FLUID RESPONSIVE TOY KIT

Description

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application is a continuation of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 19/300,895 filed Aug. 15, 2025, which claims priority to and the benefit of U.S. Provisional Ser. No. 63/683,366 filed Aug. 15, 2024, the contents of which are incorporated herein in their entirety.

FIELD OF THE DISCLOSURE

The present disclosure relates generally to stuffed toys and, more specifically, to a fluid absorbing toy and a fluid responsive toy kit.

BACKGROUND OF THE DISCLOSURE

Expandable foam characters or creatures, sometimes referred to as “growing toys” have been sold for decades. Known growing toys are made from superabsorbent polymer materials that can absorb and retain extremely large amounts of a liquid relative to its own mass. The liquid absorbed can be water or an organic liquid. The swelling ratio of a superabsorbent polymer can reach the order of 1000:1. Superabsorbent polymers for water are frequently polyelectrolytes. Known “growing toys” include encapsulated toys that expand gradually after being immersed in water for several days. The “growing toys” often shrinks in saltwater or simply from air after being removed from water.

While “growing toys” fill a niche as inexpensive plastic-like toys that get bigger when immersed in water, they aren't well suited for a toy system. Known “growing toys” have limits in the toy industry. The play value is almost entirely limited to the fascination in observing the growth. In addition, various brands of expandable water toys have been recalled due to a choking risk. Super absorbent polymer toys are dangerous if swallowed because, as they increase in size, they can get stuck and obstruct a child's intestines.

It is also known to provide “growing toys” that are formed as plush toys, where the plush toys include one or more layers of fabric. The one or more layers of fabric can be stuffed with stuffing and house a volume of super absorbent polymer. A limitation of these stuffed growing toys is the fact that they are made with are cloth or some similar fabric, and these fabrics become soggy and do not dry well once water is absorbed by the toy for “growing”.

SUMMARY OF THE DISCLOSURE

According to an aspect, there is provided an expandable, fluid absorbing toy, comprising: at least one fluid permeable layer that forms a body of the fluid absorbing toy, the body of the fluid absorbing toy including at least one cavity defined therewithin; and a fluid absorbing material that is contained within the at least one cavity of the body for absorbing a volume of fluid, the fluid absorbing material having sufficient fluid absorbing capacity such that when the volume of fluid is absorbed by the fluid absorbing material, the fluid absorbing material expands in size within the at least one cavity, which in turn drives an expansion of the fluid absorbing toy from a first state to a second, expanded state; wherein the fluid absorbing material has a maximum volume that is associated with a maximum amount of fluid that can be absorbed by the fluid absorbing material; and wherein a volume of the at least one cavity of the body is less than the maximum volume of the fluid absorbing material such that the fluid absorbing material can substantially fill the at least one cavity even when the maximum amount of fluid has not been absorbed by the fluid absorbing material.

According to another aspect, there is provided an expandable, fluid absorbing toy, comprising: at least one fluid permeable layer that forms a body of the fluid absorbing toy, the body of the fluid absorbing toy including at least one cavity defined therewithin; and a fluid absorbing material that is contained within the at least one cavity of the body for absorbing a volume of fluid, the fluid absorbing material having sufficient fluid absorbing capacity such that when the volume of fluid is absorbed by the fluid absorbing material, the fluid absorbing material expands in size within the at least one cavity, which in turn drives an expansion of the fluid absorbing toy from a first state to a second, expanded state; wherein the fluid absorbing material has a maximum capacity for fluid so as to be expandable to a second volume by saturation with the fluid, the second volume being greater than the first volume; and wherein a volume of the at least one cavity of the body is less than the second volume of the fluid absorbing material such that the fluid absorbing material can substantially fill the at least one cavity even when the fluid absorbing material is not substantially saturated with fluid.

According to another aspect, there is provided a fluid responsive toy kit, comprising: a container that includes an at least partially transparent portion through which an interior of the container is visible from an exterior of the container; a dissolvable member that is positioned within the interior of the container, a storage region being defined between the dissolvable member and at least one surface of the interior of the container; and at least one expandable, fluid absorbing toy that is structured for expanding from a first state to a second, expanded state when absorbing fluid; wherein the at least one fluid absorbing toy is held in the first state within the storage region; wherein the storage region is defined within the container such that the at least one fluid absorbing toy is concealed from view from the exterior of the container when in the storage region; and wherein the dissolvable member is structured such that when the container is at least partially filled with fluid and fluid contacts the dissolvable member, the dissolvable member dissolves and the fluid is absorbed by the fluid absorbing toy for driving an expansion of the fluid absorbing toy from the first state to the second, expanded state, the fluid absorbing toy being visible through the at least partially transparent portion of the container when in the second, expanded state.

According to yet another aspect, there is provided a fluid responsive toy kit for use with an expandable, fluid absorbing toy, the fluid responsive toy kit comprising: a container that includes an at least partially transparent portion through which an interior of the container is visible from an exterior of the container; and a dissolvable member that is positioned within the interior of the container, a storage region being defined between the dissolvable member and at least one surface of the interior of the container, the dissolvable member being structured such that the fluid absorbing toy can be held within the storage region when the fluid absorbing toy is in an unexpanded state; wherein the storage region is defined within the container such that the fluid absorbing toy is concealed from view from the exterior of the container when in the storage region; and wherein the dissolvable member is structured such that when the fluid absorbing toy is held in the storage region, the container is at least partially filled with fluid, and the fluid contacts the dissolvable member, the dissolvable member will dissolve and the fluid will be absorbed by the fluid absorbing toy for driving an expansion of the fluid absorbing toy from the unexpanded state to an expanded state, the fluid absorbing toy being visible through the at least partially transparent portion of the container when in the expanded state.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Embodiments will now be described, by way of example only, with reference to the attached Figures, wherein:

