US20030104757A1

US20030104757A1 - Cracker

Info

Publication number: US20030104757A1
Application number: US10/272,151
Authority: US
Inventors: Rowan Rasmussen
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2001-12-05
Filing date: 2002-10-15
Publication date: 2003-06-05
Also published as: GB2383000A; GB0224081D0

Abstract

A cracker (10) which incorporates a device (22) having sounds stored in a memory thereof. The cracker includes a pull tab (30) which holds the device (22) in an inoperative condition until the cracker is pulled apart whereupon the device is activated and emits the sounds stored therein. The cracker further comprises a tubular component (12) which is constricted at two spaced locations to define a central portion (12.1) and two end portions (12.2, 12.3). There is a neck between each end portion and the central portion. Said device is in the chamber constituted by the central portion (12.1).

Description

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

THIS INVENTION relates to crackers.

BACKGROUND TO THE INVENTION

The common form of cracker is one that contains an explosive snap which is pulled apart when the cracker is pulled apart, thus creating an audible noise or explosion. The cylindrical chamber located within the central portion of the cracker usually contains a novelty or a gift such as a piece of paper with writing on it, key-rings, small puzzles etc.

The present invention seeks to provide a cracker which, when pulled apart, activates a device so that a pre-recorded statement, a song or music is played for the enjoyment of the operator.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

According to the present invention there is provided a cracker which incorporates a device having sounds stored in an electronic memory thereof, the cracker including means which holds the device in an inoperative condition until the cracker is pulled apart whereupon the device is activated and emits the sounds stored therein.

In the preferred form the cracker comprises a tubular component which is constricted at two spaced locations to define a central portion and two end portions, there being a neck between each end portion and the central portion, said device being in the chamber constituted by said central portion.

The cracker can further include a pull tab extending from said device through one of said necks and into one of said end portions, said tab being secured in said one end portion, said device having an electrical circuit which includes battery means, and said tab in said inoperative condition of the device having an electrically insulating part thereof between two components of said circuit to separate said components.

Said cracker part is preferably between two batteries of the device so as electrically to isolate them from one another.

The other neck of the cracker can be strengthened so that the cracker, when pulled, preferentially fails at said one neck. In this form said other neck can be strengthened by a layer of sheet material secured to said tubular component and overlying part of said central portion and part of said other end portion.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

For a better understanding of the present invention, and to show how the same may be carried into effect, reference will now be made, by way of example, to the accompanying drawings in which:—[0009]
FIG. 1 is a cut-away side elevation of a cracker in accordance with the present invention; and [0010]
FIG. 2 is a pictorial view of the cracker when pulled apart.[0011]

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The cracker illustrated in the drawings is generally designated [0012] 10 and is manufactured from paper or other suitable material. The cracker 10 is formed by rolling a die-cut blank and, in conventional manner, by securing the blank's two longitudinal edges along a seam to form a hollow tube 12.
The tubular end portions [0013] 12.2 and 12.3 are created by crimping and securing the blank by means of a cord or ribbon (not shown), such that necks 14.1, 14.2 are formed between the end portion 12.2 and a central portion 12.1 and between the end portion 12.3 and the central portion 12.1 respectively. The diameters of the necks 14.1, 14.2 are therefore substantially smaller than the diameters of the central portion 12.1 and the tubular end-portions 12.2 and 12.3.
The necks [0014] 14.1, 14.2 and the central portion 12.1 bound a cylindrical internal chamber 16. There is a cylindrical space 18 within the tubular end portion 12.2 which is bounded on the right-hand side by the neck 14.1 and its left-hand end is open, as viewed in FIG. 1. Similarly, there is a cylindrical space 20 within the tubular end portion 12.3 which is bounded on the left-hand side by the neck 14.2 and its right-hand end is open, as viewed in FIG. 1.
Located within the [0015] chamber 16 is a device 22 which is commonly known as a “sound slammer”. The “sound slammer” 22 depicted in the drawings is one embodiment of such a device.
The [0016] device 22 comprises a cylinder 24 manufactured from synthetic plastics material. The cylinder 24 is secured to the internal surface of the central portion 12.1 by means of an adhesive 26 or other suitable attachment means. Located within the cylinder 24 are a speaker (not shown), batteries 28.1 and 28.2 and a microchip (not shown). The speaker, batteries 28.1 and 28.2 and microchip are electrically connected so as to provide a circuit. The microchip contains prerecorded material which may be in the form of speech, music or a song.
As best seen in FIG. 1, a portion of a [0017] tab 30 is located within the chamber 18, the left-hand end 30.1 (as viewed in FIG. 1) of the tab 30 being secured to the inner wall of the end-portion 12.2 by means of an adhesive 32 or other suitable attachment means. The tab 30 passes through the neck 14.1 and its opposite end 30.2, which is of electrically insulating material, is positioned between the batteries 28.1 and 28.2 so as to break the electrical circuit within the device 22.
An additional section of [0018] paper 34 or similar material is adhered to the inner surface of the cracker 10 between the central portion 12.1 and the end portion 12.3 so as to strengthen the neck 14.2.
The [0019] cracker 10 is pulled apart by holding onto the end portions 12.2 and 12.3 and simultaneously pulling the end portions 12.2 and 12.3 away from one another (see FIG. 2). Due to the weakness of the neck 14.1 relative to the strengthened neck 14.2, the cracker 10 tears in the region of the neck 14.1, to permit separation of the end portion 12.2 from the central portion 12.1.
Since the [0020] tab 30 is adhered to the inner surface of the end portion 12.2, the separation of the end portion 12.2 from the central portion 12.1 pulls the end 30.2 of the tab 30 from between the batteries 28.1 and 28.2. Once the tab end 30.2 has been removed, the batteries 28.1 and 28.2 are in contact with one another and the electrical circuit within the device 22 is completed. Completion of the circuit causes the pre-recorded material contained on the microchip to be played through the speaker.
It is to be appreciated that a cracker in accordance with the invention is not limited to the precise constructional and functional details as described herein with reference to the accompanying drawings. [0021]

Claims

1. A cracker which incorporates a device having sounds stored in an electronic memory thereof, the cracker including means which holds the device in an inoperative condition until the cracker is pulled apart whereupon the device is activated and emits the sounds stored therein.

2. A cracker according to claim 1, and which comprises a tubular component which is constricted at two spaced locations to define a central portion and two end portions, there being a neck between each end portion and the central portion, said device being in the chamber constituted by said central portion.

3. A cracker according to claim 2, and including a pull tab extending from said device through one of said necks and into one of said end portions, said tab being secured in said one end portion, said device having an electrical circuit which includes battery means, and said tab in said inoperative condition of the device having an electrically insulating part thereof between two components of said circuit to separate said components.

4. A cracker as claimed in claim 3, wherein said device includes batteries, said part being between two batteries so as electrically to isolate them from one another.

5. A cracker as claimed in claim 3, wherein the other of the necks is strengthened so that the cracker, when pulled, preferentially fails at said one neck.

6. A cracker as claimed in claim 4, wherein the other of the necks is strengthened so that the cracker, when pulled, preferentially fails at said one neck.

7. A cracker as claimed in claim 5, wherein said other neck is strengthened by a layer of sheet material secured to said tubular component and overlying part of said central portion and part of said other end portion.

7. A cracker as claimed in claim 6, wherein said other neck is strengthened by a layer of sheet material secured to said tubular component and overlying part of said central portion and part of said other end portion.