Patent Publication Number: US-2020283195-A1

Title: Surprise assortment toy container with changeable configurations

Description:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     The present invention generally relates to toy apparatuses, and more particularly to a surprise assortment toy container changeable by a user in configuration. 
     Surprise assortment toys such as blind boxes or similar products are popular among children. Such toys generally include a container of some sort which may contain one or more accessory items such as figurines and various other accessories concealed from view of the child. After purchase, the child may open the container to discover and play with its contents. Such containers however are generally relegated to opening and closing functionality without contributing significantly to the play experience of the child. 
     Improvements in such surprise toy containers is desirable to increase the interest and enjoyment of the child. 
     DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
     A toy apparatus includes a surprise toy container having a multi-component body which is collapsible and expandable in overall configuration. The container is changeable between a collapsed condition convenient for product packaging and storage, and an expanded condition for play which reveals an interior space and provides access to accessory items which can be stored inside the container. In the expanded condition, the container provides a plurality of vertically spaced play surfaces which may include an intermediate platform and all of which create play stages for the child and accessories that may be provided with the container. This multi-level play experience contributes to peak the interest of a child and enhance the play experience. 
     In one embodiment, the changeable toy container may have a cylindrical configuration when collapsed to resemble a can. An interior space defined inside the container provides room to store and conceal accessory items when the container is in the collapsed condition. The exact items and/or their nature may therefore be unknown to the child at the point of purchase, thereby creating a surprise for the child once opened. A pair of openable/closeable doors may be provided to better access the interior space for play. 
     In one aspect, a collapsible and expandable toy container comprises: a vertical axis; a base member defining an interior space configured for holding one or more accessory items; a top member; a telescoping column supporting the top member from the base plate, the column vertically movable between an extended position and a retracted position; at least one spring biasing the column towards the extended position; wherein the container is changeable between a lower collapsed condition in which the top member engages the base member, and an upper expanded condition in which the top member is spatially separated from the base member. 
     In another aspect, a collapsible and expandable toy container comprises: a vertical axis; a base plate configured for placement on a support surface, and a sidewall extending upwards from the base plate; the base plate and sidewall collectively defining an interior space configured for holding one or more accessory items; a top cover plate; a telescoping column supporting the cover plate from the base plate, the column vertically extendible and retractable relative to the base plate; at least one spring biasing the column towards an extended position; the column comprising a plurality of column segments slideably coupled together and interlocked to each other to prevent separation under the biasing action of the spring; wherein the container is changeable between a lower collapsed condition in which the top member engages the base member, and an upper expanded condition in which the top member is spatially separated from the base member. 
     In another aspect, a method for operating a toy container comprises: providing the toy container which comprises a base member and a top member movably coupled to the base member by a spring-biased telescoping column, the toy container being in a collapsed condition in which an interior space defined by the base member is covered by the top member; and raising the top member by extending the column, wherein the base member is uncovered to allow access the interior space. In one embodiment, the method may further comprise the top member being rotatably locked to the based member when in the collapsed condition, and rotating the top member relative to the base member to unlock the top member. 
     Further areas of applicability of the present invention will become apparent from the detailed description provided hereinafter. It should be understood that the detailed description and specific examples, while indicating the preferred embodiment of the invention, are intended for purposes of illustration only and are not intended to limit the scope of the invention. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       The features of the exemplary embodiments will be described with reference to the following drawings where like elements are labeled similarly, and in which: 
         FIG. 1  is a top perspective view of a toy container according to the present disclosure in an expanded condition with doors opened and telescoping column in an extend position; 
         FIG. 2  is a bottom perspective view thereof; 
         FIG. 3  is a front view thereof; 
         FIG. 4  is rear view thereof; 
         FIG. 5  is a right side view thereof; 
         FIG. 6  is a left side view thereof; 
         FIG. 7  is a top view thereof; 
         FIG. 8  is a bottom view thereof; 
         FIG. 9  is an exploded perspective view thereof; 
         FIG. 10  is a front perspective view thereof with doors in a closed position; 
         FIG. 11  is a longitudinal cross-sectional view thereof; 
         FIG. 12  is a first enlarged detail taken from  FIG. 11 ; 
         FIG. 13  is a second enlarged detail taken from  FIG. 11 ; 
         FIG. 14  is a top perspective view of the toy container according to the present disclosure in a collapsed condition with doors closed; 
         FIG. 15  is a bottom perspective view thereof; 
         FIG. 16  is a front view thereof; 
         FIG. 17  is rear view thereof; 
         FIG. 18  is a right side view thereof; 
         FIG. 19  is a left side view thereof; 
         FIG. 20  is a top view thereof; 
         FIG. 21  is a bottom view thereof; 
         FIG. 22  is a longitudinal cross-sectional view thereof showing the telescopic column in a retracted position. 
