GB2177931A

GB2177931A - Device for use in making a cracker

Info

Publication number: GB2177931A
Application number: GB08513910A
Authority: GB
Inventors: John Seward
Original assignee: NAPIER IND Ltd
Current assignee: NAPIER IND Ltd
Priority date: 1985-06-03
Filing date: 1985-06-03
Publication date: 1987-02-04
Also published as: GB8513910D0

Abstract

A hand-operated device for use in making a Christmas or party cracker where each waist or "tie" in the cracker is formed by constricting the cracker blank between two relatively movable rigid jaws (11, 12), one being fixed to a base (10), the other being fixed to an arm (13) which is pivotally mounted on the base. <IMAGE>

Description

SPECIFICATION Method and Device for Use in Making a Cracker This invention relates to a method and device for use in making a cracker, such as a Christmas or party cracker.

The conventional way of making a Christmas or party cracker involves rolling the cracker blank on the edge of a table and forming each tie in the blank by constricting the blank with a tether. This method is time consuming and requires considerable skill from the worker. Mechanised devices which have been made and which use the same principle of constricting the blank with a tether tend to suffer from the disadvantage that the blank becomes tangled up in the mechanism. Furthermore, a considerable force is needed to form the ties in the blank in the case where a lining or backing paper is used.

According to the present invention there is provided a device for use in making a cracker, comprising a pair of rigid jaws which are movable relative to each other between an open position allowing a cracker blank to be introduced between or removed from the jaws and a closed position in which the portion of the blank between the jaws is constricted whereby to form a tie in the blank.

The invention also provides a method of making a cracker whereby the ties are formed in the cracker blank by constricting a portion of the blank between two relatively movable rigid jaws.

By way of example, an embodiment of the present invention will now be described with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which: Figure 1 is a perspective view showing a device according to the present invention, and Figure 2 is a detail showing the jaws of the device of Figure 1.

The device comprises a base 10 on which there is mounted a stationary jaw 11. A movable jaw 12 is mounted on an arm 13, which itself is pivotally mounted to the base 10. The movable jaw 12 here is formed from a sheet of metal, and the stationary jaw 11 is conveniently formed from two sheets of metal having a gap therebetween which is sufficient to receive and thus guide the movable jaw. Naturally, the jaws could equally well be formed the opposite way round. A rest 14, conveniently in the form of a length of angle iron, is mounted on the base 10 adjacent the stationary jaw 11 for holding the cracker blank whilst a tie is being formed.The two jaws 11 and 12 are specially shaped, as can be seen in Figure 2, so that as the movable jaw 12 is closed on the stationary jaw 11 by rotation of arm 13, the space defined between the jaws gradually decreases whilst the center of this space at any given aperture remains substantially in the same place. This arrangement is desirable because it prevents possible damage being done to the outer cover, which may be of a flimsy material such as crepe paper. The rest 14 is positioned so that the axis of the cracker blank when it lies on the rest approximately aligns with the centre of the space defined between the jaws.

To prepare the cracker blank prior to forming a tie in it, the cracker blank, including its cover, the lining paper and/or backing paper (as required) and the usual hat, motto, banger etc are rolled onto two cylindrical mandrels in conventionally known manner. A shorter one of the two mandrels is withdrawn by a certain distance to leave an unsupported part of the blank between mandrels: this gap is where the first tie will be formed. The gap is needed because of course the blank will be gathered in when the tie is formed. The blank is then placed on the rest 14 and aligned with its unsupported part in the middle of the stationary jaw 11. The movable jaw 12 is then closed on the stationary jaw 11 by rotation of arm 13, thus forming the first tie.

(Preferably, this latter operation is repeated with the blank rotated through about 90 , so that an allround, even tie is achieved). The shorter mandrel is then removed completely. Now, the usual toy or game can be dropped down the larger mandrei into the inside of the half-formed cracker. The larger mandrel is next withdrawn by an appropriate distance so that the second tie can be formed. The blank is once again placed on the rest 14 with the end of the larger mandrel just short of the stationary jaw 11, allowing the necessary gap for the second tie. The movable jaw 12 is then closed on the stationary jaw 11 by rotation of arm 13, as before, including the preferable additional operation with the blank turned through 90". The cracker is now fully formed and the longer mandrel can be removed.Naturally, for convenience, each mandrel is preferably furnished with appropriate marks to indicate its desired position relative to the cracker blank for forming each of the two ties, and a similar mark or marks are also preferably provided on the rest 14.

One of the advantages of this device is that it does not require any great skill to use. Another is that a relatively large force can be applied to form the ties in the cracker blank without a great deal of effort being required by virtue of the pivotally mounted arm.

1. device for use in making a cracker, comprising a pair of rigid jaws which are movable relative to each other between an open position allowing a cracker blank to be introduced between or removed from the jaws and a closed position in which the portion of the blank between the jaws is constricted whereby to form a tie in the blank.

2. A device as claimed in Claim 1 wherein the jaws are movable pivotally relative to each other.

3. A device as claimed in Claim 2 wherein the device comprises a stationary jaw mounted on a base and a movable jaw pivotally mounted to said base.

