FIELD OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates generally to toys, and in particular, toys that have a doll or figurine hidden inside a container or housing.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
A popular toy for children are surprise reveal toys that have one or more toys hidden inside a pouch or package. Typically, the identity of the toy is a mystery until the pouch or package is opened to reveal the contents inside. A major part of the enjoyment for children in playing with such toys is the surprise element associated with discovering the identity of the toy. However, the act of opening the pouch or package usually involves the mundane action of cutting or tearing open the packaging. Thus, a toy that not only provides the surprise element associated with discovering the identity of a hidden object but also includes a fun and exciting way of revealing the object is highly desirable.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
A toy is described herein that comprises an expandable figurine contained in a housing that opens by breaking apart in a fun and exciting way to reveal and allow access to the figurine hidden inside. The figurine has a hollow body or cavity and is made of an elastic material that allows the figurine to distend and expand in size as the figurine is filled with a fluid such a tap water or air. The housing includes various perforations, cuts, scores, and/or weakened parts that are configured to rupture under stress. The toy is designed so that as a child continually adds fluid into the figurine, the figurine expands inside the housing and ultimately causes the housing to burst open or break apart, thereby revealing and allowing access to the figurine.
In one or more embodiments, the toy comprises an expandable figurine that has a cavity and a valve adapted to allow a fluid to enter the cavity. When the cavity is filled with the fluid, the expandable figurine expands from a normal state to an expanded state. The toy further comprises a housing containing the expandable figurine in the normal state. The housing has one or more break apart elements and an opening proximate the valve of the expandable figurine contained in the housing. The one or more break apart elements of the housing are configured to rupture when the expandable figurine expands from the normal state to the expanded state while being contained within the housing. In certain instances, the housing further includes a removable section covering the opening such that the housing completely encapsulates the expandable figurine while the expandable figurine is in the normal state.
In other embodiments, the toy comprises a housing with a surrounding wall that defines a hollow interior. The surrounding wall includes one or more break apart elements and an opening that provides access to the hollow interior. The toy further comprises an expandable figurine contained inside the housing. The expandable figurine has a cavity and a valve adapted to allow a fluid to enter the cavity and cause the expandable figurine to expand from a normal state to an expanded state. The expandable figurine is positioned inside the housing such that the valve is proximate the opening of the housing. Furthermore, the one or more break apart elements of the housing are configured to rupture when the expandable figurine expands from the normal state to the expanded state. The housing prevents the expandable figurine from being removed from the housing unless the expandable figurine is in the expanded state and the one or more break apart elements has ruptured.
In still other embodiments, the toy comprises an expandable figurine in the form of an animal. The expandable figurine has a body that defines a cavity and a valve adapted to allow a fluid to be added into the cavity. Filling the cavity with the fluid causes the expandable figurine to expand from a normal state to an expanded state. The toy further comprises a housing containing the expandable figurine in the normal state. The housing has one or more perforated, cut, scored or weakened parts and a removable section. Removing the removable section reveals an opening that provides access to the valve of the expandable figurine contained in the housing. Additionally, the toy comprises a bottle for introducing the fluid into the cavity of the expandable figurine. The bottle has a spout couplable to the valve. The one or more perforated, cut, scored or weakened parts of the housing are configured to rupture when the expandable figurine expands from the normal state to the expanded state while being contained within the housing.
The bottle is sized to dispense a volume of fluid that causes the expandable figurine to expand from the normal state to the expanded state. In certain instances, the bottle is sized to contain a volume of liquid equal to the maximum volume of liquid retainable within the cavity of the expandable figurine. In one or more embodiments, the body of the expandable figurine comprises a torso and a head connected to the torso. One or more appendages are also attached to the body. In one instance, the cavity extends into both the head and torso of the expandable figurine but does not extend into the one or more appendages. In another instance, the cavity is located only within the head of the expandable figurine. In yet another instance, the cavity is located only within the torso of the expandable figurine.
Other objects, features and advantages of the present invention will become apparent to those skilled in the art from the following detailed description. It is to be understood, however, that the detailed description and specific examples, while indicating some embodiments of the invention, are given by way of illustration and not limitation. Many changes and modifications within the scope of the invention may be made without departing from the spirit thereof, and the present invention includes all such modifications.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
Referring now to the drawings in which like reference numbers represent corresponding parts throughout:
FIGS. 1A-1B illustrate a figurine in accordance with an embodiment of the invention. FIG. 1A shows a perspective view of the figurine and FIG. 1B shows a cross-sectional view of the figurine along line A-A in FIG. 1A.
