AU2015218227A9 - Cracker - Google Patents

Abstract

A cracker (36) is disclosed which includes a barrel (18) and at least one expulsion device (34) provided in said barrel (18) for expelling a charge of delivery material (32) outside of said barrel (18). The expulsion device (34) contains the charge of delivery material (32) and may be configured upon activation to expel it from the barrel (18) in an expulsion direction (44) which is angled relatively to the cracker's primary axis (46), for example at a right angle thereto. Typically a pyrotechnic device (24) is provided to expel the delivery material (32), but spring-loaded and compressed-air mechanisms are also disclosed. The expulsion device (34) may be modified from a conventional party popper but other embodiments include a two-part structure consisting of a cup-shaped inner vessel enclosed by an outer receptacle, a further device defining a sloped outer surface, and yet another having a hinged lid to facilitate loading.

Description

CRACKER

TECHNICAL FIELD

THIS INVENTION relates to a cracker of the type used during celebrations and parties, sometimes referred to as Christmas cracker or a cracker bon bon. Traditionally these party favours are used over the Christmas period but the invention is not limited to their use during any particular period.

BACKGROUND ART

Celebrations are often accompanied by the use of devices capable of making a loud report. These include the Christmas cracker and the party popper.

Christmas crackers form part of Christmas celebrations primarily in the United Kingdom, Ireland and Commonwealth countries such as Australia, Canada, New Zealand and South Africa. A cracker usually consists of a paper or cardboard tube gathered at two zones such that it resembles an oversized sweet-wrapper. Typically crackers enclose a mix of items associated with the product. These items traditionally include a surprise gift or a suggested activity, a joke, a paper hat and a snap which makes a report or bang when the cracker is pulled.

A cracker comprises the following parts. The “pull” refers to two end portions which are grasped by users to activate the cracker. The “necks” refer to two regions at which a cracker tube is crimped or restricted to form a container or hold for the contents of the cracker. This container is referred to as the “barrel.”

Crackers come in many sizes and shapes and can be made from many materials. They are often decorated with ribbon and other embellishments, but preferred features include a pleasing design on the outside and the contents, mentioned above, which are a surprise on the inside.

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Conventional crackers produce their report by the effect of friction on a shock-sensitive, chemically-impregnated card strip. One chemical used for the friction strip is silver fulminate, which is highly unstable. Gunpowder can also be used. The exploding device inside a conventional cracker is called a “snap” and consists of two lengths of sturdy kraft paper with gunpowder pasted on both ends which are then bound together with brown paper. When the cracker is pulled, the lengths of paper, drawn by their unpowdered ends which are attached to the opposite ends of the breaking cracker, move past each other and friction ignites the powder which then explodes producing the familiar report or bang.

Variations on the cracker theme have been produced over the years. GB2383000A, dated 18 June 2003 in the name of Rowan Rasmussen (one of the present inventors) teaches a cracker which incorporates a device capable of storing sound in an electronic memory. In a similar vein, GB2446995B, dated 30 June 2010, teaches “a musical cracker.” This has a sound module disposed within the central body and adapted upon activation to produce a predetermined sequence of audible tones.

US2149852A, dated 7 March 1939, teaches multiple detonators for Christmas crackers. There are many other variations of crackers, for example three-way crackers and crackers resembling candles, rockets, etc.

Turning to a different type of device for celebration, the traditional “party popper”, this is a small container usually filled with contents to be expelled, for example confetti or paper streamers. Party poppers are often made of a plastics material but sometimes take the form of a cone-shaped cardboard container. Usually there is a hollow, tube-like component that contains an explosive device and the contents to be expelled (called “delivery material” in this specification). The container also holds plugs or caps made from paper, or similar cut-outs, used to partition the contents from the explosive device and to contain the delivery material within the popper until it is activated. The explosive device comprises powder with a length of string (the “pull-string”) secured within a tightly rolled tube of paper which explodes when ignited by the friction resultant from vigorously yanking the pull-string out of the rolled paper. The explosion in the restricted space causes the contents to be forcefully expelled in a direction opposite to the force

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PCT/ZA2015/000006 applied to the string. Usually this would be vertically upwards but it could be any direction in which the popper is pointed.

Poppers produce a louder bang than crackers and make an effective display (caused by the streamers and/or confetti flying about) but unlike crackers they are designed to be operated by a single person, i.e. solo.

There is a demand for party paraphernalia which can provide new, different and surprising experiences.

