Balloon mounting cup and stick assembly

Abstract

An adaptor for a standard balloon cup with a stem with a hollow core having an inside diameter and that receives a straw. The adaptor allows the use of a straw with an outside diameter different from the inside diameter of the balloon cup stem core. The adaptor has a first portion engaging the stem core and a second portion receiving the straw. The straw may be either larger or smaller in diameter than the balloon cup stem core.

Description

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

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.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

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.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is an exploded perspective view of a standard balloon cup with an inserted balloon shown in phantom and a standard straw.

FIG. 2 is similar to FIG. 1, but shows the use of the adaptor of the present invention to use a larger straw with the standard balloon cup.

FIG. 3 is similar to FIG. 1, but shows the use of the adaptor of the present invention to use a smaller straw with the standard balloon cup.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

A standard balloon cup of the prior art is shown in FIG. 1 in use with a standard straw. The cup C includes a hole H into which the tail of the balloon is inserted. The balloon cup C includes a pair of slots S into which the tail of the balloon is then wound. The cup C also includes a stem ST having a hollow core CO of a standard inside diameter, typically about 0.2 inches. A standard straw R having an outside diameter matching the inside diameter of the core CO is then inserted into the core CO as indicated by the arrow in the Figure.

The present invention is generally shown in the Figures as reference numeral 10.

In one embodiment (FIG. 2), the adaptor 10 comprises a first portion 12 having an outside diameter D1 substantially the same as the inside diameter D of the stem core CO of the stem ST. The adaptor 10 further comprises a second portion 14. The second portion 14 further comprises a hollow core 16 having an inside diameter D2 larger than the inside diameter D of the stem core CO of the stem ST. A straw or stick 18 can be inserted into the hollow core 16. The straw or stick 18 will have an outside diameter D3 matching the inside diameter D2 of the hollow core 16. The outside diameter D3 will thus be larger than the outside diameter of the standard straw R. Preferably, the adapter 10 further comprises a third portion 20 between the first portion 12 and the second portion 14, the third portion 20 having sides 22 that smoothly and continuously taper from the second portion 14 toward the first portion 12.

In a second embodiment (FIG. 3), the adaptor 10 comprises a first portion 12 having an inside diameter D1 substantially the same as the outside diameter D′ of the stem core CO of the stem ST. The adaptor 10 further comprises a second portion 14. The second portion 14 further comprises a hollow core 16 having an inside diameter D2 smaller than the inside diameter D of the stem core CO of the stem ST. A straw or stick 18 can be inserted into the hollow core 16. The straw or stick 18 will have an outside diameter D3 matching the inside diameter D2 of the hollow core 16. The outside diameter D3 will thus be smaller than the outside diameter of the standard straw R. Preferably, the adapter 10 further comprises a third portion 20 between the first portion 12 and the second portion 14, the third portion 20 having sides 22 that smoothly and continuously taper from the first portion 12 toward the second portion 14.

The first portion 12 may either be inserted into the stem core CO, as in FIG. 2, or the stem ST may be inserted into the first portion 12, as in FIG. 3. In either case, the straw 18 may have an outside diameter that is either larger or smaller than the outside diameter of the straw. For example, but without limitation, the outside diameter of the straw 18 may be 0.3125 inches while the inside diameter of the second portion 14 may be 0.325 inches. Typically, the inside diameter of the stem core CO is 0.20 inches and the outside diameter of the first portion 12 is slightly less than 0.20 inches.

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.

Claims

1. In a standard balloon cup with a stem with a stem core having an inside diameter, an adaptor comprising a first portion engaging the stem, 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 a straw.

2. The adaptor of claim 1, wherein the second inside diameter is greater than the inside diameter of the stem core.

3. The adaptor of claim 2, wherein the adaptor further comprises a third portion between the first portion and the second portion, the third portion having sides that smoothly and continuously taper from the second portion toward the first portion.

4. The adaptor of claim 1, wherein the second inside diameter is smaller than the inside diameter of the stem core.

5. The adaptor of claim 4, wherein the adaptor further comprises a third portion between the first portion and the second portion, the third portion having sides that smoothly and continuously taper from the first portion toward the second portion.

6. The adapter of claim 1, wherein the first portion is insertable into the stem core.

7. The adapter of claim 1, wherein the stem is insertable into the first portion.

8. An adaptor for a standard balloon cup, the balloon cup having a stem with a hollow core having an inside diameter and receiving a straw, to adapt a straw with an outside diameter different from the inside diameter of the balloon cup stem core, the adaptor comprising a first portion engaging the stem core and a second portion receiving the straw.

9. The adaptor of claim 8, wherein the second portion has an inside diameter larger than the inside diameter of the balloon cup stem core.

10. The adaptor of claim 8, wherein the second portion has an inside diameter smaller than the inside diameter of the balloon cup stem core.

11. The adapter of claim 8, wherein the first portion is insertable into the stem core.

12. The adapter of claim 8, wherein the stem is insertable into the first portion.

13. An adaptor for a standard balloon cup, the balloon cup having a stem with a hollow core having an inside diameter and receiving a straw, to adapt a straw with an outside diameter different from the inside diameter of the balloon cup stem core, the adaptor comprising a first portion engaging the stem core and a second portion receiving the straw, and further comprising a tapered portion between the first portion and the second portion.

14. The adaptor of claim 13, wherein the second portion has an inside diameter larger than the inside diameter of the balloon cup stem core.

15. The adaptor of claim 13, wherein the second portion has an inside diameter smaller than the inside diameter of the balloon cup stem core.

16. The adapter of claim 13, wherein the first portion is insertable into the stem core.

17. The adapter of claim 13, wherein the stem is insertable into the first portion.