US20190046893A1

US20190046893A1 - Confetti launcher

Info

Publication number: US20190046893A1
Application number: US16/057,803
Authority: US
Inventors: Yuen Yiu Ming; Alfred Wong
Original assignee: Hallmark Cards Inc
Current assignee: Hallmark Cards Inc
Priority date: 2017-08-10
Filing date: 2018-08-07
Publication date: 2019-02-14
Also published as: WO2019028741A1; CA3014006A1

Abstract

A launcher for particles such as confetti is described, including embodiments directed to pre-filled confetti launchers that can be activated during typical unwrapping of gift packages or untying of gift bows, or that alternatively can be activated by a recipient using a separate pull line. Embodiments of the confetti launcher are activated by removal of a pin that allows a spring to decompress, causing a cap to be removed and confetti to be pushed upwards from an internal cavity of the launcher. The confetti launcher can be embedded within a gift bow, or it can be included in a cake topper or other decoration.

Description

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application claims priority to Chinese PCT Application No. PCT/CN2017/096828, filed on Aug. 10, 2017, entitled, “Confetti Launcher”, of which is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety.

SUMMARY

This Summary is provided to introduce a selection of concepts in a simplified form that are further described below in the Detailed Description. This Summary is not intended to identify key features or essential features of the claimed subject matter, nor is it intended to be used in isolation as an aid in determining the scope of the claimed subject matter.
Embodiments of the present invention are directed to a confetti launcher, including a spring powered confetti launcher with a telescoping arrangement, where an inner portion extends at least partially beyond the upper edge of an outer portion to project the contents of a cavity such as confetti.
In some aspects, a launcher includes a rim on an outer portion or case to stop the upward movement of the inner portion or case, which contains particles such as confetti. In other aspects, a recipient of a gift package, through the usual course of opening a package or untying a bow, causes a line to pull on a pin, which allows the inner case to move upwards as tension in a spring is released, propelling confetti into the air. In some aspects, the inner case moves upwards until it is stopped by a ridge or bumps on the interior of the outer case, which are more narrow than a base portion of the inner case. In other aspects, a recipient pulls a card or other indicator to trigger the confetti launcher.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Embodiments of the invention are described in detail below with reference to the attached drawing figures, wherein:

FIG. 1 illustrates a perspective view of an exemplary gift bow including a confetti launcher, in accordance with aspects herein;

FIG. 2 illustrates a perspective view of the exemplary gift bow including a confetti launcher of FIG. 1 with a card being removed by a recipient thereby triggering the launching of confetti, in accordance with aspects herein;

FIG. 3 illustrates a perspective view of an exemplary gift bow including a confetti launcher with an example of a ribbon or line without a card, in accordance with aspects herein;

FIG. 4 illustrates a perspective view of an exemplary gift bow including a confetti launcher where the confetti launcher is underneath at least part of the gift bow and at least partially not visible, in accordance with aspects herein;

FIG. 5 illustrates a perspective view of an exemplary, partially internal view of a gift bow including a confetti launcher, in accordance with aspects herein;

FIG. 6 illustrates a perspective view of an exemplary confetti launcher, in accordance with aspects herein;

FIG. 7 illustrates a side elevation view of the confetti launcher of FIG. 6 with a pin removed;

FIG. 8 illustrates a side elevation view in cross-section of the confetti launcher of FIG. 6 in a pre-released or pre-activated stage, in accordance with aspects herein;

FIG. 9 illustrates a side elevation view in cross-section of the confetti launcher of FIG. 6 after a pin has been removed and a spring mechanism has been released, in accordance with aspects herein; and

FIG. 10 is a flow diagram of an exemplary method of manufacturing a confetti launcher, in accordance with aspects herein.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