FIGS. 2A-2C illustrate the interaction between a bottle and a figurine in accordance with another embodiment of the invention. FIG. 2A shows a front view of the bottle and the figurine.
FIG. 2B shows the coupling of the bottle and figurine. FIG. 2C shows the expansion of the figurine when a fluid is transferred from the bottle into the figurine.
FIGS. 3A-3D illustrate the operation of a toy in accordance with an embodiment of the invention. FIG. 3A shows a housing containing the figurine of FIG. 2A. FIG. 3B shows the bottle of FIG. 2A coupled to the figurine to introduce a fluid into the figurine. FIG. 3C shows the housing with ruptured break apart elements as the figurine expands from the transfer of fluid from the bottle into the figurine. FIG. 3D shows the housing opened to reveal the figurine.
FIGS. 4A-4C illustrate the interaction between a bottle and a figurine in accordance with another embodiment of the invention. FIG. 4A shows a figurine in its normal state contained within a bottle. FIG. 4B shows the introduction of a liquid in the bottle into the figurine. FIG. 4C shows the figurine in its expanded state and the emptied bottle.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
A toy is provided that includes an expandable figurine, a housing containing the figurine, and a bottle for transferring fluid into the figurine. As the expandable figurine is filled with fluid, the figurine expands in size and presses against the interior surface of the housing. The housing is designed such that the force of the expanding figurine ultimately causes the housing to break apart and reveal the figurine.
FIGS. 1-3 set forth an illustrative example of the toy and its operation. FIGS. 1A and 1B shows an exemplary embodiment of an expandable figurine that constitutes part of the toy. Figurine 100 has a body 102 and a cavity 104 inside body 102 that is bounded by an elastic layer 106. Elastic layer 106 is formed from a resilient elastomeric material, such as a thermoplastic elastomer (TPE), polyethylene (PE) polymer, latex, or a natural or synthetic rubber. In one embodiment, figurine 100 is fabricated from thermoplastic rubber (TPR). The elasticity of elastic layer 106 allows figurine 100 to be deformed when a force is applied (such as a child squeezing figurine 100), as well as distend and expand when cavity 104 is filled with a fluid such as water or air. Furthermore, the resiliency of elastic layer 106 allows figurine 100 to return to its original size and shape when the force on figurine 100 is removed or when cavity 104 is emptied of its fluidic contents. In a preferred embodiment, the fluid used with the toy is regular tap water. In other embodiments, the fluid may be air, gel, water having additional additives (e.g., glitter, scenting agent, coloring agent, foaming agent), or other liquids.
Figurine 100 includes a valve 108 that allows fluid to enter cavity 104 and further helps retain the fluid within cavity 104. In one embodiment, valve 108 is a pinch valve with a valve flap that permits a single-directional flow of fluid into cavity 104 and prevents the fluid inside cavity 104 from escaping figurine 100. This allows figurine 100 to distend and expand as cavity 104 is continually filled with fluid. In certain embodiments, figurine 100 expands to at least 1.5 times, 2 times, or 3 times its original or normal size. Opening valve 108 (for example by pinching a pinch valve to displace the valve flap) allows the fluid inside cavity 104 to be discharged as elastic layer 106 causes figurine 100 to return to its original size and shape. Squeezing or applying pressure on figurine 100 while valve 108 is opened accelerates the expulsion of fluid from cavity 104. Other suitable types of valves that allow fluid to enter cavity 104 and help retain the fluid within cavity 104 may also be used.
In one or more preferred embodiments, the valve is located proximate to or forms part of the mouth of the figurine. In the exemplary embodiment shown in FIG. 1B, figurine 100 has a mouth 107 and a passageway 109 extending from mouth 107 to cavity 104. Valve 108 is positioned such that it forms part of mouth 107 and extends along passageway 109. Thus, introducing fluid into cavity 104 through mouth 107 simulates a feeding action for figurine 100. In a further embodiment, figurine 100 includes a separate discharge valve or outlet, preferably positioned on an opposite end of figurine 100 near the rear legs 115. The discharge valve or outlet may be opened to discharge the fluid from cavity 104, which simulates a wetting or urinating action of figurine 100.
