AMUSEMENT DEVICES

Amusement devices, aerial confetti devices, wand means, and confetti include various features, and methods of using and manufacturing confetti include various steps. An amusement device includes an elongated tube having a first end and a second end. The tube also includes a cover, pompom streamers at one of the ends. The elongated tube includes bundles of confetti arranged as stacks in an internal portion of the tube. An external portion of the tube may include a designed wrap including multiple colors and/or designs. The elongated tube may also include one or more dividers for dividing the internal portion of the tube into multiple sections.

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Description
TECHNICAL FIELD

The disclosure relates to amusement devices and, more particularly, to confetti devices, to methods of launching confetti, and to manufacturing the confetti devices.

BACKGROUND

Standard or conventional confetti comprises a plurality of small, loose or bulk pieces of paper which are round or square, or scrap by-product and which have diameters or lengths usually less than one-half inch. When such confetti is thrown into the air, the pieces rise into the air as a stream, and then fall rapidly to the ground, sometimes with an irregular tumbling motion, but in generally straight, vertical paths from the highest point in the air reached by each piece. Such action is acceptable at weddings or parties where the object is to shower persons with the confetti. However, such action is not very dramatic or spectacular when the object is to create a visual display such as at an indoor fireworks show. First, there is no “burst” of color like real fireworks since the loose confetti must be thrown, or ejected from toy cannon, such that there is a stream of confetti pieces rising up into the air, as opposed to, a sudden burst of pieces from a single location in the air. Second, the individual pieces of conventional confetti fall to the ground in almost straight vertical lines, and they fall relatively rapidly, sometimes with an irregular tumbling motion, but with little or no floating action or “hang” time in the air.

SUMMARY

One exemplary embodiment includes an amusement device including an elongated tube extending from a first end to a second end and having a hollow internal portion. A length of the elongated tube may be at least one of 6 inch, 9 inch, 12 inch, 14 inch, and 18 inch. A diameter of the elongated tube may be at least one of a 0.921 inch, 0.74 inch, 0.91 inch, and 2 inch. The amusement device also includes a designed wrap having at least one design and one or more colors. The designed wrap is disposed longitudinally over an exterior portion of the elongated tube. The amusement device includes a number of bundles including a number of pieces of confetti stacked in a pre-defined arrangement within the hollow internal portion of the elongated tube. Each of the bundles includes a pre-defined size and extends diametrically in the hollow internal portion of the elongated tube. The at least one of the one or more of the bundles remains in frictional contact with a smooth inner surface of the elongated tube. Further, the amusement device may include one or more pompom streamers located at one of the first end or the second end of the elongated tube. The bundles may be forcefully ejected by centrifugal force from within the elongated tube upwardly into the air upon rapid actuation of the elongated tube. In some embodiments, a user may actuate the amusement device.

Another exemplary embodiment includes an aerial confetti device having an elongated tube extending from a first end to a second end. The elongated tube includes a hollow internal portion, a length and a diameter. The length of the elongated tube may be at least one of 6 inch, 9 inch, 12 inch, 14 inch, and 18 inch. The diameter of the elongated tube may be at least one of 0.921 inch, 0.74 inch, 0.91 inch, and 2 inch. The aerial confetti device may include a designed wrap disposed longitudinally over an exterior portion of the elongated tube. The aerial confetti device may also include a number of bundles of confetti including a plurality of pieces of confetti stacked in a pre-defined arrangement, each of the bundles has a pre-defined size and extends diametrically in the hollow internal portion of the elongated tube, wherein at least one of the one or more of the bundles remains in frictional contact with a smooth inner surface of the elongated tube. Further, the device may include one or more pompom streamers located at one of the first end or the second end of the elongated tube. The bundles may be forcefully ejected by centrifugal force from within the elongated tube upwardly into the air upon actuation of the elongated tube.

In accordance with another embodiment an aerial confetti device is disclosed. The aerial confetti device includes an elongated tube extending from a first end to a second end and having a hollow internal portion, a length of the elongated tube is at least one of 6 inch, 9 inch, 12 inch, 14 inch, and 18 inch. A diameter of the elongated tube is at least one of a 0.921 inch, 0.74 inch, 0.91 inch, and 2 inch. The aerial confetti device may also include a designed wrap disposed longitudinally over an exterior portion of the elongated tube, wherein an exterior surface of the designed wrap includes a number of colors and patterns. Further, the confetti device includes a number of bundles including pieces of confetti stacked in a pre-defined arrangement. Each of the bundles has a pre-defined size and extends diametrically in the hollow internal portion of the elongated tube. At least one of the one or more of the bundles remains in frictional contact with a smooth inner surface of the elongated tube. The confetti device also includes a cover located at one of the first end and the second end of the elongated tube to avoid the plurality of pieces of confetti from falling out of the elongated tube. A shape and size of the cover is in accordance with a shape and size of the at least one of the first end and the second end of the elongated tube. The bundles may be forcefully ejected by centrifugal force within the elongated tube upwardly into the air upon rapid actuation of the elongated tube.

A further embodiment of the present disclosure provides an aerial confetti device having an elongated tube extending from a first end to a second end and having a hollow internal portion, a length of the elongated tube is at least one of 6 inch, 9 inch, 12 inch, 14 inch, and 18 inch, wherein a diameter of the elongated tube is at least one of 0.921 inch, 0.74 inch, 0.91 inch, and 2 inch. The confetti device also includes a designed wrap disposed longitudinally over an exterior portion of the elongated tube. The confetti device further includes a number of bundles of confetti including multiple pieces of confetti stacked in pre-defined arrangements. Each of the bundles has a pre-defined size and extends diametrically in the hollow internal portion of the elongated tube. At least one of the one or more of the bundles remains in frictional contact with a smooth inner surface of the elongated tube. The confetti device may also include at least one divider located at one or more pre-defined location in the hollow internal portion of the elongated tube forming one or more sections within the elongated tube. The bundles of confetti are forcefully ejected by centrifugal force from within the elongated tube upwardly into the air upon rapid actuation of the elongated tube.

