Toy Packaging

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present application relates generally to toy packaging assemblies and, in particular, to packaging assemblies for toy figurines.

BACKGROUND

Through the years, toy dolls and/or figurines (for simplicity, referred to herein as figurines or toy figurines) have provided amusement and entertainment for children. That is, toy dolls and figurines have some inherent play value. However, packaging used to hold and/or display figurines at a point-of-purchase (e.g., at a store) rarely enhances this inherent play value. Instead, often, figurines are displayed on a shelf, display, hanging rod, etc. in packaging that is discarded after it is removed from the figurine. Additionally, traditional packaging typically does not hide or obscure features or an identity of the figurine. That is, typically, traditional packaging does not create an element of surprise after purchase.

Moreover, to increase the play value of toy figurines and encourage imaginative play, various toy vehicles, accessories, play sets, and other such play items have been made commercially available. However, regardless of whether these toy items are sold with a toy figurine, the toy and the toy figurine are both typically packaged in discardable packaging (individually or in combination) that does not provide play value for the toy figurine. That is, a toy item that is usable with a toy figurine is typically provided as a separate element, with separate packaging, from the toy figurine. Consequently, product packaging often increases the overall cost of manufacturing and selling a toy figurine, as well as toy items for a toy figurine, and also increases the waste generated when selling a toy figurine or a toy item for a toy figurine.

In view of the foregoing, there is a need for interesting and varied toy figurine packaging that enhances the play or entertainment of purchasing a toy figurine, for example, by converting from a packaging configuration to a play configuration and/or by revealing the toy figurine packaged therein in an interesting and/or surprising manner. Such toy packing may surprise a child, entertain a child, and/or reduce waste included in a point-of-sale item.

SUMMARY

According to one embodiment, a packaging assembly for a toy figurine is presented herein. The packaging assembly includes a hanging assembly and a main body. The hanging assembly includes a hook and a platform configured to support a toy figurine. The main body includes an interior cavity, a top with a slot that provides access to the interior cavity, and a bottom with an opening that provides access to the interior cavity. The slot is sized to allow the hook, but not the platform, to move therethrough into or out of the interior cavity. The opening is sized to allow the hanging assembly to move therethrough into or out of the interior cavity. The toy figurine may be disposed within the interior cavity when the hanging assembly is in a first configuration.

In some instances, the hanging assembly may be removed from the first configuration by applying a force to a distal end of the hook. For example, a user may slam the hook against a support surface to initiate a reconfiguration (i.e., to actuate the hanging assembly). The slam may cause the figurine to emerge from the main body, which may create a surprising reveal of the figurine that is entertaining for the user. In some embodiments, a majority of the figurine is revealed (i.e., more than 50% of the figurine is disposed outside the interior cavity) in response to an actuation of the hanging assembly.

Additionally or alternatively, the main body and the hanging assembly may resemble a toy item when the hanging assembly is in a second configuration. Thus, the packaging assembly, in at least some embodiments, need not be discarded. Instead, the packaging assembly can enhance the play value of the figurine. Moreover, in view of this, the toy figurine packaging presented herein may also be referred to as a play set or toy set. In at least some embodiments, the hanging assembly may be reconfigured between the first configuration and the second configuration by reversing a direction of installation of the hanging assembly in the slot.

Moreover, in some instances, the packaging assembly also includes outer covering that covers at least the opening of the main body prior to a reconfiguration of the packaging assembly. In these instances, the figurine may emerge from the interior cavity through the outer covering, further enhancing the entertainment value of the figurine reveal.

According to another embodiment, a hanging assembly for toy figurine packaging is presented herein. The hanging assembly includes a main body extending from a first end to a second end, a hook disposed at the first end, and a platform disposed at or proximate the second end. The platform including a top surface facing the hook and a bottom surface, opposite the top surface, configured to support a toy figurine. Thus, the hanging assembly may support a toy figurine while also engaging a display rod which, in turn, may allow the hanging assembly to reveal the toy figurine after it is removed from a display rod (since the hanging assembly may move the figurine to reveal the figurine as the hanging assembly is removed from a housing).

In at least some instances, the platform extends perpendicular to the main body. Additionally or alternatively, the platform may include engagement elements extending from the bottom surface that secure the figurine to the platform. Still further, in some instances, the hanging assembly may include a play element disposed between the second end and the platform and/or an elongate member disposed between the hook and the platform. A play element may allow the hanging assembly to be incorporated into a main body to form part of a toy item, such as a toy vehicle.

According to yet another embodiment, a method of transforming a toy packaging assembly is presented herein. The method involves providing a hanging assembly that includes a hook at a first end and a platform configured to support a toy figurine proximate a second end and providing a main body including an interior cavity, a top with a slot, and a bottom with an opening. The hanging assembly is installed into the slot in a first direction so that the platform is disposed in the interior cavity and the hook extends exteriorly of the interior cavity. Then, a force is applied to a top end of the hook to cause the platform to translate through the interior cavity towards the opening. In at least some instances, the method further includes installing the hanging assembly into the slot in a second direction, opposite the first direction, so that the hook is disposed in the interior cavity and the platform is disposed exteriorly of the interior cavity.

In at least some instances, an outer covering covers the opening prior to applying the force to the top end of the hook. Then, applying the force to the top end of the hook to cause the platform to translate through the interior cavity causes the toy figurine supported by the platform to unseal the outer covering. This may create a reveal of the figurine through the outer covering that may be interesting and surprising for a user (e.g., a child).

Other systems, methods, features and advantages will be, or will become, apparent to one with skill in the art upon examination of the following figures and detailed description. All such additional systems, methods, features and advantages are included within this description, are within the scope of the claimed subject matter.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The toy figurine packaging presented herein may be better understood with reference to the following drawings and description. The elements in the figures are not necessarily to scale, emphasis instead being placed upon illustrating the principles of the toy figurine packaging. In the figures, like-referenced numerals designate corresponding parts throughout the different views.

