U.S. patent application number 11/079412 was filed with the patent office on 2005-09-01 for firecracker packaging.
Invention is credited to Marietta, Michael S..
Application Number | 20050189241 11/079412 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 33299359 |
Filed Date | 2005-09-01 |
United States Patent
Application |
20050189241 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Marietta, Michael S. |
September 1, 2005 |
Firecracker packaging
Abstract
A firecracker packaging is provided which enables both carrying
a single ignition detonation of a large number of firecrackers in
an attractive package resembling a giant firecracker. At least one
and preferably a plurality of spiral-wound strings of firecrackers
having interconnected fuses are stacked together in a substantially
cylindrical stack, covered by wrapping, and a handle extends from
one end of the wrapping. The handle is preferably a length of line.
Binding is positioned between the strings and the wrapping to
retain the cylindrical configuration of the strings. Connecting
fuses between adjacent strings permit ignition of the woven
individual firecracker fuses in one string to lead to ignition of
the woven individual firecracker fuses of the adjacent string.
Inventors: |
Marietta, Michael S.;
(Pittsburg, KS) |
Correspondence
Address: |
HOVEY WILLIAMS LLP
Suite 400
2405 Grand Boulevard
Kansas City
MO
64108
US
|
Family ID: |
33299359 |
Appl. No.: |
11/079412 |
Filed: |
March 14, 2005 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
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11079412 |
Mar 14, 2005 |
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10424433 |
Apr 28, 2003 |
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6899033 |
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Current U.S.
Class: |
206/3 ; 102/361;
224/931 |
Current CPC
Class: |
F42B 4/04 20130101; F42B
39/26 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
206/003 ;
102/361; 224/931 |
International
Class: |
F42B 039/00 |
Claims
1. A method of packaging a multiplicity of firecrackers having
individual fuses comprising the steps of: weaving individual fuses
of the firecrackers into a fusably interconnected string of
firecrackers; winding the string of firecrackers into a
substantially cylindrical orientation; positioning a plurality of
strings in superposed relationship; binding the strings together
into a substantially cylindrical stack using binding material to
connect the strings; and positioning a wrapping around the stack to
substantially enclose the binding and firecrackers.
2. A method of packaging a multiplicity of firecrackers as set
forth in claim 1, including the step of fusably interconnecting
adjacent strings in the stack with a connecting fuse, whereby
ignition of the individual fuses in one string may lead to ignition
of the individual fuses in an adjacent string along said connecting
fuse.
3. A method of packaging a multiplicity of firecrackers as set
forth in claim 1, including the step of providing a handle separate
from said fuses with said handle extending interiorly of at least
one of the wound strings in the stack.
4. A method of packaging a multiplicity of firecrackers as set
forth in claim 3, including the step of operatively coupling said
handle to the stack interiorly of said wrapping.
5. A method of packaging a multiplicity of firecrackers as set
forth in claim 1, wherein said wherein said winding step includes
winding said string circumferentially to provide a central space
interiorly of the string.
6. A method of packaging a multiplicity of firecrackers as set
forth in claim 5, wherein said binding step includes providing
stack bands extending into said central space and around the
superposed plurality of strings.
7. A method of packaging a multiplicity of firecrackers as set
forth in claim 1, wherein said binding step includes providing
circumferential bands wrapped around the outside of each string to
maintain the spiral-wound integrity of the string in the event of
separation of the strings.
8. A firecracker packaging comprising: a plurality of strings of
firecrackers, each string including a plurality of firecrackers
having individual fuses which are ignitably interconnected, each of
said strings having a substantially cylindrical configuration, said
plurality of strings being positioned in substantially superposed
relationship; binding operatively connecting said plurality of
strings into an interconnected stack; and wrapping positioned
exteriorly of said strings and said binding.
9. A firecracker packaging as set forth in claim 8, including
binding extending circumferentially around at least one of the
strings for retaining the at least one string in a substantially
cylindrical configuration.
10. A firecracker packaging as set forth in claim 9, wherein said
binding extending circumferentially around the at least one string
is positioned intermediate the string and the wrapping.
11. A firecracker packaging as set forth in claim 8, including at
least one connecting fuse positioned interiorly of said wrapping
operatively connecting adjacent strings within said stack whereby
the interconnected individual firecracker fuses in one string may
ignite the at least one connecting fuse for igniting the
interconnected individual fuses in the second string.
12. A firecracker packaging as set forth in claim 11, said strings
including an outer surface, and including an initial ignition fuse
extending from the outer surface of at least one of said
strings.
13. A firecracker packaging as set forth in claim 11, wherein each
of said plurality of strings are spirally wrapped and have a
central space radially interior to an inner surface of the string
and a radially outer surface, and wherein said binding includes at
least one stack band of flexible material extending through the
central space of each of said adjacent strings and extending around
the outer surface of each of said adjacent strings and extending
around the outer surface of each of said adjacent strings to bind
the adjacent strings in superposed relationship within the
stack.
