BALLOON HOLDER AND BLANK FOR FORMING A BALLOON HOLDER

Abstract

There is provided a balloon holder having an elongate handle and a balloon-receiving portion. The balloon-receiving portion has a first aperture adapted to permit a neck of a balloon to pass through, and at least one slit for receiving and securely engaging a neck of a balloon. The elongate handle and balloon-receiving portion are folded from a single sheet of material, and the elongate handle comprises two plies of the single sheet of material.

Claims

1. A balloon holder having an elongate handle and a balloon-receiving portion, wherein: the balloon-receiving portion has a first aperture adapted to permit a neck of a balloon to pass through, and at least one slit for receiving and securely engaging a neck of a balloon; the elongate handle and balloon-receiving portion are folded from a single sheet of material; and the elongate handle comprises two plies of the single sheet of material.

2. The balloon holder of claim 1, wherein the first aperture is located on a central longitudinal axis of the elongate handle.

3. The balloon holder of claim 1, wherein the balloon-receiving portion also comprises a second aperture adapted to permit a neck of a balloon to pass through.

4. The balloon holder of claim 3, wherein the first aperture is larger than the second aperture.

5. The balloon holder of claim 1, wherein the first aperture is positioned centrally on the balloon-receiving portion.

6. The balloon holder of claim 1, wherein the balloon receiving portion comprises a plurality of slits for receiving and securely engaging a neck of a balloon.

7. The balloon holder of claim 1, wherein the elongate handle comprises two planar handle portions in contact with each other.

8. The balloon holder of claim 7, wherein each planar handle portion comprises at least one crease, the ends of each crease being spaced from the longitudinal edge of the planar handle portion.

9. The balloon holder of claim 1, wherein the balloon-receiving portion comprises a substantially planar mounting portion which is perpendicular to the plane of the elongate handle.

10. The balloon holder of claim 9, wherein the first aperture is in the substantially planar mounting portion.

11. The balloon holder of claim 10, wherein the balloon-receiving portion further comprises two wall portions connecting the mounting portion to the elongate handle, the wall portions being connected to the mounting portion and to the elongate handle by fold lines.

12. The balloon holder of claim 11, wherein a second aperture is in one of the wall portions.

13. The balloon holder of claim 11, wherein slits for receiving and securely engaging a neck of a balloon are provided in each of the wall portions.

14. The balloon holder of claim 11, wherein the first aperture has a dimension in a direction parallel to the fold lines which is greater than the dimension in a direction perpendicular to the fold lines.

15. The balloon holder of claim 11, wherein the planar mounting portion is substantially rectangular in shape, wherein the planar mounting portion has a dimension in a direction parallel to the fold lines which is greater than the dimension in a direction perpendicular to the fold lines.

16. The balloon holder of claim 1, further comprising a flap adapted to permit a neck of a balloon to pass through.

17. The balloon holder of claim 1, wherein the balloon holder is made from cardboard.

18. A blank for forming a balloon holder, the blank comprising: a balloon-receiving portion having a first aperture adapted to permit a neck of a balloon to pass through, a plurality of fold lines, at least one slit for receiving and securely engaging a neck of a balloon, a proximal end and a distal end; a first elongate handle portion connected to the proximal end of the balloon-receiving portion at a first handle fold line; and a second elongate handle portion connected to the distal end of the balloon-receiving portion at a second handle fold line; such that the first elongate handle portion and the second elongate handle portion can be brought together to form a two-ply elongate handle such that the balloon receiving portion will be at one end of the two-ply elongate handle; wherein the blank is a single sheet of material.

19. The blank of claim 18, wherein the first and second elongate handle portions are equal in length.

20. The blank of claim 18, wherein the first elongate handle and the second elongate handle portion each comprise at least one crease, the ends of each crease being spaced from the longitudinal edge of the planar handle portion.

21. The blank of claim 18, wherein the balloon-receiving portion further comprises a second aperture adapted to permit a neck of a balloon to pass through.

22. The blank of claim 21, wherein the first aperture is larger than the second aperture.

23. The blank of claim 18, wherein the first aperture is positioned centrally on the balloon-receiving portion.

24. The blank of claim 18, wherein the balloon receiving portion comprises a central mounting portion, a proximal wall portion extending from the first handle fold line to a first wall fold line at the central mounting portion, and a distal wall portion extending from the second handle fold line to a second wall fold line at the central mounting portion.

