WO2006121873A2

WO2006121873A2 - Edible action figure

Info

Publication number: WO2006121873A2
Application number: PCT/US2006/017438
Authority: WO
Inventors: Greg Doherty
Original assignee: Globe Dragon
Priority date: 2005-05-05
Filing date: 2006-05-05
Publication date: 2006-11-16
Also published as: WO2006121873A3; CA2607560A1

Abstract

A system and method for making an edible posable or articulable figure. Disclosed is an edible figure that combines candy, snack, or the like with the enjoyable aspects of toys, such as action figures. The figure may be shaped, for example, like a human being and may contain edible support members and articulating members that may be moved and positioned such that they resemble the motions of a human being or any other suitable figure.

Description

EDIBLE ACTION FIGURE

Gregory J. Doherty

Cross Reference to Related Application

[0001] This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Patent

Application Serial No. 60/677,878, entitled "EDIBLE ACTION FIGURE", filed on May 5, 2005, the disclosure of which is incorporated herein by reference.

Background of the Invention

[0002] Many different varieties of flexible dolls and action figures have been developed over the years, mainly for the purposes of entertainment and display. Creation of a flexible or posable figure generally includes creation of a movable articulated body and limbs configured to retain whatever pose the figure is placed into.

[0003] One class of posable figures includes an inner armature or skeleton including joints to recreate the articulation of a human skeleton, and a molded outer covering or body constructed of a flexible material that surrounds and is bonded or otherwise anchored to the inner armature. The most common plastics currently used in action figures and the like are ABS, styrene, PVC, and propylene. ABS and styrene are commonly used as body housings because they are rigid. PVC is commonly used for parts such as arms and legs, and is available in varying levels of hardness. Examples of such toys are found in U.S. Pats. Nos. 280,986, 1,189,585, 1,551,250, 1,590,898, 2,017,023, 2,073,723, 2,109,422, 2,392,024, 2,601,740, 2,684,503, 3,325,939, 3,284,947, 3,395,484, 3,624,691, 3,955,309, 4,123,872, 4,136,484, 4,233,775, 4,932,919, 4,954,118, 4,964,836, 5,516,314, 5,630,745, 5,762,531, 5,800,242, 6,155,904, and 6,217,406, and in publications JP49-18954, JP49-18955, JP60-97067, JP61-94090, JP61-94091, JP61-94092, JP62-53686, JP62-164092, JP63-103685, JPl 1-221369, WO0067869, and WO0010665. Other examples of flexible doll toys and action figure toys are found in U.S. Pat. Nos. 3,277,601, 3,716,942, 4,470,784, 4,932,919, 5,017,173, and 6,074,270, and in publication WO0108776.

[0004] Edible figures, such as gummi figures and chocolate figures, are also common. Edible gelatin is generally the basic ingredient in gummi candy. Generally, gummi candies are a blend of corn starch, corn syrup, sugar, gelatin, color, and flavor. The ingredients are weighed, mixed, and pumped into a candy cooker that cooks the candy by steam outside of the coil. The cooker then pumps the gummi into a vacuum chamber to remove excess moisture. From the vacuum chamber the gummi moves on to a mix station where colors, flavors, acids, and fruit concentrates may be mixed into the gummi stock. Next, a starch moulding machine pumps the gummi stock into starch filled mould boards that shape the gummi candies. After curing, the gummies are removed from the moulds, packaged, delivered, and sold.

[0005] The resulting gummi candy is, generally, a whimsical gelatinous structure that is simply meant to be eaten. Some gummi candies, such as the gummi worm, are played with as toys before being consumed. Many children find it amusing to have something with which they can both play and eat. Such gummi candies, however, lack many attributes of traditional toys that children enjoy. It would therefore be advantageous to provide an edible food product in combination with the enjoyable features of toys such that children or the like may amuse themselves prior to enjoying the confectionary or snack.

Brief Description of the Drawings

[0006] Fig. 1 depicts a front view of an edible action figure. [0007] Fig. 2 depicts a side view of the edible action figure shown in Fig. 1.

