Abstract: An assembly includes a transaction product and an auxiliary vehicle. The transaction product includes a folded sheet configured to be repeatedly folded and unfolded between a collapsed position and an extended position. The folded sheet defines a substantially planar surface defining a printed track. The transaction product comprises an account identifier statically connected thereto. The account identifier links the transaction product to at least one of an account and a record and is machine readable by a point-of-sale terminal. The auxiliary vehicle includes a microcontroller, one or more sensors, a motor, and at least one movable component. The microcontroller actuates the motor to induce movement of the at least one movable component propelling the auxiliary vehicle along and following the printed track based on detection of a location of the printed track as determined by the one or more sensors.

Abstract: A carton assembled from semi-rigid material presents a sports car configuration and is formed from a sheet of the semi-rigid material that presents a base panel having spaced, opposed lateral edges presenting fold lines from which side panels are folded upwardly to present the sides of the sports car body. Each of the side panels has replicas of a front and a rear wheel to support the sports car on an underlying surface. The hood of the sports car extends downwardly and inwardly, and a rear panel folds downwardly to present the rear end of the sports car body thereby providing an assembled carton having the sports car configuration.

Abstract: An assembly includes a transaction product and an auxiliary vehicle. The transaction product includes a folded sheet configured to be repeatedly folded and unfolded between a collapsed position and an extended position. The folded sheet defines a substantially planar surface defining a printed track. The transaction product comprises an account identifier statically connected thereto. The account identifier links the transaction product to at least one of an account and a record and is machine readable by a point-of-sale terminal. The auxiliary vehicle includes a microcontroller, one or more sensors, a motor, and at least one movable component. The microcontroller actuates the motor to induce movement of the at least one movable component propelling the auxiliary vehicle along and following the printed track based on detection of a location of the printed track as determined by the one or more sensors.

Abstract: Display packaging for soft toys, in particular, dolls, that allows a doll to be stably displayed upright in a standing or upright position on a retail display shelf, while allowing the doll's costumes and other attributes to be displayed to a purchaser and/or and child accompanying the purchaser unimpeded by any packaging elements and in a more life-like manner is described.

Abstract: A collapsible toy kitchen apparatus and method, an embodiment including a back support including a backsplash, a kitchen counter including a countertop and a range and being pivotably connected to the back support, a base pivotably connected to the back support, and two side walls that are each foldable. The pivotable connections and foldable side walls allow the toy kitchen to collapse, such as for storage.

Abstract: A projectile and a compact carrying and launching case in combination. The projectile includes foldable wings which when unfolded resemble a plane. The compact carrying and launching case includes a two piece housing that is pivotally attached to each other about a hinge/launching mechanism. When closed, the two piece housing encloses the plane in its folded position. When opened, the hinge/launching mechanism can be pulled to a cocked position and then released forcibly moves the projectile such that it releases from the launching mechanism and is capable of flying.

Abstract: Disclosed herein is a shadow activity book comprising a bound arrangement of pages that includes a cover and a plurality of pages. A novelty item is secured to a page and movable from a first position, in which the novelty item is positioned substantially within a perimeter of the bound arrangement, and a second position, in which the novelty item extends beyond the perimeter of the bound arrangement. The novelty item can be provided with opaque, transparent, and/or translucent sections, and a flashlight can be provided for projecting onto a wall a shadow image of the novelty item. In some aspects, the shadow image includes a design disposed on a transparent/translucent section of the novelty item. A writing instrument can be provided for disposing the design on the transparent/translucent section.

Abstract: A method of forming a container for food or other items having a model vehicle configuration is provided that accurately depicts the contours and dimensions of the vehicle to enhance its appeal. An elongated, cardboard-like sheet is presented that is die cut to fold into a three dimensional model of the vehicle. The sheet's first end is folded along a first pair of transverse fold lines and secured in a position to present an open cabin, rear deck and tail of the vehicle, whereby the open cabin may provide the container for food and other items. The sheet's central portion is folded upwardly along a pair of longitudinal fold lines to present the sides of the vehicle, and the second end portion is folded along a second pair of transverse fold lines and secured in position to present the hood and front windshield of the vehicle.

Abstract: The invention is a promotional structure, such as a greeting card, which is collapsible to fit into a flat envelope for mailing, and which unfolds into the shape of a recognizable type of building, such as a house. Some of the panels are flexibly joined to one another while others (or portions of others) carry reusable fasteners, such as ribbons corresponding to complementary holes on adjacent panels. When the structure is unfolded and the fasteners join the corresponding panels, the panels define the building's shape and its promotional theme. The design provides a structure well suited for distributing promotional material in a medium that is different than traditional greeting cards or brochures, and the structure may be fabricated either from a plurality of panels secured to each other or from the die-cutting and scoring of a single sheet of material.

