Pinata Popper

Abstract

An apparatus for use at parties which can resemble any shape or character with a hollow body. It is supported in mid air and filled with candies or prizes. The internal mechanisms are as such, the trap door assembly on the belly of the hollow body is held in place with wax, glue or tape. Once the children hit it enough breaking the bond between the trap door and the hollowed body the trap door swings open by means of a torsion spring releasing the candy within. When the trap door swings open it will actuate the confetti popper by pulling a string attached to the trap door and the popper releasing a shower of confetti!

Description

BACKGROUND

1. Field of Invention

The present invention relates to piñatas and other novelty items that hold candy or prizes and are dispensed when opened.

Piñatas are well known party favors that have a deep history rooted within multiple cultures, some say that Marco Polo brought the idea from China to Italy, Spain then to the Americas. Regardless of where it was originated we now have a great past time for children to enjoy an old custom during a celebration. Modern Piñatas are mostly made from cardboard or paper mache. They still function in many of the same ways as they did in the past where as the piñata is filled with candy, children are blind folded, spun, and given a chance to break the piñata open with a stick. There are however; prior art piñatas that function through a pull string method which is desirable when one has small children or chooses not to expose them to violent methods. These days' children are a lot harder to impress and although the need to reinvent the piñata has been a novel one each new reinvention allows children to enjoy their celebration with a more modern twist.

2. Description of Prior Art

The following patents describe various types of piñatas:

• • U.S. Pat. No. 4,167,078 to Oquita, Sep. 11, 1979;
  • U.S. Pat. No. 4,186,514 to Oquita, Feb. 5, 1980;
  • U.S. Pat. No. 4,932,915 to Boris, Jun. 12, 1990;
  • U.S. Pat. No. 5,242,308 to Estrada, Sep. 7, 1993;
  • U.S. Pat. No. 5,536,194 to Lasen, Jul. 16, 1996;
  • U.S. Pat. No. 6,354,904 to Grey, Mar. 12, 2002;
  • U.S. Pat. No. 7,442,106 to Menow, Oct. 28, 2008;
  • U.S. Pat. No. 7,803,057 to De Souza, Sep. 28, 2010;
  • U.S. Pat. No. 8,721,382 to Otero, May 13, 2014;

Although the above mentioned piñatas may be similar in appearance or description the present invention is unique in utilization and mechanisms within the piñata that add a modern twist to an old custom. These differences which will be described in more detail hereinafter, are essential for the effective use of the invention and are not available with prior devices.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention is a piñata system which when actuated releases the spring loaded trap door on the underbelly of the piñata simultaneously engaging a party popper within releasing both candy and confetti. The piñata system can be constructed in any style of piñata that uses a hollow body, usually made from cardboard. An air compressed party popper or a spring loaded party popper is positioned vertically within the hollowed body, which is held in position by a retaining device that is glued or stapled to the top part of the hollowed body. A string is attached to the actuating mechanism on the party popper then vertically strung down to the unhinged side of the trapdoor where it is fastened through the cardboard. The trap door is a rectangular cut out of the present material in this case cardboard which is still attached to the hollowed body on one side. The uncut edge is then folded to provide ease of motion and a hinged effect. A metal spring with light tension is attached to the hinged side of the hollow body along the folded cardboard edge, this will provide some tension on the trap door and store enough energy to pull the string connected to the popper once the trap door is actuated. Along the cutout lines of the trapdoor and hollowed body either glue, wax or a brittle tape is placed holding the trap door and the hollow body together. When the children hit the sides of the piñata where the glue, wax or tape is placed it will slowly start to break the bond between the trap door and the hollowed body. Once the bond has weakened enough the spring on the hinge will force the trap door to swing open pulling the string attached to the popper, which will then release the confetti from the piñata simultaneously releasing the stored candy within.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

For a better understanding of the present invention, reference is made to the following drawings, in which:

FIG. 1. Is a perspective view of the present invention.

FIG. 2. Is an exploded cross sectional view of the hollowed body where the piñata is in a closed position to include the inner mechanisms.

FIG. 3. Is an exploded cross sectional view of the hollowed body where the piñata is in an open position to include the actuated mechanism.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF INVENTION

The present invention can be made in many shapes and styles. In the drawings presented the piñata has a simple traditional shape that of a bull. Such a shape is merely exemplary and is used to illustrate the present invention. It will then be understood that the drawings will not limit the bodily appearance of the present invention.

Referring to FIG. 1. The embodiment of the invention is depicted to include confetti popper mechanism and trap door assembly.

The piñata system 10 includes a hollow body 12. which where in is housed the confetti popper mechanism 14 and trapdoor assembly 17. which includes a torsion spring 16. that provides tension for the trap door 18. The trap door is cut out of the hollowed body 12. and is sealed with glue, wax or tape 20. along the cut out, this provides a temporary bond between the hollowed body 12. and the trap door 18. A string 22. is tethered from the confetti popper 14. to the unhinged edge of the trap door 24. opposite of the emplaced torsion spring 16. The hollowed body 12. can then be filled with candy and prizes through an entry 26. in the hollowed body.

To utilize the the piñata system, the hollowed body 12. is filled with candy and prizes it is then suspended in the air. Children then take turns being blind folded and hitting the piñata 10. which in turn will weaken the bond 20. between the trap door 18. and the hollowed body 12. Once the bond 20. is broken the trap door 18. is flung open by the torsion spring 16. the string 22. connected to the trap door 18. is then pulled this in turn will actuate the confetti popper 14. which will release a shower of confetti 30 and release the stored candy and prizes stored within the hollowed body 12.

Referring to FIG. 2. a blown up cross sectional view of the piñata's hollowed body in the closed position is provided. The hollowed body 12 can be composed of any material but in this instance cardboard is preferred to provided a sturdy yet cost effective material. The hollowed body 12 can be made in any shape, style and size that allows the trap door assembly 17 to actuate. The trap door 18 is cut from the hollowed body 12 this cut shown with perforated lines 19 can be cut in any fashion so long as the trap door 18 has one side still fastened to the hollowed body creating a seem 21. That side is then folded over to allow a crease to be made at the seem 21 giving it ease of motion. A spring 16 with 2 inch ends is then twisted to provided torsion and stapled to the hollowed body. This will provide torsion for the trap door 18. when the bond 20. is broken between the hollowed body 12. and the trap door 18. The party popper 14. is glued within the hollowed body. The string 22. that actuates the popper is then fed through a small hole within the trap door 18. that string is fastened 24 to the trap door 18. with light tension.

Referring to FIG. 3. A blown up cross sectional view of the hollowed body in the open position is provided. Once the bond 20 is broken between the hollowed body 12. and the trap door 18., the spring 16. twists trying to return to its former state that in turn swings the trap door 18. open releasing the candy within. The party popper 14. connected by the string 22. actuates through the pulling force of the spring 16. this in turn releases the confetti 30 within the popper.

Claims

1. A one time use piñata comprising of:

(a) A confetti popper be it spring loaded, air compressed or any other style of confetti popper that is secured within the hollowed body.

(b) A trap door assembly comprising of a bottom planar and side members being pivotally attached to the hollowed body

(c) Said members are bonded to the hollowed body through glue, wax or tape this holding method is unique in that it is used for the actuation process of the invention.

(d) A spring which is used in conjunction with the trap door that provides torsion for the mechanism.