CN111566016A

CN111566016A - Novel breakable shell

Info

Publication number: CN111566016A
Application number: CN201880074759.0A
Authority: CN
Inventors: 马修·皮特·蒙布雷
Original assignee: Ma XiuPiteMengbulei
Current assignee: Zuru Singapore Pte Ltd
Priority date: 2017-11-20
Filing date: 2018-02-16
Publication date: 2020-08-21
Anticipated expiration: 2038-02-16
Also published as: AU2018100208A4; CN111566016B; WO2019097308A1

Abstract

A frangible casing defining an enclosure in which a toy can be accommodated, the frangible casing comprising a plurality of plastic shells which are self-retaining together to define the enclosure, the plastic shells all being separable from one another such that the casing breaks apart to reveal the toy when the casing is dropped from a sufficiently high place onto a solid surface.

Description

Novel breakable shell

Technical Field

The present invention relates to a novel frangible casing, and more particularly, the present invention is not independent but rather a frangible casing comprising a plurality of shells defining an outer shell in which toys or other items can be placed and which can be revealed when broken open.

Disclosure of Invention

The present invention aims to provide a novel frangible casing which provides at least a useful choice to the public.

Accordingly, in a first aspect, the invention may broadly be said to consist in a frangible casing defining an enclosure in which a toy is housed, the frangible casing comprising a plurality of plastic casing pieces which are capable of being held together autonomously to define the enclosure, but which are all separated from one another when dropped from a sufficiently high level to a solid surface to reveal the toy.

Preferably, the housing outer periphery is shaped as a sphere.

Preferably, the outer periphery of the housing is egg-shaped.

Preferably, the weight of each shell piece is in the range of 10% between each other.

Preferably, the weight of each shell piece is in the range of 2% between each other.

Preferably, the weight of each shell piece is in the range of 0.5% between each other.

Preferably, each shell is self-retaining with respect to the other by being in a negative-covering state with an adjacent shell and in a positive-covering state with another adjacent shell.

Preferably, each shell is in a negative-covering state with two adjacent shells and in a positive-covering state with two other adjacent shells.

Preferably, each shell is in a negative-covering state with two adjacent shells in two opposite peripheral regions of the shell and in a positive-covering state with two other adjacent shells in two other opposite peripheral regions of the shell.

Preferably, each shell is resiliently flexible, and is in a more flexed condition when the housing is in its assembled condition than when the housing is in its crushed open condition.

Preferably, the shell segments are outwardly curved.

Preferably, each shell segment is arcuate and elongate and has two end peripheral regions and two side peripheral regions extending between the end peripheral regions.

Preferably, each end peripheral region of a shell segment is directly overlying a side peripheral region of a respective adjacent shell segment.

Preferably each shell comprises a shell body presenting a shell surface, the shell surface of each shell defining part of the peripheral shape of the shell and being identical to the shell surfaces of all other shells so that when the shells are connected together the shell surfaces are in a fully engaged condition.

Preferably, the shell body serves as a base for the shell surface, an edge being left on each of two opposite peripheral regions of the shell body, the shell body protruding from the shell surface.

Preferably, the edge of each shell segment negatively covers the adjacent shell segment.

Preferably, the housing is comprised of 6 shell pieces.

Preferably, the housing comprises 6 shell pieces.

Preferably, the periphery of the shell surface of the shell piece defines 8 three-point zones (8 tri-points).

Preferably, the shell is spherical and wherein each three-point zone is a three-point zone of a pair of three-point zones diametrically opposed to each other.

Preferably, the housing is crushed by pressing it apart at a pair of three point zones with a lower pressure than by pressing it elsewhere.

Preferably, the shell will break apart when dropped onto a solid surface from a location at least 1 meter high above the surface.

Preferably, the housing does not break apart when dropped from below 20cm onto a solid surface.

Preferably, the shell is egg-shaped.

Preferably, the shell sheet is opaque.

Preferably, the shell is broken apart, resulting in only 6 separate shell pieces.

Preferably, the toy is stored loosely inside the housing.

Preferably, the shell piece defines only the outer shell.

Preferably, the shell pieces are not connected to each other using an adhesive.

Preferably, the shell is spherical and has a diameter of less than 7 cm.

Preferably, the shell is spherical and has a diameter greater than 2.5 cm.

In a second aspect, the invention may be said to reside in a frangible casing defining an enclosure in which an article may be received, the frangible casing comprising a plurality of plastic shells which are capable of self-joining together to define the enclosure, but which are all separable from one another when dropped onto a solid surface.

