Abstract:
A soft flat balloon neck closure disc formed of non-rigid, soft, flexible, and resilient material for safe use with fluid filled balloons, including water filled balloons that may be thrown at a person. The device is relatively thick and has a flat top surface, a flat bottom surface, and a peripheral outer surface defining its shape. A first small hole and second small hole are each disposed inwardly from first and second segments of the peripheral outer surface in diametrically spaced apart relation and a first and second slit extend outwardly from the holes to the first and second side segments, respectively, and each has a V-shaped entrance. The first side segment is pushed onto the balloon neck such that the neck passes through the first slit and snaps into the first hole, the disc is slid down on the neck, and the neck is wrapped over the top of the disk, pulled inwardly through the second slit to snap into the second hole, and then back under the disc and upwardly through the first slit and hole.

Description:
CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION 
   This is a continuation-in-part patent application of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 29/189,099, filed Aug. 28, 2003, now U.S. Pat. No. D.509,725, and priority thereof is claimed. 

   BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
   1. Field of the Invention 
   This invention relates generally to balloon closures and methods for sealing the neck of a balloon, and more particularly to a balloon neck closure device and method utilizing a closure device formed of non-rigid, soft, flexible, resilient material that is safe to use with fluid filled balloons, including water filled balloons. 
   2. Background Art 
   Balloons filled with air or gases lighter than air are commonly used for party decorations, commercial promotions, and political rallies, as well as for toys. Water balloons are filled with water and are used for games and amusement by throwing or propelling them toward an object or a person so that they will burst upon impact and release the water. 
   A common problem with tying a large number of balloons for a birthday party, political rally or other such gathering, is that the resilient nature of the material from which the balloons are constructed is such that one&#39;s fingertips are constantly pinched and strained and will often become sore. In many instances, adults find that their fingers are too large to manipulate the necks of smaller balloons. In other instances, older persons may have arthritis or limited dexterity of the fingers that make tying a knot difficult. These problems are amplified in the case of tying a knot in a water balloon. 
   A water balloon is usually prepared by attaching the neck of a conventional balloon to a water faucet or hose with the water running inside the balloon until the balloon is filled with water. The user typically, twists the neck of the water-filled balloon and ties it into a knot. This is often difficult due to the heavy weight of the balloon and because the user&#39;s fingers and the portion of the neck to be held and tied by the user are wet and slippery, and the balloon will often slip and fall. 
   Balloon tying devices and methods are known in the art for sealing the neck of a balloon to prevent deflation. Many of these devices, known as “balloon ties” or “balloon closures” are made of plastic or other rigid or stiff material that can become a dangerous projectile should the balloon burst, and thus are not particularly safe for use with either gas filled or water filled balloons, and are particularly unsafe for use with a water balloon which may be thrown at a person. 
   A commercially available circular stiff plastic balloon tying disc known as the “E-Z Balloon Disc®” is marketed by Creative Balloons Manufacturing, Inc., of Pebble Beach, Calif., and is shown in U.S. Pat. Des. 359,229. This device is a flat circular disc made of stiff plastic material having a central hole at the center and a longer slot extending from the hole to the outer periphery, and three holes radially spaced from the center, each having a shorter slot extending radially outward from the respective hole to the outer periphery. A raised rim surrounds the circular periphery and central hole. This device could potentially become a dangerous projectile should the balloon burst, and is particularly unsafe for use with a water balloon which may be thrown at a person. 
   Another commercially available circular stiff plastic balloon tying disc is known as the “Balloon Safetite® Disc” is marketed by Specialty Advertising, Inc. This device is a flat circular disc made of stiff plastic material having a central hole at the center and a longer slot extending from the hole to the outer periphery, and a second hole diametrically spaced from the center having a shorter slot extending radially outward from the respective hole to the outer periphery. This device could also potentially become a dangerous projectile should the balloon burst, and is particularly unsafe for use with a water balloon which may be thrown at a person. 