[0008] Fig. 3 is a front cross-sectional view of an edible action figure assembled using the "trap" method.

[0009] Fig. 4 is a right side cross-sectional view of an edible action figure assembled using the "trap" method.

[0010] Fig. 5 is a front cross-sectional view of an edible action figure assembled using the "undercut" method, where the flanged posts fit into cavities with retaining lips to hold the members in place.

[0011] Fig. 6 is a front cross-sectional view of an edible action figure assembled using the "undercut" method where the flanged posts are integral with the torso member.

[0012] Fig. 7 is a front cross-sectional view of an edible action figure assembled using a variation of the "undercut" method, where members are held in place by friction between a post and the inside walls of a cavity.

[0013] Fig. 8 is a front cross-sectional view of an edible action figure assembled using the "trap" method where flexible supports are inserted into the flexible limb members such that the individual limb members are posable.

Detailed Description of the Invention

[0014] Referring to Figs. 1-2, one version of an edible figure 10 may include a torso member 12, a head member 14, and at least one limb member 16, 18, 20, and 22. The version of Fig. 1 may be configured to resemble a human being, an animal, or any other suitable figure, figurine, or the like. All or a portion of torso member 12, head member 14, and at least one limb member 16, 18, 20, and 22 may be configured, in whole or in part, from an edible material such as, for example, gelatin, - A -

chocolate, marshmallow, hard candy, and/or any other suitable confection, sweet, edible substance, or candy.

[0015] Referring to FIG. 1, the figure 10 may be, for example, an action figure. In one version, the figure 10 may be an edible action figure in which the use of food-grade materials is substituted for plastics, hi one version, crystallized sugars, or "hard candies," can serve to replace the ABS or styrene of traditional action figures, and are easily molded into desired shapes. Edible gelatins may serve as replacements for PVC materials, hi the action figure version of figure 10, the various members may be affixed to one another such that they articulate to resemble the movements of a human being, hi, for example, the animal version of figure 10, the various members may be affixed to one another such that they articulate to resemble the movements of a particular animal. It will be appreciated that the articulation or movement of the various members comprising the figure 10 may be achieved in any suitable way. For purposes of the application herein, posable shall be defined as to assume or hold a particular position or posture for a brief or extended duration of time.

[0016] Providing articulating members or features on an edible toy may combine the enjoyment of sweets, or the like, with positive attributes of traditional toys to create a fun and tasteful product. The addition of other toy-like features, such as posability, may further increase the sales appeal of the product.

[0017] For example, referring to FIGS. 3-4, in the "trap" method, the torso member 12 comprises a housing with milled pockets 24 for receiving the other components of the figure such as, for example, the head member 14 and the at least one limb member 16, 18, 20, and 22. In one version, head member 14 and the at least one limb member 16, 18, 20, and 22 include cylindrical posts 26 configured to secure, for example, the head member 14 and the at least one limb member 16, 18, 20, and 22 to the torso member 12. In one version, the cylindrical post 26 is provided with a flanged end, where the cylindrical posts 26 are seated into the first half of a torso member 12 such that the flanged end projects into the torso member 12 and is retained therein in by the wall of the torso member 12. After seating the cylindrical post 26, a second half of the torso member 12 may be attached to the first half of the torso member such that the flanged end of the cylindrical post is secured therein.

[0018] The first half and the second half of the torso member 12 may be attached using any suitable method of attachment including, for example, food-grade glue, solvent, sonic welding, screws, friction/press-fit bosses, or a combination thereof. When torso member 12 is assembled, head member 14 and the at least one limb member 16, 18, 20, and 22 may be able to pivot relative to torso member 12. In one version, the head member 14 and the at least one limb member 16, 18, 20, and 22 may be removable from the torso member 12, where the flanged end of the cylindrical post 26 may be deformed and may pass through the hole in the wall of the torso member 12 when the head member 14 or the at least one limb member 16, 18, 20, and 22 are pulled. The deformable flanged end of the cylindrical post may be constructed from a flexible material, such as gelatin, to facilitate removal.