FIG. 1 shows an illustration of the fluid absorbing toy according to an embodiment of the present disclosure, where the fluid absorbing toy is a plush toy and is in a second, expanded state;

FIG. 2A shows a cross-sectional view of the embodiment of the fluid absorbing toy of FIG. 1, where the fluid absorbing material is a super absorbent polymer, and the super absorbent polymer is in a dehydrated state that corresponds to a first state of the fluid absorbing toy;

FIG. 2B shows a cross-sectional view of the embodiment of the fluid absorbing toy of FIG. 1, where the fluid absorbing material is the super absorbent polymer, and the super absorbent polymer is in a hydrated state that corresponds to a second, expanded state of the fluid absorbing toy;

FIG. 3 is a schematic illustration of the embodiment of the fluid absorbing toy in FIG. 1, where the fluid absorbing toy is in various stages of expansion and contraction;

FIG. 4 shows a cross-sectional view of the fluid responsive toy kit, according to an embodiment of the present disclosure;

FIG. 5 shows a cross-sectional view of the embodiment of the fluid responsive toy kit of FIG. 4, where the lid of the container is in an exploded configuration;

FIG. 6A shows a cross-sectional view of the embodiment of the fluid responsive toy kit of FIG. 4, where the fluid absorbing toy is held within the storage region of the container and the container is partly filled with liquid;

FIG. 6B shows a cross-sectional view of the embodiment of the fluid responsive toy kit of FIG. 4, where the fluid absorbing toy is held within the storage region of the container and the container is shaken so that the liquid contacts the dissolvable member;

FIG. 6C shows a cross-sectional view of the embodiment of the fluid responsive toy kit of FIG. 4, where the dissolvable member has dissolved and the fluid absorbing toy is released from the storage region of the container; and

FIG. 6D shows a cross-sectional view of the embodiment of the fluid responsive toy kit of FIG. 4, where the fluid absorbing toy is in the second, expanded state and is held within the interior of the base of the container.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE EMBODIMENTS

For simplicity and clarity of illustration, where considered appropriate, reference numerals may be repeated among the Figures to indicate corresponding or analogous elements. In addition, numerous specific details are set forth in order to provide a thorough understanding of the embodiment or embodiments described herein. However, it will be understood by those of ordinary skill in the art that the embodiments described herein may be practiced without these specific details. In other instances, well-known methods, procedures and components have not been described in detail so as not to obscure the embodiments described herein. It should be understood at the outset that, although exemplary embodiments are illustrated in the figures and described below, the principles of the present disclosure may be implemented using any number of techniques, whether currently known or not. The present disclosure should in no way be limited to the exemplary implementations and techniques illustrated in the drawings and described below.

Various terms used throughout the present description may be read and understood as follows, unless the context indicates otherwise: “or” as used throughout is inclusive, as though written “and/or”; singular articles and pronouns as used throughout include their plural forms, and vice versa; similarly, gendered pronouns include their counterpart pronouns so that pronouns should not be understood as limiting anything described herein to use, implementation, performance, etc. by a single gender; “exemplary” should be understood as “illustrative” or “exemplifying” and not necessarily as “preferred” over other embodiments. Further definitions for terms may be set out herein; these may apply to prior and subsequent instances of those terms, as will be understood from a reading of the present description. It will also be noted that the use of the term “a” or “an” will be understood to denote “at least one” in all instances unless explicitly stated otherwise or unless it would be understood to be obvious that it must mean “one”.

As used herein, the terms “comprises” and “comprising” are to be construed as being inclusive and open ended, and not exclusive. Specifically, when used in the specification and claims, the terms “comprises” and “comprising” and variations thereof mean the specified features, steps or components are included. These terms are not to be interpreted to exclude the presence of other features, steps or components.

As used herein, the terms “about” and “approximately” are meant to cover variations that may exist in the upper and lower limits of the ranges of values, such as variations in properties, parameters, and dimensions.

Modifications, additions, or omissions may be made to the systems, apparatuses, and methods described herein without departing from the scope of the disclosure. For example, the components of the systems and apparatuses may be integrated or separated. Moreover, the operations of the systems and apparatuses disclosed herein may be performed by more, fewer, or other components and the methods described may include more, fewer, or other steps. Additionally, steps may be performed in any suitable order. As used in this document, “each” refers to each member of a set or each member of a subset of a set.

The embodiments described herein are exemplary (e.g., in terms of materials, shapes, dimensions, and constructional details) and do not limit by the claims appended hereto and any amendments made thereto. Persons skilled in the art will appreciate that there are yet more alternative implementations and modifications possible, and that the following examples are only illustrations of one or more implementations. The scope of the disclosure, therefore, is only to be limited by the claims appended hereto and any amendments made thereto.

Referring to FIGS. 1, 2A and 2B, there is provided an expandable, fluid absorbing toy 100 according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. FIGS. 2A and 2B provide a section view of the embodiment of the fluid absorbing toy 100 shown in FIG. 1. This embodiment of the fluid absorbing toy 100 comprises at least one fluid permeable layer 110 that forms a body 120 of the fluid absorbing toy 100. The body 120 of the fluid absorbing toy 100 defines the general form and structure of the fluid absorbing toy 100. The body 120 is structured to include at least one cavity 130, where the at least one cavity 130 is defined within the body 120. The fluid absorbing toy 100 further comprises a fluid absorbing material 140 that is contained within the at least one cavity 130 of the body 120 for absorbing a volume of fluid. The fluid absorbing material 140 is structured to have sufficient fluid absorbing capacity such that when the volume of fluid is absorbed by the fluid absorbing material 140, the fluid absorbing material 140 expands in size within the at least one cavity 130, which in turn drives an expansion of the fluid absorbing toy 100 from a first state (such as shown in FIG. 2A) to a second, expanded state (such as shown in FIG. 2B).