Cavity 104 preferably occupies a considerable proportion of figurine 100, which in conjunction with the elasticity of elastic layer 106, allows figurine 100 to expand and greatly increase in size (e.g., at least 1.5 times, 2 times, or 3 times its original size). In certain embodiments, cavity 104 occupies at least 75%, 80%, 90% or 95% of the total volume of body 102 of figurine 100. In the exemplary embodiment shown in FIG. 1B, cavity 104 occupies more than 90% of the total volume of body 102 of figurine 100.
As shown in FIGS. 1A and 1B, figurine 100 is fabricated to generally resemble a cat. Other embodiments of figurine 100 may be fabricated to resemble other animals or fanciful depictions of animals. Body 102 includes a head 110 connected to a torso 112 that is supported by front legs 114 and rear legs 115. Ears 116 and a tail 118 are further attached to the head 110 and torso 112, respectively. In some embodiments, additional body parts or appendages may be attached to body 102. Cavity 104 extends into both the head 110 and torso 112 of figurine 100 but not the appendages (i.e., front legs 114, rear legs 115, ears 116, and tail 118). Thus, when fluid is transferred into cavity 104 of figurine 100, only the head 110 and torso 112 of figurine 100 distend and expand in size while the appendages remain the same size (see, e.g., FIG. 2C). This gives figurine 100 a fat or swollen appearance after cavity 104 has been filled with fluid (i.e., having been “fed”). In other embodiments, cavity 104 further extends into the appendages and causes the appendages to also swell and bulge as cavity 104 is filled with fluid. In yet other embodiments, cavity 104 is located only within the head 110 or torso 112 of figurine 100, and thus only head 110 or torso 112 bulges when cavity 104 is filled with fluid.
Furthermore, figurine 100 may include one or more accessory pieces that are attached to or worn by figurine 100. The accessory piece may be an article of clothing or accessory that attaches onto, covers, or surrounds the body 102, head 110, torso 112, front legs 114, rear legs 115, ears 116, and/or tail 118 of figurine 100. In some instances, the accessory piece is stretchable and stretches to accommodate the expansion of figurine 100. In other instances, the accessory piece does not stretch and attaches to an appendage (e.g., ear 116, tail 118) that does not bulge when figurine 100 expands. In yet other instances, the accessory piece does not stretch and attaches to a section of figurine 100 that forces figurine 100 to expand in certain areas or directions. As an illustrative example, a non-stretchable accessory piece shaped like a donut may be worn around torso 112 of figurine 100. The donut accessory piece causes torso 112 to bulge into two portions (similar to the shape of an hourglass) as figurine 100 expands from an influx of fluid. In another exemplary implementation, the accessory piece is a soft and furry outer cover that can be worn by figurine 100 to turn figurine 100 into a soft plush toy.
FIGS. 2A-2C illustrate an exemplary embodiment of the interaction between figurine 100 and a bottle 200 that is used to transfer fluid into figurine 100. Bottle 200, which also constitutes part of the toy, comprises a container portion 202 and a cap 204 covering container portion 202. Container portion 202 and cap 204 collectively define an interior space within which a quantity or volume of fluid is confined. Bottle 200 further includes a nozzle or spout 206 that is insertable into mouth 107 of figurine 100 to facilitate the transfer of fluid from bottle 200. The coupling of bottle 200 to mouth 107 and dispensing of fluid from bottle 200 into figurine 100 simulates the action of “feeding” figurine 100. In the exemplary embodiment shown in FIGS. 2A-2C, bottle 200 is fabricated to generally resemble a cup of milkshake with spout 206 in the shape of a straw. Other embodiments of bottle 200 may be fabricated in other geometric (e.g., sphere, cylinder, cone, cuboid, polyhedron), natural, or abstract shapes or resemble other objects. For example, FIGS. 4A-4C show a bottle 400 in the form of a baby bottle 400 with a fluid receptacle 402 and a spout in the shape of a nipple 404. In still other embodiments, the bottle is part of a machine or apparatus that dispenses fluid through mechanical or motorized means.
Referring back to FIGS. 2B and 2C, bottle 200 is used to transfer an amount of fluid necessary to cause figurine 100 to expand from its original size where cavity 104 has not been distended with fluid (i.e., normal state B) to an expanded size that is sufficient to break apart the housing containing figurine 100 (i.e., expanded state C). In one or more embodiments where the fluid is water or another liquid, bottle 200 is preferably sized to contain no more than the maximum volume of liquid that cavity 104 of figurine 100 can retain. This helps prevent figurine 100 from being overfilled and potentially bursting or leaking. Bottle 200 is made of a flexible material that allows it to be easily squeezed, such as a low-density polyethylene (LDPE) polymer, silicone, natural or synthetic rubber, or other soft plastic material. In the exemplary embodiment shown in FIGS. 2A-2C, bottle 200 is opaque (see, e.g., FIG. 2A). In other embodiments, parts of or the whole bottle is transparent (see, e.g., FIG. 4B), which allows a user to see the amount of liquid contained within.