A yet another embodiment of the present disclosure provides a confetti device having an elongated tube extending from a first end to a second end and having a hollow internal portion. A length of the elongated tube is at least one of 6 inch, 9 inch, 12 inch, 14 inch, and 18 inch. A diameter of the elongated tube is at least one of a 0.921 inch, 0.74 inch, 0.91 inch, and 2 inch. The confetti device also includes one or more bundles of a pre-defined size strategically located within the elongated tube such that the one or more bundles extend diametrically across an internal portion of the elongated tube. Each of the one or more bundles includes a number of pieces of confetti stacked in a pre-defined arrangement. The confetti device also includes a cover located on at least one of the first end or the second end of the elongated tube to avoid the pieces of confetti of the one or more bundles from falling out of the elongated tube. A shape and size of the cover is in accordance with a shape and size of the at least one of the first end and second end of the elongated tube. The confetti device further includes one or more pompom streamers placed at one of the first end or the second end of the elongated tube. The bundles are forcefully ejected by centrifugal force from within the elongated tube upwardly into the air upon rapid actuation of the elongated tube by a user.

In another embodiment, a method of manufacturing a wrapped bundle comprising individual pieces of confetti. The method includes stacking a number of sheets of light weight sheet material to form a first stack. The method also includes cutting the first stack to form a number of rectangular intermediate stacks having lengths greater than their widths. The method further includes wrapping each of the intermediate stacks with wrapping material extending over substantially the full length of each of the intermediate stacks. The method further includes cutting the wrapped intermediate stacks into a plurality of wrapped bundles of pieces of confetti.

In yet another embodiment a bundle of confetti for being projected into the air and bursting open to simulate fireworks is provided. The bundle includes at least hundreds of individual pieces of confetti. Each of the individual pieces of confetti being unconnected and having: four sides, a length and a width wherein the length is substantially greater than the width, a longitudinal axis extending along the length, and a pair of longitudinally spaced-apart ends. The at least a hundred individual pieces of confetti being stacked in a bundle with the longitudinal axes in parallel. The bundle further includes a wrapper means selected from the group comprising paper, tissue paper, and plastic film extending around the bundle, the wrapper means extending parallel to the longitudinal axes and extending around the spaced-apart ends to form an end-wrapped bundle which bursts apart in the air.

In further embodiment a bundle of confetti including a number of individual pieces of confetti. Each of the pieces of confetti has four-sides and a pair of faces. Further, at least two of the four sides being parallel. The bundle of confetti also includes a number of four-sided pieces being positioned with their faces in face-to-face relationship to form a stack. The pieces of confetti having lengths and widths, and the widths being in the order of one-quarter to one inch, the lengths terminating in spaced-apart ends. The bundle further includes a wrapper means extending around the bundle parallel to the lengths and around the spaced-apart ends.

A yet another embodiment of the present disclosure provides a wand means for launching confetti upwardly into the air. The wand means includes an elongated hollow tube of constant diameter having a longitudinal axis. The wand means further includes a number of slits in the barrel portion of the hollow tube. The slits extends parallel to the longitudinal axis of the tube and forms flexible finger portions extending axially along the barrel portion, The wand also includes a stack of confetti of a size and shape such as to be insertable between the flexible finger portions.

A further embodiment of the present disclosure provides a wand for launching confetti upwardly into the air. The wand includes an elongated hollow tube of constant diameter having a longitudinal axis. The elongated hollow tube having a barrel portion, the barrel portion having a number of axially extending slits spaced about the circumference of the barrel portion forming flexible finger portions of the barrel. The wand also includes a stack of confetti having a diagonal sufficiently greater than the constant diameter of the tube such that the stack of confetti forces the finger portions radially outwardly upon insertion of the stack of confetti into the barrel portion whereby the stack of confetti remains frictionally engaged by the finger portions until centrifugal force overcomes the frictional engagement upon arcuate movement of the wand such that the stack of confetti is launched high into the air.

Other and further aspects and features of the disclosure will be evident from reading the following detailed description of the embodiments, which are intended to illustrate, not limit, the present disclosure.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1A is a schematic illustration of an exemplary amusement device, in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure;

FIG. 1B is a schematic illustration of an exemplary amusement device, in accordance with another embodiment of the present disclosure;

FIG. 1C is a schematic illustration of an exemplary amusement device, in accordance with another embodiment of the present disclosure;

FIG. 1D is a schematic illustration of an exemplary amusement device, in accordance with another embodiment of the present disclosure;

FIG. 2 is a schematic illustration of one form of the amusement device of the present invention in the hand of a user propelling a stack of confetti into the air;

FIGS. 3A and 3B illustrate different cross-sectional views of an amusement device including one or more dividers, in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure;

FIGS. 4-7 illustrate four specific shapes of confetti, each of such shapes being a form of elongated tetragon;

FIGS. 8-9 are perspective views of the FIG. 4 and FIG. 7 shapes of confetti illustrating the falling motion of the individual confetti pieces;

FIG. 10 is a perspective view of a wrapped bundle of multiple pieces of the confetti, in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure; and

FIG. 11 is a flowchart illustrating a method of manufacture of wrapped bundles of elongated tetragonal confetti of the present application.

 DETAILED DESCRIPTION

The following detailed description is made with reference to the figures. Exemplary embodiments are described to illustrate the disclosure, not to limit its scope, which is defined by the claims. Those of ordinary skill in the art will recognize a number of equivalent variations in the description that follows.

Overview:

An amusement device including an elongated tube is disclosed. The amusement device also includes a design wrap on an external surface of the elongated tube. The elongated tube is hollow inside and may include bundles of confetti stacked in a pre-defined arrangement.

A wand is disclosed for launching confetti into the air which comprises an elongated hollow tube with axially extending slits forming flexible fingers at one end of the tube such that the fingers grip and hold stacks of confetti which are projected high into the air by centrifugal force upon waiving the end of the tube in an arcuate motion.