FIG. 1 is a front perspective view of a toy figurine packaging assembly according to an example embodiment of the present application, the toy figurine packaging assembly being disposed in a packaging configuration.

FIG. 2 is a front perspective view of example embodiments of a packaging subassembly, a figurine, and an outer covering that may form or be included in the toy figurine packaging assembly of FIG. 1. These elements are illustrated in a play configuration.

FIGS. 3 and 4 are top and bottom perspective views of the outer covering included in the toy figurine packaging assembly of FIG. 1.

FIGS. 5 and 6 are perspective views of a second example embodiment of a packaging subassembly that may form a portion of the toy figurine packaging assembly presented herein.

FIGS. 7 and 8 are top and bottom perspective views of a main housing of the packaging subassembly illustrated in FIGS. 5 and 6.

FIGS. 9 and 10 are side perspective views of a hanging assembly included in the packaging subassembly illustrated in FIGS. 5 and 6

FIGS. 11 and 13 are perspective views of third and fourth example embodiments, respectively, of packaging subassemblies that may form a portion of the toy figurine packaging assembly presented herein.

FIGS. 12 and 14 are side perspective views of hanging assemblies included in the packaging subassemblies of FIGS. 11 and 13, respectively.

FIGS. 15 and 16 are front perspective views of the toy figurine packaging assembly of FIG. 1 during initiation of a reconfiguration (i.e., during an actuation).

FIGS. 17 and 18 are front perspective views of the packaging subassembly of FIGS. 5 and 6 during initiation of a reconfiguration (i.e., during an actuation).

FIGS. 19 and 20 are perspective views of a toy figurine packaging assembly according to a second example embodiment of the present application, the toy figurine packaging assembly being depicted during a reconfiguration.

FIG. 21 is a perspective view of a packaging subassembly that forms a portion of the toy figurine packaging assembly of FIGS. 19 and 20.

FIG. 22 is a perspective view of a toy figurine packaging assembly according to an example embodiment of the present application, the toy figurine packaging assembly being disposed in a packaging configuration.

FIG. 23 is a detailed perspective view of a portion of the toy figurine packaging assembly of FIG. 22.

FIG. 24 is a perspective view of the toy figurine packaging assembly of FIG. 22 during initiation of a reconfiguration (i.e., during an actuation).

FIG. 25 is a flow chart depicting methods of actuating and reconfiguring the toy figurine packaging assembly of the present application, according to an example embodiment.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Toy figurine packaging is presented herein. The toy figurine packaging includes a hanging assembly that can be actuated to reveal or expose a toy figurine packaged within the toy figurine packaging and/or to open a portion of the packaging. Moreover, in at least some embodiments, the hanging assembly can be reconfigured to transform the toy figurine packaging from a packaging configuration. In the packaging configuration, the hanging assembly provides a hook that can engage a display rod (or any other such rod) so that the toy set or packaging can be stored and/or displayed on a display rod at a store or warehouse. Additionally, the hanging assembly may be actuatable to reveal the figurine when in the packaging configuration. In at least some embodiments, the hanging assembly forms a portion of a toy item when in the play configuration.

FIGS. 1 and 2 illustrate a first example embodiment of toy figurine packaging 10. In this embodiment, the toy figurine packaging 10 includes a packaging subassembly 80 (also referred to herein as a packaging assembly at least because the packaging assembly 80 need not be a subassembly), an outer covering 200, and figurine 300. The packaging assembly 80 includes a main body 100 and a hanging assembly 150 that can be removably installed (e.g., mounted) in the main body 100 in one of two orientations or configurations. In particular, when the toy figurine packaging 10 is in a packaging configuration C1, the hanging assembly 150 is positioned in a first orientation or configuration C3 (for simplicity, referred to herein as a configuration). Then, when the toy figurine packaging 10 is in a play configuration C2, the hanging assembly 150 is positioned in a second orientation or configuration C4 (for simplicity, referred to herein as a configuration). Since the packaging subassembly 80 may, in at least some embodiments, provide an assembly without the outer covering 200, the packaging configuration C1 and play configuration C2 may, in some instances, also be used to describe a configuration of the packaging subassembly/assembly 80.

Generally, when the toy figurine packaging 10 is in the packaging configuration C1 (see FIG. 1), the toy figurine 300 is packaged (i.e., enclosed) within the packaging assembly 80 and the outer covering 200 is wrapped around at least the main body 100 of the packaging assembly 80. However, the hanging assembly 150 is uncovered so that the hanging assembly 150 can engage and hang from a display rod (not shown) or other such display or storage apparatus. This also allows the hanging assembly 150 to be actuated to reveal the figurine 300 when the toy figurine packaging 10 is in the packaging configuration C1, as is described in further detail below. When the toy figurine packaging 10 is reconfigured to the play configuration C2, the outer covering 200 is removed from the packaging assembly 80 and the hanging assembly 150 may be reinstalled into the main body 100 in its second configuration C4 to form a portion of a toy item (in the manner discussed in detail below), such as the toy vehicle depicted in FIG. 2. However, in some embodiments, the toy figurine packaging 10 may be actuated to reveal the figurine 300, but may not be configurable to a play configuration C2 where the packaging assembly 80 provides a toy item.

The figurine 300, which may be a small-scale figurine such as an IMAGINEXT figurine manufactured by MATTEL, Inc., of El Segundo, Calif., may be decoupled from other elements of the toy figurine packaging 10 when the toy figurine packaging 10 is in the play configuration C2. Thus, a user can play with the figurine 300 in any desirable manner, with or without the packaging assembly 80 (which, again, may resemble a toy vehicle or any other toy item that is usable with figurine 300).