   Callahan, U.S. Pat. No. 1,680,318 discloses a flat disk formed of a considerably stiff material, preferably punched from sheet fiber, having a hole in the center and slits extending inwardly from opposed edges. This device is used for connecting an elastic string to the balloon to for a “come-back” balloon. With this device, elastic string is wound through shorter slits and the balloon neck is installed upwardly through the center hole, the balloon is then inflated, and then the neck is twisted, wrapped over the top of the disk, drawn inwardly and downwardly through one slit, passed under the disk, and then drawn upwardly through the second slit. This device could also potentially become a dangerous projectile should the balloon burst, and is particularly unsafe for use with a water balloon which may be thrown at a person. 
   Windson, U.S. Pat. No. 2,396,906 discloses a flat disc formed of rigid or semi-rigid material, such as metal, wood, chip-board, or preferably plastic, having diametrically opposed arcuate side portions over the edges of which the neck of the balloon is to be wound, two neck receiving holes near each end, and a slot extending from one of the holes to the outer periphery of the disc. With this device, the balloon neck is installed upwardly through the first hole, the balloon is then inflated, and then the neck is wrapped over the top of the disc from side-to-side, pressed downwardly through the second slot into the second hole, and the mouth of the neck is disposed underneath the disc. This device could also potentially become a dangerous projectile should the balloon burst, and is particularly unsafe for use with a water balloon which may be thrown at a person. 
   Carroll et al, U.S. Pat. No. 5,799,377 discloses a flat closure disk formed of a polyurethane material having an upwardly extending nipple at the center and first, second, and third slots spaced about its perimeter. With this device, the neck of an inflated balloon is installed upwardly through the first slot, over the top of the disk, down through the second slot, and then upwardly through the third slot. The nipple is inserted into a centrally disposed opening of a retainer disk which is pressed down upon the closure disk. A decorative sheet of resilient material is disposed between the closure disk and retainer disk when the retainer disk is in placed on the closure disk, so that the material extends upwardly and outwardly from the closure disk and retainer disk in a decorative, generally conical shape. A tie is disposed about the sheet of material to gather the material together at a location just above the retainer disk. This assembly could also potentially become dangerous projectiles should the balloon burst, and would be particularly unsafe for use with a water balloon which may be thrown at a person. 
   Urspringer, U.S. Pat. No. 6,007,403 discloses a flat circular disc formed of a resilient material having a single normally closed slit at the center. The disc is squeezed from the sides to widen the slit, the neck of a balloon is installed upwardly through the widened slit and twisted, and then the disk is released to allow the slit to retract and grip the twisted neck of the balloon. This device relies merely on the resiliency of the disc material to contract the slit and grip the twisted neck and frictional contact with the rubber balloon material for affecting a seal, rather than wrapping the neck around the device. This device also requires a great deal of manual dexterity in poking the twisted balloon neck through the slit in the center of the disc and would be time-consuming, cumbersome, and difficult to install on fluid filled balloons, particularly a heavy slippery water balloon wherein the disc material and rubber balloon material are typically wet. 
   The present invention is distinguished over the prior art in general, and these patents in particular by a soft flat balloon neck closure disc formed of non-rigid, soft, flexible, and resilient material that is safe use with fluid filled balloons, including water filled balloons that may be thrown at a person. The device is relatively thick and has a flat top surface, a flat bottom surface, and a peripheral outer surface defining its shape. A first small hole and second small hole are each disposed inwardly from first and second segments of the outer surface in diametrically spaced apart relation and a first and second slit extend outwardly from the holes to the first and second side segments, respectively, and each has a V-shaped entrance. 
   In another aspect of the present invention a method for sealing the neck of a fluid filled balloon includes the steps of providing the closure device as described and pushing the first side segment onto the balloon neck such that the neck passes through the first slit and snaps into the first hole, sliding the disc down on the neck, and wrapping the neck over the top of the disc, pulling it inwardly through the second slit to snap into the second hole, and then back under the disc and upwardly through the first slit and hole. 
   SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
   It is therefore an object of the present invention to provide a safe non-rigid, soft, flexible, and resilient balloon neck closure device that will significantly reduce injuries caused by conventional rigid balloon neck closure devices that can become dangerous projectiles should the balloon burst, and is particularly safe for use with a water balloon which may be thrown at a person. 
   It is another object of this invention to provide a balloon neck closure device and method utilizing a closure device formed of non-rigid, soft, flexible, resilient and lightweight material that is safe to use with fluid filled balloons, including water filled balloons. 
   Another object of this invention is to provide a safe non-rigid, soft, flexible, and resilient balloon neck closure device and method that permits a person to expeditiously tie off a fluid filled balloon, including a slipper water balloon. 
   Another object of this invention is to provide a safe non-rigid, soft, flexible, and resilient balloon neck closure device and method that can effectively seal water filled balloons as well as balloons filled with air and gases lighter than air. 
   Another object of this invention is to provide a safe balloon neck closure device and method which does not require a great deal of manual dexterity to close off a water filled or gas filled balloon. 
   A further object of this invention is to provide a safe balloon neck closure device that may be produced in a wide variety of aesthetic and ornamental shapes and colors. 
   A still further object of this invention is to provide a safe balloon neck closure device that is inexpensive to manufacture and reusable. 
   Other objects of the invention will become apparent from time to time throughout the specification and claims as hereinafter related. 
   The above noted objects and other objects of the invention are accomplished by a soft flat balloon neck closure disc formed of non-rigid, soft, flexible, and resilient material that is safe use with fluid filled balloons, including water filled balloons that may be thrown at a person. The device is relatively thick and has a flat top surface, a flat bottom surface, and a peripheral outer surface defining its shape. A first small hole and second small hole are each disposed inwardly from first and second segments of the outer surface in diametrically spaced apart relation and a first and second slit extend outwardly from the holes to the first and second side segments, respectively, and each has a V-shaped entrance. 
   In another aspect of the present invention a method for sealing the neck of a fluid filled balloon includes the steps of providing the closure device as described and pushing the first side segment onto the balloon neck such that the neck passes through the first slit and snaps into the first hole, sliding the disc down on the neck, and wrapping the neck over the top of the disc, pulling it inwardly through the second slit to snap into the second hole, and then back under the disc and upwardly through the first slit and hole. 

   
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       FIG. 1  is a top plan view of a balloon closure device in accordance with the present invention. 
       FIG. 2  is a side elevation view of the balloon closure device. 
       FIG. 3  is an isometric view of the balloon closure device. 
       FIGS. 4A through 4D  are isometric views illustrating the method installing the device on the neck of a balloon in accordance with the present invention. 
       FIG. 4E  is an enlarged cross sectional view of the device showing the neck of the balloon in a sealing condition following in accordance with the present invention. 
       FIGS. 5A through 5J  are top plan views of the balloon closure device having various alternate shaped configurations. 
   

   DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS 
   Referring to the drawings by numerals of reference, there is shown in  FIGS. 1 ,  2  and  3 , a preferred balloon closure device  10 . The device  10  is a flat disc-shaped unitary body formed of a non-rigid, soft, flexible and resilient material such as, but not limited to, cellular polyurethane or polyethylene based foam material, or other suitable soft resilient rubber, latex or elastomeric material. The device  10  has a flat top surface  11 , a flat bottom surface  12 , and a peripheral outer surface  13  circumscribing the top and bottom surfaces and defining the shape of the device. In the embodiment of  FIGS. 1–3 , the peripheral outer surface  13  is in the shape of a hexagon having a first straight side segment  13 A and a second straight side segment  13 B parallel thereto adjoined by four angular side segments  13 C forming diametrically opposed corners  13 D. 
