Toy Figure and Spherical Vending Capsule Combination

Abstract

A generally spherical, hollow vending capsule and toy figure combination for use in bulk vending capsule machines. The capsule includes two hemispheres that securely attach to form a hollow sphere that resembles the head of a humanoid or animal. The capsule also stores at least one toy figure component such as a body or head inside. Each of the two hemispheres includes corresponding component notches that join to form a component mating aperture through the capsule. The toy figure component includes a mating member having a stepped neck that engages the component mating aperture in the capsule to rotatably secure the toy figure component(s) to the capsule such that the combination resembles a toy figure such as a humanoid, alien or animal-like figure. The toy figure combination is capable of being directly dispensed from a capsule machine.

Description

I. FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to improvements in toy-containing, dispensing capsules, and particularly to a hollow bulk dispensing capsule and toy figure combination for use with coin-operated vending machines. The present invention discloses a hollow, spherical vending capsule that is formed to resemble a portion of a humanoid or animal-like figure, and which houses at least one component part that is formed to resemble another portion of a humanoid or animal-like figure. The present invention results in an assemblable toy figurine utilizing the dispensing capsule as a component part and that resembles a humanoid, alien or animal for direct dispensing from a conventional, coin-operated bulk vending machine.

II. BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Toys, novelties, food products and many other articles are offered for sale in vending machines. However, due to mechanical considerations, such as, e.g., their size, shape, and weight, these articles cannot be reliably dispensed from vending machines without appropriate packaging. The mechanical differences between the various bulk vending machines, and particularly coin-operated capsule dispensing machines, further exacerbates uniform vendibility. In order to improve article vendibility, many such articles are stored, offered for sale, and dispensed in injection molded, disposable, plastic capsules.

Typically such capsules assume the form of a capped hemisphere or a non-spherical, acorn shaped shell. Another form of dispensing capsule developed by the owner of the present invention is disclosed and described in U.S. Pat. No. 6,050,438 hereby incorporated herein by reference. In short, the injection molded hemispherical components are assembled by interference/friction fit to establish the resulting spherical capsule of that invention. This structure solved many of the problems in the art related to the size, shape and uniformity of bulk vending capsules but apart from its containment functionality, has no real use. Consequently, while such spherical vending capsules facilitate reliable dispensing of vending items, following dispensing from the machine, they constitute trash and are discarded.

III. SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

It is therefore an object of the present invention to provide a toy figure and spherical vending capsule combination that overcomes the shortcomings and problems in the prior art.

It is another object of the present invention to provide a toy combination that utilizes its own dispensing capsule as a component.

It is another object of the present invention to provide a spherical dispensing capsule for forming a vendible toy.

Still another object of the present invention is to provide a spherical vending capsule particularly suited for use in the bulk vending field that provides a hollow core capable of housing one or more items having dimensions approximating the capsule's interior diameter where the capsule itself forms part of the toy.

A further object of the present invention is to provide a spherical vending capsule capable of securing one or more toy components that are combinable with the capsule to form an integral toy figure having a head and body.

These and other objects are satisfied by a vending container and toy combination including a hollow, generally spherical capsule, having a first hemispherical shell member having a mating lip, wherein the mating lip includes a first mating surface configured to engage and cooperate with a second mating surface, and a first notch disposed adjacent to the mating lip; a second hemispherical shell member having a mating lip, wherein the mating lip includes a second mating surface configured to engage and cooperate with the first mating surface, and a second notch disposed adjacent to the mating lip, wherein the second notch is sized to correspond and cooperate with the first notch to form an aperture of a first diameter; and a toy figure component disposed within the spherical capsule, wherein the toy figure component includes a mating member having a shank and a head portion, the head portion having a stepped neck and a cross sectional dimension larger than the first diameter and the shank has a cross sectional dimension substantially corresponding to the first diameter where the shank is aligned to be received in the aperture.