Now turning to FIGS. 3 and 4, in the depicted embodiment, the outer covering 200 is a rectilinear covering (e.g., a box) that includes a top 202, bottom 204, front 206, back 208, and sides 210. Thus, the outer covering 200 forms a complete, opaque covering around the packaging assembly 80 and, thus, conceals the identity, color, shape, size, features, etc. of the packaging assembly 80 and ensures that a user is surprised by the packaging assembly 80 and/or figurine 300 when removing one or both of these elements from the toy figurine packaging 10. Additionally or alternatively, packaging assembly 80 partially or fully conceal the identity, color, shape, size, features, etc. of figurine 300. However, in other embodiments, the toy figurine packaging 10 may include any type of outer covering 200, such as an outer covering 200 without any sides 210, a fully or partially transparent outer covering 200, etc. Alternatively, toy figurine packaging 10 need not include an outer covering 200.

That said, in the embodiment depicted in FIGS. 3 and 4, the top 202 includes a slot 212 with an indentation 213 that collectively match a shape of elements of the hanging assembly 150 (discussed below). Thus, the hanging assembly 150 can extend exteriorly of the outer covering 200 while the outer covering 200 covers the packaging assembly 80 and conceals the identity, color, shape, size, features, etc. of the packaging assembly 80 and/or figurine 300.

Meanwhile, the bottom 204 of outer covering 200 includes a removable sealing element 214 that extends laterally between sides 210 so that the removable sealing element 214 is aligned with an opening 113 included in a bottom 112 of the main body 100 of packaging assembly 80 (see FIGS. 5-7). The removable sealing element 214 may comprise pressure sensitive adhesive (e.g., pressure sensitive tape), perforations, a tear strip, and/or any other element (or any combination of these elements). As is explained in detail below (e.g., in connection with FIGS. 15-16), due to its location, the removable sealing element may be removed, or at least unsealed, by figurine 300 when a force is applied to a top end 152 of the hanging assembly 150 (see FIG. 15). For example, the figurine 300 may be packaged within the toy figurine packaging 10 so that a portion of the toy figurine 300 (e.g., a head of figurine 300) abuts the removable sealing element 214 and upward movement of the figurine 300 removes or unseals the removable sealing element 214.

FIGS. 5 and 6 illustrate a second embodiment of packaging assembly 801. Packaging assembly 801 is substantially similar to packaging assembly 80 and the differences between these embodiments are mostly aesthetic. In particular, packaging assembly 80 resembles a character-specific vehicle while packaging assembly 801 resembles a bulldozer. That is, packaging assembly 801 includes a main body 1001 and hanging assembly 1501 that are styled to resemble a bulldozer while main body 100 and hanging assembly 150 are styled to resemble a character-specific vehicle, but both include many of similar elements and features. Thus, any description of functional or structural aspects of packaging assembly 801 should be understood to apply to packaging assembly 80.

Additionally, although the main body 1001 is shown in a play driving position (e.g., with its wheels on the ground), the main body 1001 is described herein with respect to its position when the hanging assembly 1501 is hanging from a display rod (e.g., so that the packaging assembly 801 is hanging vertically). With that in mind, the main body 1001 includes a front panel 102, a back panel 104, side panels 106, a bottom 112, and a top 114. The sides 106 extend between the front panel 102 and the back panel 104 and also extend between the bottom 112 and the top 114. Thus, collectively, the front panel 102, the back panel 104, the side panels 106, the bottom 112, and the top 114 define an interior cavity 110 that is accessible through the bottom 112 and top 114.

More specifically, and now referring to FIGS. 5 and 6 in combination with FIGS. 7 and 8, the bottom 112 includes an opening 113 that spans a majority of the bottom 112 while the top 114 includes a slot 115 with an indentation 116. In the depicted embodiment, the slot 115 and indentation 116 are dimensioned to match the slot 212 and indentation 213 included in the outer covering 200; however, in other embodiments, these slots and indentations need not match. For example, only one of slots 115 and 212 and its indentation 116 and 213 might match the dimensions of the hanging assembly 150 (described in further detail below). Additionally, in the depicted embodiment, the interior cavity 110 is accessible through a driver seat opening 120 formed in the front panel 102. As is shown in FIG. 21, the driver seat opening 120 may be configured (i.e., sized and shaped) to allow figurine 300 to sit within the interior cavity 110 in a seated position when the hanging assembly 1501 is in its second configuration C4 (e.g., its play configuration) so that the figurine 300 appears to be driving the vehicle that the packaging assembly 801 is styled to resemble (e.g., the bulldozer).

In the depicted embodiment, opening 113 has a width W1 and a height H1 that define outer dimensions of the interior cavity 110. By comparison, the slot 115 is substantially smaller and, thus, has a width W2 that is smaller than width W1 and a height H2 that is smaller than height H1. The indentation 116 may have a slightly increased height H3, but height H3 is also smaller than height H1. As is discussed in further detail below, these dimensions may ensure that the hanging assembly 150 can be inserted into the slot 115 from either direction (i.e., from an interior direction and an exterior direction), but may limit the directions in which the hanging assembly 150 may exit the slot 115 (e.g., by preventing the hanging assembly 150 from passing through the slot 115).

Still referring to FIGS. 5-8, generally, any portion of main body 1001 may include indicia, styling, molding, etc. so that the main body 1001 resembles the main body of a toy item that is usable with the toy figurine 300, such as a toy vehicle, play set, etc. However, in other embodiments, the main body 1001 need not include any styling and may not form a toy item; the main body 1001 can simply be a box, case, or another such packaging item. In the depicted embodiment, the main body 1001 includes three wheels 108 on each side 106 that are aligned along a length L1 of the main body 1001. Additionally, the main body 1001 includes a play element 121 to further style the main body 1001. In this embodiment, the play element 121 is a roll bar that is rotatably mounted to the front panel 102 so that the roll bar can rotate about an axis extending laterally across the main body 1001 (i.e., across driver seat opening 120). When the packaging assembly 801 is in a packaging configuration C1, the play element 121 may be disposed flush against the front panel 102. Then, when the packaging assembly 801 is in the play configuration C2, the play element 121 can be rotated up, into position to support and/or surround a figurine 300 seated in driver seat opening 120.

