BALLOON HOLDERS FOR SUPPORTING A FOIL BALLOON

Abstract

A balloon holder for a foil balloon having an inflatable body and a neck extending from and communicating with the inflatable body, the neck having an inflation port providing access to an inflatable interior for inflation gas, the balloon holder including a foldable body having a neck grip portion having a fold line along which the neck grip portion is foldable to a folded, use state, wherein, in the folded, use state, the neck grip portion is adapted to grip the neck of the foil balloon in an uninflated state and yet provide access for an inflation tube to the inflation port of the foil balloon such that the balloon holder is adapted to be attached to an uninflated foil balloon and yet allow the inflation of the uninflated foil balloon with the balloon holder secured thereto.

Description

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention generally resides in the art of foil balloons and particularly balloon holders for foil balloons.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Foil balloons are well known and, regardless of their body shape, provide a particular neck and inflation port shape. With reference to FIGS. 1 and 2, a standard round body foil balloon is shown. The foil balloon f has an inflatable body b having an uninflated state (FIG. 1) and an inflated state (FIG. 2). A neck n extends from the inflatable body b and has an inflation port p. Many foil balloons have a valve v that allows air flow into the body b and prevents flow out of the body b. Some might be folded along fold lines l for insertion into packaging, to be shipped, opened, filled, and there after secured to a balloon holder as will be described more below.

Foil balloons are typically filled from a high-pressure gas cylinder, with the gas pressure controlled by a regulator to deliver inflation gas at a suitable pressure through an inflation nozzle. The inflation nozzle is inserted into the port p and the material at the neck n is sealed (often just by hand) around the inflation nozzle, and the gas is delivered to fill the body b. It is often not necessary for the nozzle to be inserted all the way through and past the valve v to permit inflation, as pressure of the gas will be suitable to open and flow past the valve. A lower pressure inflation, such as by mouth, can be accomplished by insertion of an inflation straw into the port p typically through and past the valve v, allowing one to blow into the straw (or allowing another low pressure source to supply gas). Upon desired and proper inflation, the straw can be removed allowing the valve to close.

Such balloons, once filled, are often manipulated into a cup structure, with those taught in U.S. Pat. Nos. 4,895,545, 5,944,576, 6,575,806, 10,279,277, and D696,731 serving as general examples. The generally circular/oval support structure of these balloon holders are sometimes known as “cups”. The neck of a filled foil balloon is typically inserted down through the cup structure and out an aperture or slot therein such that the neck can be wrapped around and/or wedged between structural features of the cup and/or the balloon to hold the body against and into the cup at the place where the neck transitions to the body. The labor involved in securing the balloon to the balloon holder makes up a large percentage to the cost of the product and thus it is common for the manufacturer/distributor to fill the foil balloons and secure the to a cup in a filled state, shipping the filled and supported balloon to the retail outlets that sell them as an assembled unit. This saves the retailer the labor of having to secure the balloon to the holder for each customer and thus streamlines the process from manufacture to end consumer. At many retail outlets, the consumer picks out a balloon already supported in a balloon holder (cup), and the holder mates with a stick so that the consumer can be presented with a foil balloon held “aloft” at the end of a stick. This method decreases the overall cost by decreasing labor at the retail side, but it is important to realize that filled balloons are being shipped in this process, and volume has a huge impact on shipping costs.

The art needs a better balloon holder to better address the issues of labor and shipping balloons/balloon holders.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

An embodiment of the present invention provides a balloon holder for a foil balloon having an inflatable body and a neck extending from and communicating with the inflatable body, the neck having an inflation port providing access to an inflatable interior for inflation gas, the balloon holder comprising a foldable body having a neck grip portion having a fold line along which the neck grip portion is foldable to a folded, use state, wherein, in the folded, use state, the neck grip portion is adapted to grip the neck of the foil balloon in an uninflated state and yet provide access for an inflation tube to the inflation port of the foil balloon such that the balloon holder is adapted to be attached to an uninflated foil balloon and yet allow the inflation of the uninflated foil balloon with the balloon holder secured thereto, a first balloon support extending upwardly from the neck grip portion on one side of the fold line, a second balloon support extending upwardly from the neck grip portion on the opposite side of the fold line, wherein the first balloon support and the second balloon support extend to support the inflatable body of the foil balloon when the neck of the foil balloon is gripped by the neck grip portion and the foil balloon is inflated from the uninflated state to an inflated state.

