Abstract:
The present inventions relate to a balloon and streamer hub assembly that allows for the efficient hanging of balloons and streamers in a variety of different environments, as well as kits and methods related thereto. In one aspect, the balloon and streamer hub assembly includes a mounting block, and adhesive member a bowl shaped cover, and a securing mechanism for attachment of the bowl-shaped cover to the mounting block. The bowl-shaped has a depth that substantially corresponds to the width of the mounting block, and further includes a plurality of holes disposed around edges thereof in predetermined positions, which are adapted for attachment thereto different ones of the balloons and streamers.

Description:
FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
       [0001]    The present invention relates to a method for hanging party favors, and more particularly a balloon and streamer hub assembly that allows for the efficient hanging of balloons and streamers in a variety of different environments, as well as kits and methods related thereto. 
       BACKGROUND 
       [0002]    It is well known to hang party favors, such as streamers and balloons, typically indoors, but also outside. One conventional manner is to fill balloons up with air and tie them, and thereafter using single-sided tape to affix the balloons and streamers to a wall, ceiling or other structure, typically with the balloons in different clusters, and the streamers hanging between different clusters of balloons. Usage of such tape is known as being unsightly, results in significant variation between clusters of different balloons used in arrangements, and can end up taking significant amounts of time to complete. And once completed, in many instances parts or all of the arrangements can then fall down—even at the most inappropriate times. 
         [0003]    There are various different apparatus that have been proposed to overcome different aspects of the problems addressed above. 
         [0004]    UK Patent Application 2379619 uses an arrangement of apertures and associated slots within a clip that allows for a more uniform configuration of balloons, as well as allegedly provides a tight seal that doesn&#39;t require the knotting of a balloon. The clip contains a mounting hole that receives either an attachment member (such as a nail) or a string that can be used to hang the assembly. 
         [0005]    U.S. Pat. No. 4,936,532 and GB2447608 each provide different yet similar arrangements as taught in the UK Patent Application 2379619 mentioned above, but instead each use a sticky tape to mount the hanger device/balloon holder to the ceiling, wall or other surface. 
         [0006]    It is also known to use 3M Command® strips, which strips are made in accordance with U.S. Pat. Nos. 6,569,521; 7,276,272; and 7,284,734. It is known to use these Command® strips to hang articles, and then remove the Command® strips in a way that prevents the adhesive itself from sticking to the ceiling, wall or other surface, as well as to tie strings to the balloons, and then tie the strings to a Command® strip. 
         [0007]    Each of the above improvements offers advantages to using conventional single-sided, but none provide for an overall system that allows for the efficient hanging of balloons and streamers in a variety of different environments. 
       SUMMARY 
       [0008]    The present inventions relate to a balloon and streamer hub assembly that allows for the efficient hanging of balloons and streamers in a variety of different environments, as well as kits and methods related thereto. 
         [0009]    In one aspect, the balloon and streamer hub assembly includes an adhesive mount, an adhesive member, a bowl shaped cover, and a securing mechanism for attachment of the bowl-shaped cover to the adhesive mount. The bowl-shaped has a depth into which an end of the articles is inserted so that they are hidden from view, and further includes a plurality of holes disposed around edges thereof in predetermined positions, for insertion of the articles, such as balloons and streamers, which are adapted for attachment thereto different ones of the balloons and streamers. 
         [0010]    In a preferred embodiment, the balloon and streamer hub assembly includes an adhesive as used in the 3M Command® strips, and can optionally include an alternate mounting mechanism, such as a hole or plurality of holes on the adhesive mount, for alternate attachment using a string or a nail. 
         [0011]    In another aspect is provided a kit, which kit everything needed to hang balloons and streamers in an overall arrangement, which kit includes a plurality of the above-mentioned balloon and streamer hub assemblies, balloons, streamers, and optionally string, scissors and/or themed cover-face plates. 