25. The blank of claim 24, wherein the first aperture is in the central mounting portion, and a second aperture is in one or both of the proximal and distal wall portions.

26. The blank of claim 24, wherein the first aperture is in the central mounting portion, further comprising one or more flaps adapted to permit a neck of a balloon to pass through provided in one or both of the proximal and distal wall portions.

27. The blank of claim 24, wherein the first aperture is in the central mounting portion and second aperture is in one of the proximal and distal wall portions, further comprising a flap adapted to permit a neck of a balloon to pass through and provided in the other of the proximal and distal wall portions.

28. The blank of claim 21, wherein the plurality of fold lines are parallel.

29. The blank of claim 21, wherein the balloon receiving portion comprises a plurality of slits for receiving and securely engaging a neck of a balloon.

30. The blank of claim 21, wherein the blank is made from cardboard.

31. The blank of claim 21, wherein the central mounting portion is substantially rectangular in shape, wherein the planar mounting portion has a dimension in a direction parallel to the fold lines which is greater than the dimension in a direction perpendicular to the fold lines.

32. A balloon mounted in a balloon receiving portion of a balloon holder, wherein the balloon holder is a balloon holder according to claim 1, wherein the balloon comprises a neck which extends through a first aperture of the balloon holder and is securely held by a balloon receiving portion of the balloon holder.

Description

[0038] Embodiments of the invention will now be described, by way of example only, and with reference to the following drawings, in which:

[0039] FIG. 1 shows a balloon holder in accordance with the first aspect of the present invention;

[0040] FIG. 2 shows a blank for forming a balloon holder in accordance with the second aspect of the present invention;

[0041] FIG. 3 shows a method of using the blank and balloon holder in accordance with the first and second aspects of the present invention;

[0042] FIG. 4 shows a blank for forming a balloon holder in accordance with the second aspect of the present invention; and

[0043] FIG. 5 shows a blank for forming a balloon holder in accordance with the second aspect of the present invention.

[0044] Referring to FIG. 1, a first embodiment of a balloon holder 10 is shown, in accordance with the present invention. The balloon holder 10 is for holding an inflated balloon. The balloon holder 10 has two main components, an elongate handle 20 and a balloon-receiving portion 30. The elongate handle 20 is sized and shaped such that it can be held by a person, typically a child. The balloon receiving portion 30 is the portion of the balloon holder 10 which can hold and secure the balloon such that it will not fall from the balloon holder 10 when a child is walking with the balloon holder 10 or waving the balloon holder 10 in the air. The balloon-holder 10 has a first aperture 40 which is sized and arranged such that it permits a neck of a balloon to be passed through.

[0045] The balloon holder 10 also has a plurality of fold lines 50, 60 which allow the balloon-receiving portion 30 to be formed into shape from a single sheet of material. The balloon receiving portion 30 also comprises at least one slit 70 for receiving and securely engaging the flange at the end of the neck of a balloon. A slit 70 is used to secure the neck as it is easy to pass the neck of a balloon into the slit 70 and the flange at the neck will be held against the slit 70. The slit 70 is sized and shaped such that a tie is not required in the end of the balloon, and the balloon will instead be sealed by inserting into the slit 70. The balloon holder 10 may further comprise a second aperture 80 which is adapted to allow a balloon to pass through. The first and second apertures 40, 80, mean that a balloon neck can be passed into the first aperture 40 and out of the second aperture 80, where it can then be secured by the at least one slit 70. Preferably, the first aperture 40 is larger than the second aperture 80. A larger first aperture 40 is preferable as the balloon will be pulled down into the balloon holder 10 as it is tied off in the slit 70, and a larger aperture 40 will allow the balloon holder 10 to more firmly secure the balloon. The second aperture 80 does not hold the balloon in the same way as the first aperture 40, and in this first embodiment the second aperture is instead simply for passing the neck through so that it can be tied off, and therefore a smaller second aperture 80 is preferable.

