Container with one-way slot for toy interlocking discs

Abstract

A container configured to hold toy interlocking discs is disclosed. In some embodiments, the container has a plurality of walls. The plurality of walls form an interior storage area. At least one of the plurality of walls has a one or more slot perimeter walls forming a one-way slot. The slot comprises an entry width configured to receive a toy interlocking disc. A plurality of teeth are spaced about an exit side of the slot and define a exit width of the slot. The exit width is less than the entry width The teeth prevent a toy interlocking disc from passing through the slot from an exit side of the slot and exiting the container.

Description

[0001] Attorney Docket No. 7813P0040PC

[0002] Container With One-Way Slot for Toy Interlocking Discs

[0003] This application claims the benefit of and priority to U.S. Patent Application No. 63 / 713,783, filed October 30, 2024.

[0004] FIELD

[0005] This disclosure is related in general to containers with a one-way slot for toy interlocking discs.

[0006] BACKGROUND

[0007] Building toys enable construction of shapes and objects limited only by a child's imagination.

[0008] Different shapes, sizes, and combinations provide different building capabilities. US Patent 11,123,650 is directed to an interlocking disc toy. The present inventors recognized the need for an improved container for holding interlocking discs.

[0009] SUMMARY

[0010] A container configured to hold toy interlocking discs is disclosed. In some embodiments, the container has a plurality of walls. The plurality of walls form an interior storage area. At least one of the plurality of walls has a one or more slot perimeter walls forming a one-way slot. The slot comprises an entry width configured to receive a toy interlocking disc. A plurality of teeth are spaced about an exit side of the slot and define a exit width of the slot. The exit width is less than the entry width. The teeth prevent a toy interlocking disc from passing through the slot from an exit side of the slot and exiting the container. Attorney Docket No. 7813P0040PC

[0011] Numerous other advantages and features of the present invention will become readily apparent from the following detailed description of the invention and the embodiments thereof, from the claims, and from the accompanying drawings.

[0012] BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0013] Figure 1 is a front view of an embodiment of a container of the invention.

[0014] Figure 2 is a top perspective view of a lid of the container of figure 1.

[0015] Figure 3 is a top view of the lid of figure 2.

[0016] Figure 4 is a bottom view of the lid of figure 2.

[0017] Figure 5 is a top view of the slot of the lid of figure 2

[0018] Figure 6 is a bottom view of the slot of figure 5.

[0019] Figure 7 is a bottom perspective view of the slot of figure 5.

[0020] Figure 8 is a side view of a handle usable with the lid of figure 2.

[0021] Figure 9 is a top view of the container of figure 1 with the lid removed.

[0022] Figure 10 is a front view of a toy interlocking disc useable with the container of figure 1.

[0023] Figure 11 is a side view of the disc of figure 10.

[0024] Figure 12 is a perspective view of a first toy interlocking disc engaged to a

[0025] second toy interlocking disc.

[0026] DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0027] The following description is presented to enable any person skilled in the art to make and use the invention. For the purposes of explanation, specific nomenclature is set forth to provide a plural understanding of the present invention. While this invention is susceptible of embodiment in many different forms, this description describes and the drawings show specific embodiments of the Attorney Docket No. 7813P0040PC

[0028] invention with the understanding that the present disclosure is to be considered as an exemplification of the principles of the invention and is not intended to limit the invention to the specific embodiments illustrated.

[0029] Figure 1 shows one embodiment of a container 10 of the invention. The container 10 comprises a lid 11 and a body 12. The body 12 comprises one or more side walls 13 joined to a bottom wall 15 defining an interior storage area 17, shown in figure 9, for holding a plurality of toy interlocking discs.

[0030] In some embodiments, the body is cylindrical and the one or more side walls 13 is a cylindrical side wall. In some embodiments, the body is triangular or cubic, with three or four sidewalls 13 respectively, defining the lateral perimeter of the body. Other shapes of the body are possible.

[0031] The interior storage area 17 of the body is closed at a top 17a of the body by the removable lid 11. The lid is releasably attached to the top of the body, such as via cooperating threads 35a on the lid and threads 35b on the body.

