Patent Application
20200289952
The specification relates generally to housed articles and, in particular, to an article ejection structure.
In one aspect, there is provided an article ejection structure, comprising: a housing; a first biasing member positioned in the housing, the first biasing member having a first biasing force biasing the first biasing member toward a first neutral position to drive a rupture structure to rupture the housing; a release member restricting the first biasing member from moving toward the first neutral position when the release member is in a lock state, the release member being conditionable to a release state, in which the release member at least partially releases the first biasing member to move toward the first neutral position and drive the ejection structure to rupture the housing; an article positioned in the housing; and a second biasing member positioned in the housing, the second biasing member having a second biasing force biasing the second biasing member toward a second neutral position to drive the article at least partially out of the housing when the housing is ruptured.
The first biasing member can be coupled to the second biasing member to move the second biasing member when the first biasing member moves toward the first neutral position. The rupture structure can include the article.
The first biasing force can be greater than the second biasing force.
The second biasing force can be insufficient to drive the article to rupture the housing.
The first biasing member can have a first spring rate, and the second biasing member can have a second spring rate, the second spring rate being lesser than the first spring rate.
The article ejection structure can further include a restoration alignment structure limiting driving of the rupture structure by the first biasing member along an axis. The restoration alignment structure can include a limiter slidingly moveable in the housing along the axis, the limiter being held in a restricting position relative to the housing via the release member when the release member is in the lock state, in which the limiter restricts movement of the first biasing member toward the first neutral position. The limiter can include a slot through which the release member extends, the slot being accessible from an exterior of the housing, the housing including an abutment surface positioned adjacent the slot when the limiter is in the restricting position. The release member can be at least partially made of a natural fiber, such as a paper product.
The rupture structure can include the limiter.
The article ejection structure can further comprise a restoration alignment structure limiting driving of the article at least partially out of the housing by the second biasing member along an axis.
The restoration alignment structure can be a first restoration alignment structure, and the axis can be a first axis, and the article ejection structure can further include a second restoration alignment structure limiting expansion of the second biasing member along a second axis.
The first axis can be parallel to the second axis.
The second restoration alignment structure can include a post extending along the second axis from the limiter, and the second biasing member can have a through-hole that receives the post. The article can have an aperture for receiving the post.
The housing can be provided with a weakened region having a lower tensile strength and the article can be positioned adjacent to the weakened region in the housing.
The weakened region can include at least one score line.
The first biasing member can be a coil spring.
In another aspect, there is provided an article ejection structure, comprising: a housing; a biasing member positioned in the housing; a rupture structure positioned within the housing; and a release member made at least partially of natural fiber and restricting restoration of the biasing member when the release member is in a lock state, the release member being conditionable to a release state via application of a fluid thereto, in which the release member at least partially releases the biasing member to move toward a neutral position and drive the rupture structure to rupture the housing.
The article ejection structure can further include a limiter retained in a restricting position relative to the housing via the release member to restrict restoration of the first biasing member.
The limiter can include a slot through which the release member extends, the slot being accessible from an exterior of the housing, and the housing can include an abutment surface positioned adjacent the slot when the limiter is in the restricting position.
The release member can be at least partially made of a paper product.
The fluid can include water.
For a better understanding of the various embodiments described herein and to show more clearly how they may be carried into effect, reference will now be made, by way of example only, to the accompanying drawings in which:
For simplicity and clarity of illustration, where considered appropriate, reference numerals may be repeated among the Figures to indicate corresponding or analogous elements. In addition, numerous specific details are set forth in order to provide a thorough understanding of the embodiments described herein. However, it will be understood by those of ordinary skill in the art that the embodiments described herein may be practiced without these specific details. In other instances, well-known methods, procedures and components have not been described in detail so as not to obscure the embodiments described herein. Also, the description is not to be considered as limiting the scope of the embodiments described herein.
