CONFETTI DEVICES AND METHODS OF THEIR USE

TECHNICAL FIELD

The presently disclosed embodiments relates to amusement devices, and more particularly to a devices and methods for launching confetti into the air.

BACKGROUND

Many prior devices have been designed for propelling confetti into the air, but each had its particular disadvantages. For example, “cannons” or “bombs” as disclosed in U.S. Pat. Nos. 825,843 and 1,663,679, in which a charge of explosive material is ignited to cause an explosion which drives randomly packed, small round or square pieces of confetti into the air in a generally cloud-like pattern. In addition to not being able to propel the individual pieces of confetti very high into the air, unless large explosive charges are used, the hazard of using any explosive charge is apparent.

Further, U.S. Pat. Nos. 1,153,207 and 1,491,809 discloses devices in which horn-shaped devices are filled with randomly packed, small round or square pieces of confetti, and a mouthpiece is provided at the small end of the horn for blowing the confetti out of the horn by the breath of the user. Such devices are safe, but the amount of force to expel the confetti is quite limited such that the confetti is not propelled into the air very high or far. Also, the small, random-packed pieces of confetti exit the horn as a cloud rather than rise in the air and then burst into individual pieces.

It is also known to expel confetti from the “cannons” by the use of compressed air or CO2 charges, and such cannons are effective at professionally conducted shows where sources of compressed air or C0; are available. However, such devices are not highly portable, since the cannon must remain connected to the gas source by a flexible hose, or the cannon must include a C02 cartridge, and such cannons are not safe in the hands of children or non-experienced adults.

While confetti has long been used at various types of celebrations, its use has been restricted by the difficulty in launching bulk confetti into the air so as to attain a desired height, and effective dispersion or pattern of the individual pieces, without the use of an explosive or a source of compressed gas. That is, loose or bulk confetti has very little effective mass such that it is very difficult to project a handful of loose pieces of confetti very far into the air or to achieve a predictable display. For example, attempts have been made to blow confetti out of horns such as disclosed in U.S. Pat. Nos. 1,491,809 and 1,153,207. However, the small, loose pieces of bulk confetti have little or no effective mass such that they do not project very far into the air, and a strong set of lungs are required to achieve any significant dispersion of the individual pieces. Thus, blowing confetti out of a horn or other container is not suitable for either young children or elderly persons, and with any user, the visual effect is extremely limited. In U.S. Pat. No. 5,352,148, which is hereby incorporated by reference, there is disclosed a unique form of confetti having an elongated tetragonal shape, and in co-pending application Ser. No. 08,080,534, now U.S. Pat. No. 5,403,225, which is hereby incorporated by reference, there is disclosed a method of launching stacks of confetti from an elongated hollow tube. The tube is held at one end and is waved forwardly with the forearm and with a flick of the wrist so as to create sufficient centrifugal force to eject the stacks of confetti from the tube; the stacks being wrapped or unwrapped as disclosed in these patents.

Therefore, there exist a need for confetti launching devices which are capable of launching confetti in a convenient manner.

SUMMARY

The present invention solves all of the above-indicated problems by providing an extremely simple and safe device whereby children and adults, as well as professionals, may propel confetti high into the air so as to obtain dramatic visual effects. Preferably, the confetti is in the form of bundles or stacks of confetti such that the bundles or stacks burst into hundreds or thousands of pieces of individual confetti, preferably of an elongated rectangular shape to be described, so as to fall slowly to the ground with a floating, fluttering motion.

In the preferred embodiment, the invention comprises a hollow tube, wand or cane which is filled with confetti and which has a closed end and an open end such that when the tube, wand or cane is held near the closed end and waved forwardly with the forearm and with a flick of the wrist motion, the confetti is propelled out of the tube, wand or cane by centrifugal force and is propelled high in the air and then flutters down slowly in a dramatic display of color and motion.

Another embodiment discloses a confetti device including an elongated tube having a proximal end, distal end and hollow internal portion, a length of the tube is 14 inches; the tube comprises a design wrapper disposed longitudinally over an exterior portion of the tube; one or more bundles of a pre-defined size strategically located such that the bundles extends diametrically across an internal portion of the tube, each of the bundles includes pieces of confetti stacked in a pre-defined arrangement; at least one wrapper covering the pieces of confetti to form the bundles, at least one of the bundles remains in frictional contact with an inner surface of the tube; a divider located at one or more pre-defined location in the hollow internal portion of the tube; a cover on one of the ends of the tube; and pompom streamer(s) placed at least one of the ends.

Another embodiment includes the elongated tube described above configured with a neon-glow-colored surface on a dark tube, and that includes neon glow-in-the-dark confetti inside of the tube.

Another embodiment includes the elongated tube described above configured with blue, pink or other pre-selected colors of confetti so that the tube can be used at a party to reveal the gender of a baby.

These and other objects and advantages will become apparent from the following description of several illustrative embodiments of the invention as shown in the following illustrative drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a clear plastic tube filled with bundles of elongated rectangular shaped confetti;

FIGS. 2 and 3 are cross-sectional views taken along lines 2-2 and 3-3 of FIG. 1;

FIG. 4 is a perspective view of one bundle or stack of confetti before it is inserted into the tube of FIG. 1;

FIGS. 5a-5e are plan views of individual pieces of elongated tetragonal shaped confetti;

FIG. 6 is a perspective view of the tube of FIG. 1 in the hand of a user propelling the bundles or stacks of confetti into the air;

FIGS. 7a and 7b are elevated views of alternative designs of launching tubes in the form of a dancer's cane and a magician's wand;

FIG. 8 is a cross-sectional view of an alternative form of tube or wand having removable caps at both ends;

FIG. 9 is a side elevated view showing a stack of unwrapped confetti being launched from a cup;

FIG. 10 is a top view of a cup containing wrapped and unwrapped stacks of confetti;

FIG. 11 is a perspective view of a wrapped stack of confetti;

FIG. 12 is a perspective view of a partially wrapped stack of confetti; and

FIG. 13 is a side elevated view of a launching tube containing a partially wrapped stack of confetti.

