GB2229994A

GB2229994A - Cracker

Info

Publication number: GB2229994A
Application number: GB8907709A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Francia Jane Kent Slade
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 1989-04-05
Filing date: 1989-04-05
Publication date: 1990-10-10
Anticipated expiration: 2009-04-05
Also published as: GB8907709D0; GB2229994B

Abstract

Reuseable crackers or bonbons comprise a container formed from a generally cylindrical pair of tubes of rigid material arranged in end to end abutting relationship. A third tube (3) of rigid material has such an outer diameter as to fit within said pair of tubes and is fixed within one of the pair to project axially from the end thereof. It engages frictionally within the other of said pair of tubes to hold the container together. A covering of textile materials (5) extends over the outer surface of each one of said pair of tubes and is drawn in over each of the remote ends of said pair of tubes substantially to close said end. <IMAGE>

Description

CRACKER The present invention relates to containers in the form of crackers or bonbons.

Crackers are well known and usually consist of a cylindrical roll of paper crimped at two points to define a central cavity in which is contained a small novelty and possibly other items. In order to obtain access to the novelty, the cracker is grasped at each end and pulled until the roll of paper breaks, generally adjacent one of the crimped portions. Once such crackers have been used, they must be discarded.

It is an object of the present invention to provide a reuseable cracker.

According to a first aspect of the present invention there is provided a container in the form of a cracker comprising a generally cylindrical pair of tubes of rigid material arranged in end to end abutting relationship, a third tube of rigid material and having such an outer diameter as to fit within said pair of tubes and being fixed within one of the said pair to project axially from the end thereof to engage frictionally within the other of said pair of tubes, and a covering of textile material extending over the outer surface of each one of said pair of tubes and being drawn in over each of the remote ends of said pair of tubes substantially to close said end.

The pair of tubes and the third tube may be of cardboard or of plastics material.

The remote ends of the pair of tubes, or an end of one of the pair and the end of the third tube, may be closed by discs of board or plastics material. In the case of plastics material, the disc may be moulded integrally with the respective tube.

According to the second aspect of the present invention there is provided a method of making a container in the form of a cracker comprising the steps of: providing a tube of rigid material of predetermined length; providing a sheet of textile material of length greater than said predetermined length and width greater than the circumference of said tube; rolling said sheet around the tube and affixing it in place; drawing in and tying said sheet about each end of the tube; cutting the tube and textile cover at a median point thereof; inserting into one portion of the tube a third tube dimensioned to be a sliding fit therein; and affixing said third tube partially within one portion of the tube to extend partially from that one portion for frictional engagement with the other portion of the tube.

Preferable the sheet of textile material is provided with a sheet of paper or the like to be interposed between the sheet and the tube.

Decorative textile material, such as lace, may be affixed to the textile material sheet before the step of rolling the sheet.

An embodiment of the present invention will now be more particularly described by way of example and with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which: FIGURE 1 is a perspective view of a container embodying the invention shown separated into its two parts; and FIGURE 2 is a diagrammatic cross-sectional view of a container embodying the invention.

Referring now to the Figures, the container comprises a pair of cylindrical tubes 1 and 2 of cardboard or plastics material arranged coaxially. Fixed inside one of the pair of tubes 1 is a third tube 3 having an outer diameter equal to the inner diameter of tubes 1 and 2. An end of the third tube projects from the tube 1 and is a friction fit within tube 2. In this manner, the container is openable about dashed break line 4 and is held together normally by interaction between tube 3 and tube 2. If so desired, the outer (with respect to dashed break line 4) ends of tube 1 and tube 2 may be closed.

Surrounding the assembly of tubes 1,2 and 3 and extending axially beyond its ends is a layer of textile material 5, preferably satin or silk, although other manmade plastics types materials may be used. At the ends of the tube assembly, the textile material 5 is drawn in and tied to close the ends of the tube assembly, where they are not otherwise closed. Decoration may be applied to the textile material 5 in the form of strips of lace, ribbon 6 or the like, preferably disposed at the ends and adjacent the dashed break line 4. A decorative feature, such as a rosette or flower of silk or satin may be applied to the central strip of lace 6.

The intention of the container is to serve as a decorative container for gifts and which, after use, may be retained as a momento or stored for later reuse. The container is sufficiently rigid to protect the gift inside from damage during transport and the like.

In order to manufacture containers embodying the invention, a tube of cardboard or plastics material of length equal to the sum of the lengths of tubes 1 and 2 is coated with adhesive or double-sided tape is applied and placed on a piece of satin or other textile material.

Preferably, the sheet of satin has a layer of paper covering a central portion and may already have lace or other decorative material applied to its reverse surface.

The sheet of satin is rolled around the tube and its free longitudinal edge is stuck onto its opposite longitudinal edge, already attached over a central part of its length to the tube.

The textile material is then tied at the ends of the tube, preferably with decorative tape or ribbon and the assembly is cut in half along dashed break line 4. The third tube 3 is then glued into one half of the container so that a portion projects for interengagement with the other half of the container. Once the glue has set, any other desired decorative features may be added.

Claims

CLAIMS:

1. A container in the form of a cracker comprising a generally cylindrical pair of tubes of rigid material.

arranged in end to end abutting relationship, a third tube of rigid material and having such an outer diameter as to fit within said pair of tubes and being fixed within onz of the said pair to project axially from the end thereof to engage frictionally within the other of said pair of tubes, and a covering of textile material extending over the outer surface of each one of said pair of tubes and being drawn in over each of the remote ends of said pair of tubes substantially to close said end.

2. A container as claimed in claim 1, wherein the pair of tubes and the third tube are of cardboard or paper.

3. A container as claimed in claim 1, wherein the pair of tubes and the third tube are of plastics material.

4. A container as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, wherein the remote ends of the pair of tubes, or an end of one of the pair and the end of the third tube, are closed by discs.

5. A container as claimed in claim 4, when dependent on claim 3, wherein the disc is moulded integrally with the respective tube.

6. A container as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, wherein said textile material is a non-woven cellulosic type material.

7. A container as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 5, wherein said textile material comprises a woven fibrous material.

8. A container in the form of a cracker substantially as described herein with reference to the accompanying drawings.

9. A method of making a container in the form of a cracker comprising the steps of: providing a tube of rigid material of predetermined length; providing a sheet of textile material of length greater than said predetermined length and width greater than the circumference of said tube; rolling said sheet around the tube and affixing it in place; drawing in and tying said sheet about each end of the tube; cutting the tube and textile cover at a median point thereof; inserting into one portion of the tube a third tube dimensioned to be a sliding fit therein; and affixing said third tube partially within one portion of the tube to extend partially from that one portion for frictional engagement with the other portion of the tube.

10. A method as claimed in claim 9, wherein the sheet of textile material is provided with a sheet of paper or the like to be interposed between the sheet and the tube.

11. A method as claimed in either claim 9 or claim 10, wherein decorative textile material, such as lace, is affixed to the textile material sheet before the step of rolling the sheet.

12. A method of making a container in the form of a cracker substantially as described herein with reference to the accompanying drawings.