The subject matter of embodiments of the invention disclosed herein is described with specificity to meet statutory requirements. However, the description itself is not intended to limit the scope of this patent. Rather, the inventors have contemplated that the claimed subject matter might also be embodied in other ways, to include different steps or combinations of steps similar to the ones described in this document, in conjunction with other present or future technologies.
Aspects herein are generally directed to launching devices for particles such as confetti or other matter. In embodiments, the confetti launcher is pre-filled and can be activated by the untying of a gift bow or the opening of a package, for example. In other aspects, a gift decoration or cake topper includes a confetti launcher. In some cases, a cake topper confetti launcher includes sugar, nonpareils, or other edible particulates as confetti, to be launched on or near an edible item such as a cake.
At a high level, embodiments of a confetti launcher can be various dimensions and can be embedded or hidden within gift package decorations such as gift bows. In embodiments where a pull line is connected to or part of a bow or packaging, for example, a confetti launcher may be automatically activated during opening of a package. In other embodiments, a card with a message or instructions can be used to alert a recipient to exert force on a line, which can activate the confetti launcher by releasing a pin and allowing a spring to decompress. An inner case of the confetti launcher, in embodiments, moves quickly upward causing a cap to be pushed off and particles to be ejected into the air. The confetti launcher can include an outer case with a rim on the inside that can stop the upward motion of the inner case, and this abrupt stop can also cause the particles to be ejected out of the confetti launcher, as described in more detail below.
Turning now to FIGS. 1 and 2, an exemplary package 100 with a gift bow 106 including a confetti launcher 110 in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention is shown. In FIG. 1, the confetti launcher 110 is not visible or is at least partially hidden by gift bow 106. While FIG. 1 shows the confetti launcher 110 hidden by the gift bow 106, in some embodiments the confetti launcher 110 is visible to a recipient of a package, and it can be incorporated into a visible portion of a decoration (such as a small cake decoration or a firework decoration). In the illustrated embodiment, the confetti launcher 110 is secured at the base of gift bow 106 or under part of gift bow 106. The gift bow 106, in some embodiments, includes one or more curled ribbons as shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, while in other embodiments the gift bow 106 is another shape or style of bow. In some cases, another type of decoration or object is used on the gift, such as package 100, in combination with confetti launcher 110 instead of the gift bow 106.
FIG. 1 illustrates an embodiment of the confetti launcher 110 within the gift bow 106 where a card 114 is connected to a line 118 (line 118 not shown in FIG. 1, see FIG. 2). The card 114 can be any attachment to line 118, such as a paper or plastic card, name tag, ornament, toy or other object attached to the line 118. The card 114 can include a message, such as instructions to “Pull” the card 114. A message could include other greetings or sentiments relating to the package 100 or an occasion, such as “Happy Birthday (please pull).” In another example, the card 114 includes a statement such as “Party Time” along with one or more arrows in the direction that the card 114 should be pulled by a recipient of the package 100.
FIG. 2 illustrates the same embodiment of the confetti launcher 110 as in FIG. 1, but at a point in time where the card 114 has been pulled by a recipient and the launcher 110 has been activated. An outward force exerted by the recipient on the card 114 pulled the line 118 which, as shown in the example in FIG. 2, caused particles 120 to rise from the gift bow 106. The particles 120, such as confetti, are ejected from inside the bow 106 upwards toward a recipient, in some embodiments, to add a surprising and festive effect to the opening of the package 100 by the recipient. In some embodiments, the recipient is removing the card 114 or untying or removing the gift bow 106 when the confetti launcher 110 is activated, without the user being aware that the confetti launcher 110 is present until after its activation. In other embodiments, the recipient has some indication from the card 114 or other markings that some action will happen when the card 114 or the line 118 is pulled by the recipient. In some embodiments, the pulling of the card 114 or the line 118 also causes a noise, such as music or a recording by a gift giver, to be played at approximately the same time as the confetti launcher 110 is activated. Portions of the confetti launcher 110, including the line 118, can be made of any material, such as plastic. The line 118 could also be a ribbon, string or any other suitable material for connecting to the confetti launcher 110 as discussed below. The line 118 can include a shape or attachment at the end to grab for pulling, and which can indicate to a recipient to pull on the line 118, such as a ring or arrow shaped piece. Portions of the confetti launcher 110, may be made of other materials, such as paper, cardboard, paperboard and the like. Portions may also be made of more rigid materials, such as wood, metal, and the like.
