Counterweighted Free-Floating Helium Balloon

Abstract

The present invention relates to a kit that provides one or more counterweights, one or more counterweight containers, and a fastener adapted to attach the counterweight and counterweight container to the balloon. The counterweight container could be a plastic pipette, small rubber duck, plastic bottle, or something else. The fastener could be an adhesive, hook, or something else. A balloon could also be included in the kit. The counterweight container can be filled with any weight, such as water, and then attached to the helium balloon to balance the rise of the balloon. The weight can be adjusted by the addition or removal of water from the pipette. This counterweight allows for the balloon to be balanced at the desired height, free-floating, and desirable for many different applications.

Claims

1. A balloon counterweight apparatus compromising: a. a counterweight; b. a counterweight container designed to precisely adjust the effect of said counterweight; c. and a counterweight fastener designed to attach the said counterweight container to said balloon.

2. A balloon counterweight apparatus as in claim 1 wherein said counterweight compromises a liquid or material used to create weight to offset the rise of a balloon.

3. A balloon counterweight apparatus as in claim 1 wherein said counterweight container compromises a plastic pipette, bottle, or rubber toy used to hold the said counterweight at a precise level of control to remove excess weight or recursively add additional weight.

4. A balloon counterweight apparatus as in claim 1 wherein said counterweight fastener compromises an adhesive, hook, or hook and loop fastener to connect the counterweight and/or container to the balloon.

5. A method of making a free-floating balanced counterweighted balloon compromising: a. forming an accurate counterweight to the rise of the balloon; b. attaching the counterweight and/or container to the balloon; c. recursively resetting the weight of the counterweight to re-balance the rise of the balloon.

6. The method of claim 5, wherein the forming an accurate counterweight and recursively resetting the counterweight compromises adjusting the weight of the counterweight substance by adding more of the counterweight substance or removing some of the counterweight substance to precisely balance the rise of the balloon.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

[0024] 1. FIG. 1 depicts a decorative balloon with one method of holding a counterweight—a plastic bottle. The plastic bottle can be inserted into the balloon or attached with an adhesive or a hook.

[0025] 2. FIG. 2 depicts a balloon with one method of holding a counterweight—an electronic device that holds water and precisely measures the rise of the balloon and the weight of counterweight needed to balance out the balloon.

[0026] 3. FIG. 3 depicts a decorative balloon with one method of containing a counterweight—a plastic pipette with a round shape to hold the water or other form of liquid counterweight.

[0027] 4. FIG. 4 depicts a balloon with one method of containing a counterweight—a plastic pipette with an elongated oval shape to hold the water or other form of liquid counterweight.

[0028] 5. FIG. 5 depicts a decorative balloon with one method of retaining a counterweight—a plastic pipette with a heart shape to hold the water or other form of liquid counterweight.

[0029] 6. FIG. 6 depicts a balloon with one method of retaining a counterweight—a plastic pipette with a star shape to hold the water or other form of liquid counterweight.

[0030] 7. FIG. 7 depicts a decorative balloon with one method of encompassing a counterweight—a plastic pipette with a elongated oval shape to hold the water or other form of liquid counterweight.

[0031] 8. FIG. 8 depicts a decorative balloon with one method of encompassing a counterweight—a small bottle to hold the water or other form of counterweight.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0032] The invention to counterweight a helium balloon can be achieved through many different physical mechanisms. One method consists of a small plastic bottle or pipette with an adhesive meant to attach the bottle to the balloon. Water must be expelled in small increments to find the correct balance for the balloon allowing it to float in place.

[0033] The small plastic bottle is attached to the balloon spout facing upwards. The cap can be detached in order to fill the bottle with water. To add water into the bottle, the bottle must be squeezed, placed into a bowl of water, and released. Once the desired balance has been reached, the cap can be reapplied tightly to prevent any leakage of water.

[0034] The plastic pipette approximately weighs less than 4 grams. As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2 the pipette can be attached to the balloon with the spout facing up. This will ensure that if accidentally squeezed, only air will escape the pipette.

[0035] A pipette or small tipped bottle allows water to be removed incrementally as it only releases one drop of water at a time if squeezed delicately.

[0036] The adhesive is in the form of double sided tape, velcro, or another form of adhesive. To stick the bottle or pipette onto the balloon, one would peel one side of the tape and stick it to the dry side of the bottle. Then, one would peel the other side and stick it to the neck portion of the helium balloon. The bottle or pipette can be refilled and emptied multiple times until the balloon has deflated.

[0037] Now the balloon can float freely without restriction at an optimal balance point. If necessary, the counterweight can be adjusted as needed with the addition or removal of water from the bottle or pipette.