GB2395475A

GB2395475A - Combined package device and plaything

Info

Publication number: GB2395475A
Application number: GB0225488A
Authority: GB
Inventors: William Nevil Heaton Johnson
Original assignee: Durand Technology Ltd
Current assignee: Durand Technology Ltd
Priority date: 2002-11-01
Filing date: 2002-11-01
Publication date: 2004-05-26
Also published as: GB0225488D0

Abstract

A combined package device and building block type toy for children comprises a unitary cubic box having, on different faces thereof, complementary male and female interlocking features. This allows the cubic box to be connected face-to-face with an identical box through inter-locking of these complementary male and female features on the faces to be joined. This can be done simply by aligning and pressing the complementary faces of the cubes together whereby an indefinite number of such identical cubic boxes may be fitted as building blocks or bricks. The cavity of the cubic box can be packed with small cube shaped sweets.

Description

Combined Package Device and Plaything FIELD OF THE INVENTION

THIS INVENTION relates to a cubic box item that is a packaging typically for cube shaped confectionery as well as a building block type toy for children.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

Previously a cubic item that offered packaging for lollipops as well as being a toy for children was disclosed in UK Patent Specification GB2275463.

According to the present invention, there is provided a combined package device and building block type toy for children comprising a unitary cubic box having, on different faces thereof, complementary male and female interlocking features such that the cubic box may be reversibly connected in a face-to-face joining with an identical box through inter- locking of the said complementary male and female features on the faces to be joined with such inter-locking being effected by aligning and pressing the said faces together whereby an indefinite number of such identical cubic boxes may be fitted after the fashion of building blocks or bricks, with the cavity of the said cubic box packed with small cube shaped sweets called cubelets.

An embodiment of the invention is described below by way of example with reference to the accompanying drawings: Figure 1 is a diagrammatic perspective view of the said cubic box combined toy and packaging item.

Figure 2 illustrates the fitting together of a plurality of such packaging items to form a three-dimensional structure thereby allowing the use of the device as a constructional toy.

Figure 3 illustrates how a number of identical such devices may be fitted together to form a mosaic.

Figure 4 illustrates cubelet sweets packed in the cavity of the cubic box.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

The embodiment of the invention illustrated in the drawings is intended as a packaging for one or more cubelet sweets. The packaging item takes the form of a box, in the form of a cube typically of dimension in the range 0.75 - 2 inches, the box being open at one end for insertion of or removal of the one or more sweets whilst the remaining faces of the box have male and female interlocking features.

The box is preferably formed as a unitary moulding in an appropriate synthetic plastics material, but could alternatively be made of other materials, including edible material such as chocolate.

The sweets contained in said box are cube shaped of dimension typically in the range i/4 _ 2/3 inches and preferably, but not exclusively, chocolate covered with a sugar coating. The sweet coating may optionally be printed, for example with letters of the alphabet, numerals or pictures. It is envisaged that the cube shaped sweets will be retailed under a name such as "CUBELET". It is envisaged that a conventional outer wrapping (not shown) will be applied over the one or more sweets before they are inserted in the box. An outer packaging (not shown) may be applied over the complete package.

On up to five faces of the cubic box, the latter is provided with male and female features such that (see Figure 1) the cubic box may be fitted to an another identical cubic box with any of a plurality of sides of one box mating with any of a plurality

of sides of the other box, the two boxes being held together by resillient snap-

interlocking of complementary male and female formations on the mated faces of the two boxes. By the same token a larger number of such cubic boxes may be fitted together face-to-face and end-to-end, after the manner of building bricks to afford any desired configuration, so that a collection of such boxes may be used as a constructional toy. Thus, a three-dimensional construction such as shown in Figure 2 may be formed, or, as illustrated in Figure 3, a two-dimensional array or mosaic of interfitted boxes may be formed By way of example only, each box may have on two faces thereof, male retaining formations and on two other faces, female retaining formations. In the arrangement illustrated, the male retaining formations take the form of a circle projecting from the respective faces of the box, whilst the female retaining formations take the form of a complementary circular aperture on one or more other faces.

If desired, a rectangular closure plate (not shown) may be fitted over the open end of the box.

It will be appreciated that any other convenient forms of complementary retaining formations may be provided.

The containers are preferably moulded, or alternatively wrapped, in brightly coloured plastics, in a variety of colours, so that a collection of boxes of different colours may be assembled, whereby the attractiveness of such a collection as a plaything, for example, to form a mosaic or other construction is enhanced.

Likewise, the various faces of the box may be patterned or printed as desired, or alternatively stickers may be provided for attachment to the faces of the box.

To assist in the removal of the sweet or sweets from the box, a pull tab may be provided. Such a pull tab, preferably of thin string or plastic foil, can be attached to the wrapping encasing the one or more sweets. In one arrangement, such a pull tab may also form a tear-strip for the wrapping.

In one embodiment of the invention the said cubic box packaging and toy contains within its cavity multicoloured cube-shaped Cubelet sweets preferably of dimension in the range l/4 _ 2/3 inches with the said Cubelet sweets packed in a close packed array filling the cavity of the cubic box with no interstitial spaces in the array of the said packed cubelet sweets.

Claims

l CLAIMS

1. A combined package device and plaything comprising a unitary cubic box having, on different sides thereof, complementary male and female retaining formations such that the box may be releasably connected in face-to-face relationship with an identical box by interlocking of complementary said retaining formations on the two boxes and whereby an indefinite number of such identical boxes may be fitted together, said cubic box being packed with a quantity of cube-

shaped sweets.

2. A combined package device and plaything according to Claim 1 wherein

the cube-shaped sweets consist of an interior covered with a sugar coating.

3. A combined package device and plaything according to Claim 1 wherein the cube-shaped sweets consist of a chocolate interior covered with a sugar coating. . (: