Flextronics International Usa, Inc.

Cardalloon Co LLC

Ben Kaufman

Grant Chapman

Brian Craig Bushell

Andrew Westrick

Gabe Ochoa

Scott Shephard

Josh Wright

Wade Cunningham

Randy Parmerlee, Jr

Christopher Metzger

A gift box with a self-inflating balloon is designed to be shipped to a recipient through the mail. A lid of the box is configured to be opened and may display a personalized message relating to a special occasion of the recipient. The box includes the balloon, which may be hidden from view in a compartment of the box. The box includes a switch that is configured to be actuated by the recipient. Upon actuating the switch, an inflation device is activated and begins to inflate the balloon, which emerges from the compartment of the box. A vibrating motor inside the box may synchronously cause the box to vibrate. After a pre-determined amount of time, the inflation device and motor deactivate, and a valve seals the air inside the balloon. Once the balloon is inflated, the gift box and balloon may be displayed for the recipient.

Gift box with self-inflating balloon

An exemplary aspect comprises a control apparatus comprising: (a) a controller comprising a microprocessor; (b) a wireless transceiver in communication with said microprocessor and operable to communicate over a wireless network with an application on a mobile device; (c) a light switch controlled by the controller; (d) a sensor in communication with the controller; and (e) a front panel that allows a user to interface with the controller.

Control apparatus and related methods

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New York, NY, United States of America

Ben Kaufman