         [0012]    In a further aspect is described a method of hanging the balloons and streamers using the above-described balloon and streamer hub assembly. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0013]    These and other aspects and features of the present invention will become apparent to those of ordinary skill in the art upon review of the following description of specific embodiments of the invention in conjunction with the accompanying figures, wherein: 
           [0014]      FIG. 1  illustrates a perspective view of a completed decorative arrangement using the a balloon and streamer hub assembly kit according to the present invention; 
           [0015]      FIG. 2(   a )-( b ) illustrate different embodiments of balloon and streamer hub assembly kits according to the present invention; 
           [0016]      FIG. 2(   c ) illustrates a preferred embodiment of packaging a balloon and streamer hub assembly kit according to the present invention; 
           [0017]      FIGS. 3(   a )-( b ) illustrate different perspective views of a preferred embodiment of a hub assembly cover according to the present invention; 
           [0018]      FIGS. 4(   a )-( c ) illustrate front view of different shaped hub assembly covers according to the present invention; 
           [0019]      FIGS. 5(   a ( 1 - 3 ) and ( b ) 1 - 2  illustrates a hub assembly cover and a hub assembly cover mounting bracket for one embodiment of a balloon and streamer hub assembly; 
           [0020]      FIG. 5(   c ) illustrates one embodiment of a balloon and streamer hub assembly; 
           [0021]      FIG. 5(   d ) illustrates a partial component and perspective view of the balloon and streamer hub assembly illustrated in  FIG. 5(   c ); 
           [0022]      FIG. 5(   e ) illustrates an alternate hub assembly cover mounting block for usage in the embodiment illustrated in  FIG. 5(   c ) above; 
           [0023]      FIGS. 6(   a ) 1 - 3  and ( b ) 1 - 2  illustrates a hub assembly cover and a hub assembly cover mounting bracket for another embodiment of a balloon and streamer hub assembly; 
           [0024]      FIG. 6(   c ) illustrates another embodiment of a balloon and streamer hub assembly; 
           [0025]      FIG. 6(   d ) illustrates a partial component and perspective view of the balloon and streamer hub assembly illustrated in  FIG. 6(   c ); 
           [0026]      FIG. 7(   a ) illustrates a further embodiment of a balloon and streamer hub assembly; 
           [0027]      FIG. 7(   b ) illustrates a backside of the hub assembly cover mounting bracket used in the balloon and streamer hub assembly illustrated in  FIG. 7(   a ); 
           [0028]      FIG. 7(   c ) illustrates an alternate hub assembly cover mounting block for usage in the embodiment illustrated in  FIG. 7(   a ) above; 
           [0029]      FIG. 8(   a ) illustrates a further embodiment of a balloon and streamer hub assembly; 
           [0030]      FIG. 8(   b ) illustrates a partial component and perspective view of the balloon and streamer hub assembly illustrated in  FIG. 8(   a ); 
           [0031]      FIG. 9  illustrates another embodiment of a balloon and streamer hub assembly; 
           [0032]      FIG. 10(   a ) illustrates a further embodiment of a balloon and streamer hub assembly; 
           [0033]      FIG. 10(   b ) illustrates a backside of the hub assembly cover mounting bracket used in the balloon and streamer hub assembly illustrated in  FIG. 10(   a ); 
           [0034]      FIG. 10(   c ) illustrates an alternate hub assembly cover mounting block for usage in the embodiment illustrated in  FIG. 10(   a ) above; 
           [0035]      FIG. 11  illustrates another embodiment of a balloon and streamer hub assembly; and 
           [0036]      FIG. 12  illustrates another embodiment of a balloon and streamer hub assembly. 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS 
       [0037]    Described herein is a balloon and streamer hub assembly kit, and components thereof, usable for creating a decorative arrangement of clustered balloons and interconnected streamers. 
