Noise making balloon valve

Claim 2

A valve for insertion in the neck of a toy balloon, comprising: a casing having a balloon-engagable first end and a user-accessible opposite end, the casing defining a flow path and having an internal annular surface defining a valve seat, the casing being flared at the user-accessible end to form a trumpet, the casing supporting the balloon at the first end when placed with the trumpet on a support surface, and the trumpet having a large diameter with respect to a child's mouth and remaining portions of the casing; a valve body disposed in the casing and movable between a closed position in which the valve body rests against the valve seat to seal the flow path, and an open position in which the valve body is moved away from the valve seat to open the flow path, the valve body being biased by gas pressure to the closed position when the balloon is inflated; and, a resonant reed mounted in the casing and operable to emit a noise in response to flow.

Claim 3

A valve for insertion in the neck of a toy balloon, comprising: a casing having a balloon-engagable first end and a user-accessible opposite end, the casing defining a flow path and having an internal annular surface defining a valve seat, the casing being flared at the user-accessible end to form a trumpet, the casing supporting the balloon at the first end when placed with the trumpet on a support surface, and the trumpet being large with respect to a child's mouth; a valve body disposed in the casing and movable between a closed position in which the valve body rests against the valve seat to seal the flow path, and an open position in which the valve body is moved away from the valve seat to open the flow path, the valve body being biased by gas pressure to the closed position when the balloon is inflated; a resonant reed mounted in the casing and operable to emit a noise in response to flow; and, a membrane substantially closing the user-accessible end of the casing, the membrane having at least one air flow opening and the membrane being manually depressible against the valve body.

Claim 4

A valve for insertion in the neck of a toy balloon, comprising: a casing having a balloon-engagable first end and a user-accessible opposite end, the casing defining a flow path and having an internal annular surface defining a valve seat, the casing being flared at the user-accessible end to form a trumpet, the casing supporting the balloon at the first end when placed with the trumpet on a support surface, and the trumpet being large with respect to a child's mouth; a valve body disposed in the casing and movable between a closed position in which the valve body rests against the valve seat to seal the flow path, and an open position in which the valve body is moved away from the valve seat to open the flow path, the valve body being biased by gas pressure to the closed position when the balloon is inflated; a resonant reed mounted in the casing and operable to emit a noise in response to flow; and, a membrane substantially closing the user-accessible end of the casing, the membrane having at least one air flow opening and the membrane being manually depressible against the valve body.

Claim 5

The valve of claim 1, wherein the reed is disposed at the balloon-engagable end of the casing, whereby the valve body is confined between the reed and the valve seat.

Claim 6

The apparatus of claim 3, further comprising at least one protective tab mounted to the casing and extending across the balloon-engagable end thereof.

Claim 7

The valve of claim 1, wherein the casing is formed in two pieces, the pieces being rigidly attached, and a first of the pieces comprising means for mounting the reed, a second piece comprising the trumpet, the valve body being captive between the first and second pieces.

Claim 8

The valve of claim 1, wherein the balloon is of a type having an enlarged rolled end, and further comprising a hook attached to the casing and forming a restriction with the casing for engaging said end, the restriction being narrower than the end, whereby the end must be resiliently deformed when engaged by the restriction, the restriction holding the balloon against complete ejection of the casing from the balloon.

Claim 9

The valve of claim 3, wherein the valve body has an annular flange resting against the valve seat in the closed position, the seat having an annular groove of complementary dimensions, the annular flange and annular groove forming an air-tight seal.

Claim 10

The valve of claim 7, further comprising a viscous, non-drying seal compound disposed in the annular groove.

Claim 11

The valve of claim 8, wherein said seal compound is grease.

Claim 12

The valve of claim 2, wherein the membrane is slotted to form a central portion depressable against the valve body and a peripheral portion displaceable outwards by action of air flow.

Claim 13

The valve of claim 10, wherein the membrane is substantially transparent and indicia is printed on an inner side of the membrane.

Claim 14

The valve of claim 10, wherein the casing is threaded adjacent an edge of the trumpet, the membrane having an opening aligned with the threads, whereby the casing may be carried upon a stick threaded into the casing.

Claim 15

The valve of claim 10, further comprising a cleat for engaging a string, mounted on the casing.

Claim 16

The valve of claim 10, further comprising an endless ribbon of stretchable plastic material affixed to the casing.

Claim 17

The valve of claim 10, wherein the casing, valve body, reed and trumpet are axially aligned.