     
    
    
     All drawings are schematic and not necessarily to scale. Parts shown and/or given a reference numerical designation in one figure may be considered to be the same parts where they appear in other figures without a numerical designation for brevity unless specifically labeled with a different part number and described herein. 
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENTS 
     The features and benefits of the invention are illustrated and described herein by reference to preferred but non-limiting exemplary (“example”) embodiments. This description of the embodiments is intended to be read in connection with the accompanying drawings, which are to be considered part of the entire written description. Accordingly, the invention expressly should not be limited to such embodiments illustrating some possible non-limiting combination of features that may exist alone or in other combinations of features; the scope of the invention being defined by the claims appended hereto. 
     In the following description, for purposes of explanation, numerous specific details are set forth in order to provide a thorough understanding of example embodiments. It will be evident to one skilled in the art, however, that embodiments can be practiced without these specific details, or with various combinations of these details. 
     In the description of embodiments disclosed herein, any reference to direction or orientation is merely intended for convenience of description and is not intended in any way to limit the scope of the present invention. Relative terms such as “lower,” “upper,” “horizontal,” “vertical,” “above,” “below,” “up,” “down,” “top” and “bottom” as well as derivative thereof (e.g., “horizontally,” “downwardly,” “upwardly,” etc.) should be construed to refer to the orientation as then described or as shown in the drawing under discussion. These relative terms are for convenience of description only and do not require that the apparatus be constructed or operated in a particular orientation. Terms such as “attached,” “affixed,” “connected,” “coupled,” “interconnected,” and similar refer to a relationship wherein structures may be secured or attached to one another either directly or indirectly through intervening structures, as well as both movable or rigid attachments or relationships, unless expressly described otherwise. 
       FIGS. 1-13  depict the toy container  20  according to the present disclosure in the expanded condition.  FIGS. 14-22  depict the container  20  in the collapsed condition. Although container  20  may have a non-polygonal cylindrical configuration in illustrated embodiment which is described herein, it will be appreciated the container may have other shapes including various polygonal configurations (e.g. hexagonal, octagonal, etc.) and other non-polygonal configurations (e.g. oval). Accordingly, the invention is not limited to the shape of the container illustrated. 
     Referring generally with initial reference to  FIGS. 1-22 , container  20  includes a vertical axis VA, a base member  21 , a top member  22 , and a telescoping column  24  supporting the top member from the base member. Base member  21  includes an arcuately shaped sidewall  25  extending upwards from a base plate  26  configured for placement on a support surface, such as table, floor, or other. Sidewall  25  extends perimetrically and circumferentially around a portion of the peripheral edge of the base plate  26 . Sidewall  25  may be arcuately curved having a semi-circular shape in one embodiment that extends partially around the base plate  26  for less than its full circumference. The base plate defines a bottom surface  32  of container  20  and opposing parallel top surface  34 . Base plate  26  may be circular shaped and extends radially outward from and perpendicular to vertical axis VA. The base plate  26  and sidewall  25  collectively define an interior space  28  configured for holding one or more play accessory items, such as figurines as one non-limiting example. The top surface  34  of base plate  26  may include one or more decorative indicia  26 - 1  in the form of various objects or play characters. The indicia may be integrally formed as a unitary structural part of the molded base plate, or may be stickers/decals adhered to the base plate. 