[0019] It will be appreciated that the "trap" method, and all methods presented herein, are disclosed in reference to the action figure version of the figure 10 by way of example only. It will be appreciated that the trap method and the like may be used to construct all or a portion of any suitable figure, shape, figurine, toy, or the like from an edible substance. It will be further appreciated that the figure 10 may include any suitable number of articulating or moveable members where, for example, the at least one limb member 16, 18, 20, and 22 may include a joint or the like resembling the movement of an elbow or a knee.

[0020] Referring to FIGS. 5-6, one version of the "undercut" method is disclosed, where the torso member 12 may be fully assembled before incorporating the head member 14 and the at least one limb member 16, 18, and 28 into the action figure. Referring to FIG. 5, in one version, the torso member 12 and lower limb member 28 include internal cavities 30 into which a flanged post 34 may be inserted. Once inserted, the flanged post 34 may be retained within the internal cavity 30 by retaining lips 32.

[0021] The internal cavities 30 may be configured into any shape, including straight or tapered, suitable for retaining the flanged post 34 or any other suitable attachment device therein. The head member 14 and at least one limb member 16, 18, and 28 may be flexible or ductile to facilitate assembly with the torso member 12. The undercut internal cavities 30 and retaining lips 32 may be configured such that they mate permanently with the flanged posts 34. In a further version, the undercut internal cavities 30 and retaining lips 32 may be configured such that they are detachable from the flanged posts 34. During assembly, heat may be introduced to the head member 14, the torso member 12, and or the at least one limb member 16, 18, and 28 such that they are made less rigid and more inclined to mate with the torso member 12. The flanged posts 34 may be integral to the torso member 12, head member 14, and/or the at least one limb member 16, 18, and 28. Internal cavities 30 may be provided in the torso member 12, head member 14, and/or the at least one limb member 16, 18, and 28.

[0022] Referring to FIG. 7, an additional version of the undercut method is shown, where posts 34 on the torso member 12 fit into cavities 30 in the limbs 16, 18, and 28, and a post 34 on the head member 14 fits into a cavity 30 in the torso member 12. In this embodiment, the members can be held into place by friction between the posts 34 and inside walls of the cavities 30.

[0023] Referring to FIG. 8, one version of the "wire insert" method is shown.

The wire insert method may be incorporated into the figure 10 to facilitate the posability of individual ductile parts, such as the at least one limb member 16, 18, 20, and 22. A flexible, positionable wire or support 38 may be inserted into a ductile or flexible part of the figure 10 to facilitate posability. The support 38 may be inserted or assembled with the figure 10 in any suitable way, such as through an in-molding process so that placement is consistent and there is no need for a 2-piece design to achieve posability of the limb, hi one version, the support 38 may be constructed from an edible material having memory retention properties. The support 38 may then be surrounded by any suitable edible material, such as gelatin, to flesh out the figure 10. In one version, the support 38 may be constructed from a non- edible material, such as low-durometer plastic, that is then covered with an edible material such as gelatin.

[0024] It should be understood that the preceding detailed description of embodiments of the present invention are exemplary in nature and are not intended to constitute limitations upon the present invention. It is also to be understood that variations of the exemplary embodiments contemplated by one of ordinary skill in the art shall concurrently fall within the scope and spirit of the invention. Additionally, this invention is not limited to the discrete disclosure described in the drawings. For example, the product shown in Fig. 8 has a support insert in all four limbs. This invention would also include a product in which fewer or more limbs were provided with a support. Furthermore, this invention should protect the multiple combinations that are logically possible, such as combinations of flexible joints, mechanical joints, trapped joints, and undercut joints within the same product. The number and configuration of limbs may vary. The product may also be coated or decorated with edible or non-edible material such as dips, paints, powders, or labels.

Claims

What is claimed is:

1. An edible toy figure comprising:

a torso member;

a head member associated with said torso member; and

at least one limb member associated with said torso member such that said at least one limb member is posable relative to said torso member, wherein said torso member, said head member, and said at least one limb member are formed from a food-grade material.

2. The edible toy figure of claim 1, wherein said at least one limb member comprises at least one arm member and at least one leg member, wherein

said head member and said at least one limb member are separately molded from said food-grade material and coupled to said torso member such that the edible toy figure resembles a human being.

