Patent Application
20140363590
1. Field of the Invention
The decoration is transformed from a deflated state enabling the fabric decoration to lay generally flat (for easy shipping, storage and sale) into a full bodied, fanciful, eye-catching decoration. When laid on a flat surface (for shipping and storage), the decoration consumes a minimum of space in that it rests generally flat. The decoration is re-usable by deflating the balloon, removing the balloon and replacing it with another balloon as needed. When the decoration is expanding by inflation, after purchase by the consumer, the trim material can be used for various purposes, such as concealing the slit, concealing the balloon, anchoring the decoration, or decorative purposes.
2. Description of Related Art
Decorations are often used to adorn walls and ceilings during events or as decor. Some of the conventional hanging decorations are made from paper or balls formed of live flowers, such as modern day pomanders. This aspect means that they are not made to last or able to reuse. There are, of course, spherical hanging decoration balls formed of artificial flowers. These, however, are already provided to the consumer in their final size and/or shape and are not easily stored or maintainable. The present invention, is re-usable, and provides the visual appearance, with the textured or fabric with depth used, of a fanciful decoration. Another object of the present invention is to provide a full bodied decoration which is easy and efficient to ship and store. It is shipped and stored generally flat yet quickly assumes a full bodied shape upon inflation by the consumer. Upon inflation, which is merely the process of the consumer inflating the balloon into the outer casing, results in an eye-catching and visual pleasing decoration.
An object of the present invention is to provide a decoration, comprised of an textured or layered fabric casing, a balloon of stretchable material having an air passage stem, and attached trim material for concealing the slit, concealing the balloon, anchoring the decoration, or decorative purposes. The decoration lays generally flat for efficient shipping and storage. When the decoration is inflated the outer casing material assumes a predetermined shape and size as part of the decoration. The invention also provides a reusable decoration by deflating, inflating, or replacing the balloon of stretchable material as needed.
10—Outer casing
12—Slit opening in outer casing
13A—Right side of slit
13B—Left side of slit
14A—Right side trim material
14B—Left side trim material
Other advantages and novel features of the invention will become more apparent from the following detailed description taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings from one example embodiment of the invention.
A fabric decoration comprised of an outer casing of material having a slit opening, and a trim material attached to either side of the slit. The outer casing is composed of a textured or layered material, where layered is comprised of a base material on which one or more other materials are attached by some means, like embroidery, creating a material with more depth than the base material. The outer casing encapsulates a balloon which is an air tight stretchable material having an air passage stem, which when unconfined is capable of being inflated to assume the predetermined shape of the outer casing. In its deflated state, the balloon is inserted into the outer casing through the opening created by the slit, with the balloon stem projecting out of the slit. The confined balloon is inflated causing the outer casing to assume a predetermined shape. The balloon air passage stem is then constricted to prevent deflation. The trim material on either side of the slit can be used for various purposes, such as concealing the slit, concealing the balloon, anchoring the decoration, or decorative purposes.
| Number | Date | Country | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 61833071 | Jun 2013 | US |