     Referring to  FIGS. 1-10 , in one embodiment a pair of openable and closeable doors  70  are hingedly coupled to base member sidewall  25  to provide better access to the interior space  28  and base plate  26 ; the base plate forming one of three horizontal play stages or surfaces. Each door  70  is pivotably coupled along one side to one of two available vertical edges of the sidewall  25  by hinges  71 . The remaining sides of each door opposite the hinged sides meet each other when closed creating a double swinging door system with doors that swing open in opposite lateral directions, and together to close. 
     In one embodiment, doors  70  may each be arcuately curved and located on the perimeter portion of base plate  26  not occupied by sidewall  25  and forming an opening. This creates a fully enclosed interior space  28  of the container when the doors are closed. Doors  70  therefore preferably have a radius of curvature substantially the same as sidewall  25  and may be considered to complete the sidewall of the container. The sidewall and doors collectively form a complete uniform circular cylindrical shape of the container when the doors are closed, which resembles a can. To further connote the shape of a can when the container is closed in its collapsed condition, the top cover plate  29  may include a non-movable decorative pull tab  29 - 1 . 
     Top member  22  comprises top cover plate  29  configured to form a closed relationship with the base member  21  when the container  20  is in the collapsed condition (see, e.g.  FIGS. 14-22 ). Cover plate  29  may have a circular shape and extends radially outward and perpendicular to vertical axis VA. Cover plate  29  may be oriented parallel to base plate  26 . Cover plate  29  may have a solid body in construction in one example and defines a top surface  31  of the container  20  and opposing parallel bottom surface  33 . In other embodiments, cover plate  29  may include one or more openings of any size and shape. 
     The telescoping column  24  extends vertically along vertical axis VA. In one arrangement, column  24  may be coaxially aligned and parallel with vertical axis VA. This locates column  24  at the geometric centers of the base plate  26  and cover plate  29 . Column  24  is oriented perpendicularly to base plate  26  and top cover plate  29 . Column  24  defines an internal vertically-extending central passageway  35  extending between the top cover plate and the base plate. 
     In one embodiment, column  24  comprises of a plurality of mechanically interlocked tubular segments  36  of gradually smaller or reduced diameters going from the base member  21  to the top member  22  (best shown in  FIG. 11 ). Each column segment is slideably coupled inside an adjacent segment at a sliding joint to form the telescopic construction. The hollow interiors of the segments  36  each form a portion of the central passageway  35 . In one embodiment, six segments  36  may be used as shown; however, other arrangements may have less or more segments and still retain the ascribed functionality. 
     To retain the column segments  36  in interlocked relationship, one end (e.g. bottom) of each segment includes an annular outside shoulder  39  which mutually engages a corresponding annular inside shoulder  38  on one end (e.g. top) of an adjacent segment to form an interlock relationship which prevents the segments from separating (see, e.g.  FIGS. 13 and 14 ). The segments  36  are not upwardly and axially separable completely from each other due to the mutually engaged shoulders  38 ,  39  when the container  20  moves from the collapsed condition (see, e.g.  FIG. 22 ) to the expanded condition (see, e.g.  FIG. 11 ). 
     Referring to  FIGS. 11-13 , the uppermost column segment  36  is fixedly coupled to the cover plate  36  of the top member  22 . In one construction, the uppermost column segment is rigidly affixed to the bottom surface  33  of the cover plate. The lowermost column segment  36  is slideably coupled to the base member  21 . In one construction, the lowermost column segment may be slideably received in an upwardly open socket  27  of a tubular protrusion such as cylindrical retaining boss  27  disposed on base plate  26  of base member  21 . Boss  27  extends vertically upwards from the center of base plate  26  and is aligned coaxially and parallel to vertical axis VA. The top end  43  of boss  27  defines an annular inside shoulder  39  which engages a corresponding annular outside shoulder  38  on the bottom of the lowermost column segment  36  to retain the lowermost segment. 