DEFINITIONS “Barrel” is intended to be interpreted broadly when used in reference to a cracker and the term is not limited to cylindrical barrels. As such the term includes, without limitation, both cylindrical barrels and tubes having other types of cross-sections, for example tubes with at least one flattened or planar portion.

“Primary Axis” when used in reference to a cracker having a barrel, means a major elongate axis passing along the length of said barrel through the centre thereof, so that said barrel is symmetrical about said axis in at least one plane passing through said barrel.

DISCLOSURE OF THE INVENTION

According to a first aspect of the present invention there is provided a cracker which includes a barrel and at least one expulsion device provided in said barrel for expelling a charge of delivery material outside of said barrel, wherein said expulsion device contains said charge of delivery material.

The cracker may define a primary axis and the expulsion device may be configured upon activation to expel the delivery material from the barrel in a direction angled relatively to said primary axis.

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Advantageously the expulsion device is configured upon activation to expel the delivery material from the barrel in a direction aligned generally normally to said primary axis.

The expulsion device may be triggerable by force transfer means, and may include:

a directing formation, for example a tube, nozzle or the like, configured to expel the charge of delivery material in an expulsion direction; and guide means arranged for guiding movement of said force transfer means at an angle relative to said expulsion direction (for example, at a right angle thereto).

The cracker may comprise an elongate tubular component constricted at two mutually spaced zones to define the barrel and two adjoining end portions (or cracker pulls) demarcated from said barrel at either end thereof by intervening necks.

The force transfer means may include pull activation means, for example an elongate pull element such as a pull-string or a pull-tab. The pull element typically extends from the expulsion device, along the inside of the barrel and into the adjoining end portion of the cracker via the intervening neck. The pull element is typically secured in said adjoining end portion.

The expulsion device is typically fixed or bonded to the barrel by means of an adhesive or other suitable attachment means. The bond formed between the expulsion device and the barrel must sufficiently strong such that a pull on the pull element will activate the expulsion device before the bond fails.

The cracker may optionally include strengthening material provided on an opposite side of the expulsion device relative to the pull element. The strengthening material is advantageously connected to the expulsion device so that the cracker, when pulled, preferentially fails at the neck through which the pull element passes. The strengthening material also secures the expulsion device against lateral force and motion imposed upon it by the pull element during use of the cracker.

The strengthening material may comprise a layer of sheet material secured to the tubular component and overlying a part of the barrel and a part of the adjoining end portion. Instead or in addition, the strengthening material may comprise a

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PCT/ZA2015/000006 reinforcement tab or strip manufactured from sturdy board. The strip may be fixed to the floor of the barrel and may extend from the barrel into the adjoining end portion of the cracker via the intervening neck.

The connection of the pull element to the expulsion device is preferably made weaker than the strengthening material holding the expulsion device so that, in use, a pull on the pull element will activate the expulsion device before the strengthening material fails.

The barrel and cracker pulls may each, or in combination, define at least one planar portion, for example a planar base. This is done to provide a flat bottom upon which to rest the cracker and also to indicate to users the preferred direction in which to orientate and operate the cracker. The planar base also provides a flat surface onto which the expulsion device can be securely fixed or bonded.

Preferably the expulsion device is equipped with an explosive or pyrotechnic device for expelling the contents of the expulsion device, i.e. the delivery material, out of the cracker. For example, a “snap” or other explosive device of the type commonly found in party poppers may be used.

The explosive or pyrotechnic device is preferably configured for generating a loud bang or report having a volume similar to that produced by a conventional party popper, which is typically louder than that produced by the snap of a conventional cracker.

Typically, the explosive or pyrotechnic device is designed and configured to produce a report having a volume in the range from 80 to 130 decibels peak linear (p-l) at a distance of 1 metre from said explosive device.

The expulsion device of the cracker may be modified from a conventional party popper fixed to the floor of the barrel, for example by means of an adhesive.

Although an explosive or pyrotechnic charge is preferred for use in the expulsion device, various other expulsion means may be substituted for the explosive charge, and these fall equally within the scope of this invention.

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For example, the expulsion device may include a spring-loaded or compressed-air mechanism, or other stored energy arrangement. In the same way as for the cracker with the explosive charge, the compressed air version of the cracker may be operated by pulling the cracker into which the pull-string is secured, thereby releasing the charge of delivery material driven by expansion of the compressed air.

The expulsion device typically has a casing. The casing may be of unitary construction or may, instead, comprise a plurality of discrete compartments, for example a cupshaped inner vessel for holding the explosive charge, and an outer receptacle configured to receive said inner vessel. In this embodiment the cup-shaped vessel may be of plastics construction while the outer receptacle may be of cardboard construction.