A form of confetti is disclosed in which each piece of confetti is four-sided, and preferably in the shape of an elongated rectangle such that it floats downwardly relatively slowly and with a distinctive fluttering motion. Bundles or stacks of such confetti are also disclosed with wrapping means surrounding the bundles whereby the bundles may comprise hundreds of pieces of confetti, and may be ejected from compressed gas cannons, elongated hollow tubes, or thrown by hand into the air where the bundles or stack burst into a dramatic display of color and motion.

Exemplary Embodiments

FIG. 1A illustrates an exemplary amusement device 100A in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure. The amusement device 100A as shown includes an elongated tube 102 extending from a first end 104 to a second end 106. The elongated tube 102 has a hollow internal portion 108. Further, the elongated tube 102 has a length 112 and a diameter 110. In some embodiments, the length 112 of the elongated tube is 6 inch, 9 inch, 12 inch, 14 inch, and 18 inch. Further, the diameter 110 of the elongated tube 102 may be 0.921 inch, 0.74 inch, 0.91 inch, and 2 inch in different embodiments. In some embodiments, the diameter 110 of the elongated tube 102 remains constant over the length 112 of the elongated tube 102. Further, the elongated tube 102 may be formed using suitable material such as, but not limited to, plastic, wood, metal, cardboard, etc. The material should be strong enough to prevent the elongated tube 102 from bending or breaking.

The amusement device 100A may also include a designed wrap 114 having at least one design and one or more colors. For example, FIG. 1A shows a designed wrap 114 having “Happy Birthday” written on it. But a person skilled in the art will appreciate that the designed wrap 114 can have any design, color, or text on it. Further, the designed wrap 114 is disposed longitudinally over an exterior portion of the elongated tube 102. In some embodiments, an external surface of the designed wrap 114 includes the design, colors, and/or text.

Further, the internal hollow portion 108 of the elongated tube 102 may include a number of bundles. Each of the bundles may include a number of pieces of confetti stacked in a pre-defined arrangement within the hollow internal portion 108 of the elongated tube 102. Further, the one or more of the bundles may remain in frictional contact with a smooth inner surface of the elongated tube 102. The pre-defined arrangement may include the arrangement of the pieces of confetti such that a central axis of each of the pieces of confetti is parallel to each other and to the longitudinal length 112 of the elongated tube 102. In some embodiments, the pieces of confetti have different shape and size. The pieces of confetti may have a rectangular shape, triangular shape, corkscrew shape, and so forth. In alternative embodiments, the pieces of confetti present within the elongated tube 102 are of same shape and size as described in detail with reference to FIGS. 4-9. Further, the bundles may be stacked adjacent to each other along a longitudinal length 112 of the elongated tube 102.

When a user moves the amusement device 100A also referred as aerial confetti device, the bundles of confetti may be forcefully ejected by centrifugal force from within the elongated tube upwardly into the air upon rapid actuation of the elongated tube 102.

In some embodiments, the amusement device 100A includes a number of pompom streamers as shown in FIG. 1B. As shown, the amusement device 100B includes multiple pompom streamers 116.

Further, in some embodiments, the amusement device may include at least one cap or cover on either side or both of the ends 104-106 of the elongated tube 102. As shown in FIG. 1C, an amusement device 100C has a cover 118 at one of its first and second ends 104-106. Though not shown but the amusement device 100C can include the cover 118 at any of the ends 104-106 or at both the ends 104-106. The user may remove one of the two covers 118 to use the amusement device 100C and actuate the same. The cover 118 may be located on at least one of the first end 104 or the second end 106 of the elongated tube 102 to avoid the pieces of confetti of the one or more bundles (See FIG. 10) from falling out of the elongated tube 102. Further, a shape and size of the cover 118 may be in accordance with a shape and size of the at least one of the first end 104 and the second end 106 of the elongated tube 102.

In further embodiments, an amusement device 100D may include the cover 118, the designed wrap 114, and the pompom streamers 116 as shown in FIG. 1D. Hereinafter, the amusement devices 100A-100D may collectively be referred as amusement device 100.

Further, inside the amusement device 100, the plurality of pieces of the confetti may remain wrapped in at least one wrap (not shown) to form the bundles of confetti. The wrap may be composed of tissue paper, a poly vinyl chloride (PVC) film, a metallic PVC film, plastic and combination of these.

Further, the pieces of confetti may have a rectangular shape, triangular shape, corkscrew shape and various die cut shapes.

The bundles of confetti may be projected into the air and burst open to simulate fireworks when the amusement device 100 is moved in an appropriate angle or position by the user. The bundles in some embodiments include at least a hundred of individual pieces of confetti. Each of the individual pieces of confetti may remain unconnected and may have four sides, a length, a width described in detail in FIGS. 4-7. The length of the confetti pieces may be substantially greater than the width. The plurality of four-sided pieces may be positioned with their faces in face-to-face relationship to form a stack or the bundle. In some embodiments, at least some of the pieces of confetti have the geometric shape of a truncated triangle.

Each of the pieces of confetti may also include a longitudinal axis extending along the length and a pair of longitudinally spaced-apart ends. Further, the hundred individual pieces of confetti may remain stacked in a bundle with the longitudinal axes in parallel. The confetti pieces may be held together with the help of a wrapper means that may include at least one of a paper, tissue paper, and plastic film extending around the bundle. The wrapper may extend parallel to the longitudinal axes and extend around the spaced-apart ends to form an end-wrapped bundle which bursts apart in the air. In some embodiments, the ratio of the lengths to widths of the confetti pieces is in the order of 2.5 inch to 7 inch. Further, the widths may be in the order of one-quarter to one inch.

In this description, the amusement device 100 may be referred as the aerial confetti device, wand, confetti launching device, confetti device etc. interchangeably without changing its meaning.

In further embodiments, in the amusement device (the aerial confetti device) 100, the elongated tube 102 may include at least one of the streamers 116, streamers with bubbles, streamers with fetti, tissue bubbles, breakaways, fetti strips, flutter fetti (or FLUTTER FETTI™), diamond shaped streamers, and so forth.