The above and other objects are satisfied by a vending container and toy combination including a hollow capsule having a first hemispherical shell member having a mating lip, wherein the mating lip includes a first mating surface configured to engage and cooperate with a second mating surface, and a first set of notches disposed adjacent to the mating lip; a second hemispherical shell member having a mating lip, wherein the mating lip includes a second mating surface configured to engage and cooperate with the first mating surface, and a second set of notches disposed adjacent to the mating lip wherein the second set of notches is sized to correspond and cooperate with the first set of notches to form a set of apertures having a diameter; and at least a first toy figure component disposed within said spherical capsule, wherein said first toy figure component includes a mating member having a shank and a head portion, said head portion having a stepped neck and a cross sectional dimension larger than a diameter of a first of said apertures and said shank has a cross sectional dimension substantially corresponding to a diameter of a first of said apertures where the shank is aligned to be received in said aperture.

The present invention also provides a method of packaging parts in the spherical capsule where, upon assembly, the capsule forms part of the finished packaged toy.

For definitional purposes and as applicable, “generally spherical” is intended to embrace its ordinary meaning and in the context of the instant invention, allows for some deviation from spherical which may occur by design or as a result of machining, materials, and other variables. The expression is intended to define the functionality where the package can roll with substantial regularity along a linear track and thus, be characterized as spherical. Correspondingly, the word “hemi-spherical” is intended to embrace geometric configurations that are both truly hemispherical as well as those approaching hemispherical. In the context of this invention, where the capsule components can be generally characterized as bifurcated and permit containment of objects having lengths approaching the diameter of the capsule interior, such structures are intended to fall within the meaning of hemi-spherical.

As used herein “substantially,” “generally,” and other words of degree are relative modifiers intended to indicate permissible variation from the characteristic so modified. It is not intended to be limited to the absolute value or characteristic which it modifies but rather possessing more of the physical or functional characteristic than its opposite, and preferably, approaching or approximating such a physical or functional characteristic.

In the following description, reference is made to the accompanying drawing, and which is shown by way of illustration to the specific embodiments in which the invention may be practiced. The following illustrated embodiments are described in sufficient detail to enable those skilled in the art to practice the invention. It is to be understood that other embodiments may be utilized and that structural changes based on presently known structural and/or functional equivalents may be made without departing from the scope of the invention.

Given the following detailed description, it should become apparent to the person having ordinary skill in the art that the invention herein provides a combination toy and vending capsule combination and method particularly suited and designed for capsule bulk vending machines and reducing refuse by utilizing the packaging as a component of the dispensed toy.

IV. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 illustrates an example of a toy figure and spherical vending capsule combination in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2A illustrates an example of a spherical vending capsule in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2B illustrates an example of a toy figure component part in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2C illustrates an example of the parts of the spherical vending capsule and toy figure combination in accordance with the embodiment of the present invention as illustrated in FIG. 1.

FIGS. 3A-3B illustrate views of the interior of the disassembled hemispheres of the spherical vending capsule in accordance with the embodiment of the present invention as illustrated in FIGS. 2A and 2C.

FIG. 4 illustrates an assembly view detailing the components in accordance with the embodiment of the present invention as illustrated in FIGS. 2A-2C.

FIG. 5A illustrates an example of a toy figure and spherical vending capsule combination in accordance with another embodiment of the present invention.

FIGS. 5B-5C illustrate examples of a spherical vending capsule in accordance with the embodiment of the present invention as illustrated in FIG. 5A.

FIGS. 5D-5F illustrate examples of component parts of the toy figure and spherical capsule combination in accordance with the embodiment of the present invention as illustrated in FIG. 5A.

FIG. 6A illustrates an example of a toy figure and spherical vending capsule combination in accordance with another embodiment of the present invention.

FIGS. 6B-6E illustrate examples of component parts of the toy figure and spherical capsule combination in accordance with the embodiment of the present invention as illustrated in FIG. 6A.

Given the following enabling description of the drawings, the apparatus and method should become evident to a person of ordinary skill in the art.

V. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The present invention, in at least one embodiment, includes toy figure and spherical vending capsule combination. The spherical vending capsule is hollow and includes component parts that are configurable with the spherical vending capsule to form a toy figure. The hollow, spherical capsule is designed to store the component parts such that the capsule and all component parts can be reliably discharged from a vending machine. The spherical capsule includes two hemispherical parts that are joined by a friction (interference) fit to secure the hemispheres together. When combined the spherical capsule and component part(s) form a toy figure that resembles a humanoid, animal, or the like.