Various terms used throughout the present description may be read and understood as follows, unless the context indicates otherwise: “or” as used throughout is inclusive, as though written “and/or”; singular articles and pronouns as used throughout include their plural forms, and vice versa; similarly, gendered pronouns include their counterpart pronouns so that pronouns should not be understood as limiting anything described herein to use, implementation, performance, etc. by a single gender; “exemplary” should be understood as “illustrative” or “exemplifying” and not necessarily as “preferred” over other embodiments. Further definitions for terms may be set out herein; these may apply to prior and subsequent instances of those terms, as will be understood from a reading of the present description.
A package 20 employing an article ejection structure in accordance with an embodiment is shown in
The package 20 has a housing 24 constructed from a lower housing portion 28 and an upper housing portion 32. The lower housing portion 28 and the upper housing portion 32 are made of a plastic or other suitable material, so as to be safe for handling by children. The lower housing portion 28 and the upper housing portion 32 are secured together in any suitable manner, such as corresponding threaded surfaces, through the use of an adhesive, thermal bonding, etc. While in the embodiment shown, the housing 24 is in the form of an egg shell, the housing 24 may have any other suitable shape. The lower housing portion 28 and the upper housing portion 32 can be made, for example, by fusing or otherwise securing together injection-molded parts. In other embodiments, the housing can be formed from one or more members of any configuration, such as two lateral halves which are fixedly joined together so as to substantially provide an enclosure. Alternatively, the housing may only provide a partial enclosure.
The lower housing portion 28 has a generally flat bottom surface 36 enabling the package 20 to maintain an upright stance when placed on a flat surface. When mated together, the lower housing portion 28 and the upper housing portion 32 form a shell defining an inner space 40. While, in the described embodiment, the housing 24 (at least the upper housing portion 32, in particular) is generally continuous, in other embodiments, the housing may have one or more apertures.
The upper housing portion 32 is generally uniform in thickness, but has one or more weakened regions. The weakened regions in this embodiment have a lower tensile strength than other regions of the upper housing portion 32. In particular, the weakened regions in this embodiment are scores 44 that are areas (grooves, in this case) of reduced thickness of the housing 24. In other embodiments, the weakened regions can be provided via perforations, material changes, thermal or chemical transformations, etc. Additionally or alternatively, the weakened regions can be formed of a harder material that is more brittle than in other areas of the housing 24.
A tubular guide 48 is secured in the housing 24 via peripheral threading 52 about its lower periphery being received within corresponding interior circumferential threading 56 about an upper interior circumference of the lower housing portion 28. The tubular guide 48 has an inner guide surface 60 that defines a tubular channel 64 extending along a longitudinal axis LA of the package 20. The inner guide surface 60 has a step 68 partway along the longitudinal axis defining an upper channel portion 72 at a lower end of the tubular channel 64 and an enlarged lower channel portion 76. In other embodiments, the inner guide surface 60 can be also or alternatively extend in the upper housing portion 32, or can be integrally formed with the housing 24.
Slidingly received within the tubular channel 64 of the tubular guide 48 is a limiter 80. The limiter 80 has an outer longitudinally extending surface 84 having a profile along most of its longitudinal length that generally matches the profile of the upper channel portion 72. Movement of the limiter 80 is thus limited by the tubular guide 48 to a longitudinal direction parallel to the longitudinal axis LA. While the outer longitudinally extending surface 84 of the limiter 80 and the upper channel portion 72 of the inner guide surface 60 are generally continuous and are similarly profiled (that is, they have a similar cross-section), in other embodiments, the limiter 80 and the inner guide surface 60 can have other forms that cooperate to enable the limiter 80 to be slidingly movable relative to the inner guide surface 60.
