US20190083891A1

US20190083891A1 - Balloon containment device

Info

Publication number: US20190083891A1
Application number: US16/135,857
Authority: US
Inventors: Nevin R. Salvino
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2018-09-19
Filing date: 2018-09-19
Publication date: 2019-03-21
Also published as: WO2020061292A1

Abstract

Disclosed herein is a balloon containment device including a central portion having a diameter larger than the diameter of the narrowest part of an expanded opening portion of a balloon. The device includes a longitudinally extending first portion extending from the central portion toward a proximate end to the balloon opening portion and having a length designed for placement extending outside the balloon opening portion. The device includes a longitudinally extending second portion extending from the central portion, and toward a distal end from the balloon opening portion, and having a length designed for placement inside of the balloon.

Description

PRIORITY

This application claims priority from U.S. provisional patent application Ser. No. 62/560,643, filed Sep. 19, 2017, entitled “Balloon with Ball Valve and Broadheads,” which is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety.

FIELD OF DISCLOSURE

The present disclosure relates generally to a balloon tie, more specifically, to a balloon air containment device.

BACKGROUND

Balloons are used for many purposes including entertainment, promotion, or some practical purposes, such as meteorology, medical treatment, military defense, or transportation. Balloons can be filled with a gas or a liquid. The conventional method of containing the gas or liquid inside the balloon is to have a user tie the end of the balloon into a knot.
In certain circumstances tying the end of the balloon into a knot can be cumbersome or ineffectual. There is a need for a device which keeps air or liquid contained inside a balloon without having to tie the end of the balloon.

SUMMARY

While the following describes a preferred embodiment or embodiments of the present invention, it is to be understood that this description is made by way of example only and is not intended to limit the scope of the present invention. It is expected that alterations and further modifications, as well as other and further applications of the principles of the present invention will occur to others skilled in the art to which the invention relates and, while differing from the foregoing, remain within the spirit and scope of the invention as herein described and claimed.
Where means-plus-function clauses are used in the claims such language is intended to cover the structures described herein as performing the recited functions and not only structural equivalents but equivalent structures as well. For the purposes of the present disclosure, two structures that perform the same function within an environment described above may be equivalent structures.
Disclosed herein is a balloon containment device including a central portion having a diameter larger than the diameter of the narrowest part of an expanded opening portion of a balloon. The device includes a longitudinally extending first portion extending from the central portion toward a proximate end to the balloon opening portion and having a length designed for placement extending outside the balloon opening portion. The device includes a longitudinally extending second portion extending from the central portion, and toward a distal end from the balloon opening portion, and having a length designed for placement inside of the balloon.
Disclosed herein is a balloon containment device including a means for plugging a balloon, a means for maintaining a portion of the device outside the balloon, and a means for maintaining a portion of the device inside of the balloon.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The accompanying figures, where like reference numerals refer to identical or functionally similar elements throughout the separate views, together with the detailed description below, are incorporated in and form part of the specification, and serve to further illustrate embodiments of concepts that include the claimed embodiments, and explain various principles and advantages of some of those embodiments.

The apparatus and components have been represented where appropriate by conventional symbols in the drawings, showing specific details that are pertinent to understanding the embodiments of the disclosure herein so as not to obscure the disclosure with details that will be readily apparent to those of ordinary skill in the art having the benefit of the description herein.

FIG. 1 illustrates a longitudinal cross sectional view of an embodiment of a balloon containment device as it is placed inside a balloon.

FIG. 2 illustrates a close-up view of the embodiment of the balloon containment device in FIG. 1.

FIG. 3 illustrates an embodiment of a balloon containment device with example dimensions.

FIG. 4 illustrates a longitudinal cross sectional view of embodiments of an internal end portion.

FIG. 5 illustrates a lateral cross sectional view of embodiments of an internal end portion.

FIG. 6 illustrates a longitudinal cross sectional view of embodiments of an internal end portion.

FIG. 7 illustrates a lateral cross sectional view of embodiments of an internal end portion.