FIG. 14 is an illustration of another embodiment of the invention in which the tube has a neon-glow-colored outer surface and includes neon-glow-colored confetti, to be stacked inside the tubes.

FIG. 15 is an illustration of another embodiment of the invention in which the tube has an outer surface colored for purposes of revealing the gender of a baby.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

The following detailed description is provided with reference to the figures. Exemplary, and in some case preferred, embodiments are described to illustrate the disclosure, not to limit its scope, which is defined by the claims. Those of ordinary skill in the art will recognize a number of equivalent variations in the description that follows.

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a clear plastic tube 10 filled with bundles of elongated rectangular shaped confetti 12. The tube 10 is an elongated, hollow tube or wand, which may be composed of plastic, metal, cardboard or any other material that may be formed into a rigid tube with a relatively smooth interior surface. As shown in FIG. 1, tube 10 is shown as being formed of clear plastic so that the bundles of the confetti 12 inside the tube 10 may be seen through cylindrical wall 14 of the tube 10. However, the tube 10 may be opaque and colored if desired. While the tube 10 may be filled with confetti of any type, the unique and dramatic visual effects of the present invention are best obtained by the use of elongated tetragonal shaped confetti.

As further shown in FIG. 1, the lower end of the tube 10 has a solid, closed end 16 which may be formed integral with the cylindrical wall 14 of the tube 10, or may be formed by a permanent or removable plug or cap. The upper end 18 of the tube is open and is selectively closed by a removable cap 20. In some embodiments, the length of the tube 10 is 14 inches. In alternative embodiments as shown in FIGS. 1-3, the length of tube 10 is preferably in the order of about 6 to 18 inches so as to be easily handled by non-professionals including, but not limited to, children. The diameter of the tube 10, and particularly the inner diameter or I.D., may vary widely depending upon how many pieces of the confetti 12 are to be contained. However, it has been found that the best results are obtained with internal diameters of ½ inch or greater, so that there is a sufficient mass of confetti 12 to eject forcefully, and 1 inch or smaller. In some embodiments, the internal diameter is in the range of 0.6 to 0.9 inches or about 0.7 to 0.8 for maximum effectiveness, ease of handling and cost factors.

Further, each piece of confetti in the bundles 12 may have any suitable shape such as, but not limited to, elongated tetragonal shape as shown in FIGS. 5a-5e. The particular shape of the pieces of confetti may vary from the right-angle rectangle shown in FIG. 5a and may include a parallelogram, trapezoid or truncated triangle as illustrated in FIGS. 5b-5e. Each piece is preferably cut from lightweight material such fire-proof, tissue paper, Mylar or the like and is preferably colored and/or shinny; fireproof, bio degradable, colored tissue paper being one preferred material. Each piece of confetti has a length L and width W, and a longitudinal axis A. For example, the length may be in the order of I to 7 inches, preferably 1 to 4.5 inches, and width of 1/4 to ⅞ inches and preferably 5/16 to ¾ inches. For maximum fluttering effect when falling, it has been discovered that the L/W ratio should be in the order of 1.75 to 10.0, or 2.5 to 7.0 depending upon the type of falling motion desired as will be more fully described hereinafter.

Such four-sided pieces are referred to herein as “elongated tetragonal” shapes, and the shapes illustrated in FIGS. 5a-5d do not fall to the ground with either a side or end leading in the direction of fall. Rather, such elongated tetragonal pieces of confetti, having L/W ratios in the order of 2.5 to 7.0, fall with their longitudinal axis A substantially parallel to the ground; i.e., substantially horizontally, while each piece rotates about its axis A. Due to the rotating or fluttering action, the pieces fall relatively slowly, and with a horizontal component of movement such that each has a relatively long “hang” time while it flutters to the ground.

FIG. 5e illustrates a piece of elongated tetragonal confetti 21 that has an entirely different falling motion than that of described with respect to FIGS. 5a-5d. The confetti piece 21 may be in the form of an elongated, truncated triangle having a length in the order of 3-4 inches and a L/W ratio in the order of 7 to 10; the L/W ratio being determined with respect to the wider end 23. This forms a relatively longer and relatively narrower truncated triangle than that shown in FIG. 5d. For example, the width of end 25 may be in the order of 1/16 to ¼ of an inch. When piece 21 falls through the air, it falls with the narrow end 25 leading in the direction of fall with the piece rotating about axis A which extends vertically instead of horizontally. As piece 21 falls in this vertical orientation, the ends 23 and 25 tend to flutter laterally relative to the mid-portion such that the motion is that of a corkscrew twirling to the ground. In addition to fluttering vertically instead of horizontally, confetti pieces in the shape described with respect to FIG. 5e fall faster than those described with respect to FIGS. 5a-5d. Thus, when both types of elongated tetragonal shapes are released in the air together, there is the unique visual effect of some pieces fluttering horizontally and falling relatively slowly while others twirl vertically and fall more rapidly through the mass of more slowly falling pieces.

