Beauty preparation toys

Abstract

A beauty preparation toy is disclosed. The toy may include a base; at least a portion of a toy doll configured to be attached in an upright position to the base; and at least one cover connected to the base and configured to move relative to the base among a plurality of positions, including a covered position in which the at least one cover is adjacent to the base and, with the base, at least substantially encloses the at least a portion of a toy doll while the at least a portion of a toy doll is attached in the upright position to the base, and an uncovered position in which the at least one cover is spaced from the base relative to the covered position.

Description

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application claims priority under 35 U.S.C. §119(e) to U.S. Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 60/787,309 entitled “Beauty Preparation Practice Device and Container,” filed Mar. 29, 2006. The complete disclosure of that application is herein incorporated by reference for all purposes.

BACKGROUND OF THE DISCLOSURE

The present disclosure is directed to beauty preparation toys, which may include at least a portion of a toy doll and one or more toy accessories for that portion of a toy doll.

Examples of beauty preparation devices may be found in U.S. Pat. Nos. 1,437,467; 2,165,476; 2,381,663; 2,968,104; 3,048,941; 3,552,549; 3,587,836; 3,765,123; 3,808,736; 4,361,981; 4,403,962; 4,810,196; 4,993,988; 5,180,325; 5,205,776; 5,234,370; 5,607,338; 6,109,921; 6,638,133; 6,926,152, D316,996, and D357,701. The complete disclosures of those patents are herein incorporated by reference for all purposes.

SUMMARY OF THE DISCLOSURE

Some embodiments provide a beauty preparation toy. The toy may include a base; at least a portion of a toy doll configured to be attached in an upright position to the base; and at least one cover connected to the base and configured to move relative to the base among a plurality of positions. The plurality of positions may include a covered position in which the at least one cover is adjacent to the base and, with the base, at least substantially encloses the at least a portion of a toy doll while the at least a portion of a toy doll is attached in the upright position to the base, and an uncovered position in which the at least one cover is spaced from the base relative to the covered position.

Some embodiments provide a beauty preparation toy. The toy may include a base; a portion of a toy doll configured to be attached in an upright position to the base; and first and second covers pivotally connected to the base and configured to move relative to the base among a plurality of positions. The plurality of positions may include a covered position in which the first and second covers are adjacent to each other and enclose, with the base, the portion of a toy doll while the portion of a toy doll is attached in the upright position to the base, and an uncovered position in which the first and second covers are spaced from each other relative to the covered position.

Some embodiments provide a beauty preparation toy. The toy may include a base; a portion of a toy doll configured to be attached in an upright position to the base; first and second covers pivotally connected to the base and configured to move relative to the base among a plurality of positions, including a covered position in which the first and second covers are adjacent to each other and enclose, with the base, the portion of a toy doll while the portion of a toy doll is attached in the upright position to the base, and an uncovered position in which the first and second covers are spaced from each other relative to the covered position, wherein the first and second covers include faces and at least a portion of the faces are coplanar with each other and are at least substantially parallel to a bottom surface of the base when the first and second covers are in the uncovered position; and one or more toy jewelry items, wherein the portion of a toy doll includes one or more apertures sized to receive a portion of at least one of the one or more jewelry items.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is an isometric view of some embodiments of a beauty preparation toy.

FIG. 2 is a partial isometric view of the beauty preparation toy of FIG. 1, showing a base having a drawer and toy accessories contained within the drawer.

FIG. 3 is an exploded partial side view of the beauty preparation toy of FIG. 1, showing a portion of a toy doll and a base.

FIGS. 4A and 4B are partial views of a portion of a toy doll of the beauty preparation toy of FIG. 1, showing attachment of toy accessories to parts of a portion of a toy doll.

FIG. 5 is a side view of the beauty preparation toy of FIG. 1, shown with covers in an uncovered position.

FIG. 6 is a side view of the beauty preparation toy of FIG. 1, shown with covers in a covered position.