Referring to FIG. 2, an amusement device 200 is shown in the hand 204 of a user as the user moves the forearm forwardly in the direction of arrow A, and with a flick of the wrist such that the and is moved rapidly in an arcuate path illustrated by arrow B. Such movement creates sufficient centrifugal force to eject confetti 206 from barrel portion 108 such that the confetti. Preferably in the form of an unwrapped stack or wrapped bundle is projected 210 or more feet into the air at which point the bundle or stack bursts into hundreds of individual pieces of confetti which flutter and float slowly to the ground in a dramatic visual display of color and motion simulating actual fireworks. As further shown in FIG. 2, the amusement device 200 may include a straight, hollow tube of constant cross-sectional diameter, and the tube may be composed of relatively rigid plastic materials such as propionate or styrene.

Alternatively, the tube 102 may be composed of other relatively rigid materials such as spiral-wound cardboard, for example. However, the end of the elongated tube includes a barrel portion 208, which is made flexible by the provision of slits or slots 210 such that the portions of the tube between the slits or slots become relatively flexible fingers 212. The fingers 212 are forced slightly outwardly by the insertion of a stack or bundle of confetti 206, which has a thickness T and/or width W such that the diagonal D is slightly greater than the internal diameter of the tube.

Thus, the stack or bundle of confetti 206 becomes frictionally held by the flexible fingers 212, and remains secured in the end of the amusement device 200 even though the amusement device 200 may be pointed downwardly before or during movement of the arm in the arcuate motion leading up to the launch of the confetti. This builds up significant centrifugal force acting upon the stack or bundle of confetti such that it is not launched until the centrifugal force exceeds the frictional force of the flexible fingers at which point the stack or bundle flies out of the barrel with substantial force and momentum because of the mass of the stack or bundle. As a result, the average adult can easily, achieve heights of 210 feet or more and even children or the elderly can achieve heights of 10-15 feet or more.

In some embodiments, the elongated tube 102 may include one or more dividers. FIGS. 3A-3B illustrate cross-sectional views 300A-300B of an exemplary amusement device 100 taken in plane 1-1′ in accordance with different embodiments of the present disclosure. As shown, the amusement device 100 may include one or more dividers 308A-308B. Though FIGS. 3A and 3B show only two dividers 308A-308B (hereinafter collectively referred as dividers 308), the amusement device 110 may include more or less numbers of dividers 308. The dividers 308 may remain located at pre-defined location in the hollow internal portion 108 of the elongated tube 102 forming one or more sections 306A-306C within the elongated tube 102. The dividers 308 may be composed of a foam placed in the middle of the elongated tube 102 forming one or more sections or shots per tube 102. The one or more sections 306A-306C (or shots 306A-306C) may include same or different type of confetti composed of such as tissue paper, PVC, metallic PVC, glitter, dried flowers, colors, and so forth. Further, in some embodiments, the elongated tube 102 may have the length 112 in the order of 18 inches to 3 feet.

FIGS. 4-7 illustrate four shapes of confetti as elongated tetragons, which have been found to perform very well in terms of slowly floating downwardly with a maximum fluttering action. FIG. 4 illustrates a right-angled rectangle having elongated side edges 404, 410, and end edges 412, 408 and a longitudinal centerline 406. Similarly, as shown in FIGS. 5-7 confetti pieces 502, 602, and 702 have elongated side edges 504, 604, 606 and 510, 610, 710 end edges 5121, 612, 712, and 508, 608, 708, and longitudinal centerlines 506, 606, 706. The elongated tetragonal shape of confetti piece 502 in FIG. 5 differs from the elongated rectangle of piece 402 in that end edges 512, 508 are cut parallel to each other and at angles with respect to side edges 504, 510 so as to form a parallelogram, while end edges 612, 608 of piece 602 in FIG. 6 are cut on non-parallel lines so to form a trapezoid. A confetti piece 702 as shown in FIG. 7 is also a four sided elongated shape, however, it will be noted that side edges 704, 710, are out along non-parallel lines so that width W′ of end edge 712 is smaller than width W of opposite end edge 508. This shape, which may also be referred to as a truncated triangle, produces a particular pattern of movement as it descends as will be more fully explained hereinafter. However, it will be understood that each of the specific shapes of elongated tetragons illustrated in FIGS. 4-7 produces a slow floating descent with unique fluttering action, and it will be apparent that other shapes of elongated tetragons are also possible within the presently discovered criteria that the piece of confetti be four sided, with sides and ends being of unequal dimensions, and with the L/W ratio being as previously disclosed.

As discussed with reference to FIGS. 1A-1D, the pieces of confetti may remain stacked inside the elongated tube in a pre-defined arrangement. The pre-defined arrangement may include the arrangement of the individual pieces of confetti such that a central axis of each of the pieces of confetti is parallel to each other and to the longitudinal length 112 of the elongated tube 102. Further, the bundles of confetti may remain stacked adjacent to each other along the longitudinal length of the elongated tube 102.

Reference is now made to FIG. 8, which is a perspective view of the confetti piece 402 as it slowly descends downwardly in the direction of arrow A to the ground. When piece 402 or any of the above described pieces of elongated tetragonal shape are first freed in the air, the elongated tetragonal piece quickly assumes a horizontal position with the centerline 406 and side edges 404, 410 extending horizontally. That is, the piece does not drop with an end edge 412 or 408 leading in the downward direction of fall. Similarly, it does not fall with either of side edges 404, 410 leading downwardly in the direction of fall. Rather, the piece of the confetti 402, 502, 602, or 702 first assumes a horizontal position, with centerline 406 and sides 404, 410 extending horizontally, and then, almost immediately, begins to rotate rapidly about its centerline as indicated by rotational arrows b-b while it continues to fall slowly with axis 406 remaining in a substantially horizontal position.

