Streamer Launcher

Abstract

In a certain aspect, some embodiment provides apparatus and methods to facilitate the launching or throwing of streamer rolls, consisting of various paper, plastic and/or other materials, including in particular rolled paper or other material. Various embodiments provide such an apparatus that is safe and easy to use, durable, and/or economical to manufacture.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . An apparatus for launching a streaming material wrapped around a roll, comprising:
 a flexible central shaft; and   an elongated material-holding element coupled to the flexible central shaft to securely hold the roll inside, wherein the material-holding element has a width that gradually enlarges away from the flexible central shaft to allow the roll to initially stay in place and thereafter to rotate freely out of the material-holding element when launched.   
     
     
         2 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein centrifugal force when using the streamer launching apparatus to launch or throw a streamer roll. 
     
     
         3 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the central shaft provides added distance and height to the roll as a result of the leverage and whipping motion resulting from the flexible central shaft. 
     
     
         4 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the material-holding element imparts an initial spin upon the streamer roll during an assent from a resting location of the roll through the length of the material-holding element and causes the roll to unroll with spin upon release from the material holding element 
     
     
         5 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the flexible central shaft and material holding element is used for launching or throwing of streamer rolls made from paper, plastic or other materials. 
     
     
         6 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the material-holding element engages the roll with pressure that varies along the flat sides of the roll to accommodate different roll widths. 
     
     
         7 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , comprising an articulated hinge to allow for folding the flexible central shaft on itself to allow for compact storage. 
     
     
         8 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , comprising a stop or a lanyard secured to one end of the flexible central shaft to secure the apparatus. 
     
     
         9 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the material-holding element comprises multiple air flow cutouts that allow air to pass through and reduce air resistance. 
     
     
         10 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the material holding element comprises a curved body and sides extending at an angle therefrom and having two sides with one or more holes on each side. 
     
     
         11 . A method for launching a streaming material wrapped around a roll, comprising:
 mounting a flexible central shaft to a material-holding element shaft to securely hold the roll inside;   providing a material-holding element a width that flares away from the flexible central shaft to allow the roll to initially stay in place; and   whipping the flexible central shaft to cause the roll to rotate freely out of the material-holding element when launched.   
     
     
         12 . The method of  claim 11 , wherein centrifugal force when using the streamer launching apparatus to launch or throw a streamer roll. 
     
     
         13 . The method of  claim 11 , comprising launching or throwing of streamer rolls made from paper, plastic or other materials. 
     
     
         14 . The method of  claim 11 , comprising imparting an initial spin upon the streamer roll during an assent from a resting location of the roll through the length of the material-holding element and causing the roll to unroll with spin upon release from the material holding element 
     
     
         15 . The method of  claim 11 , comprising adding distance and height to the streamer roll as a result of leverage and the whipping motion resulting from said flexible central shaft. 
     
     
         16 . The method of  claim 11 , comprising engaging the roll with pressure from material-holding element that varies along the flat sides of the roll to accommodate different roll widths. 
     
     
         17 . The method of  claim 11 , comprising providing an articulated hinge to allow for folding the flexible central shaft on itself to allow for compact storage. 
     
     
         18 . The method of  claim 11 , comprising securing the central shaft with a stop or a lanyard. 
     
     
         19 . The method of  claim 11 , comprising providing multiple air flow cutouts that allow air to pass through and reduce air resistance on the material-holding element. 
     
     
         20 . The method of  claim 11 , wherein the material holding element comprises a curved body and sides extending at an angle therefrom and having two sides with one or more holes on each side.