FIG. 1 illustrates an example of a toy figure combination 100 according to an embodiment of the present invention. The toy figure 100 includes a hollow spherically shaped capsule 110 and toy figure component 120. The spherical capsule 110 and toy figure component 120 are arranged to replicate component parts of a toy figure including, for example, the head, body/torso, legs, etc. In at least one embodiment, the spherical capsule 110 is arranged to resemble the head of a humanoid, animal, or the like, and the toy figure component 120 is arranged to resemble the body and/or torso of a humanoid, animal, or the like. The spherical capsule 110 and toy figure component 120 may be formed, for example, of an injection molded plastic, e.g., polytetraflouroethylene (PTFE), polystyrene, polystyrene, polyvinyl chloride (PVC), and the like. The spherical capsule 110 and/or toy figure component 120 may be opaque, translucent, clear/transparent, or combination thereof. The spherical capsule 110 and/or toy figure component 120 may also include paint, decals, coloration, or other embellishment to provide greater detail and animation to the figure 110, e.g., facial features, muscle tone, hair, clothes, etc.

FIGS. 2A-2B illustrate examples of the spherical vending capsule 110 and toy figure component 120, respectively, according to an embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 2C illustrates an example of the component parts of the spherical vending capsule and toy figure combination according to an embodiment of the present invention. Spherical capsule 110 includes two hemispherical shell components, namely a first hemisphere 112 and a second hemisphere 114, that are securely attached to each other by a friction or interference fitting that securely closes the capsule 110. First hemisphere 112 and second hemisphere 114 each includes respective mating lips 113, 115 that are formed having cooperating surfaces that provide a strong interference fitting that is capable of being non-destructively separated. Mating lips 113, 115 may form part of or the entire annular surface of the hemispheres. The first hemisphere 112 includes a component notch 116 at a location proximate the mating lip 113. The second hemisphere 114 includes a notch 117 at a location proximate the mating lip 115. Component notches 116, 117 cooperate to form a component mating aperture 118 when first hemisphere 112 and second hemisphere 114 are joined. The notches are dimensioned and positioned with respect to the mating lips so as not to impact the cooperative nature of the mating functionality of the lips. The notches and resulting aperture may also define a non-circular perimeter. That is, the aperture 118 may possess a polygonal perimeter of select geometry, e.g., octagonal, hexagonal, triangular, etc.

In order to provide a high degree of containment confidence, the invention may also include a removable band 111 disposed about the compression fit equator. Preferably, the band is composed of a heat shrink material with a relatively low transition temperature (˜100° F.) allowing for it to be applied with minimal energy and equipment. The band may also be formed from a conventional elastomer to apply modest hoop compression about the equatorial junction of the hemispherical halves 112 and 114.

The toy figure component 120 is stored within spherical void established within the interior of capsule 110. The illustrated toy figure component 120 includes a stepped neck mating member 121 defined by head 122 and shank 124. The shank 124 is formed to have a diameter/perimeter that substantially corresponds to the dimensional and geometrical configuration (diameter) of the component mating aperture 118. The head 122 is formed to have a cross sectional dimension that is larger than the diameter of component mating aperture 118. The head 122 and shank 124 are configured to engage the component mating aperture 118 in the spherical capsule 110 thereby attaching the toy figure component 120 to the spherical capsule 110. The spherical capsule 110 is configured to resemble the head of toy figure 100. The component mating aperture 118 and mating member 121, formed by head 122 and shank 124, allow the spherical capsule 110 to rotate about the mating member 121. The toy figure component 120 may also include contoured section 126 that closely matches the contour of the spherical capsule 110 to produce a non-articulate joint.