The fluid absorbing material 140 has sufficient fluid absorbing capacity such that when the volume of fluid is absorbed by the fluid absorbing material 140, the fluid absorbing material 140 expands in size within the at least one cavity 130, which in turn drives an expansion of the fluid absorbing toy 100 from a first state to a second, expanded state. Said another way, the fluid absorbing material 140 is structured to absorb the volume of fluid and to thereby expand from a dehydrated state to a hydrated state, where the volume of the fluid absorbing material 140 in the dehydrated state is less than the volume of the fluid absorbing material 140 when in the hydrated state.

It is noted that in the context of the present disclosure (as shown in FIGS. 1, 2A, 2B and elsewhere) the term “dehydrated state” refers to the state of the fluid absorbing material 140 before the fluid absorbing material 140 comes into contact with a fluid. This corresponds to the first state of the fluid absorbing toy 100. Similarly, the term “hydrated state” refers to a state of the fluid absorbing material 140 after the fluid absorbing material 140 has been contacted by a fluid and has absorbed at least some of the fluid and has expanded in size such that a volume of the fluid absorbing material 140 is larger. This corresponds to the second, expanded state of the fluid absorbing toy 100.

In the fluid absorbing toy 100 of FIGS. 1, 2A, and 2B, the fluid absorbing material 140 has a maximum volume that is associated with a maximum amount of fluid that can be absorbed by the fluid absorbing material 140. In this same embodiment, the body 120 is structured such that a volume of the at least one cavity 130 of the body 120 is less than the maximum volume of the fluid absorbing material 140 (i.e., when the fluid absorbing material 140 is fully hydrated). In this way, the fluid absorbing material 140 can substantially fill the at least one cavity 130 even when the maximum amount of fluid has not been absorbed by the fluid absorbing material 140.

In at least some embodiments of the present disclosure, the fluid that is absorbed by the fluid absorbing toy 100 comprises water.

In the embodiments of the fluid absorbing toy 100 described herein, the body 120 of the fluid absorbing toy 100 effectively defines the limits of the external shape of the fluid absorbing toy 100. The specific form of the fluid absorbing toy 100 at a given moment is constrained based on the state of the fluid absorbing material 140. When the fluid absorbing material 140 is in the dehydrated state, the body 120 of the fluid absorbing toy 100 is not substantially full (i.e., the body 120 contains empty pockets of space, such as shown in FIG. 2A), and the body 120 of the fluid absorbing toy 100 can be collapsed on itself to thereby compress the fluid absorbing toy 100 and shrink an amount of space that the fluid absorbing toy 100 takes up. When the fluid absorbing material 140 is in the hydrated state (shown, for example, in FIGS. 1 and 2B), the fluid absorbing material 140 has expanded in volume within the at least one cavity 130 of the body 120 and fills at least a portion of the at least one cavity 130. By expanding in volume and filling the at least one cavity 130, the fluid absorbing material 140 fills in at least some of the empty pockets of space within the fluid absorbing toy 100 and thereby causes the overall form of the fluid absorbing toy 100 to expand to the second, expanded state.

In at least some embodiments, the fluid absorbing toy 100 is structured such that when the fluid absorbing material 140 has absorbed the volume of fluid and is in the hydrated state, an exterior form of the fluid absorbing toy 100 is of a predetermined shape so that the fluid absorbing toy 100 (in the second, expanded state) has a particular visual appeal. This is shown, for example, in FIG. 1, where the fluid absorbing material 140 is in the hydrated state and the fluid absorbing toy 100 is in a second, expanded state so that the fluid absorbing toy 100 has the appearance of an imaginary animal.

Various structures of the at least one fluid permeable layer 110 are provided for in the present disclosure.

In at least some embodiments of the fluid absorbing toy 100, the at least one fluid permeable layer 110 is structured as a single, fluid permeable layer 110 and this single, fluid permeable layer 110 is composed of one material.

In at least some other embodiments of the fluid absorbing toy 100, the at least one fluid permeable layer 110 is structured as the single fluid permeable layer 110, but the single fluid permeable layer 110 is composed of multiple materials.

In still other embodiments of the fluid absorbing toy 100 such as shown in FIGS. 2A and 2B, the at least one fluid permeable layer 110 is structured as two or more layers, where each of these two or more layers is composed of one or more materials. In these embodiments, the at least one fluid permeable layer 110 includes both an outer layer 112 and at least one inner layer 114.

In the specific embodiment provided in FIGS. 2A and 2B, the fluid absorbing toy 100 comprises the outer layer 112 and a single inner layer 114. The outer layer 112 has a complex form and is structured to provide a visually appealing form to the fluid absorbing toy 100. The inner layer 114 has a substantially ovular form and is composed of at least one flexible material such that the structure of the inner layer 114 is at least partially flexible. The outer layer 112 of the fluid absorbing toy 100 is closed off so as to form a continuous shape, and the continuous shape of the outer layer 112 defines an interior cavity 132 therewithin. The inner layer 114 is held within the interior cavity 132 inside the outer layer 112. The inner layer 114 is also closed off to form a continuous shape. The closed off structure of the inner layer 114 defines the least one cavity 130 within the inner layer 114, and the fluid absorbing material 140 is held within this at least one cavity 130.

In general, regardless of the number of layers that makeup the at least one fluid permeable layer 110, the at least one fluid permeable layer 110 of the fluid absorbing toy 100 can be said to comprise at least the outer layer 112. In the embodiments where the at least one fluid permeable layer 110 includes only a single, fluid permeable layer 110, then the single, fluid permeable layer 110 defines the outer layer 112. In the embodiments where the at least one fluid permeable layer 110 includes two or more layers, the outer layer 112 is defined by an outermost layer of these two or more layers, and the at least one fluid permeable layer 110 will also comprise at least one inner layer 114.