FIG. 8 illustrates a longitudinal cross sectional view of embodiments of an internal end portion.

FIG. 9 illustrates a lateral cross sectional view of embodiments of an internal end portion.

FIG. 10 illustrates a longitudinal cross sectional view of embodiments of an internal end portion.

FIG. 11 illustrates a lateral cross sectional view of embodiments of an internal end portion.

FIG. 12 illustrates a close-up view of the embodiment of the balloon containment device including an embodiment of means for plugging a balloon.

FIGS. 13-22 illustrate longitudinal cross sectional view of different embodiments of a means for plugging a balloon.

FIG. 23 illustrates a longitudinal cross sectional view of an embodiment of a balloon containment device.

FIG. 24 illustrates a longitudinal cross sectional view of an embodiment of a balloon containment device.

FIG. 25 illustrates a longitudinal cross sectional view of an embodiment of a balloon containment device.

FIG. 26 illustrates a longitudinal cross sectional view of an embodiment of a balloon containment device.

FIG. 27 illustrates a longitudinal cross sectional view of an embodiment of a balloon containment device.

FIG. 28 illustrates a longitudinal cross sectional view of an embodiment of a balloon containment device.

FIG. 29 illustrates a longitudinal cross sectional view of an embodiment of a balloon containment device.

FIG. 30 illustrates a longitudinal cross sectional view of an embodiment of a balloon containment device.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