A lower ridge 88 extends radially from (relative to the longitudinal axis LA) and circumferentially about a lower end of the limiter 80. The lower ridge 88 is dimensioned to be slidingly received within the lower channel portion 76 of the tubular guide 48, but be restricted from continued longitudinal travel through the tubular guide 48 by abutment with the step 68. An upwardly recessed bottom surface 92 of the limiter 80 has a slotted box 96 extending downwardly therefrom. The slotted box 96 has a box slot 100 extending laterally therethrough. When the limiter 80 is in a lower restricting position, as shown in
A biasing member in the form of a coil spring 108 is positioned between the bottom surface 92 of the limiter 80 and the lower housing portion 28. The coil spring 108 is a resilient structure made of metal, but can be made of any suitably resilient material. A biasing force of the coil spring 108 acts to bias the coil spring 108 toward a neutral position N1. The neutral position N1 of the coil spring 108 refers to the form of the coil spring 108 in which, when unimpeded, the coil spring 108 neither expands nor contracts. The coil spring 108 is secured to the lower housing portion 28 via any suitable means, such as an adhesive, and is fit within the upwardly recessed bottom surface 92 and held therein via the biasing force of the coil spring 108 that urges the coil spring 108 against the upwardly recessed bottom surface 82.
When the limiter 80 is moved toward a lower restricting position, as shown in
A release member in the form of a paper strip 112 extends into and through the release member slot 104 and the box slot 100, and is positioned against an upper surface 116 of the release member slot 104. The paper strip 112 is sufficiently rigid that the biasing force of the coil spring 108 urging the limiter away from the bottom surface 36 of the lower housing portion 28 does not bend or rupture the paper strip 112 abutting against the upper surface 116 of the release member slot 104 to enable the limiter 80 to be moved away from the bottom surface 36 of the housing 24. It is said that, as the paper strip 112 is sufficiently rigid to restrict movement of the limiter 80 relative to the bottom surface 36 of the housing 24, it is in a lock state.
The limiter 80 has a generally cylindrical hollow 120 extending from an upper end thereof downwards. An alignment post 124 extends from a bottom surface 128 and centrally through the hollow 120. The alignment post 124 is generally parallel with the longitudinal axis LA, and extends out of the hollow 120.
Another biasing member in the form of a memory foam cylinder 132 is positioned in the hollow 120. Memory foam has cells that are open, creating a matrix through which air can slowly move, thus slowing its restoration to a neutral position N2. The memory foam cylinder 132 can be compressed and a biasing force thereof biases the memory foam cylinder 132 toward its neutral position N2; that is, an uncompressed state). In this embodiment, the biasing force of the memory foam cylinder 132 is lesser than the biasing force of the coil spring 112. This structure, when deformed either through compression or extension and then subsequently released, recovers its original form (i.e., neutral position N2) more slowly than the coil spring 108. The memory foam cylinder 132 has a through-hole 136 that slidingly receives the alignment post 124. The diameter of the memory foam cylinder 132 is smaller than the diameter of the hollow 120 to thereby allow lateral expansion of the memory foam cylinder 132 when positioned in the hollow 120.
An article in the form of a figurine 140 is positioned within the housing 24. The figurine 140 has an aperture 144 extending from a bottom surface thereof and upwards, terminating within the figurine 140. The aperture 144 is dimensioned to slidingly receive the alignment post 124, which retains the figurine 140 in an upright pose in the housing 24. In the housing 24, the figurine 140 may or may not be held in contact with an interior surface of the housing 24 via the biasing force of the coil spring 108 and/or the memory foam cylinder 132.
The package 20 is shown prior to release of the coil spring 108 and rupturing of the housing 24. The paper strip 112 is initially dry, meaning that it is not moistened or wetted beyond moderate ambient conditions. When the paper strip 112 is dry, it has a first tensile strength. It is said that the paper strip 112 is in a locked state when it is dry, as its tensile strength impedes longitudinal travel of the slotted box 96 and thus the limiter 80. Impediment of upward movement of the limiter 80 impedes movement of the coil spring 108 to its neutral position N1; that is, expansion along the longitudinal axis LA. The figurine 140 rests atop of the memory foam cylinder 132, and the positions of both atop of the alignment post 124 are maintained.