Abstract: A safety ejector is formed from a flat baseplate, which is stamped to provide an ejecting member having a transverse top portion and two longitudinal legs, two locating members located at two outer sides of the ejecting member, and an actuating member defined between the two legs of the ejecting member. After the ejecting and the actuating member are upward turned into a vertical position, the transverse portion of the ejecting member is flexibly bent downward to press at two outer ends against the two locating members with a center thereof located on a lower hook portion of the actuating member. The upward turned ejecting and actuating members leave a space on the base plate to provide a runway. By lifting the actuating member, the bent transverse portion of the ejecting member is disengaged from the locating members to spring out and eject an article positioned on the runway.

Abstract: A flying device which rotates as it travels through the air includes a body having three radially projecting vanes. Three blades or wings are pivotally connected to the three vanes. Each blade may be selectively and adjustably attached to an adjacent vane so that the blade projects outward from the body. When the flying device is thrown, the blades cause the aerial device to spin in a twirling motion. For storage or shipping, the blades may also be folded over so that they abut the body.

Abstract: A fashion doll clothes holder for doll clothes and accessories of the type having fasteners having a plurality of panels hingedly connected together to form an enclosure. The enclosure has an inner surface including fasteners adapted to releasably engage the fasteners on doll clothes and accessories to secure the doll clothes and accessories to the panels.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a combination play station and container. In its broadest context, the invention includes a receptacle with a number of flaps secured thereto. Additionally, the receptacle includes a number of smaller containers which are slidably secured thereto. These smaller containers are labeled with the names of various vehicle accessories. Additionally, these containers are adapted to hold toy versions of such accessories. In the preferred embodiment, there are three flaps which are each pivotally secured to the container. These flaps can be pivoted outwardly such that entire container obtained an opened configuration. Alternatively, each of the flaps can be folded over the receptacle such that the container in placed in a closed orientation.

Abstract: A simple and inexpensive combination grasping tool and puppet is disclosed in the form of a sheet with distal ends. The tool comprises a single sheet of pliable material with finger-lock `x` slits that provide a custom locked fit around a user's fingers that have been pushed through the slits, thus freeing the user from the requirement of holding onto the tool. After the user has inserted and locked his index finger and thumb into the `x` slits, the device then takes advantage of the user's own dexterous use of his finger and hand muscles and joints to open and close the device while picking up small food items. The distal ends of the device that fold around the inserted fingers serve to: 1) provide an outwardly facing printable display area, and 2) provide a continuous protective barrier for the fingers being used from the small food items being grasped.

Abstract: A doll's house comprises a plurality of separable components including walls, a floor, a roof, and internal dividing partitions, each component being separable from the other components, and foldable into a collapsed configuration. Two of the components form the base and top of an elongate rectangular box and the other components, when collapsed, are sufficiently compact to fit within the box. The floor forms the base of the box and has upstanding flanges around its periphery and the walls, when in their erected condition are being located inside of the upstanding flange and are held there. The roof comprises a pitched part which is collapsible into a flat form, and a lid adapted to locate over and support the upper edge of the walls when in their erected condition. The lid has a downwardly extending flange which extends around the upper edges of the walls when in their erected condition.

Abstract: A storage container for use in a child's room to store toys or other items, wherein the container includes removable components that may be assembled to and removed from the container to form different objects, such as vehicles, animals, and the like, thereby making the container, itself, an entertaining and educational toy. At least some of the components of the combined storage chest and toy may be used interchangeably to make a plurality of different objects, thereby minimizing the number of pieces that must be manufactured to form a plurality of different objects.

Abstract: The invention is a one-piece planer foldable cardboard-like vehicle having artwork thereon and capable of being easily assembled into a vehicle replica, said planer material having four segments, one of which has a bottom segment with two opposing ends, and extending from each end a trunk section having transverse fold lines and having connecting means, and from the other end a hood segment, which in another variation has transverse fold lines and tabs, defining a windshield assembly, such that when the hood segment is brought forward over the front end of the top segment and between two wheel wells in the top segment, which wheel wells are formed by opposing cuts and longitudinal fold lines within the top segment; and connected to the front end of the top segment, the front of the vehicle is formed. The top segment also has an interior opening with a downward folding portion providing for a dashboard and steering wheel.