FIGS. 9 and 10 depict the hanging assembly 1501 of packaging assembly 801 while removed from the main body 1001. The hanging assembly 1501 extends from a top end 152 to a bottom end 154 and includes at least a hook 160 and a platform 170. The hook 160 is disposed at or defines the top end 152 of the hanging assembly 1501 and the platform 170 is disposed proximate the second end 154, insofar as, in this instance, the term “proximate” is intended to indicate that the platform 170 is disposed closer to end 154 than the hook 160 (e.g., “below” the hook 160). The platform 170 need not form or be disposed at the second end 154.

In the depicted embodiment, the platform 170 is coupled to the hook 160 via an elongate member 162. The elongate member 162 includes indicia 163 that indicates how to reconfigure and/or actuate the hanging assembly 1501 (as is explained below in connection with FIGS. 15-18). However, in other embodiments, the platform 170 may be coupled directly to the hook 160 (e.g., the hook 160 might extend from the platform 170 and the hanging assembly 1501 need not include an elongate member 162). Regardless, the hook 160 defines overall dimensions for at least an actuatable portion 161 of the hanging assembly 1501, such as a portion disposed above a top surface 172 of the platform 170. That is, the actuatable portion 161 of the hanging assembly 1501 disposed above the top surface 172 of the platform 170 has a length L2, a width W4, and a height H4 generally defined by hook 160.

Length L2 is shorter than or equal to the length L1 of the interior cavity 110 so that the hook 160 and elongate member 162 can be stored within (i.e., hidden within) the interior cavity 110, for example, if the hanging assembly 1501 is inserted into the slot 115 from an exterior of the main body 1001. Width W4 and height H4 generally correspond to the dimensions of the slot 115 included in the top 114 of the main body 1001 (e.g., width W2 and height H2) and/or the slot 212 included in the top 202 of the outer covering 200 (not shown), insofar as “corresponds” is intended to denote that the dimensions allow a mating and/or sliding relationship between the parts with these dimensions. Consequently, the hook 160 and the elongate member 162 (i.e., the actuatable portion 161 of hanging assembly 1501) can slide or translate into and out of slot 115 and/or slot 212, for example, to move into or out of the interior cavity 110 of main body 1001.

Meanwhile, the platform 170 extends generally perpendicularly to the actuatable portion 161 (e.g., the hook 160 and elongate member 162) and has a width W6 and a height H6 that are larger than the width W4 and the height H4 of the hook 160 and elongate member 162. Additionally, width W6 and height H6 are larger than the width W2 and height H2, respectively, of slot 115 and, thus, platform 170 cannot slide or translate through slot 115. Instead, the platform 170, or in particular the top surface 172 of platform 170, acts as a stop for the hanging assembly 1501 that secures hanging assembly 1501 against an interior or exterior surface of top 114, depending on the direction in which the hook 160 and elongate member 162 are inserted into slot 115. Additionally, the width W6 and a height H6 (i.e., the dimensions of the platform) either correspond to or are smaller than dimensions of the interior cavity 110 (e.g., width W1 and a height H1) so that the platform 170 can slide or translate through the interior cavity 110. In the depicted embodiment, at least the width W6 of the platform 170 corresponds to the width W1 of the interior cavity 110 so that sides of the platform 170 can slide along interior sidewalls of the interior cavity 110 when moving therethrough.

Still referring to FIGS. 9 and 10, as mentioned, a top surface 172 of the platform 170 generally faces the hook 160, insofar as “faces” is intended to mean that a normal line extending from the top surface 172 extends in a direction of the hook 160. In at least some embodiments, the top surface 172 includes or supports a protrusion 173 that defines aperture 179. The protrusion 173 may have dimensions that correspond to the dimensions of the indentation 116 associated with the slot 115 included in main body 1001 and/or the indentation 213 associated with the slot 212 included in the outer covering 200. For example, protrusion 173 may have a height H5 that corresponds to the height H3 of indentation 116.

Thus, when the actuatable portion 161 (e.g., hook 160 and elongate member 162) have been slid entirely through slot 115 (i.e., once platform 170 prevents further translation of the hanging assembly 1501), protrusion 173 may engage indentation 116 and/or indentation 213. This engagement may stabilize the hanging assembly 1501 against the main body 1001 and/or removably couple the hanging assembly 1501 to the main body 1001. Moreover, in some embodiments, the aperture 179 defined by protrusion 173 will be disposed exteriorly of main body 1001 when the hanging assembly 1501 is installed into the slot 115 in its first configuration C3 (e.g., with the hook 160 disposed exteriorly of the interior cavity 110) and, thus, might be utilized to temporarily lock the hanging assembly 1501 in this configuration. For example, a cable tie (i.e., a locking plastic band) might be fed through aperture 179 to temporarily lock the hanging assembly 1501 in its first configuration C3.

The platform 170 also includes a bottom surface 174 and, together, the top surface 172 and bottom surface 174 define a peripheral edge 176 of the platform 170. The bottom surface 174 is configured to support a toy figurine 300 (e.g., sized and shaped to allow a toy figurine 300 to rest thereon). For example, a toy figurine 300 may stand on bottom surface 174. In fact, in at least some embodiments, the bottom surface 174 may include engagement elements 175 configured to removably secure a toy figurine 300 to the platform 170. For example, in the depicted embodiment, engagement elements 175 comprise two pegs configured to frictionally engage apertures (not shown) included in feet of figurine 300 to removably secure the figurine 300 to the platform 170 in a standing position. However, in other embodiments, the engagement elements 175 may include any frictional engagement element, snap engagement element, detent element, or other such element or feature that can removably secure a figurine (via any part, appendage, etc.) to the platform 170.

