Abstract: A two-stage toy rocket and spring-loaded launcher assembly which when fired, propels the first stage into space. The first stage of the rocket is a missile molded of resilient plastic material having a solid disc mounted on its rear end encircled by a coupling collar. The second stage is formed by an externally-threaded sleeve whose upper end is received in the rear end collar of the first stage, and is releasable therefrom by a release button which, when actuated, then decouples the first stage from the second stage. The launcher is formed by a platform on which is anchored an internally-threaded shell whose diameter is such that it is threadably receivable in the sleeve of the second stage, a spring being nested in the shell and projecting thereabove.

Abstract: A toy missile resembling a humanoid figure, the missile including a plastic film casing confining an inflated balloon, which causes the casing to assume a ball-like form. Printed on the front face of the casing is the head and torso of the figure. Hinged to the upper zone of the casing and extending therefrom is a first pair of plastic film pockets in each of which is entrapped a compressible filler to define the arm and hand appendages of the figure. Hinged to the lower zone of the casing and extending therefrom is a second pair of plastic film pockets in each of which is entrapped a compressible filler to define the leg and feet appendages of the figure. When a player grasps one of the appendages and then whirls the missile and lets it fly, the ball then rotates in the course of flight, causing the appendages to stretch out from the ball to stabilize the flight pattern.

Abstract: A container adapted to store a beverage and, when empty, to function as a playball. The container includes a spherical shell formed of a flexible synthetic plastic material having a tubular neck projecting therefrom on which is received a screw-on cap. The neck is retractable into the shell whereby the neck then assumes a re-entrant form and the cap is then frictionally held therein flush with the shell. In a storage mode of the container, the shell is filled with a beverage and is sealed by the flush cap. To switch to an active mode, the shell is squeezed and the resultant internal pressure produced by the beverage causes the cap to pop out and project the neck so that the cap can be unscrewed to dispense the beverage. In the play mode, the shell is empty and the air therein is sealed by the cap which is depressed to be again flush with the shell, the container now being a pneumatic play ball.

Abstract: Lensless safety sunglasses formed of fabric material die cut or otherwise contoured to define a soft, breathable frame having a pair of eye openings and temple pieces extending from opposite ends of the frame adapted to go around the head of the wearer to hold the frame, in the manner of a face mask, against the eyes of the wearer. Laminated to the fabric frame and overlying the eye openings is a fabric scrim which acts as a light-permeable screen to reduce the intensity of light passing through these openings, thereby preventing glare without however interfering with vision.

Abstract: A wall hanger adapted to display an array of compact discs which together constitute a collection of recordings. The hanger includes a backboard mountable on the wall and a layer of sponge-like compressible material laminated to the face of the backboard. Adhered to the face of the layer is a panel of flexible material provided with an array of circular wells in each of which is snugly nested a respective compact disc having a matching diameter whereby the disc is normally retained in the well. To remove any disc on display so that it can be played, the operator has only to press the panel region surrounding the disc with his fingers, thereby compressing the corresponding region of the layer and causing the disc which overlies an uncompressed zone to pop out of its well.

Abstract: A pistol and toy dragon figure assembly in which a pistol concealed in the figure is operable to cause the dragon to appear to be breathing fire and to be emiting roaring sounds. The pistol includes a barrel and a hand grip provided with a trigger. Housed in the pistol is a battery-operated electronic unit which is switched on when the trigger is pulled, the unit having a flashing light generator optically coupled to the barrel and an integrated circuit in which roaring sounds are digitally stored and converted into analog signals which are fed to a miniature speaker. The body of the dragon has an open cavity therein to receive the pistol, the barrel of which is socketed in the head of the dragon in line with its open jaws. When a player grasps the hand grip of the pistol, he then appears to be holding the dragon, and when the player pulls the trigger, red light flashes simulating fire are then emitted from the jaws of the dragon, the fire being accompanied by roaring sounds.

Abstract: A collapsible canteen having deposited therein a charge of water-soluble flavor crystals such that when the canteen is erected and water is poured therein, the crystals are then dissolved to produce, in situ, a soft drink. The canteen includes square top and bottom walls, the top wall having a projecting neck to receive a removable cap. Also included are a first pair of opposing side walls that are inwardly foldable in half whereby when the canteen is collapsed, the folded in first side walls are then sandwiched between the top and bottom walls, and a second pair of opposing side walls that are outwardly foldable in half and are each provided with a triangular gusset that is joined to a side wall in the first pair of side walls, whereby when the canteen is collapsed, the gussets are then folded into the folded out second pair of side walls to define a pair of outstretched wings, the wings being then folded under the bottom wall to create a square-shaped pack.

