Toy Play Set with Viscoelastic Fluid

The present application relates generally to toys and, in particular, to a toy set with an appearance-changing surprise element.

Through the years, toys have provided amusement and entertainment for children. That is, toys have some inherent play value. To increase this play value, various features, such as surprise, action, and/or movement features, have been incorporated into some toys. There is a continuing desire for more interesting and varied toy features, for example, to surprise or otherwise entertain a child.

A toy set is presented herein. According to some embodiments, the toy set includes a container configured to receive a liquid, a powder material configured to mix with the liquid in the container to produce a viscoelastic fluid, and a toy configured to be disposed within the container and having a coating configured to dissolve within the viscoelastic fluid. Mixing the powder material, the coating, and the liquid to provide the viscoelastic fluid creates a surprise element from interacting with the toy set.

According to other embodiments, the toy set includes a toy having a liquid-soluble coating configured to dissolve within a liquid to provide a fluid solution of a first color. The toy set also includes a powder material configured to cross-link upon contact with the fluid solution to provide a viscoelastic fluid of a second color, different from the first color. Providing the viscoelastic fluid having a different color than the fluid solution creates a surprise element from interacting with the toy set.

According to further embodiments, the toy set includes a powder material configured to cross-link upon contact with a liquid to provide a viscoelastic fluid of a first color. The toy set also includes a toy having a liquid-soluble coating configured to dissolve upon contact with the viscoelastic fluid. Dissolving of the liquid-soluble coating within the viscoelastic fluid changes the first color of the viscoelastic fluid to a second color, different from the first color. Changing the color of the viscoelastic fluid creates a surprise element from interacting with the toy set.

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

The toy set presented herein adds play value by providing a surprise element to a user, such as a child. For example, the toy set may include a powder material and a toy (e.g., a toy figure or a toy vehicle) with a liquid-dissolvable coating (e.g., paint). A user can interact with the toy set by mixing the powder material and the toy together with a liquid, such as water. When the powder material is mixed with the liquid, a viscoelastic fluid, such as slime, is created. The viscoelastic fluid and/or liquid further dissolves the liquid-dissolvable coating of the toy. Additionally, when the liquid-dissolvable coating is dissolved (e.g., by the liquid), a fluid solution is produced that may also interact and further mix with the viscoelastic fluid, e.g., to determine the color of the viscoelastic fluid.

In some embodiments, the liquid-dissolvable coating covers or obscures an appearance of the toy, such as facial features of a toy figure. Thus, dissolving the liquid-dissolvable coating via the viscoelastic fluid and/or liquid may reveal the appearance of the toy in a surprising manner. Furthermore, creating the viscoelastic fluid via mixture of the liquid and the powder material may also provide a surprising experience by transforming the texture of the powder material and the liquid. Further still, mixing the fluid solution and the viscoelastic fluid and/or using the fluid solution to create the viscoelastic fluid may change an initial appearance of the viscoelastic fluid. As an example, mixing the fluid solution and the viscoelastic fluid may change a color of the viscoelastic fluid. The changed appearance of the viscoelastic fluid may further provide a surprise element. Thus, mixing the toy (or at least a coating thereof), the powder material, and the liquid with one another may provide various features that enhance the interactive experience with the toy set.

is a schematic diagram of a toy set or toy play set. The toy setincludes a toy container, which is adjustable between an open configuration and a closed configuration. In the open configuration, an interior of the toy containeris exposed, whereas in the closed configuration, the interior of the toy containeris covered. The toy setalso includes a powder materialand a toy(e.g., a toy figurine, a toy vehicle). The powder materialand the toymay each be arranged in the toy container. By way of example, the interior of the toy containeris accessible in the open configuration to enable the powder materialand the toyto be positioned in the interior.

The toy containeris also configured to receive a liquid, such as water, which may mix with the powder materialand the toy. For example, in the closed configuration, the toy containermay block egress of the powder material, the toy, and the liquidfrom the interior, thereby forcing the powder material, the toy(or at least the coatingthereof), and the liquidto contact and mix with one another. Such mixture may change an appearance of the powder material, the toy, and/or the liquid.

