Patent Application
20120282842
(1) Field of Invention
The present invention relates to toys having exposable features and, more particularly, to a toy having features that are revealed when exposed to ultraviolet light.
(2) Description of Related Art
Toys with exposable features have long been known in the art. For example, toys have been devised to change colors when exposed to certain elements.
By way of example, some toy dolls have been devised that include skins or exterior surfaces that change color in response to water exposure. U.S. Pat. No. 4,257,188 (the '188 patent) discloses toy dolls and figurines having surface portions of reversibly changeable color. The '188 patent teaches a doll with an color changing layer positioned on its exterior that will reversibly change color after exposure to water. Such a feature provides a play pattern of allowing a child to simulate a diaper rash on a doll by “wetting” a diaper. Other play patterns can be envisioned, where, for example, the color changing layer is applied to a baby doll bottle. Thus, by filling the bottle with water, the bottle will change colors. After removing the doll and color changing layer from the water exposure, the color changing layers slowly reverts back to its original color.
Other toys have been devised that change color in response to light exposure. For example, U.S. Pat. No. 6,322,416 (the '416 patent) discloses a photochromatic toy that changes color as a result of exposure to ultraviolet light. More specifically, the '416 patent describes toy soda bottles that have a photochromatic coating that, when exposed to the ultraviolet light, causes the bottles to change color and appear as if they are full of soda. Upon removing the toy soda bottles from the ultraviolet light exposure, the color in the photochromatic coating slowly reverts back to its original color.
As described above and as used in the prior art, the color changing elements (e.g., color changing layer and/or photochromatic coating) slowly change color in response to the applicable exposure element (e.g., water or ultraviolet light). Alternatively, after removal of the applicable exposure element, the color changing element slowly reverts to its original color. In both cases, the color change from the first to the second color, and reversal from the second color to the first color, is not instantaneous and, instead, is a gradual fade or change.
Thus, a continuing need exists for a toy having exposable features that are immediately revealed when exposed to ultraviolet light and that are immediately concealed upon removal of the ultraviolet light.
While considering the failure of others to make use of all of the above components in this technology space, the inventors unexpectedly realized that a ultraviolet reactive pigment that does not have electrons that maintain an excited state upon exposure to ultraviolet light would allow for an immediate reveal and conceal of an exposable feature.
Thus, the present invention is directed to toy play set having a figurine and play set items. The figurine is formed to depict a first state and includes a reveal pigment applied thereto. The reveal pigment is transparent when in the first state. The reveal pigment is applied to the figurine in a shape to depict a second state such that when the reveal pigment is exposed to ultraviolet light, the reveal pigment fluoresces to depict the second state. Alternatively, when the ultraviolet light is removed from the reveal pigment, the reveal pigment immediately ceases fluorescing and returns to the first state.
In another aspect, the figurine is formed to depict a first theme.
In another aspect, a first play set item is included that is coordinated with the first theme. The first play set item has a portion with a reveal pigment applied thereto. The reveal pigment is applied to the first play set item in a shape to depict a second state, such that when the reveal pigment is exposed to ultraviolet light, the reveal pigment fluoresces to depict the second state.
Additionally, a second play set item is included that is also coordinated with the first theme. The second play set item houses an ultraviolet LED and includes a switch for selectively activating the ultraviolet LED. Thus, a user can point the second play set item at either the figurine or first play set item, activate the ultraviolet LED, and cause the reveal pigment to fluoresce and depict the second state.
In another aspect, in the first state, the figurine is formed to depict a living entity and wherein when the reveal pigment is exposed to ultraviolet light to depict the second state, the second state depicts the figurine as a decomposing entity.
Further, the first theme is a pirate theme, such that the figurine is formed to depict a pirate, while the first play set item is formed to depict a pirate ship and the second play set item is foamed to depict a cannon.
In yet another aspect, when the reveal pigment on the first play set item is exposed to ultraviolet light to depict the second state, the second state depicts a state selected from a group consisting of a skull on a flag of the pirate ship, flames at a bow of the pirate ship, and barrels on a side of the pirate ship.
Finally, as can be appreciated by one in the art, the present invention also comprises a method for forming and using the invention described herein.
