Amusement devices: toys – Convertible from – or serving as diverse article – Container having shape of specific article
Reexamination Certificate
2000-01-21
2001-06-26
Muir, D. Neal (Department: 3712)
Amusement devices: toys
Convertible from, or serving as diverse article
Container having shape of specific article
C446S005000, C446S368000, C446S491000
Reexamination Certificate
active
06250985
ABSTRACT:
TECHNICAL FIELD
The present invention relates to novelty items, and more particularly, relates to a hollow biodegradable object containing a novelty item wherein the object has a breakable coating capable of absorbing conventional egg dye.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
For many people, Easter is generally a happy time of year. During this time of year, people typically celebrate Easter by dying eggs in a wonderful variety of colors. However, conventional egg dyes are known to penetrate the shell of the dyed egg and contaminate the interior of the shell and the egg therein. Additionally, dyed eggs have a short and discrete shelf-life before rotting begins to occur. Many organizations, such as churches, have moved away from using dyed natural eggs due to the associated contamination and rotting problems. Dyed natural eggs placed in a grass yard that are not found during an egg hunting game are eventually found much later due to their foul aroma. In essence, this kind of contamination and rotting can quickly turn a happy Easter into a sad occasion.
To solve the contamination and rotting problem, many people now use artificial eggs or, more particularly stated, plastic eggs. It is well known in the art to make artificial eggs from plastic in a wide variety of colors. These artificial eggs may be separable so that a premium or novelty item, such as candy or a toy, may be placed inside. However, such plastic eggs cannot be dyed with conventional egg dyes, such as Easter egg dyes produced and distributed by Durkee French Foods of Wayne, N.J. Essentially, the fun of dying Easter eggs is lost when a celebrant is forced to use such conventional plastic eggs.
There are a variety of patents that describe hollow breakable objects, similar to eggs, capable of containing a premium or novelty item. For example, U.S. Pat. No. 5,332,605 entitled “Hollow Decorative Object Containing Novelties” and invented by DeLamar discloses a hollow decorative object, in the general shape of an egg with a flat base region, containing inside one or more novelty items. The hollow decorative object is made from unfired pottery clay. In this manner, the outer shell of the hollow decorative object is sufficiently hard and shape retaining for normal handling but is still capable of being cut open with a knife. In other words, by only hardening the material without firing it, an opening may be cut into the hollow decorative object through which the novelty items can be removed without otherwise breaking or damaging the hollow decorative object. However, such a hollow decorative object is not coated so that it can be dyed with conventional egg dyes. Furthermore, such a hollow decorative object is not biodegradable.
Additionally, U.S. Pat. No. 3,983,658 entitled, “Pinatas” and invented by de Sanz describes two equal spherical halves making a hollow body. Toys and candy are typically inserted within the two halves as novelty items. The halves are glued together with adhesive. The halves are made of extruded polystyrene, which is strong, light, and frangible. While remaining breakable like a natural egg, such a hollow body made of extruded polystyrene is not capable of being dyed like a natural egg using conventional egg dyes. Furthermore, the hollow body of extruded polystyrene is not biodegradable.
In summary, there is a need for a breakable hollow object in the shape of an egg which contains a premium or novelty item, prevents contamination of the interior of the object, prevents spoilage of the premium or novelty item, and is dyeable with conventional egg dye similar to a natural egg.
SUMMARY OF THE PRESENT INVENTION
The present invention generally provides a hollow breakable object capable of containing inside thereof a novelty item. The hollow breakable object is capable of being cracked open like a natural egg and absorbing conventional egg dye. Stated generally, the hollow breakable object of the present invention includes a hollow shell and a coating. The hollow shell is typically biodegradable while the coating may be broken down into component parts, such as inert and naturally occurring elements. The hollow shell is capable of being broken apart and is usually made from a biodegradable fibrous material, such as paper mache or molded pulp, in the general shape of an egg. The coating encases the hollow shell and is generally made from either gypsum, limestone, or silicate or a combination of the materials.
The coating may include a scoring along the surface of the coating. The scoring provides a predefined break point for the hollow breakable object. In this manner, an abrupt force applied to the predefined break point can easily break the coating and the hollow shell to permit access to the novelty item.
More particularly described, the present invention is a hollow breakable object capable of containing a novelty item. The hollow breakable object includes a first shell section and a second shell section. When the shell sections are affixed to each other, they form a hollow shell, typically in the general shape of an egg, having an enclosed internal chamber. The novelty item is contained within this enclosed internal chamber. A coating encases the shell sections. The coating is breakable and capable of absorbing conventional egg dye. Desirably, the coating is hard, smooth and brittle so as to crack and break like a natural egg. Typically, the coating is made of a material having the components of gypsum, limestone, silicate, or a combination thereof.
Additionally, the first shell section and the second shell section are each biodegradable. The present invention typically achieves such biodegradability by making the first shell section and the second shell section out of a biodegradable fibrous material. The biodegradable fibrous material may be molded pulp, molded fiber or paper mache as well as other biodegradable materials.
Furthermore, each of the sections have an internal support structure capable of providing padding support to the novelty item within the enclosed internal chamber. The internal support structures help to prevent damage to the novelty item.
Additionally, the first section may have a scoring. The scoring provides a predefined break point for the first shell section. Typically, the scoring is located on the first shell section or on both the first shell section and the second shell section. In this manner, the object can be easily broken open along the scoring to allow access to
10
the enclosed interior chamber and the novelty item.
Although the preferred embodiment of the present invention is directed towards an egg shaped breakable object having a coating capable of absorbing conventional egg dyes, it should be understood that the present invention may be applied to a broad variety of hollow breakable objects.
In summary, it is an object of the present invention to provide a hollow breakable object capable of absorbing conventional egg dye.
It is a further object of the present invention to provide a biodegradable object, shaped like an egg, that is capable of containing a novelty item.
It is a further object of the present invention to provide an object having a breakable coating that easily absorbs convention egg dye without contaminating the enclosed interior chamber of the object.
It is a further object of the present invention to provide a hollow breakable object capable of absorbing convention egg dye without having spoilage problems.
It is a further object of the present invention to provide a hollow breakable object capable of providing padding support to a novelty item enclosed within the object.
It is a further object of the present invention to provide a hollow breakable object capable of being broken into easily to access the enclosed novelty item.
The present invention and its advantages, those described above and otherwise, will be appreciated from studying the following detailed description and drawings, and the appended claims.
REFERENCES:
patent: 294575 (1884-03-01), Britton
patent: 1383290 (1921-07-01), Cressey
patent: 1931409 (1933-10-01), Humphrey
patent: 3005284 (1
Muir D. Neal
Sutherland & Asbill & Brennan LLP
LandOfFree
Hollow breakable object having a breakable dye absorptive... does not yet have a rating. At this time, there are no reviews or comments for this patent.
If you have personal experience with Hollow breakable object having a breakable dye absorptive..., we encourage you to share that experience with our LandOfFree.com community. Your opinion is very important and Hollow breakable object having a breakable dye absorptive... will most certainly appreciate the feedback.
Profile ID: LFUS-PAI-O-2496427