Another embodiment of the present invention provides a combination foil balloon and a balloon holder comprising a balloon holder as described above and a foil balloon including an inflatable body in an uninflated state, a neck extending from and communicating with the inflatable body, and an inflation port in the neck and providing access to the inflatable interior for inflation gas, wherein the neck grip portion of the balloon holder is folded along a fold line to a folded, use state gripping the neck of the foil balloon and providing access to the inflation port of the foil balloon such that the uninflated foil balloon can be inflated with an inflation tube with the balloon holder secured to the foil balloon, and wherein the first balloon support and the second balloon support extend to support the inflatable body of the foil balloon, when the balloon is inflated from the uninflated state to an inflated state

Another embodiment of the present invention provides a balloon holder for a foil balloon having an inflatable body and a neck extending from and communicating with the inflatable body, the neck having an inflation port providing access to an inflatable interior for inflation gas, the balloon holder comprising a foldable body having a neck grip portion having a fold line along which the neck grip portion is foldable to a folded, use state, wherein, in the folded, use state, the neck grip portion is adapted to grip the neck of the foil balloon in an uninflated state and yet provide access for an inflation tube to the inflation port of the foil balloon such that the balloon holder is adapted to be attached to an uninflated foil balloon and yet allow the inflation of the uninflated foil balloon with the balloon holder secured thereto.

Another embodiment of the present invention provides a combination foil balloon and a balloon holder comprising a balloon holder as described immediately above and a foil balloon including an inflatable body in an uninflated state, a neck extending from and communicating with the inflatable body, an inflation port in the neck and providing access to the inflatable interior for inflation gas, wherein the neck grip portion of the balloon holder is folded along a fold line to a folded, use state gripping the neck of the foil balloon and providing access to the inflation port of the foil balloon such that the uninflated foil balloon can be inflated with an inflation tube with the balloon holder secured to the foil balloon.

Another embodiment of the present invention provides a balloon holder for a foil balloon having an inflatable body and a neck extending from and communicating with the inflatable body, the balloon holder comprising a foldable body having a neck grip portion having a fold line along which the neck grip portion is intended to fold to a folded, use state, a first balloon support extending upwardly from the neck grip portion on one side of the fold line, a second balloon support extending upwardly from the neck grip portion on the opposite side of the fold line, wherein, in the folded, use state, the neck grip portion is adapted to grip the neck of the foil balloon, and the first balloon support and the second balloon support are adapted to extend to support the body of the foil balloon when the neck of the foil balloon is so gripped and the foil balloon is inflated from the uninflated state to an inflated state.

Another embodiment of the present invention provides a combination foil balloon and balloon holder comprising a balloon holder as described immediately above and a foil balloon including an inflatable body in an uninflated state, a neck extending from and communicating with the inflatable body, wherein the neck grip portion of the balloon holder is folded along a fold line to a folded, use state gripping the neck of the foil balloon, and wherein the first balloon support and the second balloon support extend to support the inflatable body of the foil balloon, when the balloon is inflated from the uninflated state to an inflated state.

Another embodiment of the present invention provides a balloon holder as described in any embodiment above, the balloon holder further comprising a stem portion extending downwardly from the neck grip portion.

Another embodiment of the present invention provides a balloon holder as described in any embodiment above, wherein the stem portion serves as a handle for the balloon holder for a user to hold the balloon holder and a balloon secured thereto.

Another embodiment of the present invention provides a balloon holder as described in any embodiment above, wherein the stem portion is adapted to mate with an elongate balloon stick.

Another embodiment of the present invention provides a balloon holder as described in any embodiment above, the balloon holder wherein the stem is an inflation tube, and, in the folded, use state of the neck grip portion, the inflation tube is adapted to be received in the inflation port of the uninflated foil balloon, thus allowing inflation of the uninflated foil balloon with the balloon holder already secured thereto.

Another embodiment of the present invention provides a balloon holder as described in any embodiment above, wherein the balloon holder folds between a open flat state and folded, use state.

