Collapsible pinata devices and methods for making same

Abstract

Collapsible piñata devices and methods to manufacture collapsible piñata devices are provided. According to some embodiments of the present invention, a piñata can comprise an exterior layer, a plurality of internal support frame members, and a support for carrying at least a portion of the exterior layer. The internal frame members can support the exterior layer when the exterior layer is fully expanded in an uncollapsed position to form a piñata. The piñata can also be collapsed into a state for storage, travel, and to preserve the exterior appearance of the piñata. Other embodiments are also claimed and described.

1 . A piñata device capable of being collapsed, the piñata device comprising:
 a collapsible exterior comprising a first extendable portion and a second extendable portion, the first extendable portion being opposed from the second extendable portion, the collapsible exterior having a collapsed state and an uncollapsed state; and   an inner support wall defining a central axis of the piñata device and to carry the first extendable portion and the second extendable portion, the first extendable portion and the second extendable portion being rotatably coupled to the inner support wall proximate the central axis, the first extendable portion and the second extendable portion substantially enclosing the inner support wall in the uncollapsed state and rotating about the central axis to move from the collapsed state to the uncollapsed state.   
   
   
       2 . The piñata device of  claim 1 , wherein the first extendable portion and the second extendable portion are situated proximate the inner support wall in the collapsed state. 
   
   
       3 . The piñata device of  claim 1 , further comprising a plurality of framing support members extending outwardly from the central axis to the collapsible exterior, the framing support members disposed between and coupled to the central axis and the collapsible exterior. 
   
   
       4 . The piñata device of  claim 1 , further comprising a first framing support member and a second framing support member each comprising a coupling section, the first framing support member coupled to the first extendable portion and the second framing support member coupled to the second extendable portion, the coupling section of the first framing support member and the second framing support member being proximate each other in the uncollapsed state. 
   
   
       5 . The piñata device of  claim 1 , the collapsible exterior comprising an inner section and an outer section, the inner section being spaced apart from the central axis and the outer section being spaced apart from the inner section such that the inner section is disposed between the central axis and the outer section. 
   
   
       6 . The piñata device of  claim 1 , wherein the first extendable portion and the second extendable portion are disposed at least partially on opposing sides of and detachably affixed to the inner support wall via apertures located at corresponding positions of the first extendable portion, the second extendable portion, and the inner support wall. 
   
   
       7 . The piñata device of  claim 1 , wherein the collapsible exterior has a geometrical shape that corresponds to the interior support wall in the uncollapsed state such that a cross section of the piñata device between the central axis and the collapsible exterior resembles the geometrical shape of the interior support wall. 
   
   
       8 . The piñata device of  claim 1 , the collapsible exterior comprising a plurality of predetermined folds, the folds being open in the uncollapsed state and being closed in the collapsed state. 
   
   
       9 . The piñata device of  claim 1 , further comprising a latch operatively connected to at least one of the first extendable portion or the second extendable portion, the latch comprising a connector to connect outer ends of the first extendable portion and the second extendable portion in the uncollapsed state. 
   
   
       10 . A piñata manufacturing method comprising:
 providing an interior support wall member defining a first surface, a second surface, a central axis, and an outer perimeter;   coupling a first collapsible outer wall to the first surface of the interior support wall, the first collapsible outer wall having a first perimeter that generally corresponds to the outer perimeter of the interior support wall;   coupling a second collapsible outer wall to the second surface of the interior support wall, the second collapsible outer wall having a second perimeter that generally corresponds to the outer perimeter of the interior support wall; and   disposing at least one frame support member proximate at least one of the first collapsible outer wall and the second collapsible wall to support the at least one of the first collapsible outer wall and the second collapsible outer wall.   
   
   
       11 . The piñata manufacturing method of  claim 10 , wherein the first collapsible outer wall and the second collapsible outer wall each comprise an inner layer and an outer layer, and disposing the at least one frame support member between the inner layer and the outer layer such that the at least one frame support member is positioned between the inner layer and the outer layer. 
   
   
       12 . The piñata manufacturing device of  claim 10 , further comprising providing a plurality of folds in the first collapsible layer and the second collapsible layer thereby enabling the first collapsible layer and the second collapsible layer to move between a collapsed state and an uncollapsed state. 
   
   
       13 . The piñata manufacturing device of  claim 10 , further comprising providing a first frame member within the first collapsible layer and a second frame member within the second collapsible layer. 
   
   
       14 . The piñata manufacturing device of  claim 10 , further comprising providing a locking member coupled to an outer end of at least one of the first collapsible outer wall or the second collapsible outer such that outer ends of the first collapsible outer wall or the second collapsible can be securedly locked. 
   
   
       15 . The piñata manufacturing device of  claim 1 , further comprising configuring the first collapsible outer wall and the second collapsible outer wall to rotate about the central axis such that the outer walls can move between a collapsed state and an uncollapsed state. 
   
   
       16 . In a decorative piñata gaming system comprising a piñata capable of being collapsed in a portable carrying condition and expanded into an uncollapsed condition, the piñata comprising:
 an exterior shell configured to have a collapsed condition and an uncollapsed condition, the uncollapsed condition defining an interior substantially enclosed by the exterior shell;   an inner support to carry the exterior shell, the inner support member located at least partially within the interior in the uncollapsed condition; and   a framing system comprising a plurality of elongated frame members extending from the inner support to the exterior shell, the elongated frame members to support and carry the exterior shell in the uncollapsed condition.   
   
   
       17 . The piñata of  claim 16 , the exterior shell comprising an inner layer and an outer layer, the inner layer and the outer layer being coupled to the elongated frame members such that the elongated frame members are positioned between the inner layer and the outer layer. 
   
   
       18 . The piñata of  claim 16 , the inner support defining a perimeter and the elongated frame members of the framing system having a geometrical shape substantially similar to the perimeter. 
   
   
       19 . The piñata of  claim 16 , further comprising a second collapsible piñata disposed generally within the interior. 
   
   
       20 . The piñata of  claim 19 , the second collapsible piñata having a second exterior shell carried by the inner support.