The expulsion device may define a sloped surface to enable the insertion of a needle to load the explosive charge or snap, and to keep the pull-string away from the adhesive used to attach the expulsion device to the planar base of the cracker.

The expulsion device may include a hinged lid to facilitate loading.

A frangible portion may be defined in an operatively upper side of the cracker, aligned in register with the expulsion device, such that the frangible portion can break away at least partially from the remainder of the barrel permitting the delivery material to be expelled out of the cracker. The frangible portion may be delineated by perforations.

The delivery material may include components selected from the group consisting of confetti and streamers.

According to a further aspect of the invention there is provided a cracker which includes a barrel, two end portions spaced from each other on opposite sides of the barrel and demarcated from said barrel by means of intervening necks, and an expulsion device provided inside said barrel containing a charge of delivery material; wherein said expulsion device is configured for expelling said charge of delivery material out of the barrel upon activation of said expulsion device.

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The features of this cracker may be as hereinbefore described.

The crackers described herein may have the general form of a Christmas cracker.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

For a better understanding of the present invention, and to show how the same may be carried into effect, embodiments of the invention will now be described by way of nonlimiting example with reference to the accompanying diagrammatic drawings, in which like reference numerals are used to designate the same or similar features throughout.

In the drawings:

Figure 1 shows, schematically, a wireframe side elevation of a conventional cracker according to the prior art;

Figure 2 shows, schematically, a pictorial view of a conventional cracker being activated by two people pulling it horizontally in opposite directions;

Figure 3 shows, schematically, three different poppers of conventional type found in the prior art, all of which are activated by a pull-string which is configured to be pulled in a direction aligned with, and opposite to, the direction of expulsion of the delivery material contained inside the popper;

Figure 4 shows, schematically, a front elevation of a conventional popper just after it has been activated, showing how the delivery material gets expelled in a direction which is opposite to the direction in which the pull-string is pulled;

Figure 5 shows, schematically, a pictorial view of a conventional popper being activated by a user, showing how this must be performed as a solo operation, and how the delivery material gets expelled generally upwardly from the popper container, that is, in a direction aligned with, but opposite to, the generally downward direction of the pulling force exerted on the pull-string;

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Figure 6 shows, schematically, a front elevation of a modified popper of the type used in crackers according to the invention, this one having a configuration which allows the delivery material to be expelled at a right angle to the direction of pulling force exerted on the pull-string;

Figure 7 shows, schematically, a wireframe front elevation of a cracker according to the invention;

Figure 8 shows, schematically, a wireframe plan of a cracker according to the invention;

Figure 9 shows, schematically, a cut-away section of a cracker according to the invention;

Figure 10 shows, schematically, a perspective wireframe view of a cracker according to the invention, illustrating the planar base of the cracker and the strengthening material fastening the popper to said base;

Figure 11 shows, schematically, a pictorial view of a cracker according to the invention being activated, illustrating how the process of activation is carried out as a shared activity between two persons and how the delivery material is expelled at an angle to the pull direction;

Figure 12 shows, schematically, a perspective view of an alternative embodiment of an expulsion device for a cracker according to the invention;

Figure 13 shows, schematically, a cross-sectional side elevation of a casing for the expulsion device shown in Figure 12; and

Figure 14 shows, schematically, two cross-sectional side elevations of a different casing having a hinged base portion or lid which is illustrated in open and closed configurations.

MODES FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION

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Referring to the prior art shown in Figure 1, reference numeral 10 indicates generally a conventional cracker. The conventional cracker has a left cracker pull (or end portion)

12.1, a left pull-tab 14.1, a left neck 16.1, a barrel 18, a snap 20, a right neck 16.2, a right pull-tab 14.2 and a right cracker pull 12.2. The snap 20 is formed by gunpowder or other explosive material held in contact with the ends of the pull-tabs 14.1, 14.2, surrounded by a connecting paper wrapper.

This type of conventional cracker 10 is manufactured from paper, cardboard or other suitable material. It is formed by rolling a die-cut blank and securing the blank's two longitudinal edges along a seam to form a hollow tube.

Figure 2 shows how a conventional cracker 10 similar to the one shown in Figure 1 is pulled by two people, creating a shared experience. During operation, the cracker 10 fails at one of its two necks, in this case the neck 16.2, accompanied by a snapping sound. Traditional contents (not shown) spill out of the barrel 18.