The detailed aerodynamic reasons for these particular motions are not fully understood, and the theory forms no part of the present disclosure. However, it is believed that these motions may result from the initial lift forces of the air being substantially equal on all portions of the face surfaces of the pieces, such that it initially assumes a horizontally extending position, and that thereafter slightly unbalanced forces, such as from slightly irregular edges or non-uniformity of the paper, cause the piece to rotate about its longitudinal axis. In any event, and regardless of the aerodynamic theory, it has been discovered that pieces of confetti having the above indicated elongated tetragonal shape float to the ground relatively slowly with a long hang time in the air, and the rapid rotation of the pieces about their longitudinal centerlines appears to the eye of the observer as a rapid fluttering motion. This fluttering motion is quite distinctive, and creates a vivid visual impact, particularly when several hundred or more than a thousand such pieces are fluttering downwardly simultaneously.

The falling motion of pieces 502 and 602 is essentially the same as that just described with respect to piece 402, and the general patterns of fall of pieces 402, 502, 602, and 702 usually includes a component of horizontal motion as indicated by arrow B in FIG. 8. That is, as the pieces 402, 502 and 602 float generally downward toward the floor, as represented by vertical arrow A, they also move with a forward or horizontal, component of motion as represented by horizontal arrow B in which rotating side edges 404, 410 lead in the horizontal component of motion. Thus, the combined trajectory of fall becomes an angled descent of both forward and downward motion as represented by inclined arrow C. This forward or horizontal component of movement substantially increases the fall distance and adds substantial hang time to the fall of each piece in addition to the rotating fluttering motion which increases the floating action and decreases the rate of descent.

The falling motion of pieces 702, previously described with reference to FIG. 7, includes the same fluttering, or rotational movement about centerline 706, and the same forward a downward motion just described. However, in addition, the unequal end edges 712 and 708 cause piece 702 to abruptly move, or dart, sideways in the direction of arrow D. That is, elongated tetragonal pieces 702 of the truncated triangle shape of FIGS. 7 and 9 execute a second horizontal movement in which smaller edge 712, which may be in the order of one-half to one-quarter of the width of larger edge 708, leads the piece in a dramatic, sideways-darting movement represented by arrow D. Such sideways-darting movement may occur throughout the fall of piece 702, or the darting motion may stop and then begin again as the piece falls and flutters to the ground.

Referring now to FIG. 10, a number of pieces of confetti is illustrated as being formed in a bundle 1002 with each piece being parallel to the other pieces, and all of the pieces lying face to face to form a stack; the outer face being indicated by numeral 1012. As discussed with reference to FIGS. 1A-1D, the one or more bundles 1002 of a pre-defined size may be strategically located within the elongated tube 102 such that the one or more bundles 1002 extends diametrically across the internal portion 108 of the elongated tube 102. The individual pieces may be all of the same specific shape, or they may be a mixture of shapes such as pieces 402, 502, 602, and 702, or any combination of such shapes. A wrapper 1004 is wrapped several times about bundle 1002 to secure all of the pieces in the stack. This may be accomplished by starting with an end 1006 of the wrapper lying against the side of the bundle, or slipped into the bundle 1002 between two layers of the stack, and then winding wrapper 1004 about the center portion of the stack so as to cover end 1006 and thereby secure it in place between the surface of the bundle and the overlying layers of the wrapping. One preferred method is to wind the wrapper about the center of the stack so as to slightly compress the center portion of the pieces relatively against each other, while the ends of the pieces remain more loosely in contact with each other at the ends of the stack. After the stack is wrapped by one to fifteen layers of wrapping, a free end 1008 of the wrapper may be slipped between the faces of two of the pieces, and the free end 1008 may then be pulled upwardly beyond the top surface of the stack to form an exposed tab 1010 as shown in FIG. 10. Because the pieces of confetti are slightly compressed near the center of the stack, end 1008 is securely held between two compressed pieces such that wrapping 1004 will not unravel so long as the tab 1010 is not pulled out of the stack. Thus, the stack remains secured as a bundle 1002 during handling and shipment prior to being launched into the air at a show or thrown into the air by hand. Alternatively, the free end or tab 1010 may be secured to the upper layer of the wrapping by a small piece of adhesive tape which is later removed prior to launch.

The wrapper 1004 may be composed of paper, including tissue paper, but in one preferred embodiment, the wrapping is a ribbon of plastic or foil which is initially flat, and which has a “memory” to return to its flat condition while being wrapped about the stack. That is, the ribbon has a spring-like characteristic which urges the ribbon to unwind and return to its flat condition. Therefore, when the tab 1010 is pulled out of the stack, or the piece of adhesive tape is removed, the stack may be thrown, or otherwise ejected as from cannon by compressed air or CD; into the air as the wrapped bundle 1002. The bundle may be thrown or ejected 75 feet or more into the air before the wrapping of two to five layers becomes too loose to hold the pieces in the bundle, at which point, the spring-like ribbon completes its expansion about and away from the bundle, and this unwrapping action is promoted by the expansion of the compressed stack, such that the pieces are freed of the wrapping in a sudden release, and the colored pieces then burst in all directions in a dramatic display much like aerial fireworks. Alternatively, if the bundle 4-0 is wrapped with a ribbon of paper or tissue paper which does not have a memory to uncoil, the tumbling action of the bundle in the air effectively unwraps the ribbon so that the hundreds of pieces are suddenly freed in the burst of color. In either mode, the hundreds or thousands of pieces of confetti then begin their relatively slow, floating descent, while each piece appears to flutter as it rotates about its longitudinal axis, and while some pieces dart sideways or flap their ends like small, multi-colored birds.

The above description does not provide specific details of manufacture or design of the various components. Those of skill in the art are familiar with such details, and unless departures from those techniques are set out, techniques, known, related art or later developed designs and materials should be employed. Those in the art are capable of choosing suitable manufacturing and design details.

FIG. 11 is a flowchart illustrating a method 1100 for manufacturing a wrapped bundle including individual pieces of confetti. As discussed with reference to FIGS. 1A-1D, the amusement device 100 includes a number of bundles of confetti stacked within the internal hollow portion 108 of the elongated tube 102 in a pre-defined arrangement.