The peripheral edge 176 may support or define one or more play elements 178 associated with the toy vehicle which the main body 1001 resembles. For example, in the depicted embodiment, the main body 1001 resembles a bulldozer and the play element 178 resembles a bulldozer blade. Thus, when the hanging assembly 1501 is installed onto the main body 1001 in its second configuration C4 (i.e., so that the platform is exterior of, but abutting, the top 114 of the main body 1001), the hanging assembly 1501 and main body 1001 may collectively resemble a toy bulldozer.

The one or more play elements 178 extend from or are defined by the peripheral edge 176 of the platform so that the one or more play elements 178 do not prevent a figurine 300 from being removably secured to the bottom surface 174 of the platform 170. Instead, the one or more play elements 178 extend around a figurine 300 removably secured to the bottom surface 174 of platform 170. Moreover, the one or more play elements 178 may have a length L3 that is shorter than or equal to the length L1 of the interior cavity 110 so that the one or more play elements 178 can be stored within (e.g., hidden within) the interior cavity 110, for example, if the hanging assembly 1501 is inserted into the slot 115 from an interior direction (e.g., after moving through the interior cavity 110). In at least some embodiments, the length L3 may also be shorter than the length L2 of the hook 160 and elongate member 162 so that the hook 160 and elongate member 162 form a majority (e.g., over 50%) of the overall length of hanging assembly 1501.

Now turning to FIGS. 11-14, these figures depict two additional examples of packaging assemblies of the present application: packaging assembly 802 and packaging assembly 803. Generally, packaging assemblies 802 and 803 are substantially similar to packaging assemblies 80 and 801 and the differences between these embodiments are mostly aesthetic. Thus, any description of functional or structural aspects of packaging assemblies 80 or 801 included herein should be understood to apply to packaging assemblies 802 and 803. Nevertheless, for completeness, some differences between the various packaging assemblies are described below (and denoted in the figures with new part numbers and/or prime part numbers). However, the descriptions of assemblies 802 and 803 are not intended to limit the packaging assembly presented herein in any manner. Instead, packaging assemblies 802 and 803 are presented and described herein to provide non-limiting examples of different forms that the packaging assembly presented herein may take.

That all said, FIGS. 11 and 12 depict a packaging assembly 802 with a main body 1002 and hanging assembly 1502 that collectively resemble a snowmobile when the hanging assembly 1502 is in its second configuration C4 (not shown). By comparison, FIGS. 13 and 14 depict a packaging assembly 803 with a main body 1003 and hanging assembly 1503 that collectively resemble a convertible when the hanging assembly 1503 is in its second configuration C4. To achieve this, main bodies 1002 and 1003 each include unique styling (e.g., molding, sculpting, etc.) and, moreover, main bodies 1002 and 1003 include unique play elements 121′ and 121″, respectively, and hanging assemblies 1502 and 1503 include one or more unique play elements 178′ and 178″, respectively.

In particular, main body 1002 includes a play element 121′ that resembles a fold-up seat back. The fold-up seat back may pivot about an axis that extends laterally across the main body 1002 adjacent the bottom 112 of the main body 1002. Meanwhile, the hanging assembly 1502 may include a play element 178′ that resembles skis (which extend from a peripheral edge 176 of platform 170 so as not to prevent a figurine 300 from being secured to platform 170). Additionally, instead of including three wheels 108 on each side panel 106, the main body 1002 includes two wheels 108′ on each side, arranged adjacent the bottom 112 of the main body 1002 to resemble a snowmobile.

By comparison, main body 1003 includes play elements 121″ that resemble portions (e.g., a portion of a bumper, a hood/intake, and a windshield) of a convertible. These play elements 121″ may be removably attached (e.g., via snap connections) to the main body 1003 and may be stored within the interior cavity 110 until the packaging assembly 803 is opened for a first time, for example, in the manner discussed in further detail below in connection with FIGS. 19-21. Meanwhile, the hanging assembly 1502 may include a play element 178″ that resembles another portion of a convertible. For example, the play element 178″ may cooperate with one of play elements 121″ to define a front bumper and/or grille of the convertible. Additionally, instead of including three wheels 108 on each side panel 106, the main body 1003 includes two wheels 108″ on each side, with one arranged adjacent the bottom 112 of the main body 1002 and one adjacent the top 114 (i.e., to resemble a convertible).

Now turning to FIGS. 15-18, these figures show the toy figurine packaging 10 of FIGS. 1-4 (See FIGS. 15 and 16) as well as the packaging assembly 801 of FIGS. 5-8, during initiation of a reconfiguration or transformation (the initiation is also referred to herein as an actuation or actuation transformation). Although the toy figurine packaging 10 of FIGS. 1-4 is shown and described as having a first embodiment of a packaging assembly (packaging assembly 80) and FIGS. 5-8 illustrate a second embodiment of packaging assembly (packaging assembly 801), for simplicity, FIGS. 15-18 are described below with respect to the first embodiment of the toy figurine packaging 10 in combination with the components first introduced in connection with FIGS. 5-8. However, the foregoing description should be understood to apply to any embodiments of the toy figurine packaging presented herein, unless otherwise specified. That is, the forthcoming description generally uses the terms “packaging assembly 80”, “main body 100,” and “hanging assembly 150” to describe any embodiments of packaging assemblies, main bodies, and hanging assemblies, including packaging assembly 801, main body 1001, and hanging assembly 1501, as well as any other embodiments presented herein.

