[DESCRIPTION] [Invention Title]

CASE FOR FIRECRACKER [Technical Field]

The present invention relates, in general, to cases for firecrackers and, more particularly, to a case for a firecracker which facilitates a process of manufacturing the firecracker, thus enhancing the productivity, and reducing the cost of manufacturing the firecracker, and which is constructed such that an ignition string is prevented from being inadvertently snagged by other objects, thus preventing unexpected explosion of the firecracker. [Background Art]

Recently, as the social interest of the pursuit of the affluent lifestyle keeps pace with growth in the economy, the trend for holding various kinds of parties and celebratory events are on the rise.

Particularly, in a celebratory event such as a birthday party or a wedding ceremony, firecrackers are generally used when the celebration event comes to a climax. When the firecrackers are exploded, colored paper cut into thin pieces spring out with an explosive sound, thus making the event scene dramatic and magnificent.

A conventional representative example of a firecracker was proposed in Korean Utility Model Registration No. 20-0302507 (entitled: FIRECRACKER FOR PARTIES). A firecracker 10 according to this technique includes a case 20 and a lid 30. As shown in FIG. 1, the case 20 has a cylindrical shape. An annular locking protrusion 21 which has a triangular cross-section is provided on the circumferential inner surface of the upper end of the case 20.

Furthermore, an annular locking depression 22 which has a stepped part is formed just under the locking protrusion 21 in the circumferential inner surface of the case 20. The lid 30 having a disk shape is fitted into the annular locking depression 22. The interior of the case 20 is filled with

various colors of thin paper tape or many pieces of colored paper, such as gold or silver leaves, although these are not shown in the drawing.

In addition, an ignition string R is extracted from the lower end of the case 20. The ignition string R is connected at a first end thereof to a gunpowder flask in the lower end of the case 20, and a second end thereof is attached to the outer surface of the lower end of the case 20 using a piece of adhesive tape T or the like.

In the conventional firecracker 10 having the above-mentioned construction, when the ignition string R is pulled after it has been detached from the adhesive tape T, the gunpowder in the case 20 is ignited. At this time, the lid 30 is separated from the case 20 with explosive sound by the explosive force generated from the gunpowder, and the pieces of paper tape spring together out of the case 20, thus raising the mood of a celebratory event scene.

However, the conventional firecracker 10 is manufactured in such a way as to attach the ignition string to the case using a piece of adhesive tape. Therefore, the number of working processes is increased and much labor effort is required, so that the process of manufacturing the firecracker is complicated, and the time for manufacturing it increases, thus reducing the productivity, or in other words, the output of products. Furthermore, because a separate piece of adhesive tape is needed to fasten the ignition string to the case, additional costs for purchasing or producing the adhesive tape are required.

In addition, because of much labor effort and time being required for the manufacture of the firecracker, labor costs are increased, so that the cost of manufacturing the product is also increased, thereby reducing the price competitive power of the product, and deteriorating the profitability of a manufacturing company.

Moreover, in the case of the conventional firecracker 10, when a user detaches the ignition string from the adhesive tape, if he/she applies excessive force to the ignition string, the gunpowder connected to the end of

the ignition string may be inadvertently exploded, with the result that not only the user but also people around the user are exposed to a safety hazard. As well, if the adhesive force of the adhesive tape with which the ignition string is attached to the case is weak, the ignition string may be inadvertently detached from the case, thus increasing the danger.

In addition, because of the characteristic of a relatively narrow width of the piece of adhesive tape, the ignition string is only partially attached to the case by the adhesive tape. Therefore, the largest part of the ignition string is untidily exposed to outside of the case above and below of the adhesive tape. Thus, the external appearance of the firecracker is deteriorated, and the possibility of the ignition string being inadvertently pulled is further increased.

[Disclosure]

[Technical Problem]

Accordingly, the present invention has been made keeping in mind the above problems occurring in the prior art, and an object of the present invention is to provide a case for a firecracker in which an ignition string extracted from a lower end of a case body is set on the case body in such a way as to insert it into an insert seating means without using a separate adhesive tape, so that the process of manufacturing the firecracker can be simplified, thus enhancing the productivity, and reducing the cost of manufacturing the product.