FIG. 7 is a partial isometric view of the beauty preparation toy of FIG. 1, showing a cover in a covered position and another cover in an uncovered position, without a portion of a toy doll.

FIG. 8 is a top view of toy accessories of the beauty preparation toy of FIG. 1.

FIG. 9 is a partial side view of the beauty preparation toy of FIG. 1, shown with a panel.

FIG. 10 is a partial side view of the beauty preparation toy of FIG. 1, shown with the panel of FIG. 9 pivoted about a vertical axis such that the panel is behind a portion of a toy doll.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE DISCLOSURE

Referring to FIG. 1, some embodiments of a beauty preparation toy 20 are shown, which may include a base or base portion 22, a doll portion 24, at least one cover or cover portion 26, and one or more toy accessories 28. Base 22 may include any suitable structure configured to at least partially support doll portion 24 in at least an upright position U. Additionally, base 22 may include any suitable structure configured to contain at least some of the toy accessories. For example, base 22 may include a stand 30, at least one storage chamber 32, and at least one connector 34, as shown in FIGS. 2-3.

The stand may be any suitable shape(s) and/or any suitable size(s). For example, the stand may have a rectangular parallelepiped shape and may be sized to be smaller relative to cover 26, as shown in FIGS. 2-3. Additionally, stand 30 may include at least one top surface 36, at least one bottom surface 38, and at least one side surface 40. Moreover, stand 30 may include at least one opening 42 sized to at least partially receive storage chamber 32.

Although stand 30 is shown to have a rectangular parallelepiped shape, the base may alternatively, or additionally, include other parallelepiped shape(s) and/or other shapes, such as polyhedron(s), prism(s), pyramid(s), cylinder(s), cone(s), sphere(s), etc. Additionally, although stand 30 is shown to be smaller relative to cover 26, the stand may alternatively be about the same size or larger than the cover. Moreover, although stand 30 is shown to have a single opening 42, the base may include two or more openings to accommodate two or more storage chambers 32.

Storage chamber 32 may be any suitable shape(s) and/or any suitable size(s) configured to at least substantially contain one or more toy accessories 28 and/or be at least partially received within opening 42. For example, storage chamber 32 may include at least one drawer 44, which may include a front 46 having a knob 48, as shown in FIGS. 2-3. Although storage chamber 32 is shown to include drawer 44, the storage chamber may alternatively, or additionally, include other types of structures configured to at least substantially contain one or more of the toy accessories. Additionally, although only a single drawer 44 is shown, storage chamber 32 may include two or more drawers.

Connector 34 may be on any suitable location on stand 30 and/or may include any suitable structure configured to allow attachment of doll portion 24 to stand 30. For example, connector 34 may include at least one protuberance 50, which may be located on top surface 36 of stand 30. Although connector 34 is shown to include a single protuberance 50, the connector may include two or more protuberances. Additionally, although connector 34 is shown to include protuberance 50, the connector may alternatively, or additionally, include other types of fasteners and/or connectors, such as hook(s), tape, button(s), groove(s), and/or other fasteners.

Moreover, although connector 34 is shown to be located on top surface 36, the connector may additionally, or alternatively, be located on any suitable surface(s) of stand 30. Furthermore, although base 22 is shown to include stand 30, storage chamber 32, and connector 34, the base may additionally, or alternatively, include any suitable structure configured to at least partially support doll portion 24 in at least upright position U.

Doll portion 24 may include any suitable structure configured to provide one or more subjects for a user to groom and/or practice beauty preparation. For example, doll portion 24 may include at least a portion of a toy doll 52, which may be configured to be attached in at least upright position U to base 22, as shown in FIGS. 1 and 3. The portion of a toy doll may include any suitable portion(s), such as a toy doll's head, shoulders, and upper chest. The head may include hair portion 53 and one or more facial features. Portion of a toy doll 52 may resemble any suitable subject, such as a woman.