14. A firecracker packaging as set forth in claim 13, said stack
including an uppermost string and a lowermost string, and including
a first disc positioned between an upper side of said uppermost
string and said binding and a second disc positioned between a
lower side of said lowermost string and said binding, said discs
being positioned interiorly of said wrapping.
Description
RELATED APPLICATION
[0001] This application is a divisional of U.S. patent application
Ser. No. 10/424,433, filed Apr. 28, 2003, incorporated by reference
herein.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0002] 1. Field of the Invention
[0003] The present invention concerns firecracker packaging which
is especially attractive and advantageously permits common
packaging of a large number of firecrackers in a single unit. More
particularly, the packaging of firecrackers in accordance with the
present invention permits interconnection of multiple
spiral-wrapped rolls of firecrackers both from a carrying and
detonation standpoint whereby multiple rolls of firecrackers may be
readily carried to destination and then either separated for
individual detonation or ignition from a single fuse.
[0004] 2. Description of the Prior Art
[0005] Firecrackers are ancient in origin and have long been used
in a variety of celebrations. As is well known, firecrackers
include a small amount of gunpowder constituting a charge centrally
contained within a paper wrapping and having a fuse which leads to
the charge. Also, as is well known, firecrackers are most commonly
interconnected to one another in a common group or, as used herein,
a string of firecrackers whereby individual firecrackers are placed
in alternating opposition in a lay-flat orientation with their
individual fuses interconnected by weaving. Such strings are also
commonly wrapped in paper and bear a manufacturers label. In this
way, it is possible to detonate the entire string by lighting the
fuse of one firecracker at the end of the string. Because the fuses
are woven along a central ignition passageway, the first fuse also
ignites the second, which connects to the third, and so on. As the
fuses burn toward their respective charges, each fuse ignites
another and then separates from the string before or at detonation,
whereby all or substantially all of the firecrackers in the string
ignite and detonate. The rapid and repeated detonations have long
been regarded as entertaining. However, the weaving of the fuses
also permits individual firecrackers to be separated and detonated
individually, as desired by the user.
[0006] While it is thus known to have a string of firecrackers
packaged as a group in serpentine or even rolled configurations,
some purchasers may desire to have especially long strings of
firecrackers. As the strings grow longer, the challenge of
packaging and transport becomes more difficult. Long strings of
firecrackers tend to become unwieldy and difficult to hold. It may
be appreciated that as strings exceed 1000 firecrackers, the string
may become difficult to manage. Moreover, such especially long
strings of packaging present little in the way of marketing
attraction to hold the eye of the consumer.
[0007] There has thus developed a need for an improved firecracker
packaging which is economical, as firecrackers are intended as
inexpensive amusement items, but also solves these problems.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0008] The foregoing problems have in large measure been resolved
by the firecracker packaging of the present invention. The
firecracker packaging hereof is especially decorative and exciting
to the eye of the consumer, and provides significant improvement in
the ability to transport and retain large numbers of firecrackers.
Moreover, the packaging hereof permits common packaging and
operational interconnection of multiple strings of firecrackers
whereby the user may light only one fuse to detonate thousands and
thousands of firecrackers. In the preferred embodiment, the
packaging presents an especially novel, ornamental and eye-catching
appearance for packaging a plurality of firecrackers whereby the
spiral-wound strings are superposed one atop another, connected
together and surrounded by a wrapper, and the handle extends from
the top of the packaging so as to present the appearance of a
single, giant firecracker.
[0009] Broadly speaking, the fireworks packaging of the present
invention includes a plurality of spiral wrapped strings of
firecrackers, wrapping for surrounding and protecting the strings,
a binder for holding the strings in position internally within the
wrapper, and a handle extending from the interior of the wrapping
externally thereof. The strings are operatively coupled one to
another by at least one connecting fuse which extends from the
woven individual firecracker fuses of one string to the woven
individual firecracker fuses of an adjacent string of firecrackers.
Preferably, a plurality of connecting fuses extend from one string
to an adjacent string to provide for the contingency that any one
of the connecting fuses may be extinguished, disconnected or
otherwise fail to complete the ignition of the next string. The
strings are not only operatively coupled but also connected by the
binder which preferably aids in maintaining the stability of each
of the strings both individually and as a group in the packaging.