4. A device as claimed in Claim 1, Claim 2 or Claim 3 wherein the jaws are so shaped that upon relative movement between the jaws, the centre of the space defined between the jaws remains substantially in the same place.

5. A device as claimed in Claim 4further comprising means for supporting a cracker blank whilst a tie is being formed therein such that the axis

**WARNING** end of DESC field may overlap start of CLMS **.

Claims

**WARNING** start of CLMS field may overlap end of DESC **. SPECIFICATION Method and Device for Use in Making a Cracker This invention relates to a method and device for use in making a cracker, such as a Christmas or party cracker. The conventional way of making a Christmas or party cracker involves rolling the cracker blank on the edge of a table and forming each tie in the blank by constricting the blank with a tether. This method is time consuming and requires considerable skill from the worker. Mechanised devices which have been made and which use the same principle of constricting the blank with a tether tend to suffer from the disadvantage that the blank becomes tangled up in the mechanism. Furthermore, a considerable force is needed to form the ties in the blank in the case where a lining or backing paper is used. According to the present invention there is provided a device for use in making a cracker, comprising a pair of rigid jaws which are movable relative to each other between an open position allowing a cracker blank to be introduced between or removed from the jaws and a closed position in which the portion of the blank between the jaws is constricted whereby to form a tie in the blank. The invention also provides a method of making a cracker whereby the ties are formed in the cracker blank by constricting a portion of the blank between two relatively movable rigid jaws. By way of example, an embodiment of the present invention will now be described with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which: Figure 1 is a perspective view showing a device according to the present invention, and Figure 2 is a detail showing the jaws of the device of Figure 1. The device comprises a base 10 on which there is mounted a stationary jaw 11. A movable jaw 12 is mounted on an arm 13, which itself is pivotally mounted to the base 10. The movable jaw 12 here is formed from a sheet of metal, and the stationary jaw 11 is conveniently formed from two sheets of metal having a gap therebetween which is sufficient to receive and thus guide the movable jaw. Naturally, the jaws could equally well be formed the opposite way round. A rest 14, conveniently in the form of a length of angle iron, is mounted on the base 10 adjacent the stationary jaw 11 for holding the cracker blank whilst a tie is being formed.The two jaws 11 and 12 are specially shaped, as can be seen in Figure 2, so that as the movable jaw 12 is closed on the stationary jaw 11 by rotation of arm 13, the space defined between the jaws gradually decreases whilst the center of this space at any given aperture remains substantially in the same place. This arrangement is desirable because it prevents possible damage being done to the outer cover, which may be of a flimsy material such as crepe paper. The rest 14 is positioned so that the axis of the cracker blank when it lies on the rest approximately aligns with the centre of the space defined between the jaws. To prepare the cracker blank prior to forming a tie in it, the cracker blank, including its cover, the lining paper and/or backing paper (as required) and the usual hat, motto, banger etc are rolled onto two cylindrical mandrels in conventionally known manner. A shorter one of the two mandrels is withdrawn by a certain distance to leave an unsupported part of the blank between mandrels: this gap is where the first tie will be formed. The gap is needed because of course the blank will be gathered in when the tie is formed. The blank is then placed on the rest 14 and aligned with its unsupported part in the middle of the stationary jaw 11. The movable jaw 12 is then closed on the stationary jaw 11 by rotation of arm 13, thus forming the first tie. (Preferably, this latter operation is repeated with the blank rotated through about 90 , so that an allround, even tie is achieved). The shorter mandrel is then removed completely. Now, the usual toy or game can be dropped down the larger mandrei into the inside of the half-formed cracker. The larger mandrel is next withdrawn by an appropriate distance so that the second tie can be formed. The blank is once again placed on the rest 14 with the end of the larger mandrel just short of the stationary jaw 11, allowing the necessary gap for the second tie. The movable jaw 12 is then closed on the stationary jaw 11 by rotation of arm 13, as before, including the preferable additional operation with the blank turned through 90". The cracker is now fully formed and the longer mandrel can be removed.Naturally, for convenience, each mandrel is preferably furnished with appropriate marks to indicate its desired position relative to the cracker blank for forming each of the two ties, and a similar mark or marks are also preferably provided on the rest 14. One of the advantages of this device is that it does not require any great skill to use. Another is that a relatively large force can be applied to form the ties in the cracker blank without a great deal of effort being required by virtue of the pivotally mounted arm. CLAIMS

5. A device as claimed in Claim 4further comprising means for supporting a cracker blank whilst a tie is being formed therein such that the axis of the cracker blank is aligned approximately with the centre of the space defined between the jaws.

6. A device as claimed in any preceding claim comprising means for guiding relative movement between the jaws.

7. A method of making a cracker whereby the ties are formed in the cracker blank by constricting a portion of the blank between two relatively movable rigid jaws.

8. A method as claimed in Claim 7 including the use of a cyiindrical mandrel or mandrels on which to roll the cracker blank prior to forming the ties therein.

9. A device substantially as herein before described with reference to and as shown in the accompanying drawings.

10. A method of making a cracker substantially as herebefore described with reference to the accompanying drawings.