GB2255025A - Crackers - Google Patents

Abstract

A cracker is formed from a blank sheet with the edges joined together at 3 to form a cylindrical body with a central portion 13 which can house novelties or gifts. Cuts in the blank enable waisted portions 8 to be created between the ends which can be gripped by the hands of the users. A central zig-zag line 10 is formed whereby the material is cut through fairly substantially so that the cracker will tend to break along that line when the ends are pulled. The two ends of a "snap" 17 are fixed to the blank so that the snap is operated as the cracker is pulled apart. Alternatively, the cracker could be formed from a blank to provide a central portion of carton-like shape with a flap extending from each end which can be gripped by the user. Again the central region of the carton-like central portion will incorporate the zig-zag fracture line. <IMAGE>

Description

"Crackers" This invention aims to create improved design features for crackers. In its most usual form a cracker is defined by a tubular member having two waisted portions, which are intended to be torn apart so as to release such items as novelties or gifts from inside the centre body portion.

Shapes other than of a tubular waisted form are envisaged within the scope of this invention.

According to a first aspect of the invention there is provided a cracker blank having two ends and two sides, wherein the sides are intended to be brought together to create a tubular member with overlapping portions of the two sides having mutually-engaging adhesive layers to fix the blank into the tubular member, and two bands are formed in the blank generally parallel to the two ends, to enable two waisted portions for the cracker to be created in the tubular member.

From an alternative aspect there is provided a cracker blank having two ends and two sides wherein the sides are intended to be brought together to create a carton-like central body portion, with overlapping portions of the two sides having mutually-engaging adhesive layers to fix the blank into the desired shape, and the end portions of the blank define finger grip flanges.

Crackers can readily be created either by hand or machine from such blanks with the adhesive layers ensuring that the desired shape is securely maintained.

From a further aspect this invention provides a cracker in the form of body having a central hollow portion between two gripping portions, the central portion incorporating a circumferential line of weakness, such that the body will tend to break into two halves at said line of weakness when the gripping portions at the two ends of the cracker are pulled in opposed directions.

This design of cracker departs from the procedure whereby a cracker of the usual form is expected to break, when the ends are pulled apart at one of two waisted portions.

The cracker may be of a less conventional form wherein the central hollow portion is of carton-like shape and the gripping portions comprise finger-grip flanges at the ends.

Breakage of the cracker within the central portion allows for a number of added advantages to be achieved. In the basic design it is preferred that the line of weakness should follow a zigzag line. Ideally the line of weakness will comprise extended sections where the material of the tubular member is cut through, interspersed with sections where the material is perforated.

One particular advantageous additional feature is the provision of a snap member formed by two parts which overlap one another and carry mutually engaging explosive and striker areas held against one another, the two ends of the snap member being secured to respective parts of the body positioned to either side of the line of weakness. Because the ends of the snap member are physically secured to respective parts of the body, the parts of the snap member must necessarily be pulled away from one another when the cracker is broken along its line of weakness, so that operation of the explosive snap is facilitated.

A further advantage of this form of cracker design, with a centrally positioned line of weakness is that it can incorporate a cylindrical or other shaped container generally adapted to the shape of the central portion of the cracker and housed therein, the container incorporating novelties, gifts or the like.

In these various forms of new cracker design it is preferred that the waisted portions, where present, should be created by a respective band of the tubular member where parts of the material have been cut away to leave a ring of neck portions in the material, the neck portions having creases where the folds are created to define the narrowest region of the waisted portion.

The invention may be performed in various ways and preferred embodiments thereof will now be described, with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which: Figure 1 is an underneath plan view of a blank for forming a cracker in accordance with this invention; Figure 2 is a perspective view of a cracker formed from the blank shown in Figure 1 after it has been formed; Figure 3 is a perspective view of an insert for the cracker shown in Figure 2; Figure 4 is an underneath plan view of a blank for forming an alternative form of cracker in accordance with the invention; and Figure 5 is a perspective view of the alternative form of cracker formed from the blank shown in Figure 4.

A cracker can be formed from the blank 1 shown in Figure 1 to define a shape as generally indicated in Figure 2. The blank 1 is formed from high-quality sheet cardboard which is printed with any desired decoration, and embossed if desired. The blank will be formed into a tubular shape by bringing the edges 2 and 3 together. Portions 4 of the edge 2 carry an adhesive material and these portions 4 are pressed down onto overlapping parts of the edge 3 of the blank to fix the blank into the required tubular shape.

In two bands, diamond shapes 5 are cut out of the blank so that remaining parts are joined by short neck portions 6 which have fold lines 7. This enables the two band regions of the tubular member to be compressed to form waisted regions 8, as shown in Figure 2, which can be gripped by the user. The waists are held in place by decorative ties 9.

The cracker is constructed so that the likelihood of fibre damage at the centre of the waists is low, thus reducing the possibility that the cracker breaks at the waists 8.

The blank 1 is also formed with a central zigzag line 10 where the material is cut through along the line portions 11 and has perforations at regions 12 (particularly at the ends where greater strength is needed at the overlap). This creates a line of substantial weakness around the centre of the body portion 13 of the cracker. Hence when the cracker is gripped at the two waists 8 and the ends are pulled away from one another, the blank material will fracture along the remaining sections of the line 10 between the perforations 12 very readily so that anything within the interior of the cracker will be released. The cracker can incorporate conventional novelties, paper hats, mottos etc. The zigzag form of the line 10 tends to ensure that the tubular member achieves a rounded contour. This is further enhanced by forming the zigzag irregularly, as shown.Also pleat folds can be formed longitudinally of the blank, as partially shown by the lines 14, to increase the ease with which the cylindrical form of the cracker (as shown in Figure 2) is achieved. This is particularly advantageous for an automated process where the blank has to be bent into the cylindrical form before gluing.

