Flexible Fluid Pouch Handheld Game Resolving Weight and Play Area Trade-off
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing water-filled container toys are rigid, making them heavy and difficult to carry, and they have limited play area and visual interest due to their small size, which restricts portability and engagement.
Innovation Solution
A handheld, fluid-filled game assembly with a flexible front panel bonded to a rear panel, featuring a fluid pouch with an enlarged play area, pump bulbs, and fluid passages, allowing for a larger play field and lightweight design, where the flexible panel can be deformed to alter gameplay.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Stability of the object's composition
If a rigid container is used to retain water and move objects, then the structure is stable and can maintain its shape, but the container becomes heavy and difficult to carry, limiting portability
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies a flexible shell instead of a rigid container. The fluid pouch is made of flexible material that can be compressed and deformed, allowing the container to be lightweight and portable while still maintaining structural integrity during use. The flexible nature allows it to be carried in pockets or backpacks without adding significant weight.
2Weight of moving object
If a small rigid container is used to make the toy portable, then it is easier to carry, but the play area is limited and visual interest is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The flexible fluid pouch allows for a large play area while maintaining portability. When compressed, the flexible material concentrates the liquid and game pieces into a compact form for easy carrying, but when released, it expands to provide a large play area for extended gameplay, thus resolving the contradiction between portability and play area size.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces dynamic behavior where the container can change its volume and shape. The flexible fluid pouch transitions from an expanded state during play to a compressed state for portability, and back again. This dynamic transformation allows the same container to provide both a large play area and ease of carrying without compromise.
3Stability of the object's composition
If a rigid container is used, then the structure is stable, but it is heavy for its size and difficult to carry in pockets or backpacks
Solution Approach 1:
The flexible fluid pouch replaces the rigid container, providing structural stability when needed while maintaining ease of carrying. The flexible material allows the container to be compressed into a compact form for portability in pockets or backpacks, yet still provides sufficient structural integrity to contain the liquid and game pieces during play.
Solution Approach 2:
The dynamic transformation of the flexible fluid pouch between expanded and compressed states allows it to transition from a stable play structure to a portable form factor. This dynamic behavior resolves the contradiction by allowing the same structure to be both stable during use and easily portable when not in use.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
The flexible design enables a larger, visually engaging play area that is lightweight and portable, allowing for extended play and interactive control of game pieces through flow jets, enhancing user experience and convenience.
Implementation Method 1
Each pump bulb creates a flow jet in the fluid medium when the pump bulb is compressed. The flow jet causes the game pieces to move within the liquid medium.
Implementation Method 2
The flexible front panel of the enlarged play area is transparent and is flexible enough to readily deform when manually touched. Accordingly, when touched, the enlarged play area is selectively altered. This can change the movement of the liquid medium and the game pieces within the enlarged play area.
Data Source
AI summary
A game assembly having a fluid pouch with a flexible front panel that is bonded to a rear panel in selected areas. The bonding acts to define an enlarged play area, at least one pump bulb, and at least one fluid passage. The fluid pouch is filled with a liquid medium and game pieces. A housing covers the flexible front panel of the fluid packet leaving at least part of the enlarged play area and at least one pump bulb exposed. Each pump bulb creates a flow jet in the fluid medium when compressed. The flow jet causes the game pieces to move within the liquid medium. The game pieces interact with stationary features to obtain points or to show gameplay skill. The flexible front panel is transparent and is flexible enough to readily deform when manually touched. Accordingly, when touched, the enlarged play area is selectively altered.