Although portion of a toy doll 52 is shown to include particular portions of a toy doll, the portion of a toy doll may additionally, or alternatively, include any suitable portion(s) of toy doll. For example, portion of a toy doll 52 may include only a toy doll's head or only a toy doll's head and neck. Alternatively, doll portion 24 may include an entire toy doll, instead of a portion of a toy doll.

Portion of a toy doll 52 may include any suitable structure configured to allow pivoting of that portion relative to the base about a vertical axis V, such as when at least one of the base and the cover is supported on a horizontal surface for use, and configured to retain one or more of the toy accessories. For example, the portion of a toy doll may include one or more connector portions 54. The connector portions may be in any suitable locations on the portion of a toy doll. For example, a bottom 56 and ears 58 of the portion of a toy doll may include connector portions 54, as shown in FIGS. 3-4.

Additionally, the connector portions may include any suitable structure configured to receive at least a portion of protuberance 50 of base 22 and/or configured to receive a portion of at least one of the toy accessories. For example, connector portions 54 may include one or more apertures 60 sized to receive at least a portion of protuberance 50 of base 22 (which may allow the portion of a toy doll to pivot relative to the base about the vertical axis) and/or to receive a portion of at least one of the toy accessories, as shown in FIGS. 3-4.

Although connector portions 54 are shown to be located on bottom 56 and ears 58 of the portion of a toy doll, the connector portions may additionally, or alternatively, be located on any suitable location(s) of the portion of a toy doll. For example, connector portions may be located on a forehead, a nose, a mouth, etc., of the portion of a toy doll. Additionally, although connector portions 54 are shown to include apertures 60, the connector portions may alternatively, or additionally, include any suitable connectors and/or fasteners, such as those described above.

Moreover, although doll portion 24 is shown to include portion of a toy doll 52, the doll portion may additionally, or alternatively, include any suitable structure configured to provide subject(s) to practice beauty preparation. For example, doll portion 24 may include portions of two or more toy dolls. Furthermore, although doll portion 24 includes a portion of a toy doll resembling a woman, the portion of a toy doll may alternatively resemble a man, an animal, and/or any suitable subject.

At least one cover 26 may include any suitable structure connected to base 22 and configured to move relative to the base among a plurality of positions, such as a closed or covered position C in which the at least one cover is adjacent to the base and, with the base, at least substantially encloses the at least a portion of a toy doll while the at least a portion of a toy doll is attached in the upright position, and an open or uncovered position D in which the at least one cover is spaced from the base relative to the covered position, as shown in FIGS. 1 and 5-6. The cover may be connected to the base in any suitable way, such as pivotally connected.

Although cover 26 is shown to move between the covered and uncovered positions, the cover may additionally, or alternatively, move among any suitable position(s). Additionally, although cover 26 is shown to be pivotally connected to base 22, the cover may alternatively, or additionally, be connected or attached to the base in any suitable way(s), such as slidingly and/or rotatably connected to the base.

The cover may include at least one face 66 and at least a portion of the face may be at least substantially parallel with bottom surface 38 of base 22 when the cover is in uncovered position D. Additionally, or alternatively, at least a portion of the face may be at least substantially parallel with side surface 40 of base 22 when the cover is in covered position C, as shown in FIGS. 5-7. Although the cover is shown to have particular configurations or orientations relative to the base, the cover may additionally, or alternatively, have any suitable configurations relative to the base.

Face 66 may include any suitable ornamentation and/or aesthetic features. For example, face 66 may include ornamentation such that toy 20 resembles a toy purse when cover 26 is in covered position C. Face 66 may alternatively, or additionally, have any suitable ornamentation such that toy 20 resembles any suitable article when cover 26 is in the covered position. For example, face 66 may have suitable ornamentation such that toy 20 resembles luggage, a make-up kit, or other item(s) when cover 26 is in the covered position.