It is also possible for a preformed container to be located within the central body portion 13 of the cracker.

Such a container 15 is illustrated in Figure 3 and this can house the items which are to be placed within the cracker.

This container 15 is of cylindrical form and is constructed from a plastics material which has been vacuum formed to the desired shape. At one end a foldable joining tag 16A is provided, whilst at the other end two tags 16B are formed which will locate against one another and can be fixed together, such as by adhesive tape or by integrally formed locking pips.

As can be seen in Figure 1, the blank 1 also carries an explosive "snap" member 17. The two ends of the snap are secured respectively either side of the zigzag fracture line 10 so that the central portion 18 will incorporate overlapping parts carrying an explosive spot 19 (Figure 2) and a striker member. Consequently, when the cracker is pulled apart the two halves of the snap member 17 must become detached thus causing the explosive spot to be rubbed against the striker member to create a mild explosion. The ends of the snap member 17 can be fixed by adhesive tape, gluing, or any other convenient fixing method. Though less preferred the ends of the snap member could extend through the waists and be positively secured to the ends of the cracker, if desired, as illustrated in the dashed outline at 17A in Figure 1.

The cracker design created by the blank 1 is ideally suited for enabling the cracker to be constructed by a machine which will roll the blank into a tubular shape and secure the adhesive portions 4 onto the parts of the edge 3 of the blank. The container 15 can then be slid in from one end and subsequently a crimping device will form the waists 8 with the decorative ties 6 being applied to fix the waists into the desired attitude. The cracker can be constructed in a variety of sizes and with any desired decoration. The container 15 can be formed to any desired shape which could, for example, suit the contours of the gifts to be stored within the container.

In the alternative form of cracker illustrated in Figures 4 and 5 a preformed blank 20 is folded so as to create a carton-like enclosure 21 with gripping flanges 22 at the ends. The cracker is fixed in its closed position by means of adhesive material on portions of one edge 23 which overlaps and adheres to the other edge 24. The ends of the enclosure 21 are closed by the folding flaps 25 which can, if desired, be glued into position. The flanges 22 are created by first folding over flaps 26 so that the outer face only of the blank 20 shows in the final structure.

This outer face may be provided with decorative patterns.

As with the type of cracker and blank shown in Figures 1 and 2 a central fracture line 27, of zig-zag shape, is formed across the centre of the enclosure 21 so that when the flanges 22 are pulled apart the cracker will break along the fracture line 27 to release the contents stored within the body 21. At the same time, an explosive "snap" member 28 will operate as the ends 29, 30 of the member 28 are drawn apart to actuate the "snap" within the central portion 31. The two end portions 29 and 30 are glued or otherwise secured to the flaps 22, or other parts of the blank 20.

Claims (12)

1. A cracker blank having two ends and two sides, wherein the sides are intended to be brought together to create a tubular member with overlapping portions of the two sides having mutually engaging adhesive layers to fix the blank into the tubular member, and two bands are formed in the blank generally parallel to the two ends, to enable two waisted portions for the cracker to be created in the tubular member.

2. A cracker blank having two ends and two sides wherein the sides are intended to be brought together to create a carton-like central body portion, with overlapping portions of the two sides having mutually-engaging adhesive layers to fix the blank into the desired shape, and the end portions of the blank define finger grip flanges.

3. A cracker in the form of a body having a central hollow portion between two gripping portions, the central portion incorporating a circumferential line of weakness, such that the body will tend to break into two halves at said line of weakness when the gripping portions at the two ends of the cracker are pulled in opposed directions.

4. A cracker according to Claim 3, wherein the line of weakness follows a zig-zag path.

5. A cracker according to Claim 3 or Claim 4, wherein the line of weakness comprises extended sections where the material of the tubular member is cut through, interspersed with sections where the material is perforated.

6. A cracker according to any one of Claims 3 to 5, including a snap member formed by two parts which overlap one another and carry mutually engaging explosive and striker areas held against one another, the two ends of the snap member being secured to respective parts of the body positioned to either side of the line of weakness.

7. A cracker according to any one of Claims 3 to 6, including a container generally adapted to the shape of the central portion of the cracker and housed therein, the container incorporating novelties, gifts or the like.

8. A cracker according to any one of Claims 3 to 7, wherein the central hollow portion is of carton-like shape and the gripping portions comprise finger-grip flanges at the ends.

9. A cracker according to any one of Claims 3 to 7, of tubular form, wherein waisted portions are formed parallel to the two ends of the cracker and either side of the central portion.

10. A cracker according to Claim 9, wherein each waisted portion is created by a respective band of the tubular member where parts of the material have been cut away to leave a ring of neck portions in the material, the neck portions having a pair of parallel creases where the folds are created to define the narrowest region of the waisted portion.

11. A cracker according to Claim 9 or Claim 10, wherein longitudinal pleats are formed in the blank to facilitate the turning of the blank into the tubular form of the cracker.

12. A cracker or cracker blank substantially in any of the forms as herein described with reference to the accompanying drawings.