Abstract: A blank is provided which is adapted to be folded into a carrier for holding a doll and related accessories. The carrier is preferably formed from any desired fabric which is soft, lightweight and durable, and corrugated board inserts can be placed within panels forming the carrier in order to reinforce them and provide a desired strength. When assembled, each of the carriers of the present invention resembles a mailbox in appearance, with a first carrier including a pivotable flag, and with other carriers having simulated mail slots on their exterior surfaces. Additionally, retaining structure is provided for detachably retaining a doll, a writing implement and various writing accessories on the interior of the carrier.

Abstract: The toy is transformable into two distinct open and closed conditions (O, C) through a body and appendages each of a fixed geometric shape mentioned to collectively present the image of an identifiable animate object in the open condition (O) and an image of an inanimate object in the form of a rounded structure in the closed condition (C) through hinges connecting the body and the appendages to permit controlled relative movement of the appendages both for transformation and play in either configuration. Fasteners are provided to hold the toy in the closed configuration defining the inanimate image and upon release to allow the appendages to open relative to the body to define the open configuration and animate image.

Abstract: A combination gift (a surprise) and its casing are disclosed which are formed essentially as a single unit, for example of molded plastic material. After the combination's formation, the gift, or its constituent parts, can be folded into the casing which is then closed. Furthermore, forming the combination as a single unit enables the packaging of the unit to be carried out completely automatically.

Abstract: A puppet theater with a playback device (7) for sounds provided during a theatrical performance has an electrically actuatable display (13, 14, 15) for each puppet to be used. Control signals are recorded on the sound medium (7') of the playback device (7), and include display controls to trigger the displays to cue the puppeteer during the performance as to which puppet is to be used at a given time in the script. The control signals of the playback device can also include automatic commands for unwinding a backdrop (5), and signals for controlling the illumination of colored lamps (16, 17, 18) which light the stage. The theater may be portably arranged via dividing joint (23) and hinges (24, 25) which allow for folding of the walls (1, 3, 4).

Abstract: A handcraft construction element comprising a substantially square central engagement portion defining a diagonal slit therethrough and two oppositely disposed triangular integral flaps extending on opposite sides of said engagement portion and separated therefrom by integral hinges, wherein each of said flaps defines an extended tongue adapted to engage said diagonal slit of another such element; and a sheet having a plurality of handcraft construction elements pre-cut for punching out.

Abstract: A low profile rolling book comprising plural sheets, bound along one marginal edge. In the preferred embodiment, the book's front cover includes printed matter depicting the top view of a wheeled vehicle having wheel wells disposed adjacent the parallel opposing top and bottom edges of the book. Respective wheels are rotatably mounted at each of the wheel wells.

Abstract: A greeting card blank is made from a piece of card stock and has first and second ends and sides perpendicular thereto. First, second and third fold lines are parallel to the ends, the first end and the first fold line defining a first panel, the first and second fold lines a second panel, the second and third fold lines a third panel and the third fold line and the second end a fourth panel. The first panel has a slot therethrough and a tab projects from the second end and is interengageable with the slot. The blank also has a round hole therethrough on its longitudinal centerline and near the third fold line. The blank is convertible to a self-standing greeting card by folding the blank along the fold lines and inserting the tab into the slot, with the first and fourth panels overlapping each other, the second panel providing a bottom panel and the third panel providing a front panel. The third panel bears a greeting card message.

Abstract: An advertising device comprising a single planar sheet of cardboard or like material which is printed on one side, die cut, glued and provided with fold or score lines and locking means which enable the sheet of material to be readily folded and then locked into a three-dimensional configuration having the appearance of a toy truck or automobile. In the three-dimensional configuration, compartments are defined for receipt of food items such as hamburgers, French fries and the like.

Abstract: A display article comprising a promotional bay trailer assembly which is made entirely of corrugated fiberboard materials. A series of cuts and score lines permits the article to be shipped in a completely flat or knockdown position. Upon receipt by the retail merchant, consumer or collector, the device may be readily assembled into a highly durable and attractive unit. No separate fasteners or glue of any kind are required for assembly of the unit which may be easily completed even by persons unfamiliar with display assembly techniques. It is contemplated that the device would be suitable for advertising and hobby/collector uses.

Abstract: A display article comprising a promotional full trailer assembly which is made entirely of corrugated fiberboard materials. A uniquely engineered series of cuts and score lines permits the article to be shipped in a completely flat or knockdown position. Upon receipt by the retail merchant, consumer or collector, the device may be readily assembled into a highly durable and attractive unit. No separate fasteners or glue of any kind are required for assembly of the unit which may be easily completed even by persons unfamiliar with display assembly techniques. It is contemplated that the device would be suitable for advertising and hobby/collector uses.