The line 118 can alternatively be affixed to the package 100, so that when the gift bow 106 is removed from the package 100, the line 118 is effectively “pulled” and the confetti launcher 110 is activated to release the particles 120, such as confetti. As stated, in embodiments, no additional effort by a recipient is necessary to activate confetti launcher 110 beyond untying a ribbon, opening a package or operating some other mechanism or decoration that is connected to or a part of the confetti launcher 110. For example, the opening of a box or bag or package 100 can cause line 118 to be pulled. In another example, a mechanism such as a small cake-shaped decoration can include a confetti launcher 110, and when a candle decoration is “extinguished” or removed from a cake or a cake decoration, the confetti launcher 110 is activated. In this example, part of the decoration, such as a candle or another pull mechanism, can be connected to, or act as, the line 118. In another example, a jack-in-the-box decoration or its handle could include a line 118 that is part of a confetti launcher 110 and, in an embodiment, turning the handle could cause the pulling of the line 118 and confetti could be launched from the top of the jack-in-the-box decoration.
The particles 120 can be confetti, such as paper or plastic confetti or small particles made of any material, including reflective material. The particles 120 can be shaped to reflect a design, such as flowers, sharks, snowflakes, etc. In some cases, the particles 120 are edible, and the particles 120 can be various colors or combinations of the particles 120. In embodiments, the particles 120 could be in the form of a liquid, such as a soap that creates bubbles. In this example, the activation of the confetti launcher 110 causes a soap to be pushed upwards and into bubbles that float above the gift bow 106 or another decoration. The particles 120 could be a perfumed substance or other aerosolized (or able to be aerosolized) substance that can be released in the vicinity of the package 100. The embodiments of a launcher described herein are referred to as embodiments of confetti launchers, but it should be understood that the various embodiments of launchers described herein can be implemented with any type of particles 120, including the substances described above.
FIG. 3 illustrates an embodiment of the package 100. In this example, the confetti launcher 110 is embedded within and at least partially concealed by (or entirely concealed by) the gift bow 106. The line 118 is a ribbon that matches gift bow 106. The line 118 can be made of the same ribbon or other material as the gift bow 106 or the line 118 can be a different material or color, for example, to stand out. The line 118 can include a message (not shown) directly on line 118. In some cases, the line 118 is a string that is attached to a portion of ribbon, and the ribbon attached to the line 118 can be part of the gift bow 106 or connected to it, for example by an adhesive or a mechanical fastener, such as a staple.
FIG. 4 shows an illustrative close-up of the gift bow 106 with the confetti launcher 110 embedded inside the gift bow 106, as indicted by the dashed lines in FIG. 4. The line 118 in FIG. 4 extends from the confetti launcher 110, within the gift bow 106, to a point outside of the gift bow 106, where the line 118 is visible to a gift recipient. The line 118 can also, in embodiments, be easily identifiable and/or accessible among one or more ribbons of the gift bow 106. In some cases, where the confetti launcher 110 is embedded within or partially hidden by some other decoration or mechanism, the line 118 can extend from confetti launcher 106 in such a way that it is visible to a recipient and can, if desired, include a message such as a greeting or instructions for the confetti launcher 110. These embodiments are discussed in more detail below.
The exemplary confetti launcher 110 in FIG. 4 includes a base bottom 122 and an outer case 124. In embodiments of confetti launcher 110, the base bottom 122 and the outer case 124 are two aspects of one piece, manufactured together as a unitary piece, for example by injection molding the outer case 124 such that it includes the base bottom 122. In other embodiments, the outer case 124 is affixed to the base bottom 122, either during manufacturing or during some later assembly. In some cases, the top portion of outer case 124 is visible (in some instances partially) from an overhead view of the gift bow 106, or is visible depending on the placement of one or more ribbons or other decorations, but the confetti launcher 110 is still substantially concealed by the decoration, such as the gift bow 106. The line 118 is shown, in the embodiment in FIG. 4, connected to a pin 128. The line 118 can be hooked or attached to the pin 128 by any method, such as a link, adhesive, or any other connection. Alternatively, the line 118 can be continuous with and part of pin 128, so that one piece extends directly from the outer case 124 as the line 118, in some cases extending until beyond the edge of the gift bow 106 or another decoration, so that no separate piece is necessary to provide the pin 128 beyond the innermost portion of the line 118.
