GB2270676A - Character representations - Google Patents

Abstract

A character representation, which can be used as a confectionery dispenser and container, comprises an outer tube and an inner tube. The face of the character is on the outer tube which has openings for the eyes and mouth of the character. The eyes of the character are on the inner tube which also has a "mouth opening which can be aligned with the "mouth" opening of the outer tube to permit dispensing of the contents of the inner tube. <IMAGE>

Description

CHARACTER REPRESENTATIONS Field of the Invention This invention relates to character representations and, although it has been developed initially in relation to containers and dispensers for confectionery and similar products, the invention has other potential applications, for example, as a finger puppet, serviette ring, executive toy or multi-purpose dispenser.

It is an object of the present invention to provide an improved form of character representation which, particularly as applied to a container and dispenser for confectionery products, offers new and attractive marketing opportunities.

Summary of the Invention According to a first aspect of the present invention there is provided a character representation in the form of two tubes, namely an inner tube and an outer tube, the outer tube carrying the representation of the character and being formed with one or more openings at a position or positions which corresponds or correspond to a particular feature or features of the character, and the inner tube, which is movable within the outer tube, carrying a representation or representations of said feature or features of the character such that, by movement of the inner tube within the outer tube, simulated movement of said feature or features can be effected.

There are preferably a plurality of openings in the outer tube and the positions at which the openings in the outer tube are formed may be or include the positions for the eyes and the mouth of the character. The eyes and the mouth of the character will then be marked on the inner tube so as to be visible through the openings in the outer tube.

The part of the inner tube which is marked to represent the mouth of the character may itself be formed with an opening, the inner tube being freely rotatable and/or axially movable within the outer tube so that the opening in the inner tube can be moved between a position in which it is in alignment with the "mouth" opening in the outer tube and positions in which it is not in alignment therewith.

The inner tube and outer tube may cooperate to form a container which is closed when the opening in the inner tube is out of alignment with the "mouth" opening in the outer tube, and which is open when the opening in the inner tube is in such alignment.

The inner tube may be closed at both ends or both tubes may be open at one end and closed at the other end, the closed ends being at opposite ends of the combination of the two tubes.

The inner tube may be of greater length than the outer tube and arranged so that it projects from both ends of the outer tube. Manual manipulation of the inner tube is then facilitated. If the inner tube is itself the container for, for example, items of confectionery, the inner tube may be provided with either one or two removable end caps so that access to the confectionery is obtainable by removal of the end cap or caps.

The inner and outer tubes may together constitute the wrapping or covering for confectionery or other products.

Alternatively, however, the contents of the container may be provided with their own wrapping or wrappings. The inner and outer tubes may be formed of card with appropriately positioned cut-outs for the openings in the tubes. Alternatively, one or both tubes may be formed as plastic mouldings, extrusions or fabrications.

For example, the two tubes may be formed of card which is printed on the outside with the appropriate character representations and which is coated on the inside with a waterrepellent or other coating medium to provide protection for confectionery or other items placed within the container.

According to a second aspect of the present invention there is provided a container for confectionery or other relatively small items comprising a character representation formed from two tubes in the manner defined above.

The outer tube may comprise a main body to the outside of which is attached a printed sheet on which the features of the character appear, the printed sheet being scored or pre-cut to afford portions which can be folded outwardly from the main body of the outer tube. Such portions may correspond, for example, to the hair and the ears of the character.

The provision of such outwardly foldable portions can increase the visual appeal of the character and may assist the designer of the container in creating, for example, a range of characters in a family or based on a common theme.

According to a third aspect of the present invention there is provided a finger puppet or executive toy comprising a character representation formed from two tubes in the manner defined above.

For a finger puppet, the two tubes may be formed of card whereas, for an executive toy, the two tubes are preferably formed of a plastic or some other material which is more durable than card.

According to a fourth aspect of the present invention there is provided a serviette ring or other holder comprising a character representation formed from two tubes in the manner defined above.

As applied to a serviette ring or holder, the two tubes are preferably open at both ends. They may also be open at both ends when the invention is applied to a finger puppet or executive toy.

