Toy including flexible container with mechanical base and method of making same

• US 6,488,556 B2
• Filed: 01/08/2001
• Issued: 12/03/2002
• Est. Priority Date: 01/08/2001
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Fres-co System USA, Inc.
• Original Assignee: Fres-co System USA, Inc.
• Inventors: Galomb, David E.
• Primary Examiner(s): Banks, Derris H.
• Assistant Examiner(s): Cegielnik, Urszula M
• Application Number:
  US09/756,146
• Publication Number:
  US 20020090879A1
• Time in Patent Office: 694 Days
• Field of Search: 446/73, 446/78, 446/74, 446/71, 383/63, 383/86, 215/900, 220/666, 220/703
• US Class Current: 446/73
• CPC Class Codes: A63H 11/00 Self-movable toy figures
• CPC Class Codes: A63H 3/005 for use as container containers B65D
• CPC Class Codes: Y10S 215/90 Collapsible wall structure

Abstract

A toy including stand up flexible pouch or other flexible type pouch affixed to a rollable mechanical base and method of making the toy. When assembled, the toy may be manually or remotely controlled to roll or move about in a predetermined direction or fashion. The flexible pouch is shaped and printed to resemble a desired character while still maintaining its ability to contain a product. The base apparatus includes rolling members, e.g., wheels, to allow the base to be rolled or otherwise moved across a surface. The pouch and base are joined together, for example, by heat sealing, ultrasonic sealing, adhesives, etc. The rollable base may include a battery or other power source and/or electronics allowing for remote controllability of the assembled toy. The flexible pouch may contain a separate food or other product and a fitment, snap closure or other type of reclosure as desired.

Claims

1. A toy having an interior for holding a product, said toy formed of a flexible material suitable for being hermetically sealed with the product located within said interior, said toy comprising:

a base having a bottom section arranged for moving on a surface, said bottom section including at least one rolling member to enable said base to roll across the surface, said base including an upper section having a predetermined circumference; and

a sealable pouch that opens to define said interior, said pouch formed of a flexible material and having first and second panels connected to each other, each of said panels including a lower end portion having an outside surface, and an inside surface, said inside surfaces opening to form a lower mouth therebetween, said lower mouth being sealed about said circumference of said upper section of said base.

2. The toy of claim 1, said pouch further having a third panel sealed to said pouch along said lower end portion, said third panel extending between the base and the interior to close off and isolate said interior of said pouch from said base.

3. The toy of claim 2, said third panel being coupled to said lower mouth and said base along said circumference of said upper section.

4. The toy of claim 1, said pouch including a sealable end that opens to provide access to the product in said interior, said sealable end arranged for closing and sealing the product in said interior upon closure of said sealable end.

5. The toy of claim 4, said sealable end including a fitment that secures to said pouch.

6. The toy of claim 5, said fitment including a connector hermetically sealed to said pouch, said connector providing a conduit for access to said interior, said fitment also including a cap that removably couples to said conduit.

7. The toy of claim 4, said sealable end including inside portions that conjoin to form an upper mouth for said pouch, said upper mouth being openable to provide access to the interior of the toy, said upper mouth including a snap closure arranged for closing and sealing the product.

8. The toy of claim 1, said pouch configured to resemble a toy.

9. The toy of claim 1, said lower mouth being sealed about the outside of said upper section of said base.

10. The toy of claim 1, said lower mouth being sealed about the inside of said circumference of said upper section of said base.

11. The toy of claim 1, said base including a motor to turn said at least one rolling member as desired to roll said base across the surface.

12. The toy of claim 11, said base further including a steering mechanism to control the direction and speed of rotation of said at least one rolling member.

13. The toy of claim 12, said steering mechanism adapted to control said at least one rolling member based on input received from a remote control.

14. The toy of claim 1, wherein said rolling member comprises a wheel.

15. A method of making a toy for holding a product, the method comprising:

forming a sealable pouch of a flexible material suitable for being filled with a product, said pouch having first and second panels connected to each other, each of said panels including a lower end portion with an inside surface opening to form a lower mouth; and

securing the sealable pouch to a mechanical base, said base arranged for moving on a surface.

16. The method of claim 15, further comprising sealing the lower mouth about the base.

17. The method of claim 15, further comprising controlling the movement of the base.

18. The method of claim 15, further comprising receiving a signal from a remote control, and controlling the movement of the base in accordance with the signal.