As explained herein, the pin 128 can be a separate component attached to the line 118 or the pin 128 can be the end portion of or integral with line 118. The pin 128 can be made of any material that is capable of maintaining pressure on the inner case 136 when the pin 128 is inserted through outer case 124 (metal or plastic, for example). Similarly, the pin 128 can be any shape, such as a round pin or a square or flat pin, among other shapes. The pin 128 may appear to look like a button or knob from the outside, and the pin 128 can extend as wide as necessary or preferred, for example to maintain contact with an upper surface of a base 152 of an inner case 136. In embodiments, the pin 128 is completely removable from confetti launcher 110, and in other embodiments it is only partially removable or removed far enough to allow the inner case 136 to move upwards within the outer case 124, as described below. For example, the inner case 136 and the outer case 124 can telescope such that a portion of the inner case 136 may partially extend upwards and above an upper edge of the outer case 124.
Turning to FIG. 5, a portion of the gift bow 106 is not shown in order to expose an exemplary confetti launcher 110 within the gift bow 106. The base bottom 122 can be secured to a bottom portion of the gift bow 106, or to a separate piece of paper or other material (such as a piece 132 in FIG. 5, which can also be made of ribbon to match gift bow 106 or ribbon that is part of the gift bow 106, or which may be a card base or bow chip for the gift bow 106 that is made of card stock or paper). The embodiment of the confetti launcher 110 illustrated in FIG. 5 includes the outer case 124. The line 118 is connected to the pin 128, which is inserted through the outer case 124, as described in more detail with reference to FIGS. 6 through 9 below. The confetti launcher 110 in FIG. 5 indicates that the inner case 136 is contained inside of the outer case 124, but the inner case 136 is not visible from outside of the confetti launcher 110 before it has been activated by having the line 118 pulled to remove, for example, the pin 128, or another part of or fixture to the line 118, from the confetti launcher 110.
FIG. 6 illustrates the confetti launcher 110 separate from the gift bow 106 or other decoration or the package 100. The exemplary confetti launcher 110 in FIG. 6 includes the base bottom 122, connected to or integral with the outer case 124. Inside the outer case 124 is the inner case 136, which contains the particles 120 that have not yet been released or ejected from the confetti launcher 110. In the example shown in FIG. 6, a cap 140 is placed onto the outer case 124 at an open end 144 of the outer case 124. The cap 140 can be a blister cap made of materials such as plastic or paper, and the cap 140 can snap onto or into the outer case 124, or be affixed by adhesive or another manner such as heat or tabs (not shown). In some cases, the cap 140 is affixed to the inner case 136 instead of outer case 124. During release of the particles 120 due to activation of confetti launcher 110, in some embodiments, the cap 140 follows a path during release, when it is expelled off of the confetti launcher 110, that is along a longitudinal axis of the outer case 124. FIG. 6 shows the line 118 connected to the pin 128, which is inserted through the outer case 124 and, as discussed below, for example, secures the inner case 136 until activation of the confetti launcher 110 and release of the particles 120.
Turning to FIG. 7, an example of the outer case 124 according to an embodiment of the invention is shown from an external view. The outer case 124 includes a circular wall rising vertically from the base bottom 122, leaving a ridge of the base bottom 122 exposed around the vertical wall of outer case 124. The circular, vertical wall of the outer case 124 has an opening 150 between the top and bottom of the vertical wall in this example. The pin 128 may be inserted into opening 150, in embodiments, to secure the inner case 136 inside the outer case 124 by maintaining downward pressure on a spring 148, as discussed below. In some cases, the opening 150 can be at various heights or locations on the outer case 124, or more than one opening 150 and pin 128 can be used. In embodiments where more than one pin 128 is used, for example two pins 128, one on each side of the outer case 124 directly across from each other, both pins (or more) can be connected to the same line 118, so that all the pins 128 are pulled when the line 118 is pulled. In other cases, two or more lines 118 can be affixed to different points or to two or more pins 128, such that pulling all of the lines 118 simultaneously will pull all of the pins 128 simultaneously. While the outer case 124 and the inner case 136 are circular/cylindrical in the illustrated embodiment, in other embodiments other shapes may be used. Other shapes that allow the outer case 124 and the inner case 136 to move with respect to each other may be used.
