METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR HOLIDAY TOY

A capsule used for a holiday event is a spherical shaped capsule with a specialized pattern formed on its exterior surfaces. The capsule may be made of plastic and the specialized patterning may be a matzo pattern. A method for using the capsule can be to hide the capsule during a holiday meal or throughout the holiday as part of a game. Prizes can be placed within the capsule having a matzo pattern.

BACKGROUND

This application is directed to the field of holiday toys, in particular the application is related to holiday toys for use during Jewish events, such as a Seder.

2. Description of the Related Art

During Passover, the hunt for the “afikoman” (which means “that which comes after” or “dessert” in Greek) is a way to keep kids engaged in the often lengthy Seder meal until the end. Early in the Seder, the leader takes the middle of three matzos (or matzas or matzahs) on the Seder table and breaks it into two pieces. The smaller piece returns to its place between the two matzos, and the larger piece is set aside to be eaten as dessert after the meal in commemoration of the paschal sacrifice. The matzo that is set aside for dessert is called the afikoman and is traditionally hidden during the Seder to be searched for by the children present. The leader cannot close the Seder until the dessert matzo is found and eaten.

People enact the matzo tradition in various ways but many families have the custom of hiding the afikoman. Either the children grab the afikoman at some point when the leader isn't looking and hold it captive until the adults find it in the house and pay a ransom, or, the adults hide the afikoman and the children have to find it in order to move the night along. A prize of a special coin, candy or gift is often given to whoever locates the hidden matzo.

SUMMARY

Briefly described, aspects of the present disclosure relate to a holiday toy and method for using the holiday toy.

An aspect of the present disclosure is a method for playing a game with a capsule. The method comprises hiding a spherical capsule during a holiday meal, wherein the spherical capsule comprises; a top portion having a top ridge; a bottom portion having a bottom ridge, wherein the bottom ridge is adapted to engage the top ridge, wherein when the top ridge engages the bottom ridge the capsule is secured and forms the spherical capsule, wherein the formed spherical capsule has an interior portion adapted to hold an object; wherein the top portion has a matzo pattern formed thereon and the bottom portion has a matzo pattern formed thereon, wherein the matzo pattern formed on the top portion and the matzo pattern formed on the bottom portion are substantially similar patterns; searching for the spherical capsule; finding the spherical capsule; and opening the spherical capsule, wherein within the spherical capsule is the object.

Another aspect of the present disclosure is a capsule. The capsule comprises a first portion having a first exterior surface and a first interior surface, wherein the first portion comprises a first ridge; a second portion having a first exterior surface and a second interior surface, wherein the second portion comprises a second ridge, wherein the first ridge of the first portion is adapted to engage with the second ridge of the second portion, wherein when the first portion engages with the second portion a capsule is formed, wherein the interior of the capsule is adapted to hold an object; wherein the first portion has a first pattern formed on the first exterior surface of the first portion, wherein the first pattern formed on the first exterior surface of the first portion is a matzo pattern; and wherein the second portion has a second pattern formed on the second exterior surface of the second portion, wherein the second pattern formed on the second exterior surface of the second portion is a matzo pattern.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

To facilitate an understanding of embodiments, principles, and features of the present disclosure, they are disclosed hereinafter with reference to implementation in illustrative embodiments. Embodiments of the present disclosure, however, are not limited to use in the described systems or methods and may be utilized in other systems and methods as will be understood by those skilled in the art familiar with this disclosure.

Referring toFIGS. 1-5, shown is an embodiment of a capsule10. The capsule10shown inFIGS. 1-5is made from two components, a top portion12and a bottom portion18. The top portion12has an exterior surface, which has a pattern formed thereon, and an interior surface. The bottom portion18has an exterior surface, with a pattern formed thereon, and an interior surface. It should be understood that the two components are referred to herein as the top portion12and the bottom portion18, however the designations as top portion and bottom portion are arbitrary and the top portion may be the bottom portion and vice versa. The capsule10is spherical in shape when assembled. The top portion12may form half a sphere while the bottom portion18may form a complementary half of a sphere to the hemi-spherical top portion12.

In an embodiment, the capsule is formed from more than two portions and is formed from a plurality of components that interlock together. In an embodiment, the capsule if formed from three portions. In an embodiment, the capsule if formed from four portions. In an embodiment, the capsule is formed from five portions. In an embodiment, the capsule is formed from six portions. In an embodiment, the capsule is formed from at least five portions. In an embodiment, the capsule if formed from at least ten portions.

