Abstract: A toy train is provided having a folding body with body segments joined by a hinge, adapted to engage a base having wheels. The folding body may be disassembled for storage in a generally flattened arrangement. A novel drive assembly for a toy train or toy train accessory is provided having a motor and a gear, which can be removably inserted in the base and covered by the folding body. A storage kit is provided including a storage case for storing a folding body of a toy train, a base for a toy train, and a drive assembly for a toy train. A toy train set is provided including tiles with raised train tracks. The tiles are joined by dovetail joints. Themed tiles are provided for creating a multi-themed play environment.

Abstract: A toy train is provided having a folding body with body segments joined by a hinge, adapted to engage a base having wheels. The folding body may be disassembled for storage in a generally flattened arrangement. A novel drive assembly for a toy train or toy train accessory is provided having a motor and a gear, which can be removably inserted in the base and covered by the folding body. A storage kit is provided including a storage case for storing a folding body of a toy train, a base for a toy train, and a drive assembly for a toy train. A toy train set is provided including tiles with raised train tracks. The tiles are joined by dovetail joints. Themed tiles are provided for creating a multi-themed play environment.

Abstract: A retainer and support device for a food item, e.g., a jawbreaker, includes a housing having a recessed wall defining a chamber for receiving the food item. A passageway extends through the recessed wall and a product engaging member extends through the passageway and into the chamber for engaging the surface of a food item retained in the chamber. A manually actuatable drive member is in driving communication with the product engaging member to move the product engaging member and thereby move the food item retained within the chamber.

Abstract: The combination of a dispenser and a strip of a food product and a method for dispensing the food product from the dispenser so that it can be used by a user of the dispenser. The strip comprises an elongated web of an edible material, e.g., gum, which is coiled up in a compact configuration having a free end portion. The dispenser comprises a housing for the strip, an outlet, a motor for advancing a desired length and most preferably any desired length of the free end portion of the strip out of the outlet, and a severing element for severing the desired length of the free end portion of the strip from the remaining portion of the strip to form a dispensed section of the strip which may be placed in the user's mouth while the remaining portion of the strip remains within the housing.

Abstract: A toy whose entertainment value is altered when placed in water includes an outer package dissolvable in water which has an inner, sealed compartment to hide at least one novelty item therein. The outer package is comprised of a water soluble material which is sufficiently opaque to preclude visual inspection of any item disposed within the compartment, and in the preferred embodiment, is comprised of two sheets of such a material bonded together about their peripheral edge by a water soluble binding agent. The package has an outer peripheral edge or silhouette, generally corresponds in shape to the object, character, animal, animate or inanimate, etc., which is depicted on either or both exterior surfaces of the package. The novelty item(s) held within the compartment are made from a material, such as plastic, metal, etc., which is non-expandable when the package is placed in water.

Abstract: A toy whose entertainment value is altered when placed in water includes an outer package dissolvable in water which has an inner, sealed compartment to hide at least one novelty item therein. The outer package is comprised of a water soluble material which is sufficiently opaque to preclude visual inspection of any item disposed within the compartment, and in the preferred embodiment, is comprised of two sheets of such a material bonded together about their peripheral edge by a water soluble binding agent. The package has an outer peripheral edge or silhouette, generally corresponds in shape to the object, character, animal, animate or inanimate, etc., which is depicted on either or both exterior surfaces of the package. The novelty item(s) held within the compartment are made from a material, such as plastic, metal, etc., which is non-expandable when the package is placed in water.

Abstract: The combination of a dispenser and a strip of a food product and a method for dispensing the food product from the dispenser so that it can be used by a user of the dispenser. The strip comprises an elongated web of an edible material, e.g., gum, which is coiled up in a compact configuration having a free end portion. The dispenser comprises a housing for the strip, an outlet, a motor for advancing a desired length and most preferably any desired length of the free end portion of the strip out of the outlet, and a severing element for severing the desired length of the free end portion of the strip from the remaining portion of the strip to form a dispensed section of the strip which may be placed in the user's mouth while the remaining portion of the strip remains within the housing.This is a Reissue of a Patent which was the subject of Reexamination Certificate No. B1 5,579,669, dated Sep. 16, 1997, Request No. 90/004,572.