Breakaway pinata

Abstract

A piñata-like device is formed from cardboard panels and sub-panels. The structure is formed and held together by masking tape which is partially cut, across the seams of the panels and sub-panels. The container has an access opening to facilitate placement of goodies into the cavity. Each panel and sub-panel is provided with a ribbon. By pulling on the ribbons, the panels are frangibly detachable from one another. The strength of the attachment of the ribbons to the panels and sub-panels exceeds the strength of the masking tape holding the panels and sub-panels into a container form. When the ribbons are pulled, preferably substantially simultaneously, the panels substantially detach from one another, and any contents disposed within the cavity are made available, usually in a somewhat explosive manner. An end of each ribbon is passed through one or more slits in each panel and securely attached to a surface of the panel.

1 . A piñata-like device, comprising: 
 at least two panels forming an at least partially hollow container;    a plurality of ribbons, at least one of said ribbons being attached to each of said panels, said panels being secured by securement means to one another to form said container, yet frangibly detachable from one another; and    wherein when said ribbons are pulled, said panels substantially detach from one another, and any contents held within said cavity are made available.    
     
     
         2 . A piñata-like device according to  claim 1 , wherein at least one of said panels is provided with at least one slit, wherein an end of said ribbon for said panel is passed through said slit and securely attached to the surface of said panel.  
     
     
         3 . A piñata-like device according to  claim 1 , wherein said plurality of panels comprise a front panel and a rear panel and further comprising at least one side panel.  
     
     
         4 . A piñata-like device according to  claim 3 , wherein at least one of said panels is formed into sub-panels.  
     
     
         5 . A piñata-like device according to  claim 1 , wherein said securement means is masking tape.  
     
     
         6 . A piñata-like device according to  claim 1 , further comprising: 
 an access hole formed through at least one of said panels.    
     
     
         7 . A piñata-like device according to  claim 6  further comprising a cover securably attachable to said access hole.  
     
     
         8 . A piñata-like device according to  claim 1  wherein said ribbons are secured to said panel(s) by tape.  
     
     
         9 . A piñata-like device according to  claim 2 , further comprising a second slit associated with at least one of said provided slits, wherein said ribbon passes first through said first slit, then through said second slit and is securely attached to the outside of said panel.  
     
     
         10 . A piñata-like device according to  claim 4  wherein substantially all of said panels are provided with at least one ribbon.  
     
     
         11 . A piñata-like device according to  claim 1  wherein the strength of said attachment of said ribbons to said panels is stronger than said securement means.  
     
     
         12 . A piñata-like device according to  claim 1  wherein said device is capable of standing in an upright manner on a level surface in reference to the shape of the device.  
     
     
         13 . A piñata-like device according to  claim 12  wherein said device is supported by at least 3 points.  
     
     
         14 . A piñata-like device according to  claim 1  wherein said device has a flat surface on its bottom.  
     
     
         15 . A piñata-like device according to  claim 3  wherein said front panel, said rear panel, and said side panel are formed into about 20 sub-panels and each sub-panel is provided with a ribbon.  
     
     
         16 . A piñata-like device according to  claim 1  wherein said securement means comprises masking tape which is pre-cut across its width to decrease the strength of said securement means.  
     
     
         17 . A piñata-like device according to  claim 16  wherein said pre-cut of said masking tape is across about 50% of the width of said masking tape.  
     
     
         18 . A piñata-like device according to  claim 1  further comprising covering at least a portion of said panels with tissue fringe.  
     
     
         19 . A piñata-like device according to  claim 1  wherein said panels are formed from cardboard.  
     
     
         20 . A piñata-like device according to  claim 9 , wherein said ribbons, when pulled, cause said panels and sub-panels to rotate about an axis perpendicular to said ribbons attached thereto.  
     
     
         21 . A method of making a piñata-like device comprising the steps of: 
 a) cutting a front panel and a rear panel from cardboard;    b) cutting into either said front panel or said rear panel an access opening;    c) separating at least said front panel or said rear panel into at least 2 sub-panel sections;    d) attaching said panels and said sub-panels with securement means to form a container-like device;    e) securing at least one ribbon to each of said sub-panels, and said front and said rear panels such that the strength of securing said ribbons to said sub-panels and said front and rear panels is greater than the strength of said securement means.