A balloon is a flexible bag that can be inflated with a gas, such as helium, hydrogen, nitrous oxide, oxygen, air, or water. A balloon can be made from a material including any one or more of the following: rubber, latex, polychloroprene, or a nylon fabric, or any conventional material known in the art at the time of filing this disclosure, having the benefit of the description herein. The conventional method of keeping the gas or liquid in the balloon is to tie the end of the balloon into a knot. The conventional method of tying a knot can be ineffectual and cumbersome in some cases. There is a need for a device which contains contents of a balloon without having to tie the end of the balloon.
Disclosed herein is an embodiment of a method and device for taking a deflated blow up balloon, and putting a ball like shape inside the deflated balloon. The balloon can be blown up to a desired size. A ball shaped material can be placed at the blowhole of the balloon so air pressure clogs the ball into the blowhole keeping the balloon inflated without needing to tie the balloon to keep it inflated. The device can unclog the ball to let air out of balloon to be able to more easily reuse the balloon. The ball like piece can be made of a light material or substance and can vary in size to accommodate a different size balloon or a balloon with different elastic property.
A means for plugging a balloon can include a ball like material piece, which can be hard or soft, and can have a tacky or smooth surface. In an embodiment, it can have a non-tacky smooth ball like round surface. In an embodiment, it can have a portion or all of its surface be a sticky surface.
Exact dimensions and embodiments of the balloon containment device can vary and can be determined based upon properties of an existing balloon known by one having ordinary skill in the art at the time of the invention, having the benefit of the description herein. In an embodiment, the ball valve for the balloon containment device has attached a string lanyard. The string lanyard can be attached to the ball. After the balloon is inflated, the string can be used for holding the balloon, without the effort of tying a knot on the balloon stem. In an embodiment, a balloon containment device includes a round ball to keep the balloon inflated without needing to tie balloon by hand, making it much faster and easier to contain the contents of the balloon.
FIG. 1 illustrates a longitudinal cross sectional view of an embodiment of a balloon containment device 100 as it is placed inside a balloon 10. FIG. 2 illustrates a close-up view of the embodiment of the balloon containment device 100 in FIG. 1. In an embodiment, a balloon containment device 100 comprises a central portion 102 having a diameter 104 larger than the diameter 106 of the narrowest part 108 of an expanded opening portion 110 of a balloon 10. A longitudinally extending first portion 120 extends from the central portion 102 toward a proximate end 20 to the balloon opening portion 110. It is proximate in relation to the balloon opening portion 110. The longitudinally extending first portion 120 has a length designed for placement extending outside the balloon opening portion 110. Depending upon the different balloon, the length can be customized to extend from the central portion 102 past the balloon opening portion 110 and to have extra length to be able to be handled easily by a user to insert, remove, or hold the balloon or place the balloon where it is desired. The device 100 includes a longitudinally extending second portion 130 extending from the central portion 102, and toward a distal end 30 from the balloon opening portion 110, and having a length customized for placement inside of the balloon 10.
In an embodiment, the balloon containment device 100 can have a longitudinally extending first portion 120 include an external retainer end 122 for partial retainment of the device 100 to partially stay outside the balloon 10. In an embodiment, the balloon containment device 100 can have a longitudinally extending second portion 130 include an internal retainer end 132 for partial retainment of the device 100 to partially stay inside the balloon 10. In an embodiment, the external retainer end 122 and the internal retainer end 132 each have the same shape.
FIG. 3 illustrates an embodiment of a balloon containment device 100 with example dimensions. For example, the central portion 102 can be a sphere with a diameter of 9/16 of an inch. The longitudinally extending first portion 120 can be ½ inches in length. The external retainer end 122 can have an angled upper portion angled 70 degrees from the longitudinal axis with 0 degrees being the direction toward the central portion 102. It can also have an angled lower portion angled 290 degrees from the longitudinal axis with 0 degrees being the direction toward the central portion 102. The length of the retainer end portion can be ¾ of an inch. It can have the longitudinally extending second portion 130 have a length of ⅞ inches. Its internal retainer end 132 can include an angled upper portion angled 75 degrees from the longitudinal axis with 0 degrees being the direction toward the central portion 102. It can also have an angled lower portion angled 285 degrees from the longitudinal axis with 0 degrees being the direction toward the central portion 102. The length of the retainer end portion 132 can be ½ of an inch. The thickness of each of the longitudinally extending first portion 120, the longitudinally extending second portion 130, the external retainer end 122, the internal retainer end 132 can be 0.025 inches. Different dimensions can be understood given the particular balloon and given the benefit of this disclosure and the functions performed of the device and methods described herein.
In an embodiment, the central portion 102 or a means for plugging a balloon can be made of a hard substance, such as metal or plastic. In an embodiment, the central portion 102 or a means for plugging a balloon can be made of a soft material, such as foam or contained air.