FIGS. 3A-3B illustrate views of the interior of the disassembled hemispheres 112, 114 of the spherical capsule 110. These views more clearly depict component notches 116, 117 in hemispheres 112, 114. Hemisphere 112 or hemisphere 114 may also include an alignment key 131. Hemisphere 112 or hemisphere 114 may also include a key way 132. Alignment key 131 is designed to slidably engage with key way 132 to help ensure proper alignment of hemisphere 112 and hemisphere 114 such that component notches 116, 117 align to form component mating aperture 118. Component notches 116, 117 are sized to engage the stepped neck formed by head 122 and shank 124 of mating member 121 while allowing the spherical capsule 110 to rotate about the mating member 121.

FIG. 4 illustrates an example detailing the assembly of the component parts of the present invention. Toy figure 110 is made of component parts including hemisphere 112, hemisphere 114, and toy figure component 120. The component parts are arranged to form a unitary package having toy figure component 120 securely disposed within spherical capsule 110 made of hemisphere 112 and hemisphere 114. The unitary package is dispensable from a bulk vending machine. Hemisphere 112 and hemisphere 114 are press fitted together to enclose toy figure component 120 prior to the spherical capsule being placed in a vending machine. In order to arrange the component parts into a toy figure, hemisphere 112 and hemisphere 114 are separated in a non-destructive manner to reveal the toy figure component 120 inside. Hemisphere 112 and hemisphere 114 are then joined together in a manner that engages the toy figure component 120. Component notches 116, 117 are each positioned to engage each other around the stepped neck of mating member 121 formed by head 122 and shank 124. Hemisphere 112 and hemisphere 114 are pressed together such that they are attached along lips 113, 115 in a manner as discussed above. The shank 124 has a diameter that substantially corresponds to the diameter of the mating aperture 118. The head 122 has a diameter that is sized to be larger than the mating aperture 118 such that the spherical capsule 120 is securely attached to the toy figure component 120 when the mating member 121 is received in the mating aperture 118. The combination of the spherical capsule 110 and toy figure component 120 produce a toy figure 100 that emulates a humanoid or animal-like figure. The stepped neck 124 and contoured section 126 may be sized and arranged to provide a non-articulated joint that allows the spherical capsule 110 to rotate with respect to the toy figure component 120 in a manner that emulates the head of a humanoid or animal. Additional vending material such as food products, toys, game pieces, other novelties, etc. may be placed inside the spherical capsule 110 along with the toy figure component 120 prior to vending in order to provide users with an additional toy or prize.

FIG. 5A illustrates an example of a toy figure combination 200 according to another embodiment of the present invention. The toy figure 200 includes a hollow spherically shaped capsule 210, a first toy figure component 220, and a second toy figure component 240 wherein the spherical capsule 220 is formed to resemble a body, first toy figure component 220 is formed to resemble a head, and second toy figure components 240A, 240B are formed to resemble appendages. The first toy figure component 220 and second toy figure component 240 are both stored inside the hollow spherical capsule 210 prior to assembly. The spherical capsule 210 includes a first hemisphere 212 and a second hemisphere 214 and is arranged to resemble the body of an animal. The first toy figure component 220 is arranged to resemble the head of an animal. The second toy figure component 240 is arranged to resemble an appendage of an animal, e.g., a flipper, arm, wing, etc. The spherical capsule 210, first toy figure components 220, and second toy figure component 240 are affixed to each other such that the combined toy figure 200 replicates an animal or the like including, for example, a body, head, and flippers.

FIGS. 5B-5F illustrate examples of the component parts of the toy figure and spherical capsule combination according to the embodiment of the present invention as illustrated in FIG. 5A. FIG. 5B-5C, respectively, illustrate embodiments of the first hemisphere 212 and the second hemisphere 214 that are securely combined to make the spherical capsule 210. In keeping with the invention, first hemisphere 212 and second hemisphere 214 each includes respective mating lips (as shown in and described with respect to FIG. 2C above) that are formed to have cooperating surfaces that provide a strong interference fitting that securely joins the hemisphere such that they can be separated in a non-destructive manner.

