BALLOON HOLDER ASSEMBLY

Abstract

A balloon holder assembly including a cup adapted to secure to the tail of an inflated balloon and an elongate holder. The cup being provided with a first locking feature and the elongate holder being provided with a second locking feature. In one aspect of the invention, the first and second locking features can be configured to cooperatively engage in any relative angular alignment of the cup and elongate holder about the longitudinal axis of the elongate holder so as to secure the cup and elongate holder together. In one aspect of the invention, the first locking feature can be an annular surface. In one aspect of the invention, the elongate holder can have an elongate element provided with the second locking feature that is bendable so the second locking feature can engage the first locking feature when the cup and elongate holder are pushed together.

Description

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

This application claims priority to U.S. provisional patent application Ser. No. 62/515,218 filed Jun. 5, 2017, the entire content of which is incorporated herein by this reference.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to an assembly to which a balloon can be mounted and, more particularly, to a cup holder and stick assembly to which a balloon can be mounted.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The use of balloons for various functions and purposes has become popular. In some instances, 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 secured to the end of the stick.

See for example U.S. Pat. No. 4,895,545, which discloses a cup secured to the end of a stick by a friction fit. Additionally, see FIG. 1 that shows a common method of connecting a balloon cup and straw. Balloon cup 21 and straw 22 are shown in their non-engaged state. A balloon 23, shown in phantom lines, is attached within balloon funnel 24 of the cup 21. Straw 22 is a typical drinking straw having a straw interior surface 26 and exterior surface 27 thus creating a hollow tube structure. Balloon cup 21 is composed of balloon funnel 24 and hollow stem 28, and may include features (not shown) for facilitating the attachment of a balloon 23 to the cup 21. Hollow 31 of stem 28 receives straw 22. Tapered stem interior 32 of the stem 28 frictionally engages with exterior surface 27 of straw 22. The diameter of the exterior surface 27 can vary during manufacturing of straw 22 such that the fit of exterior surface 27 and tapered stem interior 32 of the balloon cup 21 may not provide adequate frictional engagement to retain the straw 22 and the balloon cup 21 together. Unfortunately, a friction fit undesirably makes part tolerances critical and expensive and makes the cup and stick prone to becoming disconnected.

See additionally U.S. Pat. No. 8,968,047, which discloses a locking feature that reduces the critical nature of the tolerances of balloon sticks and balloon cups. More specifically, such patent discloses a rod socket that includes a twist lock used to engage a pair of outwardly extending studs mounted on an upper end portion of a hollow mounting pole for securing a flexible rod on the top of the hollow pole. See also FIG. 2, which shows another common embodiment that eliminates the need for frictional engagement between a straw and a balloon cup. Balloon cup 36 and straw 37 are shown in a non-engaged state and a balloon 23, shown in phantom lines, is attached within funnel 38 of the cup 36. The balloon cup 36 may include features (not shown) for facilitating the attachment of a balloon 23 to the cup 36. In this embodiment, straw 37 slides over the outside of hollow stem 41 of the cup 36 wherein catch step 42 of the stem 41 engages catch aperture 43 of the straw. For catch step 42 to properly engage catch aperture 43, straw 37 needs to be in proper axial orientation with the catch step 42. Each of such assemblies requires precision angular orientation of the stem of the balloon cup and with the balloon stick or straw for secure attachment.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is one embodiment of a prior art balloon holder assembly.

FIG. 2 is another embodiment of a prior art balloon holder assembly.

FIG. 3 is a perspective view of an embodiment of a balloon holder assembly of the present invention.

FIG. 4 is an enlarged perspective view of the balloon holder assembly of FIG. 3.

FIG. 5 is a perspective view of the cup of the balloon holder assembly of FIG. 3 with portions of the interior of the cup shown in dashed lines.

FIG. 6 is a perspective and segmented view of the stick of the balloon holder assembly of FIG. 3.

FIG. 7 is an enlarged view of a portion of the stick of FIG. 6 taken along the circle 7-7 of FIG. 6.