     In one embodiment, the retaining boss  27  may a discrete component which is separable from and attached to the base plate  26  as shown in  FIG. 11 . Boss  27  has a body comprising a tubular central portion  46  which defines socket  40 , and an annular stabilizing flange  45  extending radially outwards from the central portion forming an annular step. Boss  27  has an open bottom end  44 . During assembly of the container, this allows the telescoping assembly of column segments  36  to be initially inserted into and through the socket  40  of the boss  27 ; the socket forming a through passage extending completely through the top and bottom ends  43 ,  44  of the boss. Once the column  24  is inserted through the boss  27 , the boss may then be coupled to the base plate  26 , thereby movably trapping and locking the column to the base plate. In one embodiment, the bottom end of boss  27  may be inserted into an upwardly open central receptacle  41  recessed into the top surface of the base plate  26 . The annular stabilizing flange  45  engages the top surface  34  of base plate  26 . 
     Any suitable method may be used to preferably permanently mount the retaining boss  27  to base plate  26  of base member  21 . Some non-limiting examples include adhesives, ultrasonic welding, mutually interlocking mechanical features, or others. In other possible embodiments, however, boss  27  may be detachably mounted to base plate  26  such as via fasteners. This permits the column to be replaced if broken. 
     Column  24  is vertically extendible and retractable relative to the base plate  26  of base member  21  between an upper extended position (see, e.g.  FIG. 11 ) and a lower retracted position (see, e.g.  FIG. 22 ), respectively. The column segments  36  are nested inside each other for a majority of the height of each segment when the container  20  is in the collapsed condition. Conversely, in the expanded condition of the container, a majority of the height of each segment  36  is externally exposed and removed from adjacent segments. Only terminal top and bottom ends of each segment  36  remain coupled together via the mutually engaged annular shoulders  38 ,  39 . 
     Column  24  may be biased towards the extended upper position by a biasing member such as without limitation a spring assembly comprising multiple stacked springs arranged inside central passageway  35  of the column in one implementation. In one embodiment, the spring assembly may include a plurality of coaxially aligned springs comprising a lower spring  51 , intermediate spring  52 , and an upper spring  53  as shown in  FIG. 11 . The bottom end of lower spring  51  engages the top surface  34  of base plate  21  within the socket  40  formed by retaining boss  27 . The top end of upper spring  53  acts on the bottom end but does not enter the uppermost column segment  36  coupled to the cover plate  29 . The springs may be coiled helical straight compression springs or helical conical compression springs in some embodiments which are each coaxially aligned with each other and the vertical axis VA of container  20 . Each of springs  51 - 53  may gradually get smaller in diameter from its respective bottom going to the top of each spring such that the top of each spring has a larger diameter than the bottom of each spring. The maximum diameter of lower spring  51  is larger than the maximum diameter of the intermediate spring  52 , and the maximum diameter of intermediate spring  52  is larger than the maximum diameter of upper spring  53 . 
     A first lower spring spacer  54  is arranged between the lower spring  51  and the intermediate spring  52 , and a second upper spring spacer  55  is arranged between the upper spring  53  and the intermediate spring  52 . The intermediate spring  52  has opposing ends each acting on one of the first and second spring spacers  54 ,  55 . Lower spring spacer  54  may be fixedly connected to the bottom end of one of the intermediate column segments  36  (e.g. second lowermost segment in the illustrated embodiment) such that intermediate spring  52  biases those segments above spacer  54  upwards (see, e.g.  FIG. 12 ). The upper spring spacer  55  maybe slideably disposed in one of the upper column segments  36  and is slideable inside that segment (e.g. second upmost segment in the illustrated embodiment of  FIG. 13 ). The springs  51 - 53  act in concert to bias the telescoping column  24  towards its expanded condition shown in  FIG. 11 . 