That said, when the toy figurine packaging 10 is in a packaging configuration C1, a figurine 300 is placed or mounted on platform 170 and the hanging assembly 150 is mounted in the main body 100 in its first configuration C3 (see FIG. 17). That is, the hanging assembly 150 extends through slot 115 so that the hook 160 is disposed exteriorly of the interior cavity 110 of the main body 100 and the platform 170 is disposed within the interior cavity 110, adjacent the top 114 of the main body 100 (again, see FIG. 17). Thus, if the toy figurine packaging 10 is hung from a display rod via hook 160 while in its packaging configuration C1, the figurine 300 may be disposed upside-down within the main body 100.

To initiate a reconfiguration (i.e., to actuate the hanging assembly 150), the toy figurine packaging 10 is turned to an upside-down position P1 (and, thus, figurine 300 will be right side up, as shown in FIG. 17) and a force F1 is applied to a distal or top end 152 of the hanging assembly 150 (e.g., a top or distal end of hook 160). For example, the toy figurine packaging 10 may be pressed or slammed against a support surface 20 in direction D1 to generate a force F1 acting on the top end 152 of hanging assembly 150, as is shown in FIG. 1.

Often, force F1 may act upwards (e.g., if support surface is a table, floor, or other flat surface below the toy figurine packaging 10), but the orientation of force F1 will depend on the orientation of support surface 20. For example, force F1 may act sideways or horizontally if the support surface 20 is a vertical wall. Regardless, the force F1 causes the hanging assembly 150 to move or translate (e.g., slide) through the main body 100 in direction D2 (see FIGS. 16 and 18), with the hook 160 moving towards and/or into the interior cavity 110 and the platform 170 moving towards the opening 113 disposed at the bottom 112 of the main body 100. Movement of the platform 170 in direction D2 translates the figurine 300, which is resting on and/or secured to a bottom surface 174 of platform 170, towards and through the opening 113 disposed at the bottom 112 of the main body 100. That is, movement of the hanging assembly 150 in direction D2 reveals or exposes the figurine 300 by moving the figurine 300 out of the interior cavity 110 via opening 113.

As is shown in FIG. 16, if the toy figurine packaging 10 includes an outer covering 200, movement of the hanging assembly 150 in direction D2 may unseal, break, and/or remove the outer covering 200. For example, movement of the hanging assembly 150 in direction D2 may unseal a removable sealing element 214 included on the bottom 204 of the outer covering 200 (which is aligned with the opening 113). Thus, the figurine 300 will appear to bust or burst out of the toy figurine packaging 10. This may be an entertaining and surprising way to reveal the identity of the figurine 300, especially if the outer covering 200 and/or packaging assembly 80 conceals the identity of the figurine 300 (e.g., if the outer covering 200 is opaque and entirely encloses the interior cavity 110) prior to an actuation of the toy figurine packaging 10 (e.g., prior to application of force F1 to top end 152 of hanging assembly 150).

In some instances, unsealing the removable sealing element 214 may partially or entirely detach the outer covering 200 from the packaging assembly 80, but in other embodiments, unsealing the outer covering 200 may simply detach one portion of outer covering 200 from another portion of outer covering 200. However, as mentioned, toy figurine packaging 10 need not include an outer covering 200 and, thus, in some embodiments, the figurine may simply bust or burst from the packaging assembly 80 to provide a surprising and entertaining reveal of the figurine 300. In fact, although the actuation of the hanging assembly 150 has been largely described in connection with toy figurine packaging 10, it should be understood that the packaging assembly 80 could be actuated on its own (without outer covering 200) and, thus, any references made to toy figurine packaging 10 while describing an actuation of hanging assembly 150 should not be construed as limiting the packaging presented herein to packaging assemblies including an outer covering 200. That is, according to at least some embodiments, the actuation described herein may be entirely depicted in FIGS. 17 and 18.

Whether or not the toy figurine packaging 10 includes an outer covering 200, once the main body 100 has been slammed, pressed, or otherwise moved against a support surface (e.g., once top 114 is flush against a support surface 20), the hanging assembly 150 will be in its second or actuated position P2 (but still in its first configuration or orientation C3). In the second position P2, the hook 160 and elongate member 162 are disposed substantially within the interior cavity 110, insofar as, in this instance, “substantially” indicates that a majority of hook 160 and elongate member 162 are within the interior cavity 110 while a small portion thereof may be disposed within slot 115 and/or exteriorly of main body 100. Meanwhile, the platform 170 is positioned adjacent the opening 113 so that at least a portion of figurine 300 is disposed exteriorly of the interior cavity 110 and a user can ascertain an identity of the figurine 300. In fact, in at least some embodiments, a majority (e.g., over 50%) of figurine 300 is disposed exteriorly of the interior cavity 110 when the hanging assembly 150 is in its actuated position P2.

After the figurine 300 is revealed (e.g., after at least a portion of the figurine 300 pops out of opening 113), the figurine 300 may be removed from the platform 170 for play. Additionally or alternatively, the hanging assembly 150 may be removed from the interior cavity 110 so that it can be reinstalled in the slot 115 in a play configuration C4 (see, e.g., FIGS. 5 and 6). That is, prior to the application of force F1 to top end 152, the hanging assembly 150 is installed in the slot 115 in a first direction and, after the application of Force F1, the hanging assembly 150 can be removed from the main body 100 and reinstalled into the slot 115 in a second direction of installation that is opposite the first direction. The first direction may be an interior direction (e.g., the hook 160 is inserted into slot 115 after being translated through the interior cavity) and the second direction may be an exterior direction (e.g., the hook 160 is inserted into slot 115 from an exterior of the main body 100).