[0032] As shown in figures 2-4, the lid comprises a perimeter wall 16 connected to an upper wall 18 forming a semi enclosed area 14 therein. The interior side of the perimeter wall 16 may comprise the threads 35 as shown in figure 4. The perimeter wall 16 is configured to releasably engage and cover an upper portion of the container 10. The perimeter wall 16 is joined to a step 19. The step is joined opposite of the perimeter wall 16 to a second wall 21 that is set inward towards a center of the lid as compared to the perimeter wall 16. The second wall 21 comprises an inset portion 21a configured to accommodate a handle 25, shown in figure 8. Attorney Docket No. 7813P0040PC

[0033] The handle 25 may comprise mounting posts 25a, 25b at opposite ends of an arched body 25c. The handle 25 is pivotally attached to the lid on opposite sides of the inset portion 21a at apertures 29, 31. The posts 25a, 25b are releasably and pivotally received in the apertures 29, 31. The handle is moveable about the apertures 29, 31 from a lay-down stored position adjacent the inset portion 21a on the step 19 and a carrying position extending above the upper wall 18. The carrying position may be 90 degrees from the stored position. The step 19 may comprise a one or more apertures 33 about the perimeter of the lid, such as along the inset portion 21a.

[0034] The upper wall 18 comprises a one or more slot perimeter walls 21 forming a one-way slot 23 extending through the upper wall. The slot 23 comprises an upper entry width 27 configured to receive a toy interlocking disc 20. A plurality of teeth 30 are spaced about a lower exit side of the slot and define a lower exit width 28 of the slot. The lower exit width 28 is less than the upper entry width 27. In some embodiments, the teeth are flexible and the lower exit width 28 is less than a thickness 40 (fig. 11) of the disc 20 when the teeth are in an unflexed position to prevent an interlocking disc 20 from passing through the slot from a lower exit side of the slot and exiting the container.

[0035] In some embodiments, the plurality of teeth 30 comprise end teeth 30a, 30b that cap the short ends of the slot, as shown in figures 5-7. Each end tooth 30a, 30b comprises a pair of opposite arms 30c, 30d joined by an end segment 30e.

[0036] The teeth are 30 are spaced apart from each other along each longitudinal side of the slot forming gaps 30f between longitudinally adjacent teeth as shown in figures 5-7 and labeled in figure 5. There Attorney Docket No. 7813P0040PC

[0037] are also gaps 30h between longitudinally adjacent teeth 30 and end teeth 30a, 30b. The gaps assist the teeth to catch discs and preventing them from entering the slot from the exit side of the slot. Further, since the discs 20 may comprise a plurality of petals 32 and notches therebetween, the spaced apart teeth 30 will catch the disc, such as at the petals 32 or notches 34 or elsewhere, encountering the slot from the exit side or interior, to prevent the discs from passing through the slot from the exit side or interior.

[0038] In some embodiments, the teeth are positioned to angle inward, toward a longitudinal center line 30m of the slot to narrow the slot, from a base 30i of the tooth 30 to the terminal end 30j of the tooth. Therefore, opposite teeth angle toward each other from opposites side of the slot. The distance between opposite teeth at the bases 30i will be wider than at the terminal ends 30j. The distance between opposite teeth at the bases may be the same or close to the upper entry width 27. The distance between opposite teeth at or adjacent the terminal ends 30j is the exit width 28. The same is true for opposite arms 30c, 30d of the end teeth 30a, 30b; the arms 30c, 30d are further apart at the base 30i than at the terminal ends 30j, and at the terminal ends 30j the opposite arms 30c, 30d are spaced apart the exit width 28. In some embodiments the teeth 30, and opposite arms 30c, 30d are angled at or about 10 degrees from a plane normal to the upper wall 18. In some embodiments, the terminal ends of the teeth 30, 30a, 30b, comprise a rounded edge 30k, which may improve safety and durability.

[0039] The upper entry width 27 is sufficient to receive the thickness 40 of disc 20, such as being greater than the thickness of the disc. In some embodiments, then as the disc 20 travels through the slot and the disc encounters the teeth 30 the disc will be deterred from passing further through the slot unless a predefined amount of downward or inward force is applied to the disc to cause it to force Attorney Docket No. 7813P0040PC

[0040] the teeth to flex and move apart and away from each other in opposite directions A and B (figure 6) to widen the slot at the teeth to at least the width of the disc and allow the disc to pass through the slot and into the container body 12. When end teeth 30a, 30b are used, the disc forces opposite arms 30c, 30d of the end teeth 30a, 30b apart and away from each other to allow the disc to pass the opposite arms 30c, 30d. Once the disc passes the teeth, the teeth 30 and opposite arms 30c, 30d will return to the unflexed position under the bias of the teeth to their unflexed position shown in figure 5 and 6. Therefore the teeth are moveable between a unflexed and flexed position, typically by forcing a disc through the slot from outside of the container.