Returning toFIGS. 1-5, when the capsule10is assembled the capsule10has a hollow cavity formed by the top portion12and the bottom portion18. Items, such as candy, money, toy prizes, figurines, etc. may be stored within the assembled capsule10. In an embodiment, food is stored with the assembled capsule10. In an embodiment, random, collectible toys are stored within the assembled capsule10. In an embodiment, gift codes are stored within the assembled capsule10.

In order to attach the top portion12to the bottom portion18a top ridge14and a bottom ridge16are formed on the interior portions of the top portion12and the bottom portion18. The top ridge14and the bottom ridge16snap together in order to securely form the spherical capsule10. When the top portion12and the bottom portion18are snapped together the top ridge14and the bottom ridge16are not visible from the exterior of the capsule10.

In an embodiment, the portions of the capsule are sealed together so that when sealed the portions are airtight. In an embodiment, the portions are secured together so that a combination is required in order to unlock the portions. In an embodiment, the portions are secured together so that a puzzle needs to be solved in order to take the portions apart. In an embodiment, the ridges are located at different locations on the capsule besides the middle of the capsule. For example, the ridges may be located closer to one end of the capsule versus another end of the capsule. In an embodiment, the capsule has more than one set of ridges, one set of ridges located closer to one of end of the capsule versus the other set of ridges. In an embodiment, the capsule has more than one set of ridges, one set of ridges located closer to one of end of the capsule versus the other set of ridges wherein located within the middle of the capsule is a barrier to separate one end of the capsule from the other end of the capsule.

Referring toFIGS. 1-5, in an embodiment, the top portion12and the bottom portion18are attached with a hinge and remains connected via the hinge during the opening and closing process.

In an embodiment, the top portion and the bottom portion are connected via magnets formed in the interior portion of the top portion and the bottom portion. The two halves are then magnetically secured. In an embodiment, the top portion and the bottom portion are both entirely magnetic and secured together. In an embodiment, the top portion and the bottom portion are frangibly secured and can contain an unknown prize that was placed within the capsule during the manufacturing process. This may be used to have collectible items stored therein.

Referring toFIGS. 1-5, the capsule10has formed thereon a pattern that causes the capsule10to have a matzo pattern when assembled. The matzo pattern may be painted on the exterior. In an embodiment, the matzo pattern is formed with a molding process, or otherwise applied in such a manner so as to leave a capsule10formed with the matzo pattern on the exterior. Likewise, the same process may be used to form a matzo ball.

Referring toFIGS. 1-5, the matzo pattern (design) comprises a repeated pattern of small circles and dots of various sizes in a line to resemble the coloration and patterns of a matzo. As discussed above, the capsule10may be opened or closed to store candy, toys, figurines or any other items desired to be placed therein during an event, such as Jewish holidays, for example Passover. In an embodiment, the educational material is placed within the capsule10, the educational material may contain information and facts regarding the holiday.

The capsule10may be used in addition to or in lieu of hiding the afikoman during the holiday as mentioned above. Additionally, the capsule10may be used for other events, such as, but not limited to, Rosh Hashanah, Hanukkah, and other religious or non-religious holidays and occasions (Bris, Bat Mitzvah, Bar Mitzvah, Shabbat, etc.). The capsule10may be used for year-round use as a party favor, centerpiece, or simply décor for a home or building. Additionally, the capsule10may also be used to send and/or receive a gift to a person.

In an embodiment, a capsule is used as the packaging for mailing the gift to the person. When used as packaging for mailing an item the capsule is made of durable material that is secured in a manner so that it will not become opened during the mailing process. In an embodiment, the packaging is a cardboard product that has a matzo pattern. The exterior of the capsule has packing tape secured thereto in order to prevent the packaging from being opened. The packaging can then both be used to ship an item and as a decorative item.

This matzo patterned capsule provides a new way for families to celebrate Passover and other holidays or occasions by providing an option for them to fill the capsule with a prize or toy or gift to then hide and find it in lieu of using the actual matzos. Additionally, the capsules may be used as a supplement to the use of matzos. In practice the capsule can be used in the same manner as matzos, but utilized in a manner so that the hollow nature of the capsule can add or supplement the traditional use of matzos.

In addition to those embodiments and modifications discussed above additional embodiments may be employed for use of the capsule. In an embodiment, the capsule is a single portion that has an item placed therein and the capsule itself formed around it. In an embodiment, an item is placed within an injection mold and the capsule is formed around the item. In use the capsule may be broken open in any manner seen fit in order to retrieve the item stored therein.