Reinstallation of the hanging assembly 150 in the main body 100 in a second direction may complete the reconfiguration of the hanging assembly 150 from the first or packaging configuration C3 to its second or play configuration C4. As discussed above, when the hanging assembly is in the play configuration C4, the hanging assembly 150 and main body 100 may, in at least some embodiments, form a toy item for use with the figurine 300, such as a toy vehicle. For example, the platform 170, as well as a play element 178 extending beyond the bottom surface 174 of platform 170, may be disposed exteriorly of the interior cavity 110 and may abut the top 114 of the main body 100 (which forms a front end of a toy vehicle in the depicted embodiment). Meanwhile, the hook 160 (and at least a portion of the elongate member 162) may be disposed within the interior cavity 110 when the hanging assembly 150 is in the second configuration C4.

Now turning to FIGS. 19-21, these figures illustrate a second embodiment of toy figurine packaging 101 according to the present application. Toy figurine packaging 101 includes similar features to toy figurine packaging 10 and these features are labeled with like numerals. For brevity, these like numerals are not described in detail below and any description of these numerals included herein should be understood to apply to components labeled with these like numerals. Instead, the description of FIGS. 19-21 focuses on differences between this embodiment and other embodiments presented herein.

With that said, toy figurine packaging 101 includes a packaging assembly 804 with a main body 1004, a hanging assembly 1504, and an outer covering 2002 that collectively encapsulate accessories 185 that can be attached to the main body 1004 during a reconfiguration of the toy figurine packaging 101. In particular, in the depicted embodiment, accessories 185 are stored within the main body 1004 and also between the main body 1004 and outer covering 2002 when the toy figurine packaging 101 is in a storage configuration C1. When the toy figurine packaging 10 is turned upside-down to position P1 and a force F1 is applied to the hanging assembly 1504 (e.g., in the manner described in connection with FIGS. 15-18), the figurine 300 may unseal the outer covering 2002 and reveal the accessories 185 (in addition to revealing its identity), as is shown in FIG. 19. For simplicity, the accessories are generally denoted by 185 in FIG. 19, but specified as first accessories 185A or second accessories 185B in FIGS. 20 and 21.

In the depicted embodiment, the outer covering 2002 includes a single panel 201 with a removable sealing element 214 that connects a first end of the single panel 201 to a second end of the single panel 201 across the opening 113. The single panel 201 covers at least a portion of the front panel 102, the back panel 104, the bottom 112, and the top 114 of the main body 1004 when the toy figurine packaging 101 is in the packaging configuration C1, but does not necessarily cover sides 106 of main body 1004. Thus, when the figurine 300 unseals the removable sealing element 214, the single panel 201 may fall away from the main body 1004 and reveal first accessories 185A stored between the back panel 104 of the main body 1004 and the single panel 201 of the outer covering 2002. Additionally, second accessories 185B may be held by the figurine 300 within the main body 1004 and, thus, may move out of the interior cavity 110 when the figurine 300 moves out of the interior cavity 110, as is shown in FIG. 19.

To allow installation of accessories 185, the main body 1004 of the depicted embodiment includes slots 180 in which the accessories 185 can be installed. In particular, the front panel 102 includes top slots 180A configured to receive first accessories 185A and the side panels 106 each include a side slot 180B configured to receive a second accessory 185B. As can be seen in FIG. 21, when the accessories 185 are attached to the main body 1004 and hanging assembly 1504 is reinstalled onto the main body in its second configuration C4, the hanging assembly 1504 resembles a nose of a plane, the first accessories 185A resemble tail fins of the plane, and the second accessories 185B resemble wings of the plane.

Now turning to FIGS. 22-24, these figures illustrate a third embodiment of toy figurine packaging 103 according to the present application. Toy figurine packaging 103 includes similar features to toy figurine packaging 10 and/or toy figurine packaging 101 and these features are labeled with like numerals. For brevity, these like numerals are not described in detail below and any description of these numerals included herein should be understood to apply to components labeled with these like numerals. Instead, the description of FIGS. 22-24 focuses on differences between this embodiment and other embodiments presented herein.

Notably, the toy figurine packaging 103 includes a locking band 220 that may lock the toy figurine packaging 103 in its packaging configuration C1 until removed, regardless of whether a force F1 is applied to the hanging assembly 150. The locking band 220, which may be a plastic cable tie (e.g., a zip tie), is locked around the front panel 102, the back panel 104, the bottom 112, and the top 114 of the main body 1004 and, thus, prevents the hanging assembly 150 from pushing the figurine 300 out of the opening 113 included in the bottom 112. In some embodiments, the locking band 220 may also pass through an aperture included in the hanging assembly 150, such as aperture 179 or an aperture oriented in a different direction, to further prevent movement of the hanging assembly 150. Additionally or alternatively, the locking band may be wrapped around an outer cover 2004, which may be a have a single panel 201 wrapped around the front panel 102, the back panel 104, the bottom 112, and the top 114 of the main body 1004 (but may be interior or exterior of a bottom cover 230, discussed below).

To ease removal of the locking band 220, a bottom 112 of the toy figurine packaging 103 may include a cover 230 with flanges 232 that define a gap 234 therebetween. Gap 234 may provide a space for a user to insert a scissor, knife, or other such tool interiorly of the band 220 and cut the band 220, which may otherwise be held tightly against the packaging assembly 805. In the depicted embodiment, the cover 230 is removable and includes engagement flaps 236 that can removably secure the cover 230 to the main body 1005. Thus, the cover 230 can be reinstalled and re-locked with a new or re-used band 220 after a first removal, for example, to secure lock the figurine 300 in packaging assembly 805 for transport. However, in other embodiments, the flanges 232 need not be included on a removable cover and could be included directly on the main body 1005 (or any other main body).