Another object of the present invention is to provide a case for a firecracker which allows the ignition string to be activated only when a user wants to use it, thus fundamentally preventing an unexpected explosion of the firecracker.

[Technical Solution]

In order to accomplish the above objects, the present invention provides a case for a firecracker constructed such that gunpowder, connected to an end of an ignition string and installed in a case body, is exploded by pulling the ignition string so that a lid is opened and various kinds of

colored paper or pieces of paper tape spring from the case body, the case including: an insert seating means integrally provided at a predetermined position in the case body, the insert seating means having a hole structure extending in a longitudinal direction of the case body, so that the ignition string extracted from a lower end of the case body is inserted into the insert seating means.

The insert seating means may comprise an insert tube provided on an outer surface of a sidewall of the case body, with an insert hole formed through the insert tube.

The insert seating means may comprise an insert tube provided on an inner surface of a sidewall of the case body, with an insert hole formed through the insert tube.

The insert seating means may comprise an insert tube provided in the case body, with an insert hole formed through the insert tube, the insert tube being fastened at an upper end thereof to an inner surface of the case body and fastened at a lower end thereof to the case body at a position adjacent to a central portion of the lower end of the case body.

The insert seating means may comprise an insert tube provided in the case body at a position spaced apart from an inner surface of the case body by a predetermined distance, with an insert hole formed through the insert tube, and a plurality of support protrusions provided between the insert tube and the inner surface of the case body.

Furthermore, a lead hole may be formed through a central portion of the lower end of the case body, and an inner surface of the lower end of the case body around the lead hole may be inclined downwards towards a center thereof.

In addition, a fitting hole may be formed in an outer surface of the lower end of the case body, so that the ignition string extracted from the lead hole formed in the lower end of the case body is fitted through the fitting hole. [Advantageous Effects]

According to the above-mentioned technical solution, in the firecracker

case of the present invention, an ignition string can be set on the sidewall of a case body by a simple method of merely inserting the ignition string into an insert hole. Therefore, the ignition string can be simply and rapidly treated during the manufacturing process, thus enhancing the productivity, and increasing the efficiency of producing a firecracker.

Moreover, because the process of setting the ignition string on the case body is rapidly performed by the above-mentioned method, labor effort is reduced, thus reducing labor costs. As well, because the ignition string can be set on the case body without using a separate adhesive means, such as adhesive tape, the cost of materials used in the manufacturing of the firecracker is reduced. Accordingly, the price competitive power of the products is increased, and the profitability of the manufacturing company is markedly enhanced.

Furthermore, in the present invention, before the ignition string is inserted into the insert hole, it is fitted through a fitting hole formed in the lower end of the case body. A gap between the ignition string and the surface of the lower part of the case body is minimized, thus preventing the ignition string from being inadvertently snagged by other objects, thereby preventing an unexpected explosion of the firecracker attributable to the ignition string being inadvertently pulled. In addition, a required length of the ignition string is reduced, so that the cost of the material used in the manufacturing of the firecracker can be markedly reduced. [Description of Drawings]

FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing a firecracker according to a conventional technique;

FIG. 2 is a perspective view of a firecracker having a case for a firecracker, according to a first embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 3 is of a side sectional view showing the firecracker case according to the first embodiment of the present invention, and of a plan sectional view taken along the line A-A;

FIG. 4 is of a side sectional view showing a case for a firecracker,

according to a second embodiment of the present invention, and of a plan sectional view taken along the line B-B;

FIG. 5 is of a side sectional view showing a case for a firecracker, according to a third embodiment of the present invention, and of a plan sectional view taken along the line C-C; and

FIG. 6 is of a side sectional view showing a case for a firecracker, according to a fourth embodiment of the present invention, and of a plan sectional view taken along the line D-D.

*Description of the elements in the drawings* 100: case body 110: locking protrusion

120: locking depression 130: stepped part 141, 142, 143, 144: insert hole 151, 152, 153, 154: insert tube 160: lead hole 170: fitting hole

200: lid 210: notch

220: connection part 300: ignition string

[Best Mode]

Hereinafter, preferred embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the attached drawings.