FIG. 8 is an exploded view of the balloon holder assembly of FIG. 3, for example during assembly, with portions of the interior of the cup shown in dashed lines.

FIG. 9 is a top plan view of the balloon holder assembly of FIG. 3, for example as assembled per FIG. 8.

FIG. 10 is a cross-sectional view of the balloon holder assembly of FIG. 3 taken along the line 10-10 of FIG. 9.

FIG. 11 is a perspective view of the cup of the balloon holder assembly of FIG. 3 with a balloon secured thereto.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

In some embodiments of the invention, an apparatus or assembly and a related method are provided whereby sticks or elongate holders for holding balloons can be locked into a stem of a balloon cup in any angular orientation. In some embodiments, when the balloon cup and elongate holder are so secured together they cannot be easily taken apart, for example they cannot be taken apart without breaking the apparatus or assembly. In some embodiments, the balloon cup and elongate holder cannot be taken apart without a user manually moving one or more parts of the elongate holder out of engagement with the balloon cup. In some embodiments, the balloon cup can rotate freely on the elongate holder when secured thereto. The apparatus or assembly of the invention can be referred to as a balloon holder assembly.

One embodiment of a balloon holder assembly or apparatus of the invention is illustrated in FIGS. 3-10. Assembly or apparatus 51 illustrated therein includes a balloon cup 52 of any suitable type and a stick, rod, pole or other elongate holder 53 of any suitable type. The stick 53 or other elongate holder can be centered on a longitudinal axis 54 and include a first or upper end 53a and a second or lower end 53b. Balloon cup 52 can be of any suitable type and in some embodiments includes a funnel or balloon funnel 56 and a hollow stem 57 depending from the funnel. In some embodiments, balloon funnel 56 and stem 57 are each centered on a longitudinal axis 58 of the balloon cup 52. In some embodiments, longitudinal axis 54 of the elongate holder and longitudinal axis 58 of the balloon cup are collinear. The balloon funnel 56 can be made from any suitable material, such as any suitable plastic, and in some embodiments can be made from plastics such as polyolefins, including without limitation polyethylenes, polypropylenes and their copolymers, and styrenics and their copolymers. In some embodiments, the balloon cup 52, that is funnel 56 and stem 57, can be a single or unitary body, for example formed by injection molding or any other suitable technique. The balloon cup 52 can be of any suitable type, in any suitable shape or dimension. In some embodiments, the funnel 56 is conical in shape, for example formed from a cone-shaped wall 61 commencing at a circular or approximately circular upper opening 62 and tapering downwardly and inwardly to an apex or vertex 63. Balloon funnel 56 can be of any suitable size. In some embodiments, the funnel 56 has a diameter at the upper opening 62 ranging from one to two inches and in some embodiments has a diameter at opening 62 of approximately 1.5 inch. In some embodiments, the funnel 56 has a height, for example from apex 63 two opening 62, ranging from 0.25 to one inch in some embodiments has a height of approximately 0.5 inch. Stem 57 can be of any suitable height, for example approximately one inch.

The wall 61 of funnel 56 can have a thickness so as to be at elastic, for example bendable. The wall 61 can be solid, for example free of any openings, holes or slots, or may include features of any suitable type for facilitating the attachment of a balloon 23 to the funnel 56. In some embodiments, wall 61 of the funnel 56 is provided with one or more openings, holes or slots therein for facilitating the securing of balloon 23 to the balloon cup 52. In some embodiments, for example, the wall 61 can include one or more slots and one or more openings. In some embodiments, the wall 61 can be provided with first and second diametrically opposed holes 66 and first and second diametrically opposed slots 67. Each of the holes 66 can taper or reduce in size to a lower portion 66a, for example adjacent apex 63. In some embodiments, a tab or other suitable protuberance 68 can extend into the hole 66, for example above the lower portion 66a of the hole, for facilitating the attachment of the balloon 23 to the balloon cup 52. Each of the slots 66 can taper or reduce in size to a lower portion 67a, for example adjacent apex 63. In some embodiments, a tab or other suitable protuberance 68 can extend into the hole 66, for example above the lower portion 66a of the hole, for facilitating the attachment of the balloon 23 to the balloon cup 52. Protuberance or tab can be referred to as a balloon tie.