The objects, features and advantages of the present invention will be apparent from the following detailed descriptions of the various aspects of the invention in conjunction with reference to the following drawings, where:
The present invention relates to toys having exposable features and, more particularly, to a toy having features that are revealed when exposed to ultraviolet light. The following description is presented to enable one of ordinary skill in the art to make and use the invention and to incorporate it in the context of particular applications. Various modifications, as well as a variety of uses in different applications will be readily apparent to those skilled in the art, and the general principles defined herein may be applied to a wide range of embodiments. Thus, the present invention is not intended to be limited to the embodiments presented, but is to be accorded the widest scope consistent with the principles and novel features disclosed herein.
In the following detailed description, numerous specific details are set forth in order to provide a more thorough understanding of the present invention. However, it will be apparent to one skilled in the art that the present invention may be practiced without necessarily being limited to these specific details. In other instances, well-known structures and devices are shown in block diagram form, rather than in detail, in order to avoid obscuring the present invention.
The reader's attention is directed to all papers and documents which are filed concurrently with this specification and which are open to public inspection with this specification, and the contents of all such papers and documents are incorporated herein by reference. All the features disclosed in this specification, (including any accompanying claims, abstract, and drawings) may be replaced by alternative features serving the same, equivalent or similar purpose, unless expressly stated otherwise. Thus, unless expressly stated otherwise, each feature disclosed is only one example of a generic series of equivalent or similar features.
Furthermore, any element in a claim that does not explicitly state “means for” performing a specified function, or “step for” performing a specific function, is not to be interpreted as a “means” or “step” clause as specified in 35 U.S.C. Section 112, Paragraph 6. In particular, the use of “step of” or “act of” in the claims herein is not intended to invoke the provisions of 35 U.S.C. 112, Paragraph 6.
Please note, if used, the labels left, right, front, back, top, bottom, forward, reverse, clockwise and counter clockwise have been used for convenience purposes only and are not intended to imply any particular fixed direction. Instead, they are used to reflect relative locations and/or directions between various portions of an object.
(1) Description
The present invention relates to a figurine and corresponding play set item that each have one or more ultraviolet (UV) reveal features. As shown in
As noted above, the present invention includes a reveal feature. In doing so, the present invention includes a reveal pigment that is transparent and largely invisible in a first state, but that becomes visible when exposed to UV light. The reveal pigment is any suitable ink or pigment that can be applied to an item and that, when exposed to UV light, fluoresces to become visible. After removing the UV light, the reveal pigment immediately ceases fluorescing and becomes largely invisible. In other words, the reveal pigment does not remain visible for a period of time after removing the UV light; instead, the reveal pigment immediately ceases fluorescing. Non-limiting examples of a suitable reveal pigment is the invisible fluorescent ink as made by New Prismatic Enterprises Co., LTD.
In providing the reveal feature, the reveal pigment is applied or otherwise affixed to the figurine 100. As a non-limiting example, the reveal pigment is applied to the figurine 100 and other items described herein by using a mask and spraying the reveal pigment onto the item.
Because the reveal pigment is transparent and largely invisible, the figurine 100 can be formed to depict a first state without any effect in its appearance from the reveal pigment. This is depicted in
As a play set, the present invention includes a figurine 100 and a variety of play set items. The figurine 100 and play set items can be formed in a coordinating theme. As a non-limiting example, the figurine 100 can be formed as a pirate, with the play set items being formed as pirate-type items, such as a pirate ship, a cannon, rum barrel, etc. Other non-limiting examples include the figurine 100 being formed as a space alien, with the play set items being formed as a space ship and ray gun.
The play set items and reveal effects are further illustrated in
Also as shown in
Finally,
It should be noted that although the present invention is described as being a human-like figurine with a pirate ship, it is not intended to be limited thereto as the reveal feature can be applied to any suitable item, non-limiting examples of which include figurines, ships, toys, dolls, toy animals, play sets, etc. Also, the items can be formed out of any suitable material, non-limiting examples of which include plastic, fabric, etc. Finally, it should be noted that although the reveal pigment is described as being applied by a spray, it can be applied using any suitable technique, a non-limiting example of which includes being silkscreened.