The balloon containment device can work with different embodiments of an external retainer end 122 and different embodiments of an internal retainer end 132. Each of these ends can be the same or similar or different using any combination of the ends described herein. For example, FIG. 3 illustrates similarly shaped ends of different dimensions. Throughout the disclosure one end can be exchanged with the other. For example, the internal retainer end 132 illustrated in FIG. 3 can be the external retainer end 122 and vice versa or both ends can have the same shape and dimensions.
Each of the internal retainer end 132 and the external retainer end 122 can be further described with differences. For example, FIG. 4 illustrates a longitudinal cross sectional view 400 of embodiments of a portion of an internal retainer end 132. A first embodiment is identified with a solid line in FIG. 4. Subsequent embodiments are illustrated with dashed lines to more easily show them as alternatives.
In an embodiment illustrated with the solid line in FIG. 4, the internal retainer end 132 includes an internal end portion 402 having an upper portion 404 extending above a single plane containing the longitudinal axis 40 of the device 100, and a lower portion 406 extending below the single plane containing the longitudinal axis 40 of the device 100. In this embodiment, the upper end portion 404 extends along about a 90 degree angle away from the single plane, and the lower end portion extends along about a 270 degree angle away from the single plane.
In an alternative embodiment, internal end portion 402 includes an upper portion 410 and a lower end portion 412, each with ends angled toward the central portion 102. In an alternative embodiment, internal end portion 400 includes an upper portion 420 and a lower end portion 422, each with ends angled away from the central portion 102.
FIG. 5 illustrates a lateral cross sectional view 500 of embodiments of the internal end portions illustrated in FIG. 4. Each of the embodiments illustrated in FIG. 4 would have the lateral cross sectional view of upper portion 404 and lower portion 406 as any variation in angle in the longitudinal plane would appear similar in the lateral cross section, as illustrated by the solid line. In an alternative embodiment, the internal end portion 402 is illustrated by the dashed lines. In an embodiment, internal end portion 402 can include additional portions additional to the upper portion 404 and lower portion 406. For example, internal end portion 402 can include upper portion 404, lower portion 406, right lateral portion 502, and left lateral portion 504. In an embodiment, internal end portion 402 can include upper portion 404, lower portion 406, right lateral portion 502, and left lateral portion 504, and one or more additional end portions, such as portion 506, portion 508, portion 510, portion 512. In an embodiment, internal end portion 402 can include a continuous portion having a surface area in a lateral plane crossing the longitudinal axis of the device 100.
FIG. 6 illustrates a longitudinal cross sectional view 600 of embodiments of an internal end portion 602. In an embodiment, internal end portion 602 includes an upper portion 604 and lower portion 606, each portion having a spherical structure 608, 610 attached to its respective end. FIG. 7 illustrates a lateral cross sectional view 700 of embodiments of an internal end portion 602.
FIG. 8 illustrates a longitudinal cross sectional view 800 of embodiments of an internal end portion 802. In an embodiment, the longitudinally extending second portion 130 includes an internal retainer end 132 for partial retainment of the device 100 to partially stay inside the balloon 10. In an embodiment, internal retainer end 132 includes internal end portion 802 having an upper end portion 804 and a lower end portion 806. In an embodiment, upper portion 804 extends above a single plane containing the longitudinal axis 40 of the device 100, and a lower portion 806 extends below the single plane containing the longitudinal axis 40 of the device 100. In an embodiment, upper end portion 804 starts to extend along about a 90 degree angle away from the single plane, and the lower end portion 806 starts to extend along about a 270 degree angle away from the single plane. In an embodiment, upper end portion 804 continues to extend by having a curved form curving away from longitudinally extending second portion 130, and the lower portion 806 continues to extend by having a curved form curving away from the longitudinally extending second portion 130.
FIG. 8 illustrates with the dashed line an alternative embodiment of internal end portion 802. In an embodiment, internal end portion 802 having an upper end portion 808 and a lower end portion 810. In an embodiment, upper portion 808 extends above a single plane containing the longitudinal axis 40 of the device 100, and a lower portion 810 extends below the single plane containing the longitudinal axis 40 of the device 100. In an embodiment, upper end portion 808 starts to extend along about a 90 degree angle away from the single plane, and the lower end portion 810 starts to extend along about a 270 degree angle away from the single plane. In an embodiment, upper end portion 808 continues to extend by having a curved form curving toward longitudinally extending second portion 130, and the lower portion 810 continues to extend by having a curved form curving toward the longitudinally extending second portion 130. FIG. 9 illustrates a lateral cross sectional view 900 of embodiments of an internal end portion 802.
FIG. 10 illustrates a longitudinal cross sectional view 1000 of embodiments of an internal end portion 1002. The dashed line on FIG. 10 shows an embodiment similar to the embodiment of the internal end portion 402 illustrated in FIG. 4. In an embodiment, internal end portion 1002 having an upper end portion 1004 and a lower end portion 1006. In an embodiment, upper portion 1004 extends above a single plane containing the longitudinal axis 40 of the device 100, and a lower portion 1006 extends below the single plane containing the longitudinal axis 40 of the device 100. In an embodiment, upper end portion 1004 starts to extend along about a 90 degree angle away from the single plane, and the lower end portion 1006 starts to extend along about a 270 degree angle away from the single plane. In an embodiment, upper end portion 1004 continues to extend by having a curved form curving toward longitudinally extending second portion 130, and the lower portion 1006 continues to extend by having a curved form curving toward the longitudinally extending second portion 130. In an embodiment, upper end portion 1004 and the lower end portion 1006 attach to a toric joint 1012 or a ring torus form. In an embodiment, the entire device 100 is manufactured by the same material. In an embodiment, the entire device 100 is manufactured by injection molding. In an embodiment, the entire device 100 is manufactured by attaching elements identified herein to each other in any method available to one having ordinary skill in the art at the time of the invention having the benefit of the description.