Stem 57 depends from balloon cup 52 and can include a first or upper end 57a joined to the balloon cup and a second or lower end 57b opposite end 57a. The stem 57 can be hollow, for example to receive first end 53a of the elongate holder 53. In some embodiments, the stem 57 can include a bore 71 extending longitudinally through the stem, which can be tubular or cylindrical. In some embodiments, the bore 71 communicates with the inside of funnel 56 at a first or upper opening 72 provided in apex 63 of the funnel. The bore 71 can further communicate with a second or lower opening 73 provided at the bottom 74 of the stem 57. Stem bottom 74 can be referred to as the stem end or balloon cup stem end.

Stick, rod, pole or elongate holder 53, which can be referred to as a stick body, can be made from any suitable material, such as any suitable plastic, and in some embodiments can be made from plastics such as polyolefins, including without limitation polyethylenes, polypropylenes and their copolymers, and styrenics and their copolymers. The elongate holder can be of any suitable length between ends 53a, 53b, for example in some embodiments 24 inches or less. In some embodiments, the elongate holder can have a length ranging from nine inches to 24 inches, in some embodiments ranging from 12 inches to 18 inches and in some embodiments ranging from 12 inches to 15 inches. In some embodiments, the elongate holder 53 can have a length of approximately 12 inches. In some embodiments, the elongate holder 53 can have a length of approximately 15 inches. The elongate holder can be formed in any suitable manner, for example by means of extrusion or injection molding. The second or upper end 53b of the elongate holder can have a narrowed portion 81 having a diameter slightly less than the diameter of the remainder of the elongate holder. The narrowed portion 81 of the elongate holder 53 can be referred to as a reduced diameter portion or a reduced diameter rod portion 81. In some embodiments, the diameter of the narrowed portion 81 can be slightly less than the inside diameter of bore 71 of the stem 57 so as to permit the narrowed portion 81 to slidably extend through the stem bore 71. In some embodiments, the narrowed portion 81 and bore 71 are relatively sized so that the narrowed portion can snugly fit within the bore 71 but freely rotate within the bore 71. The narrowed portion 81 of the elongate holder can extend upwardly from a shoulder 82, which can be referred to as a step and in some embodiments has a diameter slightly greater than the diameter of stem bore 71. In some embodiments, shoulder 82 of the elongate holder, stick or rod 53 can abut the lower end 74 of the stem 57 at opening 73 when the narrowed portion 81 is fully extended or seated in the stem bore 71.

Balloon cup 52 and elongate holder 53 can include a securing mechanism, features or assembly, which can include features 92, for securing the elongate holder 53 to the cup 52. The features 92 can be referred to as locking features, locking surfaces or surfaces. In some embodiments, features 92 cause elongate holder 53 to be locked to balloon cup 52. In some embodiments, the securing of the elongate holder 53 to the balloon cup 52 can be accomplished when the elongate holder 53 is in any angular position, about its longitudinal axis 54, with respect to the balloon cup 52. In some embodiments, the securing of the elongate holder 53 to the balloon cup 52 does not require that the elongate holder 53 be in any particular or precise angular position, about its longitudinal axis 54, with respect to the balloon cup 52. In some embodiments, the elongate holder 53 cannot be disengaged from the balloon cup 52 without a user manually manipulating, moving or disengaging at least one feature, for example at least one locking feature, of one of the elongate holder 53 or balloon cup 52 with respect to the other of the elongate holder 53 or balloon cup 52. In some embodiments, the elongate holder 53 can be disengaged from the balloon cup 52 without breaking the balloon holder assembly 51. In some embodiments, once the elongate holder 53 and balloon cup 52 are secured together, the balloon cup 52 can rotate relatively freely relative to the elongate holder 53, for example about the longitudinal axis 54 of the elongate holder.