The method 1100 begins at step 1102. At step 1102, a number of sheets of lightweight sheet material are stacked to form a first stack. The sheets of lightweight sheet material may include at least one of a tissue paper and a plastic film. Then at step 1104, a first stack is cut to form a number of rectangular immediate stacks having lengths greater than their widths. The intermediate stacks has a length and a width, and the intermediate stacks are cut transverse to the lengths at predetermined spacing to form wrapped bundles of confetti whereby the spacing become the width of the bundles and the width of the intermediate stacks becomes the length of the bundles. Thereafter, at step 1106, each of the intermediate stacks may be wrapped with a suitable wrapping material (such as the wrapper described above) extending over substantially the full length of each of the intermediate stacks. Finally, at step 1108, the wrapped intermediate stacks into a number of wrapped bundles similar to bundles 1002 of pieces of confetti. Each of the bundles may be formed such as to have the length at least 2.5 times its width. In some embodiments, the bundles are formed such that the lengths of the bundles are equal to the widths of the bundles whereby the individual pieces of confetti are square.

In an embodiment of the present disclosure a wand means is provided for launching confetti discussed above upwardly into the air. The wand may include an elongated hollow tube of constant diameter having a longitudinal axis. The hollow tube may also include a barrel portion (Shown in FIG. 2). The wand means may also include a number of slits in the barrel portion of the hollow elongated tube. The slits may extend parallel to the longitudinal axis of the tube and may form flexible finger portions that may extend axially along the barrel portion. The wand means may also include a stack of confetti of a size and shape such as to be insertable between the flexible finger portions. Further, the stack of confetti may include a number of pieces of confetti. The pieces of confetti may have a rectangular shape, triangular shape, corkscrew shape and various die cut shapes.

In an embodiment, the wand means may include at least three slits that are essentially equally spaced around the circumference of the elongated tube. Further, the tube may include an extruded plastic, cardboard, molded plastic, and the slits may include slots molded into the tube. Further, the ends of the flexible finger portions may be flared outwardly.

Embodiments of the present disclosure also provide a wand for launching confetti upwardly into the air. The wand may include an elongated hollow tube of constant diameter having a longitudinal axis. The elongated hollow tube may have a barrel portion. The barrel portion includes a number of axially extending slits spaced about the circumference of the barrel portion forming flexible finger portions of the barrel. Further, the wand means includes a stack of confetti having a diagonal sufficiently greater than the constant diameter of the tube such that the stack of confetti forces the finger portions radially outwardly upon insertion of the stack of confetti into the barrel portion whereby the stack of confetti remains frictionally engaged by the finger portions until centrifugal force overcomes the frictional engagement upon arcuate movement of the wand such that the stack of confetti is launched high into the air. The diagonal of the stack of confetti may be in the order of 1/16 to ⅛ inches greater than the diameter of the tube. The stack of confetti may include a large number of pieces of confetti. Each of the pieces of confetti being of elongated tetragonal shape having lengths and widths and having first and second faces, and the pieces of confetti being stacked in face-to-face relationship with the lengths in parallel. The number of the pieces of confetti may determine the diagonal of the stack. Further, the wand may include a second stack of confetti such that the second stack being positioned in the tube after the first stack. Furthermore, the stack of confetti may be wrapped by a wrap to form a wrapped bundle of confetti as shown in FIG. 10. In some embodiments, the stack of confetti is partially wrapped by a partial wrap extending over two sides and the bottom of the stack.

The invention may also be described in the following numbered paragraphs:

A0. An aerial confetti device comprising:

an elongated tube extending from a first end to a second end and having a hollow internal portion, a length of the elongated tube is at least one of 6 inch, 9 inch, 12 inch, 14 inch, and 18 inch, wherein a diameter of the elongated tube is at least one of a 0.921 inch, 0.74 inch, 0.91 inch, and 2 inch;

a designed wrap disposed longitudinally over an exterior portion of the elongated tube, wherein an exterior surface of the designed wrap comprising a plurality of colors and patterns;

a plurality of bundles comprising a plurality of pieces of confetti stacked in a pre-defined arrangement, each of the plurality of bundles has a pre-defined size and extends diametrically in the hollow internal portion of the elongated tube, wherein at least one of the one or more of the bundles remains in frictional contact with a smooth inner surface of the elongated tube; and

a cover located at least one of the first end and the second end of the elongated tube to avoid the plurality of pieces of confetti from falling out of the elongated tube, a shape and size of the cover is in accordance with a shape and size of the at least one of the first end and the second end of the elongated tube;

wherein the plurality of bundles are forcefully ejected by centrifugal force from within the elongated tube upwardly into the air upon rapid actuation of the elongated tube.

A1. The aerial confetti device of paragraph A0, wherein a material of the elongated tube comprises at least one of a plastic, cardboard, metal, and wood, further wherein the material is strong enough to prevent the elongated tube from bending or breaking.

A2. The aerial confetti device of paragraph A1 wherein:

the length of the elongated tube is in the order of 6″, 9″, 12″ 14″ and 18 inches and the diameter of the elongated tube remains constant over the length of the elongated tube.

A3. The aerial confetti device of paragraph A2, wherein the elongated tube further comprises at least one of a plurality of streamers, streamers with bubbles, streamers with fetti, tissue Bubbles, breakaways, fetti strips, flutter fetti and diamond shaped streamers.

A4. The aerial confetti device of paragraph A3, wherein the pre-defined arrangement comprises the arrangement of the plurality of pieces of confetti such that a central axis of each of the plurality of pieces of confetti are parallel to each other and to the longitudinal length of the elongated tube.

A5. The aerial confetti device of paragraph A4, wherein the plurality of pieces of confetti are of different shape and size.

A6. The aerial confetti device of paragraph A5, wherein the plurality of pieces of confetti are of same shape and size.

A7. The aerial confetti device of paragraph A6, wherein the plurality of bundles are stacked adjacent to each other along a longitudinal length of the elongated tube.