FIGS. 2 through 6 illustrate embodiments of a case for a firecracker according to the present invention. The firecracker case includes a case body 100, a lid 200 and an insert seating means.

Referring to FIG. 2, the case body 100 is made of synthetic resin and has a cylindrical shape. A locking protrusion 110 which has a triangular or semicircular cross-section is provided on the circumferential inner surface of the upper end of the case body 100 and extends in the circumferential direction. A stepped part 130 is formed below the locking protrusion 110 at a position spaced apart from the locking protrusion 110. A locking depression 120, into which the lid 200 is removably fitted, is formed between the locking protrusion 110 and the stepped part 130. A plurality of stop protrusions 132 is provided on the circumferential inner surface of the case body 100 below the stepped part 130 to prevent the lid 200 from passing over

the stepped part 130 and being excessively inserted into the case body 100.

Furthermore, a notch 210 which has a predetermined width is formed at a predetermined position in the upper end of the case body 100 and extends to the stepped part 130. A connection part 220 is integrally extended from the case body 100 at a position corresponding to the notch 210 and is connected to the lid 200. The lid 200 is fitted into the locking depression 120 which is formed in the upper end of the case body 100. Of course, the connection part 220 and the lid 200 are made of the same material as that of the case body 100 and are integrally formed with the case body 100 by molding.

In addition, a lead hole 160 is formed through the central portion of the lower end of the case body 100, so that an ignition string 300 connected to a gunpowder flask G is extracted to the outside of the case body 100 through the lead hole 160. Here, as shown in FIG. 3, the inner surface of the lower part of the case body 100, in the center of which the lead hole 160 is formed, is inclined downwards towards the center thereof, thus facilitating the extraction of the ignition string 300 to outside of the case body 100.

A ' '-shaped fitting hole 170 is formed at a predetermined position on the outer surface of the lower end of the case body 100, so that a portion of the ignition string 300 which is extracted from the case body 100 through the lead hole 160 is fitted through the fitting hole 170 before the ignition string 300 is inserted into an insert hole.

The lid 200 has a diameter corresponding to the inner diameter of the locking depression 120. Here, a diameter of the lower surface of the lid 200 is less than that of the upper surface thereof, so that the lid 200 has an outer edge, the cross-section of which is inclined inwards like an inverted triangular shape.

Meanwhile, the insert seating means is provided on the sidewall of the case body 100 and is extended in the longitudinal direction of the case body 10 to receive therein the ignition string 300 extracted from the lower end of

the case body 100. Preferably, the insert seating means has a hole structure.

FIG. 3 illustrates a first embodiment of the insert seating means. In detail, an insert tube 151 is provided on the outer surface of the sidewall of the case body 100, and an insert hole 141 is formed through the insert tube 151. Here, the lower part of the case body 100 has a conical shape which is increased in diameter from a lower end thereof to an upper end thereof. The ignition string 300 is laid close to the outer surface of the lower part of the case body 100 and inserted into the insert hole 141. Therefore, the ignition string 300 can be reliably prevented from being inadvertently snagged by other objects.

FIG. 4 illustrates a second embodiment of the insert seating means. In detail, an insert tube 152 is provided on an inner surface of a sidewall of a case body 100, and an insert hole 142 is formed through the insert tube 152.

This embodiment is characterized in that the insert tube 152 is formed inside the case body 100. Therefore, the upper end of the insert tube 152 preferably extends to a position lower than the stepped part 130 to prevent the insert tube 152 from interfering with the lid 200 when closed.

In the same manner as the first embodiment, the lower part of the case body 100 has a conical shape which is increased in diameter from a lower end thereof to an upper end thereof. The ignition string 300 is laid close to the outer surface of the lower part of the case body 100 and inserted into the insert hole 141. Therefore, the ignition string 300 can be reliably prevented from being inadvertently snagged by other objects.

