Reversible Elastomer Toy With Bottom Opening
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional toys lack versatility, are costly, and pose storage and health issues due to their single configuration, complexity in structure, and aesthetic defects, limiting children's development and imagination.
Innovation Solution
A reversible toy made of elastomer with a simple structure, featuring a reversible opening at the bottom that is not visually obvious, allowing interchangeable configured units for multiple play configurations, manufactured at low cost using thermoplastic rubber and molding techniques.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If a conventional soft toy uses an opening with zipper or buttons to enable configuration change, then the toy can be converted into different configurations, but the production steps increase, manufacturing costs increase, and production efficiency decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The invention removes the complex closure components (zippers, buttons, fasteners) from the toy structure entirely. Instead of using an opening that requires closing mechanisms, the design employs a seamless elastomer construction where configuration changes are achieved by inverting the entire toy body, eliminating the need for any opening or closure system.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention applies inversion by turning the toy inside out to achieve configuration change. The toy can be inverted through its opening to transform from one configuration to another, using the reverse action rather than traditional opening/closing mechanisms to achieve versatility.
2Device complexity
If a conventional stuffed toy uses plush fabric and cotton filling, then the toy can be manufactured with simple structure, but the toy becomes heavy, difficult to fold and carry, and the stuffed materials may breed bacteria
Solution Approach 1:
The invention changes the fundamental material parameter from traditional plush fabric and cotton filling to elastomer material. This material substitution transforms the toy into a lightweight, flexible, and bacteria-resistant object while maintaining the simple structure, as the elastomer itself provides both the structural form and functional properties.
3Ease of manufacture
If a conventional soft toy has an opening formed in front or rear of toy body, then the toy can be assembled with closure components, but the opening is visually obvious and creates aesthetic defects
Solution Approach 1:
The invention removes the visually obvious opening from the front and rear surfaces of the toy. By positioning the opening at the bottom and making it reversible, the design eliminates aesthetic defects while maintaining manufacturing capability through the seamless elastomer construction.
Data Source
AI summary
A reversible toy has a main body. The main body has a first configured unit and a second configured unit joined with each other. Each of the first and the second configured units is made of elastomer. One of the first and the second configured units is filled in the other one of the first and the second configured units to form a reversible opening formed in a bottom of the main body, and positions of the first and the second configured units are interchangeable via the reversible opening.