As an example, mixing the powder materialand the liquidmay create a first viscoelastic fluid (e.g., a non-Newtonian fluid) composed of the powder materialand the liquid. In some embodiments, contact between the powder materialand the liquidcauses a reaction that forms the first viscoelastic fluid. For instance, the powder material(e.g., slime powder) may include polymers that cross-link upon contact with the liquid, such as by activating a boron cross-linker, to form the first viscoelastic fluid (e.g., slime), which may include a moist, soft, and/or slippery fluid, such as a gelatinous substance, having a different texture and profile than that of the powder materialor the liquid.

As another example, contact between the liquidand the toymay change an appearance of the toy. By way of example, the toymay include a base layerand a coating(e.g., an opaque coating) that at least partially covers the base layer, thereby obscuring an appearance of the base layerand hiding an identity of the toy. Thus, the base layeris not visible from one or more perspectives, and the appearance of the toyis primarily established by the coating. As such, the coatingprovides a surprise element for the user, because a user may initially be unable to ascertain an appearance of the toy, such as to identify or recognize the toyfrom a set of multiple toys. However, it should be noted that although the coatingobscures the base layer, the coatingmay not hide a shape or profile of the toy. For example, while the coatingremains applied to the toy, the general structure of the toymay remain discernable (e.g., the head, torso, arms, and legs of the toymay remain identifiable).

Contact between the liquidand the coatingdissolves the coating, thereby removing the coatingfrom the base layerand forming a fluid solution composed of the liquidand the coating. To this end, the coatingis composed of a liquid-soluble material, such as a water-soluble paint. Removal of the coatingfrom the base layerexposes the base layer. The base layeris not liquid-soluble and therefore remains applied to the toyupon contact with the liquid. Thus, the appearance of the toyis primarily established by the base layer, instead of by the coating, after the liquidhas dissolved the coating. The base layermay have a different appearance, such as a different color, than that of the coating. As such, the appearance of the toyis changed by dissolving the coating.

Furthermore, an appearance of the first viscoelastic fluid formed from mixture between the powder materialand the liquidcan be changed during interaction with the toy set. For instance, the powder materialmay be of a first color (e.g., blue) such that mixture between the powder materialand the liquidforms or begins to form the first viscoelastic fluid having the first color. Then, if the coatingof the toyis a second color (e.g., yellow), dissolving of the coatingin the liquidcan form a fluid solution of the second color. In fact, the first viscoelastic fluid and the fluid solution may mix to form a second viscoelastic fluid having a third color (e.g., green) that is a mixture of the first color and the second color. Or, put another way, the coating, the powder material, and the liquidmay mix to form a viscoelastic fluid that has a color provided based on colors of the coating, the powder material, and/or the liquid. In any case, the viscoelastic fluid will have an appearance based on interaction between the powder material, the liquid, and the coating. The changes in appearances of various components of the toy setmay enhance the interactive and surprising experience provided to a user.

During any of the aforementioned mixing processes, the toy containermay control the amount of liquidintroduced into a mixture. For example, the toy containermay be sized to receive an amount of liquid that ensures that the coatingis fully dissolved (e.g., by enabling the toyto be fully covered by the liquid) and/or that the viscoelastic fluid is fully formed. Additionally or alternatively, the toy, with or without the coating, may act as an agitator during a mixing process, and the toy containermay be sized accordingly. That is, the toyand/or toy containermay be sized to allow the toyto move within the toy containerand agitate the powder material, coating, and/or liquidto encourage these components to intermix and/or interact.

is a perspective front view of the toy container. The toy containerincludes a body, which defines an interior, and a capcouplable to the body. For example, the capmay be coupled to the bodyto cover the interiorand transition the toy containerto a closed configuration, and the capmay be detached from the bodyto expose the interiorand transition the toy containerto an open configurationas depicted herein. In some embodiments, the toy containermay initially be in the closed configuration and may store the toyand the powder materialin the interior. For instance, the powder materialmay be disposed within sealed packagingto group the powder materialtogether and avoid scattering the powder material throughout the interior. However, the powder materialmight also be secured in the interiorwithout separate packaging (e.g., disposed on or adhered to one or more walls). In the open configuration, the toyand the powder materialare accessible and can be removed from the interiorof the toy container.

is a perspective front view of the toy containerin which the powder material, the toy, and the liquidare being mixed together in the interiorof the toy container. For instance, the sealed packagingmay be opened, such as via a tear strip and/or a perforation, to enable the powder materialwithin the sealed packagingto be directed out of the sealed packagingand placed in direct contact with the liquid. Contact between the powder materialand the liquidmay begin forming a first viscoelastic fluidwithin the interior, such as by activating a cross-linking reaction. Additionally, placing the liquidand the toywithin the interiorplaces the liquidin contact with the coatingof the toy. As a result, the liquidbegins dissolving the coatingfrom the sealed packaging.