In an additional embodiment, the outer layer 112 of the at least one fluid permeable layer 110 of the fluid absorbing toy 100 is structured as a substantially non-flexible layer. By providing a substantially non-flexible outer layer 112, the outer layer 112 can define an exterior shape of the fluid absorbing toy 100 when the fluid absorbing toy 100 is in the second, expanded state.

In an embodiment such as shown in FIGS. 1, 2A, 2B, and 3, the at least one fluid permeable layer 110 includes at least one fabric layer.

In the specific embodiment provided in FIGS. 1, 2A, 2B and 3, each of the inner and outer layer 112, 114 are composed of fabric such that the outer layer 112 is a fluid permeable outer fabric layer, and the inner layer 114 is a single fluid permeable inner fabric layer. The fluid permeable outer fabric layer is stitched in a shape corresponding to the second, expanded state of the fluid absorbing toy 100. The fluid permeable inner fabric layer is positioned inside the outer fabric layer and is stitched to form the at least one cavity 130 therewithin.

In an additional embodiment such as shown in FIGS. 1, 2A, 2B, and 3 where the at least one fluid permeable layer 110 includes at least one fabric layer, the fluid absorbing toy 100 is a plush toy 102. The plush toy 102 can be provided with various structures and configurations as is well known in the art of plush toys.

In the specific embodiment provided in FIGS. 1, 2A, 2B and 3, the plush toy 102 comprises a main body 120 that defines both a head and torso of the toy. The plush toy 102 includes a number of appendages 104 (i.e., arms, legs, ears, and tail) and a face portion 106 that gives the plush toy 102 a life-like appearance. The outer layer 112 of the plush toy 102 is structured as a soft, fabric layer. Most, or all, of the plush toy 102 can be made of cotton, flannels, soft knits, or any other suitable soft fabrics.

In an additional embodiment where the at least one fluid permeable layer 110 is composed of at least one fabric layer, the at least one fabric layer is sewn together so as to form the body 120 of the fluid absorbing toy 100. The at least one layer can be a single piece of fabric that is sewn on itself or can be a plurality of fabric pieces that are sewn together so as to collectively form the body 120 of the fluid absorbing toy 100.

In the embodiments where the at least one fluid permeable layer 110 includes both the outer layer 112 and the at least one inner layer 114, and the inner and outer layers 112, 114 include pieces of fabric that are stitched together, the stitches are structured with finer density than the individual particles of the fluid absorbing material 140 so as to prevent individual particles of fluid absorbing material 140 from leaking between the stitches holding the inner and outer layers 112, 114 together.

In the embodiments where the at least one fluid permeable layer 110 includes both the outer layer 112 and the at least one inner layer 114, various compositions and structures of each of outer layer 112 and at least one inner layer 114 can be utilized.

In an embodiment, the outer layer 112 of the at least one fluid permeable layer 110 is structured as a resilient, substantially non-flexible layer.

In an additional embodiment, the outer layer 112 of the at least one fluid permeable layer 110 is structured as a resilient, substantially non-flexible fabric layer that comprises at least one fabric material.

In another, additional embodiment, the at least one fabric material of the substantially non-flexible fabric layer is a water penetrable fabrics typical of those being used in stuffed toys. Non-limiting examples of such water penetrable fabrics include Velboa, EF Velboa, micro-fiber filament, and Velour.

In an embodiment, the at least one inner layer 114 of the at least one fluid permeable layer 110 is made of at least one fluid permeable material.

In some embodiments, the at least one inner layer 114 is composed of at least one flexible, resilient material. The at least one inner layer 114 is structured to be partially flexible such that the at least one inner layer 114 can expand with the expansion of the fluid absorbing material 140.

In other embodiments, the at least one inner layer 114 is structured to be substantially non-flexible and the at least one inner layer 114 is large enough such that the fluid absorbing material 140 can fully expand within the at least one cavity 130 defined within the at least one inner layer 114.

In embodiments where at least one fluid absorbing material 140 that is held within the inner layer 114 is composed of particles of at least one fluid absorbing material 140, the at least one inner layer 114 is composed of at least one material that has a sufficiently small porosity/sufficiently high density such that individual particles of the at least one fluid absorbing material 140 cannot pass through the inner layer 114 when the at least one fluid absorbing material 140 is in a non-expanded state (i.e., prior to any absorbing of the fluid by the fluid absorbing material 140).

In an additional embodiment, the at least one inner layer 114 is structured to be substantially hydrophilic.

In another additional embodiment, the at least one inner layer 114 is composed of a hydrophilic, non-woven layer of fabric. Non-limiting examples of such fabric include non-woven polypropylene.

Referring to FIG. 3, there is provided a step-by-step, schematic diagram of the shape changing of the fluid absorbing toy 100 described herein. Due to the fluid absorbing material 140 that is contained within the at least one fluid permeable layer 110 of the fluid absorbing toy 100, the fluid absorbing toy 100 is capable of expanding and shrinking between at least the first state and the second, expanded state. In the specific embodiment provided in FIG. 3, the fluid absorbing toy 100 is capable of expanding and shrinking between at least the first, shrunken state (III), a partially expanded state (II) and the second, expanded state (I).