In operation, bottle 200 is coupled to figurine 100 while it is in normal state B as shown in FIG. 2B. When container portion 202 of bottle 200 is squeezed, the external pressure causes the fluid (in this instance water) in bottle 200 to travel through spout 206 and into mouth 107 of figurine 100. The flow of fluid is sufficient to force open valve 108 as it continues through passageway 109 and is collected in cavity 104 of figurine 100. Once the desired filling of figurine 100 is complete, bottle 200 is withdrawn from figurine 100 and spout 206 is decoupled from mouth 107. Valve 108 closes to prevent the fluid from escaping figurine 100 and allows the fluid to be retained within cavity 104 indefinitely. At any point, the user may choose to reinsert spout 206 into mouth 107 and transfer additional fluid into figurine 100 as long as cavity 104 has not reached its maximum capacity. As cavity 104 fills up with fluid, cavity 104 distends and causes figurine 100 to expand from normal state B to expanded state C as shown in FIG. 2C. In both its normal state B and expanded state C, figurine 100 may be squished or squeezed (i.e., deformed), which provides the user with a fun and pleasurable tactile experience.
FIGS. 3A-3D show an exemplary embodiment of a toy and its operation in accordance with the present invention. Toy 500 incorporates the previously described figurine 100 and bottle 200, as well as a housing 300 containing figurine 100. In the exemplary embodiment shown in FIG. 3A, housing 300 is fabricated to generally resemble a food container box. Other embodiments of housing 300 may be fabricated in other geometric (e.g., sphere, cylinder, cone, cuboid, polyhedron), natural, or abstract shapes or resemble other objects (e.g., ice cream cone, beach ball). Housing 300 is sized to completely encapsulate figurine 100 while figurine 100 is in normal state B (see, e.g., FIG. 3A) and obstructs the removal of figurine 100 from housing 300 until figurine 100 is in expanded state C, which causes housing 300 to open (see, e.g., FIG. 3D). In the exemplary embodiment shown in FIGS. 3A-3D, housing 300 is constructed out of cardboard. Other embodiments of housing 300 may be made of other materials such as paper, plastic, bioplastic, and the like. The housing material preferably has a rigidity that allows one or more wall segments of housing 300 to separate from each other rather than stretch when figurine 100 expands inside housing 300.
Housing 300 has a removable section 302 that can be removed to reveal an opening 304. In the exemplary embodiment shown in FIG. 3A, removable section 302 is defined by perforations on a side of housing 300, which allows a user to create opening 304 by pulling removable section 302 away from housing 300. Figurine 100 is positioned within housing 300 such that valve 108 of figurine 100 is proximate opening 304. As shown in FIG. 3B, opening 304 exposes the face of figurine 100. In other embodiments, opening 304 is sized to expose only mouth 107 and/or valve 108 of figurine 100. Preferably, opening 304 is sized such that the user has access to valve 108 of figurine 100 but cannot see the whole figurine. This allows the identity of figurine 100 to remain a mystery until housing 300 breaks apart or bursts open to reveal figurine 100.
With mouth 107 of figurine 100 exposed through opening 304 of housing 300, bottle 200 may then be coupled to valve 108 to transfer fluid into figurine 100 in the process as previously described and illustrated in FIGS. 2A-2C. FIG. 3B shows bottle 200 coupled to figurine 100 with spout 206 of bottle 200 inserted into mouth 107 of figurine 100 (see also FIG. 2B). Bottle 200 has been filled with fluid (in this instance water) and as a user squeezes bottle 200, fluid is transferred from bottle 200 into figurine 100. As cavity 104 inside figurine 100 is continually filled with fluid from bottle 200, cavity 104 distends and causes figurine 100 to expand inside housing 300.