Another embodiment of the present invention provides a balloon holder as described in any embodiment above, wherein the first balloon support includes spaced apart support arms, and the second balloon support, in the folded, use state, extends between the spaced apart support arms.

Another embodiment of the present invention provides a balloon holder as described in any embodiment above, wherein the neck grip portion includes a closure member serving to maintain the neck grip portion in the folded, use state.

Another embodiment of the present invention provides a balloon holder as described in any embodiment above, wherein the closure member includes male and female members separated on different sides of the fold line of the neck grip portion, such that folding along the fold line causes the male and female members to mate, the mating of the male and female members serving, in use, to help secure the neck grip portion to the neck of the foil balloon.

Another embodiment of the present invention provides a balloon holder as described in any embodiment above, wherein the closure member includes a latch that catches on a catch portion of the neck grip portion in the folded, use state.

An embodiment of the present invention provides a method of providing foil balloons for inflation, the method comprising supplying a plurality of foil balloons, each including an inflatable body in an uninflated state, a neck extending from and communicating with the inflatable body, and an inflation port in the neck providing access to an inflatable interior for inflation gas, supplying a plurality of balloon holders, each including a foldable body having a neck grip portion, and folding the neck grip portion of each one of the plurality of balloon holders along a fold line to a folded, use state gripping the neck of a respective one of the plurality of foil balloons to provide a plurality of combination foil balloon and balloon holders in which the balloon holder provides access to the inflation port of the foil balloon such that the inflatable body of the foil balloon can be inflated with the balloon holder secured thereto.

Another embodiment of the present invention provides a method of providing foil balloons for inflation, as in any embodiment above, further including the step of shipping the plurality of combination foil balloon and balloon holders to a sales location.

Another embodiment of the present invention provides a method of providing foil balloons for inflation, as in any embodiment above, further including the step of offering one or more of the plurality of combination foil balloon and balloon holder to an interested party, and inflating the foil balloon of a combination foil balloon and balloon holder when the interested party desires a filled foil balloon supported by a balloon holder.

Other embodiments employ positioning pins on a holder according to any embodiment above, and foil balloons are taught to be modified to interact with such positioning pins with positioning holes appropriately placed on the foil balloon. In yet other embodiments, a foil balloon with a modified neck to better interact with the balloon holder is taught.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a front elevation view of a prior art foil balloon in an uninflated state.

FIG. 2 is a perspective view of a prior art foil balloon in an inflated state.

FIG. 3 is a front perspective view of an embodiment of a balloon holder in accordance with this invention, shown in an unfolded state.

FIG. 4 is a front elevation view of the balloon holder of FIG. 3.

FIG. 5 is a front perspective view of the balloon holder of FIG. 3 shown being folded toward a folded, use state.

FIG. 6 is a front elevation view of the balloon holder of FIG. 5, shown fully folded to the folded, use state.

FIG. 7 is a rear perspective view of the balloon holder secured to the neck of an unfilled foil balloon, the balloon holder notably providing access to the inflation port of the foil balloon.

FIG. 8 is a rear perspective view of the balloon holder, shown secured to the neck of a filled foil balloon.

FIG. 9 is a front elevation view of the balloon holder, shown secured to the neck of a filled foil balloon.

FIG. 10 is a right-side view of the balloon holder shown secured to the neck of a filled foil balloon.

FIG. 11 is a rear elevation view of another embodiment of a balloon holder having an inflation straw as part of the holder and shown secured to an unfilled foil balloon.

FIG. 12 shows an unfilled foil balloon with the balloon holder secured to the neck and the body of the foil balloon folded to show and example of how a balloon holder and foil balloon combination might be efficiently packaged and shipped.

FIG. 13 is a front perspective view of an embodiment of a balloon holder of this invention with positioning pins.

FIG. 14 is a front perspective view as in FIG. 13, but shown in a folded use state.

FIG. 15 is a front elevation view of a new foil balloon with a modified neck to interact with the positioning pins of an embodiments such as FIG. 13, and also showing an optional modified neck length.

FIG. 16 is a front perspective view of the balloon holder with positioning pins shown interacting with a modified neck foil balloon in solid lines, and also showing in dash-dot lines how a common foil balloon neck could similarly interact with the positioning pins.