In another aspect, the invention may be said to reside in a toy contained in an enclosure formed by a frangible casing comprising a plurality of plastic sheets releasably self-connectable together to define the enclosure, wherein, when dropped from a height of at least 1m to a solid plane, the plastic sheets are all separated from one another to reveal the toy.

In another aspect, the invention may be said to reside in a frangible casing defining an enclosure in which an article may be contained, the frangible casing comprising a plurality of plastic shell pieces which are capable of self-joining together in such a way that each shell piece bends from a natural shape to define the enclosure, and which all separate from each other and return to their natural shape when the frangible casing is dropped onto a solid surface.

In another aspect, the invention may be said to reside in a frangible casing comprising a plurality of self-retaining casing pieces to define an outer shell containing an amazing item.

On the other hand, the present invention can be said to be a case that can be repeatedly broken into pieces of similar size without breaking the pieces themselves and can be assembled to the case in a state where the pieces have not been broken.

In another aspect, the invention may be said to reside in a frangible casing comprising a plurality of resiliently flexible plastic shells which are capable of self-holding together in a flexed condition.

Preferably, the curved state is inherent in each shell in negative and positive covering relation with an adjacent shell.

Preferably, the curved state is inherent in each shell in negative and positive covering relationship with four adjacent shells.

In another aspect, the invention may be said to reside in a method of selling toys, comprising providing a frangible casing as defined herein, and storing the toy therein.

In another aspect, the invention may be said to consist in a method of packaging a toy, comprising disposing the toy within a frangible casing as defined herein.

In another aspect, the invention may be said to reside in a method of packaging a toy in a frangible casing as defined herein, the position of the toy to be disposed within the casing of the casing being determined once the casing is in its assembled state, prior to placing the last shell to define the casing in its assembled state.

In another aspect, the invention may be said to reside in a toy packaged in a housing as defined herein.

In another aspect, the invention may be said to reside in a package for containing a toy using a frangible casing as defined herein.

The invention may also be said broadly to consist in the parts, elements and features referred to or indicated in the specification of the application, individually or collectively, and any or all combinations of any two or more of said parts, elements or features, and where specific integers are mentioned herein which have known equivalents in the art to which the invention relates, such known equivalents are deemed to be incorporated herein as if individually set forth.

Drawings

Preferred forms of the invention will now be described with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:

FIG. 1a is a perspective view of a frangible casing in an assembled state, showing a preferred form of spherical boundary shape;

FIGS. 1b-1d show additional perspective views of the frangible casing of FIG. 1 a;

FIG. 2.1a is a front view of the shell;

FIG. 2.1b is an end view of the shell segment of FIG. 2.1 a;

FIG. 2.1c is a perspective view of the shell segment of FIG. 2.1 a;

FIG. 2.1d is another perspective view of the shell segment of FIG. 2.1 a;

FIG. 2.1e is a side view of the shell piece of FIG. 2.1 a;

FIG. 2.1f is an opposite side view of the shell segment of FIG. 2.1 a;

FIG. 2.1g is a rear view of the shell segment of FIG. 2.1a

FIG. 2.2a is a front view of another shell slightly different from the structure of the shell in FIG. 2.1a

FIG. 2.2b is a perspective view of the shell segment of FIG. 2.2 a;

FIG. 2.2c is a side view of the shell segment of FIG. 2.2 a;

FIG. 2.2d is an opposite side view of the shell segment of FIG. 2.2 a;

FIG. 2.2e is an end view of the shell segment of FIG. 2.2 a;

FIG. 2.2f is an opposite end view of the shell segment of FIG. 2.2 a;

FIG. 2.2g is a rear view of the shell segment of FIG. 2.2 a;

FIG. 3 shows an exploded view of a preferred six-piece shell frangible casing in exploded view;

FIG. 4 shows an additional perspective view of the exploded view of FIG. 3;

FIG. 5 shows a partially assembled frangible casing in which three casing pieces are put together;

fig. 6 shows a view of the relative position of fig. 5.

Detailed Description

Referring to fig. 1, there is shown a frangible casing 1 in its assembled state. The housing 1 is preferably spherical in shape with a boundary. Preferably, it is spherical with a diameter between 2.5cm and 7 cm. In a preferred form, it is 4cm in diameter. It should be appreciated that other shapes are also envisioned as within the scope of the present invention, such as an egg-shaped or football-shaped shell.