In the exemplary embodiment shown in FIGS. 3C and 3D, housing 300 contains multiple break apart elements 306, 308, 310, 312. These break apart elements 306, 308, 310, 312 (also referred to as breakaway elements) are parts of the housing that are configured to break apart or rupture when the structure of housing 300 is stressed, and in particular in response to the stress imparted against the interior surface of the housing when figurine 100 expands from its normal state B to expanded state C. The break apart element may be, for example, a part of housing 300 that is perforated, cut, scored or otherwise weakened. As illustrated in FIGS. 3C and 3D, break apart elements 306 and 310 are parts of housing 300 that are cut, break apart element 308 is a part of housing 300 that is perforated, and break apart element 312 is a part of housing 300 where two segments of housing 300 are lightly glued together. As fluid is continually transferred from bottle 200 into figurine 100, figurine 100 continually expands and presses against the interior surface of housing 300. Even though figurine 100 is deformable and squishy, the expansion of figurine 100 is enough to eventually overcome the integrity or unity of each break apart element 306, 308, 310, 312 and cause break apart elements 306, 308, 310, 312 to rupture.
Break apart elements 306, 308, 310, 312 are strategically placed at specific positions on housing 300 to weaken the structural integrity of housing 300 and allow housing 300 to break apart or burst open in a way that reveals and allows removal of figurine 100 from housing 300. In the exemplary embodiment shown in FIGS. 3B-3D, break apart element 306 is positioned vertically along a corner of housing 300 and break apart elements 308 and 310 are positioned horizontally along a center perimeter of housing 300. The side of the housing opposite opening 304 does not have a break apart element. This allows housing 300 to hingedly open when figurine 100 has fully expanded into expanded state C (see, e.g., FIG. 3D).
Furthermore, different break apart elements may break apart or rupture at different points during the expansion of figurine 100. For example, break apart element 306 separates the earliest (see FIG. 3B), followed by break apart element 308 and 310 (see FIG. 3C), and then break apart element 312 (see FIG. 3D). In FIG. 3D, figurine 100 is in its expanded state C and break apart elements 306, 308, 310, 312 of housing 300 have all ruptured or separated. Housing 300 is now opened to allow a user to remove figurine 100 from housing 300.
In the exemplary embodiment shown in FIGS. 3A-3D, housing 300 cannot be reused because breakaway elements 306, 308, 310, 312 are unable to be restored after breaking apart or rupturing. In this instance, reusability of housing 300 is not necessary because the identity of the figurine hidden inside has been revealed and is no longer a mystery.
FIGS. 4A-4C set forth an illustrative example of an additional operation of the toy that allows a user to continue to play with the figurine and bottle even after the housing has been opened and discarded. Here, baby bottle 400 is sized to replace the housing and contain figurine 100 in its normal state B (see FIG. 4A). When figurine 100 is taken out of bottle 400, bottle 400 may be filled with a fluid 401 (in this instance water). In the exemplary implementation shown in FIGS. 4A-4C, bottle 400 is sized to contain the maximum volume of fluid that cavity 104 of figurine 100 can retain. Bottle 400 can then be used to transfer fluid into figurine 100, which causes figurine 100 to stretch and expand to its expanded state C when all of the fluid in bottle 400 is transferred into figurine 100. The fluid may be discharged from figurine 100 so that figurine 100 returns to its normal state B and can be stored again inside bottle 400.
In other embodiments, one or more of the breakaway elements can be restored so that the housing can be reused and the process for breaking apart or opening the housing can be repeated. For example, the breakaway element may comprise of clips, friction-fitted tabs, or other engagement members that allow the housing to return to its original closed configuration. To reset the toy with the housing, the fluid inside the figurine is first discharged (for example by pinching valve 108 and squeezing body 102 of figurine 100), which allows the figurine to return to its original or normal size and shape. The figurine is then placed back into the housing and the break apart elements are restored so that the housing encapsulates the figurine. The process of breaking apart and opening the housing by filling the figurine with fluid from a bottle can then be repeated.
Although the disclosed inventions are illustrated and described herein as embodied in one or more specific examples, it is nevertheless not intended to be limited to the details shown, since various modifications and structural changes may be made therein without departing from the scope of the inventions and within the scope and range of equivalents of the claims.
Moreover, it is to be understood that terms such as “left,” “right,” “top,” “bottom,” “front,” “rear,” “side,” “height,” “length,” “width,” “upper,” “lower,” “interior,” “exterior,” “inner,” “outer” and the like as may be used herein, merely describe points or portions of reference and do not limit the present invention to any particular orientation or configuration. Further, the term “exemplary” may be used herein to describe an example or illustration. Any embodiment described herein as exemplary is not to be construed as a preferred or advantageous embodiment, but rather as one example or illustration of a possible embodiment of the invention. Finally, various features from one of the embodiments may be incorporated into another of the embodiments.
Patent Application
20220219094