Figure 3 shows three different types of conventional poppers according to the prior art. (Note: The drawings are not shown to scale; poppers are usually smaller than crackers.)

The left-most type of popper 22 is widely available and has a cylindrical barrel made of plastics material. An explosive tube 24 consists of gunpowder or other explosive material together with a length of string 26 (the “pull-string”) secured within a tightly rolled tube of paper, which explodes when ignited by the friction resultant from vigorously yanking of the pull-string 26 out of the rolled paper.

The other conventional poppers shown in Figure 3 are, firstly, a plastics type 28 which has a well formation defined in its lower end, and secondly a cardboard cone type 30, both of which hold the explosive tube 24 in a generally upward orientation and direct the explosion towards the delivery material 32 held in the tops of the poppers.

In Figures 4 and 5 it can been seen how, when a conventional popper is activated, the direction of expulsion of the delivery material (not shown) is aligned generally with the direction in which the pull-string 26 is pulled, but opposite thereto. The delivery material 32 (see Figure 5) is expelled upwardly when the pull-string 26 is pulled down. The

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PCT/ZA2015/000006 drawings also reveal how a conventional popper is designed to be activated by a single person, that is, by means of a solo operation.

Turning now to the present invention, Figure 6 shows a modified party popper suitable for use as an expulsion device 34. Force transfer means in the form of a pull-string 26 are provided as before. However, the explosive tube 24 and the pull-string 26 are oriented such that a horizontal pull by the user will cause expulsion of the delivery material (not shown) in an upward direction (see Figure 9). The delivery material is thus expelled in a direction which is angled relatively to the direction in which the pull-string 26 is pulled. In the embodiment shown, the direction of expulsion is generally normal to the direction of pulling although it will be appreciated that other angles fall within the scope of this invention.

An example of a cracker according to the invention can be seen in Figures 7 to 10, generally indicated by reference numeral 36. The cracker 36 has an external appearance generally similar to that of a conventional Christmas cracker 10. However, the cracker 36 includes the following distinguishing features (which are presented here by way of example and illustration only, and do not necessarily limit the scope of the invention):

• An expulsion device generally indicated by reference numeral 34 is located within a hold defined by the barrel 18, configured to expel material generally at a right angle to the primary cracker axis. In the embodiment shown, the expulsion device 34 is modified from a conventional popper and includes an upright cylinder manufactured from a synthetic plastics material. It will be noted that expulsion devices as described herein can be of multi-part construction and can define a plurality of discrete chambers, for example one chamber for an explosive charge and another for the delivery material.

The base of the expulsion device 34 is secured to the floor of the barrel 18 by means of an adhesive or other suitable attachment means. The expulsion device 34 contains an explosive tube 24 configured to be activated by means of a horizontal pulling force, that is, by means of a pulling force which is generally aligned with the cracker’s primary axis. The explosive tube 24 is formed around a pull-string 26 in conventional manner, but lies generally transversely or flat in a bottom chamber of the expulsion device 34. The io

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PCT/ZA2015/000006 string 26 runs sideways out from the expulsion device 34, passing through guide means in the form of a hole 38 defined through the cylindrical side wall of the expulsion device (see Figure 9). The string 26 runs inside the barrel 18 of the cracker 36 before passing into the cracker pull 12.2 via the neck 16.2.

• Strengthening material is provided in the form of a reinforcement tab or strip 40 fixed to the floor of the barrel 18 and to the floor of the cracker pull 12.1. The material is connected to the popper 34 in order to secure it against lateral displacement when the pull-string 26 is pulled. As best seen in Figure 10, the left-hand end portion 40.1 of the tab 40 is secured to the floor of the cracker pull 12.1 by means of an adhesive or other suitable attachment means. The tab 40 passes through the neck 16.1 so that the other end portion 40.2 of the tab 40 is located within the barrel 18 and is secured to the floor of the barrel 18 by means of an adhesive or other suitable attachment means. The portion 40.2 is connected to the popper 34 so that the popper 34 is held captive during operation of the cracker, resisting horizontal pulling force applied sideways to the pullstring 26, thus allowing the string 26 to perform its role as a detonator. The strengthening material may vary in the substance, shapes and dimensions used.

An additional section of paper or similar material (not shown) can be adhered to the inner surface of the cracker 36 between the barrel 18 and the cracker pull 12.1 so as to strengthen the neck 16.1.