In some embodiments, front 46 of drawer 44 may be at least partially covered by the at least one cover when the at least one cover is in the covered position, and/or may be uncovered by the at least one cover when the at least one cover is in the uncovered position, as shown in FIGS. 5-7. Although the cover is shown to at least partially cover the front of the drawer in the covered position, the cover may be shaped and/or sized such that it does not at least partially cover the front of the drawer, which may allow a user to pull the drawer even when the cover is in the covered position.

In some embodiments, cover 26 may include a first cover 62 and a second cover 64, as shown in FIGS. 5-7. The first and/or second covers may be configured to move relative to the base among a plurality of positions, such as covered position C in which the first and second covers are adjacent to each other and enclose, with the base, the portion of a toy doll while the portion of a toy doll is attached in upright position U to base 22, and uncovered position D in which the first and second covers are spaced from each other relative to covered position C. The first and second covers may be connected to the base in any suitable way(s), such as pivotally, slidingly, and/or rotatably connected to the base.

Although first cover 62 and second cover 64 are shown to move between the covered and uncovered positions, the first and second covers may additionally, or alternatively, move among any suitable position(s). Additionally, although two covers are shown, any suitable number of covers may be included, such as a single cover, three covers, etc. Moreover, although first and second covers are shown to be connected to the base, the first and second covers may alternatively, or additionally, be connected to each other.

The first cover may include a first face 68 and the second cover may include a second face 70, as shown in FIG. 5. At least a portion of the first face may be coplanar with at least a portion of the second face when the first and second covers are in the uncovered position. Additionally, or alternatively, at least a portion of the first and second faces may be parallel to bottom surface 38 of the base when the first and second covers are in the uncovered position. Although the first and second covers are shown to have particular configurations or orientations relative to each other and/or to the base, the covers may have any suitable configurations relative to each other and/or to the base.

Additionally, at least one of the first and second covers may include one or more latching portions 72, which may include any suitable structure configured to maintain at least one of the first and second covers in the covered position. For example, the latching portion may include at least one clasp 74 included with the second cover, as shown in FIG. 7. Although latching portions 72 is shown to include clasp 74, the latching portions may alternatively, or additionally, include any suitable connectors and/or fasteners, such as those described above. Additionally, although second cover 64 is shown to include latching portion 72, the first cover may alternatively, or additionally, include one or more latching portions 72.

Moreover, at least one of the first and second covers may include at least one handle 76, which may include any suitable structure configured to allow a user to carry toy 20, such as when the first and second covers are in the covered position. For example, first cover 62 may include handle 76, as shown in FIGS. 1 and 5.

Although first cover 62 is shown to include handle 76, second cover 64 may alternatively, or additionally, include the handle. Additionally, although the first and second covers are shown to include a single handle, the first and second covers may include two or more handles. Moreover, although handle 76 is shown to be a specific shape and size, the handle may be any suitable shape(s) and/or size(s).

Furthermore, at least one of the first and second covers may include at least one storage portion 78, which may include any suitable structure configured to at least partially contain one or more of the toy accessories. For example, storage portion 78 may include at least one pouch 80 located on an inner portion 82 of the second cover.

Although storage portion 78 is shown to include a single pouch 80, the storage portion may include two or more pouches 80. Additionally, although pouch 80 is shown to be located on inner portion 82 of the second cover, the pouch may alternatively, or additionally, be located on suitable portions of either or both of the first and second covers. Moreover, although storage portion 78 is shown to include pouch 80, the storage portion may additionally, or alternatively, include any suitable structure configured to at least partially contain one or more of the toy accessories.

Toy accessories 28 may include any suitable structure configured to be attached to, supported on, and/or interact with one or more parts of the at least a portion of a toy doll. For example, toy accessories 28 may include one or more toy jewelry items 84 and one or more toy hair accessories 86, as shown in FIGS. 4B and 8.