FIG. 11 illustrates a lateral cross sectional view 1100 of embodiments of an internal end portion 1002 of FIG. 10. In an embodiment, an internal end portion 1002 has a surface area 1102 with a portion of the surface area orthogonal to the longitudinal axis 40 of the device 100. In an embodiment, the surface area 1102 can remain in a plane orthogonal to the longitudinal axis 40 of the device 100. In an embodiment, the surface area 1102 can start from being in a plane orthogonal to the longitudinal axis 40 of the device 100 and being in a plane orthogonal to the longitudinally extending second portion 130, and can continue its surface area to curve toward or away from the extending second portion 130. In an embodiment the surface area 1002 can have a circular shape or a semi-hemisphere shape as illustrated in FIGS. 10 and 11.
FIG. 10 also illustrates an alternative embodiment wherein the internal end portion 1002 includes a reinforcement portion 1030, which is indicated in dashed lines. The reinforcement portion 1030 can be a single linear portion running from a spherical structure 608, 610 attached to its respective end or can a single linear portion running across two ends of a toric joint 1012 or can be a surface area connecting across the inside circumferential edge of the toric joint 1012. In an embodiment, a reinforcement portion 1030 can be added to any other embodiment of internal retainer end 132 or external retainer end 122.
FIG. 12 illustrates a close-up view of the embodiment of the balloon containment device including an embodiment of means for plugging a balloon. In an embodiment, central portion 102 has a sphere shape. FIGS. 13-22 illustrate longitudinal cross sectional view of different embodiments of an internal retainer end 132 or external retainer end 122 or a means for plugging a balloon. FIGS. 13-15 illustrate an embodiment of the central portion 102 having a three-dimensional egg shape.
FIG. 13 illustrates an embodiment of the central portion 102 having a mesh layer 1302. In an embodiment, a means for plugging a balloon can have a mesh layer. In an embodiment, a mesh layer 1302 can have small hemispherical bumps. In an embodiment, a mesh layer 1302 can have any shape as is known by one skilled in the art at the time of invention, having the benefit of the description herein. In an embodiment, a mesh layer 1302 can have a spiraling pattern. In an embodiment, a mesh layer 1302 can have sticky portions evenly distributed about the entire surface. In an embodiment, a mesh layer 1302 can have sticky portions evenly distributed about a portion of the surface about its diameter 104. In an embodiment, a mesh layer 1302 can have a sticky portion distributed about a portion of the surface about its diameter 104.
In an embodiment a mesh layer can be manufactured into or applied to any one or more of: a means for plugging a balloon, a means for maintaining a portion of the device outside the balloon, or a means for maintaining a portion of the device inside the balloon, as described herein.
FIG. 14 illustrates an embodiment of the central portion 102 having a longitudinally oblong shape. FIG. 15 illustrates an embodiment of the central portion 102 having a longitudinally oblong shape with a larger flattened diameter region. FIG. 16 illustrates an embodiment of the central portion 102 having a longitudinally oblong bullet shape. FIG. 17 illustrates an embodiment of the central portion 102 having a longitudinally directed cut off cone shape. FIG. 18 illustrates an embodiment of the central portion 102 having a longitudinally directed dual cone shape. FIG. 19 illustrates an embodiment of the central portion 102 having a longitudinally directed teardrop shape. FIG. 20 illustrates an embodiment of the central portion 102 having a longitudinally directed dual cone shape having a larger flattened diameter region and rounded corners at both its distal and proximate ends. FIG. 20 illustrates an embodiment of the central portion 102 having a three-dimensional oblong dual cone shape 2000 with an extended diameter surface area extending along the longitudinal axis 40. FIG. 21 illustrates an embodiment of the central portion 102 having a longitudinally oblong shape including one or more ring shaped ridges 2102. FIG. 16 illustrates an embodiment of the central portion 102 having a longitudinally oblong bullet shape including one or more ring shaped ridges 2102.
FIGS. 1, 2, 3, and 10 illustrate embodiments of a means for plugging a balloon. FIGS. 1-12 illustrate embodiments of a means for maintaining a portion of the device outside the balloon. FIGS. 1-12 illustrate embodiments of a means for maintaining a portion of the device inside the balloon. FIGS. 1-12 illustrate embodiments of a means for retaining the portion of the device outside the balloon opening portion to partially stay outside the balloon. FIGS. 1-12 illustrate embodiments of a means for retaining the portion of the device to partially stay inside the balloon. FIGS. 1-12 illustrate embodiments of a means for coming in contact with the balloon without puncturing the balloon. FIGS. 12-22 illustrate embodiments of a means for plugging a balloon.