In the embodiments where the fluid absorbing toy 100 includes the outer layer 112 that is substantially non-flexible, the outer layer 112 defines a predetermined exterior shape of the fluid absorbing toy 100. As shown in FIGS. 2A and 3, when the fluid absorbing material 140 has not absorbed the fluid, the at least one outer layer 112 and the body 120 of the fluid absorbing toy 100 can collapse inwards or be compressed to take up less volume. When the fluid absorbing toy 100 is placed in a fluid or fluid is applied onto the fluid absorbing toy 100, the fluid passes through the at least one fluid permeable layer 110 and is absorbed by the at least one fluid absorbing material 140. This causes the fluid absorbing material 140 to begin to expand and fill up the at least one cavity 130 within the fluid absorbing toy 100. As the fluid absorbing material 140 expands to a point where it at least partially fills the cavity 130 within the body 120, the at least one outer layer 112 of the fluid absorbing toy 100 will be driven to expand until it takes on the exterior shape of the fluid absorbing toy 100. This corresponds to the second, expanded state of the fluid absorbing toy 100. Due to the substantially non-flexible nature of the at least one outer layer 112, the at least one outer layer 112 will prevent further expansion of the fluid absorbing material 140 beyond this second, expanded stage, and the fluid absorbing toy 100 will continue to have the predetermined, exterior shape until the fluid within the fluid absorbing material 140 dries up and the fluid absorbing material 140 returns to the dehydrated state.

In the fluid absorbing toy 100 as described herein, various types, structures, and compositions of the fluid absorbing material 140 may be utilized for providing a fluid absorbing toy 100 that is capable of absorbing fluid and expanding from the first state to the second, expanded state.

In general, the fluid absorbing material 140 has a maximum capacity for fluid so as to be expandable to a second volume by saturation with the fluid, where the second volume is greater than the first volume.

In at least some embodiments of the present disclosure, a volume of the at least one cavity 130 of the body 120 of the fluid absorbing toy 100 is less than the volume of the fluid absorbing material 140 such that the fluid absorbing material 140 can substantially fill the at least one cavity 130 even when the fluid absorbing material 140 is not fully saturated with fluid.

In an embodiment, the fluid absorbing material 140 comprises at least one fluid absorbing polymer.

In an additional embodiment such as shown in FIGS. 2A and 2B, the at least one fluid absorbing polymer of the fluid absorbing material 140 comprises at least one super-absorbent polymer (SAP) 142. Non-limiting examples of the SAP 142 include an acrylic-based water absorbent resin and a sodium acrylate polymer such as a sodium salt polymer of polyacrylic acid.

Super absorbent polymers are macromolecules that are characterized as not easily releasing water after absorbing tens to hundreds of times its own weight and after having pressure applied to some measure. Classified as a hydrogels, these polymers absorb aqueous solutions through hydrogen bonding with water. SAP's ability to absorb water is a factor of the ionic concentration of an aqueous solution. In deionised and distilled water, SAP may absorb five-hundred times its weight, but when put into a 0.9% saline solution, the absorbency drops to maybe fifty times weight. The presence of valent cations in solution will impede the polymer's ability to bond with the water molecule.

Generally, super absorbent polymers are polymerized with hydro monomers such as —OH, —NH₂, —COOH, —SO₃H, with cross-linkers to form networks of three-dimensional composition. For hydro monomers, partially neutralized acrylic acid is used. For composition methods of bulk polymerization, solution polymerization, inverse suspension and inverse emulsion, polymerization methods are known to be used. Superabsorbent polymers are most commonly made from the polymerization of acrylic acid blended with sodium hydroxide in the presents of an initiator to form a sodium salt polymer of polyacrylic acid.

Various compositions of the SAP 142 may be utilized as the fluid absorbing material 140 of the present disclosure.

In an exemplary embodiment shown in FIGS. 2A and 2B, the SAP 142 comprises a volume of bead-shaped (e.g., pearl-shaped, sphere-shaped, and oval-shaped, etc.) SAP 142. The diameter of the expanded beads in the SAP 142 can be selected accordingly to the density of the at least one fluid permeable layer 110. For example, the higher density the at least one fluid permeable layer 110 has, the diameters of beads can be relatively smaller; and the lower density the at least one fluid permeable layer 110 has, there is a need for using beads of SAP 142 with larger diameters.

In an alternate embodiment not shown in the drawings, the SAP 142 is formed as a powder of SAP 142.

In an additional embodiment, a weight of the SAP 142 powder in the fluid absorbing toy 100 is in a range from about 3.0 grams to about 6.0 grams.

In embodiments where the at least one fluid absorbing material 140 comprises the SAP 142, the SAP 142 is contained within the at least one cavity 130 of the body 120.

In an embodiment, the composition of the SAP 142 is such that the volume of fluid which can be absorbed by the volume of SAP 142 is greater than an additional volume of fluid which can be absorbed by the at least one fluid permeable layer 110. This enables the SAP 142 to absorb excess fluid from the at least one fluid permeable layer 110.

In at least some embodiments of the present disclosure, the SAP 142 is structured for absorbing a second volume of fluid within the at least one cavity 130, and the SAP 142 has sufficient fluid absorbing capacity such that when the second volume of fluid is absorbed by the SAP 142, the SAP 142 expands in size within the at least one cavity 130, which in turn drives an expansion of the fluid absorbing toy 100 from the first state to the second, expanded state. In this embodiment, the second volume of fluid which can be absorbed by the SAP 142 is greater than the first volume of fluid which can be absorbed by the at least one fluid permeable layer 110 such that the SAP 142 can absorb excess fluid from the at least one fluid permeable layer 110.