   A first small hole  14 A and a second small hole  14 B are formed through the device  10  a short distance inwardly from the first side segment  13 A and the second side segment  13 B, respectively, in diametrically spaced apart relation. In a preferred embodiment, the holes  14 A and  14 B are about 3/32″ in diameter, but can vary. A first slit  15 A and a second slit  15 B formed through the device  10  extend outwardly from the first hole  14 A and second hole  14 B to the first side segment  13 A and second side segment  13 B of the peripheral outer surface  13 , respectively. The opposed side surfaces of each slit  15 A and  15 B at its juncture with the respective hole  14 A and  14 B are biased normally closed by the resiliency of the material and diverge or flare slightly apart at their outer end to provide respective V-shaped entrances  16 A and  16 B on the first side segment  13 A and second side segment  13 B of the peripheral outer surface  13 , to facilitate insertion of the device  10  onto the neck of the balloon, and vise versa. The normally closed portion of each slit facilitates retaining the neck in the respective hole. 
   The thickness of the device  10  is preferably about 5/32″ and, in the hexagonal embodiment, the distance between the diametrically opposed corners is about ¾″. As described hereinafter, the overall dimensions of the device and the configuration of the peripheral outer surface  13  can vary to provide closure devices of different aesthetic and ornamental shapes. 
   Installation Method for Water Balloons 
   Referring now to  FIGS. 4A–4D , as well known in the art, the typical balloon  17  has a body  18  and a contiguous neck  19  extending therefrom with an annular ring  20  at its outer end. A water balloon is typically prepared by attaching the neck of the balloon to a water faucet or hose and allowing the water to fill the balloon with the desired volume of water. 
   The user grips the outer end of the neck  19  of the filled balloon  17  with the thumb and forefinger of one hand and, in the case of a water balloon, gravity acting on the heavier body  18  of the balloon exerts a downward force and the neck assumes a generally vertical orientation and becomes elongated or stretched. The neck  19  of the balloon also becomes constricted or narrower as it is elongated or stretched. 
   The user grips the closure device  10  with the thumb and forefinger of the other hand and orients it generally perpendicular to the neck of the balloon and pushes the entrance  16 A of the first slit  15 A on the first side segment  13 A of the device onto the neck  19  of the balloon  17  until the neck passes through the slit and snaps into the first hole  14 A ( FIG. 4A ). The user then slides the device  10  downward on the neck of the balloon about 1½″ to 2″ from the ring  20  at the top of the neck ( FIG. 4B ). 
   While still gripping the device  10 , and using the hand holding the neck  19  of the balloon  17 , the user wraps the upper portion of the neck over the top surface  11  of the device  10  and pulls it into the entrance  16 B of the second slit  15 B on the opposed second side segment  13 B of the device until the neck passes through the slit and snaps into the second hole  14 B ( FIG. 4C ), wraps it under the bottom surface  12  of the device, and pulls it back into the entrance  16 A of the first slit  15 A on the first side segment  13 A until the neck again passes through the slit and snaps into the first hole  14 A, thereby completing the installation ( FIGS. 4D and 4E ). 
   Installation Method for Inflated Balloons 
   The present closure device  10  can also be installed on balloons that are filled with air or a gas lighter than air, such as helium. The steps are essentially the same as described with reference to  FIGS. 4A–4E , and will not be repeated again to avoid repetition, except in the case of an air filled or helium filled balloon, the user may first twist the neck  19  of the balloon  17  to prevent the air or gas from escaping, and the lighter gas-filled body  18  of the balloon is held stationary by any suitable means, such as between the elbow and side of the user&#39;s body, between the knees, or held by another person, and because the weight of the body is much lighter, the neck need not be oriented vertically and may be manually stretched outwardly relative to the balloon body. 
