Patent Publication Number: US-2022219094-A1

Title: Expandable toy figurine with break apart housing

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