CONFIGURATIONS

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[0001] The present invention generally relates to toy apparatuses, and more particularly to a surprise assortment toy container changeable by a user in configuration.

[0002] 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.

[0003] Improvements in such surprise toy containers is desirable to increase the interest and enjoyment of the child.

DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0004] 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.

[0005] 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. [0006] 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.

[0007] 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.

[0008] 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.

[0009] 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

[00010] The features of the exemplary embodiments will be described with reference to the following drawings where like elements are labeled similarly, and in which:

[00011] 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;

[00012] FIG. 2 is a bottom perspective view thereof;

[00013] FIG. 3 is a front view thereof;

[00014] FIG. 4 is rear view thereof;

[00015] FIG. 5 is a right side view thereof;

[00016] FIG. 6 is a left side view thereof;

[00017] FIG. 7 is a top view thereof;

[00018] FIG. 8 is a bottom view thereof;

[00019] FIG. 9 is an exploded perspective view thereof;

[00020] FIG. 10 is a front perspective view thereof with doors in a closed position;

[00021] FIG. 11 is a longitudinal cross-sectional view thereof;

[00022] FIG. 12 is a first enlarged detail taken from FIG. 11;

[00023] FIG. 13 is a second enlarged detail taken from FIG. 11;

[00024] FIG. 14 is a top perspective view of the toy container according to the present disclosure in a collapsed condition with doors closed;

[00025] FIG. 15 is a bottom perspective view thereof;

[00026] FIG. 16 is a front view thereof;

[00027] FIG. 17 is rear view thereof;

[00028] FIG. 18 is a right side view thereof;

[00029] FIG. 19 is a left side view thereof;

[00030] FIG. 20 is a top view thereof;

[00031] FIG. 21 is a bottom view thereof;

[00032] FIG. 22 is a longitudinal cross-sectional view thereof showing the telescopic column in a retracted position. [00033] 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

[00034] 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.

[00035] 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.

[00036] 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.

[00037] 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.

[00038] 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.

[00039] 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.

[00040] 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.

[00041] 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.

[00042] 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.

[00043] 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.

[00044] 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). [00045] 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.

[00046] 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.

[00047] 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.

[00048] 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.

[00049] 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.

[00050] 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. [00051] 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.

[00052] 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.

[00053] 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.

[00054] 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.

[00055] 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.

[00056] 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.

[00057] 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. [00058] 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.

[00059] 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.

[00060] 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. [00061] 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.

[00062] Numerous variations of the foregoing method or process are possible.

[00063] 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.