The toy jewelry items may include one or more of earrings 88, necklaces 90, etc. At least some of the toy jewelry items may be received within one or more connector portions 54 of the portion of a toy doll. For example, the earring(s) may be partially received within apertures 60 of portion of a toy doll 52, as shown in FIG. 4. At least some of the toy jewelry items may be supported on one or more parts of the portion of a toy doll. For example, the necklace(s) may be supported on an upper chest of the portion of a toy doll. Although toy jewelry items 84 are shown to include earrings 88 and necklaces 90, the toy jewelry items may additionally, or alternatively, include any suitable toy jewelry items, such as rings, studs, etc.

Toy hair accessories 86 may include one or more hair fasteners 92, hair extensions 94, hair ties 96, and hair grooming devices 98. At least some of the toy hair accessories, such as the hair fasteners, the hair extensions, and the hair ties may be attached to the hair of the portion of a toy doll. At least some of the toy hair accessories may be used to interact with the hair of the portion of a toy doll, such as hair grooming devices 98 (which may include brush(es), comb(s), etc.).

Although toy hair accessories 86 are shown to include hair fasteners 92, hair extensions 94, hair ties 96, and hair grooming devices 98, the toy hair accessories may additionally, or alternatively, include any suitable toy hair accessories configured to be attached to, be supported on, and/or interact with the hair of the portion of a toy doll. For example, toy hair accessories may include a toy hair crimping device, a toy hair dryer, a toy hair braider, etc. Additionally, although toy accessories 28 are shown to include toy jewelry items 84 and toy hair accessories 86, the toy accessories may additionally, or alternatively, include any suitable accessories configured to be attached to, be supported on, and/or interact with one or more parts of the portion of a toy doll. For example, toy accessories 28 may include a make-up kit (not shown) to allow a user to apply make-up on one or more facial features of the portion of a toy doll.

Moreover, although toy 20 is shown to include base 22, doll portion 24, cover 26, and toy accessories 28, the toy may additionally, or alternatively, include any suitable structure. For example, in some embodiments, toy 20 may include a toy panel 100. The toy panel may include any suitable structure configured to be supported over base 22 in an upright position, as shown in FIGS. 9-10.

The toy panel may include a first face 102 and a second face 104. The first face may include a toy mirror 106, while the second face may include one or more retainers 108 (such as hooks) configured to support one or more of the toy accessories. In some embodiments, the toy panel may be attached to the first and/or second covers and may be configured to pivot relative to the first and/or second covers, as shown in FIGS. 9-10.

Although toy panel 100 is shown to include first and second faces, the toy panel may include more or less faces. Additionally, although the toy panel is shown to be connected to first cover 62, the toy panel may alternatively, or additionally, be connected or attached to the base and/or the second cover. Moreover, although the toy panel is shown to be pivotally connected to first cover 62, the toy panel may alternatively, or additionally, be connected or attached in any suitable way(s), such as slidingly and/or rotatably connected to the first cover.

Furthermore, although the faces of the toy panel include toy mirror 106 and retainers 108, one or more of the faces may alternatively, or additionally, include any suitable structure. For example, one or more of the faces may include one or more light(s) to illuminate the portion of a toy doll, which may make that portion more visible in the toy mirror.

The disclosure set forth above encompasses multiple distinct inventions with independent utility. While each of these inventions has been disclosed in its preferred form, the specific embodiments thereof as disclosed and illustrated herein are not to be considered in a limiting sense as numerous variations are possible. The subject matter of the inventions includes all novel and non-obvious combinations and subcombinations of the various elements, features, functions and/or properties disclosed herein. Similarly, where any claim recites “a” or “a first” element or the equivalent thereof, such claim should be understood to include incorporation of one or more such elements, neither requiring nor excluding two or more such elements.

Inventions embodied in various combinations and subcombinations of features, functions, elements, and/or properties may be claimed through presentation of new claims in a related application. Such new claims, whether they are directed to a different invention or directed to the same invention, whether different, broader, narrower or equal in scope to the original claims, are also regarded as included within the subject matter of the inventions of the present disclosure.