In some embodiments, the capis initially filled with the liquid, such as to an indiciaformed on the cap, and the liquidis then transferred (e.g., poured) from the capinto the interiordefined by the body. The indiciamay indicate an amount of the liquidthat forms the first viscoelastic fluidand dissolves the coatingin a desirable manner, such as to sufficiently (e.g., fully) dissolve the coatingwithout hindering formation of the first viscoelastic fluid(e.g., by inhibiting the cross-linking reaction) that otherwise may occur under presence of an excessive amount of the liquid. In other words, filling the capwith the liquidto the indiciaand then transferring the liquidfrom the capto the bodyenables the powder material, the toy, and the liquidto mix and provide a desirable interactive experience.

Moreover, in certain embodiments, the toy containermay be particularly shaped or otherwise configured to enable the powder material, the toy, and the liquidto mix desirably. As an example, the interiordefined by the bodymay be sized to accommodate a corresponding size of the toy, as well as to enable the liquidto immerse the toyto fully mix with the coating. As another example, the bodymay avoid forming corners, pockets, or other areas that can entrap the powder materialand inhibit the powder materialfrom mixing with the toyand/or with the liquid. As a further example, interior surfaces of the toy containermay be composed of and/or coated with a material (e.g., a non-stick material) that limits friction during contact. Such coating may facilitate movement of the powder material, the toy, and/or the liquidalong the interior surfaces and within the interior, thereby correspondingly facilitating mixture of the powder material, the toy, and/or the liquidwith one another. Indeed, the interior surface of the toy containermay be composed of a first material to facilitate mixture of the powder material, the toy, and/or the liquidwith one another, and the exterior surface of the toy containermay be composed of a second material, different from the first material. The second material may, for instance, provide sufficient friction during contact to facilitate gripping of the toy containerby a user.

illustrates the toy containerin the closed configurationin which the capis coupled to the body. Thus, the capcovers the interiorto contain the powder material, the toy, and the liquidwithin the interior. For example, the closed configurationof the toy containermay enable a userto shake the toy containerand cause the powder material, the toy, and the liquidto move within the interiorwithout being ejected out of the toy container, thereby causing the powder material, the toy, and the liquidto contact and mix with each other. For example, shaking the toy containermay agitate the powder material, the toy, and the liquidto promote mixture thereof. Consequently, shaking the toy containermay facilitate removal of the coatingfrom the toyto provide the fluid solutionand/or facilitate mixture between the liquidand the powder materialto provide the first viscoelastic fluid(or a combination of both).

Additionally, shaking the toy containermay also promote mixture of the fluid solutionand the first viscoelastic fluidwith one another to provide a second viscoelastic fluid. In some embodiments, shaking the toy containerfor a first duration of time (e.g., 1 to 3 minutes) provides the fluid solutionand the first viscoelastic fluid, and shaking the toy containerfor a second duration of time (e.g., an additional 1 to 5 minutes) after the first duration of time provides the second viscoelastic fluid. During any such shaking, the toymay agitate the powder material, liquid, and/or coatingto promote full mixing.

In some embodiments, the fluid solution, the first viscoelastic fluid, and/or the second viscoelastic fluidare at least partially opaque to obscure an appearance/identity of the toyin the toy container. Thus, even though the coatingof the toymay be dissolved during shaking of the toy container, the appearance of the toymay remain obscured and undiscernible by the user. Therefore, the surprise element of the appearance of the toyis still preserved while the powder material, the toy, and the liquidare being mixed (e.g., the user has to remove the toyfrom the toy containerto see the appearance of the base layerof the toy).

is a perspective view of the toy containerin the open configurationwith the capdetached from the bodyto expose the interior. In the illustrated embodiment, the toy containeris in the open configurationafter the toy containerhas been shaken to mix the powder material, the toy, and the liquidwith one another. Thus, the toyand the second viscoelastic fluidare removable from the toy container. As a result of mixture between the liquidand the toyto dissolve the coating, as well as removal of the toyfrom the toy containerto separate from the second viscoelastic fluid, the base layerof the toyis visible.