FIG. 23 illustrates a longitudinal cross sectional view of an embodiment of a balloon containment device. FIG. 23 illustrates a longitudinal cross sectional view of an embodiment of a balloon containment device including a means for maintaining a portion of the device outside the balloon and a means for maintaining a portion of the device inside of the balloon and a means for plugging a balloon. In an embodiment, a central portion 2302 has a sphere shape, which has a longitudinally extending first portion 2320 extending from it toward the proximate end 20 of a balloon opening. Central portion 2302 has a longitudinally extending second portion 2330 extending from the central portion 2302, and toward a distal end 30 from the balloon opening portion 110, and having a length designed for placement inside of the balloon 10. In an embodiment, longitudinally extending second portion 2330 includes an internal retainer end 132 for partial retainment of the device to stay inside a balloon. In an embodiment, internal retainer end 132 includes an internal end portion having an upper portion 2340 extending above a single plane containing the longitudinal axis 40 of the device 100, and a lower portion 2342 extending below the single plane containing the longitudinal axis 40 of the device. In an embodiment, the internal retainer end 132 includes a reinforcement portion 2350 connecting the upper portion 2340 and the lower portion 2342. In an embodiment, the internal retainer end 132 includes a reinforcement portion 2350 having an prolonged extension portion 2360. In an embodiment of the balloon containment device illustrated in FIG. 23, the internal retainer end 132 can be flipped in form, so that for example, the slanted portions 2340 and 2342 are more proximate 30 the interior of the balloon 10 when in position and the reinforcement portion 2350 is respectively more distal 20.
FIG. 24 illustrates a longitudinal cross sectional view of an embodiment of a balloon containment device similar to device 2300, except the element portions of the device 2400 are placed in reverse direction.
FIG. 25 illustrates a longitudinal cross sectional view of an embodiment of a balloon containment device as it is placed inside a balloon. FIG. 25 illustrates a longitudinal cross sectional view of an embodiment of a balloon containment device including a means for maintaining a portion of the device outside the balloon and a means for maintaining a portion of the device inside of the balloon and a means for plugging a balloon. In an embodiment, means for plugging a balloon 2502 includes a plurality of any combination of central portion shapes, such as any one or more of the shapes illustrated in FIGS. 12-22. In an embodiment, a means for plugging a balloon 2502 includes a plurality of sphere shaped central portions. In an embodiment, means for plugging a balloon 2502 includes a plurality of different sized sphere shaped central portions. In an embodiment, the device 2500 has the means for plugging a balloon also acting as a means for maintaining a portion of the device inside of the balloon or acting as a means for maintaining a portion of the device outside the balloon. For example, the largest sphere shaped form of a plurality of sphere shaped forms can be placed most proximate 30 the interior of the balloon.
FIG. 26 illustrates a longitudinal cross sectional view of an embodiment of a balloon containment device similar to device 2500, except the element portions of the device 2600 are placed in reverse direction. In an embodiment, a means for plugging a balloon 2602 includes a plurality of any combination of central portion shapes, such as any one or more of the shapes illustrated in FIGS. 12-22.
FIG. 27 illustrates a longitudinal cross sectional view of an embodiment of a balloon containment device. In an embodiment, a means for plugging a balloon consists of or includes a tacky spherical form 2702. In an embodiment, a means for maintaining a portion of the device inside the balloon consists of or includes a hemisphere form 2704 with an attachment to the means for plugging a balloon. In an embodiment, the attachment can be a linear tubular connector 2706. In an embodiment, a means for maintaining a portion of the device outside the balloon can be an arrow shaped end or an open-umbrella shaped end or a cone-shaped end.
FIG. 28 illustrates a longitudinal cross sectional view of an embodiment of a balloon containment device similar to the device illustrated in FIG. 27 except it has a shorter length attachment 2806 between the means for maintaining a portion of the device inside the balloon and the means for plugging a balloon. In an embodiment, the means for maintaining a portion of the device inside the balloon can be directly attached, with no differing shape in between, to the means for plugging a balloon.
FIG. 29 illustrates a longitudinal cross sectional view of an embodiment of a balloon containment device. In an embodiment, a means for maintaining a portion of the device inside the balloon consists of or includes a cone shaped form 2902. In an embodiment, a cone shape is three-dimensional.
FIG. 30 illustrates a longitudinal cross sectional view of an embodiment of a balloon containment device. In an embodiment, a means for maintaining a portion of the device inside the balloon consists of or includes a cone shaped form 3002 having a ring torus form 3004 at its largest circumference. In an embodiment, a means for not puncturing the balloon includes the toric section or a curved edge directed toward the closest balloon interior to prevent the balloon from puncture by the means for maintaining a portion of the device inside the balloon.
FIGS. 1-30 illustrate embodiments of at least one of a means for plugging a balloon or a means for maintaining a portion of the device outside the balloon or a means for maintaining a portion of the device inside the balloon. In an embodiment, an individual means for plugging a balloon can be combined with a means for maintaining a portion of the device inside the balloon and with a means for maintaining a portion of the device outside the balloon to form an embodiment of a balloon containment device.
As disclosed herein, the combination of a means for plugging a balloon, a means for maintaining a portion of the device outside the balloon, and a means for maintaining a portion of the device inside the balloon can be any combination from each category as described herein and as would be obvious to those skilled in the art at the time of this disclosure, having the benefit of this disclosure.