[0046] It is also preferable to position the first aperture centrally in the balloon receiving portion 30, which is also preferably centrally in a mounting portion 90, which is a planar portion of the balloon-receiving portion 30, and is perpendicular to the elongate handle 20. This mounting portion 90 ensures that the balloon stays upright in the balloon holder 10 when in use. The fold lines 50, 60 allow the balloon-receiving portion to be folded into shape to form the mounting portion 90, and two side walls 100, 110. The fold lines 50, 60 may be made in any suitable way such that a fold may be performed by hand by a person when the balloon holder is used. The fold lines 50, 60 may be created by embossing or debossing the material, performing a fold during manufacture, scoring the material, or any other suitable method. The fold lines 50, 60 may be positioned between the first and second apertures 40, 80, such that when a fold is performed, the second aperture 80 is moved out of the plane of the first aperture 40, which makes it easier for the user to pass the balloon neck through. The fold lines 50, 60 are preferably parallel, such that a symmetrical fold will be performed on both sides of the balloon holder 10 when it is folded to allow it to take shape from a flat sheet of material to a balloon holder 10.

[0047] The balloon holder 10 may further comprises a plurality of slits 70, 120 such that the balloon neck can be wrapped around the balloon-receiving portion 30 and secured into multiple slits. Preferably the slits 70, 120 are positioned on the two side walls 100, 110. This would create a very secure holding mechanism for holding the neck of the balloon tightly in place. The slits 70, 120 may be any suitable shape and size to receive the neck of the balloon. In the embodiment shown the slits 70, 120 are at approximately 45 degrees to the horizontal and so point towards the second aperture 80. This is preferable as it will help to engage the balloon neck and hold it within the slits 70, 120, however it is not essential, and the slits may be at a different angle.

[0048] The elongate handle 20 may be comprised of two handle portions 140, 150. Each of the handle portions 140, 150 are part of the same sheet of material as the balloon-receiving portion 30. The first handle portion 140 is connected to a proximal end 170 of the balloon-receiving portion 30, and the second handle portion 150 is connected to a distal end 160 of the balloon-receiving portion 30. The connections at the proximal and distal ends 160, 170 each comprise a fold line. The fold lines used at both the mounting portion 90 of the balloon-receiving portion 30, and at the connections at the proximal and distal ends 160, 170, allows the balloon handle 10 to be folded from a blank, which means the whole product can be made from a single material, which is preferably cardboard, but could be another material that can be provided in sheet form and which a blank can be cut from it.

[0049] It is preferable that the first aperture 40 has a dimension in a direction parallel to the fold lines 50, 60 which is greater than the dimension in a direction perpendicular to the fold lines 50, 60, for example a substantially oval shape. It is also preferable that the mounting portion 90 is substantially rectangular in shape and that mounting portion 90 has a dimension in a direction parallel to the fold lines 50, 60 which is greater than the dimension in a direction perpendicular to the fold lines 50, 60. These features provide more stability to a balloon when it is mounted in the balloon holder 10 than other shapes might provide. It is however possible that other shapes would provide the required stability, particularly if the mounting portion 90 is another suitable shape, such as a square. It is envisaged that any suitable shape of mounting portion 90 and first aperture 40 could be used.

[0050] The elongate handle 20 shown in FIG. 1 comprises two plies of the single sheet of material. These two plies are the first elongate handle portion 140 and the second elongate handle portion 150. It is preferable that the first aperture 40 is located on a central longitudinal axis 180 of the elongate handle 20, as shown in FIG. 1.

[0051] A blank 200 is shown in FIG. 2 in accordance with the present invention, used to make the balloon holder 10 of FIG. 1. The blank 200 is a flat sheet of material, and comprises a balloon-receiving portion 30 having a first aperture 40 adapted to permit a neck of a balloon to pass through. The blank 200 also has a plurality of fold lines 50, 60, 160, 170, four slits 70, 120 for receiving and securely engaging a neck of a balloon, a proximal end 260 and a distal end 270. The blank 200 also has a first elongate handle portion 140 connected to the proximal end 260 of the balloon-receiving portion 30 at a first handle fold line 170; a second elongate handle portion 150 connected to the distal end 270 of the balloon-receiving portion 30 at a second handle fold line 170. This means that the first elongate handle portion 140 and the second elongate handle portion 150 can be brought together to form an elongate handle 20 such that the balloon receiving portion 30 will be at one end of the elongate handle 20. The elongate handle 20 is a two-ply handle, where the first ply is the first elongate handle portion 140 and the second ply is the second elongate handle portion 150. This provides increased strength and rigidity over a single-ply handle. The blank 200 is a single sheet of material. The blank 200 in this example has two second apertures 80, such that when the blank is folded into a balloon holder 10, the first and second apertures 40, 80 will both be able to receive a balloon neck and allow it to pass through. The arrangement allows for a balloon neck to be passed from the outside of the balloon holder, through the first aperture 40, and back out to the outside through one of the second apertures 80, and then wrapped around the balloon-receiving portion 30. The entire blank 200 may be made from cardboard, with simple fold lines, slits and apertures being cut into the blank to provide the necessary folding arrangement to provide the 3D object, and with the necessary features to engage and hold a balloon in place.