By way of example, the base layermay include facial features, skin complexion, and/or clothing accessories that were previously covered by the coatingand therefore not initially visible. Thus, the toychanges appearance during removal of the coatingcovering the base layer. Additionally, mixture between the fluid solutionand the first viscoelastic fluidforms the second viscoelastic fluid(e.g., from the liquid, the powder material, and the coating). Thus, the toy setinitially contains the toyand the powder materialprior to interaction, and the toy setsubsequently contains the second viscoelastic fluidand the toyafter interaction. Such a change in the configuration of the toy setprovides the surprise element that enhances the interactive experience for a user.

Further, the second viscoelastic fluidmay have a different appearance than the first viscoelastic fluid. For example, directing the liquidinto contact with the toyand the powder materialmay initially provide the first viscoelastic fluidhaving a first color. However, further mixing between the powder material, such as by shaking the toy containerthat contains the powder material, the toy, and the liquid, provides the second viscoelastic fluidhaving a second color, different from the first color.

By way of example, the coatingmay be of a third color, different from the first color and the second color, such that the fluid solutioncomposed of the liquidand the coatingis of the third color. Consequently, mixing the fluid solutionof the third color and the first viscoelastic fluidof the first color may create the second viscoelastic fluidof the second color, which is a mixture of the first color and the third color. In certain embodiments, the liquidmay also have a fourth color (e.g., different from the first color, the second color, and the third color) such that the second viscoelastic fluidis a color that is a mixture of the first color, the third color, and the fourth color. Indeed, the second viscoelastic fluidmay have any suitable color that is effectuated by mixture of the powder material, the toy, and the liquidwith one another.

Although the techniques discussed herein are primarily directed to the mixing between the powder material, the toy, and the liquid, the powder material, the toy, and the liquidmay mix in any suitable manner to provide a final arrangement of the toyand a viscoelastic fluid. As an example, in additional or alternative embodiments, the liquidinitially dissolves the coatingfrom the toyto form the fluid solution, and the fluid solutioncontacts the powder materialto directly form the second viscoelastic fluid. In other words, the second viscoelastic fluidmay be formed as a result of mixture between the fluid solutionand the powder material. As another example, in further embodiments, the liquidinitially mixes with the powder materialto form the first viscoelastic fluid, and the first viscoelastic fluidcontacts the toyto dissolve the coatingand directly form the second viscoelastic fluid. That is, the second viscoelastic fluidis formed as a result of mixture between the first viscoelastic fluidand the coating. Indeed, any suitable combination of the powder material, the toy, and the liquidmay mix (e.g., to form the fluid solutionand/or the first viscoelastic fluid) to form the second viscoelastic fluidand the toywith the coatingdissolved.

is a flowchart of a methodfor interacting with a toy set, such as the toy set. The methodmay be performed differently than depicted in additional or alternative embodiments. For example, an additional operation may be performed, and/or any of the operations depicted in the methodmay be performed differently, performed in a different order, and/or not performed. In certain embodiments, the methodmay be performed by a user, such as a child.

At block, a toy, such as a toy figure/figurine and/or a toy vehicle, and a powder material are positioned in a toy container. For example, the toy container is transitioned to an open configuration, such as by decoupling a cap from a body, to expose the interior of the toy container. In some embodiments, the powder material is initially stored in sealed packaging and is removed from the sealed packaging to enable the powder material to be dispersed throughout the interior of the toy container for contact with the toy.

At block, a liquid is added into the toy container to contact the powder material and the toy. In certain embodiments, the liquid is initially added into the cap of the toy container, such as to fill the cap or to reach a target fill level of the cap (e.g., indicated by indicia formed on the cap), and the liquid is then transferred from the cap into the body of the toy container. Such a technique to direct liquid into the toy container may provide a desirable amount of liquid for mixture with the powder material and the toy.