The opening 150 could also be used for any mechanism that will hold the inner case 136 in place with the spring 148 compressed, such as a portion of the line 118. Other mechanisms may be used to maintain a spring or other launch mechanism in place until the confetti launcher 110 is ready to be used. For example, a sticker may be removed from above or on top of confetti launcher 110 to release pressure on the spring 148 or other compressed material, or a release may cause one or more substances to be exposed to the air or each other, thereby causing pressure to build up and eject particles 120.
FIG. 8 illustrates a cross-section of the embodiment of a confetti launcher 110 in FIG. 6 and shows that the outer case 124 has a rim 156 protruding from the circular wall of the outer case 124 towards the inside of the outer case 124, adjacent the open end 144 of the outer case 124. The rim 156 creates a barrier on the inside of the outer case 124 that acts to stop the inner case 136 from being completely ejected from the confetti launcher 110, as described below. FIG. 8 illustrates an exemplary shape of inner case 136, which fits inside the outer case 124. The inner case 136 includes the base 152, which catches on or collides with the rim 156 after the spring 148 is released and the inner case 136 moves upward within the outer case 136.
As shown in the example in FIG. 8, the base bottom 122 of the outer case 124 includes a round, protruding member 160 that surrounds a bottom portion 164 of the spring 148. The spring 148 can be secured to the base bottom 122 by pressure from the surrounding protrusion 160 of the base bottom 122, which can be molded and manufactured as part of the base bottom 122. The spring 148 can alternatively be attached to the base bottom 122 by adhesive or another physical connection or connector.
The exemplary inner case 136, defines a cavity 172 in the top portion of the inner case 136. The cavity 172 holds the particles 120, such as confetti or another material. The cavity 172 and its surrounding sidewall of the inner case 136 are narrow enough to fit through the rim 156 of the outer case 124 when the inner case 136 moves upward during use. While the cavity 172 and its surrounding sidewall of the inner case have been illustrated as round in the example in FIG. 8, the inner case 136 or cavity 172 could be any shape that fits within outer case 124. The lower portion of the inner case 136 surrounds an upper portion 168 of the spring 148, and the lower portion of the inner case 136 sits on top of or is adjacent to the protruding, circular member 160 of the base bottom 122 that is parallel to the circular vertical wall of the outer case 124. The lower portion of inner case 136 also includes the base 152 of the inner case 136 around the bottom of the inner case 136, and the base 152 extends outwardly from the bottom of the inner case 136 towards the vertical walls of the outer case 124. In embodiments, an outer periphery of the base 152 is flush with or loosely in contact with the inside of the outer case 124 so the base 152 may slide in telescoping fashion with respect to the inside of the outer case 124.
As shown in the exemplary embodiment in FIG. 8, the pin 128 is inserted through the opening 150 in the outer case 124 until it secures the inner case 136 in an armed position by preventing the base 152 of the inner case 124 from moving above the location of pin 128. This provides downward pressure on compressed spring 148. FIG. 8 also shows an example of a cap 140, such as a plastic blister cap, that is fitted within the open end 144 at the top of the outer case 124. The cap 140 can be snapped or pressed into place in the outer case 124, or the cap 140 can snap or close over the upper rim of the outer case 124. The spring 148 in FIG. 8 is in a compressed position, prior to activation or release by a recipient. In embodiments, the confetti launcher 110 is marketed and sold to customers in the state represented by FIG. 8, where the particles 120 have been filled inside the inner case 136 and the cap 140 and the pin 128 are in place and ready to be used. The base bottom 122 of the exemplary launcher 110 in FIG. 8 could be secured to a portion of a gift bow 106 or to a backer card of the gift bow 106, such as to piece 132 that can be the base of gift bow 106 or a tag or sticker used with gift bow 106, such as to attach the gift bow 106 to the package 100.
FIG. 9 is a cross-sectional view of the illustrative confetti launcher 110 of FIG. 8 after the pin 128 has been removed from the outer case 124, or has been moved enough from its original position to allow the inner case 136 to move upwards within the outer case 124. As shown in FIG. 9, the spring 148 expands when the pin 128 is moved and, in embodiments, and cap 140 is pushed off of the confetti launcher 110, in this case by the upward motion of the inner case 136. The inner case 136 is propelled upwards by the expanding spring 148 that decompressing, and the inner case 136 continues upwards (in some cases at a high speed) until the base 152 of the inner case 136 contacts the rim 156 of the outer case 124. The release of spring 148 and the upward motion of inner case 136 can be abrupt and almost instantaneous to a recipient, appearing to instantly launch confetti or any particles 120 upon pulling of the line 118. The upward motion of the inner case 136 and its abrupt contact with the rim 156, which stops the upward motion of the inner case 136 but not the particles 120, causes the still moving particles 120 to exit the inside of the inner case (i.e., the cavity 172), as shown by the ejection 176 in FIG. 9.