Claims

1. A beauty preparation toy, comprising:

a base;

at least a portion of a toy doll configured to be attached in an upright position to the base; and

at least one cover connected to the base and configured to move relative to the base among a plurality of positions, including a covered position in which the at least one cover is adjacent to the base and, with the base, at least substantially encloses the at least a portion of a toy doll while the at least a portion of a toy doll is attached in the upright position to the base, and an uncovered position in which the at least one cover is spaced from the base relative to the covered position.

2. The toy of claim 1, wherein the at least one cover has a face and at least a portion of the face is at least substantially parallel with a bottom surface of the base when the at least one cover is in the uncovered position.

3. The toy of claim 1, wherein the at least one cover has a face and at least a portion of the face is at least substantially parallel to a side surface of the base when the at least one cover is in the covered position.

4. The toy of claim 1, wherein the at least one cover is pivotally connected to the base.

5. The toy of claim 1, further comprising one or more toy accessories configured to be attached to one or more parts of the at least a portion of a toy doll.

6. The toy of claim 5, wherein the at least a portion of a toy doll includes one or more connector portions configured to receive a portion of at least one of the one or more toy accessories.

7. The toy of claim 6, wherein the connector portions include one or more apertures.

8. The toy of claim 5, wherein the base includes at least one storage chamber sized to at least substantially contain one or more of the toy accessories.

9. The toy of claim 8, wherein the storage chamber includes at least one drawer.

10. The toy of claim 9, wherein the drawer has a front that is at least partially covered by the at least one cover when the at least one cover is in the covered position, and is uncovered by the at least one cover when the at least one cover is in the uncovered position.

11. The toy of claim 1, further comprising a panel configured to be supported over the base in an upright position.

12. The toy of claim 11, wherein the panel includes a first face with a toy mirror.

13. The toy of claim 12, wherein the panel is attached to the at least one cover and is configured to pivot relative the at least one cover.

14. The toy of claim 1, wherein the doll is configured to pivot relative to the base about a vertical axis when at least one of the base and the at least one cover is supported on a horizontal surface for use.

15. A beauty preparation toy, comprising:

a base;

a portion of a toy doll configured to be attached in an upright position to the base; and

first and second covers pivotally connected to the base and configured to move relative to the base among a plurality of positions, including a covered position in which the first and second covers are adjacent to each other and enclose, with the base, the portion of a toy doll while the portion of a toy doll is attached in the upright position to the base, and an uncovered position in which the first and second covers are spaced from each other relative to the covered position.

16. The toy of claim 15, wherein the first and second covers include faces, and at least a portion of the faces are coplanar with each other and are at least substantially parallel to a bottom surface of the base when the first and second covers are in the uncovered position.

17. The toy of claim 15, further comprising one or more toy jewelry items configured to be attached to one or more parts of the portion of a toy doll.

18. The toy of claim 17, wherein the portion of a toy doll includes one or more apertures sized to receive a portion of at least one of the one or more toy jewelry items.

19. A beauty preparation toy, comprising:

a base;

a portion of a toy doll configured to be attached in an upright position to the base;

first and second covers pivotally connected to the base and configured to move relative to the base among a plurality of positions, including a covered position in which the first and second covers are adjacent to each other and enclose, with the base, the portion of a toy doll while the portion of a toy doll is attached in the upright position to the base, and an uncovered position in which the first and second covers are spaced from each other relative to the covered position, wherein the first and second covers include faces and at least a portion of the faces are coplanar with each other and are at least substantially parallel to a bottom surface of the base when the first and second covers are in the uncovered position; and

one or more toy jewelry items, wherein the portion of a toy doll includes one or more apertures sized to receive a portion of at least one of the one or more jewelry items.

20. The toy of claim 19, wherein the base includes at least one drawer sized to contain one or more of the toy jewelry items.