Device for scattering a multitude of objects and method of making same

• US 5,338,242 A
• Filed: 10/19/1993
• Issued: 08/16/1994
• Est. Priority Date: 10/19/1993
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Peter S.C. Cheng
• Original Assignee: Peter S.C. Cheng
• Inventors: Cheng, Peter S. C.
• Primary Examiner(s): Hafer, Robert A.
• Assistant Examiner(s): MUIR, DAVID N
• Application Number:
  US08/138,747
• Time in Patent Office: 301 Days
• Field of Search: 446/220, 446/221, 446/222, 446/223, 446/224, 446/225, 446/226, 446/183, 446/184, 446/185, 446/187, 446/198, 446/429, 446/425, 446/486, 446/487
• US Class Current: 446/220
• CPC Class Codes: A63H 37/00 Jokes; Confetti, streamers, or other dance favours ; Cracker bonbons or the like

Abstract

A device for scattering confetti includes an inverted pocket positioned within the interior of an inflated envelope. Confetti is contained within the pocket, and a break-away closure maintains the confetti within the pocket. Upon compressing the envelope, the pocket is reversed in position, the closure ruptured, and the confetti is suddenly expelled in an explosive manner with a concomitant popping sound.

Claims

1. A device for scattering confetti, comprising:

(a) an inflatable, flexible envelope including a pair of sheets having walls bounding an interior, and a gas inlet for admitting a pressurized gas into the interior, said walls having inverted portions extending into the interior and bounding a pocket having an open end;

(b) a multitude of objects constituting the confetti contained in the pocket; and

(c) break-away means including a closure extending across the open end, for frangibly closing the pocket, and for rupturing upon compression of the envelope with a predetermined force sufficient to cause the gas to reverse the inverted portions, tear the closure, and expel the confetti in an explosive manner with an accompanying popping sound.

2. A device according to claim 1, wherein the sheets are sealed together about their peripheries.

3. A device according to claim 2, wherein the sheets are constituted of a synthetic plastic material, and are heat-sealed together along their peripheries.

4. A device according to claim 1, wherein the gas inlet includes a one-way check valve extending through the envelope.

5. A device according to claim 1, wherein the objects include bits of colored paper and ribbon.

6. A device according to claim 1, wherein the closure is a low tensile strength paper adhered over the open end of the pocket.

7. A device according to claim 1, wherein the closure is an adhesive closure having a score line.

8. A device according to claim 1, wherein the envelope walls have a bottle-shaped configuration.

9. A method of making a device for scattering objects, comprising the steps of:

(a) forming an inverted pocket having an open end from an inflatable, flexible envelope;

(b) filling the pocket with a multitude of objects;

(c) frangibly closing the pocket by placing a break-away closure across the open end of the pocket; and

(d) inflating the envelope with a pressurized gas, and sealing the envelope with the pocket extending into an interior of the envelope.

10. The method according to claim 9, wherein the inflating step is performed prior to the forming step.

11. The method according to claim 9, wherein the inflating step is performed after the closing step.