Lighted balloon entertainment device

Abstract

A balloon inflation and air containment device is provided. The device includes a first tube with a first end which receives an air supply and a second end which receives a mouth of a balloon. A collapsible second tube is axially sealably connected to the first tube and extends away from the first tube. A method for constructing a balloon assembly with the above-described device is also provided.

1 . A balloon inflation and air containment device comprising: 
 a first tube having a first end for receiving an air supply and a second end for receiving a mouth of a balloon; and    a second tube, axially sealably connected to the first tube in a substantially airtight manner, which extends away from the first tube, the second tube being collapsible,    whereby the air supply which is received by the first end of the first tube, passes through the second tube prior to entering the balloon.    
   
   
       2 . The device according to  claim 1 , further comprising adhesive tape which connects the second tube to the first tube.  
   
   
       3 . The device according to  claim 1 , wherein the first and second tubes are substantially cylindrical, and wherein the second end of the first tube is tapered and connects with an interior surface of the second tube.  
   
   
       4 . The device according to  claim 1 , wherein the first tube includes a shoulder for attaching the mouth of a balloon, and wherein the device further comprises a balloon supporter which contacts the shoulder, with a portion of the balloon disposed between the shoulder and the balloon supporter.  
   
   
       5 . The device according to  claim 4 , wherein the balloon supporter is a substantially dome-shaped structure having a centrally located aperture for receiving there through the first and second tubes.  
   
   
       6 . The device according to  claim 1 , further comprising a plug connected with the first end of the first tube for preventing air from escaping from the balloon after the air supply is received by the balloon.  
   
   
       7 . The device according to  claim 6 , further comprising a support rod connected to at least one of the first tube and the plug for supporting the balloon.  
   
   
       8 . The device according to  claim 1 , further comprising a lighting device which is positioned inside the balloon.  
   
   
       9 . The device according to  claim 8 , wherein the lighting device includes an extension rod which extends through the first and second tubes, and at least one lighting element connected to the extension rod for illuminating an interior of the balloon.  
   
   
       10 . The device according to  claim 9 , further comprising a plug which is sealingly connected to the first end of the first tube and the extension rod to prevent air from escaping from the balloon.  
   
   
       11 . A method for constructing a balloon assembly comprising: 
 providing a tube assembly including a first tube having first and second ends, and a collapsible second tube axially sealably connected to the first tube in a substantially airtight manner which extends away from the first tube;    providing a balloon including a mouth;    inserting the tube assembly axially into the mouth of the balloon with the second tube leading into the balloon, wherein an inside surface of the mouth sealably connects with an outside surface of the tube assembly;    providing an air supply at the first end of the first tube; and    inflating the balloon with the air supply.    
   
   
       12 . The method according to  claim 11 , wherein the providing of the tube assembly includes providing the first tube with a shoulder, and wherein the method further comprises: 
 providing a balloon supporter having an aperture through which the balloon is placed prior to the tube assembly being inserted into the balloon mouth; and    inserting the tube assembly axially through the aperture of the balloon supporter wherein the perimeter of the aperture contacts the shoulder, with a portion of the balloon disposed between the shoulder and the balloon supporter.    
   
   
       13 . The method according to  claim 11 , further comprising providing a lighting device and inserting the lighting device into the balloon through the mouth.  
   
   
       14 . The method according to  claim 11 , further comprising: 
 providing a lighting device including an extension rod and a lighting element connected to the extension rod; and    inserting the lighting device through the tube assembly into an interior of the balloon wherein at least a portion of the lighting device is surrounded by the tube assembly.    
   
   
       15 . The method according to  claim 14 , further comprising sealably connecting a plug to the first tube to prevent the air supply from escaping the balloon.  
   
   
       16 . The method according to  claim 14 , further comprising: 
 providing a plug having an having an aperture;    sealably inserting the extension rod through the aperture;    sealably inserting the plug into the first tube to prevent the air supply from escaping the balloon.    
   
   
       17 . The method according to  claim 11 , further comprising connecting a support rod to the tube assembly.  
   
   
       18 . A balloon assembly, comprising: 
 a balloon inflation and air containment device, which includes a first tube having a first end for receiving an air supply and a second end for receiving a mouth of a balloon, and which includes a second tube, axially sealably connected to the first tube in a substantially airtight manner, which extends away from the first tube, the second tube being collapsible; and    a balloon, which includes a mouth which is sealably connected to the first tube in a substantially air tight manner, wherein the second end of the first tube and at least a portion of the second tube are contained in an interior of the balloon;    whereby the air supply which is received by the first end of the first tube passes through the second tube prior to entering the balloon.    
   
   
       19 . The assembly according to  claim 18 , wherein the balloon inflation and air containment device further includes a balloon supporter supported by the first tube, wherein a portion of the balloon is disposed between the first tube and the balloon supporter.  
   
   
       20 . The assembly according to  claim 18 , wherein the balloon inflation and air containment device further includes a lighting device, connected to the first tube, which extends into the interior of the balloon.  
   
   
       21 . The combination assembly according to  claim 20 , wherein the balloon inflation and air containment device further includes a plug which is sealingly connected to the first end of the first tube and the lighting device to prevent air from escaping from the balloon.  
   
   
       22 . The combination assembly according to  claim 21 , wherein the balloon inflation and air containment device further includes a supporting rod connected to the plug.  
   
   
       23 . The combination assembly according to  claim 18 , wherein the balloon inflation and air containment device further includes a supporting rod connected to the first tube.