FIG. 17 is a front perspective as in FIG. 16 showing the balloon holder in a folded, use state secured about a modified neck foil balloon.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

With reference to FIGS. 3-6, a balloon holder in accordance with an embodiment of this invention is shown and designated by the number 10. The balloon holder 10 is adapted for use with a foil balloon such as that generally disclosed above, having an inflatable body and a neck extending from and communicating with the inflatable body, the neck having an inflation port providing an access to an inflatable interior for inflation gas. The balloon holder 10 includes a foldable body 12 having a neck grip portion 14. The neck grip portion 14 is foldable from an open, flat state to a folded, use state (e.g., FIG. 6; see also FIG. 5 in the process of folding toward the use state). In the folded, use state, the neck grip portion 14 is adapted to grip the neck of the foil balloon in an uninflated state and yet provide access for an inflation tube to the inflation port of the foil balloon such that the balloon holder 10 is adapted to be attached to an uninflated foil balloon and yet allow the inflation of the uninflated foil balloon with the balloon holder secured thereto.

This minimal structural requirement of some embodiments of the invention provides a balloon holder heretofore unknown in the art in that it can be secured to an uninflated foil balloon and yet allow for the inflation of that balloon. This directly addresses the need for reduced labor at a retail location in that labor is not required to secure an inflated balloon to a balloon holder. Instead, a multitude of unfilled foil balloons can each be secured to their own balloon holder, and can be efficiently shipped to a retail store location, and employees at that location need only fill the balloon and present it to the consumer already secured to a holder. Filling the balloon is relatively simple as compared to the more time consuming and error prone securing of a foil balloon to a balloon cup such that advantages are realized despite the added labor as compared to the prior art provision of combination balloon cups with inflated balloons already secured thereto for retail sale. Additionally, the present invention can be shipped to distributors/retail in an uninflated state such that shipping the present invention becomes significantly less expensive as compared to shipping combination filled foil balloons and balloon cups. An example of an efficiently packaging an unfilled foil balloon (flat and folded along fold lines l for a smaller footprint for packaging) with a balloon holder secured thereto is shown in FIG. 12. Notably, once inserted into envelope e this ships relatively flat and with little volume wasted, particularly as compared to the current need to ship a multitude of conical cup holders to practice the prior art. The conical portions consume shipping volume, and are not conducive to being mounted to the balloon until the balloon is already filled.

It will be appreciated the neck grip portion 14 can be foldable in many ways. By way of example, it may simply be formed of a material capable of being manipulated to fold to the closed state. As another example, the neck grip portion could be defined by two portions pivoting together an any type of hinged connection. In some embodiments found most conducive to efficient manufacture, the neck grip portion 14 is formed with a fold line 16 along which the neck grip portion 14 is folded.

With reference to FIG. 7, another embodiment of this invention provides a combination foil balloon f and balloon holder 10, the foil balloon f including an inflatable body b in an uninflated state. The foil balloon further includes a neck n extending from and communicating with the inflatable body b. An inflation port p in the neck n provides access to the inflatable interior of the inflatable body b for inflation gas. The neck grip portion 14 is folded along the fold line 16 to the folded, use state, gripping the neck end of the foil balloon f and providing access to the inflation port p of the foil balloon f such that the uninflated foil balloon can be inflated with an inflation tube, with the balloon holder secured to the foil balloon. In FIG. 7, the balloon holder 10 is shown attached to an unfilled foil balloon b, yet the inflation port p is accessible by an inflation nozzle or straw represented at z, and thereby readily inflatable through common foil-balloon inflation options to the state shown in FIGS. 8, 9, and 10.