The first hemisphere 212 and second hemisphere 214 also include cooperating opposing formations that form structures in the spherical capsule 210 when the hemispheres are joined. The cooperating opposing formations include component notches 216, 217, additional equatorial notches 241, 242, 243, 244 adapted to receive and retain additional toy elements, alignment key 231, and key way 232. Component notches 216, 217 are formed proximate the perimeter of the hemispheres 212, 214 and form a component mating aperture (as shown in FIGS. 2A and 2C) when the hemispheres are joined. The additional equatorial notches 241, 244 form additional component mating apertures (not shown). An alignment key 231 may also be formed proximate the perimeter of one of the hemispheres 212, 214. The first hemisphere 212 and second hemisphere 214 may also include an optional weighed bottom portion 233, 234 to help the toy figure 200 stand.

FIG. 5D illustrates an embodiment of the first toy figure component 220 as illustrated in FIG. 5A. In this embodiment, the first toy figure component 220 is formed to resemble the head of an animal and includes a mating member 221 formed by head 222 and shank 224 to have a stepped neck. The shank 224 has a diameter that substantially corresponds to the diameter of the mating aperture 218. The head 222 has a diameter that is sized to be larger than the mating aperture 218 such that the spherical capsule 220 is securely attached to the toy figure component 220 when the mating member 221 is received in the mating aperture 218. The head 222 and shank 224 are configured to engage a component mating aperture formed in the spherical capsule 220 by the component notches 216, 217. The first toy figure component 220 may also include a contoured section 226 that closely matches the contour of the spherical capsule 210. The mating aperture 218, mating member 221, and contoured surfaces work together to produce a non-articulated joint that allows the first component part 220 (head) to rotate about the mating member 221.

FIGS. 5E-5F, respectively, illustrate additional component parts 240A, 240B. Additional component parts 240A, 240B may be formed, for example, to replicate appendages, e.g., flippers, arms, wings, or the like. The additional component parts 240A, 240B each includes a mating member 241A, 241B having a head 242A, 242B and a shank 244A, 244B that form a stepped neck. The mating members 241A, 241B are configured to engage the additional component mating apertures that are formed by the additional component mating notches 241-244 such that the additional component parts 240A, 240B are rotatably attached to the spherical capsule 210. The additional component parts 240A, 240B may also include an optional contoured surface 246A, 246B that closely matches the contour of the spherical capsule 210 and together with the mating members 241A, 241B form non-articulated joints that allows the additional component parts 240A, 240B (flippers) to rotate about the mating members 241A, 241B.

FIG. 6A illustrates an example of a toy figure combination 300 in accordance with another embodiment of the present invention. The toy figure combination 300 includes a hollow spherically shaped capsule 310, a first toy figure component 320, and a second toy figure component 350 wherein the spherical capsule 310 is formed to resemble a body, first toy component 320 is formed to resemble a head, and second toy figure component 350 is formed to resemble legs. The first toy figure component 320 and second toy figure component 350 are both stored inside the hollow spherical capsule 310 prior to assembly. The spherical capsule 310 includes a first hemisphere 312 and a second hemisphere 314, as shown in FIGS. 6B and 6C, respectively.

The first hemisphere 312 and second hemisphere 314 each includes cooperating opposing formations that mate to form a structures within the spherical capsule 310 when the hemispheres are joined. The cooperating opposing formations include first component notches 316A, 317A, second component notches 316B, 317B, first and second key ways 331A, 331B, and first and second alignment keys 332A, 332B. The first hemisphere 312 and second hemisphere 314 each includes cooperating mating structures that join the two hemispheres to form spherical capsule in a substantially similar manner as discussed above with respect to FIGS. 1-5. When the first hemisphere 312 and second hemisphere 314 are joined, the first component notches 316A, 317A form a first component mating aperture (as shown in FIGS. 2A and 2C), and the second component notches 316B, 317B form a second component mating aperture. The key ways 331A, 331B and the alignment keys 332A, 332B engage each other to ensure proper positioning of the component notches 316A, 316B, 317A, 317B with respect to each other.

FIG. 6D illustrates an embodiment of the first toy figure component 320 as illustrated in FIG. 6A. In this embodiment, the first toy figure component 320 is formed to resemble the head of a humanoid or alien-like figure. The first toy figure component 320 includes a mating member 321 having a shank 324 and head 322 that form a stepped neck. The first toy figure component 320 may also include a contoured section 326 that closely matches the contour of the spherical capsule 310. The mating member 321 is configured to engage a second component mating aperture formed in the spherical capsule 320 by the component notches 316A, 317A. The mating aperture, mating member 321, and contoured surfaces work together to produce a non-articulated joint that allows the first component part 320 (head) to rotate about the mating member 321.