In an embodiment, the capsule is made from more than two portions. In an embodiment, the capsule if formed from one shell placed within another shell. The embedded capsules are opened in a “Russian doll” in order to access the capsules embedded within the larger capsules. In an embodiment the capsule is solid and made of a solid material, such as wood, or metal. In an embodiment, the portions are connected via a bridge.

In an embodiment, the capsule is matzo “ball” patterned (i.e. designed) versus a matzo patterned (designed) capsule. In an embodiment, there is a matzo pattern (design) on the exterior and interior of the capsule. In an embodiment, there is a matzo pattern on top or bottom of the capsule. In an embodiment, the matzo pattern is in different colors on the interior or exterior of the capsule. In an embodiment, the capsule has different textures. In an embodiment, the upper portion has a different texture than the lower portion. In an embodiment, the outside of the lower portion and the upper portion have different textures than the inside of the lower portions and the upper portions.

In an embodiment, the capsule has any type of matzo ball or matzo texture (versus design or pattern). In an embodiment, the capsule has an actual matzo pattern (from an actual matzo, versus stylistic design). In an embodiment, the capsule has a matzo pattern and texture. In an embodiment the capsule has only a matzo pattern. In an embodiment, the matzo has only the texture.

In an embodiment, the capsule is square-shaped, rectangular-shaped, egg-shaped or another random shaped designed capsule. In an embodiment, the capsule is polygonal.

In an embodiment, the capsule is edible. For example, the top portion or the bottom portion, or both portions may be made from a matzo-based material. In an embodiment, the top portion or the bottom portion, or both portions may be made from a hard candy-based material.

In an embodiment, the capsule is coated, matte, or has another finish type. In an embodiment, the capsule is textured with indentations. In an embodiment, the capsule is textured with raised bumps. In an embodiment, the capsule is textured with a random rough pattern. In an embodiment, the capsule is textured like a matzo. In an embodiment, the capsule is decorated with items, for example sequins or beads.

In an embodiment, the capsule has a magnetic top and bottom halve. In an embodiment, the capsule is collapsible. In an embodiment, the capsule is one piece and has an opening that permits access to the interior of the capsule. In an embodiment, the capsule is one piece and has flaps forming the entryway into the interior of the capsule.

In an embodiment, the capsule is filled with fluid. In an embodiment, the exterior shell is hollow and filled with a fluid. In an embodiment the exterior shell of the top portion is hollow and filled with fluid and the bottom portion is hollow and filled with a different type of fluid. In an embodiment, the capsule has a plush exterior or interior surface. In an embodiment, the exterior surface is plush and the interior surface of the capsule is hard.

In an embodiment, half of the capsule if filled with a wax material with a wick while the other half of the capsule serves as a cover for the capsule filled with wax material. In an embodiment, the candle portion is scented. In an embodiment, the candle portion is scented as a matzo or matzo ball. In an embodiment, the candle portion is scented as a traditional holiday food item. In an embodiment, the candle portion is scented as an associated holiday aroma.

In an embodiment, the capsule is scented. In an embodiment the capsule is scented as a matzo or matzo ball. In an embodiment the capsule can be drawn on, painted on or colored on by magic marker, pencil, pen, crayon, dyes, etc. There may be pre-printed patterns on the capsule that are matzo patterned (designed). In an embodiment, the capsule surface is a different color than the matzo pattern placed on the capsule. It should be understood that capsule surface and the matzo design may be any color, including both being any color or each one having multiple colors.

In an embodiment the capsule may be made from material other than plastic. In an embodiment, the capsule is made from silk. In an embodiment, the capsule is made from yarn. In an embodiment, the capsule is made from metal. In an embodiment, the capsule is made from thread. In an embodiment, the capsule is made from cotton. In an embodiment, the capsule is made from wood. In an embodiment, the capsule is made from rubber. In an embodiment, the capsule is made from a plant-based sustainable material. For example, the capsule may be made of bamboo. In an embodiment, the capsule is bio-degradable and able to be composted or planted. In an embodiment, the capsule contains seeds or other organic based material that is able grow when planted.

In an embodiment, the capsule is pre-filled with toy, prize, information, paper, etc. In an embodiment the capsule has strands or strips for hanging. In an embodiment, the capsule has holes in the body of capsule or at either or both ends. In an embodiment, the capsule has raised holes to put thread or string through, in a manner such as an ornament.

In an embodiment, the capsule glows in the dark. In an embodiment, the capsule has blinking lights. In an embodiment, the capsules emit signals that are receivable by a phone or other smart device. The smart phone may then be used to interact with or find the capsules. For example, the capsule may have a Bluetooth signal emitter operably connected to a power source.