In other embodiments, the present invention is directed to a balloon holder such as that disclosed above but without regard to an inflation port. Particularly, and with reference to FIGS. 3-10, in some embodiments, the present invention is directed to a balloon holder 10 for a foil balloon f having an inflatable body b and a neck n extending from and communicating with the inflatable body b. The balloon holder 10 includes a foldable body 12 having a neck grip portion 14 having a fold line 16 along with the neck grip portion 14 is intended to fold to a folded, use state. A first balloon support 18 extends upwardly from the neck grip portion 14 on one side of the fold line 16, and a second balloon support structure 20 extends upwardly from the neck grip portion 14 on the opposite side of the fold line 16. In the folded, use state, the neck grip portion is adapted to grip the neck n of the foil balloon f, and the first balloon support 18 and the second balloon support 20 are adapted to extend to support the body b of the foil balloon f when the neck of the foil balloon f is gripped by the neck grip portion 14 and the foil balloon f is an inflated state. This is generally shown in FIG. 7-10 and well appreciated in FIG. 10. This embodiment, without regard to any location of an inflation port or the need to provide access thereto, provides a new and useful balloon holder in that it is not at all cup-like but rather lies substantially flat in an unfolded state and still substantially flat in a folded, use state.

Shipping the common balloon holders of conical or cup shape takes up more volume than shipping the relatively flat balloon holders just described. The balloon holders of this invention can be easily molded, and efficiently shipped whether on or off of a foil balloon.

In the specific embodiment shown in FIGS. 3-8, both the useful, flat and foldable nature of the balloon holder and the ability to secure the balloon holder to an uninflated foil balloon and yet allow inflation thereof are practiced. Thus, in some embodiments, the first balloon support 18 and the second balloon support 20 are sized such that the neck grip portion 14 can be secured on the neck n below the inflation port p, with the first and second balloon supports 18, 20 extending up the neck to engage the inflatable body b of the foil balloon f.

In some embodiments, the balloon holder 10 includes a stem portion 22 extending downwardly from the neck grip portion 14. In the embodiments shown, a stem portion 22 and a stem portion 23 extend down as mirror images on each side of the fold line 16, but it might be sufficient to have only one such stem portion. It will be appreciated that, in some embodiments, this stem portion can serve as a handle for the balloon holder for a user to hold the balloon holder and a balloon secured thereto. The stem portion 22 or portions 22, 23 could be appropriately shaped to provide a structure more conducive to gripping to hold the combination foil balloon and balloon holder. In the particular embodiment shown, the stem portions 22, 23 are particularly adapted interact with a support stick so that the combination foil balloon and balloon holder can be secured to a stick by inserting the stem portion 22, 23 into a stick, such as generally disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 10,279,277.

Referring now to FIG. 11, in some embodiments, the stem is an inflation tube 22′ that also extends upwardly such that, in the folded, use state of the neck grip portion 14, the inflation tube 22′ is adapted to be received in the inflation port p of the uninflated foil balloon f, thus allowing inflation of the uninflated foil balloon f with the balloon holder 10 already secured thereto. In such embodiments, the valve v of a foil balloon f need not be affected by the inflation tube 22′. The inflation tube 22′ can be long and serve as a stick or can be short and thus mate with a separate stick portion after being used to fill the foil balloon. In some embodiments, the inflation tube 22′ can be user-inflated by mouth to provide a completely off-the-shelf product without any point of purchase assembly by an employed laborer.

In some embodiments, the first balloon support 18 includes spaced apart support arms 18a, 18b, and the second balloon support 20, in the folded, use state, extends between the spaced apart support arms. In some such embodiments, the inflation port p is positioned inside the spaced apart support arms. In some embodiments, the distal ends of the support arms are bent outwardly such that, in the folded, use state they flare outward with the general shape of the body of the foil balloon as it inflates beyond the neck. Some embodiments, the second balloon support 20 also has distal ends that flare outwardly for the same reason. These flared distal ends are shown at 19 and 21, FIG. 3 and FIG. 10.

FIGS. 4-6 show the folding of the generally flat balloon holder of FIG. 4, from its generally flat shape (aside from the thickness of the material and, in this particular case, the flared ends of the support arms) to the folded, use state of FIG. 6. Therein, it can be seen that some embodiments include a closure member 28 on the neck grip portion 14 serving to maintain the neck grip portion 14 in the folded, use state. In some embodiments, the closure member 28 includes a latch 30 that catches on a catch 32 of the neck grip portion 14 in the folded, use state. Any number of alternative closure members might be envisioned such as mating male and female members, hook and loop fasteners, staples, rivets, grommets, magnets, and others, as the concept is simply to retain two folded portions of the neck grip portion close together to pinch the neck of a foil balloon.