Referring to FIGS. 1-4, each of bundles 12 is composed of stacked pieces of elongated tetragonal confetti, known under the trademark Flutter Fetti confetti, and each bundle or stack 12 is slid into the tube from open end 18 until the tube is substantially filled as shown in FIG. 1. While all of the bundles may be slid into the tube (such as tube 10) with the layers of Flutter

Fetti confetti oriented in parallel planes, it is preferred that the layers of the bundles be oriented at an angle with respect to each other as illustrated in FIGS. 1-3. This angled orientation of the layers prevents pieces from one bundle from passing into the adjacent bundle and thereby keeps each bundle intact until it is launched and during launch. For maximum effectiveness in being propelled out of the tube to reach maximum height in the air, it is important that each bundle have sufficient pieces of confetti such that the bundle is compressed, but only slightly compressed, as it slides into the tube 10. That is, if the thickness T of the bundle prior to being inserted into the tube is less than the I.D. of the tube, the bundle will tend to slide out of the tube too easily and before the maximum centrifugal force is obtained. On the other hand, the bundle must not be wedged in the tube so tightly that it cannot be thrown out by the centrifugal force developed by the forearm and wrist, or such that it is difficult to slide out of the tube. Accordingly, it is preferred that the number of pieces of confetti forming the thickness of the bundle be such that, when the bundle is inserted into the tube and slightly compressed therein, the first few layers of confetti directly adjacent the curved inner wall of the tube become slightly curved by the wall as shown in FIGS. 2 and 3. This provides sufficient friction against the inner side wall of the tube such that the bundle does not fall out of the tube when it is tested by inverting the tube with the open end facing downwardly. If more than the first few layers of confetti are forced to be curved, such that the inner layers are compacted, the bundle will be held too tightly and some layers of confetti should be removed. Thus, for a given I.D., and for confetti material of a given type, the proper thickness of the confetti bundle will easily be determined as described above. Of course, the width of the bundle should be less than the I.D.

of the tube such as, for example, a width of ¼, to ⅝ inches for a tube having an I.D. of ¾ inches.

Operation

Once tube 10 has been filled with bundles 12 of confetti, cap 20 is put on the tube to close open end 18 for shipment and storage until use. When it is desired to use the tube, cap 20 is removed and the lower portion of the tube is held in the hand as illustrated in FIG. 6. The forearm is first pulled back, and then waved forward in a rapid motion, along with a forward flicking of the wrist, as represented by arrow B, such that tube 10 moves through an arcuate path as represented by arrow C. This arcuate movement produces a centrifugal force acting on the confetti bundles 12 such that they are rapidly propelled out of the open end of the tube as shown in FIG. 6. It should be noted that the bundles 12 do not immediately burst into individual pieces of Flutter Fetti confetti at the instant of leaving the open end 18 of tube 20 as is the case with random or loose-packed confetti. While the reasons are not fully known, and such reasons form no part of the present invention, there is a distinct tendency of the bundles 12 of the present invention to remain intact as they are ejected from the tube, and at least portions of most bundles continue to remain intact as they rise into the air. Of course, some of the individual pieces of Flutter Fetti confetti separate from the bundle as each bundle flies upwardly in the air. However, whether due to static electricity, humidity, compression of the bundle in the tube or other factors, significant portions of the bundles tend to remain together and reach heights of 10-15 feet in the air before the remaining portions of the bundles burst into hundreds or thousands of pieces. Once having reached their maximum height, the hundreds or thousands of pieces of Flutter Fetti confetti then begin their relatively slow, fluttering decent as each piece rotates horizontally about its longitudinal axis thereby producing a fluttering motion. In addition, if pieces shaped as described with reference to FIG. 5e are present, they spiral and twirl vertically as they fall at a faster rate through the other pieces. From the foregoing description, it will be apparent that, whether in the hand of a professional showman, an amateur or a child, one six inch wand filled with Flutter Fetti confetti, such wand being known under the trademark Flutter Flicker, can produce a dramatic display of color and motion with no hazards and without any expensive equipment as is required for compressed air or CO; cannons. It will also be apparent that many variations and alternative designs are possible, such as the hollow dancer's cane 22 shown in FIG. 7a, or the hollow magician's wand 24 shown in FIG. 7b. In these embodiments, the tube portion may be 12 inches to 3 feet in length. In the case of the dancer's cane, the bottom may be closed by a permanent or removable cap 26, and/or the handle 28 may be removable such that, during the dance routine, the removable closure is removed and waving movement of the cane produces the dramatic display described above. Similarly, the handle of the magician's wand may be removed and, with a wave of the wand, a burst and shower of color and motion is suddenly created.

In the case of the dancer's cane, or the magician's wand, or any other device such as tube 10 of FIG. 1, or a Baton-twirler for example, the tube wall 14 may be divided along its length by a divider or partition wall 32, which is secured to the tube wall 14 as shown in FIG. 8. By providing two removable closures 34 and 36, one of which may be handle 28 of cane 22 or handle 30 of wand 24, the performer may remove one closure and produce a first burst of color, and later remove the second closure and produce a second, surprise burst of color.

FIG. 9 illustrates a cup 100 which may be composed of paper or plastic; translucent or clear plastic being preferred so that a multi-colored confetti 204 can be seen through the cup 100. While a wide variety of cup sizes are possible, one preferred size is that the cup 100 be in the order of 1.5 to 4 inches tall with an upper opening 102 having a diameter in the order of 1.25 to 3 inches.

It is also preferred that the annular wall of the cup diverge outwardly in the upward direction, as illustrated in FIG. 9, such that the diameter of opening 102 is larger than that of the bottom portion. That is, while cups having purely cylindrical walls extending upwardly at right angles to the bottoms of the cups are possible to be used with the present invention, it has been discovered that maximum visual effects are obtained with cups having upwardly diverging walls for reasons which will be more fully explained hereinafter. Also, the top of cup 100 may be provided with a cap or lid (not shown), which is preferably of the snap-on type such that the lid stays closed over the top of the cup until it is manually removed prior to launching the confetti.