[0052] The first elongate handle portion 140 may optionally have a first set of creases 280, and the second elongate handle portion 150 may optionally have a second set of creases 290. The first and second sets of creases 280, 290 are scores that increase the rigidity of the first and second elongate handle portions 140, 150. They may be formed by embossing, and preferably do not extend to the edges of the handle portion 140. The strengthening effect of the creases 280, 290 on each of the first elongate handle portion 140 and second elongate handle portion 150 is increased when both elongate handle portions 140, 150 are brought together to form a two-ply handle portion. Preferably, when the creases 280, 290 are present on the elongate handle portions 140, 150, the creases 280, 290 are registered such that each individual crease comes together with a corresponding crease on the other elongate handle portion when the blank 200 is folded into a balloon holder. Preferably, the creases are arranged diagonally in the same direction (as shown in FIG. 2) when the balloon holder is manufactured as a blank 200. This allows each crease to come together with a corresponding crease on the other elongate handle portion to intersect and form an X pattern of intersecting straight lines. The creases intersect at an angle of between 30 and 90, providing strength and rigidity to the arrangement, since each handle portion is stiffened by the creases in a different direction.

[0053] FIG. 2 shows six creases in each elongate handle portion 140, 150. It will be appreciated that any number of creases may be used, and the number of creases on each handle portion 140, 150 may or may not be equal to the number of creases on the other elongate handle portion 140, 150. Lesser creases on one of the elongate handle portions 140, 150 may, for example, leave a space for branding or other features which may be desired on the elongate handle portion 140, 150. Preferably however, the number of creases will be equal and registered with corresponding creases on the other elongate handle portion to provide maximum rigidity when the blank is assembled.

[0054] As shown in FIG. 2, the spacing from the longitudinal edge of the handle allows the creases to provide rigidity without creating a fold line.

[0055] The method of using the blank to make a balloon holder 10, and subsequently hold a balloon 410 is shown in FIGS. 3a to 3d. This method seals and secures into the holder an inflated untied balloon 410. The first step is shown in FIG. 3a, where the neck 400 of an inflated but untied balloon 410 is gripped and passed through the first aperture 40, while the balloon holder is still in an unfolded state, in the form of a blank 200. The two handle portions 140, 150 are then folded down to the position shown in FIG. 3b, and the neck 400 of the balloon is passed through the second aperture 80. In FIG. 3c the neck 400 is wrapped around the balloon receiving portion 30 and engaged with the plurality of slits 70, 120 spaced around the walls 100, 110 of the balloon-receiving portion 30. In the final step shown in FIG. 3d, the flange 420 at the end of the neck 400 is secured in the final slit 120. The neck of the balloon may be left untied, because the clamping action of the slits 70, 120 on the neck 400 is enough to seal the balloon so the air does not escape. These four steps not only seal and hold the balloon, but also serve to hold the balloon holder together without the need for fixations or adhesives, since the tension in the neck 400 pulls the wall portions 100, 110 together. Not requiring adhesives makes the holder 10 more environmentally friendly, safer for children and reduces litter associated with the use of adhesives requiring a release paper.

[0056] A second embodiment of the invention is now described with reference to the blank 700 shown in FIG. 4, where like reference numerals are used to indicate like features with respect to the blank 200 of FIG. 2, with the addition of 500.

[0057] The blank 700 is a flat sheet of material for forming a balloon holder in accordance with the first aspect of the invention, with additional features making the resulting balloon holder compatible with rubber and foil balloons. The blank 700 comprises a balloon-receiving portion 530 having a first aperture 540 adapted to permit a neck of a balloon to pass through. The blank 700 also has a plurality of fold lines 550, 560, four slits 570, 620 for receiving and securely engaging a neck of a balloon, a proximal end 760 and a distal end 770.