         [0038]      FIG. 1  illustrates a perspective view of a completed decorative arrangement using a balloon and streamer hub assembly kit  30  according to the present invention. Shown attached to wall  10  are four different balloon and streamer hub assemblies  100 , with balloons  50  and streamers  60  suspended from each of the balloon and streamer hub assemblies  100 , in a manner that will be described further hereinafter. 
         [0039]      FIG. 2(   a )-( b ) illustrate different embodiments of balloon and streamer hub assembly kits according to the present invention. The balloon and streamer hub assembly kit  30  illustrated in  FIG. 2(   a ) includes a packaging material  40 , preferably transparent plastic, that is used to contain each of the components described therein within a small compact space, and in a manner in which the streamers will not be damaged, as also shown in  FIG. 2(   c ). A illustrated, at each end, with the cover portion preferably directed inward at each end, are a pair of balloon and streamer hub assembly covers  110 - 1 ,  110 - 2  on one end, and  110 - 3  and  110 - 4  on the other end, with, therebetween, there being disposed mounting assemblies  140  (described further hereinafter), balloons  50 , and streamers  60 , as shown. With the streamers  60  located within the middle of the packaging, and protected by the streamer hub assembly covers  110 - 1 ,  110 - 2  on one end, and  110 - 3  and  110 - 4  on the other end, there is less potential for them to be damaged in transit. 
         [0040]    Alternatively, as shown in  FIG. 2(   b ), a kit  30   a  can further include scissors  70 , string  80 , and/or tape  90 , which tape can be single sided, double sided, or can be both. 
         [0041]      FIGS. 3(   a )-( b ) illustrate different perspective views of a preferred embodiment of a hub assembly cover  110  according to the present invention. For this embodiment, as shown, there are included balloon holes or slits  112  on the front face of the hub assembly cover  110 , balloon holes or slits  114  on a side surface of the hub assembly cover  110 , streamer end opening  116  on a side bottom surface of the hub assembly cover  110  and also mounting slits  120  on a side surface of the hub assembly cover  110 , which mounting slits are preferably 180° apart from each other, their function being described further hereinafter. 
         [0042]    The hub assembly cover is made of thin molded plastic, and, as described in the embodiment, is bowl shaped, thereby having a depth that will allow the end of the balloons  50  and steamers  60 , as well as the mounting assembly  140 , to be hidden from view and present a clean appearance. 
         [0043]    In the embodiment shown in  FIGS. 3(   a )-( b ), the cover is mounted to the mounting assembly  140  using the slits  120 . Such slits are used in certain, but not all, embodiments as described hereinafter. 
         [0044]      FIGS. 4(   a )-( c ) illustrate front view of different shaped hub assembly covers  110   a ,  110   b  and  110   c,  respectively according to the present invention. In each of these embodiments, the cover will preferably have a depth that that will allow the end of the balloons  50  and streamers  60 , as well as the mounting assembly  140 , to be hidden from view and present a clean appearance. Not shown are the slits  120  or other holes used to mount there different shaped hub assembly covers to the mounting assembly, but their use is understood and is apparent in light of the descriptions provided herein. 
         [0045]      FIGS. 5   a ( 1 - 3 ) and ( b ) 1 - 2  illustrates a hub assembly cover  110  and a hub assembly cover mounting bracket  150  for one embodiment of a balloon and streamer hub assembly. 
         [0046]      FIGS. 5   a ( 1 - 3 ) of the hub assembly cover  110  as shown in perspective side, top and bottom views, with the mounting slits  120  being shown. The holes/slits for balloons and streamers are not shown for ease of this description, both in these and subsequent figures illustrating the hub assembly cover. 
         [0047]      FIGS. 5  ( b ) 1 - 2  illustrate hub assembly cover mounting bracket  150  in back and side views, which is made preferably from single-piece plastic. As shown in the back view of  FIG. 5   b ( 1 ), a recess  154  exists in the main body  152 , which recess  154  is used for establishing a connection to a tab  146  associated with the adhesive mounting block  144  illustrated in  FIG. 5(   c ). Also included are two cover tabs  158 , which connect to a main body  152  of the bracket  150  via an extender  156 . 