As shown in FIGS. 9 and 10, the cup 100 is substantially filled with confetti 204. The confetti 204 is composed of individual pieces of lightweight material such as paper, tissue paper or plastic film, such as PVC or Mylar brand film. Most preferably, the confetti 204 is composed of fireproof, biodegradable tissue paper having a thickness measured as eight to twenty pound test. The individual pieces of the confetti 204 includes four-sides or may have tetragonal shape such as more fully described in U.S. Pat. No. 5,352,148 incorporated herein by reference. In brief, the shape of the confetti may be rectangular, or the shape may be that of a trapezoid, parallelogram or truncated triangle. In any of these shapes, the pieces are elongated in that their lengths are substantially greater than their widths, and preferably, their length to width ratio (L/W) is in the order of 1.5 to 4. The lengths of the pieces of confetti are cut slightly shorter than the vertical height of the cup, such as in the order of I to 4 inches, and preferably 2 to 2.75 inches. The widths of the individual pieces of confetti 204 are preferably cut so as to maintain the UW ratio of 1.5 to 4 and preferably the widths are in the order of one-quarter to one inch. As a result, the individual pieces of confetti fall through the air with their longitudinal axes extending horizontally, and they rotate about their horizontally extending, longitudinal axes such that they appear to flutter as they float slowly downwardly with a long hand time in the air.

As illustrated in FIGS. 9 and 10, cup 100 is preferably filled with one or more separate stacks of confetti arranged with their longitudinal axes extending substantially vertically. For example, one unwrapped stack such as stack 400 may extend diametrically across the cup, and wrapped stacks such as 402, 404 may be positioned as shown in FIG. 10 at the sides of central stack 400.

Referring to FIG. 9, the use of the cup 100 to launch the confetti 204 is as follows. After removing the lid, the user holds cup 100 between the thumb and two or three fingers with open top 102 directed upwardly. The hand and cup are then moved rapidly upwardly through a short vertical distance, such as about one foot, and the upward movement is then stopped suddenly. Because of the effective mass of the stacks of confetti, only a very short upward movement is necessary to create a momentum of the stacks such that, when the upward movement of the cup stops, the stacks of confetti continue upwardly and are ejected from the cup with a sufficient velocity and momentum to rise 6 or more feet into the air. This distance is more than sufficient for the confetti to reach the ceiling in a residence with a standard eight-foot ceiling whether the user is standing or seated. Also, this short, simple upward movement of the hand can be accomplished by either shoulder and/or elbow movement such that very effective, colorful and widely dispersed patterns of color and motion can be easily achieved by young children, the elderly and the inform. Thus, the previously unattainable objects of achieving both maximum height and maximum dispersion, particularly in rooms with relatively low ceilings, and with a simple, nonstrenuous movement of the hand, are all achieved by the party favor of the present invention, and even with a small, two inch tall cup with a two inch top opening, over a thousand pieces of confetti may be launched in a colorful display.

As previously indicated, the embodiment discussed herein above in which the confetti is an unwrapped stack of loose pieces is particularly preferred for use in homes and other indoor party rooms with relatively low ceilings; however, use of the present invention is in no way limited to such locations. For example, use of the invention outdoors, or in buildings with high ceilings, is equally applicable and, for such locations where it is desired to attain greater heights than those previously described, several other forms of stacks will be described as follows.

Referring to FIG. 11, a stack 300 of elongated tetragonal confetti is shown as being wrapped one or more times by an outer wrapper 302, which terminates with an outer end 303. Outer wrapper 302 may be a strip composed of the same material as the confetti pieces comprising stack 300, however wrapper 302 is shown in darker line in order to distinguish the Wrapper from the confetti pieces. As disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 5,419,731 which is hereby incorporated by reference, the wrapper 302 may be wrapped about the outer faces 304, 305 of the stack extending parallel to the longitudinal axes of the pieces, and around both ends 306, 308 of the stack. The details of the unique wrapping method are further disclosed in said Patent. Thus, it is to be understood that stacks wrapped by a wrapper entirely around the faces and ends may be used in place of or with stacks which are unwrapped such as stacks 204 and 400 previously described. That is, for example, stack 204 of the FIG. 9 embodiment may be unwrapped, or it may be replaced by a wrapped stack 300. Wrapping of the stacks holds the stacks together for a longer time period as the stacks rise in the air such that greater heights can be obtained. Therefore, when the stacks are intended to be launched outdoors, or in rooms with high ceilings such as in auditoriums and theaters, some or all of the stacks in the cup are preferably wrapped.

In addition to the use of wrapped and/or unwrapped stacks of confetti as just described, it has also been discovered that partially wrapped stacks may be used to give optimum effects particularly in rooms with relatively low or intermediate height ceilings. As shown in FIG. 12, a stack 406 of elongated tetragonal confetti is shown with an outer wrapping 408. The wrapping 408 extends around front face 500 of the stack, around upper end 502 of the stack, and around rear face 504 of the stack. However, the lower ends of wrapper 408 terminate at or near the bottom corners, 506, 508 of the stack and do not extend fully around ‘the bottom end 600 of the stack. Thus, stack 406 is effectively wrapped on three sides such that, when the stack is projected into the air with upper end 502 leading in an essentially vertical trajectory, the partial wrapping tends to hold the pieces of the stack together as the air flows around the wrapper covering the leading end 502 and along the sides of the wrapper which extend along the front and rear faces 500, 504 of the stack. However, as the velocity of the stack slows down, and/or if the stack hits a ceiling while the stack is still essentially wrapped, partial wrapper 408 opens fully and releases the pieces of confetti; i.e., without having to unwind or unravel as in the case of the fully wrapped stacks previously described. Therefore, while the partially wrapped stack may not reach the maximum height achieved by a fully wrapped stack, the partially wrapped stack is extremely effective in the case of low and intermediate height ceilings in achieving a sudden and wide burst pattern of the confetti pieces.