In order to trigger the release of the coil spring 108, the paper strip 112 is wetted, such as with water. The tensile strength of the paper strip 112 is decreased as the paper strip 112 is dampened. In order to condition the paper strip 112 to a release state, the paper strip 112 is sufficiently dampened, and its tensile strength deteriorates sufficiently to enable the biasing force of the coil spring 108 to push up on the limiter 80 with sufficient force so that the slotted box 96 ruptures the dampened paper strip 112. That is, in the release state, the paper strip 112 no longer possesses the tensile strength required to impede restoration of the coil spring 108 via its biasing force.
As the limiter 80 is urged upwards, the memory foam cylinder 132 and the figurine 140 resting thereon are driven upwards. Once the figurine 140 abuts the housing 24, the figurine 140 resists further travel upward. As a result, as the biasing force of the coil spring 108 is greater than the biasing force of the memory foam cylinder 132, and as the biasing force of the memory foam cylinder 132 is insufficient to drive the figurine 140 to rupture the housing 24, the memory foam cylinder 132 is thereafter compressed as the coil spring 108 expands. The enlarged space of the hollow 120 enables lateral expansion of the memory foam cylinder 132.
Once the alignment post 124 reaches the terminus of the aperture 144 within the figurine 140 (i.e., the state shown in
Continued further movement of the memory foam cylinder 132 toward its neutral position N2 drives the figurine 140 at least partially out of the housing 24 when the housing 24 is ruptured. The speed of movement of the memory foam cylinder 132 toward its neutral position N2 is slower than the speed of movement of the coil spring 108 toward its neutral position N1 when unimpeded, as the spring rate of the memory foam cylinder 132 is lesser than the spring rate of the coil spring 108. As a result, the figurine 140 is moved upward slowly to give the figurine 140 the appearance of emerging from the housing 24 (in the shape of an egg), or growing.
While, in the above-described and illustrated embodiment, the biasing members are compressed and exert a biasing force to move toward a neutral position (i.e., expand), in other embodiments, the biasing members can be extended beyond a neutral position and exert a biasing force to restore to the neutral position.
When the bottom of the housing 204 is exposed to a liquid, such as water, the tensile strength of the paper strip 228 is reduced, enabling the restoring force of the expanded coil spring 216 to pull the limiter 212 and the slotted box 220 upwards through the weakened paper strip 228. The coil spring 216 continues to contract until it achieves a neutral position, thus driving the limiter 212 upwards. The memory foam cylinder 240 is compressed as upward travel of the article 244 is impeded by the housing 204, until the alignment post 236 engages a top end of the aperture 248 to push the article 244 to rupture the housing 204, much in the same manner as the package of
Other types of biasing members can be employed. For example, a deformable structure made of rubber or another suitably resilient material can be employed. The deformable structure can have a cavity into which ambient air is drawn via a small aperture, wherein the size of the aperture and the biasing force of the biasing member can determine the rate of restoration. Another example of a biasing member is an elastic member that is extended and has a biasing force moving the elastic band to a neutral position.
In other embodiments, the limiter can be constructed to abut against and rupture the housing before the figurine does and thus act as the rupture structure. For example, the limiter can extend further longitudinally to make contact with the housing first. Alternatively, the limiter can extend further laterally where the housing has a lower inner dimension, thus causing the limiter to abut earlier against the housing.
The housing can be provided with interior housing rupturing features that are engaged by the rupture structure to facilitate rupturing of the housing.
In the above described and illustrated embodiment, the first biasing member, the coil spring 108, is coupled to the second biasing member, the memory foam cylinder 132, to act on the second biasing member as the first biasing member expands. In particular, the second biasing member is compressed between the article, the figurine 140, and the housing 24 as the first biasing member moves toward a neutral position. In other embodiments, however, the first biasing member and the second biasing member can operate independent of one another.
