Flower flyer

Abstract

Flower Flyer is a compact, handheld device for gently blowing flowers or confetti into the air. To use Flower Flyer, an individual loads confetti, flowers or another suitable material into the device and installs batteries into the device. He then pushes the trigger located on the housing to cause power from the batteries to operate the motor and spin the fan blades beneath a screen on the device. The screen allows air to pass through it to disperse the flowers, confetti or other material while preventing the materials from being drawn back into the fan.

Description

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This United States Non-Provisional Patent Application does not claim priority to any United States Provisional Patent Applications or any foreign patent applications.

FIELD OF THE DISCLOSURE

The disclosures made herein relate generally to the party accessory industry. The invention discussed herein is in the general classification of confetti or flower disperser.

BACKGROUND

A wedding day is one of the happiest days of many couples' lives. For women, especially, the perfect wedding is something they have dreamed about and planned from a young age. A couple often expends large amounts of time and energy to create a memorable wedding ceremony.

The bride and groom must first decide on the date and time of the wedding. Often, they choose a date with some significance such as a romantic holiday or the anniversary of a first date. Once they have selected a date, they must select a location. Some people prefer a traditional location such as a church while others prefer to have their wedding outside in a park, rose garden or other scenic area. Some want a small ceremony in a home while others prefer exotic or unusual locations such as near water or on a cliff above an ocean.

While the date and location of the wedding are important, it is all of the details that follow these selections that can make a wedding ceremony special. These details include: selecting tuxedos, dresses for the bride's attendants and a wedding gown and choosing a photographer, food, invitations and decorations for the wedding and reception.

Despite the best planning weddings are filled with unexpected and unforeseen events. Sometimes the limousines arrive late or the weather is not what was expected. Often the ring bearers or flower girls get nervous and refuse to walk down the aisle. Sometimes the flower girl is so nervous and overwhelmed that she completely forgets to throw the flower petals as she walks down the aisle. Often, the flowers are unevenly dispersed even when they are thrown.

Hence, there is a need in the art for an easy to use, inexpensive and effective device for dispersing confetti, flowers or the like at a party, wedding celebration or any other appropriate outing.

SUMMARY OF THE DISCLOSURE

Flower Flyer is a compact, handheld device for gently blowing flowers or confetti into the air.

The principal object of this invention is to provide a device that automatically disperses flowers or confetti and that can be used at a variety of celebrations.

Another object of this invention is to provide an affordable device for dispersing flowers, confetti or the like.

Another object of this invention is to provide a device that evenly disperses flowers, confetti or the like.

Yet another object of this invention is to provide an easy to use device for dispersing flowers, confetti or the like.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 depicts a perspective view of the preferred embodiment of the invention.

FIG. 2 depicts a cross-sectional view of the preferred embodiment of the invention cut along the line A-A of FIG. 1.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The preferred embodiment of Flower Flyer is comprised of at least some of the following: a housing with a handle, cup portion and a power switch and containing a screen, motor, fan blades, wiring and batteries.

In the preferred embodiment of the invention, shown in FIG. 1, a housing 1 shaped like a flashlight covers a motor (not pictured), fan blades (not pictured), batteries (not pictured) and wiring (not pictured). The housing 1 is preferably made of plastic though a variety of materials may be utilized. The top of the housing 1 has a cup portion 4 while the bottom has a handle 2. The handle 2 has a trigger 3 that is utilized as a power switch and is grooved and textured for better handling. A screen 5 is located within the cup portion 4 of the housing 1. The screen 5 is approximately one inch from the top of the housing 1 and is attached to the housing 1 via a groove cut into the interior of the housing 1. A variety of other methods for attaching the screen could also be utilized including the use of two cross-members to support the screen. The screen 5 is made of a metal mesh material though a variety of screens could be utilized.

The handle 2 is approximately six inches in length and one inch in diameter. A cap (not pictured) is located on the bottom of the handle 2 for insertion of batteries The cap is threaded and can be screwed into grooves located on the interior and bottom of the handle 2. The cup portion 4 of the housing 1 is approximately six inches in diameter.

FIG. 2 shows a cross-sectional view of the preferred embodiment of the invention cut along the line A-A of FIG. 1. A motor 20 is located in the cup portion 4 of the housing 1 and is operatively connected to fan blades 21. The fan blades 21 are located directly beneath the screen 5 inside the cup portion 4 of the housing 1 while the motor 20 is located beneath the fan blades 21. Appropriate wiring 23 connects the batteries 22 in the handle 2 to the motor 20. The fan blades 21 are made of metal in this preferred embodiment though they could easily be made of plastic or other suitable materials.