In some embodiments, a neck-deforming feature 34 is provided on the neck grip portion 14 to provide further grip between the neck grip portion 14 and the neck n of the foil balloon f with which it interacts. In the present invention, such a neck-deforming structure 34 takes the form of an aperture 36 and protrusion 38 positioned generally equidistant from the fold line 16 so as to interact with each other when the neck grip portion 14 is folded to the folded, use state. As seen in FIG. 9, a portion of the neck n is forced over the protrusion 38 and into the hole 36, better gripping the neck and making it more difficult to slip the balloon holder upward or downward on the neck.

In various embodiments shown through FIGS. 13-17, the neck-deforming feature 34 can serve as a positioning pin 40a, aligning with an appropriately placed positioning hole (see 42a FIGS. 15-17) in a foil balloon f to help locate the neck n of the foil balloon f in a good location to avoid obstruction of the inflation port p.

In some embodiments proper orienting of a foil balloon f can be further improved with at least two—and, in some embodiments, three (as shown) or more—positioning pins 40a, 40b, 40c each interacting with a positioning hole 42a, 42b, 42c on the neck n to place the first and second balloon supports 18, 20 along or even parallel with the extension of the neck n of the foil balloon f. This will simplify the assembly and improve the consistency of the end appearance.

In some embodiments, a positioning hole 42a is placed on support arms 18a and positioning hole 42b placed on support arm 18b above the neck grip portion 14 so as not to interfere with the folding thereof.

It should be appreciated that the inclusion of positioning holes in foil balloon for interaction with a balloon holder is novel, and the choice of identifying these holes with numbers (42a, b, c) as opposed to the letters (b, p, v etc) employed to generically discuss foil balloons. In FIG. 15, a new type of neck n is disclosed with a shortened length as apparent to all of ordinary skill in this art. In some embodiments, the neck n has a distal end 44 that extends down from the inflation port p at a length commensurate with the height of the neck grip portion 14 so that there is little or no neck visible below the neck grip portion 14 upon the closed, use position (FIG. 17). In some embodiments, a small tab 46 extends from the distal end 44 to serve as a small handle and allow for manipulation of the neck n during positioning and/or closing of the neck grip portion 14. With a conventional foil balloon with a long neck n, the neck n will most likely be folded to extend back up the first and second balloon supports 18, 20 (see FIGS. 8, 9).

Advantages of the various embodiments have been disclosed and are readily apparent to those of ordinary skill in the art. The advantages lead to a new and improved method for providing foil balloons for inflation in that a plurality of foil balloons can be supplied, each including an inflatable body in an uninflated state, a neck extending from and communicating with the inflatable body, and an inflation port in the neck providing access to an inflatable interior for inflation gas. The method further includes providing a plurality of balloon holders, each balloon holder including a foldable body having a neck grip portion folded along a fold line to a folded, use state gripping the neck of a respective one of the plurality of foil balloons and providing access to the inflation port of the foil balloon such that the inflatable body of the foil balloon can be inflated with the balloon holder secured thereto. In this way, a plurality of uninflated foil balloons, each with a balloon holder secured thereto, can be shipped at a much-reduced cost as compared to the prior art balloon holder and foil balloon combinations that have always been shipped in an inflated state due to demands of the retailers and the need to keep labor down.

The balloon holders are made of any suitable material. In some embodiments, the balloon holders are made of polymers or plastics. In some embodiments, polypropylene copolymers are found suitable for good folding along the fold line (e.g. living hinge). In some embodiments, the product is injection molded out of such products. In some embodiments, the balloon holder is injection molded out of biodegradable materials, the same being generally known and also being further researched and developed. Some are Agave fiber-based and numerous other flexible “bio” materials are available.

In particular embodiments, the balloon holders are formed of a paper product. In some embodiments, the balloon holders are formed of a paper product, and the closure member can be a simple staple or grommet or rivet or adhesive or hook and loop or other readily suitable closure member to secure two folded paper stock grip portions together.