An inner tube 332 extends upwardly from the bottom surface 322 and into the tubular rupturer 316 and has a central aperture 336 that extends longitudinally downward from a top end thereof. An internal annular flange 340 extends inwardly along a top edge of the inner tube 332. A highly absorbent material, in this case a superabsorbent polymer 344, is positioned within the central aperture 336 at a lower end thereof. The perforation size of the perforated surface 328 is selected to inhibit the escape of the superabsorbent polymer 344 therethrough. A cap 348 is positioned atop of the superabsorbent polymer 344 within the central aperture 336 of the inner tube 332. Atop of the cap 348 is positioned an article in the form of a figurine 352. The cap 348 is sized to snugly fit against the inner walls of the central aperture 336 to prevent upward escape of the superabsorbent polymer 344 and contact of the figurine 352 with the superabsorbent polymer 344. A paper strip 356 is inserted into the release member slot 308 and through the slotted boxes 320 of the tubular rupturer 316 to inhibit upward travel of the tubular rupturer 316. In this position, the coil spring 326 is compressed and exerts a restoring force on the annular trough 324 of the tubular rupturer 316 and the bottom surface 322 of the housing 304.
When a bottom end of the housing 304 is exposed to a liquid, the tensile strength of the paper strip 356 is weakened, enabling the restoring force of the coil spring 326 to urge the tubular rupturer 316 upwards into contact with the top portion of the housing 304. The tubular rupturer 316 has a jagged top edge 360, focusing the force applied by the tubular rupturer 316 on smaller areas of the housing 304 to facilitate its rupturing. At the same time, the liquid is absorbed by the superabsorbent polymer 344 and expands, thus urging the cap 348 and the figurine 352 upwards at a slower rate than the upward motion of the tubular rupturer 316. Upward travel of the cap 348 is limited by the internal annular flange 340 of the inner tube 332. As a result, the housing 304 is broken, and the figurine 352 slowly emerges from it.
In another embodiment, the two biasing members can be concentric coil springs positioned at first ends thereof to push against the housing, each having a different spring rate. One of the coil springs (e.g., the outer coil spring) can be coupled to a rupture structure for rupturing the housing, such as a jagged ring, at a second end. The inner coil spring can be housed in a tube separating it from the outer coil spring and can exert a lesser biasing force moving it to a neutral position than the outer coil spring. Inside of the tube adjacent the second end of the inner coil spring can be positioned an article to be driven at least partially out of the housing once the housing is ruptured.
The restoration alignment structures can limit driving of a rupture structure and the article along axes that are not parallel. For example, once a rupture structure has been driven in a first direction to rupture the housing, the article can be driven in a second direction that is at a 40 degree angle relative to the first direction.
The release member and the release member slot can be made with any suitable dimensions so that the release member, when inserted into the release slot, inhibits expansion of the first biasing member.
While, in the above-described and illustrated embodiment, the limiter is slidingly moveable in the housing, the limiter can be designed in various other manners to control the biasing force exerted by the first biasing member on the rupture structure. For example, the limiter can be pivotally coupled to the housing.
While in the above-illustrated embodiment, the release member is a paper strip, the release member can be made at least partially from other natural fibers in some embodiments. For example, a release member made at least partially of wood fiber, when exposed to sufficient humidity or direct contact with a liquid, can soften sufficiently to enable bending or rupturing of the release member. The material of the release member can be a combination of natural fibers and other materials. In other embodiments, the release member can be made in other manners, so long as the release member can be conditioned between a lock state, in which the release member restricts movement of the biasing member toward its neutral position, and in a release state, the release member at least partially releases the first biasing member to move toward the neutral position.
Persons skilled in the art will appreciate that there are yet more alternative implementations and modifications possible, and that the above examples are only illustrations of one or more implementations. The scope, therefore, is only to be limited by the claims appended hereto and any amendments made thereto.
This application is a continuation of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 16/219,914, filed Dec. 13, 2018, the contents of which are incorporated herein by reference in their entirety.
| Number | Date | Country | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Parent | 16219914 | Dec 2018 | US |
| Child | 16834395 | US |