In the first or second embodiment, although the insert tube 152 or 152 has been illustrated as being provided on one of the inner and outer surfaces of the sidewall of the case body 100, the insert tubes 151 and 152 may be respectively provided on both the inner and outer surfaces of the case body 100. Those skilled in this art will easily understand that this modification also falls within the bounds of the present invention.

FIG. 5 illustrates a third embodiment of the insert seating means. In

detail, an insert tube 153 is provided inside a case body 100, and an insert hole 143 is formed through the insert tube 153.

The insert tube 153 is fastened at an upper end thereof to the upper end of the inner surface of the case body 100 and fastened at a lower end thereof to the inner surface of the bottom of the case body 100 at a position adjacent to the center of the bottom of the case body 100. That is, the insert tube 153 is inclined at a predetermined angle. Furthermore, in the same manner as the second embodiment, because the insert tube 153 is formed inside the case body 100, the upper end of the insert tube 153 must be disposed at a position lower than the stepped part 130.

FIG. 6 illustrates a fourth embodiment of the insert seating means. In detail, an insert tube 154 is provided inside a case body 100 at a position spaced apart from the inner surface of the case body 100, and an insert hole 144 is formed through the insert tube 154.

Furthermore, a plurality of support protrusions 154a is formed between the insert tube 154 and the inner surface of the case body 100 to reliably support the insert tube 154 and make it possible to integrally form the insert tube 154 and the case body 100 through an injection molding process. Furthermore, because the insert tube 154 is formed inside the case body 100, the upper end of the insert tube 154 must be disposed at a position lower than the stepped part 130, in the same manner as the second or third embodiment .

In the fourth embodiment, although the insert tube 154 has been illustrated as being provided inside the case body 100 at a position spaced apart from the inner surface of the case body 100, the insert tube 154 may be provided outside the case body 100 at a position spaced apart from the outer surface of the case body 100, as necessary. Those skilled in this art will easily understand that this modification also falls within the bounds of the present invention.

Furthermore, the lower part of the case body 100 has a conical shape which is increased in diameter from one end thereof to the other end. The

_

ignition string 300 is laid close to the outer surface of the lower part of the case body 100 and inserted into the insert hole 144. Therefore, the ignition string 300 can be reliably prevented from being inadvertently snagged by other objects.

Meanwhile, in each of the first, second, third and fourth embodiments, a mold which can form the case body 100 and the insert tube 151, 152, 153, 154 at the same time is manufactured to integrally form the case body 100 and the insert tube 151, 152, 153, 154. Thereafter, they are integrally formed into a single body using the mold through an injection molding process.

Furthermore, in each of the first, second, third and fourth embodiments, because the ignition string 300 is inserted into the lower end of the insert hole 141, 142, 143, 144, the end of the insert hole 141, 142, 143, 144 which is adjacent to the lower end of the case body 100 is open, but the end of the insert hole 141, 142, 143, 144 which is adjacent to the upper end of the case body 100 may be closed, as necessary.

The operation and effect of the present invention having the above- mentioned construction will be explained in detail below.

To produce a firecracker using the case for firecrackers according to the present invention, first, the case body 100 must be manufactured using a mold through an injection molding process. Here, in the injection molding process, the lid 200 and the insert hole 141, 142, 143, 144 or/and the insert tube 151, 152, 153, 154 are integrally formed with the case body 100.

Thereafter, colored paper cut into thin pieces is placed in the case body 100 manufactured through the above process. The gunpowder flask G which is connected to a first end of the ignition string 300 is installed in the lower end of the case body 100. A second end of the ignition string 300 is extracted to outside of the case body 100 through the lead hole 160 formed in the lower end of the case body 100. The upper end of the case body 100 is covered with the lid 200.

Subsequently, the ignition string 300 which is extracted outside through the lead hole 160 of the case body 100 passes through the fitting

hole 170, and the second end of the ignition string 300 is inserted into the insert hole 141, 142, 143, 144 according to the embodiment. Then, the ignition string 300 is stably supported on the sidewall of the case body 100, thus completing the process of manufacturing the firecracker.

