# US 12,337,252 B2 · Balloon containment device > Agents: this data is available as JSON from the patentgrep API and MCP server — see https://patentgrep.com/llms.txt - Number: US 12,337,252 B2 - Document ID: US12337252B2 - Status: Granted - Kind: B2 - Application number: 18/541,872 - Filed: 2023-12-15 - Published: 2024-05-02 - Granted: 2025-06-24 - Earliest claimed: 2019-05-21 - Applicants: Nevin R. Salvino - Inventors: Nevin R. Salvino - Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US12337252B2 ## CPC - A63H 27/10: Balloons (connection of valves to inflatable elastic bodies B60C29/00; {other than toy aspects B64B1/40}) - A63H 2027/1041: {Holding or sealing means, e.g. handling rods, clamps or plugs} - A63H 2027/1083: {Valves or nozzles} - A63H 2027/1091: {with object inserted within; Means or methods for insertion of objects} - A63H: TOYS, e.g. TOPS, DOLLS, HOOPS OR BUILDING BLOCKS ## Abstract The present invention provides a balloon containment device comprising a central portion having a diameter larger than the diameter of the narrowest part of an expanded opening portion of a balloon. An elongate external retainer extends from the central portion toward a proximate end to the balloon opening portion and having a length enabled for placement of the central portion, extending through a neck portion of the balloon opening portion. An elongate internal retainer extends from the central portion, and toward a distal end from the balloon opening portion, and having a length designed for placement inside of the balloon. Wherein when the balloon is inflated, the central portion is held against the neck portion by manipulation of the external retainer. ## Claims ### Claim 1 An inflatable device comprising: an inflatable balloon having a body and a neck portion, the neck portion formed by a sidewall having a proximal end opposite the body and a distal end adjacent the body, the sidewall forming a balloon opening portion having an inner dimension when the balloon is inflated, wherein the proximal end of the neck portion comprises a first opening for a flow of a fluid into and out of the inflatable balloon; an air containment body positioned in the body, the air containment body having a first outer dimension larger than an inner dimension of the balloon opening portion and positionable relative to the distal end of the neck portion; and, an elongate external retainer extending from the air containment body through a second opening formed in the sidewall of the neck portion, the elongate external retainer having a retainment end positioned outside the balloon, wherein the second opening in the sidewall of the neck portion is located within a middle portion of the neck portion, and wherein the second opening is closed against the elongate external retainer by an elastic retention property of the inflatable balloon. ### Claim 2 (depends on 1) The inflatable device of claim 1, wherein the elongate external retainer comprises a flexible plastic material. ### Claim 3 (depends on 1) The inflatable device of claim 1, wherein the elongate external retainer comprises a square cross-sectional shape in the region where the elongated external retainer extends through the opening in the sidewall of the neck portion. ### Claim 4 (depends on 1) The inflatable device of claim 1, wherein at least a portion of the air containment body facing the neck portion is knurled, roughed, or sticky. ### Claim 5 (depends on 1) The inflatable device of claim 1, wherein the air containment body comprises a longitudinal axis, and the elongate external retainer bends away from the longitudinal axis beyond the first outer dimension of the air containment body. ### Claim 6 (depends on 1) The inflatable device of claim 1, wherein the retainment end of the elongate external retainer comprises a barb. ### Claim 7 (depends on 1) The inflatable device of claim 1, wherein the air containment body comprises a longitudinal axis, and the elongate external retainer is attached to a surface of the air containment body at a location offset from the longitudinal axis. ### Claim 8 (depends on 1) The inflatable device of claim 1, wherein the air containment body comprises a distal portion opposite the neck portion of the balloon, the distal portion having a second outer dimension larger than the first outer dimension. ### Claim 9 (depends on 8) The inflatable device of claim 8, wherein the air containment body further comprises a third outer dimension separating the first outer dimension and the second outer dimension, the third outer dimension being smaller than the first outer dimension and the second outer dimension. ### Claim 10 An inflatable device comprising: an inflatable balloon having a body and a neck portion, the neck portion formed by a sidewall having a proximal end opposite the body and a distal end adjacent the body, the sidewall forming a balloon opening portion having an inner diameter when the balloon is inflated, wherein the proximal end of the neck portion comprises a first opening for a flow of a fluid into and out of the inflatable balloon; an air containment body positioned in the body, the air containment body having a rounded surface facing the neck portion, the rounded surface having a first outer diameter larger than an inner diameter of the balloon opening portion and positionable relative to the distal end of the neck portion; and, a flexible elongate external retainer curving from the air containment body through a second opening formed in the sidewall of the neck portion, the elongate external retainer having a retainment end positioned outside the balloon, wherein the second opening in the sidewall of the neck portion is located within a middle portion of the neck portion, and wherein the second opening is closed against the elongate external retainer by an elastic retention property of the inflatable balloon. ### Claim 11 (depends on 10) The inflatable device of claim 10, wherein the elongate external retainer comprises a plastic material. ### Claim 12 (depends on 10) The inflatable device of claim 10, wherein the elongate external retainer comprises a square cross-sectional shape in the region where the elongated external retainer extends through the opening in the sidewall of the neck portion. ### Claim 13 (depends on 10) The inflatable device of claim 10, wherein at least a portion of the air containment body facing the neck portion is knurled, roughed, or sticky. ### Claim 14 (depends on 10) The inflatable device of claim 10, wherein the air containment body comprises a longitudinal axis, and the elongate external retainer curves away from the longitudinal axis beyond the outer diameter of the air containment body. ### Claim 15 (depends on 10) The inflatable device of claim 10, wherein the retainment end of the elongate external retainer comprises a barb. ### Claim 16 (depends on 10) The inflatable device of claim 10, wherein the air containment body comprises a longitudinal axis, and the elongate external retainer is attached to a surface of the air containment body at a location offset from the longitudinal axis. ### Claim 17 (depends on 10) The inflatable device of claim 10, wherein the air containment body comprises a distal portion opposite the neck portion of the balloon, the distal portion having a second outer diameter larger than the first outer diameter. ### Claim 18 (depends on 17) The inflatable device of claim 17, wherein the air containment body further comprises a third outer diameter separating the first outer diameter and the second outer diameter, the third outer diameter being smaller than the first outer diameter and the second outer diameter. ### Claim 19 A method comprising: providing an inflatable balloon having a body and a neck portion, the neck portion formed by a sidewall having a proximal end opposite the body and a distal end adjacent the body, the sidewall forming a balloon opening portion having an inner dimension when the balloon is inflated, wherein the proximal end of the neck portion comprises a first opening for a flow of a fluid into and out of the inflatable balloon; positioning an air containment body in the body of the balloon, the air containment body having an outer dimension larger than an inner dimension of the balloon opening portion; and, positioning an elongate external retainer connected to the air containment body through a second opening formed in the sidewall of the neck portion such that a retainment end of the elongate external retainer is positioned outside of the balloon, wherein the second opening in the sidewall of the neck portion is located within a middle portion of the neck portion, and wherein the second opening is closed against the elongate external retainer by an elastic retention property of the inflatable balloon. ### Claim 20 (depends on 19) The method of claim 19, further comprising: positioning the air containment body at a distance relative to the distal end of the neck portion of the balloon; delivering air into the balloon through the opening portion; and, repositioning the air containment body against the distal end of the neck portion of the balloon.