[0041] In the unflexed position the width 28 between opposite teeth is less than the thickness of the disc. In the unflexed position, the teeth being positioned so that the width 28 is less than the thickness of the disc will prevent discs from exiting the container through the slot in the lid. As the width of the slot at the teeth is narrower than the thickness of the disc, the disc will not be able to pass through the slot from the lower exit side of the slot. Therefore, the one-way slot allows discs to be placed through the lid and into the container body, for example for storage of the disc, but prevents discs within the container from escaping through the slot, such as if the container is shaken or turned on its side or upside down. While the one-way slot 23 is shown in the drawings on the lid, in some embodiments, the one way slot is provided on other walls of the container, such as the wall 13 and / or 15. The one-way slot 23 can be used to place discs in the container 10 without removing the lid 11.

[0042] When the teeth are angled from the base 301 to the terminal end 30 j, the slot progressively narrows from the entry width 27 to the exit width 28 along the opposite teeth and opposite arms 30c, 30d. The progressive narrowing provides a smooth passage through the slot and along the teeth when the Attorney Docket No. 7813P0040PC

[0043] predefined downward or inward force is applied to the disc to cause the disc to force the teeth apart. In some embodiments, the teeth are formed of or comprise one or more of polypropylene, polyethylene (PE), polystyrene (PS), polyvinyl chloride (PVC), polycarbonate (PC), and / or polyethylene terephthalate (PET). The PE or PS may allow the teeth to be flexible and permit the teeth to move between the unflexed and flexed positions. PVC, PC, or PET may be made flexible by the combination with other components, such as phthalates.

[0044] In some embodiments, the exit width 28 between the teeth 30 is greater than the thickness of the disc, but is less than the entry width 27 of the slot. In such case, when a disc is placed into the slot from the entry / top side, the teeth will not stop the disc from passing through and the predefined amount of downward or inward force may not need to be applied to the disc to cause it to pass through the slot. Therefore, the disc may fall through the slot from the entry side. And the disc will not force the teeth to flex apart when the disc passes through the slot from the entry or top side. The teeth will prevent the disc from passing through the slot from the interior of the container and the exit or bottom side of the slot. The teeth 30 will catch the disc, such as at the petals 32 or notches 34 or elsewhere, encountering the slot from the exit side of the slot or interior of the container, to prevent the discs from passing through the slot from the exit side or interior. When the exit width 28 between the teeth 30 is greater than the thickness of the disc, the teeth do not need to be flexible to allow the disc to pass through the slot from the entry / top side.

[0045] In some embodiments, the entry width 27 is at or about 6 millimeters (mm); the exit width 28 is at or about 4 mm; and a ratio of the entry width to the exit width is at or about 3 to 2.

[0046] An exemplary toy interlocking disc 20 is shown in figures 10 to 12, which may include Attorney Docket No. 7813P0040PC

[0047] features to enable easy connection with both physical and audible feedback that confirms a good connection. The example disc 20 includes a plurality of petals 32 and a hub 22. The petals 32 are spaced circumferentially apart about the hub 22. The petals 32 extend radially outward from the hub 22. In this disclosed example, eight (8) petals 32 are evenly spaced about a periphery of the hub 22. The space between the petals 32 defines a notch 34. The notch 34 is a space for interlocking another disc 20. Interlocking of one disc 20 to another disc 20 is accomplished by aligning notches 34 in each disc 20 and pushing the discs 20 together. Each disc 20 can be connected to another disc 20 in each of the notches 34. In this example, each disc 20 may be interlocked with eight (8) other discs 20. As appreciated, although the example disclosed discs 20 include eight (8) petals 32 and eight (8) notches 34, other numbers of petals 32 and notches 34 could be utilized and are within the scope and contemplation of this disclosure.

[0048] Each disc 20 is identically configured and shaped and includes features that enable interlocking connections between discs 20 together to maintain the structure. Each disc 20 is a substantially flat structure disposed within a common plane 36. The disc 20 includes a thickness 40 in a direction transverse to the common plane 36 indicated by arrow 38. The thickness 40 is indicated at a location on the petals 32 spaced apart from the hub 22. Thickness vary at different radial locations of each of the discs 20 to provide features that provide engagement and securement. When the thickness of the disc is referenced in connection with the slot 23, it is the greatest thickness of the disc, which may be at the outside of the hub 22. In some embodiments, the thickness of the disc is in the range of at or about 2 to 3 millimeters, although other thicknesses could be used.