Features 92 can be of any suitable type. In some embodiments, the features include at least one feature 92 of the elongate holder 53 which can cooperate or engage with at least one feature 92 of the balloon cup 52 to lock the elongate holder to the balloon cup. In some embodiments, the feature of the cup 52 can be referred to as a first feature 92 and the feature of the elongate holder 53 can be referred to as a second feature 92. In some embodiments, the feature 92 of one of the cup 52 and elongate holder 53 can be referred to as a latch and the feature 92 of the other of the cup 52 and elongate holder 53 can be referred to as a keeper. In some embodiments, the feature 92 of the cup 52 can be referred to as a keeper and the feature 92 of the elongate holder 53 can be referred to as a latch. In some embodiments, the feature of the cup 52 and the feature of the elongate holder 53 can be configured to cooperatively engage in any relative angular alignment of the cup and elongate holder about the longitudinal axis 54 of the elongate holder so as to secure the cup 52 and elongate holder 53 together. In some embodiments, the feature of the cup 52 is inside the cup 52, for example inside the hollow stem 57 of the cup.

In some embodiments, the features 92 include at least one surface 93 of the elongate holder 53, for example at least one surface extending perpendicularly or transversely of the longitudinal axis 54 of the elongate holder 53, which can engage, sits upon, seat on or overlie at least one surface 94 of the balloon cup 52, for example at least one surface extending perpendicularly or transversely of the longitudinal axis 58 of the balloon cup, so as to lock the elongate holder 53 to the balloon cup 52. In some embodiments, the at least one surface 93 of the elongate holder is a planar or substantially planar surface. In some embodiments, the at least one surface 94 the balloon cup 92 is a planar or substantially planar surface. In some embodiments, surface 94 of the balloon cup is an internal surface of hollow stem 57, for example a surface 94 perpendicular or transverse to the longitudinal axis 58 of stem 57. In some embodiments, surface 94 is an annular surface, for example an internal annular surface of balloon cup 52 or hollow stem 57.

In some embodiments, elongate holder 53 can includes at least one elongate element 101 extending from the first end 53a of the elongate holder. The at least one elongate element 101 can be formed integral with the elongate holder, for example be part of the unitary body of the elongate holder. In some embodiments, the at least one element 101 includes an upstanding portion or leg 102 and a cap or latch 103 at the end of the upstanding portion 102. Cap or latch 103 can include stick locking surface 93, which in some embodiments extends substantially perpendicularly or transversely outwardly from one side of the upstanding portion 102. In some embodiments, stick locking surface 93 is a planar surface. Locking surface 93 can extend outwardly from an outside or side surface 104 of the upstanding portion 102, and thus extend outwardly from one side of the upstanding portion. In some embodiments, locking surface 93 is formed one the underside of the cap or latch 103. Locking surface 93 of the elongate holder 53 can be referred to as a stick latch surface or a latch surface 93. In some embodiments, upstanding portion 102 is flexible or bendable, for example movable from side to side relative to the longitudinal axis 54 of the elongate holder 53. In some embodiments, upstanding portion 102 extends substantially parallel to the longitudinal axis 54 of the elongate holder 53, and in some embodiments can be spaced slightly radially outwardly from the central longitudinal axis of the elongate holder so as to be off-center of the elongate holder 53. In some embodiments, upstanding portion 102 is inclined slightly relative to the longitudinal axis 54 of the elongate holder 53, for example extending slightly radially outwardly from axis 54 as the upstanding portion 102 extends distally. In some embodiments, the bendable feature of upstanding portion 102 permits cap or latch 103 to move from an outer or at rest position, for example in which the upstanding portion is inclined slightly outwardly relative to longitudinal axis 54 for the elongate holder (see FIGS. 6-10), radially inwardly to a second or deflected position, for example in which the cap or latch 103 is closer to the central longitudinal axis 54 of the elongate holder (not shown). The elongate element 101 can be referred to as a capture element, a latch arm, a stick latch arm or a latch element. In some embodiments, the elongate element 101 extends distally from an end surface 106 of the elongate holder 53. The end surface 106 can be referred to as a shoulder or step 106, and in some embodiments is perpendicular to longitudinal axis 54 of the elongate holder. In some embodiments, elongate element 101 can be included in the features 92 of balloon holder assembly for securing elongate holder 53 to cup 52.