• A planar base 42 is defined along the full length of the lower side of the cracker 36, giving the cracker a flat bottom and an internal, flat floor. The embodiment of the cracker 36 shown therefore does not have the standard cylindrical cross-section of a conventional cracker. The purpose of the planar base 42 is to allow users to orientate the cracker 36 with a clear understanding of up and down. This is advantageous because of this cracker’s nature, which is to expel material outside of itself and in a direction normal to its primary axis. It is more effective and hence preferable to have said material expelled upwardly rather than downwardly onto a table or sideways into people.

Note: The planar base 42 described above is a preferred integer of the invention but it is neither essential to, nor limiting of, the invention. Thus, crackers according to the

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PCT/ZA2015/000006 invention may, in certain embodiments, be based upon a tubular body having a cylindrical profile or other cross-section without the flattened portion, and such embodiments nevertheless fall within the scope of this invention.

In use, the cracker 36 is pulled apart by holding onto the cracker pulls 12.1 and 12.2 and simultaneously pulling these away from one another as shown in Figure 11. On account of the weakness of the neck 16.2 relative to the strengthened neck 16.1, the cracker 36 tears in the region of the neck 16.2, to permit separation of the end portion 12.2 from the barrel 18. The pull-string 26 is accordingly tensioned, causing the cracker 36 to activate and expel the delivery material 32 in an expulsion direction 44.

Figure 9 illustrates how the expulsion direction 44 is angled relatively to the primary axis 46 of the cracker 36. In the preferred embodiment shown, the force that pulls the pullstring 26 - and causes the explosion - lies generally at a right angle to the direction 44 in which the delivery material 32 is expelled. This is made possible by fixing the popper 34 into the modified cracker barrel 18 in such a way that the force on the pull-string 26 required to activate the explosive tube 24 is compensated for by the force which the cracker pull 12.1 on the opposite side is capable of applying to the explosive tube 24.

Details of the crackers according to the invention may vary without departing from the scope of the invention. For example, the modified popper 34 that is shown in the drawings is just one example of a suitable expulsion device. The expulsion device may, instead, comprise a two-part unit consisting of a cup-shaped vessel of plastics construction (for holding the explosive charge and delivery material), and a cardboard cylinder into which said vessel fits. This arrangement is intended to function much like the single-piece unit 34 modified from a standard popper (which is of all-plastics construction) but may be more practical and environmentally friendly.

Other types of expulsion devices are illustrated in Figures 12 to 14.

For example, Figures 12 and 13 show a type of expulsion device 136 having a casing 136.1 which defines a sloped portion 136.2. The sloped portion 136.2 serves to keep the pull-string (not shown) away from the adhesive used to attach the casing 136.1 to the planar cardboard base of the cracker. The sloped portion 136.2 also makes it

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PCT/ZA2015/000006 easier to pierce the casing 136.1 with a needle (not shown) which is used during manufacture to “load” the gunpowder tube or snap. The needle is threaded with the pull-string and pushed through the sloped portion 136.2 from the inside of the casing

136.1.

Because this piercing by the needle weakens the sloped portion 136.2 of the casing

136.1, a collar or washer may be threaded onto the pull-string. This serves to spread forces over a greater surface area when the pull-string is pulled, and reduces the risk of the gunpowder tube or snap simply bursting through the thin wall of the casing 136.1. A sequin of plastics material may be used for this function - a disc about 5mm in diameter defining a hole in the middle.

A further alternative embodiment 236 of the expulsion device is shown in Figure 14. This is a bottom-loading, hinged lid version. Although more expensive than the expulsion device shown in Figures 12 and 13, this version facilitates easier loading and does not require a needle for the loading process. The casing 236.1 has a base portion which serves as a lid 236.2 connected by a simple strap hinge 236.3 to a cylindrical main portion or tube of the casing 236.1. The hinge 236.3 just needs to close once; it does not need to be designed for multiple uses.

Once the lid 236.2 is closed, slots 236.4 defined in the walls of the casing 236.1 and the lid 236.2 line up with each other to form an opening for the pull-string.

The operatively upper end of the casing 236.1 defines an annular step for supporting a cardboard cap (not shown). It also defines a small, inwardly directed, undercut annular lip or “bump” 236.5, for retaining the cardboard cap once it has been positioned.

In use the lid 236.2 is closed after the tube has been loaded, and the expulsion device 236 is glued to the planar base 42 of the cracker.

Non-virgin material or regrind can be used for the manufacture of the casing 236.1, whichever is feasible.