[0058] The blank 700 also has a first elongate handle portion 640 connected to the proximal end 760 of the balloon-receiving portion 530, and a second elongate handle portion 650 connected to the distal end 770 of the balloon-receiving portion 530. This means that the first elongate handle portion 640 and the second elongate handle portion 650 can be brought together to form an elongate handle such that the balloon receiving portion 530 will be at one end of the elongate handle. The elongate handle is a two-ply handle, where the first ply is the first elongate handle portion 640 and the second ply is the second elongate handle portion 650. This provides increased strength and rigidity over a single-ply handle. The blank 700 is a single sheet of material.

[0059] The blank 700 in this example has only one second aperture 580, such that when the blank is folded into a balloon holder, the second aperture 580 will be able to receive a balloon neck and allow it to pass through. The arrangement allows for a balloon neck to be passed from the outside of the balloon holder, through the first aperture 540, and back out to the outside through the second aperture 580, and then wrapped around the balloon-receiving portion 530. In this embodiment, the blank 700 further comprises a flap 710. The flap is formed by a curved cut line 712 and a linear fold line 714 which acts as a hinge to permit opening of the flap 710 by pressure on the flap 710. which is configured to allow the balloon neck to pass through the flap 710, and then close on the balloon neck to securely hold the balloon neck in the flap 710. After a portion of the balloon neck is held in the flap 710, the remainder of the balloon neck can be wrapped around the balloon receiving portion 130 and secured into multiple slits 571, 620.

[0060] The entire blank 700 may be made from cardboard, with simple fold lines, slits and apertures being cut into the blank to provide the necessary folding arrangement to provide the 3D object, and with the necessary features to engage and hold a balloon in place.

[0061] The blank 700 is for forming a balloon holder which is capable of holding both rubber/plastic/latex balloons and also foil/mylar balloons. The second aperture 580 is suitable for receiving therethrough the neck of a rubber/plastic/latex balloon, which is subsequently tied off and secured within one or more of the slits 620, 570. The flap 710 is suitable for receiving therethrough the neck of a foil/mylar balloon, wherein the flap securely engages the balloon and holds it.

[0062] Similarly to the embodiment described with reference to FIG. 2, the first elongate handle portion 640 may optionally have a first set of creases 780, and the second elongate handle portion 650 may optionally have a second set of creases 790. The first and second sets of creases 780, 790 are scores that increase the rigidity of the first and second elongate handle portions 640, 650. The strengthening effect of the creases 780, 790 on each of the first elongate handle portion 640 and second elongate handle portion 650 is increased when both elongate handle portions 640, 650 are brought together to form a two-ply handle portion. Alternatively to the embodiment described with reference to FIG. 2, the creases 780, 790 are registered such that each individual crease comes together with a corresponding crease on the other elongate handle portion such that the creases overlap completely and are in the same direction when the balloon holder is assembled. More preferably, the creases on one elongate handle portion, for example the first elongate handle portion 640, may be debossed and the creases on the other elongate handle portion, for example the second elongate handle portion 650, may be embossed. This allows the embossed creases to mate with the debossed creases, providing strength and rigidity to the arrangement, since each elongate handle portion is stiffened by the support of the creases of the other elongate handle portion.

[0063] Referring now to FIG. 5 which shows a third embodiment of the invention with like reference numerals used to indicate like features with respect to the blank 200 of FIG. 2, with the addition of 1000.

[0064] The third embodiment differs from the first and second embodiments in two main ways. Firstly, there is only one second aperture 1080, which leaves a large space 1300 for printed matter. Other small spaces suitable for printed matter are indicated by the dashed line boundaries 1310. This is particularly convenient, as it is advantageous to provide such a space on a balloon holder, as this can be used for advertising, branding, instructions and/or interactive labelling such as providing a QR code to the user, or a barcode which may be scannable by VR headsets, for example. The embodiment described with reference to FIG. 5 further differs from the embodiment described in FIG. 2 in that each elongate handle portion 1140, 1150 is a narrow handle portion, which is sufficiently narrow such that it can be inserted into a balloon holder mounting. Balloon holder mountings already exist which are designed to receive narrow handles of traditional balloon holders. The narrow handle of the presently described embodiment serves to allow the use of the presently described invention with existing balloon holder mountings, which greatly reduces the cost and work involved in changing existing balloon holder mountings to accommodate the new design.

[0065] Cardboard has an advantage over plastics in terms of recycling, and the solution presented provides strong balloon holder which can be manufactured economically and replace current plastic holders.