In an additional embodiment, the SAP 142 contained within the at least one cavity 130 is structured to be more hydrophilic than the material(s) of the at least one fluid permeable layer 110 (i.e., to have a greater affinity for the fluid). By providing an SAP 142 with more hydrophilicity that the at least one fluid permeable layer 110, the SAP 142 can draw out fluid that cannot be absorbed by the at least one fluid permeable layer 110, but which remains on the surface of the fluid permeable layer 110. For example, when the fluid absorbing toy 100 is at least partially submerged in the fluid and is then removed, a first volume of fluid is absorbed by at least one fluid permeable layer 110, and at least some fluid which cannot be absorbed by the fluid permeable layer 110 remains on an interior or exterior surface of the fluid permeable layer 110 (i.e., the fluid permeable layer 110 becomes saturated). At the same time, as the fluid permeable layer 110 absorbs the first volume of fluid, the SAP 142 absorbs a second volume of fluid. Because the SAP 142 has a greater affinity for the fluid than the fluid permeable layer 110, the SAP 142 will draw fluid either from interior surface of the at least one fluid permeable layer 110 into SAP 142, or from exterior surface of the fluid permeable layer 110, through the fluid permeable layer 110 and into SAP 142. In this way, the second volume of fluid absorbed by SAP 142 will includes a sub-volume of unabsorbed fluid from the interior and/or exterior surface of the at least one fluid permeable layer 110. The removal of this unabsorbed fluid from the surface of the at least one fluid permeable layer 110 will effectively dry the surfaces of the fluid absorbing toy 100 and provided a “dry” feel on the exterior of the fluid absorbing toy 100 for a user.

While the above explanation of the fluid absorbing material 140 absorbing excess fluid on the at least one fluid permeable layer 110 is specific to an SAP 142, it will be readily understood that the above-described functionality of the SAP 142 for absorbing excess fluid could be achieved by various other compositions of the fluid absorbing material 140.

In the embodiments where the at least one fluid permeable layer 110 includes the fluid permeable outer fabric layer that is stitched in a predetermined shape and the fluid permeable inner fabric layer that is positioned inside the outer fabric layer, the SAP 142 is structured to absorb the second volume of fluid and expands in size within the at least one cavity 130 such that the fluid absorbing toy 100 will take the predetermined shape of the fluid permeable outer fabric layer as the fluid absorbing toy 100 expands to the second, expanded state.

The present disclosure also provides a toy container for use with a fluid responsive toy, such as the fluid absorbing toy 100, as part of a toy kit.

Referring to FIGS. 4 to 6D, there is provided a fluid responsive toy kit 200 according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. The fluid responsive toy kit 200 comprises a container 210. The container 210 includes an at least partially transparent portion through which an interior 222 of the container 210 is visible from an exterior of the container 210. The fluid responsive toy kit 200 also comprises a dissolvable member 240 that is positioned within the interior 222 of the container 210. The dissolvable member 240 can be removably or fixedly positioned within the interior 222 of the container 210. The interior 222 of the container 210 also comprises a storage region 250, where the storage region 250 is defined between the dissolvable member 240 and at least one inner surface 212 of the container 210. Additionally, the fluid responsive toy kit 200 includes at least one expandable, fluid absorbing toy that is structured for expanding from the first state to the second, expanded state when absorbing a volume of the fluid.

In an embodiment of the present disclosure such as shown in FIG. 5, and 6A to 6D, the at least one expandable, fluid absorbing toy is the fluid absorbing toy 100.

In the fluid responsive toy kit 200 of the present disclosure, the at least one fluid absorbing toy 100 is held in the first state within the storage region 250 of the container 210. The storage region 250 is defined within the container 210 such that the at least one fluid absorbing toy 100 is concealed from view, from the exterior of the container 210, when held in the storage region 250 in this first state.

The dissolvable member 240 of the fluid responsive toy kit 200 is structured such that when the container 210 is at least partially filled with fluid and the fluid contacts the dissolvable member 240, the dissolvable member 240 dissolves and the fluid is absorbed by the fluid absorbing toy 100 for driving an expansion of the fluid absorbing toy 100 from the first state to the second, expanded state. The structure of the container 210 is such that the fluid absorbing toy 100 becomes visible through the at least partially transparent portion of the container 210 when in the fluid absorbing toy 100 expands to the second, expanded state.

While the embodiment of the fluid responsive toy kit 200 described above is specific to the inclusion of at least one fluid absorbing toy 100 within the storage region 250, it will be readily understood that in at least some embodiments, the kit 200 (including the container 210 and the dissolvable member 240) could be provided/sold separate from the fluid absorbing toy 100, and fluid absorbing toy 100 could be purchased separately and added into the storage region 250 of the container 210 by a user before or after filling container 210 with fluid.

Furthermore, while the embodiment of the fluid responsive toy shown in FIGS. 5 to 6D includes the fluid absorbing toy 100, it will be readily understood that in other embodiments, other types/versions of at least one expandable fluid absorbing toy may be utilized as part of the fluid responsive toy kit 200.

The dissolvable member 240 of the fluid responsive toy kit 200 may have various compositions, provided that the dissolvable member 240 is at least partially resilient (for retaining the fluid absorbing toy 100 within the storage region 250 when the fluid absorbing toy 100 is in the first state) and will substantially dissolve or lose its structural integrity when contacted by the fluid.

As provided above and as shown in FIGS. 4, 5, and 6A to 6B, the dissolvable member 240 is position-able within the container 210 of the fluid responsive toy kit 200. The dissolvable member 240 is generally structured to be liquid soluble, dissolvable, or dispersible. Possible compositions of the dissolvable member 240 can comprise or include either a dissolving compound or a dissolvable compound with a binder. The dissolving compound can comprise, in non-limiting examples, paper, other compounds of cellulose, mannitol, calcium phosphates, dibasic calcium phosphates, cellulosic salts such as sodium carboxymethyl cellulose, cyclodextrine, laevulose, maltitol, polydextrose, sucrose, glucose, inulin, sorbitol or xylitol.

In the specific embodiment provided FIGS. 4, 5, and 6A to 6B, the dissolvable member 240 is shaped as a disk such that the dissolvable member 240 can be received within and held within the container 210. It will be appreciated that alternate embodiments (including different shapes) of the dissolvable member 240 can be provided as part of the fluid responsive toy kit 200.