Abstract: A water-pistol and stuffed animal figure in which a pistol concealed in the figure is operable to cause water to spit out of the mouth of the figure. The pistol includes a hand grip provided with a trigger, a water reservoir in the form of a cartridge clip insertable in the grip, and a pump which draws water from the reservoir and pumps it into the barrel of the pistol from whose nozzle the water is ejected when the trigger is pulled. The animal figure includes a head having an open mouth and a body having an internal cavity which is open at its underside and communicates with the head. The pistol is received within the cavity with its barrel socketed in the head of the figure and its nozzle aligned with the open mouth whereby when a player who grasps the grip with his hand then appears to be holding the figure, and when he then pulls the trigger, water is ejected from the mouth of the figure who then appears to be spitting.

Abstract: A protective package in an album format for a compact disc having a recording on one side thereof, the other side being unrecorded. The album is defined by interhinged rectangular front and rear cover panels of cardboard or other flexible material. Secured to the inner surface of the rear panel is a face panel having a circular opening die cut therein which is backed by the rear panel to create a well in which the compact disc is nested, with its recorded side lying against the rear panel, the unrecorded side being flush with the exposed surface of the face panel. When the front cover panel is folded over to close the album, the compact disc is then surrounded by the face panel and is sandwiched between the front and rear cover panel and is thereby fully protected. To remove the compact disc from the album, the front cover panel is unfolded and the rear cover panel is flexed to pop out the disc.

Abstract: An animal-like stuffed toy figure most of whose body is covered with a simulated hairy fur of a character appropriate to the animal which the figure resembles. The body is provided with a closable internal pouch in which is received a latent offspring. The latent offspring is the collapsed state of a shaped ball formed by an outer casing covered with a fur corresponding to that of the figure and enclosing a deflated balloon whose neck projects through a port in the casing. When a player takes the latent offspring out of the pouch and inflates the balloon to expand the casing, the resultant offspring which has the same fur as the figure and, therefore, somewhat resembles the figure, can be played with as a ball.

Abstract: A toy missile having a hollow head created by a collapsible plastic film casing and a balloon inflated therein, causing the head to assume a globular form. Projecting from the casing are shaped pieces which impart a figurative or fanciful form to the head. Extending from the rear pole of the globular head and held thereto by a tail is a streamer. When a player grasps the streamer and then whirls the missile and lets it fly, the streamer then acts as a tail fin to stabilize the flight pattern. Deposited in the balloon is a liquid charge which due to centrifugal forces generated by the whirling action causes the liquid to form a concentrated mass at the leading pole of the head which acts to lengthen the flight path of the missile.

Abstract: A decorative three-dimensional figure or other shaped object clad in a transparent, synthetic plastic film conforming to the contours of the object and exuding a fragrance whose scent is appropriate to the nature of the object. Thus when the object is a Christmas tree ornament, the fragrance may then simulate the aroma of pine needles. To clad the object it is first enveloped in a foraminated sheet of shrink wrap film that is impregnated with a volatile liquid fragrance, the sheet then being heated to cause it to shrink and conform to the contours of the object whereby the clad object then proceeds to emit the fragrance for a prolonged period.

Abstract: A water-pistol and puppet assembly in which the pistol is concealed within the puppet, yet is fully operable. The pistol includes a hand grip provided with a trigger, a liquid reservoir and a pump which when the trigger is pulled then draws liquid from the reservoir and pumps it into the barrel of the pistol from whose outlet nozzle the liquid is ejected. The puppet includes a head having an open mouth that simulates that of a human or animal-like figure and a costume shroud simulating the body of the figure associated with the head. The shroud is provided with open top end defining a neck that is attached to the head and an open bottom end affording access to the interior of the shroud in which the pistol is housed. The barrel of the pistol is socketed in the head of the puppet with its outlet nozzle in alignment with the open mouth. When a player extends his hand through the open bottom end of the shroud to grasp the grip of the pistol, he then appears to be holding the puppet.

