GB2465026A - Christmas or party cracker - Google Patents

Abstract

A Christmas or party cracker comprises a tubular construction in which two blanks (7, 8 figure 4) are assembled into each other to form at least three tubular arms providing means for at least three people to pull the cracker. Weakened areas 3 are provided along which the tubular arms are separated when the cracker is pulled. Three stickers 4 may used to cover up the weakened areas 3 created when the two blank parts 7 & 8 are assembled. Folding strips (6 & 2, figure 6) may be pushed radially towards the centre of the cracker and held together by decorative ties (5, figure 7).

Description

A Christmas or party Cracker This invention relates to crackers and more particularly to a new Christmas or party cracker.

The invention relates to a device for enabling no less than 3 people to use a Christmas or party cracker.

Christmas or party crackers are part of a long standing tradition in the United kingdom, becoming synonymous with Christmas and celebration itself. Most conventional party crackers are assembled from three tubular supports and a covering of decorative paper, the paper covering between the centre and end supports being crimped and tied forming a central compartment for a paper hat and toy or other novelties.

However, conventional Christmas or party crackers described can lead to a number of difficulties.

Conventional Christmas and party crackers are restricted by design to the number of people that can use them. The single tubular structure has only two pulling arm portion ends, subsequently limiting the number of people that can pull at each arm end, as a result in big groups of people not everyone gets to pull a cracker with each other, leaving people out. Also in smaller groups, for example; three people, one person must wait and be left out until their turn to pull a new cracker. To overcome these problems, the present invention proposes a new Christmas or party cracker with means for at least three people to pull, one person pulling from each end.

The invention will now be described solely by way of example and with reference to the accompanying drawings in which: Figure 1 shows a top view of the parts for one cracker.

Figure 2 shows the underside of one of the die cut shapes used to construct the cracker.

Figure 3 shows the top view of one of the die cut shapes used to construct the cracker Figure 4 shows two die cut shapes joining together to create one cracker structure.

Figure 5 shows holes created by the top and bottom die cut shapes once joined together being patched up by stickers.

Figure 6 shows the cracker arm end being pushed back to the centre of the cracker.

Figure 7 shows placing final decorative tie on a nearly fully constructed cracker.

Description

The cracker is made from 2 identical die cut blanks made of any suitable material, (such as card, pa per, plastic or the like) 7 & 8 Figures 1, 4. The blanks needed to construct the cracker comprise of at least four main portions 18 & 19 Figures 1 & 4, including at least three arm portions 18 and at least 1 middle portion 19 being separated by fold strips 2 & 6 Figures 2, 3 & 6, the three arm portion ends of the blank having a series of tabs 14 Figures 2 & 3, at least two for the three main arm end portion and the middle portion 19, the opposite blank side having slots 15 Figures 2 & 3 to interlink with respective tabs, wherein the assembled cracker has at least 1 middle compartments 19 Figures 1 & 4 to house novelties and has at least three weakened areas 3 Figure 5 covered with decoration 4 figure 5, 2 & 1. The blank illustrated in Figure 1 is die cut from a laminate of cardboard with sufficient thickness to enable the cracker to be assembled and hold its shape The blank comprises of four main portions; three arm end portions 18 Figures 1 & 4 and a middle portion 19 Figures 1 & 4.

Fold strips 6 & 2 Figures 2, 3 & 6 are formed between the arm end portions 18 Figures 1 7 4 and middle compartment 19 Figures 1 & 4 to facilitate creasing Figure 6.

Preferably, the fold strips each comprise of a series of fingers 6 & 2 Figures 2, 3 & 6 which are shaped to fold radially inwardly when the cracker is assembled Figure 6.

In a preferred construction the fold strips 6 & 2 Figures 2, 3 & 6 is creased along both inner and outer sides of the fingers for easy creasing when assembling.

The slots 16 Figure 2 are diamond shape to facilitate the folding of the fingers 6 & 2 Figures 2, 3 & 6 radially inwards to form creased portions which are secured by decorative ties 5 Figure 7 To assemble the new cracker of the present invention, the two blanks are bent into a tube to create a curl effect 7 & 8 Figure 4 and tabs 14 Figure 2 from the top blank 7 Figure 4 are located in their respective slots 15 Figure 2 in the bottom blank 8 Figure 4. This will leave weak points 9 Figure 5 to be covered with decorative stickers 4 Figure 5 or such like as long as the weak point is not seen. The three end arm portions 18 Figure 6 are pushed towards the centre of the cracker so that the fingers of the fold strips 2 & 6 Figure 6 are moved radially inwards and held in the folded position by decorative ties 5 figure 7.

The weak points 9 will enable the cracker to separate into 3 portions when the cracker is pulled. The tinsel wire tie 5 is looped around the crimped section and twisted so that when a pulling force is applied to the ends of the cracker, the tie 5 restricts the fingers 9 from expanding breaking the cracker from the arm ends.

Various modifications may be made to the invention within the scope of the appended claims. For example although the blanks, from which the cracker is made, has been described as a cardboard it will be understood that any suitable thickness cardboard can be used with a paper covering of decorative paper. The means to secure the sides of the blank may be different from the tab and slot mechanical devices described. For example, the edges of the blank can be secured by an adhesive strip or separate strips 1 Figure 2 of adhesive tape.

It will also be understood that although three arm compartments have been illustrated and described a greater number can be formed for more people to pull the cracker.

Claims (9)

1. Claims 1. A Christmas or party cracker of tubular construction in which blanks are assembled to form at least three tubular arms with means for at least three people to pull and has a weakend area along which the compartments are separable.
2. 2. A Christmas or party cracker as claimed in claim 1, wherein fold strips are formed between the end portions and middle compartment to facilitate folding.
3. 3. A Christmas or party cracker as claimed in Claim 1 or 2, wherein the fold strips each comprise a series of slots between which are a series of fingers which are shaped to fold radially inwardly when the cracker is assembled.
4. 4. A Christmas or party cracker as claimed in Claim 3, wherein the centre fold strip is creased along the fingers for easier folding.
5. 5. A Christmas or party cracker as claimed in any preceding claim, in which a blank for a cracker comprising at least four main portions the end arms and middle portions being separated by fold strips, the three arms of the blank having a series of tabs at least two main arm end portions, the opposite blank side having slots to interlink with respective tabs wherein the assembled cracker has at least 1 middle compartments to house novelties and has at least three weakened areas covered with decoration along which the compartment is separable.
6. 6. A blank as claimed in claim 5, wherein the fold strips are held in assembly position by decorative ties.
7. 7. A Christmas cracker as hereinbefore described with references to and as shown in the accompanying drawings.
8. 8. A blank for a Christmas or party cracker substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to and is illustrated in Figures 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, and 7 of the accompanying drawings.
9. 9. Each and every novel feature or novel combination of features herein disclosed.