         [0048]      FIG. 5(   c ) illustrates one embodiment of a balloon and streamer hub assembly  100 A, and the various components that connect together to form one of the balloon and streamer hub assemblies  100 A, namely an adhesive  142 , a adhesive mounting block  144 , the hub assembly cover mounting bracket  150  and the hub assembly cover  110 . Adhesive  142  is either a 2-sided adhesive tape, or more preferably a Command® strip made by 3M®. Adhesive mounting block  144  is unitary plastic piece on which both the adhesive  142  is applied on a back surface, and which contains a tab  146  that allows interconnection into the recess  154  of the cover mounting bracket  150 . Adhesive mounting block  144 , in this embodiment, is preferably a Command® strip base made by 3M®. For the preferred embodiment in which the Command® strip and the Command® strip base made by 3M® are used, these are made in accordance with U.S. Pat. Nos. 6,569,521; 7,276,272; and 7,284,734, which patents are hereby each expressly incorporated by reference herein. The adhesive  142  thus attaches the back surface of the tape mount, as well as to the wall  50  as shown in  FIG. 1 , or alternatively a ceiling or other structure that allows the adhesive  142  to stick with sufficient strength. 
         [0049]      FIG. 5(   d ) illustrates a partial component and perspective view of the balloon and streamer hub assembly  100 A illustrated in  FIG. 5(   c ), and in particular the attachment of the cover mounting bracket  150  to the hub assembly cover  110  in which the extenders  156  are each inserted into one of the slits  120  of the hub assembly cover  110 , such that the cover tabs  158  keep the cover mounting bracket  150  sufficiently firmly attached to the hub assembly cover  110 . 
         [0050]      FIG. 5(   e ) illustrates an alternate hub assembly cover adhesive mount  160  (also referred to as a bracket or also just an adhesive mount) for usage in the embodiment illustrated in  FIG. 5(   c ) above, which adhesive mount  160  is a single piece construction, preferably plastic, that has a backside to which the adhesive  142  attaches. There also exist two cover tabs  168 , which connect to a main body  162  of the adhesive mount  160  via an extender  166 , which are made the same as and function in the manner that the tabs  158  and extenders  156  described previously. This hub assembly cover adhesive mount  160  can be used in conjunction with an adhesive  142  that is a Command® strip made by 3M®. Also shown as part of the hub assembly cover adhesive mount  160  are two optional holes  164 , which holes  164  can be used to tie a string through, or drive a nail or screw through, if an alternative attachment mechanism to the adhesive  142  is desired. 
         [0051]      FIGS. 6(   a ) 1 - 3  and ( b ) 1 - 2  illustrates a hub assembly cover  110  and a hub assembly cover mounting block  210  for another embodiment of a balloon and streamer hub assembly. The hub assembly cover  110  is the same as illustrated in  FIGS. 5(   a ) 1 - 3 , and as such will not be further described. 
         [0052]      FIGS. 6  ( b ) 1 - 2  illustrate hub assembly cover mounting bracket  210  in back and side views, which is made preferably from single-piece plastic. As shown in the back view of  FIG. 6   b ( 1 ), a hole  214  exists in the main body  212 , which hole  214  is used for establishing a connection to a hook  212  associated with the hook mount  200  illustrated in  FIG. 6(   c ). Also included are two cover tabs  218 , which connect to the main body  212  of the bracket  210  via extenders  216 , which are made the same as and function in the manner that the tabs  158  and extenders  156  described previously. 