Once the band 220 is removed from the toy figurine packaging 103, a force can be applied to the hanging assembly 150 to actuate or initiate a reconfiguration of the hanging assembly 150, for example, by slamming the hanging assembly 150 against a support surface 20 to move the hanging assembly to its second position P4 and reveal the figurine 300, as is shown in FIG. 24 and is described in detail above in connection with FIGS. 15-18.

Notably, in the embodiment depicted in FIGS. 22-24, the main body 1005 does not resemble a toy vehicle and is not reconfigured into a toy item. Instead, the main body 1005 may be a case for the figurine 300 that can be repeatedly opened and closed with the removable cover 230 and the case may be re-usable or discardable. That is, in the embodiment depicted in FIGS. 22-24, the packaging assembly 805 is not necessarily a toy item and, instead, may comprise packaging. Nevertheless, any description of main bodies resembling toy items included herein may apply to the embodiment depicted in FIGS. 22-24 and vice versa. Moreover, elements of the embodiment depicted in FIGS. 22-24 may be incorporated or included in any of embodiments including main bodies resembling toy items and vice versa. For example, the embodiments depicted in FIGS. 1-8 could be modified to include removable bottom coverings (like cover 230) and/or locking bands (like band 220).

In FIG. 25, a flow chart depicts a method 400 for reconfiguring the toy figurine packaging presented herein. The method 400 begins with a routine 402 (also referred to as a method 402) for actuating the toy figurine packaging presented herein to cause the packaging to reveal a figurine included therein. Generally, method 400 and method 402 may each be referred to as transformations—with method 400 providing a reconfiguration transformation and method 402 providing an actuation transformation.

In either method 400 or 402, initially, a hanging assembly that includes a hook at a first end and a platform configured to support a toy figurine proximate a second end is provided at 410. For example, hanging assembly 150, hanging assembly 1501, hanging assembly 1502, hanging assembly 1503, hanging assembly 1504, or a hanging assembly including any combination of features shown or described herein may be provided. At 420, a main body including an interior cavity, a top with a slot, and a bottom with an opening is provided. For example, main body 100, main body 1001, main body 1002, main body 1003, main body 1004, main body 1005, or a main body including any combination of features shown or described herein may be provided.

Then, at 430, the hanging assembly is installed into the slot in a first direction so that the platform of the hanging assembly is disposed in the interior cavity and the hook of the hanging assembly extends exteriorly of the interior cavity. This allows the hook to, for example, engage a display rod for storage or display of the toy figurine packaging presented herein. After the hanging assembly is installed, a force is applied, at 440, to a top end of the hook to cause the platform to translate through the interior cavity towards the opening. Consequently, if a toy figurine is disposed within the toy figurine packaging, the toy figurine will exit (e.g., burst or pop out of) the interior cavity of the main body at the opening to provide a reveal of the figurine that has an element of surprise and/or entertainment value for the user.

Applying the force at 440 completes the actuation method 402 for the toy figurine packaging; however, in at least some embodiments, the toy figurine packaging can also be reconfigured. To complete the reconfiguration method, the hanging assembly is reinstalled, at 450, into the slot in a second direction, opposite the first direction, so that the hook is disposed in the interior cavity and the platform is disposed exteriorly of the interior cavity. This reinstallation may cause the main body and the hanging assembly to form a toy item for use with the toy figurine, such as a toy vehicle (e.g., plane, train, car, boat, etc.) or play set.

While the toy figurine packaging presented herein has been illustrated and described in detail and with reference to specific embodiments thereof, it is nevertheless not intended to be limited to the details shown, since it will be apparent that 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. In addition, various features from one of the embodiments may be incorporated into another of the embodiments. That is, it is believed that the disclosure set forth above encompasses multiple distinct inventions with independent utility. While each of these inventions has been disclosed in a preferred form, the specific embodiments thereof as disclosed and illustrated herein are not to be considered in a limiting sense as numerous variations are possible. The subject matter of the inventions includes all novel and non-obvious combinations and subcombinations of the various elements, features, functions and/or properties disclosed herein. Accordingly, it is appropriate that the appended claims be construed broadly and in a manner consistent with the scope of the disclosure as set forth in the following claims.

It is also to be understood that the toy figurine packaging described herein, or portions thereof may be fabricated from any suitable material or combination of materials, such as plastic, foamed plastic, wood, cardboard, pressed paper, metal, supple natural or synthetic materials including, but not limited to, cotton, elastomers, polyester, plastic, rubber, derivatives thereof, and combinations thereof. Suitable plastics may include high-density polyethylene (HDPE), low-density polyethylene (LDPE), polystyrene, acrylonitrile butadiene styrene (ABS), polycarbonate, polyethylene terephthalate (PET), polypropylene, ethylene-vinyl acetate (EVA), or the like. Suitable foamed plastics may include expanded or extruded polystyrene, expanded or extruded polypropylene, EVA foam, derivatives thereof, and combinations thereof.

Additionally, 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 of reference and do not limit the present invention to any particular orientation or configuration. Further, the term “exemplary” is 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, when used herein, the term “comprises” and its derivations (such as “comprising”, etc.) should not be understood in an excluding sense, that is, these terms should not be interpreted as excluding the possibility that what is described and defined may include further elements, steps, etc. Similarly, where any description recites “a” or “a first” element or the equivalent thereof, such disclosure should be understood to include incorporation of one or more such elements, neither requiring nor excluding two or more such elements. Meanwhile, when used herein, the term “approximately” and terms of its family (such as “approximate”, etc.) should be understood as indicating values very near to those which accompany the aforementioned term. That is to say, a deviation within reasonable limits from an exact value should be accepted, because a skilled person in the art will understand that such a deviation from the values indicated is inevitable due to measurement inaccuracies, etc. The same applies to the terms “about” and “around” and “substantially”.

Toy Packaging

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