A method and apparatus is disclosed for arranging balloons or the like in a nozzle-up orientation. The apparatus comprises a pair of downwardly inclined, elongate members, at least one of which has an upwardly movable surface, such as the surface of a rotatable roller. The members define a gap therebetween, and a row of spaced, unoriented balloons are fed at random, some with the baggy body leading and others with the less baggy nozzle leading, into the gap at the upper end of the members from b...

A suprapubic catheter comprising, an elongated shaft having a drainage lumen extending therethrough, and a plurality of openings extending through the shaft and communicating with the drainage lumen. The catheter has a first elastic sleeve secured to the shaft in spaced circumferential zones and defining a first cavity beneath the first sleeve, with the first sleeve being located adjacent a distal end of the shaft. The catheter has a second elastic sleeve secured to the shaft in spaced circumfer...

A valve and retainer assembly particularly useful for latex balloons is provided consisting of a valve body and a disk valve. The valve body has a retainer portion where the neck and mouth of a latex balloon may be received to affix the balloon to the valve body. A hollow stem communicates with the retainer portion, and a one-way valve allows gas to be introduced through the stem portion into the balloon affixed to the retainer portion. Once the balloon is filled the pressure of the gas within t...

Various support devices have one or more balloons that are strapped around a portion of the body with a soft layer between them and the body. In some devices, the balloons are separably mounted a strap that encircles a portion of the body. Various forms of balloons are disclosed. In other devices, the balloon has an open area that is disposed over a bony prominence or ulcerated area. An insert for applying medicine may be disposed within the open area. Certain devices are for body joints and the...

Disclosed is a focal balloon having at least one reference zone and a focal zone. In one embodiment, the reference zone and focal zone are inflatable to a first generally cylindrical profile at a first pressure. At a second, greater pressure, the focal section expands to a second, greater diameter, while the reference zone remains substantially at the first diameter. In an alternate embodiment, the focal zone and the reference zone are inflatable to their respective predetermined diameters at th...

An inflatable translucent balloon body has a predetermined net lifting force upon inflation with a lighter than air gas. A light source is attached to the balloon upon inflation by a light transmitting tether. To keep the buoyant balloon afloat while attached to the light transmitting tether, the light transmitting tether has a net weight of less than the net lifting force of the balloon in an inflated state with lighter than air gas therein.

Disclosed is a focal balloon having at least one reference zone and a focal zone. In one embodiment, the reference zone and focal zone are inflatable to a first generally cylindrical profile at a first pressure. At a second, greater pressure, the focal section expands to a second, greater diameter, while the reference zone remains substantially at the first diameter. In an alternate embodiment, the focal zone and the reference zone are inflatable to their respective predetermined diameters at th...

A religious balloons and storage device for lifting the user's spirits and providing hope in times of need. The religious balloons and storage device includes a storage container having an open top, a bottom wall, side walls, and end walls; and also includes a cover hingedly attached to the storage container and being closeable upon the open top of the storage container; and further includes at least one inflatable balloon removably disposed within the storage container; and also includes at lea...

An inflatable translucent balloon body has a predetermined net lifting force upon inflation with a lighter than air gas. A light source is attached to the balloon upon inflation by a light transmitting tether. To keep the buoyant balloon afloat while attached to the light transmitting tether, the light transmitting tether has a net weight of less than the net lifting force of the balloon in an inflated state with lighter than air gas therein.

A weight for toy and decorative balloons according to the invention enables a simple and convenient selection of the amount of ribbon extending between the balloon weight and the balloon, while being adaptive to exhibiting selectively variable ballast characteristics. The weight according to the invention consists of a container (1) receiving granular weight (8) such as sand, a cover (2) closing the container (1) and an ear (3) extending from the cover for receiving and holding a ribbon (4) of a...