The shell 1 comprises a plurality of shell pieces 2, for a spherical shell, preferably, as shown in fig. 1c and 1d, there are six shell pieces 2.1,2.2,2.3,2.4,2.5, 2.6; preferably, the housing consists of only 6 shell pieces. Each shell piece is generally similar in shape, although some features may be different. Fig. 2.1a-g show a preferred form of shell piece that can be used to assist in creating an assembled form of the frangible casing 1. Fig. 2.2a-g show a second form of shell sheet, where the shell sheet can be used to create a shell together with the shell sheet form shown in fig. 2.1 a-g.

Preferably, the shell pieces are similar in shape. As seen in fig. 2a, each shell 2 comprises a shell outer surface 3, each shell 2 providing a shell outer surface 3 to define part of the outer surface of the assembled shell 1 when the shell 1 is in its assembled state. In the preferred form, the shell outer surface 3 of the shell is otherwise identical as seen in the boundary shape 28. Preferably, the surface has the same curvature to correspond to a partial peripheral shape of the spherical version of the housing 1. It will be appreciated that varying embossments or patterns or shapes may be provided on each shell outer surface 3, which may distinguish at least one shell from the others. As seen in the shell 2.5 of fig. 2.1a-g, the outer surface 3 is free of surface detail, whereas the shell 2.2 of fig. 2.2a-g is engraved with the text "bowler" on the outer surface 3.

The shell outer surface 3 of each shell is shaped such that when the shells defining the frangible casing 1 are assembled together, the outer surfaces 3 are in a fully engaged condition relative to each other. The boundary shape 28 of each shell piece may thus be continuously located at a portion of the boundary shape of another shell piece. See fig. 1 a-d. Preferably, there is no hole inside the housing. Preferably, the frangible casing consists only of the shell pieces described herein. Preferably, no adhesive or fasteners are used.

The shell surface 3 of each shell segment is represented by a shell body, see for example shell body 4.5 in fig. 2.1 a-f. The housing body 4.5 effectively provides a base carrying or presenting the housing surface 3. Preferably, the shell surface 3 of each shell is the same, and the shell body of each or some of the shells may be different.

In a preferred form, there are two configurations of the shell. A first configuration is shown in fig. 2.1a-g and a second configuration is shown in fig. 2.2 a-g. The configuration of the shell segments shown in fig. 2.1a-g is the same as the configuration of the shell segments 2.3,2.4,2.5 and 2.6 shown in fig. 1 a-d. The configuration of the shell segments shown in fig. 2.2a-g is the same as the configuration of the shell segments 2.1 and 2.2 shown in fig. 1 a-d.

The shell body of the shell piece shown in fig. 2.1a-f serves as a base for the outer surface 3 of the shell piece, preferably coextensive with the surface, preferably leaving two edges 5.4 and 6.4 protruding above the border 28 of the outer surface 3. In a preferred form, the edges are provided in opposite peripheral regions 7.4 and 8.4 of the shell 2.5, the same being true for all other shells as shown in the drawings. The two edges are located below the surface 3 of the shell and provide a platform for the adjacent shells to contact in an overlying manner. In the other two opposite peripheral regions 9.4 and 10.4, the border 28 of the surface 3 is coextensive with the underlying (substrate-provided) shell body 4.5. For example, when the shell 2.5 is assembled, it has a peripheral region 9.4 which is just covering the edge of an adjacent shell, and similarly, a peripheral region 10.4 is covering the edge of another adjacent shell. Similarly, the other shell segments are mounted with the adjacent shell segments to define an assembled housing, such that in these regions the adjacent shell segments are held together radially relative to each other.

The positive/negative cover structure of the shells of the assembled shell results in a self-retaining of the shells, which define the assembled shell, which is stable but breakable. These shell pieces are self-retaining to provide a firmly assembled housing. The shells are configured such that once the last shell is assembled with the already connected and properly configured shell, it will secure the shells to form a robust shell structure that self-holds itself, e.g., spherically shaped, without the need for magnetic adhesives or separate fasteners. The last shell piece is not assembled in place and the frangible shell will not self-retain its final assembled shape.

In a preferred form, the weight of each shell is within 10% of each other by weight. Thus, although there are some slight differences in the structure of the shell pieces (in the preferred form, there are two shell piece types that collectively define a preferred 6-piece shell piece), the shell pieces are still substantially similar in shape. In a preferred form, the weight range is within 2%.

Once assembled, the housing defines an enclosure that preferably is capable of storing items. For example, the item may be a toy, may be another novelty item or an edible item or a fashion item. Preferably, the shell is opaque. This means that the item is preferably displayed to the person only after the housing has been broken open, so that the item is surprising. The hull breaking open may occur when the hull falls onto a surface such as a floor, striking the floor with sufficient velocity to cause the hull pieces to separate from each other.

