Abstract: A balloon weight and ribbon assembly includes a spool having a length of ribbon wound thereabout, the ribbon being secured at one end to the spool and at the other end to a breakaway tab which initially comprises a part and parcel of the spool. A dimple in the tab accommodates receipt of a double knot at one end of the ribbon, while a slot in the spool accommodates receipt of a double knot of the ribbon at the opposite end. A piece of double backed adhesive tape is provided on the breakaway tab to allow for securement of the tab to the neck or tail of an inflated balloon.

Abstract: An apparatus is presented for printing material on an extruded plastic tubing. An extruder forms the plastic tubing of the desired diameter and thickness. The tubing is then drawn through a cooling bath by a pulling mechanism, and cut into desired lengths. The tubing may be dried after the cooling process, and an ink jet printer is utilized to print on the tubing as it is being drawn to be cut. A computer controls the printing process in correlation with the tubing cutter to provide a print signal to the printer in accordance with the desired lengths of tubing. The print heads of the printer are also three-dimensionally adjustable so as to center the printed material on the desired size and length of tubing to be cut.

Abstract: Disclosed are one-piece, funnel shaped balloon holders, comprising a conical cup and a hollow cylindrical stem. A longitudinal slit extends the entire length of the balloon holder, from the upper edge of the cup to the lower end of the stem, to permit insertion of the neck of a balloon into the holder. A short slot at the bottom of the stem anchors the balloon tail. In a first embodiment (FIGS. 1-3), a balloon stick is inserted into the hollow stem. In a second embodiment (FIGS. 4-8) the stem is inserted into one end of a hollow balloon stick. The stem in this embodiment is of such shape as to provide space between the stem and the balloon stick for a portion of the balloon neck so that the entire balloon neck is concealed.

Abstract: Balloon holder for toy balloons. The balloon holder of the invention has a cup and a stem. The latter for insertion into one end of a hollow balloon stick. The stem is of such shape that the neck of the balloon is completely concealed between the stem and the balloon stick. The preferred stem is generally cylindrical with an interior channel and an exterior cutaway portion for downwardly extending an upwardly extending portions, respectively of the neck. A vertical slit in the cup permits rapid insertion of a balloon neck into the balloon holder.