In an additional embodiment, the container 210 of the fluid responsive toy kit 200 comprises a base 220 and a lid 230 that is removable attachable to the base 220. The structure of the container 210 includes both the lid 230 and the body 120 so that interior 222 of the container 210 is accessible for filling with fluid and so that the fluid absorbing toy 100 can be removed from the interior 222 of the container 210 once the fluid absorbing toy 100 has expanded to the second, expanded state within the fluid.

In an embodiment, the base 220 and lid 230 of the container 210 are releasably connected by a threaded connection, where each of the base 220 and the lid 230 include threads that can be threadably received together (such as thread 224 on the base 220, and thread 238 on the lid 230 shown in FIGS. 4 and 5).

In the specific embodiment provided in FIGS. 4 to 6D, the container 210 is structured to have a jar-like form. The base 220 of the container 210 has a substantially-hollow, jar-like form. The base 220 includes a main portion 226, and a tapered portion 227 that leads into a neck 225. The lid 230 of the container 210 is structured as a screw-on type lid 230 where the base 220 and lid 230 are releasably connectable by the threads 224, 238. The threads 224, 238 are provided on both the lid 230 and the base 220. The threads 224, 238 of each of the lid 230 and the base 220 include a helical thread portion.

In other embodiments not shown in the drawings, the lid 230 and base 220 of the container 210 can be removably attachable via alternative known means for connecting a lid 230 onto a container 210 body 120 (i.e., a snap-in-place lid 230).

As provided above, the container 210 of the fluid responsive toy kit 200 defines a storage region 250 between at least one inner surface 212 of the container 210 and the dissolvable member 240, where the fluid absorbing toy 100 can be held within the storage region 250 in the first state such that the fluid absorbing toy 100 is concealed from view.

In an embodiment such as provided in FIGS. 4 to 6D, the storage region 250 of the container 210 is defined within the lid 230 of the container 210 such that the fluid absorbing toy 100 can be held within the lid 230 and substantially concealed from view. In this embodiment, the dissolvable member 240 is connected to the lid 230. The at least one inner surface 212 of the container 210 includes at least one lower surface of the lid 230 such that the storage region 250 in the container 210 is at least partially defined by the at least one lower surface of the lid 230 and the dissolvable member 240.

In the specific embodiment provided in FIGS. 4 to 6D, the lid 230 is a multi-part lid 230 that can be taken apart so as to remove an old dissolvable member 240 and reconnect a new dissolvable member 240 to the lid 230. The lid 230 comprises a lid cover 232 that defines an outer surface of the lid 230 and includes a cover member 232a that is a disc which is shaped to sealingly engage the top of the base 220 and a mounting ring 232b that is annular and extends vertically downwards from a perimeter edge of the cover portion 232a. The thread 238 is provided on an interior surface of the mounting ring 232b of the lid cover 232. An underside of the lid cover 232 includes a connection recess for receiving other parts of the lid 230 and releasably connecting the lid cover 232 and the other parts of the lid 230. The lid 230 also comprises a lid frame 234. The lid frame 234 is connectable to the connection recess of the lid cover 232. Like the lid cover 232, the lid frame 234 comprises a lid frame disc 234a, and an enclosure ring 234b that extend vertically downwards from a perimeter of the horizontal disc. The lid frame 234 has a partially hollow interior 222 that defines a sidewall 230b and a top interior surface 230a. In this embodiment, the sidewall 230b and top interior surface 230a define the at least one interior surface 212 of the container 210 such that the storage region 250 is defined between the dissolvable member 240, the sidewall 230b, and the top interior surface 230a.

Referring again to the specific embodiment provided in FIGS. 4 to 6D, the lid 230 comprises a dissolvable member retaining ring 236. The dissolvable member retaining ring 236 is releasably connectable to the enclosure ring 234b of the lid frame 234. The dissolvable member retaining ring 236 includes a lip 236a and a mounting ring 236b. The lip 236a extends radially inwards from a bottom end of the mounting ring 236b such that an opening 236c of the dissolvable member retaining ring 236 is defined by the lip 236a. The mounting ring 236b snugly fits on the outer surface of the enclosure ring 234b. As shown in FIG. 4, when the dissolvable member retaining ring 236 is connected to the lid frame 234, a small gap exists between the lip 236a of the dissolvable member retaining ring 236 and a bottom of the enclosure ring 234b of the lid frame 234. The dissolvable member 240 has a sufficient thickness so that it can fit between, and be held in place by, the lid frame 234 and the lip 236a of the dissolvable member retaining ring 236. When held in this position, the dissolvable member 240 extends across the opening 236c defined in the dissolvable member retaining ring 236. With the dissolvable member 240 being held in place by the dissolvable member retaining ring 236, the storage region 250 is defined between the dissolvable member 240, the sidewalls 230b and the top interior surface 230a.

As provided above, the container 210 of the fluid responsive toy kit 200 comprises an at least partially transparent portion through which the interior 222 of the container 210 is visible from the exterior of the container 210. Various arrangements and configurations of this at least partially transparent portion may be provided as part of the various embodiments of the container 210 of the fluid responsive toy kit 200.

In an embodiment such as shown in FIGS. 4 to 6D, the base 220 of the container 210 defines the at least partially transparent portion of the container 210.

In an additional embodiment, substantially the entire base 220 is structured to be transparent.

In the specific embodiment provided in FIGS. 4 to 6D, the base 220 of the container 210 is structured to be substantially wholly transparent. In this way, any object (such as the fluid absorbing toy 100) that resides within the interior 222 of the base 220 will be visible through the main portion 226 of the base 220. In this same embodiment, the lid 230 is structured to be non-transparent. In this way, any object (such as the fluid absorbing toy 100) that is contained within the storage region 250 in the lid 230 will be concealed from view and not visible through the substantially wholly transparent base 220 of the container 210.