The binder may be provided as strap, adhesive, net, or other
retaining member, but the use of a plurality of straps has proven
to be economical to use, provides good stability, and minimizes
extra weight and problems with disposal. The wrapper is preferably
a coated paper or a plurality of paper layers which surrounds the
bound strings of firecrackers, and serves not only to provide a
limited amount of protection against damage such as impact and
moisture intrusion, but also permits a decorative appearance for
the packaging. The handle is preferably a length of nylon, sisal or
hemp line of suitable length and thickness to provide the
appearance of an especially large fuse. The handle also includes an
attachment member within the wrapping for holding the line to the
bound strings, such as a core presenting a central passage. The
core may be fastened, adhered, or simply frictionally fit snugly
against at least one of the bound strings, and the line may be
knotted at the bottom to engage the core, and/or fused, adhered by
adhesive, or mechanically fastened to the core. Thus, when the user
pulls up on the portion of the line extending from the wrapping,
the force is transmitted to the strings connected by the binding,
and the entire packaging is lifted.
[0010] Beneficially, at least one of the spiral-wound strings of
firecrackers includes a fuse which is readily accessible by peeling
away a part of the wrapping without disconnecting the binding. The
connecting fuses may be surrounded by paper to help prevent
moisture intrusion, and may be positioned so as to avoid placement
around the exterior of the strings. The strings may be bound, such
as by circumferentially extending straps, to provide additional
stability. Also, supporting disks, such as of paperboard or
corrugated paper, may be placed above the topmost string and below
the bottommost string to provide additional strength and support
and to protect the strings against damage by the binding.
[0011] In use, the user may carry large numbers of firecrackers by
the handle without substantial stress. For example, the packaging
hereof may contain 16,000 firecrackers and weigh about 60 pounds,
but the user may simply grasp the line extending from the wrapping
for easy transport of short distances. The user then peels back the
wrapping. If it is desired, the strings may be separated, and then
the paper opened to obtain access to individual firecrackers or the
string cut along the woven fuses into short string lengths.
Alternatively, the firecrackers may remain operatively
interconnected with the strings either laid out flat or bound, and
when the initial fuse is lit, ignition should continue along each
string leading the ignition process to detonate substantially all
of the firecrackers in the package.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0012] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of the firecracker packaging
hereof, with portions of the wrapping broken away to reveal the
binding and the strings, and portions of the paper around a string
broken away to show the individual firecrackers and fuses in the
string;
[0013] FIG. 2 is a top plan view of the firecracker packaging
hereof with the top wrapping removed for clarity to show the
binding, and a portion of the top disc broken away to show the
topmost spiral wound string of firecrackers;
[0014] FIG. 3 is a fragmentary vertical cross-sectional view taken
along line 3-3 of FIG. 2 showing the topmost and bottommost strings
of firecrackers with intermediate strings broken away;
[0015] FIG. 4 is an enlarged fragmentary vertical cross sectional
view similar to FIG. 3 but with exaggerated spacing for clarity
showing the handle and the connecting fuses in greater detail;
and
[0016] FIG. 5 is a bottom view of the fireworks packaging hereof
with the bottom wrapping removed to show the positioning of the
binding around the bottom disc.
DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT
[0017] Referring now to the drawing, a firecracker packaging 10 as
shown in FIG. 1 broadly includes a plurality of strings 12 of
firecrackers 14, preferably in spiral-wound orientation, wrapping
16 substantially enclosing the strings 12, binding 18
interconnecting the strings 12 into substantially rigid stack 19,
and a handle 20 extending from the top of the wrapping 16 and
connected to at least one of strings 12 in the stack 19.
[0018] In greater detail, each firecracker 14 includes a body 22
and an individual fuse 24, the body including a gunpowder charge
contained within a covering of paper or the like whereby upon
ignition of the fuse, the charge is detonated after a short time
lag. The individual fuses 24 are woven or otherwise interconnected
to permit separation while also permitting substantially sequential
ignition as is well known. A thin paper cover 26 substantially
surrounds the string 12. In the preferred embodiment hereof, each
string 12 is spirally wrapped with a radially inner surface 27
disposed around a cylindrical cardboard collar 28 and connected
thereto either by friction as a result of tightness of the wrapping
process or by adhesive, and a radially outer surface 29. Each
string 12 is thus substantially cylindrical in configuration as
shown by FIGS. 1 and 2 and has a central space 31 radially interior
to the inner surface 27 into which the collar 28 is received.
[0019] In normal, upright orientation with the handle 20 positioned
uppermost, the strings 12 are vertically stacked in superposed
relationship one atop another. As depicted in FIG. 1, six strings
12a, 12b, 12c, 12d, 12e, and 12f are illustrated, although it is to
be understood that even a single string 12 could be used in the
packaging hereof and theoretically the number of strings which
could be stacked is limited only by the carrying capacity of the
consumer and/or the strength of the binding material and connection
of the handle to the strings. As shown in FIG. 3, an initial
ignition fuse 30 is provided on the outer surface 29 of one of the
strings 12, preferably topmost string 12a. The initial ignition
fuse 30 leads directly to the woven individual fuses 24 of that
string 12a whereby the detonation of all of the firecrackers 14 in
the string 12a may be initiated. The woven individual fuses in each
string 12 then wind inwardly along the spiral path, ending with the
last firecrackers 14 in the string 12. From the inward end of each
of the strings 12, at least one, and preferably a plurality of
connection fuses 32 lead to the woven individual fuses 24 of the
next lowermost string 12. Thus, in the stack 19 illustrated in FIG.