Partially wrapped stack 406 may be manufactured in several ways. However, the preferred method of manufacture is to first fully wrap the stack with the wrapper extending one or more times about the entire stack as shown and described with reference to FIG. 11. Preferably, this is accomplished according to the method of manufacture described in U.S. Pat. No. 5,419,731 hereby incorporated by reference. Thereafter, the portion of the wrapper extending about end 600 may be ruptured, torn or cut, either manually or by a cutter, so as to expose end 600 while maintaining the wrapper about the other three sides of the stack. The partially wrapped stack is then held by the front and rear faces of the wrapper so that the wrapper remains in place around the stack as the partially wrapped stack is inserted into a cup or launching tube or wand or other launching device.

It will also be apparent that, instead of inserting partially wrapped stack 406 into the cup or other launcher with the unwrapped end inserted first, partially wrapped stack 406 may be inserted as shown in FIG. 13, with wrapped end 502 inserted first and unwrapped end 600 facing away from the launcher. This positioning of the partially wrapped stack is further described in my co-pending application Ser. No. 08/557,293, now U.S. Pat. No. 5,624,295, which is hereby incorporated by reference. With the wrapped end of the stack being inserted first, the wrapper around that end substantially facilitates the insertion of the stack into the launcher. For example, where the launcher is a tube, or a tube with a slit 602 forming flexible fingers 604 as shown in FIG. 13, and as further described in application Ser. No. 08/557,293, the insertion of the stack with the wrapped end first significantly facilitates the insertion of the stack into the launcher. With the unwrapped end of the stack facing away from the launcher, it would be expected that the partial wrapper would have little effect, and that the stack of confetti would quickly burst apart immediately upon being projected out of the launcher. However, it has been discovered that the partial wrapper has a significant effect in retaining the stack of confetti together during the first portion of the flight, and thereby attains greater heights than in the case of the unwrapped stack. Thus, the partially wrapped stack provides both ease of insertion and improved aerodynamics. In addition, the partially wrapped stacks may be initially manufactured as fully wrapped stacks and shipped to the site of use fully wrapped. The ends of the wrapped stacks may then be removed prior to use depending upon the type of launcher and the height to which it is desired to project the stack of confetti before it bursts into a dramatic aerial display of color and motion.

The present disclosure also provides a confetti device having an elongated tube extending from a proximal end to a distal end and having a hollow internal portion. A length of the elongated tube is at least one of 6 inches, 12 inches, 14 inches, and 18 inches. A diameter of the elongated tube is at least one of a 0.921 inch, 0.74 inch, 0.91 inch, and 2 inch. The elongated tube comprises a design wrapper disposed longitudinally over an exterior portion of the elongated tube. Further, the design wrapper is of different color and design. The confetti device may also include one or more bundles of a pre-defined size strategically located within the elongated tube such that the one or more bundles extend diametrically across an internal portion of the elongated tube. In some embodiments, the one or more bundles are stacked adjacent to each other along a longitudinal length of the elongated tube. Each of the one or more bundles includes a plurality of pieces of confetti stacked in a pre-defined arrangement. Further, each of the pieces of the confetti may include a central axis. The pre-defined arrangement may be the arrangement of the pieces of confetti such that, the central axis of the pieces of the confetti are parallel to each other and to the longitudinal length of the elongated tube. In some embodiments, the pieces of the confetti are of different shape and sizes. In alternate embodiments, the pieces of the confetti are of same shape and sizes.

The confetti device may also include at least one wrapper covering the pieces of confetti to form the one or more bundles. Further, at least one of the one or more bundles remains in frictional contact with an inner surface of the elongated tube such that upon rapid actuation of the elongated tube from the proximal end, and the one or more bundles are forcefully ejected by centrifugal force from within the elongated tube upwardly into the air. The confetti device may also include a cover on at least one of the proximal end or the distal end of the elongated tube to avoid the plurality of pieces of confetti of the one or more bundles from falling out of the elongated tube, wherein a shape and size of the cover is in accordance with a shape and size of the proximal end of the elongated tube. Further, a diameter of the elongated tube may remain constant over the length of the elongated tube. In some embodiments, the diameter may vary over its length. The confetti device may also include at least one of one or more tissue paper, and metallic PVC film.

In some embodiments, the confetti device may include at least one divider located at one or more pre-defined location in the hollow internal portion of the elongated tube forming one or more sections within the elongated tube. The one or more sections may include at least one of different types of confetti, tissue paper, and metallic PVC film.

In some other embodiments, the confetti device may also include one or more pompom streamers placed at least at one of the distal end or the proximal end of the elongated tube.

Another embodiment of the present disclosure provides a confetti launching device having an elongated tube extending from a proximal end to a distal end, wherein an internal portion of the elongated tube is hollow, further wherein the confetti device has a length and a diameter. In some embodiments, the length of the elongated tube is at least one of 6 inch, 12 inch, 14 inch, and 18 inch. In some embodiments, a diameter of the elongated tube is at least one of a 0.921 inch, 0.74 inch, 0.91 inch, and 2 inch. In an embodiment, the diameter of the elongated tube remains constant over the length of the elongated tube.