In the preferred form described with reference to the numbered notes in fig. 2.1a, each shell segment can be positioned relative to an adjacent shell segment in a negative-covered and positive-covered state. In a preferred form, there are two regions in which the shell is in a negative masking condition by virtue of its edges 5.4 and 6.4 being located below the free edges of the regions 9.4 and 10.4 adjacent the shell; and positive covers at the free edges 9.4 and 10.4, which cover the edges of the respectively adjacent shell parts.

A clip feature 50 may be provided at each edge of the shell piece, which clip feature 50 may interact with a clip feature 51 at the free edge of the other shell piece. The gripping features 50 may be upstands projecting from the edge which may engage with gripping features 51 in the form of free edge platforms. The upstand and platform may cooperate to hook over the free edge in an interference manner to help prevent the free edge from sliding off the edge. This may help to keep the housing in its assembled state. The gripping features may be configured to still allow slippage to occur with sufficient applied force.

In a preferred form, each shell segment is resiliently flexible. Preferably, the shell pieces are made of a plastic material. Preferably, the shell piece is of an elongated nature, as shown in fig. 2.2 a. The length of each shell segment in the direction of elongation LL is greater than its width in the transverse direction WW. In the preferred form, the surface 3 is substantially symmetrical about both the midline in the direction of elongation and the midline in the transverse direction.

Being elastically flexible means that the shell piece is able to flex and also to return to its natural shape by itself, i.e. it can flex. Preferably, the shell piece is more easily bent away from its natural shape in the direction of elongation than in the width direction.

Each shell piece is shaped and configured to inherently bend/flex outwardly when the shell pieces are assembled together. That is, the peripheral regions 9.4 and 10.4 are displaced from their natural positions and exert an external force on the respective edges of the adjacent shell pieces. The bending direction XX is shown in fig. 2.1e and 2.1 f. As shown in fig. 2.1e and 2.1f, the sides of the shell pieces are greatly curved; but they are less bent when they are in the assembled state. Each shell piece is forced to such a bent state due to its shape and configuration when assembled such that it has been slightly bent away from its natural shape.

This means that the shells, in the assembled state, have shell pieces which are each in a bent state. When the housing, for example, falls to the ground or a solid surface and impacts the surface with sufficient force, the housing may break apart. When the shell pieces are separated from each other, the resulting shattering causes the shell pieces to spring back to their natural, more curved form, causing the shell to shatter in an explosion-like manner as they return to their natural shape. Thus, after dropping and the housing being broken apart, the shells therein may push apart or interact/react to cause a greater degree of separation of the shells than would otherwise occur if the housing were not self-retaining in a bent manner. The shell pieces may not only fall onto the surface onto which the shell falls, but also have a tendency to spread outwardly or radially away from each other.

In the preferred form, as shown in fig. 2.1e and 2.1f and fig. 2.2c and 2.2d, each shell segment is generally arcuate in shape. As already mentioned, the shell piece is preferably elongate and, in general, it can be said to have two end peripheral regions (e.g. 9.4 and 10.4) and two side peripheral regions (e.g. 7.4 and 8.4) extending between the two end peripheral regions. When the housing pieces are assembled to define the housing 1, a plurality of boundaries are established between adjacent housing pieces. These boundaries are at the boundaries of the shell outer surfaces. Typically, these boundaries are located at a plurality of locations of the three-point regions defined by the boundaries of the two shell surfaces and the shell surfaces of the three shell pieces. In a preferred form, the three-point region is the intersection of the three shell surfaces, as shown by the three-point region 25 in FIG. 1 d. In the preferred form of having six shell members, eight three-point zones are established when the shell segments are assembled together. Preferably, each three-point area has exactly opposite three-point areas.

By squeezing the shell by applying a force directed towards each other at exactly opposite three point areas, some bending of the shell pieces will occur, making it easier to separate the shell pieces from each other than if a force were applied elsewhere on the shell. As such, when the housing is dropped from a height onto a surface, in some cases the housing may not break apart, while in other cases the housing may break apart if dropped from the same height. Dropping the shell onto the surface may cause, in some cases, the three point zones to contact the surface first, likely more likely to cause the pieces to separate than if the shell were dropped such that other portions of the shell were in contact with a solid surface, thus causing the shell to break apart randomly. This is interesting for the user who drops the housing onto a surface, as he may expect the housing to crumble (or vice versa) but this does not happen.