         [0053]      FIG. 6(   c ) illustrates this embodiment of a balloon and streamer hub assembly  100 B, and the various components that connect together to form one of the balloon and streamer hub assemblies  100 B namely the adhesive  142 , a adhesive mounting block  144  and the hub assembly cover  110 , which are the same as described in the  FIG. 5(   c ) embodiment as such are similarly identified, and not further described. Different is that the hook mount  200 , which is preferably a Command® hook made by 3M®, is further used to attach to the adhesive mounting block  144 , and the hub assembly cover mounting bracket  210 , described above, attaches to the hook mount  200  at the hook  202 . 
         [0054]      FIG. 6(   d ) illustrates a partial component and perspective view of the balloon and streamer hub assembly  100 B illustrated in  FIG. 6(   c ) , and in particular the attachment of the cover mounting bracket  210  to the hub assembly cover  110  in which the extenders  216  are each inserted into one of the slits  120  of the hub assembly cover  110 , such that the cover tabs  218  keep the cover mounting bracket  210  sufficiently firmly attached to the hub assembly cover  110 . 
         [0055]      FIG. 7(   a ) illustrates a further embodiment of balloon and streamer hub assembly  100 C, and the various components that connect together to form one of the balloon and streamer hub assemblies  100 C namely the adhesive  142 , and a adhesive mounting block  144  that are the same as described in the  FIG. 5(   c ) embodiment as such are similarly identified, and not further described. One difference from previous embodiments is that the hub assembly cover  110 , instead of using the slits  120  instead have a hole  122  that is illustrated. Also different from previous embodiments is a cover mounting block  300  that includes a threadable bolt  302 , which bolt  302  inserts through the hole  122  in the hub assembly cover  110 , and then a bold  310 , which can be configured with artwork and/or in a shape (such as the nose illustrated), is used to firmly attach the hub assembly cover to the cover mounting block  300 . A backside of the cover mounting block  300  is shown in  FIG. 7(   b ), and contains a recess  304  that is used to connect to the tab  146  of the adhesive mounting block  144 , as described in previous embodiments. 
         [0056]      FIG. 7(   c ) illustrates an alternate hub assembly cover mounting block  320  for usage in the embodiment illustrated in  FIG. 7(   a ) above, which mounting block  320  is a single piece construction, preferably plastic, that has a backside to which the adhesive  142  attaches. There also exists a projecting bolt  322  that functions identically as the bolt  302  described with reference to  FIG. 7(   b ). This hub assembly cover mounting block  320  can be used in conjunction with an adhesive  142  that is a Command® strip made by 3M®. Also shown as part of the hub assembly cover mounting block  160  are two optional holes  324 , which holes  324  can be used to tie a string through, or drive a nail or screw through, if an alternative attachment mechanism to the adhesive  142  is desired. 
         [0057]    In another embodiment, the projecting bolt can be fashioned to look like a hook, such as hook  202  shown in  FIG. 8(   a ), and the hook can then insert into a hole formed in the cover  110 , such as the hole  126  shown in  FIG. 8(   a ). 
         [0058]      FIG. 8(   a ) illustrates a further embodiment of balloon and streamer hub assembly  100 D and the various components that connect together to form one of the balloon and streamer hub assemblies  100 D namely the adhesive  142 , adhesive mounting block  144  and the hook mount  200  that are identical to the components previously described and illustrated with reference to  FIG. 6(   c ). Different from previous embodiments in this embodiment is that the hook  202  inserts into a hole  126  that exists on a backside piece  124  of the hub assembly cover  110 , instead of the slits  120  or the hole  122  previously used. 
         [0059]      FIG. 8(   b ) illustrates a partial component and perspective view of the balloon and streamer hub assembly  100 D illustrated in  FIG. 8(   a ), and in particular illustrates the hood inserted into the hole  126  in order to attach the hub assembly cover  110  to the hook mount  200 . 
         [0060]      FIG. 9  illustrates another embodiment of a balloon and streamer hub assembly  100 E, and the various components that connect together to form one of the balloon and streamer hub assemblies  100 E namely the adhesive  142 , adhesive mounting block  144  and the hook mount  200  that are identical to the components previously described and illustrated with reference to  FIG. 6(   c ). Different from previous embodiments in this embodiment is that the hook  202  inserts into a hole  128  that exists on a front side of the hub assembly cover  110 . 
