This invention relates to a sealing closure device for use with balloons, bags and the like.

Toy balloons, typically made of synthetic or natural rubber, are provided with a neck portion which may be knotted to seal the balloon when inflated. Knotting the neck portion is a difficult operation requiring stretching and looping upon itself a relatively short uninflated portion while holding the neck closed to prevent deflation of the balloon. In addition to the risk of allowing the balloon to deflate at least partially during this operation, there is a risk of damage to the neck, with consequent loss of the balloon, and the operation is time- consuming, and difficult for children to perform. Additionally, when the balloon deflates after a few days due to diffusion of the air (or other inflating gas) therethrough, it is difficult or impossible to untie the neck portion to permit re-inflation.

As an alternative to knotting the neck portion, it is possible to tie the neck with a length of string. However, a disadvantage with this is that it is very difficult to obtain a secure seal for the balloon, and premature deflation commonly results.

The present invention provides a sealing closure device, comprising an open tubular member having a loop of an elongate flexible material passing therethrough, one end of the loop being securable in the tubular member, and a clamping member being provided to clamp the free end of the loop in the tubular member at any position therealong.

The clamping member is suitably in the form of a generally frusto-conical stopper which can engage in the end of the tubular member. One end of the loop may be secured in the clamping member, for example by a knot, or by the clamping member being moulded on to the elongate flexible material, which is suitable string or twine, or more preferably braided or plaited polypropylene fibres or the like.

The tubular member is of an internal diameter such that the doubled-over neck portion of a balloon can just be drawn into it by the loop, and the friction of the neck portion with the interior of the tubular member prevents the pressure within the balloon forcing the necK out again. For typical toy balloons, an internal diameter of about 4mm has been found to be suitable.

The device may also be used for closing the necks of bags, for example bags formed of plastics materials such as polyethylene. Such bags are typically used for storing i foodstuffs, for example for freezing, and for domestic refuse, and the device provides a simple and effective closure for the bags.

According to a further aspect, there is a clamping device for tying a balloon or the like, the device comprising a tube, a clamping member for attachment to or in a first end of the tube, and an elongate flexible member connected to the clamping member and I extending through the tube so that it extends beyond the opposite end and then loops back on itself through the tube with the free end projecting beyond the first end.

The clamping member may be a bung or stopper.

Reference is made to the drawings which illustrate a device in accordance with one exemplary embodiment of the invention, and in which:

Figure 1 is a side view of the device; and

Figure 2 is a sectional side view of the device in use.

The device consists of a tube 1 suitably formed of a rigid plastics material, having a tapering stopper member 2 engageable in one end thereof, and through which passes one end of a loop 3 of thin twine or string. The end of the loop 3 is retained within the stopper member 2, which is hollow, by a knot 3a. Initially, the loop 3 extends beyond the tube 1 , and the free end 3b thereof emerges from the same end of the tube as receives the stopper member 2.

In use, the loop extending from the tube 1 is passed over the neck 5a of an inflated balloon 5 (Figure 2), and the free end 3b of the loop is pulled. This draws the neck 5a of the balloon into the tube 1 , and it has been found that the neck tends to twist during this process, further assisting in the sealing of the balloon. The tension on the loop 3 urges the stopper member 2 into the tube, clamping the free end 3b of the loop in the end of the tube 1. To release the loop, for example to permit re-inflation of the balloon, the stopper member 2 is pulled out of the tube 1 far enough to release the free end 3b of the loop and thereby permit the loop and the neck 5a of the balloon to be pulled clear of the tube 1. The rim 2a formed at the wider end of the stopper member 2 facilitates the pulling of the member out of the tube 1.

In an alternative embodiment, the stopper member 2 is not formed hollow, but is directly moulded on to the twine forming the loop. For example, the stopper members will be moulded on to a continuous length of twine at suitable intervals, the twine then being cut at the wider end of each stopper.

Although reference is made to the use of the device with toy balloons, it will be appreciated that the device of the invention will also have application with larger balloons, for example balloons used for scientific research purposes. Additionally, balloons and bags formed of relatively inelastic materials may be satisfactorily sealed using the device of the invention.