Illuminated balloon with an externally mounted, rear projector

An illuminated balloon assembly, comprising:

• a balloon;
• and
• a projector mounted on an exterior surface of the balloon, wherein the projector comprises a stationary shroud contacting the exterior surface of the balloon, a light source supported by the stationary shroud, and a mobile shroud mounted on the stationary shroud to move relative to the stationary shroud, wherein inner surfaces of the shrouds direct light from the light source through a portion of the balloon that is substantially transparent to light onto an inner surface of the balloon,
• wherein the mobile shroud is pivotally mounted onto the stationary shroud, and
• wherein the projector further comprises an artwork pattern at least partially opaque to light, the pattern comprising a first portion attached to the stationary shroud and a second portion attached to the mobile shroud, wherein the first and second portions are in a path of the light from the light source to filter portions of the light from the light source with the second portion moving vertically toward and away from the first portion with movement of the balloon.

An apparatus for forming a balloon with a wall with a transparent portion into an illuminated balloon display device, comprising:

• an upper shell with an inner surface supporting an upper display pattern and adapted for mounting upon an exterior surface of the balloon wall adjacent the transparent portion;
• a light source positioned to direct light onto the upper display pattern on the inner surface of the upper shell;
• and
• a lower shell with an inner surface supporting a lower display pattern, wherein the lower shell is pivotally mounted to the upper shell to move the lower display pattern toward and away from the inner surface of the upper shell and wherein the upper and lower display patterns are at least partially opaque to light, wherein the inner surface of the upper shell has an arcuate cross section with a gap sized to receive the lower shell as it moves toward the inner surface.