3. The edible toy figure of claim 1 wherein said food-grade material is substantially rigid.

4. The edible toy figure of claim 1, wherein said food-grade material includes a candy material selected from a group consisting of hard candy material, licorice, chocolate, gel candy material, marshmallow, caramel, taffy, chewing gum, and combinations thereof.

5. The edible toy figure of claim 1, wherein said torso member includes at least one socket configured to receive a post associated with said at least one limb member.

6. The edible toy figure of claim 5, wherein said at least one limb member comprises a mechanical joint operably configured such that it bends in a manner resembling a human joint.

7. The edible toy figure of claim 1, wherein said head member and said at least one limb member comprise a male coupling operably configured to mate with a female coupling of said torso member, where said head member and said at least one limb member are articulable with respect to said torso member.

8. The edible toy figure of claim 7, wherein said male coupling and said female coupling are ball-joint couplings.

9. The edible toy figure of claim 1, wherein said torso member comprises at least one male coupling and at least one female coupling for associating said head member and said at least one limb member with said torso member, where said at least one limb member is articulable and posable.

10. The edible toy figure of claim 9 wherein said male coupling and said female coupling are ball-joint couplings.

11. The edible toy figure of claim 1, wherein said at least one limb member comprises a support operably configured to make said at least one limb member posable.

12. The edible toy figure of claim 11, wherein said at least one limb member comprises a mechanical joint such that said at least one limb member is articulable.

13. The edible toy figure of claim 12, wherein said at least one limb member is removable from said torso member.

14. The edible toy figure of claim 1, wherein a support is longitudinally inserted into said at least one limb member such that said at least one limb member is posable, where said support comprises a flexible material with memory retention.

15. The edible toy figure of claim 14, wherein said support is edible.

16. The edible toy figure of claim 15, wherein at least a portion of said support is covered with gelatin.

17. A method for fabricating an edible action figure, comprising the steps of:

molding an edible material having the structural properties of plastics into a head member, a torso member, and at least one limb member; and

mating said head member and each of said at least one limb member to said torso member such that the head member is articulable and posable relative to said torso member, and such that each of said at least one limb member is articulable and posable relative to said torso member.

18. The method of claim 17 wherein said head member and said at least one limb member are positioned relative to said torso member so as to resemble a human being.

19. The method of claim 18 wherein said edible material includes a candy material selected from a group consisting of hard candy material, licorice, chocolate, gel candy material, marshmallow, caramel, taffy, chewing gum, and combinations thereof.

20. The method of claim 18 further comprising the steps of:

molding said head member to include a cylindrical post;

molding said at least one limb member to include a cylindrical post;

molding said torso member in a first piece and a second piece such that said torso member includes milled pockets operably configured to mate with said cylindrical posts;

seating each said cylindrical post into a respective said milled pocket of said first piece of said torso member; and

sealing said first piece and said second piece of said torso member together such that said cylindrical posts are trapped within said milled pockets.

21. The method of claim 18 further comprising the steps of:

molding said torso member such that the torso member comprises at least one rigid post operably configured to mate with said head member;

molding said torso member such that the torso member comprises at least one rigid post operably configured to mate with said at least one limb member;

molding said head member and said at least one limb member from low- durometer material, wherein said head member includes a first internal cavity with a first retaining lip designed to accept said at least one rigid post, where said at least one limb member includes a second internal cavity with a second retaining lip designed to accept said at least one rigid post; and

assembling said head member, said at least one limb member, and said torso member.

22. The method of claim 18 further comprising the steps of:

molding said head member with a rigid post;

molding said at least one limb member with a rigid post;

molding said torso member out of low-durometer material, wherein the torso member includes at least one internal cavity, each said internal cavity having a retaining lip configured to receive said rigid post; and

mating each of said rigid post one of said at least one internal cavity of said torso member such that each of said rigid post is retained within said at least one internal cavity.

23. The method of claim 18 further comprising the step of longitudinally inserting a support into said at least one limb member such that said at least one limb member is posable.