Launching device and disposable cartridge containing confetti, paper discs or fluid

Abstract

A multi-purpose launching device for propelling and disseminating confetti, paper disks or fluid contained in a disposable cartridge. Contents of the cartridge as well as the outside surface of the launching tube may be covered with a fluorescent material. The top part of the launching tube may serve as a flagpole to supplement its primary function at large social gatherings such as sporting or music events, wedding ceremonies, holiday celebrations, presidential campaigns, etc. The device consists of a cylindrical launching apparatus and a cylindrical cartridge that may contain confetti, paper disks, fluid, or other soft materials such as fiber, string, fabric, etc. The bottom end of the upper section of the launching tube inserts into the lower section of the launching tube. After the cartridge is loaded on the top of the launcher, the lower section of the launching tube is pulled down at first, then pushed up by the user's hands, compress air within the tube, propelling contents of the cartridge to be ejected. A disabled cartridge is used for each shot. The cartridge is economical, its contents are flexible, and it is convenient and fast to change cartridges after each shot. The cartridge's top end has a foam cover, which may be made in various interesting or funny shapes, including rocket, fruit, or even men's sexual organ.

1 . A multi-purpose projecting device for propelling and disseminating confetti, paper disks, or fluid contained in a cartilage, comprising: 
 a launching tube having a circular cross section, comprising a lower section of cylindrical shape and an upper section with 3 parts—cylindrical upper and a lower parts, and a middle part of circular platform shape. The lower part of the upper section with smaller diameter may easily insert into the lower section of the launching tube for free slide and reciprocation therein to compress the air, propel and disseminate projectiles from the cartridge.    
   
   
       2 . A plurality of cylindrical one time use cartridges, having an inner diameter equal to the outer diameter of the upper launching tube's upper end. The upper end of the launching tube's upper section inserts into the lower end of the cartridge, which consists of a container, a top foam cover, a piece of cardboard or plastic film for sealing the bottom of the cartridge and a plurality of contents, including confetti, paper disks, or fluid.  
   
   
       3 . A flag, having 2-3 elastic string rings on one side for easily fixing said flag to the upper end of the launching tube or to the cartridge.  
   
   
       4 . The invention as defined in  claim 1  wherein said lower section of the launching tube having a open upper end and a enclosed lower end, the bottom of which has 3 fan-shaped holes around the center of the bottom, which is covered by a soft plastic disc, fixed to the center of the bottom with a dab of glue.  
   
   
       5 . The invention as defined in  claim 1  wherein said lower section of the launching tube may be made by plastic as one body, or by cardboard and plastic for its different parts: cardboard for the cylindrical main body and plastic for its bottom cover.  
   
   
       6 . The invention as defined in  claim 1  wherein the said upper section of the launching tube has 4 parts with different shapes and diameters: cylindrical shape for the upper, middle and the lower parts and the circular platform shape for joining the upper and the middle parts. The diameter of the lower end of the middle part is bigger than the diameter of the lower part, forming where the two parts join, an outside collar for stopping the mutual movement between the upper and the lower sections of the launching tube, when the user pushes lower section up to compress air inside the tube and propel contents of the cartridge. The said upper section of the launching tube is made entirely by plastics.  
   
   
       7 . The invention as defined in  claim 2  wherein said contents of the cartridge include confetti paper disks, shaped papers, fluid, or other soft materials such as fiber, string, fabric, etc.  
   
   
       8 . The invention as defined in  claim 2  wherein said container of the cartridge is a hollow cylinder with an inner collar flange in the lower part and close to the lower end of the cartridge for holding said piece of cardboard or plastic tape and the contents of the cartridge within the container.  
   
   
       9 . The invention as defined in  claim 2  wherein the said cardboard may be changed to an adhesive piece of waterproof plastic tape for holding fluid within the tube, when fluid is loaded as the content of the cartridge.  
   
   
       10 . The invention as defined in  claim 2  wherein the said top foam cover at the top of the cartridge keeps contents within the container. It may have various shapes such as a cylinder, that can be inserted into the top end of the cartridge, a rocket shape surrounding and covering the top end of the cartridge, or other shapes such as fruit or even men's sexual organ.  
   
   
       11 . The invention as defined in  claim 10  wherein the said top foam cover may be waterproof if necessary by covering it with thin plastic film in order to keep contents from leaking when fluid is used as the content of the cartridge.  
   
   
       12 . The invention as defined in  claim 2  wherein said non-fluid contents may be covered with fluorescent materials for creating special visual effects in the dark.  
   
   
       13 . The invention as defined in  claim 2  wherein said paper disks may have lucky phrases and numbers for drawing lots printed on them when paper disks are used as contents of the cartridge.  
   
   
       14 . The invention as defined in  claim 2  wherein said fluid may have perfume to be added to it when fluid is used as the content of the cartridge.  
   
   
       15 . The invention as defined in  claim 2  wherein said cartridge may be made by transparent plastics with very bright flash-producing device or other flash-producing device inside the tube, such as a flash-producing device used for cameras. In this case, the flash device may have a switch on the bottom of the cartridge, which may trigger the flash to work when the user puts the cartridge's bottom end on top of the upper section of the launching tube.  
   
   
       16 . The invention as defined in  claim 2  wherein said cartridge is made for one time use. However, the user may easily refill the cartridge after each shot with new contents if so desired.  
   
   
       17 . The invention as defined in  claim 1  wherein said launching tube may have fluorescent materials covering its surface in order to create special visual effects in the dark.