At block, the toy container is shaken to mix the powder material, the toy, and the liquid with one another. To this end, the toy container is transitioned to the closed configuration to block the powder material, the toy, and the liquid from being ejected out of the toy container. Mixing the powder material, the toy, and the liquid with one another changes an appearance of the powder material, the toy, and the liquid. By way of example, the liquid may dissolve a liquid-dissolvable coating of the toy, thereby removing the liquid-dissolvable coating and exposing a base layer of the toy previously covered by the liquid-dissolvable coating. Additionally, the liquid and the powder may mix to provide a viscoelastic fluid that previously was not present in the toy container. Further still, a color of the powder material, the toy, and/or the liquid may change. As an example, the viscoelastic fluid may be of a different color than that of the powder material, the toy, and/or the liquid. For instance, the viscoelastic fluid may be a mixture of the colors of the powder material, the toy, and/or the liquid. In any case, the change in appearance of the toy and the formation of the viscoelastic fluid may provide a surprising experience that enhances the entertainment and play value provided by the toy set.

In certain embodiments, the liquid and the powder initially mix to provide a first viscoelastic fluid (e.g., having a first color) and the liquid initially dissolves the coating of the toy to provide a fluid solution (e.g., having a second color), such as when the liquid is first added into the toy container. The first viscoelastic fluid and the fluid solution then mix together, such as when the toy container is shaken, to provide a second viscoelastic fluid (e.g., having a third color that is a mixture of the first color and the second color). Additionally or alternatively, the liquid and the powder initially mix to provide a viscoelastic fluid (e.g., having a first color), such as when the liquid is first added into the toy container, and the viscoelastic fluid then dissolves the coating (e.g., having a second color) of the toy (e.g., to change the color of the viscoelastic fluid to a third color that is a mixture of the first color and the second color). In further embodiments, the liquid initially dissolves the coating of the toy to provide a fluid solution (e.g., having a first color), such as when the liquid is first added into the toy container, and the fluid solution then mixes with the powder material (e.g., having a second color) to provide a viscoelastic fluid (e.g., having a third color that is a mixture of the first color and the second color). In any of these embodiments, a toy and a final viscoelastic fluid that is composed of the powder material, the coating of the toy, and the liquid are provided.

Although the present disclosure discusses usage of a toy container to facilitate mixing between the powder material, the toy, and the liquid, it should be noted that any suitable technique may be used to mix the powder material, the toy, and the liquid. Indeed, in certain embodiments, the powder material, the toy, and the liquid may be mixed without placing the powder material, the toy, and the liquid in the toy container or any other enclosure. For example, the powder material, the toy, and the liquidmay be placed on and moved about a planar surface to mix with one another. In any case, mixing the powder material, the toy, and the liquid with one another using any suitable technique changes the appearance of the powder material, the toy, and/or the liquid to create a surprise element of the toy set.

While the toy set presented herein has been illustrated and described in detail and with reference to specific embodiments thereof, it is nevertheless not intended to be limited to the details shown, since it will be apparent that various modifications and structural changes may be made therein without departing from the scope of the disclosure and within the scope and range of equivalents of the claims. In addition, various features from one of the embodiments may be incorporated into another of the embodiments. That is, it is believed that the disclosure set forth above encompasses multiple distinct embodiments with independent utility. While each of these embodiments has been disclosed in a preferred form, the specific embodiments thereof as disclosed and illustrated herein are not to be considered in a limiting sense as numerous variations are possible. The subject matter of the disclosure includes all novel and non-obvious combinations and subcombinations of the various elements, features, functions and/or properties disclosed herein. Accordingly, it is appropriate that the appended claims be construed broadly, and in a manner consistent with the scope of the disclosure as set forth in the following claims.

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

Additionally, it is to be understood that terms such as “left,” “right,” “top,” “front,” “bottom,” “rear,” “side,” “height,” “length,” “width,” “upper,” “lower,” “interior,” “exterior,” “inner,” “outer” and the like as may be used herein, merely describe points of reference and do not limit the present disclosure to any particular orientation or configuration. Further, the term “exemplary” is used herein to describe an example or illustration. Any embodiment described herein as exemplary is not to be construed as a preferred or advantageous embodiment, but rather as one example or illustration of a possible embodiment of the disclosure.

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