Brief Description of the Drawings Figure 1 shows an embodiment of the invention in the form of a container/dispenser for confectionery, Figure 2 shows an outer tube used in producing the embodiment of Figure 1, Figure 3 shows an inner tube for use with the outer tube of Figure 2, Figure 4 shows a wrap-around or sticker for the outer tube, and Figure 5 shows a wrap-around or sticker for the inner tube.

Description of the Preferred Embodiment The container 10 shown in Figure 1 is formed from an outer tube 11 (Figure 2) and an inner tube 12 (Figure 3). Each of the tubes 11 and 12 is formed of card or as a plastic extrusion. The outer tube 11 is formed with two openings 13 which are in positions corresponding to the eyes of a character and with a third opening 14 in a position corresponding to the mouth of the character.

The inner tube 12 is formed with an opening 15 at a position to correspond to the mouth of the character. As shown, the opening 15 has a configuration similar to that of opening 14 except that there is a tab 16 depending from the upper edge of the opening 15. This tab 16 simulates a tooth.

A printed wrap-around 17 (Figure 4) is attached, for example, by adhesive, to the outer tube 11. This wrap-around 17 is printed to represent the face of the character and is formed with openings 18 which correspond to the eyes of the character and with an opening 19 which corresponds to the mouth of the character. The wrap-around 17 is attached to the outer tube 11 in such manner that the "eye" openings 18 will register with the "eye" openings 13 and the "mouth" opening 19 will register with the "mouth" opening 14.

The wrap-around 17 is also formed with incisions 20, represented by broken lines in Figure 4; these incisions 20 being located adjacent portions 21 of the character which are not bonded to the outer tube. These portions 21 can thus be bent out as shown in Figure 1 to depict the hair and ears of the character.

A printed wrap-around 22 (Figure 5) is attached to the inner tube 12 and is formed with an opening 23 which corresponds to the mouth of the character. The wrap-around 22 is also printed to show the eyes of the character. The wraparound 22 is attached, as by adhesive, to the inner tube 12 in such manner that the "mouth" opening 23 will register with the "mouth" opening 15 of the inner tube 12.

The inner tube 12 may be filled with chocolate drops, candies, small confectionery items or other small articles. The ends of the tube 12 are closed, as by the use of removable or fixed end caps (not shown) and the outer tube 11 then placed around the inner tube . The container is then packaged or boxed with the outer tube 11 positioned relative to the inner tube 12 in such manner that the "mouth" openings in the two tubes 11 and 12 are not in register. The container 10 will thus be closed.

On purchase of the goods, the child or other purchaser will move the inner tube 12 relative to the outer tube 11 to bring the "mouth" openings into line, i.e. into the relative positions shown in Figure 1. The eyes printed on the inner wrap-around 22 will then be visible through the "eye" openings of the outer tube. Relative movement of the tubes can then 7 cause the character to"roll" his eyes or make other expressions. As shown, the inner tube 12 is longer than the outer tube 11 so that, if the outer tube 11 is held in a stationary position, one or both ends of the inner tube 12 can be grasped to effect the required manipulative movements.

At the same time, depending on the inclination of the two tubes 11 and 12, opening and closing movements of the character's mouth can be caused to effect dispensing of the confectionery or other items, to the obvious delight of the child.

Thus, as a dispenser and container for confectionery and the like, the invention offers new marketing and promotional opportunities and provides a form of dispenser or container which has its own sales appeal.

The method of application of the invention to provide a finger puppet, executive toy, serviette ring or other holder will again involve the use of inner and outer tubes, of appropriate materials, providing a character representation which, through relative movement between the two tubes, can be caused to change its visual expression. If the device is in the form of, for example, a finger puppet it may include an additional facility. The inner member of a finger puppet may thus incorporate a pencil sharpener.

In the particular arrangement shown in the drawings, the facial features of the character are depicted on inner and outer wrap-arounds 22 and 17 attached to the inner and outer members. As an alternative to having an outer wrap-around attached to a tube, the outer member may be or include a plastic moulding on which the main facial and/or other features of the character are represented.