B0. An aerial confetti device comprising:

an elongated tube extending from a first end to a second end and having a hollow internal portion, a length of the elongated tube is at least one of 6 inch, 9 inch, 12 inch, 14 inch, and 18 inch, wherein a diameter of the elongated tube is at least one of 0.921 inch, 0.74 inch, 0.91 inch, and 2 inch;

a designed wrap disposed longitudinally over an exterior portion of the elongated tube;

a plurality of bundles of confetti including a plurality of pieces of confetti stacked in a pre-defined arrangement, each of the plurality of bundles has a pre-defined size and extends diametrically in the hollow internal portion of the elongated tube, wherein at least one of the one or more of the bundles remains in frictional contact with a smooth inner surface of the elongated tube; and

at least one divider located at one or more pre-defined location in the hollow internal portion of the elongated tube forming one or more sections within the elongated tube;

wherein the plurality of bundles of confetti are forcefully ejected by centrifugal force from within the elongated tube upwardly into the air upon rapid actuation of the elongated tube.

B1. The aerial confetti device of paragraph B0, wherein the one or more sections includes at least one of different types of confetti composed of at least one of a tissue paper, PVC, and metallic PVC film.

B2. The aerial confetti device of paragraph B1, wherein the one or more sections comprises metallic color.

B3. The aerial confetti device of paragraph B2, wherein the length of the elongated tube is in the order of 18 inches to 3 feet.

B4. The aerial confetti device of paragraph B3, wherein the pre-defined arrangement comprises the arrangement of the plurality of pieces of confetti such that a central axis of each of the plurality of pieces of confetti are parallel to each other and to the longitudinal length of the elongated tube.

B5. The aerial confetti device of paragraph B4, wherein the plurality of pieces of confetti are of different shape and size.

B6. The aerial confetti device of paragraph B5, wherein the plurality of pieces of confetti are of same shape and size.

B7. The aerial device of paragraph B6, wherein a material of the elongated tube is at least one of a cardboard, wood, metal, and plastic, wherein the material of the elongated tube is strong enough to prevent bending or breaking of the elongated tube.

B8. The aerial confetti device of paragraph B7, wherein the plurality of bundles are stacked adjacent to each other along the longitudinal length of the elongated tube.

C0. A method of manufacturing a wrapped bundle comprising individual pieces of confetti, comprising:

stacking a plurality of sheets of lightweight sheet material to form a first stack;

cutting the first stack to form a plurality of rectangular intermediate stacks having lengths greater than their widths;

wrapping each of the intermediate stacks with wrapping material extending over substantially the full length of each of the intermediate stacks; and

cutting the wrapped intermediate stacks into a plurality of wrapped bundles of pieces of confetti.

C1. The method of paragraph C0, wherein the plurality of sheets of lightweight sheet material comprises at least one of a tissue paper and a plastic film.

C2. The method of paragraph C1, wherein the each of the intermediate stacks has a length and a width, and wherein the intermediate stacks are cut transverse to the lengths at predetermined spacing to form wrapped bundles of confetti whereby the spacing become the width of the bundles and the width of the intermediate stacks becomes the length of the bundles.

C3. The method of paragraph C2, wherein each of the bundles are formed such as to have the length at least 2.5 times its width.

C4. The method of paragraph C3, wherein the bundles are formed such that the lengths of the bundles are equal to the widths of the bundles whereby the individual pieces of confetti are square.

D0. A bundle of confetti for being projected into the air and bursting open to simulate fireworks, comprising:

at least a hundred of individual pieces of confetti, each of the individual pieces of confetti being unconnected and having: four sides, a length and a width wherein the length is substantially greater than the width, a longitudinal axis extending along the length, and a pair of longitudinally spaced-apart ends;

the at least a hundred individual pieces of confetti being stacked in a bundle with the longitudinal axes in parallel; and

a wrapper means selected from the group comprising paper, tissue paper, and plastic film extending around the bundle, the wrapper means extending parallel to the longitudinal axes and extending around the spaced-apart ends to form an end-wrapped bundle which bursts apart in the air.

D1. The bundle of confetti of paragraph D0, wherein the ratio of the lengths to widths is in the order of 2.5 inch to 7 inch.

D2. The bundle of confetti of paragraph D1, wherein the widths are in the order of one-quarter to one inch.

E0. A bundle of confetti comprising:

a plurality of individual pieces of confetti, each of the pieces of confetti having four-sides and a pair of faces, at least two of the four sides being parallel;

the plurality of four-sided pieces being positioned with their faces in face-to-face relationship to form a stack, the pieces of confetti having lengths and widths, and the widths being in the order of one-quarter to one inch, the lengths terminating in spaced-apart ends; and

a wrapper means extending around the bundle parallel to the lengths and around the spaced-apart ends.

E1. The bundle of confetti of paragraph E0, wherein at least some of the pieces of confetti have the geometric shape of a truncated triangle.

F. A wand means for launching confetti upwardly into the air, comprising:

an elongated hollow tube of constant diameter having a longitudinal axis, the hollow tube having a barrel portion;

a plurality of slits in the barrel portion of the hollow tube, the slits extending parallel to the longitudinal axis of the tube and forming flexible finger portions extending axially along the barrel portion; and

a stack of confetti of a size and shape such as to be insertable between the flexible finger portions.

F1. The wand means of paragraph F0, wherein the slits comprise three slits, the three slits being essentially equally spaced around the circumference of the elongated tube.

F2. The wand means of paragraph F1, wherein the tube comprises at least one of an extruded plastic, cardboard, molded plastic, and wherein the slits comprise slots molded into the tube.

F3. The wand means of paragraph F2, wherein the ends of the flexible finger portions are flared outwardly.

G0. A wand for launching confetti upwardly into the air, comprising:

an elongated hollow tube of constant diameter having a longitudinal axis, the elongated hollow tube having a barrel portion, the barrel portion having a plurality of axially extending slits spaced about the circumference of the barrel portion forming flexible finger portions of the barrel; and

a stack of confetti having a diagonal sufficiently greater than the constant diameter of the tube such that the stack of confetti forces the finger portions radially outwardly upon insertion of the stack of confetti into the barrel portion whereby the stack of confetti remains frictionally engaged by the finger portions until centrifugal force overcomes the frictional engagement upon arcuate movement of the wand such that the stack of confetti is launched high into the air.