[0049] A first disc 20A is shown interlocked to a second disc 20B in Figure 12. The references to a first disc 20A and second disc 20B are provided for descriptive purposes and are not indicative of any Attorney Docket No. 7813P0040PC

[0050] difference in configuration or shape. Both the first disc 20A and the second disc 20B are identically configured. In the interlocked condition, a hub 22 of each of the first disc 20 A and the second disc 20B is received within a notch 34 of the other one of the first disc 20A and second disc 20B. The hub 22 of the first disc 20A is thereby captured between petals 32 of the second disc 20B. The hub 22 of the second disc 20B is thereby captured between petals 32 of the first disc 20A. The petals 32 define the open space therebetween that is the notch 34. Inner surfaces of the petals 32 include features that enable assembly and that maintain the discs 20A, 20B in the interlocked condition shown in Figure 4. While an exemplary toy interlocking disc 20 is described, other toy interlocking discs could be used, such as those disclosed in U. S. Patent 11,123,650, which is herein incorporated by reference.

[0051] From the foregoing, it will be observed that numerous variations and modifications may be affected without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention. It is to be understood that no limitation with respect to the specific apparatus illustrated herein is intended or should be inferred. For example, one or more component embodiments may be combined, modified, removed, or supplemented to form further embodiments within the scope of the invention. Further, steps could be added or removed from the processes described. Therefore, other embodiments and implementations are within the scope of the invention.

Claims

Attorney Docket No. 7813P0040PCCLAIMSWhat is claimed is:

1. A container configured to hold toy interlocking discs, comprising:a plurality of walls forming an interior storage area;a wall of the plurality of walls comprising a one or more slot perimeter walls forming a one-way slot, wherein the slot comprises an entry width configured to receive a toy interlocking disc; and,a plurality of teeth are spaced about an exit side of the slot to prevent the toy interlocking disc from passing through the slot from an exit side of the slot and exiting the container, the plurality of teeth define an exit width of the slot, the exit width is less than the entry width.

2. The container of claim 1, comprising a body and a lid, the body comprising the interior storage area, the lid comprises the wall comprising the one or more slot perimeter walls forming the one-way slot, the lid is releasably engaged to cover a top of the body.

3. The container of claim 1, wherein each tooth of the plurality of teeth are angled inward toward a longitudinal center line of the slot from a base of the tooth to a terminal end of the tooth, the exit width is defined between terminal ends of opposite teeth on opposite sides of the slot.

4. The container of claim 1, wherein one or more pairs of longitudinally adjacent teeth of the plurality of teeth are spaced apart to form gaps therebetween.Attorney Docket No. 7813P0040PC5. The container of claim 1, wherein the plurality of teeth comprise a pair of end teeth located at opposite short sides of the slot, the end teeth comprise opposite arms joined by an end segment.

6. The container of claim 1, wherein the plurality of teeth are flexible and are moveable between the unflexed position, and a flexed position where opposite teeth are positioned further apart to widen the slot wider than the exit width to allow the disc to pass through the slot.

7. The container of claim 6, wherein the plurality of teeth comprise a pair of end teeth located at opposite short sides of the slot, the end teeth comprise opposite arms joined by an end segment, the opposite arms are moveable between the unflexed position where the arms are spaced apart the exit width and a flexed position where the arms are spaced apart greater than the exit width.

8. A lid for a container configured to hold toy interlocking discs, comprising:a perimeter wall connected to an upper wall, the perimeter wall configured to releasably engage and cover a top of a container body;the upper wall comprising a one or more slot perimeter walls forming a one-way slot, wherein the slot comprises an upper entry width configured to receive a toy interlocking disc;a plurality of teeth are spaced about an exit side of the slot to prevent the toy interlocking disc from passing through the slot from an exit side of the slot, the plurality of teeth define an exit width of the slot, the exit width is less than the entry width.

9. The lid of claim 8, wherein each tooth of the plurality of teeth are angled inward toward a longitudinal center line of the slot from a base of the tooth to a terminal end of the tooth, the exit width is defined between terminal ends of opposite teeth on opposite sides of the slot.Attorney Docket No. 7813P0040PC10. The lid of claim 8, wherein one or more pairs of longitudinally adjacent teeth of the plurality of teeth are spaced apart to form gaps therebetween.

11. The lid of claim 8, wherein the plurality of teeth comprise a pair of end teeth located at opposite short sides of the slot, the end teeth comprise opposite arms joined by an end segment.

12. The lid of claim 8, wherein the plurality of teeth are flexible and are moveable between the unflexed position, and a flexed position where opposite teeth are positioned further apart to widen the slot wider than the exit width to allow the disc to pass through the slot.

13. The lid of claim 8, wherein the plurality of teeth comprise a pair of end teeth located at opposite short sides of the slot, the end teeth comprise opposite arms joined by an end segment, the opposite arms are moveable between the unflexed position where the arms are spaced apart the exit width and a flexed position where the arms are spaced apart greater than the exit width.

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