The base 220 and lid 230 of the container 210 may be made from various suitable materials. Non-limiting examples of suitable materials include a polymeric material such as PET (polyethylene terephthalate).

It is described above that the fluid absorbing toy 100 is concealed from view. In some embodiments, it will be noted that the presence of the storage region 250 is concealed from view. For example, as can be seen in FIG. 6A, when the container 210 is viewed edge-on, there is no indication that the storage region 250 is present at all. This is because the bottommost surface of the dissolvable member 240 and the bottommost surface of the retaining ring 236 do not extend below the bottommost surface of the lid 230. Worded another way, the bottommost surface of the lid cover 232, which is the bottom edge of the mounting ring 232b, extends down at least as far as the bottommost surface of the dissolvable member retaining ring 236, so as to obscure from view the storage region 250 that is defined by the dissolvable member 240, and the lid frame 234.

While the above embodiment of the container 210 of the fluid responsive toy kit 200 are specific to the storage region 250 of the container 210 being defined within the lid 230 of the container 210, it will be readily understood that other arrangements of the storage region 250 may be possible. For example, the container 210 could include a false bottom that is made of a substantially non-transparent material. The fluid absorbing toy 100 could be held within a storage region defined within this false bottom, and the dissolvable member 240 could be connected to the false bottom on top of the fluid absorbing toy 100 such that the fluid absorbing toy 100 is substantially concealed from view within the false bottom.

In another embodiment, the container may include a side wall that is hollow and which contains the storage region that is covered by a vertically oriented dissolvable member.

Providing the storage region 250 in the lid 230 however, is particularly advantageous because the dissolvable member 240 is kept from contact with any liquid in the container 210 until the user decides to shake the container 210.

The use of the fluid responsive toy kit 200 will now be described with specific referenced to FIGS. 6A to 6D.

Referring first to FIG. 6A, the fluid absorbing toy 100 is the plush toy 102, and the fluid absorbing toy 100 is held in the first, unexpanded state within the storage region 250 of the lid 230 of the container 210. The lid 230 of the container 210 has been previously removed and a liquid 300 has been added to the interior 222 of the base 220 to fill up the container 210 at least partially. At this point, the fluid absorbing toy 100 is in the first state (the fluid absorbing material 140 is in the dehydrated state) and is retained in the storage region 250 of the lid 230 by the dissolvable member 240 that extends across the opening 236c in the dissolvable member retaining ring 236. The fluid absorbing toy 100 is concealed from view within the storage region 250 and is not visible from the exterior of the container 210 via the transparent portion of the base 220.

Referring next to FIG. 6B, the transformation and revealing of the fluid absorbing toy 100 within the container 210 is shown to be instigated by a user agitating (e.g., shaking) the contents of the container 210. Due to this shaking, the liquid 300 moves around within the interior 222 of the base 220 and contacts the dissolvable member 240 through the opening 236c in the dissolvable member retaining ring 236.

As shown in FIG. 6C, once the liquid 300 contacts the dissolvable member 240 to a sufficient degree, the dissolvable member 240 substantially, dissolves, and the liquid 300 is then able to pass towards the storage region 250 of the container 210 (i.e., the storage region 250 in the lid 230 shown in FIGS. 6A to 6D). At the same time, because the dissolvable member 240 has dissolved, the fluid absorbing toy 100 is no longer retained in the storage region 250 by the dissolvable member 240, and the fluid absorbing toy 100 is free to pass from the storage region 250, down into the liquid 300 contained within the interior 222 of the base 220 of the container 210. As the fluid absorbing toy 100 becomes submerged in the liquid 300 within the container 210, the fluid absorbing toy 100 absorbs a volume of the liquid 300. As described above, the volume of liquid 300 passes through the at least one fluid permeable layer 110 of the fluid absorbing toy 100 and is absorbed by the fluid absorbing material 140 within the at least one cavity 130 of the fluid absorbing toy 100. The fluid absorbing material 140 absorbs the liquid 300 and expands, thereby driving the body 120 of the fluid absorbing toy 100 to expand from the first state to the second, expanded state shown in FIG. 6D. Depending upon the absorbency of the fluid absorbing material 140 within the at least one cavity 130 of the body 120 and the amount of fluid added, the fluid absorbing material 140 will expand or swell, possibly leaving substantially no (unabsorbed) fluid in the container 210. The lid 230 of the container 210 can then be removed from the base 220 and the expanded fluid absorbing toy 100 can be removed from the interior 222 of the container 210.

The specific embodiments described above have been shown by way of example, and it should be understood that these embodiments may be susceptible to various modifications and alternative forms. It should be further understood that the above-described embodiments are intended to be examples of the present disclosure and alterations and modifications may be effected thereto, by those of skill in the art, without departing from the scope of the disclosure that is defined solely by the claims appended hereto.

REFERENCE NUMERALS

• • 100 fluid absorbing toy
  • 102 plush
  • 104 appendages
  • 106 face portion
  • 110 fluid permeable layer
  • 112 outer layer
  • 114 inner layer
  • 120 body
  • 130 cavity
  • 132 interior cavity
  • 140 fluid absorbing material
  • 142 super absorbent polymer (SAP)
  • 200 kit
  • 210 container
  • 212 inner surface of the container
  • 220 base
  • 222 interior of the container
  • 224 thread
  • 225 neck
  • 226 main portion
  • 227 tapered portion
  • 230 lid
  • 230a top interior surface
  • 230b sidewalls
  • 232 lid cover
  • 232a cover member
  • 232b mounting ring
  • 234 lid frame
  • 234a lid frame disc
  • 234b enclosure ring
  • 236 dissolvable member retaining ring
  • 236a lip
  • 236b mounting ring
  • 236c opening
  • 238 thread
  • 240 dissolvable member
  • 250 storage region
  • 300 liquid