G1. The wand of paragraph G0, wherein the diagonal of the stack of confetti is in the order of 1/16 to ⅛ inches greater than the diameter of the tube.

G2. The wand of paragraph G1, wherein the stack of confetti comprises a large plurality of pieces of confetti, each of the pieces of confetti being of elongated tetragonal shape having lengths and widths and having first and second faces, and the pieces of confetti being stacked in face-to-face relationship with the lengths in parallel, and wherein the number of the pieces of confetti determine the diagonal of the stack.

G3. The wand of paragraph G2 further including a second stack of confetti such that the second stack being positioned in the tube after the first stack.

G4. The wand of paragraph G3, wherein the stack of confetti is wrapped by a wrap to form a wrapped bundle of confetti.

G5. The wand of paragraph G4, wherein the stack of confetti is partially wrapped by a partial wrap extending over two sides and the bottom of the stack.

The terminology used herein is for the purpose of describing particular embodiments only and is not intended to be limiting of the disclosure. It will be appreciated that several of the above-disclosed and other features and functions, or alternatives thereof, may be combined into other systems or applications. Various presently unforeseen or unanticipated alternatives, modifications, variations, or improvements therein may subsequently be made by those skilled in the art without departing from the scope of the present disclosure as encompassed by the following claims.

Claims

1. An amusement device comprising:

an elongated tube extending from a first end to a second end and having a hollow internal portion, a length of the elongated tube is at least one of 6 inch, 9 inch, 12 inch, 14 inch, and 18 inch, wherein a diameter of the elongated tube is at least one of a 0.921 inch, 0.74 inch, 0.91 inch, and 2 inch;
a designed wrap having at least one design and one or more colors, wherein the designed wrap is disposed longitudinally over an exterior portion of the elongated tube;
a plurality of bundles including a plurality of pieces of confetti stacked in a pre-defined arrangement within the hollow internal portion of the elongated tube, each of the plurality of bundles comprising a pre-defined size and extending diametrically in the hollow internal portion of the elongated tube, wherein at least one of the one or more of the bundles remains in frictional contact with a smooth inner surface of the elongated tube; and
one or more pompom streamers located at least one of the first end or the second end of the elongated tube;
wherein the plurality of bundles are forcefully ejected by centrifugal force from within the elongated tube upwardly into the air upon rapid actuation of the elongated tube.

2. The amusement device of claim 1 further comprising at least one wrap covering the plurality of pieces of confetti to form the plurality of bundles.

3. The amusement device of claim 2, wherein the at least one wrap is composed of at least one of a tissue paper, a Poly Vinyl Chloride (PVC) film, a metallic PVC film, and plastic.

4. The amusement device of claim 3, wherein a diameter of the elongated tube remains constant over the length of the elongated tube.

5. The amusement device of claim 4, wherein a material of the elongated tube comprises at least one of a plastic or a cardboard, further wherein the material is strong enough to prevent the elongated tube from bending or breaking.

6. The amusement device of claim 5, wherein the pre-defined arrangement comprises the arrangement of the plurality of pieces of confetti such that a central axis of each of the plurality of pieces of confetti is parallel to each other and to the longitudinal length of the elongated tube.

7. The amusement device of claim 6, wherein the plurality of pieces of confetti are of different shape and size, further wherein the pieces of confetti are of rectangular shaped, triangular shaped, and corkscrew shaped.

8. The amusement device of claim 7, wherein the plurality of pieces of confetti are of same shape and size.

9. The amusement device of claim 8, wherein the plurality of bundles are stacked adjacent to each other along a longitudinal length of the elongated tube.

10. A confetti device comprising:

an elongated tube extending from a first end to a second end and having a hollow internal portion, wherein a length of the elongated tube is at least one of 6 inch, 9 inch, 12 inch, 14 inch, and 18 inch, further wherein a diameter of the elongated tube is at least one of a 0.921 inch, 0.74 inch, 0.91 inch, and 2 inch;
one or more bundles of a pre-defined size strategically located within the elongated tube such that the one or more bundles extends diametrically across an internal portion of the elongated tube, wherein each of the one or more bundles comprises a plurality of pieces of confetti stacked in a pre-defined arrangement;
a cover located on at least one of the first end or the second end of the elongated tube to avoid the plurality of pieces of confetti of the one or more bundles from falling out of the elongated tube, wherein a shape and size of the cover is in accordance with a shape and size of the at least one of the first end and second end of the elongated tube; and
one or more pompom streamers placed at least one of the first end or the second end of the elongated tube;
wherein the one or more bundles are forcefully ejected by centrifugal force from within the elongated tube upwardly into the air upon rapid actuation of the elongated tube by a user.

11. The confetti device of claim 10, wherein the confetti is composed of at least one of a tissue paper, and metallic PVC film.

12. The confetti device of claim 11, wherein the pre-defined arrangement comprises the arrangement of the plurality of pieces of confetti such that a central axis of each of the plurality of pieces of confetti are parallel to each other and to the longitudinal length of the elongated tube.

13. The confetti device of claim 12, wherein the plurality of pieces of confetti are of different shape and size.

14. The confetti device of claim 13, wherein the plurality of pieces of confetti are of same shape and size.

15. The confetti device of claim 14, wherein at least some of the plurality of pieces of confetti have the geometric shape of a truncated triangle.

16. The confetti device of claim 15, wherein a material of the elongated tube is at least one of a cardboard, wood, metal, and plastic, wherein the material of the elongated tube is strong enough to prevent bending or breaking of the elongated tube.

17. The confetti device of claim 16, wherein the plurality of bundles are stacked adjacent to each other along a longitudinal length of the elongated tube.

Patent History
Publication number: 20160175731
Type: Application
Filed: Dec 22, 2014
Publication Date: Jun 23, 2016
Inventor: Ronee Holmes (New Orleans, LA)
Application Number: 14/579,089
Classifications
International Classification: A63H 37/00 (20060101);