1, connection fuses 32 lead from string 12a to 12b, as shown in
FIGS. 3 and 4, and connection fuses 32 also lead from string 12b to
string 12c, string 12c to string 12d, string 12d to string 12e, and
string 12e to string 12f.
[0020] An upper disc 34 is placed on top of the uppermost string 12
and a lower disc 36 is placed below the bottommost string 12 in
order to protect against damage by binding 18. The discs 34 and 36
are preferably inexpensive and combustible, each being preferably
made of paperboard or corrugated paper, and each having a central
opening 38. Thus, discs 34 and 36 are positioned at the top and the
bottom of the stack 19.
[0021] Binding 18 is most preferably of string, twine, synthetic
resin such as nylon strips or other elongated flexible material
which may be secured at the ends thereof by fasteners or by tying.
Binding 18 most preferably includes circumferential bands 40 which
are wrapped around the outside of each string 12 to maintain the
spiral-wound integrity of each string 12, even when separated. In
addition, binding 18 includes stack bands 42 which connect the
strings 12 within the stack 19. As illustrated in the preferred
embodiment, the stack bands 42 extend over the top of the upper
disc 32, down through the central opening 39 over the collars 28,
underneath the lower disc 36, and outside of the strings 12 over
the circumferential bands 40 and inside the wrapping 16 to complete
a loop. Preferably, a plurality of stack bands 42 are provided
improved stability and integrity of the stack 19.
[0022] Wrapping 16 extends outside the stack 19 and preferably
includes a circumferentially extending outer wall 44 of coated
paper to bear color and/or indicia thereon, a circumferentially
extending inner wall 46 of paperboard or the like beneath the outer
wall 44, a bottom panel 48 which is circular when viewed from the
bottom but extends upwardly over the inner wall 46 and secured
thereto by adhesive tape 50, and beneath the outer wall 44. A top
panel 52 has a central opening 54 and extends over the upper disc
34 and may be secured to the inner wall 46 by adhesive tape 50.
[0023] Handle 20 includes a line 56 of nylon, or alternatively of
sisal, hemp or other flexible material, and a central tubular core
58. The central tubular core 58 has a central opening through which
the line 56 passes, and may be provided of solid material such as
wood, or as illustrated, laminated paper in wrapped, built-up
condition. The central tubular core 58 may be frictionally fitted
against the collar 28 of the uppermost string 12a, and/or connected
thereto by adhesive 60 and a mechanical fastener such as a nail 62.
The nail 62 may extend through the central tubular core 58 into the
line 56 and adhesive 60 may also used between the core 58 and the
line 56. Where the line is of a synthetic resin such as nylon line,
a portion of the line 56 adjacent the core 58 may be melted to fuse
the line 56 to the core 58 as shown in FIG. 4 by melt 64. In
addition, the line 56 may be tied into a knot 66 which provides
interference between the line 56 and the bottom of the core 58. The
line extends upwardly through the openings in the upper disk 34 and
the top panel 52 a sufficient distance to permit grasping by the
user.
[0024] In use, the firecracker packaging 10 provides a convenient
transportable carrier for a large number of firecrackers. The user
may peel away the wrapping 16 and cut the stack bands 42 to gain
access to the individual strings 12 which are functionally
separated by also cutting the connecting fuses. The user may then
cut away the circumferential bands 40 around each string 12 to lay
the firecrackers flat or separate the firecrackers 14. If desired,
the strings 12 may be removed but remain connected by the
connecting fuses 32, and then upon ignition of the initial ignition
fuse 30, substantially all of the firecrackers may be detonated.
Finally, though not recommended, it is theoretically possible to
leave the strings 12 connected by the stack bands and the
circumferential bands, and by lighting the initial ignition fuse
30, substantially all of the firecrackers 14 may be detonated while
in the stack 19.
[0025] Although preferred forms of the invention have been
described above, it is to be recognized that such disclosure is by
way of illustration only, and should not be utilized in a limiting
sense in interpreting the scope of the present invention. Obvious
modifications to the exemplary embodiments, as hereinabove set
forth, could be readily made by those skilled in the art without
departing from the spirit of the present invention.
[0026] The inventor hereby states his intent to rely on the
Doctrine of Equivalents to determine and assess the reasonably fair
scope of his invention as pertains to any apparatus not materially
departing from but outside the literal scope of the invention as
set out in the following claims.
* * * * *