In some embodiments, elongate holder 53 is provided with a plurality of elongate elements extending distally of the end of the elongate holder, for example first elongate element 101 and a second elongate element 108. The second elongate element 108 can be of any suitable type, and in some embodiments is substantially identical to the first elongate element 101. Like components, elements or features of the elongate elements, each which can be referred to as a capture element, a latch arm, a stick latch arm or a latch element, can be identified by like reference numbers. In some embodiments, the upstanding portion 102 of second elongate element 108 is spaced slightly radially outwardly from the central longitudinal axis of the elongate holder 53 so as to be off-center of the elongate holder 53. In some embodiments, the second elongate element 108 is opposite the first elongate element 101 relative to such central longitudinal axis. In some embodiments, the second elongate element 108 is symmetrically disposed relative to the first elongate element 101 with respect to the central longitudinal axis of the elongate holder 53. In some embodiments, the second elongate element 108 extends distally from end surface, shoulder or step 106 of the elongate holder. In some embodiments, the upstanding portions 102 of the first and second elongate elements 101, 108 are bendable towards each other so as to permit the caps or latches 103 of the elongate elements to move from their respective outer or at rest positions radially inwardly to their respective second or deflected positions. In some embodiments, the elongate holder 53 can be formed with a bridge 109 extending between first elongate element 101 and second elongate element 102, for example perpendicular to end surface 106 and spaced distally of the shoulder 106 (see FIG. 8). In some embodiments, first elongate element 101 and second elongate element 108 can be included in the features 92 of balloon holder assembly for securing elongate holder 53 to cup 52.

Bore 71 of balloon cup stem 57 can include a first or distal portion 71a and a second or proximal portion 71b. In some embodiments, the first portion 71a has an internal diameter which is less than the internal diameter of second portion 71b. First portion 71a of the stem 57 can be referred to as a reduced diameter section 71a of the bore 71. In some embodiments, the internal diameter of the first portion 71a of the bore 71 tapers inwardly as it extends distally from second or proximal portion 71b of the bore 71 (see FIG. 8). In some embodiments, the internal diameter of the second portion 71b of the bore 71 is substantially constant along its length. The bore 71 can step down in diameter between portions 71a and 71b at internal surface 111. The internal surface 111 can be of any suitable shape or configuration. In some embodiments, the internal surface 111 is annular. In some embodiments, the internal surface 111 is substantially perpendicular to the longitudinal axis 58 of stem 57. Internal surface 111 can be referred to as a shoulder, a stop surface, a stem stop surface, a step or a limit surface. In some embodiments, the distance between end surface 74 and internal surface 111 of the stem 57 is at least equal to the distance between elongate holder shoulder 82 and any end surface 106 of the elongate holder 53. In some embodiments, the distance between end surface 74 and internal surface 111 of the stem 57 approximates the distance between stick or elongate holder shoulder 82 and any end surface 106 of the elongate holder 53. In some embodiments, the distance between end surface 74 and internal surface 111 of the stem is greater than the distance between stick shoulder 82 and any end surface 106 of the elongate holder 53.