Embodiments of confetti launcher 110 include embodiments where the particles 120 comprise material other than confetti, as discussed above. Additionally, the confetti launcher 110 can be constructed in different sizes and shapes. In one embodiment, the approximate dimensions of confetti launcher 110 are a base bottom 122 that is 31 mm wide, with an outer case 124 where the top and main body have a width of 22 mm, and where the height of the confetti launcher 110 is 22 mm. In another embodiment, the confetti launcher 110 is taller, for example to be used with a larger gift bow 106 or other decorations. In that case, for example, the confetti launcher could have the same width of the base bottom 122 (e.g., 31 mm) and the same width of the top of the outer case 124 (e.g., 20 mm), but the height of the confetti launcher could be, for example, 32.5 mm.
The confetti launcher 110 may be manufactured by injection molding the outer case 124 and the inner case 136, in an embodiment. In some cases, the outer case 124 and the inner case 136 are molded at the same time or from a single mold. In other embodiments the outer case 124 may be two pieces that mate in clamshell fashion (i.e., snap together) so that it may be assembled around the inner case 136 and spring 148. In other embodiments the outer case 124 and the inner case 136, may be made of other materials, such as paper, cardboard, paperboard, wood, metal, or the like, or some combination thereof. While confetti launcher 110 can be refillable or reusable in some embodiments, in other embodiments the confetti launcher 110 does not require any user assembly or preparation by consumers prior to use. For example, the confetti launcher 110 may be sold pre-filled and with the spring 148 compressed and connected to the line 118, so that a giver of a gift only needs to affix the confetti 110 launcher to a package 100 or another object before giving it to a recipient. In some cases, the confetti launcher 110 is also already hidden or partially hidden within the gift bow 106 or another decoration at the time of purchase, and can include the line 118 that is connected to or disguised by ribbon, for example from the gift bow 106. In these embodiments, a purchaser of the confetti launcher 110 including the gift bow 106 or another decoration would simply need to place the gift bow 106 or another decoration on a package 100 or card, for example.
While the various processes and steps in manufacturing a confetti launcher 110 in accordance with the present invention are not limited to any specific order discussed herein, an example of the manufacturing process 800 described above is illustrated in the flow chart in FIG. 10. At step 810, an outer case is made by molding a cylindrical outer case with a hollow interior, wherein a portion of the interior includes an inward protrusion, where a base of the outer case includes an circular wall. At step 820, an inner case is made by molding an inner case that includes an upper cavity that opens upwards and a lower cavity that opens downwards, wherein the inner case includes a base. At step 830 a springing mechanism is added to the interior of the outer case, where a lower part of the springing mechanism is within the circular wall of the base of the outer case and an upper part of the springing mechanism is positioned within the lower cavity of the inner case. A pin is inserted into the interior of the outer case at step 840, wherein the pin is in contact with an upper surface of the base of the inner case.
The method can include additional steps, such as affixing a cover to the outer case above the upper cavity of the inner case and embedding the launching device within one or more ribbons of a bow, as shown in step 850. Additional steps, in embodiments, include connecting the pin to one or more ribbons of the bow, wherein opening the bow applies a pressure to the pin that relieves the contact between the pin and the upper surface of the base of the inner case; adding a set of particles to the upper cavity of the inner case; and/or including the launching device within at least part of a decoration, as illustrated in step 860 in FIG. 10.
The present invention has been described in relation to particular embodiments, which are intended in all respects to be illustrative rather than restrictive. Alternative embodiments will become apparent to those of ordinary skill in the art to which the present invention pertains without departing from its scope. Various embodiments of the invention have been described to be illustrative rather than restrictive. Alternative embodiments will become apparent from time to time without departing from the scope of embodiments of the inventions. It will be understood that certain features and subcombinations are of utility and may be employed without reference to other features and subcombinations. This is contemplated by and is within the scope of the claims. Since many possible embodiments may be made of the invention without departing from the scope thereof, it is to be understood that all matter herein set forth or shown in the accompanying drawings is to be interpreted as illustrative of applications of the principles of this invention, and not in a limiting sense.