As such, in the present invention, the ignition string 300 is fitted through the fitting hole 170 formed in the lower end of the case body 100 before it is inserted into the insert hole 141, 142, 143, 144. Therefore, a required length of the ignition string 300 can be reduced, thus preventing the ignition string 300 from being inadvertently pulled.

Furthermore, in the case where the fitting hole 170 is formed and the insert hole 143 is formed as in the third embodiment, a distance between the insert hole 143 and the lower end of the case body 100 through which the ignition string 300 is extracted outside can be minimized. Thus, the length of the ignition string 300 can be reduced to the shortest possible length.

If the case body 100 has no fitting hole 170 so that the ignition string 300 is supported on the inner or outer surface of the case body without its being inserted into the fitting hole 170, the ignition string 300 becomes longer than that of the embodiments of the present invention in which the ignition string 300 is inserted into the insert hole after fitting into the fitting hole 170. In this case, the ignition string may be easily and frequently snagged by other objects, with the result that the ignition string 300 may be pulled and the firecracker may be thus inadvertently exploded.

In other words, the firecracker case of the present invention fundamentally prevents the ignition string 300 from being inadvertently pulled, thus preventing an event of an unexpected explosion of the firecracker, thereby eliminating safety hazards attributable to the explosion of the firecracker.

Furthermore, in the firecracker case of the present invention, because the ignition string 300 is fitted through the fitting hole 170, a required length of the ignition string 300 can be reduced, compared to the case where the ignition string 300 is not fitted through the fitting hole 170. Hence,

the cost of manufacturing the firecracker can be reduced.

Particularly, in the case of the third embodiment of FIG. 5, because the lower end of the insert hole 143 is disposed at a position most adjacent to the fitting hole 170, the length of the ignition string 300 can be further reduced, compared to the cases of the other embodiments. Thus, the production cost can be further reduced.

Moreover, in the firecracker case of the present invention, the ignition string 300 is supported on the sidewall of the case body 100 by a simple method of merely inserting the ignition string 300 into the insert hole 141, 142, 143, 144. Therefore, unlike the conventional techniques using a method of attaching the ignition string 300 to the case body using adhesive tape, the ignition string 300 can be easily and rapidly treated during the manufacturing process, thus enhancing the productivity, or in other words, maximizing the productive efficiency.

In addition, as such, because the process of setting the ignition string 300 on the case body 100 is rapidly performed by the above-mentioned method, labor effort is reduced, thus reducing labor costs. As well, because the ignition string 300 can be set on the case body 100 without using a separate adhesive means, such as adhesive tape, the cost of materials used in the manufacturing of the firecracker is reduced. Accordingly, the price competitive power of the products is increased, and the profitability of a manufacturing company is markedly enhanced.

Although the preferred embodiments of the present invention have been disclosed for illustrative purposes, those skilled in the art will appreciate that various modifications, additions and substitutions are possible, without departing from the scope and spirit of the invention as disclosed in the accompanying claims. [Industrial Applicability]

As described above, in a firecracker case according to the present invention, an ignition string can be set on the sidewall of a case body by a simple method of merely inserting the ignition string into an insert hole.

Therefore, the ignition string can be simply and rapidly treated during the manufacturing process, thus enhancing the productivity, and increasing the efficiency of producing a firecracker.

Moreover, because the process of setting the ignition string on the case body is rapidly performed by the above-mentioned method, labor effort is reduced, thus reducing labor costs. As well, because the ignition string can be set on the case body without using a separate adhesive means, such as an adhesive tape, the cost of material for manufacturing the firecracker is reduced. Accordingly, the price competitive power of the products is increased, and the profitability of the manufacturing company is markedly enhanced.

Furthermore, in the present invention, before the ignition string is inserted into the insert hole, it is fitted through a fitting hole formed in the lower end of the case body. A gap between the ignition string and the surface of the lower part of the case body is minimized, thus preventing the ignition string from being inadvertently snagged by other objects, thereby preventing unexpected explosion of the firecracker attributable to the ignition string being inadvertently pulled. In addition, a required length of the ignition string is reduced, so that the cost of material for manufacturing the firecracker can be markedly reduced.