In some embodiments, the neck grip portion is 50 mm in height or less. In other embodiments, the neck grip portion is 40 mm in height or less; in other embodiments, is 30 mm in height or less; in other embodiments, is 20 mm in height or less; in other embodiments, is 18 mm or less; and, in other embodiments, is 16 mm or less. In some embodiments, the neck grip portion is 8 mm in height or more. In some embodiments, the neck grip portion is 10 mm in height or more; in other embodiment, is 12 mm in height or more; in other embodiments, is 14 mm in height or more; and in other embodiments, is 16 mm or more. In some embodiments, the neck grip portion is from 8-16 mm in height, and in other embodiments, from 16-50 mm.

In some embodiments, the thickness of the balloon holder is less than 15 mm in the flat open state (e.g. FIG. 4). In some embodiments, the thickness of the balloon holder is 10 mm or less in the flat open state; in other embodiments, is 8 mm or less; in other embodiments, is 6 mm or less; in other embodiments, is 5 mm or less; in other embodiments, is 4 mm or less; in other embodiments, less than 3 mm; in other embodiments, is 2 mm or less; in other embodiments, is 1.5 mm or less; and, in other embodiments, is 1 mm or less.

In light of the foregoing, it should be appreciated that the present invention significantly advances the art by providing balloon holders that are structurally and functionally improved in a number of ways. While particular embodiments of the invention have been disclosed in detail herein, it should be appreciated that the invention is not limited thereto or thereby inasmuch as variations on the invention herein will be readily appreciated by those of ordinary skill in the art. The scope of the invention shall be appreciated from the claims that follow

PARTS LISTING

• • Balloon holder 10
  • Foldable body 12
  • Neck grip portion 14
  • Fold line 16
  • First balloon support 18
  • Support arm 18a
  • Support arm 18b
  • Flared distal ends 19
  • Second balloon support 20
  • Flared distal ends 21
  • Stem portion 22
  • Stem portion 23
  • Closure member 28
  • Latch 30
  • Catch 32
  • Neck-deforming feature 34
  • Aperture 36
  • Protrusion 38
  • Positioning pin 40a, 40b, 40c
  • Positioning hole 42a, 42b, 42c
  • Distal end 44
  • Tab 46

Claims

1. A balloon holder for a foil balloon having an inflatable body and a neck extending from and communicating with the inflatable body, the neck having an inflation port providing access to an inflatable interior for inflation gas, the balloon holder comprising:

a foldable body having a neck grip portion having a fold line along which the neck grip portion is foldable to a folded, use state, wherein, in the folded, use state, the neck grip portion is adapted to grip the neck of the foil balloon in an uninflated state and yet provide access for an inflation tube to the inflation port of the foil balloon such that the balloon holder is adapted to be attached to an uninflated foil balloon and yet allow the inflation of the uninflated foil balloon with the balloon holder secured thereto;

a first balloon support extending upwardly from the neck grip portion on one side of the fold line;

a second balloon support extending upwardly from the neck grip portion on the opposite side of the fold line, wherein the first balloon support and the second balloon support extend to support the inflatable body of the foil balloon when the neck of the foil balloon is gripped by the neck grip portion and the foil balloon is inflated from the uninflated state to an inflated state.

2. The balloon holder of claim 1, further comprising a stem portion extending downwardly from the neck grip portion.

3. The balloon holder of claim 2, wherein the stem portion serves as a handle for the balloon holder for a user to hold the balloon holder and a balloon secured thereto.

4. The balloon holder of claim 2, wherein the stem portion is adapted to mate with an elongate balloon stick.

5. The balloon holder of claim 2, wherein the stem is an inflation tube, and, in the folded, use state of the neck grip portion, the inflation tube is adapted to be received in the inflation port of the uninflated foil balloon, thus allowing inflation of the uninflated foil balloon with the balloon holder already secured thereto.

6. The balloon holder of claim 1, wherein the balloon holder folds between a open flat state and folded, use state.

7. The balloon holder of claim 1, wherein the first balloon support includes spaced apart support arms, and the second balloon support, in the folded, use state, extends between the spaced apart support arms.

8. The balloon holder of claim 1, wherein the neck grip portion includes a closure member serving to maintain the neck grip portion in the folded, use state.

9. The balloon holder of claim 8, wherein the closure member includes male and female members separated on different sides of the fold line of the neck grip portion, such that folding along the fold line causes the male and female members to mate, the mating of the male and female members serving, in use, to help secure the neck grip portion to the neck of the foil balloon.