First portion 71a can include an end portion 71c that has a larger internal diameter than the first portion 71a. Bore 71 can step out in internal diameter from first portion 71a to end portion 71c at an internal surface, which in some embodiments can be balloon cup locking surface 94. Surface 94 can be referred to as a latch surface, and in some embodiments is an annular surface. In some embodiments, surface 94 is a planar surface. In some embodiments, the distance between internal surface 111 and locking surface 94 of the stem 57 is at least equal to the distance between stick locking surface 93 and any end surface 106 of the elongate holder 53. In some embodiments, the distance between internal surface 111 and locking surface 94 in stem 57 approximates the distance between stick locking surface 93 and any end surface 106 of the elongate holder 53. In some embodiments, the distance between internal surface 111 and locking surface 94 of the stem is greater than the distance between stick locking surface 93 and any end surface 106 of the elongate holder 53. In some embodiments, locking surface 94 of the stem 57 is recessed below opening 72 from bore end portion 71c into balloon funnel 56, for example at least a distance to at least partially or totally accommodate latch 103 of first elongate element 102 and latch 103 of any second elongate element 108 in bore end portion 71c (see FIG. 10).

In some embodiments, the radial distance between the outermost periphery of caps or latches 103 of first and second elongate elements 101, 108 is greater than the diameter of the opening of first portion 71a of bore 71 at inner surface 111 in stem 57. In some embodiments, the radial distance between the outermost periphery of caps or latches 103 is greater than the diameter of the first portion 71a of the bore 71 along the entire length of the first portion 71a. One or both of the first and second elongate elements can be configured in any suitable manner so as to bend radially inwardly from its first or at rest position to its second or deflected position when the elongate element is pushed distally into first portion 71a of the bore 71. In some embodiments, caps or latches 103 of both of the first and second elongate elements are configured to cause the respective elongate element to move radially inwardly from its first or at rest position to a second or deflected position when the elongate elements are pushed distally into first portion 71a of the bore 71. In some embodiments, each of the caps or latches 103 is provided with a tapered or inclined surface 116 at its distal or free end for urging the cap or latch radially inwardly as the first and second elongate elements are pushed into first bore portion 71a. Surface 116 can be referred to as a taper. In some embodiments, surface 116 on each of caps or latches 103 is inclined or sloped radially inwardly and distally, for example either linearly or arcuately, commencing at a peripheral portion or peripheral edge of the cap or latch 103. In some embodiments, the radial distance between the innermost portion of the surfaces 116 is at least equal to the diameter of the opening in inner surface 111 for entry into first bore portion 71a. Surfaces 116 can engage such opening in internal surface 111 and ride there along so as to move the caps or latches 103 radially inwardly and towards each other as the first and second elongate elements enter the first bore portion 71a. In some embodiments, each of surfaces 116 can be in the shape of a segment of a truncated cone.

In one method of the invention, elongate holder 53 can be inserted into balloon cup 52 to form balloon stick and cup assembly 51. In some embodiments, the hollow stem 57 can be slightly larger in internal diameter than the outer diameter of the elongate holder 53. In some embodiments, reduced diameter rod portion 81 is smaller in diameter than second portion 71b of the stem bore 71. In some embodiments, when elongate holder 53 is inserted into balloon cup 52, the balloon cup stem end 74 abuts step or shoulder 82 of elongate holder 53 thus preventing the elongate holder 53 from being inserted deeper into hollow stem 57 of the balloon cup 52. In some embodiments, stem stop surface 111 intercepts or engages step or shoulder 82 of the elongate holder 53 thus preventing deeper insertion of the elongate holder into the hollow stem 57.

In some embodiments, when elongate holder 53 is inserted into bore 71 of hollow stem 57 of the balloon cup 52 the internal rim of stem stop surface 111 of reduced diameter section or first bore portion 71a causes tapers 116 on the distal end of caps or latches 103 to flexibly force the bendable balloon stick latch arms or elongate elements 101,108 together. In some embodiments, once stick first end 53a is fully inserted into hollow stem 57, the one or more balloon stick latch surfaces 93 pass balloon cup stem latch surface 94 wherein the one or more balloon stick latch arms 101,108 expand such that the one or more balloon stick latch surfaces 93 overlap the balloon cup stem latch surface 94 thus locking elongate holder 53 into balloon cup 52. No angular orientation of the elongate holder 53 with respect to the balloon cup is required to assemble the elongate holder to the cupped balloon. The one or more elongate elements 101 can be in any angular orientation about longitudinal axis 54 of the sick 53 to permit insertion of the one or more elongate elements 101 into stem 57 of the balloon cup 52.