     In one embodiment, springs  51 - 53  may preferably each be helical conical compression springs to reduce the compressed or stacked height of each spring due to the telescoping nature of such springs. This allows creation of a reduced height compact container  20  when in its collapsed condition (see, e.g.  FIG. 22 ). The springs act in series to produce a predetermined desired spring force or rate “k” (lbs./inch) necessary to bias the column  24  to its expanded condition shown in  FIG. 11 . In other possible embodiments, helical straight compression springs may be used. The lengths and diameters of the springs may be the same or different in each spring. It is well within the ordinary ambit of those skilled in the art to select the appropriate types of springs, spring diameters, lengths, and rates to achieve the desired functionality of the telescoping column. 
     In an alternative embodiment, the spring spacers may be omitted and a single axially long coil spring of suitable diameter fit inside central passageway  35  of column  24  may be used instead having its bottom end engaged with base plate  26  and opposite top end engaged with the bottom end of the uppermost column segment. If a single spring is used, such a spring may be a helical conical compression spring with gradually reducing diameter going to the top of the column to fit inside the gradually decreasing internal diameter of column segments  36  towards the top of the column. 
     In one embodiment, an intermediate platform  60  may be arranged on column  24  between and spaced apart from the top cover plate  29  and the bottom base plate  26 . Intermediate platform  23  has a radially extending circular body and flat top play surface  61 . The intermediate platform is orientated parallel to cover pleat  29  and base plate  26 . In one embodiment, intermediate platform  23  may be fixedly attached to one of intermediate column segments  36  between the top and bottom ends of the column  24 , and more particularly in one embodiment platform  23  is attached to an intermediate column segment between the lowermost and uppermost segments. Platform  60  includes a downwardly extending tubular collar  65  at its center which defines central aperture  61  configured to receive the top end of an intermediate column segment  36  therethrough. The bottom end  65  of the collar engages an annular outside shoulder  63  at the top end of the intermediate column segment  36  to which the platform  60  is coupled. 
     Intermediate platform  60  is movable upwards and downwards with the action of telescoping column  24  when moved between the extended and collapsed positions. The intermediate platform is disposed inside the interior space  28  of the container beneath the top member cover plate  29  when the container is in the collapsed condition to permit closure of the container. Intermediate platform  60  therefore preferably has a smaller diameter than the top opening of the interior space  28  formed by the base member sidewall  25  and doors  70  when closed. 
     In one embodiment, the underside of intermediate platform  60  may include a pair of hooks  62  configured for attachment of an accessory item, such as a swing as one example to enhance the play experience. 
     The container  20  is changeable between a lower collapsed condition (see, e.g.  FIGS. 14-22 ) in which the top member  22  is disposed proximate to the base member  21 , and an upper expanded condition in which the top member is disposed distal to the base member as previously described herein (see, e.g.  FIGS. 1-13 ). The column segments  36  of telescoping column  24  are nested at least partially inside one another as shown in  FIG. 22  when collapsed producing a reduced compact height of the container. In the collapsed condition, cover plate  29  of top member  22  engages the top edges of the sidewall  25  of the base member (see, e.g.  FIG. 22 ) and doors  70 . Intermediate platform  60  is disposed inside the top portion of interior space  28  of the container when collapsed. 
     To retain the container  20  in its collapsed condition shown in  FIG. 22 , a rotary locking system is provided in one embodiment. Locking tabs  81  are formed on the bottom surface  33  of top cover plate  29  which are configured and arranged to form an interlocked relationship with corresponding locking tabs  80  formed on the inner top edges of the sidewall  25  and optionally on one or both door(s)  70  (see also  FIGS. 1, 2, and 11 ). The locking tabs  80 ,  81  are spaced circumferentially apart on their respective foregoing components. In one example, three pairs of mating locking tabs may be provided. To further secure the doors  70  in the closed position with the base member  21 , the inner bottom edges of the doors  70  include an inwardly extending securement tab  83  near the inner vertical edge of the doors such as at the bottom (see, e.g.  FIG. 1 ). Tabs  83  are received through an outwardly open arcuate securement slot  84  formed in the base member  21  near where the two doors  70  meet along their inner vertical edges (see also  FIG. 2 ). When the doors are in the closed position, the tabs  83  extend through slot  84  into a downwardly open recess  85  formed in the bottom surface  32  of base member  21  to secure the doors in place. 