Abstract: A composite stand and oven unit adapted to act both as a supporting stand for a cup of coffee or other hot beverage, and as a miniature oven to warm a bagel or other food product normally eaten while drinking the beverage. The unit is formed by a thermally-insulated cylindrical container having an access door in its side wall to receive the food product and a top wall of high thermal conductivity functioning as a heat sink. When a food product at room temperature is placed within the container and a cup of hot beverage, whose temperature is elevated, is seated on the heat sink, thermal energy from the beverage is absorbed by the sink and rapidly transferred to the food product. As a consequence, the temperature of the hot beverage is somewhat lowered to an acceptable drinking level while that of the food product is raised to render the product more palatable.

Abstract: A toy hoop that in a relatively small diameter is useable as a flying ring which when launched by a player then spins in the air, and in a larger diameter as a Hula-Hoop which whirls about the player's body. The hoop is composed of a planar annulus of non-stretchable, non-woven plastic sheeting having circular inner and outer peripheries, and a spring metal ring concentric with and joined to the outer periphery of the annulus whose inner periphery is free. In the flying toy mode of the hoop, the annulus functions as an air foil to impart aerodynamic properties to the toy. In the Hula-Hoop mode, the annulus functions as a protective soft inner liner. To reduce the hoop to a compact state, the ring is twisted 360 degrees to create an endless coil having three intermeshing convolutions whose diameter is about one third that of the untwisted ring.

Abstract: A variable-weight playball whose outer casing is formed of liquid-impervious, flexible material, having a closable port therein. Confined within the casing is a compressible body having the same configuration which depends on whether the ball is spherical or in some other shape. The body is formed of low-density, open-cell, flexible foam plastic material having sponge-like properties. To impart heft to the ball, water is introduced through the port into the body and absorbed thereby, the port then being closed to retain the water. To thereafter lighten the ball, the port is opened and the ball is squeezed to discharge water through the port until the ball has the desired reduced weight, after which the port is closed. The casing may be contoured, printed or otherwise arranged so that the ball simulates the head of a humanoid or animal-like character having a mouth.

Abstract: A stuffed toy figure having a humanoid or animal-like form, such as that of a monkey, the figure including a stuffed torso and a pair of stuffed arms extending therefrom and ending in hands. Housed in the torso is a portable audio tape cassette player. The figure is carried by a child wearing an earphone headset having left and right earphones, these being connected by respective cables which run through the hands and arms to the output of the player housed in the torso. The cables leading to the earphones serve to dangle the figure from the headset and so as to raise the arms to place the hands on the shoulders of a child listening to the recording reproduced by the cassette player.

Abstract: A display package housing a cylindrical, transparent container on whose externally-threaded neck is received a screw-on cap, the container being loaded with shaped candy pieces having a figurative form such as that of a miniature bear. The package is constituted by a hollow plastic figure whose form is similar to that of the shaped candy piece, but in a greatly enlarged scale. The figure is divided into a body section and a complementary head section. The internal cavity of the body section communicates with a top end opening and with a front side viewing port. The internal cavity of the head section communicates with a bottom end opening within which is nested the container cap. The container is fixedly seated within the internal cavity of the body section, the container neck projecting above the top end opening whereby the head section having the cap nested therein may be screwed thereon to complete the figure, or unscrewed to provide access to the candy pieces in the container.

Abstract: An edible jelly that is convertible by means of a chopstick or other implement capable of kneading the jelly into a taffy or slime-like candy. The jelly stock, formed by a flowable composition whose ingredients include gelatin, is poured into an open cup where it proceeds to undergo setting in the course of which gelling takes place. But before the composition is permitted to fully set and while it is still in a partially-gelled, sticky state, the cup is sealed by a removable cover to arrest further setting. When a child wishes to convert the partially-set jelly into a taffy or slime-like candy, the child removes the cover from the cup and then kneads the jelly therein with the implement to disrupt its internal structure until the jelly assumes the desired constituency, at which point the child with his fingers can pull the converted jelly out of the cup, stretch it into strands and eat the strands as candy.

Abstract: A variable-weight play piece, such as a ball or bat, the weight of the piece depending on the amount of water dispersed within a compressible internal body confined within a water-impermeable outer casing. The casing, whose shape is determined by the nature of the piece, is provided with a port having a removable closure, at least one section of the casing being flexible so that when manually pressed in, it acts to compress the internal body, and when pressure is released, the body then resumes its original shape which conforms to that of the casing. The internal body is formed of open-cell, flexible foam material having sponge-like properties. To impart heft to the play piece, the port is opened and pressure is applied to the flexible section of the casing to compress the internal body and thereby expel air therefrom through the open port.