The confetti launching device further includes one or more bundles of a pre-defined size strategically located within the elongated tube such that, the one or more bundles extend diametrically across an internal portion of the elongated tube. Further, each of the one or more bundles includes a number of pieces of confetti stacked in a pre-defined arrangement. Further, each of the plurality of pieces of confetti comprises a central axis. Further, the pre-defined arrangement comprises the arrangement of the plurality of pieces of confetti such that the central axes of the plurality of pieces of confetti are parallel to each other and to the longitudinal length of the elongated tube. The confetti launching device may also include at least one wrapper covering the plurality of pieces of confetti to form the one or more bundles, and at least one of the one or more bundles remains in frictional contact with an inner surface of the elongated tube such that upon rapid actuation of the elongated tube, the one or more bundles are forcefully ejected by centrifugal force from within the elongated tube upwardly into the air. The confetti launching device may further include a cover on at least one of the proximal end or the distal end of the elongated tube to avoid the plurality of pieces of confetti of the one or more bundles from falling out of the elongated tube.

In some embodiments, the elongated tube further comprises a design wrapper disposed longitudinally over an exterior portion of the elongated tube, wherein the design wrapper includes one or more design and one or more color.

A yet another embodiment of the present disclosure provides a confetti device including an elongated tube extending from a proximal end to a distal end and having a hollow internal portion. A length of the elongated tube is at least one of 6 inch, 12 inch, 14 inch, and 18 inch. Further, a diameter of the elongated tube may be at least one of a 0.921 inch, 0.74 inch, 0.91 inch, and 2 inch. The elongated tube comprises a design wrapper disposed longitudinally over an exterior portion of the elongated tube. Further, the confetti device comprises one or more bundles of a pre-defined size strategically located within the elongated tube such that the one or more bundles extends diametrically across an internal portion of the elongated tube, wherein each of the one or more bundles includes a plurality of pieces of confetti stacked in a pre-defined arrangement. The confetti device may also include at least one wrapper covering the pieces of confetti to form the one or more bundles. At least one of the one or more bundles remains in frictional contact with an inner surface of the elongated tube such that upon rapid actuation of the elongated tube from the proximal end. Further, the one or more bundles may be forcefully ejected by centrifugal force from within the elongated tube upwardly into the air.

A further embodiment of the present disclosure provides a confetti device having an elongated tube extending from a proximal end to a distal end and having a hollow internal portion. A length of the elongated tube is at least one of 6 inch, 12 inch, 14 inch, and 18 inch. Further, a diameter of the elongated tube is at least one of 0.921 inch, 0.74 inch, 0.91 inch, and 2 inch. The confetti device may also include one or more bundles of a pre-defined size strategically located within the elongated tube such that the one or more bundles extends diametrically across an internal portion of the elongated tube, wherein each of the one or more bundles includes a plurality of pieces of confetti stacked in a pre-defined arrangement. The confetti device may further include at least one wrapper covering the plurality of pieces of confetti to form the one or more bundles, wherein at least one of the one or more bundles remains in frictional contact with an inner surface of the elongated tube such that upon rapid actuation of the elongated tube from the proximal end, the one or more bundles are forcefully ejected by centrifugal force from within the elongated tube upwardly into the air. The confetti device also includes a cover on at least one of the proximal end or the distal end of the elongated tube to avoid the plurality of pieces of confetti of the one or more bundles from falling out of the elongated tube. In some embodiments, a shape and size of the cover is in accordance with a shape and size of the proximal end of the elongated tube. The confetti device may also include one or more pompom streamers placed at at least one of the distal end or the proximal end of the elongated tube.

A yet another embodiment of the present disclosure provides a confetti device including: an elongated tube extending from a proximal end to a distal end and having a hollow internal portion, wherein a length of the elongated tube is at least one of 6 inch, 12 inch, 14 inch, and 18 inch, further wherein a diameter of the elongated tube is at least one of a 0.921 inch, 0.74 inch, 0.91 inch, and 2 inch, further wherein the elongated tube comprises a design wrapper disposed longitudinally over an exterior portion of the elongated tube; one or more bundles of a pre-defined size strategically located within the elongated tube such that the one or more bundles extends diametrically across an internal portion of the elongated tube, wherein each of the one or more bundles includes a plurality of pieces of confetti stacked in a pre-defined arrangement; at least one wrapper covering the plurality of pieces of confetti to form the one or more bundles, wherein at least one of the one or more bundles remains in frictional contact with an inner surface of the elongated tube such that upon rapid actuation of the elongated tube from the proximal end, the one or more bundles are forcefully ejected by centrifugal force from within the elongated tube upwardly into the air; at least one divider located at one or more pre-defined location in the hollow internal portion of the elongated tube forming one or more sections within the elongated tube; a cover on at least one of the proximal end or the distal end of the elongated tube to avoid the plurality of pieces of confetti of the one or more bundles from falling out of the elongated tube, wherein a shape and size of the cover is in accordance with a shape and size of the proximal end of the elongated tube; and one or more pompom streamers placed at least one of the distal end or the proximal end of the elongated tube.

FIG. 14 illustrates another embodiment of elongated tube 10 configured with a neon-glow-colored surface on a dark tube, and that includes neon glow-in-the-dark confetti inside of the tube.

FIG. 15 illustrates another embodiment of elongated tube 10 configured with blue, pink or other pre-selected colors (undepicted) of confetti so that the tube can be used at a party to reveal the gender of a baby. The confetti could be made as described above, but with gender-revealing colors, whether blue, red, or other colors or symbols. The idea is for a user to choose a tube with desired, gender-revealing confetti and to launch the confetti with the tube at a party or other event so that the confetti reveals to others the gender of a baby by the color or other symbols that are printed or otherwise placed on the outer confetti surface.