     The top cover plate  29  is selectively rotatable relative to the sidewall  25  and doors  70  on base member  21  between (1) a locked position in which tabs  80 ,  81  are mutually engaged to retain the top cover plate  29  in a closed position against the upward biasing force of the column spring assembly—the column  24  being in the collapsed position, and (2) an unlocked position in which tabs are disengaged from each other to allow the spring assembly to expand the container and extend the column  24  to its expanded condition which raises the top plate to an upper position. It bears noting that the top cover plate  29  and intermediate platform  60  may each be rotatable relative to base member  21  and independently of each other in some embodiments. 
     An exemplary method or process for operating the toy container will now be briefly described. Toy container  20  may be provided in the closed and collapsed condition shown in  FIGS. 14-22  to start the method/process. The column  24  is in the retracted position and springs  51 - 53  are compressed (see, e.g.  FIG. 22 ). The top cover plate  29  is rotationally locked to the base member  21  (i.e. sidewall  25 ) via mutual engagement between locking tabs  80  and  81 . Both the base member locking tabs  80  on sidewall  25  and optionally any on the door(s)  70  are engaged by the locking tabs  81  on the underside of top cover plate  29 . Doors  70  are closed. Interior space  28  defined by the base member  21  is covered and concealed by the cover plate and doors, thereby blocking any accessory items stored in this space from external view. 
     To open the toy container, top cover plate  29  is turned and rotated in a first direction about vertical axis VA by the user. This unlocks the cover plate from the base member  21  by disengaging the mating locking tabs  80 ,  81 . Column  24  extends under the biasing action of springs  51 - 53 , moving from the initial retracted position to the extend position. This concomitantly raises the top cover plate with the column as it expands to its maximum separation distance from the base member  21 , thereby fully opening the toy container  20  to its expanded condition (see, e.g.  FIGS. 1 and 11 ). This exposes interior space  28  in the base member to provide access to any accessory items located therein. During extension of the telescoping column, it bears noting that the intermediate platform  60  initially nested inside the interior space  28  when the container was in the collapsed condition also is automatically raised and emerges from the interior space. 
     To reclose the toy container  20 , the foregoing process is essentially reversed. The top cover plate  27  may be  29  may be pushed downwards towards the base member  21  against the upward biasing action of spring  51 - 3 , thereby collapsing the telescoping column  24  which returns to its retracted position with the springs now fully compressed (see, e.g.  FIG. 22 ). While the user holds the cover plate  27  against the top of sidewall  25  of the base member  21 , the cover plate is rotated in an opposite second direction to the first unlocking direction, thereby re-engaging the locking tabs  80  and  81  once again. The top cover plate may now be released as the springs can no longer separate the cover plate and base member. 
     Numerous variations of the foregoing method or process are possible. 
     While the foregoing description and drawings represent exemplary (“example”) embodiments of the present invention, it will be understood that various additions, modifications and substitutions may be made therein without departing from the spirit and scope and range of equivalents of the accompanying claims. In particular, it will be clear to those skilled in the art that the present invention may be embodied in other forms, structures, arrangements, proportions, sizes, and with other elements, materials, and components, without departing from the spirit or essential characteristics thereof. In addition, numerous variations in the methods/processes as applicable described herein may be made without departing from the spirit of the invention. One skilled in the art will further appreciate that the invention may be used with many modifications of structure, arrangement, proportions, sizes, materials, and components and otherwise, used in the practice of the invention, which are particularly adapted to specific environments and operative requirements without departing from the principles of the present invention. The presently disclosed embodiments are therefore to be considered in all respects as illustrative and not restrictive, the scope of the invention being defined by the appended claims and equivalents thereof, and not limited to the foregoing description or embodiments. Rather, the appended claims should be construed broadly, to include other variants and embodiments of the invention, which may be made by those skilled in the art without departing from the scope and range of equivalents of the invention.