Claims

Claimed is:

1. A balloon containment device comprising:

a central portion having a diameter larger than the diameter of the narrowest part of an expanded opening portion of a balloon;

a longitudinally extending first portion extending from the central portion toward a proximate end to the balloon opening portion and having a length designed for placement extending outside the balloon opening portion;

a longitudinally extending second portion extending from the central portion, and toward a distal end from the balloon opening portion, and having a length designed for placement inside of the balloon.

2. The balloon containment device of claim 1, wherein the longitudinally extending first portion includes an external retainer end for partial retainment of the device to partially stay outside the balloon.

3. The balloon containment device of claim 1, wherein the longitudinally extending second portion includes an internal retainer end for partial retainment of the device to partially stay inside the balloon.

4. The balloon containment device of claim 1, wherein the external retainer end and the internal retainer end each have the same shape.

5. The balloon containment device of claim 1, wherein the longitudinally extending second portion includes an internal retainer end for partial retainment of the device to partially stay inside the balloon;

the internal retainer end includes an internal end portion having an upper portion extending above a single plane containing the longitudinal axis 40 of the device, and a lower portion extending below the single plane containing the longitudinal axis of the device;

wherein the upper end portion extends along about a 90 degree angle away from the single plane, and the lower end portion extends along about a 270 degree angle away from the single plane.

6. The balloon containment device of claim 1, wherein the longitudinally extending second portion includes an internal retainer end for partial retainment of the device to partially stay inside the balloon;

the internal retainer end includes an internal end portion having an upper portion extending above a single plane containing the longitudinal axis of the device, and a lower portion extending below the single plane containing the longitudinal axis of the device;

wherein the upper end portion starts to extend along about a 90 degree angle away from the single plane, and the lower end portion starts to extend along about a 270 degree angle away from the single plane;

wherein the upper end portion continues to extend by having a curved form curving away from longitudinally extending second portion, and the lower portion continues to extend by having a curved form curving away from the longitudinally extending second portion;

wherein the upper end portion includes a first sphere endpoint and the lower end portion includes a second sphere end point;

wherein the entire device is manufactured by the same material.