10. The balloon holder of claim 8, wherein the closure member includes a latch that catches on a catch portion of the neck grip portion in the folded, use state.

11. A combination foil balloon and balloon holder comprising:

the balloon holder of claim 1; and

a foil balloon including: an inflatable body in an uninflated state; a neck extending from and communicating with the inflatable body; an inflation port in the neck and providing access to the inflatable interior for inflation gas, wherein the neck grip portion of the balloon holder is folded along a fold line to a folded, use state gripping the neck of the foil balloon and providing access to the inflation port of the foil balloon such that the uninflated foil balloon can be inflated with an inflation tube with the balloon holder secured to the foil balloon, and wherein the first balloon support and the second balloon support extend to support the inflatable body of the foil balloon, when the balloon is inflated from the uninflated state to an inflated state.

12. A balloon holder for a foil balloon having an inflatable body and a neck extending from and communicating with the inflatable body, the neck having an inflation port providing access to an inflatable interior for inflation gas, the balloon holder comprising:

a foldable body having a neck grip portion having a fold line along which the neck grip portion is foldable to a folded, use state, wherein, in the folded, use state, the neck grip portion is adapted to grip the neck of the foil balloon in an uninflated state and yet provide access for an inflation tube to the inflation port of the foil balloon such that the balloon holder is adapted to be attached to an uninflated foil balloon and yet allow the inflation of the uninflated foil balloon with the balloon holder secured thereto.

13. A combination foil balloon and balloon holder comprising:

the balloon holder of claim 12; and

a foil balloon including: an inflatable body in an uninflated state; a neck extending from and communicating with the inflatable body; an inflation port in the neck and providing access to the inflatable interior for inflation gas, wherein the neck grip portion of the balloon holder is folded along a fold line to a folded, use state gripping the neck of the foil balloon and providing access to the inflation port of the foil balloon such that the uninflated foil balloon can be inflated with an inflation tube with the balloon holder secured to the foil balloon.

14. A balloon holder for a foil balloon having an inflatable body and a neck extending from and communicating with the inflatable body, the balloon holder comprising:

a foldable body having:

a neck grip portion having a fold line along which the neck grip portion is intended to fold to a folded, use state,

a first balloon support extending upwardly from the neck grip portion on one side of the fold line;

a second balloon support extending upwardly from the neck grip portion on the opposite side of the fold line, wherein, in the folded, use state, the neck grip portion is adapted to grip the neck of the foil balloon, and the first balloon support and the second balloon support are adapted to extend to support the body of the foil balloon when the neck of the foil balloon is so gripped and the foil balloon is inflated from the uninflated state to an inflated state.

15. A combination foil balloon and balloon holder comprising:

the balloon holder of claim 14; and

a foil balloon including: an inflatable body in an uninflated state; a neck extending from and communicating with the inflatable body, wherein the neck grip portion of the balloon holder is folded along a fold line to a folded, use state gripping the neck of the foil balloon, and wherein the first balloon support and the second balloon support extend to support the inflatable body of the foil balloon, when the balloon is inflated from the uninflated state to an inflated state.

16. A method of providing foil balloons for inflation comprising:

supplying a plurality of foil balloons, each including an inflatable body in an uninflated state, a neck extending from and communicating with the inflatable body, and an inflation port in the neck providing access to an inflatable interior for inflation gas;

supplying a plurality of balloon holders, each including a foldable body having a neck grip portion;

folding the neck grip portion of each one of the plurality of balloon holders along a fold line to a folded, use state gripping the neck of a respective one of the plurality of foil balloons to provide a plurality of combination foil balloon and balloon holders in which the balloon holder provides access to the inflation port of the foil balloon such that the inflatable body of the foil balloon can be inflated with the balloon holder secured thereto.

17. The method of claim 16, including shipping the plurality of combination foil balloon and balloon holders to a sales location.

18. The method of claim 17, including offering one or more of the plurality of combination foil balloon and balloon holder to an interested party, and inflating the foil balloon of a combination foil balloon and balloon holder when the interested party desires a filled foil balloon supported by a balloon holder.