How Do Confetti Poppers Work?
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Confetti Poppers Are in Plastic Bottles
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Confetti poppers, also known as party poppers, are a popular party toy designed to make a popping sounds and eject confetti when a spring is pulled. In order to contain the confetti, as well as make the device portable and less fragile, confetti poppers are usually encased in a plastic container that is small enough to fit in almost anyone's hand. While the most popular form for confetti poppers is a champagne bottle shape, the plastic container may be shaped to resemble almost any item relevant to the particular event.
A Paper Cap Holds Confetti In
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At one end of the confetti popper is a thin paper cap that serves to hold the confetti in until the ejection charge is deployed. The paper used may be wax-coated for a thicker, more resilient cover, or--as is somewhat more common--it may simply be a thin paper membrane that breaks easily for more effective disbursement of the confetti. Regardless of what kind of paper is used, the paper end of a confetti popper should be pointed away from people before the confetti is ejected, as the paper will break and send confetti flying when the ejection charge is detonated.
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A String Activates an Ejection Charge
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From the end of the confetti popper opposite the paper cap a short string protrudes; when the confetti is to be deployed, the user pulls the string to activate the ejection charge. When the string is pulled, it becomes tight and compresses a very small, paper-encased explosive charge. When the charge is compressed, the tiny portion of black powder (gun powder) contained within it is ignited, causing a small explosion. The explosive power of the charge breaks and escapes through the weakest point of the container, the paper end cap, carrying the confetti along with it. Because the explosive ejection charge of a confetti popper is very tiny in comparison to other consumer fireworks, the devices are considered "toys" and do not require any special pyrotechnic regulations.
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