A balloon 23 can be secured to balloon funnel 56 of the balloon cup 52, in any suitable manner, either before or after joining the elongate holder 53 to the balloon cup 52. In some embodiments, a balloon 23 can be secured to balloon funnel 56 pulling a tail 121, that is the tied-off uninflated end with opening of a balloon, of an inflated balloon through one of the holes 66 or slots 67 in the balloon funnel 56 (see FIG. 11). The uninflated tail of the inflated balloon can be optionally wrapped around or otherwise secured in any suitable manner to one of protuberances or tabs 68 extending into the hole 66 or slot 67 for enhancing the securing of the balloon 23 to the balloon cup 52. The balloon can then be pulled tight down into the funnel 56 of the balloon cup 52. The tail of the inflated balloon can be optionally wrapped tightly around the stem 57 of the balloon cup 52 to form a plurality of tail wraps 121. For example, the balloon cup 52 can be spun in the assembler's hands, for example by the assembler holding the stem 57 or an elongate holder 53 secured to the stem 57, to so form a plurality of wraps 122 of the balloon tail around stem 57. The end 123 of the tale of the inflated balloon can be optionally tucked into balloon funnel 56, for example through one of holes 66 or slots 67 in the funnel 56. If not already secured to the elongate holder 53, the balloon cup 52 can then be joined to the elongate holder 53, for example in the manner discussed above. The cupped balloon 23, that is the balloon 23 as secured to balloon cup 52, can rotate on the elongate holder 53 and not come apart.

Elongate holder 53 cannot be easily removed from balloon cup 52 once the elongate holder 53 is secured to the balloon cup 52 by the one or more elongate elements 101, for example first elongate element 101 and second elongate element 108. In some embodiments, the balloon holder assembly 51 must be broken, for example the one or more elongate elements 101 broken, to permit the elongate holder 53 to be removed from the balloon cup 52. In this regard, latches 103 are not accessible within first opening 72 of balloon funnel 56 once a balloon 23 is secured to the balloon cup 52. In some embodiments, removal of the elongate holder 53 from the balloon cup 52 would require removal of the balloon 23 from the balloon cup 52. In some embodiments, removal of the elongate holder 53 from the balloon cup require use of a tool, and not mere manipulation of the balloon holder assembly 51 by the fingers of a user. In some embodiments, removal of the elongate holder 53 from the balloon coupled require removal of the balloon 23 from the balloon cup 52 and insertion of a suitable tool, such as needle nose pliers, into opening 72 to manually move latches 103 towards each other, for example to their respective second positions, so as to disengage stick locking surfaces 93 with balloon cup locking surface or surfaces 94 and permit the latches 103 to be pulled through bore first portion 71a and out of stem 57.

The one or more balloon stick latch arms or elongate elements 101,108 can be flexible so a wide range of tolerances can be accommodated between the one or more balloon stick latch arms 101,108 and reduced diameter section or bore first portion 71a thus allowing for less precision manufacturing of parts, which can reduce manufacturing costs. In some embodiments of the invention, the elongate holder 53 can be inexpensively manufactured from a single, simple injection molded part that includes one or more balloon stick or elongate holder latch arms 101, 108. In some embodiments of the invention, the elongate holder 53 need not be angularly oriented in any particular or precise position about its longitudinal axis 54 with respect to balloon cup 52, thus allowing quicker assembly of balloon holder assembly 51.

One possible advantage of the assembly of the invention is that the latching means can easily and inexpensively be injection molded as an integral part of a balloon elongate holder. One possible advantage of the assembly of the invention is that the orientation of the latching means need not be angularly indexed with the hollow stem of a balloon cup, for example as shown in '047 patent, thus speeding up assembly of the balloon elongate holder and balloon cup of an assembly. One possible advantage of the invention is secure locking of the balloon cup to the balloon elongate holder is permitted without the need to have high precision manufacturing tolerances. One possible advantage is that the elongate holder and balloon cup of the invention can be secured together quickly, for example or quickly then currently available stick and balloon cup assemblies. One possible advantage is that the balloon elongate holder cannot be easily removed from the balloon cup once secured thereto, thus inhibiting tampering of balloon holder assemblies having elongate holders with certain barcodes or identifiers thereon and balloon cups with certain types and sizes of balloons secured thereto.

