U.S. patent application number 11/811412 was filed with the patent office on 2007-12-20 for picture frame balloon.
This patent application is currently assigned to Anagram International, Inc.. Invention is credited to Paul A. Ansolabehere, Joseph A. Bourgeault, Robert E. Greenwald, Todd R. Sarnstrom.
Application Number | 20070293120 11/811412 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 38862153 |
Filed Date | 2007-12-20 |
United States Patent
Application |
20070293120 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Bourgeault; Joseph A. ; et
al. |
December 20, 2007 |
Picture frame balloon
Abstract
A two layer non-latex balloon in which a portion of the two
layers is heat-sealed together to form a pocket which does not
inflate. A slot made in a portion of the pocket allows items to be
inserted. After inflation, the balloon appears to be a picture
frame surrounding the item inserted in the pocket.
Inventors: |
Bourgeault; Joseph A.;
(Minnetonka, MN) ; Greenwald; Robert E.; (Coon
Rapids, MN) ; Sarnstrom; Todd R.; (Ellsworth, WI)
; Ansolabehere; Paul A.; (Minnetonka, MN) |
Correspondence
Address: |
BRIGGS AND MORGAN P.A.
2200 IDS CENTER
80 SOUTH 8TH ST
MINNEAPOLIS
MN
55402
US
|
Assignee: |
Anagram International, Inc.
Eden Prairie
MN
|
Family ID: |
38862153 |
Appl. No.: |
11/811412 |
Filed: |
June 8, 2007 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
|
|
|
|
|
|
Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
|
|
60813255 |
Jun 12, 2006 |
|
|
|
Current U.S.
Class: |
446/220 |
Current CPC
Class: |
G09F 1/12 20130101; A47G
1/0616 20130101; A63H 2027/1075 20130101; A63H 27/10 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
446/220 |
International
Class: |
A63H 3/06 20060101
A63H003/06 |
Claims
1. A non-latex inflatable picture frame balloon comprising: a)
first and second layers each having balloon outer edges sealed
together and centrally located balloon inner edges forming a
peripheral inflatable balloon cavity; b) a centrally located pocket
formed inwardly from the balloon by the first and second layers
having an opening for insertion of an item; and c) a valve passing
into the balloon cavity for balloon inflation.
2. Claim 1, where the opening is a slot.
3. Claim 1, where the valve passes into the cavity through the
sealed outer edges.
4. A non-latex inflatable picture frame balloon comprising: a)
first and second layers each having balloon outer edges sealed
together and centrally located balloon inner edges forming a
peripheral inflatable balloon cavity; b) a centrally located pocket
formed inwardly from the balloon by the first and second layers
having a slot for insertion of an item; and c) a valve passing into
the balloon cavity for balloon inflation.
5. Claim 4, where the valve passes into the cavity through the
sealed outer edges.
Description
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION
[0001] The present application is based on and claims the benefit
of U.S. provisional patent application Ser. No. 60/813,255, filed
Jun. 12, 2006, the content of which is hereby incorporated by
reference in its entirety.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0002] The present invention relates generally to non-latex
balloons and more particularly to a non-latex balloon having a
pocket for inserting a flat item, giving the impression of a framed
picture.
[0003] Non-latex balloons have been popular for many years.
Non-latex balloons, often referred to as metallized balloons, are
characterized as balloons that are comprised of materials that have
no elastic properties. Such materials include plastic, foil, mylar,
and nylon. A variety of non-latex balloons have been made available
to the public, including brightly colored, transparent, and even
multi-layered balloons.
[0004] There is a need for a balloon of simple construction that
provides a slot for inserting an item, preferably a flat item, so
as to give the impression of a framed picture.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0005] The present invention is a two layer non-latex balloon in
which a portion of the two layers is heat-sealed together to form a
pocket which does not inflate. A slot is made in a portion of the
pocket to allow items to be inserted. After inflation, the balloon
has the appearance of a picture frame surrounding the item enclosed
in the pocket.
[0006] A principal object and advantage of the present invention is
that an unique picture frame appearance is obtained by a balloon
which is relatively inexpensive.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS
[0007] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of the balloon of the present
invention.
[0008] FIG. 2 is a cross-section taken at approximately the lines 2
of FIG. 1.
[0009] FIG. 3 is a detail of FIG. 2.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT
[0010] The present invention is represented in the drawings as
reference numeral 10.
[0011] The balloon 10 is constructed of two layers, 12 and 14,
which are sealed around their balloon outer edges 15 to form the
balloon.
[0012] A self-sealing valve 16 is heat-sealed to the inner surfaces
of the layers 12 and 14.
[0013] A portion 18 of layer 12 is heat-sealed to a balloon inner
edge portion 20 of layer 14 by heat-seal 22 to form an inflatable
balloon cavity 23 and a centrally located enclosed pocket 24. As
shown in the drawings, the pocket 24 is rectangular in shape, but
other shapes may be formed by suitably heat-sealing the layers 12
and 14. Other sealing methods, as ultra-sound, are also
suitable.
[0014] As best seen in FIG. 3, a slot 26 is made in the pocket 24
to allow for the insertion and removal of an item.
[0015] It will be recognized that, because the pocket 24 is sealed
from the rest of the balloon 10, the pocket will not inflate as the
balloon is inflated. Before, during, or after inflation of the
balloon, an item I may be placed in the pocket through the slot 26.
Examples of an item I may be a picture, card, sign, art, etc.
[0016] If it is desirable to replace item I, which may be a
photograph, the balloon 10 may be deflated and item I can be
removed from the pocket 24 through the slot 26, and another item
may then be placed in the slot.
[0017] When inflated and with an item such as a photograph in the
pocket 24, the balloon 10 gives the impression of a picture
frame.
[0018] 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.
* * * * *