Patent Application
20060289707
The present invention relates to an adaptor that permits sticks or straws of various sizes to be used with a standard balloon cup.
The use of balloons for various functions and purposes has become extremely popular. Often, the balloon is secured to the end of a stick. In order to keep the balloon in a desired and secured location with respect to the stick, the balloon is typically received in a cup. In the past, the tail of the balloon has been manually threaded in a hole in the cup sidewall, then wound in slots provided in the sides of the cup to maintain the balloon securely in a seated engagement in the cup. Then the cup is secured to a stick or straw.
An industry standard has developed for balloon cups, which includes a standard inside diameter for the hollow core of the stem that receives the stick or straw. Corresponding straws have been used which securely mate with the standard cup stem.
It is desirable to be able to use either a smaller or larger straw with the standard balloon cup stem. For example, larger straws could be used to reduce the chance of the straw bending or breaking. Smaller straws might be used in situations where the standard straw is not appropriate for reasons of aesthetics or otherwise.
There is the need for an adaptor that permits either a smaller or a larger straw to be used with the standard balloon cup.
A principal object and advantage of the present invention is that it permits a straw or stick with an outside diameter different from the inside diameter of the stem of a standard balloon cup to be used with the standard balloon cup.
Another object of the invention is to permit the use of a straw or stick with an outside diameter larger than the inside diameter of the balloon cup stem.
Another object of the invention is to permit the use of a straw or stick with an outside diameter smaller than the inside diameter of the balloon cup stem.
The foregoing and other objects of the invention are achieved by providing, for a standard balloon cup with a stem with a stem core having an inside diameter, an adaptor comprising a first portion engaging the core, and further comprising a second portion having a second core with a second inside diameter different from the inside diameter of the stem core and receiving the straw.
A standard balloon cup of the prior art is shown in
The present invention is generally shown in the Figures as reference numeral 10.
In one embodiment (
In a second embodiment (
The first portion 12 may either be inserted into the stem core CO, as in
Unless otherwise defined, all technical and scientific terms used herein have the same meaning as commonly understood by one of ordinary skill in the art to which this invention belongs. Although methods and materials similar to or equivalent to those described herein can be used in the practice or testing of the present invention, suitable methods and materials are described below. All publications, patent applications, patents, and other references mentioned herein are incorporated by reference in their entirety to the extent allowed by applicable law and regulations. In case of conflict, the present specification, including definitions, will control.
The present invention may be embodied in other specific forms without departing from the spirit or essential attributes thereof, and it is therefore desired that the present embodiment be considered in all respects as illustrative and not restrictive, reference being made to the appended claims rather than to the foregoing description to indicate the scope of the invention.