Claims

1. A balloon holder assembly for use with an inflated balloon having an uninflated tail, comprising a cup adapted to secure to the tail of the inflated balloon, an elongate holder extending along a longitudinal axis, the cup being provided with a first locking feature and the elongate holder being provided with a second locking feature, the first and second locking features being configured to cooperatively engage in any relative angular alignment of the cup and elongate holder about the longitudinal axis so as to secure the cup and elongate holder together.

2. The balloon holder assembly of claim 1, wherein one of the first and second locking features is a latch and the other of the first and second locking features is a keeper.

3. The balloon holder assembly of claim 2, wherein the first locking feature is a keeper and the second locking feature is a latch.

4. The balloon holder assembly of claim 1, wherein the first locking feature is inside the cup.

5. The balloon holder assembly of claim 4, wherein the elongate holder has an end and the cup includes a hollow stem for receiving the end of the elongate holder, the first locking feature being inside the hollow stem.

6. The balloon holder assembly of claim 1, wherein the cup includes a hollow stem extending along a longitudinal axis and the first locking feature is an internal surface extending perpendicularly of the longitudinal axis of the stem.

7. The balloon holder assembly of claim 6, wherein the first locking feature is an internal annular surface.

8. The balloon holder assembly of claim 1, wherein the second locking feature is at least one surface on the elongate holder extending perpendicularly of the longitudinal axis of the elongate holder.

9. The balloon holder assembly of claim 8, wherein the at least one surface is at least one planar surface.

10. A balloon holder assembly for use with an inflated balloon having an uninflated tail, comprising a cup adapted to secure to the tail of the inflated balloon, an elongate holder, the cup being provided with an annular surface and the elongate holder being provided with at least one surface for engaging the annular surface of the cup so as to secure the cup and elongate holder together.

11. The balloon holder assembly of claim 10, wherein the annular surface is an internal annular surface.

12. The balloon holder assembly of claim 11, wherein the cup includes a hollow stem extending along a longitudinal axis and the annular surface extends perpendicularly of the longitudinal axis of the stem.

13. The balloon holder assembly of claim 10, wherein the elongate holder extends along a longitudinal axis and the at least one surface extends perpendicularly of the longitudinal axis.

14. The balloon holder assembly of claim 10, wherein the elongate holder has an end provided with the at least one surface, the end being bendable for permitting the at least one surface to engage the annular surface when the cup and elongate holder are pushed together.

15. A balloon holder assembly for use with an inflated balloon having an uninflated tail, comprising a cup adapted to secure to the tail of the inflated balloon, the cup extending along a central axis and being provided with a surface extending transversely of the central axis, an elongate holder extending along a longitudinal axis and having an end, the end of the elongate holder having an elongate element provided with at least one surface extending perpendicularly of the longitudinal axis, the elongate element being bendable so the at least one surface can engage the surface of the cup when the cup and elongate holder are pushed together.

16. The balloon holder assembly of claim 15, wherein the end of the elongate holder has an additional elongate element provided with at least one additional surface extending perpendicularly of the longitudinal axis, the additional elongate element being bendable so the at least one additional surface can engage the surface of the cup when the cup and elongate holder are pushed together.

17. The balloon holder assembly of claim 16, wherein the surface of the cup is an annular surface.

18. The balloon holder assembly of claim 16, wherein the elongate element and the additional elongate element are bendable towards each other for permitting the at least one surface and the at least one additional surface to engage the surface of the cup.

19. The balloon holder assembly of claim 18, wherein the surface of the cup is an internal annular surface.