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Other types of expulsion devices, whether explosive or non-explosive are not illustrated in the drawings but could also be used, for example spring-loaded devices.

One skilled in the art will appreciate that crackers in accordance with the invention are not limited to the precise constructional and functional details as described herein with reference to the accompanying drawings.

The Applicants believe that the crackers described herein have certain advantages compared with conventional crackers and poppers. For example, whereas the horizontal pulling of a cracker by two people has historically resulted in a report or bang followed by the spilling of traditional, surprise contents, and the activation of a popper by one person has historically resulted in a report or bang and the expulsion of contents in the direction of the line of force applied to the popper, the crackers described herein combine the tradition of the cracker with its bang and the spilling of surprise contents, with the visible expulsion of contents that is normally associated with a popper. This visible expulsion can now be an experience shared by two people, which is different from the situation with poppers, which are generally operated by one person.

INDUSTRIAL APPLICABILITY

Crackers are manufactured and sold in numerous countries, for use at parties and celebrations. Accordingly the crackers described herein have industrial applicability.

Claims (19)

1) A cracker which includes a barrel and at least one expulsion device provided in said barrel for expelling a charge of delivery material outside of said barrel, wherein said expulsion device contains said charge of delivery material.

2) A cracker as claimed in Claim 1, which defines a primary axis and wherein the expulsion device is configured upon activation to expel the delivery material from the barrel in an expulsion direction angled relatively to said primary axis.

3) A cracker as claimed in Claim 2, in which the expulsion device is configured upon activation to expel the delivery material from the barrel in an expulsion direction aligned generally normally to said primary axis.

4) A cracker as claimed in Claim 1 or Claim 2, in which the expulsion device is triggerable by force transfer means, and includes a directing formation configured to expel the charge of delivery material in an expulsion direction; and guide means arranged for guiding movement of said force transfer means at an angle relative to said expulsion direction.

5) A cracker as claimed in Claim 4, which comprises an elongate tubular component constricted at two mutually spaced zones to define the barrel, and two adjoining end portions demarcated from said barrel at either end thereof by intervening necks, wherein the force transfer means includes a pull element which extends from the expulsion device along the inside of the barrel and into one of the adjoining end portions of the cracker.

6) A cracker as claimed in Claim 5, in which the expulsion device is fixed to the barrel.

7) A cracker as claimed in Claim 5 or Claim 6, which includes strengthening material provided on an opposite side of the expulsion device relative to the pull element,

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PCT/ZA2015/000006 said strengthening material being connected to the expulsion device and securing it against lateral force imposed upon it by the pull element during use of the cracker.

8) A cracker as claimed in Claim 1 or Claim 2, which defines a planar base portion.

9) A cracker as claimed in Claim 1 or Claim 2, wherein the expulsion device includes a pyrotechnic device for expelling the charge of delivery material.

10) A cracker as claimed in Claim 9, in which the pyrotechnic device is configured for generating a report with a volume in a range from 80 to 130 decibels peak linear (p-l) at a distance of 1 metre from said explosive device.

11) A cracker as claimed in Claim 1 or Claim 2, wherein the expulsion device includes a spring-loaded mechanism for expelling the charge of delivery material.

12) A cracker as claimed in Claim 1 or Claim 2, wherein the expulsion device includes a compressed-air mechanism for expelling the charge of delivery material.

13) 'A cracker as claimed in Claim 1 or Claim 2, wherein the expulsion device includes a cup-shaped inner vessel and an outer receptacle configured to receive said inner vessel.

14) A cracker as claimed in Claim 1 or Claim 2, wherein the expulsion device defines a generally flat base and at least one outer surface sloped relatively to said base.

15) A cracker as claimed in Claim 1 or Claim 2, wherein the expulsion device includes a lid portion and a main portion, the two portions being connected to each other by hinge means to facilitate loading of the expulsion device.

16) A cracker as claimed in Claim 1 or Claim 2, which includes a frangible portion aligned in register with the expulsion device, configured such that the frangible portion can break away at least partially from the remainder of the cracker to permit the delivery material to be expelled from the cracker.

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17) A cracker which includes a barrel, two end portions spaced from each other on opposite sides of the barrel and demarcated from said barrel by means of intervening necks, and an expulsion device provided inside said barrel and containing a charge of delivery material; wherein said expulsion device is configured for expelling said charge of delivery material out of the barrel upon activation of said expulsion device.

18) A new cracker, substantially as herein described.

19) A cracker as claimed in Claim 1 or Claim 17, substantially as herein described and illustrated.