         [0061]      FIG. 10(   a ) illustrates a further embodiment of balloon and streamer hub assembly  100 F, and the various components that connect together to form one of the balloon and streamer hub assemblies  100 F, namely the adhesive  142 , adhesive mounting block  144  and the hook mount  200  that are identical to the components previously described and illustrated with reference to  FIG. 6(   c ), and the hub assembly cover  110  that is the same as that used in the  FIG. 7(   a ) embodiment. Different from previous embodiments in this embodiment is that the inclusion of a mounting block  400  that contains a hook insertion member  402  that causes the mounting block to firmly mount to the hook mount  200 , and the inclusion of a thread  404  into which the bolt  410  is inserted, as shown, to attach the hub assembly cover  110 .  FIG. 10(   b ) illustrates the connected hook mount  200 , mounting block  400  and hub assembly cover  110 . It is noted that the depth of the hub assembly cover  110  is preferably at least as deep at the width of the adhesive mounting block  144 , hook mount  200  and mounting block  400 . 
         [0062]      FIG. 10(   c ) illustrates an alternate hub assembly cover mounting block  450  for usage in the embodiment illustrated in  FIG. 10(   a ) above, which mounting block  450  replaces the adhesive mounting block  144 , hook mount  200  and mounting block  400 . A backside of the hub assembly cover mounting block  450  receives the adhesive  142 , and the hole  454  is threaded to receive the bolt  410  illustrated in  FIG. 10(   a ). Also shown as part of the hub assembly cover mounting block  450  are two optional holes  460 , which holes  460  can be used to tie a string through, or drive a nail or screw through, if an alternative attachment mechanism to the adhesive  142  is desired. 
         [0063]      FIG. 11  illustrates another embodiment of balloon and streamer hub assembly  100 G, which uses an adhesive  142  as previously described. The hub assembly cover  110  contains no mounting holes, but instead has an inside back surface of the cover, shown at area  130 , that receives the other side of an adhesive  510  that is attached to a front surface of the mounting block  500 . The back surface of the mounting block  500  receives the adhesive  142 . Further, the mounting block  500  is shown as having a width “w” that corresponds to the depth of the hub assembly cover, so that attachment of the hub assembly cover  110  to the mounting block  500  is secure. Alternatively, instead of using an adhesive  510 , a Velcro® half strip can be used, with the other half of the Velcro® strip being attached to the inside surface of the hub assembly cover  110  at the area  130 . Also shown as part of the hub assembly cover mounting block  500  are two optional holes  520 , which holes  520  can be used to tie a string through, or drive a nail or screw through, if an alternative attachment mechanism to the adhesive  142  is desired. 
         [0064]      FIG. 12  illustrates another embodiment of a balloon and streamer hub assembly  100 H, which uses an adhesive  142  as previously described. The hub assembly cover  110  contains no mounting holes, but instead has at least a partial backside  124 , with an adhesive mount in area  128 , to which the adhesive  142 , preferably a Command® strip as referred to previously, can attach. 
         [0065]    For each of the above embodiments above where the cover attachment has been described, it is again noted that the holes and opening for insertion of balloons and streamers are not depicted, nor illustrations on the front of the cover  110 , for convenience of understanding. 
         [0066]    Although the present invention has been particularly described with reference to embodiments thereof, it should be readily apparent to those of ordinary skill in the art that various changes, modifications and substitutes are intended within the form and details thereof, without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention. Accordingly, it will be appreciated that in numerous instances some features of the invention will be employed without a corresponding use of other features. Further, those skilled in the art will understand that variations can be made in the number and arrangement of components illustrated in the above figures. It is intended that the scope of the appended claims include such changes and modifications.