From the foregoing description it will be apparent that numerous changes and variations are possible in the present invention, and it is to be understood that the foregoing description is intended to be illustrative of the principles of the invention, not limiting thereof, and that the invention is not intended to be limited other than as set forth in the following paragraphs interpreted under the doctrine of equivalents.

The invention may also be described by the following numbered paragraphs:

1. A new use for an elongated hollow tube comprising the steps of:

cutting a large plurality of pieces of confetti from lightweight material, said pieces of confetti having elongated, tetragonal shapes;

inserting a large plurality of said elongated, tetragonal-shaped pieces of confetti into said elongated hollow tube with the elongated length of said pieces aligned parallel to each other and to the elongated length of said tube to form an aligned stack of confetti extending across the diameter of said tube as an intact bundle, wherein the elongated length of the tube is 14 inches; and

holding said elongated tube adjacent one end and moving said tube rapidly in an arcuate path with the forearm and wrist with sufficient speed to eject said bundle of pieces of tetragonal-shaped confetti from said tube and into the air.

2. A large plurality of identical pieces of confetti, said pieces being stacked in a bundle, and said bundle being disposed within an elongated hollow tube, said plurality of pieces being sufficient for said bundle to extend across the diameter of said tube in frictional contact with said tube, and the lengths of said pieces being parallel to each other and to the elongated length of said tube.

3. A partially wrapped stack of confetti comprising:

a large plurality of pieces of confetti, each of said pieces of confetti having a length;

said large plurality of pieces of confetti being arranged in a stack with said lengths parallel to each other; and

a wrapper extending partially about said stack, wherein some of the pieces of confetti being composed of tissue paper and some of said pieces of confetti being composed of plastic film.

4. A confetti means for projection into the air comprising:

a stack of individual, unconnected pieces of confetti, said stack having a circumference;

a wrapper extending partially around said circumference of said stack of pieces of confetti; and

an elongated hollow tube, said tube having an open end of a size and shape such as to receive said partially wrapped stack of confetti.

5. The confetti means and tube of paragraph 4 wherein the wrapped portion of said stack is inserted into said open tube end.

6. The confetti means of paragraph 4 wherein at least some of said pieces of confetti are composed of tissue paper.

7. The confetti means of paragraph 4 wherein said wrapper is composed of tissue paper.

8. The confetti means of paragraph 4 wherein the stack of pieces of confetti includes two end portions, and the wrapper extends around only one of the end portions.

9. The confetti means of paragraph 4 comprising in combination, a plurality of the stacks of confetti, each of the stacks of confetti having an individual wrapper extending only partially around the respective stack of confetti, and the plurality of stacks of partially wrapped confetti being contained within said tube.

10. The confetti means of paragraph 9, wherein each of said stacks of confetti have lengths and widths, and wherein said lengths are greater than said widths, and wherein said stacks have end portions separated by said lengths, and wherein each of said wrappers extend only about one end portion of each respective stack.

11. A partially wrapped stack of confetti comprising:

a large plurality of pieces of confetti, said pieces of confetti being composed of material selected from the group consisting of tissue paper and plastic film;

each of said pieces of confetti having a length and a width, wherein the width being in the order of one-quarter to one inch, wherein the large plurality of pieces of confetti being arranged in a stack with said lengths aligned parallel to each other; and

a wrapper extending only partially about the stack of pieces of aligned confetti.

12. The partially wrapped stack of confetti of paragraph 11, wherein said stack includes two face portions and two end portions, and said wrapper extends about said two face portions and about only one of said end portions.

13. The partially wrapped stack of confetti of paragraph 11, wherein said wrapper is composed of tissue paper.

14. The partially wrapped stack of confetti of paragraph 11, wherein said pieces of confetti are composed of tissue paper, and said tissue paper is of eight to twenty pound test.

15. The partially wrapped stack of confetti of paragraph 11, wherein said length is in the order of 1 to 4 inches.

16. A partially wrapped stack of confetti comprising:

a large plurality of pieces of confetti, each of said pieces of confetti having a length, a width and an elongated tetragonal shape, said length being substantially greater than said width, each of said pieces of confetti being composed of tissue paper, wherein each of the pieces of confetti having two faces, two side edges and two end edges, said side edges being separated by said width and said end edges being separated by said length, the plurality of pieces of confetti being stacked in face-to-face relationship with said lengths aligned in parallel to form a stack, the stack having two face surfaces, two end surfaces and two side surfaces; and

a wrapper extending partially about said stack, said wrapper extending about each of said face surfaces and only about one of said end surfaces.

17. The partially wrapped stack of confetti of paragraph 16, wherein said length is in the order of 1 to 4 inches.

18. The partially wrapped stack of confetti of paragraph 16, wherein said width is in the order of 1A to 1 inch.

19. The partially wrapped stack of confetti of paragraph 18, wherein said length is in the order of 1 to 4 inches.

20. The partially wrapped stack of confetti of paragraph 16, wherein said wrapper is composed of tissue paper.

21. The partially wrapped stack of confetti of paragraph 17, wherein said wrapper is composed of tissue paper.

22. The partially wrapped stack of confetti of paragraph 18, wherein said wrapper is composed of tissue paper.

23. A confetti device comprising:

an elongated tube extending from a proximal end to a distal end and having a hollow internal portion, wherein a length of the elongated tube is at least one of 6 inch, 12 inch, 14 inch, and 18 inch, further wherein a diameter of the elongated tube is at least one of a 0.921 inch, 0.74 inch, 0.91 inch, and 2 inch, further wherein the elongated tube comprises a design wrapper disposed longitudinally over an exterior portion of the elongated tube;

one or more bundles of a pre-defined size strategically located within the elongated tube such that the one or more bundles extend diametrically across an internal portion of the elongated tube, wherein each of the one or more bundles includes a plurality of pieces of confetti stacked in a pre-defined arrangement;

at least one wrapper covering the plurality of pieces of confetti to form the one or more bundles, wherein at least one of the one or more bundles remains in frictional contact with an inner surface of the elongated tube such that upon rapid actuation of the elongated tube from the proximal end, the one or more bundles are forcefully ejected by centrifugal force from within the elongated tube upwardly into the air; and

a cover on at least one of the proximal end or the distal end of the elongated tube to avoid the plurality of pieces of confetti of the one or more bundles from falling out of the elongated tube, wherein a shape and size of the cover is in accordance with a shape and size of the proximal end of the elongated tube.