In alternative embodiments of the invention, a floral or other decorative design could be located on the housing.

To use Flower Flyer, an individual loads the cup portion of the housing with confetti, flowers or another suitable material. The user also installs batteries in the handle of the housing. He then pushes the trigger located on the housing to cause power from the batteries to operate the motor and spin the fan blades beneath the screen. The screen allows air to pass through it to disperse the flowers, confetti or other material while preventing the materials from being drawn back into the fan.

The components of Flower Flyer may vary widely but will likely use metal, plastic and electrical components. The metals would ideally be selected from available steel or alloys of steel and aluminum. The production process related to the use of these metals insures that the metal is non-corrosive, durable and strong. The selected metal should have high impact strength and be capable of accepting and retaining coloring materials for an extended length of time.

The plastic used in the production will ideally be selected for durability and longevity. Thermoplastics are commonly used in the manufacturing of components similar to those used in this invention. Polyethylene, polypropylene, and other similar thermoplastic materials would be among those with the necessary traits. Members of this family are recognized universally as being versatile and of high quality.

The plastic components of Flower Flyer can also be formed with the use of plastic molding techniques, such as injection molding or blow molding. Injection molding requires melted plastic to be forcefully injected into relatively cool molds. As the plastic begins to harden, it takes on the shape of the mold cavity. This technique is ideal for the mass production of products. Alternatively, blow molding, a form of extrusion, could be utilized. Blow molding involves a molten tube being pushed into a mold. Compressed air then forces the molten tube against the cold walls of the mold.

All electronic components of the invention will also be ideally selected from those currently having the highest industry ratings. These components will also meet and/or exceed all safety and usage regulations. Wiring and associated connecting hardware should be insulated and otherwise protected from intrusion by any harmful or degrading elements, including water, medium level temperatures, and low to medium impact force.

It should be obvious that the components of the present invention can be of various shapes and sizes. It should also be obvious that the components of the invention can be made of different types of metals, plastics or other suitable materials and can be of any color. Although the invention described herein is discussed in relation to weddings and as a flower disperser, it may disperse a variety of materials, including confetti, for a variety of events such as birthdays, graduation parties, New Year's Eve parties or any other celebratory occasion.

It will be recognized by those skilled in the art that changes or modifications may be made to the above-described embodiments without departing from the broad inventive concepts of the invention. It should therefore be understood that this invention is not limited to the particular embodiments described herein, but is intended to include all changes and modifications that are within the scope and spirit of the invention as set forth in the claims.

Claims

1. A dispersing device comprising:

(a) a housing containing a motor operatively connected to a blade;

(b) a power source within the housing that is operatively connected to the motor; and

(c) a screen located above the blade.

2. The device of claim 1 wherein the housing has a handle on the bottom and a cup portion on the top.

3. The device of claim 1 wherein the housing is made of plastic.

4. The device of claim 1 wherein the housing has a floral design.

5. The device of claim 1 wherein the power source is a battery.

6. The device of claim 2 wherein the handle has a power switch.

7. The device of claim 2 wherein the handle is textured.

8. The device of claim 2 wherein a cap is located on the bottom of the handle.

9. The device of claim 8 wherein the cap has a set of threads that correspond with a set of grooves within the interior of the handle.

10. The device of claim 2 wherein the screen is located within the cup portion of the housing.

11. The device of claim 10 wherein the screen is attached to the cup portion of the housing via a groove cut into the interior of the cup portion of the housing.

12. The device of claim 10 wherein the screen is attached to the cup portion of the housing using a set of cross-members.

13. The device of claim 1 wherein the screen is made of metal mesh.

14. The device of claim 1 wherein the blade is made of metal.

15. A dispersing device comprising:

(a) a housing made of plastic with a handle that is textured on the bottom and a cup portion on the top;

(b) a motor operatively connected to a set of blades made of metal and located within the cup portion of the housing;

(c) a battery within the handle that is operatively connected to the motor;

(d) a screen made of metal mesh attached to a groove within the interior of the cup portion of the housing and located above the set of blades;

(e) a power switch located on the handle; and

(f) a cap having a set of threads that correspond with a set of grooves within the interior of the handle.