Claims

What is claimed is:

1. A particle launching apparatus comprising:

an outer case with a vertical wall perpendicular to a bottom base, wherein an upper portion of the outer case includes a rim;

an inner case with a base portion and a body portion, wherein at least a portion of the base portion is wider than the body portion, and wherein the portion of the base portion of the inner case that is wider than the body portion is also wider than the rim of the outer case, and wherein the body portion of the inner case is narrower than the rim of the outer case, whereby the inner case may move within the outer case;

a cavity within the body portion of the inner case containing one or more particulates;

a pin extending through the vertical wall of the outer case, wherein an underside of the pin is in contact with a top surface of the base portion of the inner case; and

a spring device positioned intermediate the inner case and the outer case, wherein a bottom portion of the spring device abuts the bottom base of the outer case, wherein a top portion of the spring device abuts the base portion of the inner case, wherein the spring device is compressed by the inner case, and wherein the spring is held in a compressed position by a portion of the pin being in contact with the top surface of the base portion of the inner case.

2. The particle launching apparatus of claim 1, further comprising:

a pull line connected to an exterior portion of the pin, wherein a force on the pull line is capable of at least partially removing the pin from the outer case, whereby the spring is released from its compressed position.

3. The particle launching apparatus of claim 1, further comprising:

a cap above the inner case, wherein, when the spring is decompressed, the cap is in a path of upward movement of the inner case.

4. The particle launching apparatus of claim 1, further comprising:

one or more ribbon pieces, wherein at least a portion of the outer case is not visible due to the presence of the one or more ribbon pieces.

5. The particle launching apparatus of claim 2, wherein the outer case includes a retention member on the bottom base of the outer case, wherein the bottom portion of the spring device is coupled with the retention member, and wherein the top portion of the spring is surrounded by the base portion of the inner case.

6. The particle launching apparatus of claim 4, wherein an undoing of the at least one or more ribbon pieces exerts the force on the pull line.

7. The particle launching apparatus of claim 1, wherein the one or more particulates are confetti.

8. The particle launching apparatus of claim 1, wherein the launching apparatus is included in a cake decoration, and wherein the one or more particulates are edible.

9. The particle launching apparatus of claim 1, wherein the launching apparatus is connected to a gift package.

10. A confetti launcher comprising:

an outer shell with a wall and a bottom base, wherein a top of the outer shell has an inner ridge,

an inner piece with a base and a body, wherein at least a part of the base is wider than the body, wherein the body is narrower than the ridge of the outer shell and the base is wider than the ridge of the outer shell, and wherein the inner piece is movably positioned within the outer shell;

a cavity inside the body of the inner piece that includes a set of particles;

a spring positioned intermediate the outer shell and the inner piece, wherein a bottom of the spring is surrounded by a circular protrusion from the bottom base of the outer shell, and wherein a top of the spring is surrounded by the base of the inner piece; and

a cap positioned above the cavity of the inner piece to selectively retain the set of particles in the cavity.

11. The confetti launcher of claim 10, further comprising:

a pin at least partially adjacent to the base of the inner piece, wherein the pin is at least partially removable; and

a line extending from the pin, wherein the line can be pulled to at least partially remove the pin.

12. The confetti launcher of claim 11, wherein the line is connected to a gift bow, and wherein the line is capable of being pulled during opening of a package.

13. The confetti launcher of claim 11, wherein the pin and the line are one integral component, and wherein the pin portion of the component is inserted through the outer shell.

14. A method of manufacturing a launching device, the method comprising:

molding a cylindrical outer case with a hollow interior, wherein a portion of the interior includes an inward protrusion, and wherein a base of the outer case includes an circular wall;

molding an inner case that includes an upper cavity that opens upwards and a lower cavity that opens downwards, wherein the inner case includes a base;

positioning the inner case within the hollow interior of the outer case;

positioning a springing mechanism intermediate the outer case and inner case, wherein a lower part of the springing mechanism is within the circular wall of the base of the outer case and an upper part of the springing mechanism is within the lower cavity of the inner case;

compressing the springing mechanism by moving the inner case toward the base of the outer case; and

inserting a portion of a pin into the interior of the outer case to selectively retain the springing mechanism in a compressed state, wherein the pin is removably in contact with an upper surface of the base of the inner case.

15. The method of claim 14, wherein the base of the inner case is wider than the inward protrusion of the interior of the outer case.

16. The method of claim 14, further comprising:

affixing a cover to the outer case above the upper cavity of the inner case.

17. The method of claim 14, further comprising:

embedding the launching device within one or more ribbons of a bow.

18. The method of claim 14, further comprising:

connecting the pin to one or more ribbons of the bow, wherein opening the bow applies a pressure to the pin that relieves the contact between the pin and the upper surface of the base of the inner case.

19. The method of claim 14, further comprising:

positioning a set of particles in the upper cavity of the inner case.

20. The method of claim 14, further comprising:

including the launching device within at least part of a decoration.