GB2186905A

GB2186905A - Clip for inflatable balloon

Info

Publication number: GB2186905A
Application number: GB08701932A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Andrew Oscar Brown
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 1986-01-30
Filing date: 1987-01-28
Publication date: 1987-08-26
Anticipated expiration: 2007-01-28
Also published as: GB8701932D0; GB2186905B; GB8602348D0

Abstract

A clip for gas tight sealing of an inflatable balloon has a central hole 4 into which the balloon neck 6 is pushed via a slot 3 from a notch 1 in the clip's side edge. The neck is wound around the clip and introduced again into the hole 4 via slot 3 for sealing of the balloon. The neck 6 may be guided by notch 2 in a second side edge and a further hole 5 may be provided for a pin or string. Sheet may be of plastics material or cardboard. As seen in Figs. 3, 4 a cardboard packing card (11) has clips cut in it left connected by thin sections to the rest of the cord - a cover (12) secured to the card contains balloons (13). <IMAGE>

Description

SPECIFICATION Clip for inflatable balloon This invention relates to a clip facilitating a gas tight sealing of an inflatable balloon.

Inflatable balloons are commonly used as decorations at celebrations, parties and social events. The rubber balloons are purchased flat and not inflated. When the balloons are to be used they are sealed at their neck to prevent the escape of pressurised gas.

Previously, balloons were sealed with cotton or string tied in a knot around the neck of the balloon. To seal a balloon with string or cotton is relatively tedious and usually requires two people.

A clip of the invention comprises a sheet having an aperture with an opening to one side edge of the sheet, the sheet having a transverse dimension between its two opposite side edges such that the neck of a balloon having been introduced via the opening into the aperture can be wound around the second side edge and on around the one side edge for introduction a second time into the aperture via the opening, the balloon being now sealed.

It is envisaged that the opening may be parallel sided or flared.

To guide the neck of the balloon into the opening, the one side edge of the sheet is preferably notched at the opening. Conveniently a further notch is provided in the other side edge for locating the neck of the balloon where is wound around the other side edge.

The sheet may be of plastics material or cardboard.

Conveniently the clips will be sold in a pack containing equal numbers of balloons and clips. The pack will normally include a packing card from which the clips are at least partially stamped.

To help understanding of the invention a clip and a pack in accordance with the invention will now be described by way of example and with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which: Figure 1 shows a perspective view of a clip according to the invention, Figure 2 shows a similar view of the clip in use sealing a balloon, Figure 3 shows a front view of a pack according to the invention, and Figure 4 shows a rear view of the pack.

Referring first to Figs. 1 and 2, the clip shown comprises an injection moulded plastics sheet having notches 1 and 2 in opposite side edges, a slot or opening 3 extending inwardly from the notch 1 and a hole 4 through a central region of the sheet and to which the opening 3 extends. To seal an inflated balloon, its neck 6 is placed in the notch 1 for guidance into the slot 3. It is pushed down this into the hole 4. The neck is then wrapped around the clip, being guided by the notch 2 and on around into notch 1. It is then again passed through the slot 3, where it remains with the balloon sealed.

The procedure can be reversed for deflation and re-use of the balloons.

A further hole 5 is provided in the clip for a string or pin to support the balloon.

Typical dimensions of the clip are: Width 20 mm Length 28 mm Thickness 1 mm Width of slot 3 0.5 mm Diameter of holes 4,5 3.5 mm.

Turning now to Figs. 3 and 4, a pack 10 is shown comprising a cardboard packing card 11 and a clear, vacuum formed cover 12 secured to the card to contain balloons 13. The card has clips 14 die cut in it. Each clip is left connected to the rest of the card by thin sections at corners of the clips whereby the clips 14 can be pressed from the card 11.

1. A clip adapted for gas tight sealing of an inflatable balloon, comprising a sheet having an aperture with an opening to one side edge of the sheet, the sheet having a transverse dimension between its two opposite side edges such that the neck of a balloon having been introduced via the opening into the aperture can be wound around the second side edge and on around the one side edge for introduction a second time into the aperture via the opening, the balloon being now sealed.

