In the illustrated embodiment, sealing portion 32 comprises flanges 60 and 62 having an annular recess 64 disposed therebetween. In the illustrated embodiment, flange 60 is sized slightly greater than flange 62 to enable a greater/tighter seal of flange 60 with neck 34 of balloon 12; however, it should be understood that flanges 60 and 62 may be similarly configured or have flange 62 sized greater than flange 60. In the illustrated embodiment, intake tube 26 extends from beyond an end of sealing portion 32 in a direction opposite from support 30.
Sealing element 22 is configured to be attachable/couplable to and/or over a portion of sealing portion 32 such that sealing element 22 extends beyond a gasflow entry end 70 of intake tube 26 to prevent a gas from exiting balloon 12 after inflation of balloon 12. For example, sealing element 22 may be configured as a tube having oppositely disposed open ends 72 and 74 such that end 72 may be slid onto body element 20 and extend over a portion of sealing portion 32 (e.g., extending over flange 60 and recess 64 to at least a portion of flange 62). In some embodiments, sealing element 22 is formed from a flexible material and sized smaller that a size of sealing portion 32 such that sealing element 22 may be stretched/expanded to slide over sealing portion 32 to thereby create a seal between sealing element 22 (near end 70) and sealing portion 32. For example, sealing element 22 may be formed from latex, rubber, polychloroprene, nylon fabric, etc. In the illustrated embodiment, sealing element 22 is configured to extend freely beyond end 70 of intake tube 26 when secured to sealing portion 32. For example, sealing element 22 is configured having a length to enable a portion of sealing element 22 extending beyond intake tube 26 to be closed and/or sealed. End 74 may remain open until after balloon 12 has been inflated, and then closed/sealed/tied to prevent deflation of balloon 12.
In operation, the open neck 34 of balloon 12 may be slid over body element 20 (e.g., from the end of body element 20 having light module 24) until at least a portion of the open end 80 of balloon 12 extends onto sealing portion 32. In the illustrated embodiment, a portion of balloon 12 will also extend over a portion of sealing element 22 (e.g., at least in the area of the sealing portion 32). However, it should also be understood that, alternatively, balloon 12 may be attached to body element 20 before sealing element 22 is attached to body element 20. In some embodiments, body element 20 and/or intake tube 26 is sized such that the open end 70 of intake tube 26 extends downwardly below and beyond the end 80 of balloon 12.
Referring also to
Thus, in some embodiments, in operation, sealing element 22 may first be secured to body element 20. Thereafter, balloon 12 may be slid over body element 20 from an opposite end of sealing element 20. Portions of sealing element 22 and balloon 12 extend/overlap each other in the area of sealing portion 32. Sealing element 82 may then be placed over the portion of balloon 12 and sealing element 22 in the area of sealing portion 32 until sealing element 82 resides in recess 64. Balloon 12 may then be inflated by injecting/providing a gasflow into end 70 of intake tube 26. The gasflow travels into intake tube 26 and exits openings 40 to inflate balloon 12. Once balloon 12 is inflated, sealing element 22 may be tied, closed and/or otherwise sealed. Light module 24 may be activated to illuminate balloon 12.
The terminology used herein is for the purpose of describing particular embodiments only and is not intended to be limiting of the disclosure. As used herein, the singular forms “a”, “an” and “the” are intended to include the plural forms as well, unless the context clearly indicates otherwise. It will be further understood that the terms “comprises” and/or “comprising,” when used in this specification, specify the presence of stated features, integers, steps, operations, elements, and/or components, but do not preclude the presence or addition of one or more other features, integers, steps, operations, elements, components, and/or groups thereof.
The corresponding structures, materials, acts, and equivalents of all means or step plus function elements in the claims below are intended to include any structure, material, or act for performing the function in combination with other claimed elements as specifically claimed. The description of the present disclosure has been presented for purposes of illustration and description, but is not intended to be exhaustive or limited to the disclosure in the form disclosed. Many modifications and variations will be apparent to those of ordinary skill in the art without departing from the scope and spirit of the disclosure. The embodiment was chosen and described in order to best explain the principles of the disclosure and the practical application, and to enable others of ordinary skill in the art to understand the disclosure for various embodiments with various modifications as are suited to the particular use contemplated.
| Number | Date | Country | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 61874067 | Sep 2013 | US |
| Number | Date | Country | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Parent | 14477343 | Sep 2014 | US |
| Child | 14946960 | US |
