Device and Method for Filling and Sealing at Least One Water Balloon

Abstract

An assembly for creating water balloons that directs water from a water source into a manifold. Filler straws extend from the manifold. Latex balloons are readied for filling by placing a neck plug into the necks of the balloons. Each neck plug has an elastomeric body that is sized to plug the neck of the balloon. A blind bore is formed into each of the neck plugs. The fill straws are advanced into the blind bores of the neck plugs. The filler straws are advanced deeper into the neck plugs, therein piercing the material of the neck plugs and eventually passing through the neck plugs. Due to the elastomeric material of the neck plugs, a watertight seal is formed around the filler straws. Water is advanced through the filler straws to fill the balloons.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . An assembly for creating water balloons, comprising:
 a connector for connecting to a water source;   a manifold coupled to said connector;   filler straws extending from said manifold;   balloons having balloon necks;   neck plugs set inside said balloon necks of said balloons, wherein each of said neck plugs has a different one of said filler straws extending therethrough.   
     
     
         2 . The assembly according to  claim 1 , wherein said neck plugs are made of elastomeric material. 
     
     
         3 . The assembly according to  claim 2 , wherein said neck plugs contain blind bores formed therein, wherein said blind bores terminate within said neck plugs at closed ends. 
     
     
         4 . The assembly according to  claim 3 , wherein said filler straws extend into said blind bores and are forced through said closed ends, therein extending through said neck plugs. 
     
     
         5 . The assembly according to  claim 4 , wherein said filler straws have a first diameter and said blind bores have a second diameter that is smaller than said first diameter. 
     
     
         6 . The assembly according to  claim 2 , wherein each of said neck plugs has a cylindrical body that extends between two end surfaces. 
     
     
         7 . The assembly according to  claim 6 , wherein said balloon necks have a relaxed internal diameter and said cylindrical body has a maximum diameter that is greater than said relaxed internal diameter. 
     
     
         8 . The assembly according to  claim 6 , further including structures on said cylindrical body that increase friction between said cylindrical body and said balloon necks. 
     
     
         9 . An assembly for filling a balloon, comprising:
 a filler straw;   a balloon having a balloon neck;   a neck plug disposed within said balloon neck of said balloon, wherein said neck plug internally seals said balloon neck;   wherein said filler straw pierces said neck plug and extends through said neck plug, therein providing a conduit to fill said balloon.   
     
     
         10 . The assembly according to  claim 9 , wherein said filler straw creates a hole in said neck plug that automatically seals when said filler straw is retracted from said neck plug. 
     
     
         11 . The assembly according to  claim 9 , wherein said neck plug is made of elastomeric material. 
     
     
         12 . The assembly according to  claim 11 , wherein said neck plug contains a blind bore formed therein, wherein said blind bore terminates within said neck plug at a closed end. 
     
     
         13 . The assembly according to  claim 12 , wherein said filler straw extends into said blind bore and is forced through said closed end, therein extending through said neck plug. 
     
     
         14 . The assembly according to  claim 13 , wherein said filler straw has a first diameter and said blind bore has a second diameter that is smaller than said first diameter. 
     
     
         15 . The assembly according to  claim 9 , wherein said neck plug has a cylindrical body that extends between two end surfaces. 
     
     
         16 . The assembly according to  claim 9 , wherein said balloon neck has a relaxed internal diameter and said cylindrical body has a maximum diameter that is greater than said relaxed internal diameter. 
     
     
         17 . The assembly according to  claim 16 , further including structures on said cylindrical body that increase friction between said cylindrical body and said balloon neck. 
     
     
         18 . A balloon assembly, comprising:
 a balloon having a neck;   an elastomeric plug disposed in said neck and blocking said neck, wherein said elastomeric plug has an opening formed therethrough that is collapsed closed in part by a compression force applied to said elastomeric plug by said neck of said balloon, wherein said balloon is filled through said opening.   
     
     
         19 . The assembly according to  claim 18 , wherein said elastomeric plug contains a blind bore formed therein, wherein said blind bore terminates within said elastomeric plug at a closed end. 
     
     
         20 . The assembly according to  claim 18 , wherein said opening extends through said elastomeric plug from said closed end of said blind bore.