24. The confetti device of paragraph 23, wherein a diameter of the elongated tube remains constant over the length of the elongated tube.

25. The confetti device of paragraph 23, further comprising at least one of one or more tissue paper, and metallic PVC film.

26. The confetti device of paragraph 23, wherein each of the plurality of pieces of confetti comprises a central axis.

27. The confetti device of paragraph 26, wherein the pre-defined arrangement comprises the arrangement of the plurality of pieces of confetti such that the central axes of the plurality of pieces of confetti are parallel to each other and to the longitudinal length of the elongated tube.

28. The confetti device of paragraph 23, wherein the plurality of pieces of confetti are of different shape and size.

29. The confetti device of paragraph 23, wherein the plurality of pieces of confetti are of same shape and size.

30. The confetti device of paragraph 23, wherein the one or more bundles are stacked adjacent to each other along a longitudinal length of the elongated tube.

31. The confetti device of paragraph 23, wherein the design wrapper is of different color and design.

32. The confetti device of paragraph 23, further comprising at least one divider located at one or more pre-defined location in the hollow internal portion of the elongated tube forming one or more sections within the elongated tube.

33. The confetti device of paragraph 32, wherein the one or more sections includes at least one of different types of confetti, tissue paper, and metallic PVC film.

34. The confetti device of paragraph 23, further comprising one or more pompom streamers placed at at least one of the distal end or the proximal end of the elongated tube.

35. The confetti device of paragraph 34, wherein the one or more pompom streamers are located anywhere within the internal portion of the elongated tube.

36. A confetti launching device comprising:

an elongated tube extending from a proximal end to a distal end, wherein an internal portion of the elongated tube is hollow, further wherein the confetti device has a length and a diameter;

one or more bundles of a pre-defined size strategically located within the elongated tube such that the one or more bundles extends diametrically across an internal portion of the elongated tube, wherein each of the one or more bundles includes a plurality of pieces of confetti stacked in a pre-defined arrangement;

at least one wrapper covering the plurality of pieces of confetti to form the one or more bundles, wherein at least one of the one or more bundles remains in frictional contact with an inner surface of the elongated tube such that upon rapid actuation of the elongated tube, the one or more bundles are forcefully ejected by centrifugal force from within the elongated tube upwardly into the air; and

a cover on at least one of the proximal end or the distal end of the elongated tube to avoid the plurality of pieces of confetti of the one or more bundles from falling out of the elongated tube.

37. The confetti launching device of paragraph 36, wherein the length of the elongated tube is at least one of 6 inch, 12 inch, 14 inch, and 18 inch.

38. The confetti launching device of paragraph 36, wherein a diameter of the elongated tube is at least one of a 0.921 inch, 0.74 inch, 0.91 inch, and 2 inch.

39. The confetti launching device of paragraph 36, wherein a diameter of the elongated tube remains constant over the length of the elongated tube.

40. The confetti launching device of paragraph 36, wherein each of the plurality of pieces of confetti comprises a central axis.

41. The confetti launching device of paragraph 40, wherein the pre-defined arrangement comprises the arrangement of the plurality of pieces of confetti such that the central axes of the plurality of pieces of confetti are parallel to each other and to the longitudinal length of the elongated tube.

42. The confetti launching device of paragraph 36, wherein the elongated tube further comprises a design wrapper disposed longitudinally over an exterior portion of the elongated tube, wherein the design wrapper includes one or more design and one or more color.

43. A confetti device comprising:

44. A confetti device comprising:

one or more pompom streamers placed at at least one of the distal end or the proximal end of the elongated tube.

45. A confetti device comprising:

at least one divider located at one or more pre-defined location in the hollow internal portion of the elongated tube forming one or more sections within the elongated tube; and

one or more pompom streamers placed at at least one of the distal end or the proximal end of the elongated tube.

46. A confetti device comprising:

at least one divider located at one or more pre-defined location in the hollow internal portion of the elongated tube forming one or more sections within the elongated tube;

one or more pompom streamers placed at at least one of the distal end or the proximal end of the elongated tube.

Accordingly, it will be readily apparent that many other embodiments and variations may be designed based upon the principles of the present invention. Therefore, it is to be understood that the foregoing description of several embodiments is purely illustrative rather than limiting of the invention, and that the legal scope of the invention is not to be limited other than as set forth in the following paragraphs including all legal equivalents thereof.

The above disclosures are merely provided for exemplary purposes. Changes may be made in details, particularly in matters of shape, size, and arrangement of steps without exceeding the scope of the invention. This may include, to the extent that it is appropriate, the use of any of the features of one example embodiment being used in other embodiments. The invention's scope is, of course, defined in the language in which the appended claims are expressed.

CONFETTI DEVICES AND METHODS OF THEIR USE

Information

Publication Number

Date Filed

Date Published

Inventors

CPC

International Classifications

Abstract

Description

Claims

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

Provisional Applications (1)