The housing pieces can be assembled and reassembled (after being broken) by the edge of the first housing piece being covered by a free edge, such as edge 9.4 or 10.4, of the adjacent housing. The last shell (shell 2.4) can be assembled by sliding the shells through the indentations 20 as can be seen in fig. 5. As mentioned, the shell is preferably of a plastics material which has some ability to yield or bend, thus also allowing the last shell to move through the gap 20 so that its free edge is just masking the edge of its respective adjacent shell.

Claims

1. A kind of shell body which is easy to be broken,

the frangible casing defines an enclosure for receiving a toy therein, the frangible casing including

A plurality of plastic shell pieces capable of being self-held together to define the housing,

when dropped from a sufficiently high place onto a solid surface, the plastic shell pieces all separate from each other, revealing the toy.

2. The frangible casing of claim 1, wherein

The periphery of the shell is shaped as a sphere.

3. The frangible casing of claim 1, wherein

The shape of the periphery of the shell is egg-shaped.

4. A frangible casing as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein

The weight of each shell piece is in the range of 10% between each other.

5. The frangible casing of any one of claims 1-4,

the weight of each shell piece is in the range of 2% between each other.

6. The frangible casing of any one of claims 1-5,

each shell is resiliently flexible and is in a more flexed state when the housing is in the assembled state as compared to when the housing is in the collapsed state.

7. The frangible casing of claim 6,

the shell pieces are outwardly curved.

8. The frangible shell of any one of claims 1-7,

each shell segment is arcuate and elongated and has two end peripheral regions and two side peripheral regions extending between the end peripheral regions.

9. The frangible casing of claim 8,

each end peripheral region of the shell segment is in positive coverage with the side peripheral region of the respective adjacent shell segment.

10. The frangible casing of any one of claims 1-9,

each shell segment includes a shell segment body presenting a shell surface, the shell surface of each shell segment defining part of the peripheral shape of the shell and being identical to the shell surfaces of all other shell segments such that when the shell segments are joined together, the shell surfaces are in a fully engaged state.

11. The frangible casing of claim 10,

the shell body serves as a base for the shell surface, with an edge remaining on each of two opposing peripheral regions of the shell body, which protrude from the shell surface.

12. The frangible casing of claim 11,

the edge of each shell segment negatively covers the adjacent shell segment.

13. A frangible casing according to any one of claims 1 to 12, comprising

6 shell pieces.

14. The frangible casing of any one of claims 1-13,

consists of 6 shell pieces.

15. The frangible casing of claim 10,

the outer periphery of the shell surface of the shell piece defines 8 three-point zones.

16. The frangible casing of claim 15,

the shell is spherical and wherein each three-point zone is a three-point zone of a pair of three-point zones diametrically opposed to each other.

17. The frangible casing of claim 15,

squeezing the shell at a lower pressure in a pair of three point zones causes it to break apart, as opposed to squeezing the shell elsewhere.

18. The frangible casing of any one of claims 1-17,

the shell will break apart when dropped from a height of at least 1 meter above the surface onto a solid surface.

19. The frangible casing of any one of claims 1-18,

the shell does not break apart when dropped from below 20cm onto a solid surface.

20. A kind of shell body which is easy to be broken,

the frangible casing defines an enclosure in which an item may be contained, the frangible casing comprising

A plurality of plastic shell pieces that are capable of self-joining together to define the enclosure, yet are all separated from each other when dropped onto a solid surface.

21. A toy is provided, which is provided with a toy body,

the toy is contained within an outer shell of a frangible casing comprising a plurality of plastic shell pieces releasably self-connected together to define the outer shell, wherein,

when dropped from a height of at least 1m to a solid plane, the pieces all separate from each other, revealing the toy.

22. A kind of shell body which is easy to be broken,

the frangible casing defines an enclosure in which an item may be received,

the frangible casing comprises a plurality of plastic shell pieces that are capable of self-joining together in such a way that each shell piece bends from a natural shape to define the casing, and that when the casing is dropped onto a solid surface, the shell pieces all separate from each other and return to their natural shape.

23. A frangible casing comprising

A plurality of self-retaining shells to define an enclosure for holding an item of surprise.

24. A kind of shell body is disclosed, which comprises a shell body,

the housing can be repeatedly broken into similarly sized pieces without the pieces themselves breaking apart and can be reassembled to the original unbroken state of the housing.

25. A kind of shell body which is easy to be broken,

the frangible casing comprises a plurality of resiliently flexible plastic shells which are capable of self-holding together in a flexed condition.

26. A method for selling toys comprises

A frangible casing as claimed in claim 1 is provided in which the toy is stored.

27. A method of packaging a toy comprising

A toy is disposed within the frangible casing of claim 1.