2. A clip as claimed in claim 1, wherein the opening is parallel sided.

3. A clip as claimed in claim 1, wherein the opening is flared.

4. A clip as claimed in claim 1, claim 2 or claim 3, wherein the sheet has a notch in the one side edge at the opening.

5. A clip as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein the sheet has a notch in the second side edge adjacent the aperture.

6. A clip as claimed in any preceding claim wherein the sheet has a further aperture for supporting the inflated balloon.

7. A clip as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein the sheet is of plastics material.

8. A clip as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein the sheet is of cardboard.

9. A clip substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to Figs. 1 and 2 of the accompanying drawings.

10. A pack comprising a plurality of balloons and a like plurality of clips as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 9.

11. A pack as claimed in claim 10, including a packing card, the clips being at least partially stamped from the packing card.

**WARNING** end of DESC field may overlap start of CLMS **.

Claims

**WARNING** start of CLMS field may overlap end of DESC **. SPECIFICATION Clip for inflatable balloon This invention relates to a clip facilitating a gas tight sealing of an inflatable balloon. Inflatable balloons are commonly used as decorations at celebrations, parties and social events. The rubber balloons are purchased flat and not inflated. When the balloons are to be used they are sealed at their neck to prevent the escape of pressurised gas. Previously, balloons were sealed with cotton or string tied in a knot around the neck of the balloon. To seal a balloon with string or cotton is relatively tedious and usually requires two people. A clip of the invention comprises a sheet having an aperture with an opening to one side edge of the sheet, the sheet having a transverse dimension between its two opposite side edges such that the neck of a balloon having been introduced via the opening into the aperture can be wound around the second side edge and on around the one side edge for introduction a second time into the aperture via the opening, the balloon being now sealed. It is envisaged that the opening may be parallel sided or flared. To guide the neck of the balloon into the opening, the one side edge of the sheet is preferably notched at the opening. Conveniently a further notch is provided in the other side edge for locating the neck of the balloon where is wound around the other side edge. The sheet may be of plastics material or cardboard. Conveniently the clips will be sold in a pack containing equal numbers of balloons and clips. The pack will normally include a packing card from which the clips are at least partially stamped. To help understanding of the invention a clip and a pack in accordance with the invention will now be described by way of example and with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which: Figure 1 shows a perspective view of a clip according to the invention, Figure 2 shows a similar view of the clip in use sealing a balloon, Figure 3 shows a front view of a pack according to the invention, and Figure 4 shows a rear view of the pack. Referring first to Figs. 1 and 2, the clip shown comprises an injection moulded plastics sheet having notches 1 and 2 in opposite side edges, a slot or opening 3 extending inwardly from the notch 1 and a hole 4 through a central region of the sheet and to which the opening 3 extends. To seal an inflated balloon, its neck 6 is placed in the notch 1 for guidance into the slot 3. It is pushed down this into the hole 4. The neck is then wrapped around the clip, being guided by the notch 2 and on around into notch 1. It is then again passed through the slot 3, where it remains with the balloon sealed. The procedure can be reversed for deflation and re-use of the balloons. A further hole 5 is provided in the clip for a string or pin to support the balloon. Typical dimensions of the clip are: Width 20 mm Length 28 mm Thickness 1 mm Width of slot 3 0.5 mm Diameter of holes 4,5 3.5 mm. Turning now to Figs. 3 and 4, a pack 10 is shown comprising a cardboard packing card 11 and a clear, vacuum formed cover 12 secured to the card to contain balloons 13. The card has clips 14 die cut in it. Each clip is left connected to the rest of the card by thin sections at corners of the clips whereby the clips 14 can be pressed from the card 11. CLAIMS

2. A clip as claimed in claim 1, wherein the opening is parallel sided.

3. A clip as claimed in claim 1, wherein the opening is flared.

8. A clip as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein the sheet is of cardboard.

12. A pack of balloons and clips adapted for gas tight sealing thereof substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to Fig. 3 of the accompanying drawings.