   Referring again to  FIG. 1 , in the hexagonal embodiment of the device  10 , the diametrically opposed corner portions, which are disposed outwardly a distance from a central axis extending through the holes  14 A and  14 B, provide lateral gripping areas on the top and bottom surfaces  11  and  12  to receive the user&#39;s thumb and forefinger for holding and manipulating the device during the attachment and wrapping steps and facilitate wrapping the neck without it being obstructed by the fingers of the user. 
   As discussed above, the overall dimensions of the device and the configuration of the peripheral outer surface  13  can vary to provide closure devices of different aesthetic and ornamental shapes, and shapes resembling various objects. The following examples are a few of the possible regular or irregular, symmetrical or non-symmetrical shapes. 
   In the following discussion, the elements which are the same or substantially similar to those previously described are assigned the same numerals of reference, but will not be described again in detail to avoid repetition. 
     FIG. 5A  shows a modification of the device  10 A with a peripheral outer surface  13  having a generally hexagonal shape similar to the embodiment of  FIGS. 1–3 , wherein the corners  13 D are rounded.  FIG. 5B  shows a rectangular device  10 B wherein the peripheral outer surface  21  has diametrically opposed first and second straight side segments  21 A and  21 B adjoined to two opposed straight lateral straight side segments  21 C at four corners  21 D. 
     FIG. 5C  shows another four-sided rectangular device  10 C in the shape of a diamond, wherein the peripheral outer surface  22  has four opposed straight side segments  22 A and four diametrically opposed corner segments  23 A,  23 B,  23 C and  23 D. In this embodiment, the small holes  14 A and  14 B are formed through the device  10  a short distance inwardly from a first corner  23 A and a second diametrically opposed corner  23 B, respectively, in diametrically spaced apart relation, and the first and second slits  15 A and  15 B with their V-shaped entrances  16 A and  16 B extend outwardly from the holes to the corners  23 A and  23 B, respectively. Thus, the corner  23 A defines the first segment of the peripheral outer surface, and the second corner  23 B disposed in diametrically opposed relation thereto defines the second segment of the peripheral outer surface. 
     FIG. 5D  shows a triangular device  10 D, wherein the peripheral outer surface  24  has three straight side segment  24 A,  24 B and  24 C adjoined by three corner segments  25 A,  25 B and  25 C. The corner  25 A forming the apex of the triangular shape defines the first segment of the peripheral outer surface, and the base side segment  24 B, disposed in diametrically opposed relation thereto, defines the second segment of the peripheral outer surface. In this embodiment, the first small hole  14 A is disposed a short distance inwardly from the apex or first corner  23 A, the second small hole  14 B is disposed a short distance inwardly from the base side segment  24 B, respectively, in diametrically spaced apart relation, and the first and second slits  15 A and  15 B with their V-shaped entrances  16 A and  16 B extend outwardly from the holes to the corner segment  23 A and base side segment  24 B, respectively. 
   It should be understood that the peripheral outer surface of the present device may be configured to provide other polygonal shapes, such as a pentagon, or octagon. 
     FIG. 5E  shows a circular device  10 E, wherein the peripheral outer surface  26  is a circular configuration. In this embodiment, the first small hole  14 A and the second small hole  14 B are each disposed a short distance inwardly from diametrically opposed segments  26 A and  26 B of the peripheral outer surface  26  in diametrically opposed spaced apart relation, and the first and second slits  15 A and  15 B with their V-shaped entrances  16 A and  16 B extend outwardly from the holes to the segments  26 A and  26 B of the peripheral outer surface  26  in diametrically opposed relation. It should be understood that a substantially similar devices may be provided with an oval or elliptical shape. 