For reasons of economy, the moulding may be- formed of a plastic material of a single colour. In order then to enhance the visual impact of the character, the inner member may be provided with "hair" of a colour which contrasts with the colour of the plastic material. The "hair" may be in the form of strands or filaments attached to the upper end of the inner member so as to project through the open upper end of the outer member.

In order to further enhance the visual appeal of the device as a whole, the lower end of the inner member, which projects from the outer member, may be formed with or carry moulded feet and/or legs.

If the character representation is of a bird or other winged creature, the wings may be afforded by a curved plastic strip which passes through diametrically opposed openings in the outer member and engages in slots in the inner member so that the action of moving the inner member within the outer member causes the wings to flap. The parts of the curved plastic strip projecting from the outer member will be provided with simulation feathers.

As an alternative to providing "hair" for the character, a hat may be provided, this being attached to the inner member so that movement of the inner member within the outer member effects movement of the hat. The character in such case might be, for example, a Father Christmas.

In a further arrangement, the inner member may be the central element of a composite inner member, the outer elements of which form the ends of a cracker, Thus, when the cracker has been pulled and the ends detached from said central element, what will remain will be a character representation in the form of a finger puppet or a container for a gift.

The invention will thus be seen to provide a diverse range of marketing opportunities.

Claims (17)

Claims:

1. A character representation in the form of two tubes, namely an inner tube and an outer tube, the outer tube carrying the representation of the character and being formed with one or more openings at a position or positions which corresponds or correspond to a particular feature or features of the character, and the inner tube, which is movable within the outer tube, carrying a representation or representations of the feature or features of the character such that, by movement of the inner tube within the outer tube, simulated movement of said feature or features can be effected.

2. A character representation as claimed in Claim 1, in which there are a plurality of openings in the outer tube, and in which the positions at which the openings in the outer tube are formed are or include the positions for the eyes and/or the mouth of the character.

3. A character representation as claimed in Claim 2, in which the eyes and the mouth of the character are marked on the inner tube so as to be visible through the openings in the outer tube.

4. A character representation as claimed in Claim 3, in which the part of the inner tube which is marked to represent the mouth of the character is itself formed with an opening.

5. A character representation as claimed in Claim 4, in which the inner tube is freely rotatable and/or axially movable within the outer tube so that the opening in the inner tube can be moved between a position in which it is in alignment with the "mouth" opening in the inner tube and positions in which it is not in alignment therewith.

6. A character representation as claimed in Claim 5, in which the inner and outer tubes cooperate to form a container which is closed when the opening in the inner tube is out of alignment with the "mouth" opening in the outer tube, and which is open when the opening in the inner tube is in such alignment.

7. A character representation as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, in which the inner tube is of greater length than the outer tube and is arranged so that it can project from either end of the outer tube.

8. A character representation as claimed in Claim 7, in which the inner tube is provided at one end with simulation hair which projects through the corresponding end of the outer tube.

9. A character representation as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, which represents a bird or other winged creature and which is provided with simulation wings and means for effecting flapping of the wings by moving the inner member within the outer member.

10. A character representation constructed substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to and as shown in the accompanying drawings.

11. A container for confectionery or other relatively small items, said container comprising a character representation as claimed in any one of Claims 1 to 5.

12. A container as claimed in Claim 11, in which the outer tube comprises a main body to which is attached a printed sheet on which the features of the character appear.

13. A container as claimed in Claim 12, in which the printed sheet is scored or pre-cut to afford portions which can be folded outwardly from the main body of the outer tube.

14. A container as claimed in Claim 11, in which the outer tube includes a plastic moulding shaped to depict the facial features of the character.

15. A finger puppet or executive toy comprising a character representation as claimed in any one of Claims 1 to 5.

16. A serviette ring or other holder comprising a character representation as claimed in any one of Claims 1 to 5.

17. A container as claimed in Claim 11 and substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to and as shown in the accompanying drawings.