7. The balloon containment device of claim 1, wherein the longitudinally extending second portion includes an internal retainer end for partial retainment of the device to partially stay inside the balloon;

the internal retainer end includes an internal end portion having a surface area with a portion of the surface area orthogonal to the longitudinal axis of the device;

wherein the surface area has a circular shape;

wherein a circumference of the surface area includes a toric joint.

8. The balloon containment device of claim 1, wherein the longitudinally extending second portion includes an internal retainer end for partial retainment of the device to partially stay inside the balloon;

the internal retainer end includes an internal end potion having an upper portion extending above a single plane containing the longitudinal axis of the device, and a lower portion extending below the single plane containing the longitudinal axis 40 of the device;

wherein the upper end portion extends along about a 90 degree angle away from the single plane, and the lower end portion extends along about a 270 degree angle away from the single plane;

wherein the central portion has a three-dimensional egg shape.

9. The balloon containment device of claim 1, wherein the longitudinally extending second portion includes an internal retainer end for partial retainment of the device to partially stay inside the balloon;

the internal retainer end includes an internal end potion having an upper portion extending above a single plane containing the longitudinal axis of the device, and a lower portion extending below the single plane containing the longitudinal axis of the device;

wherein the central portion has a three-dimensional oblong sphere shape with a toric ridge at its central diameter.

10. The balloon containment device of claim 1, wherein the longitudinally extending second portion includes an internal retainer end for partial retainment of the device to partially stay inside the balloon;

wherein the central portion has a three-dimensional oblong dual cone shape with an extended diameter surface area extending along the longitudinal axis.

11. A balloon containment device comprising:

a means for plugging a balloon;

a means for maintaining a portion of the device outside the balloon;

a means for maintaining a portion of the device inside the balloon.

12. The balloon containment device of claim 11, wherein the means for maintaining a portion of the device outside the balloon opening portion includes a means for retaining the portion of the device outside the balloon opening portion to partially stay outside the balloon.

13. The balloon containment device of claim 11, wherein the means for maintaining a portion of the device inside of the balloon includes a means for retaining the portion of the device to partially stay inside the balloon.

14. The balloon containment device of claim 11, wherein the means for retaining the portion of the device to partially stay inside the balloon and means for retaining the portion of the device outside the balloon opening portion each have the same shape.

15. The balloon containment device of claim 11, wherein the means for retaining the portion of the device to partially stay inside the balloon includes a means for coming in contact with the balloon without puncturing the balloon.

16. The balloon containment device of claim 11, wherein the means for retaining the portion of the device to partially stay inside the balloon includes a means for coming in contact with the balloon without puncturing the balloon;

wherein the entire device is manufactured by the same material.

17. The balloon containment device of claim 11, wherein the means for retaining the portion of the device to partially stay inside the balloon includes a means for coming in contact with the balloon without puncturing the balloon;

wherein the for coming in contact with the balloon without puncturing the balloon includes a surface area having a circular shape;

wherein a circumference of the surface area includes a toric joint.

18. The balloon containment device of claim 11, wherein the means for retaining the portion of the device to partially stay inside the balloon includes a means for coming in contact with the balloon without puncturing the balloon;

wherein the means for plugging a balloon has a three-dimensional egg shape.

19. The balloon containment device of claim 11, wherein the means for retaining the portion of the device to partially stay inside the balloon includes a means for coming in contact with the balloon without puncturing the balloon;

wherein the means for plugging a balloon has a three-dimensional oblong sphere shape with a toric ridge at its central diameter.

20. The balloon containment device of claim 11, wherein the means for retaining the portion of the device to partially stay inside the balloon includes a means for coming in contact with the balloon without puncturing the balloon;

wherein the means for plugging a balloon has a three-dimensional oblong dual cone shape with an extended diameter surface area extending along the longitudinal axis.