     FIG. 5F  shows a device  10 F, wherein the peripheral outer surface  27  is in the shape of a heart, having a V-shaped notch  28  in a first segment  27 A (top side as seen in the figure) and opposed outwardly rounded segments on each side of the notch that converge downwardly to a pointed end  27 B (bottom side as seen in the figure) disposed in diametrically opposed relation to the notch and forming the second segment the peripheral outer surface. In this embodiment, the first small hole  14 A is disposed a short distance inwardly from the V-shaped notch  28 , the second small hole  14 B is disposed a short distance inwardly from the pointed end  27 B, respectively, in diametrically spaced apart relation, and the first and second slits  15 A and  15 B with their V-shaped entrances  16 A and  16 B extend outwardly from the holes to the V-shaped notch  28  and pointed end  27 B, respectively. 
     FIG. 5G  shows a device  10 G, wherein the peripheral outer surface  29  is in the shape of a butterfly. The first and second small holes  14 A and  14 B are disposed a short distance inwardly from the first side segment  29 A (top side as seen in the figure) and second side segment  29 B (bottom side as seen in the figure), respectively, in diametrically spaced apart relation, with the first and second slits  15 A and  15 B and their V-shaped entrances  16 A and  16 B extending outwardly from the holes. In this embodiment, a V-shaped notch  30  is provided at each opposed lateral side segment, and outwardly rounded segments  31  on each side of the V-shaped entrances  16 A and V-shaped notches  30  adjoin the V-shaped entrances and notches. 
     FIG. 5H  shows a device  10 H, wherein the peripheral outer surface  32  is in the shape of a flower, which is similar to the embodiment of  FIG. 5G  except that there are a pair of V-shaped notches  30  at each of the opposed lateral side segments, and the V-shaped entrances  16 A and  16 B and V-shaped notches  30  are adjoined by outwardly rounded segments on each side of the V-shaped entrances and notches. 
   As previously stated, the present closure device may also be provided in shapes resembling various objects.  FIG. 51  shows a device  101 , wherein the peripheral outer surface  33  is in the shape of a vehicle, such as an automobile. In this embodiment, the first side segment  33 A (top side as seen in the figure) is contoured outwardly to resemble the top or upper portion of the automobile, and the opposed second side segment  33 B (bottom side as seen in the figure), is shaped to resemble the bottom or lower portion of the automobile. The first and second small holes  14 A and  14 B are disposed a short distance inwardly from the first side segment  33 A (top side as seen in the figure) and second side segment  33 B (bottom side as seen in the figure), respectively, in diametrically spaced apart relation, with the first and second slits  15 A and  15 B and their V-shaped entrances  16 A and  16 B extending outwardly from the holes. The V-shaped entrances  16 A and  16 B are adjoined to opposed lateral side segments  33 C and  33 D, which are configured to resemble the front and back portion of the automobile, respectively. It should be understood that the peripheral outer surface may be configured to resemble other vehicle shapes. 
     FIG. 5J  shows a device  10 J, wherein the peripheral outer surface  34  is in the shape of a portion of an animal, such as the head of a dinosaur. In this embodiment, the first side segment  34 A (top side as seen in the figure) is contoured outwardly to resemble the top portion or head of the animal, and the opposed second side segment  34 B (bottom side as seen in the figure), is shaped to resemble the neck portion of the animal. The first and second small holes  14 A and  14 B are disposed a short distance inwardly from the first side segment  34 A (top side as seen in the figure) and second side segment  34 B (bottom side as seen in the figure), respectively, in diametrically spaced apart relation, with the first and second slits  15 A and  15 B and their V-shaped entrances  16 A and  16 B extending outwardly from the holes. The V-shaped entrances  16 A and  16 B are adjoined to opposed lateral side segments  34 C and  34 D, which are configured to resemble the nose or face and back of the head portions of the animal, respectively. 
   The above represent some of the typical shapes that may be incorporated into the present closure device, but not limited thereto, and it should be understood that the present device may be produced in various other regular or irregular, symmetrical or non-symmetrical shapes and shapes resembling various objects, without departing from the scope of the invention. 
   While this invention has been described fully and completely with special emphasis upon preferred embodiments, it should be understood that within the scope of the appended claims the invention may be practiced otherwise than as specifically described herein.