FIG. 6E illustrates an embodiment of the second toy figure component 350 as illustrated in FIG. 6A. The second toy figure component 350 includes a mating member 351 having a shank 354 and head 352 that form a stepped neck. The mating member 351 is configured to engage the second component mating aperture formed by the second component notches 316B, 317B in the spherical capsule 110. The mating member 351 and second component mating aperture function to rotatably attach the second toy figure component 350 to the spherical capsule 310. The spherical capsule 310 is configured to resemble the body of toy figure 300. The second toy figure component 350 may also include contoured section 356 that closely matches the contour of the spherical capsule 310 to produce a non-articulated joint. The second component mating aperture and mating member 351 are configured to rotatably engage the second toy figure component 320 (head) to spherical capsule 310 (body). While the arms in this embodiment are shown as being painted on, additional components such as movable arms may be provided.

Further, the spherical capsule may be provided with additional component mating apertures without departing from the invention. Additional toy figure components may also be included within the spherical capsule without departing from the invention.

Those skilled in the art will appreciate that various adaptations and modifications of the exemplary and alternative embodiments described above can be configured without departing from the scope and spirit of the invention. Therefore, it is to be understood that, within the scope of the appended claims, the invention may be practiced other than as specifically described herein.

Claims

1. A vending container and toy combination, comprising:

a hollow, generally spherical capsule, comprising a first hemispherical shell member having a mating lip, wherein said mating lip includes a first mating surface configured to engage and cooperate with a second mating surface, and a first notch disposed adjacent to said mating lip; a second hemispherical shell member having a mating lip, wherein said mating lip includes a second mating surface configured to engage and cooperate with said first mating surface, and a second notch disposed adjacent to said mating lip, wherein said second notch is sized to correspond and cooperate with said first notch to form an aperture of a first diameter; and

a toy figure component disposed within said spherical capsule, wherein said toy figure component includes a mating member having a shank and a head portion, said head portion having a stepped neck and a cross sectional dimension larger than said first diameter and said shank has a cross sectional dimension substantially corresponding to said first diameter where the shank is aligned to be received in said aperture.

2. The vending container and toy combination of claim 1, wherein said first hemispherical shell member and said second hemispherical shell member engage along said first mating surface and said second mating surface.

3. The vending container and toy combination of claim 1, further comprising:

a key way formed in one of said first hemisphere or said second hemisphere, and

an alignment key formed in the other of said first hemisphere of said second hemisphere, wherein said alignment key engages said key way to ensure proper alignment of said first notch and said second notch.

4. The vending container and toy combination of claim 1, wherein said mating member of said toy figure component engages said aperture of said spherical capsule to form a toy figure.

5. The vending container and toy combination of claim 5, wherein said spherical capsule emulates a head of a humanoid or animal.

6. The vending container and toy combination of claim 5, wherein said spherical capsule emulates a body part of a humanoid or animal.

7. The vending container and toy combination of claim 5, wherein said toy figure component emulates a head of a humanoid or animal.

8. The vending container and toy combination of claim 5, wherein said toy figure component emulates a body part of a humanoid or animal.

9. The vending container and toy combination of claim 5, wherein said spherical capsule is capable of rotating with respect to said toy figure component when said toy figure component is engaged with said mating member.

10. A vending container and toy combination, comprising:

a hollow capsule, comprising a first hemispherical shell member having a mating lip, wherein said mating lip includes a first mating surface configured to engage and cooperate with a second mating surface, and a first set of notches disposed adjacent to said mating lip; a second hemispherical shell member having a mating lip, wherein said mating lip includes a second mating surface configured to engage and cooperate with said first mating surface, and a second set of notches disposed adjacent to said mating lip wherein said second set of notches is sized to correspond and cooperate with said first set of notches to form a set of apertures having a diameter; and

at least a first toy figure component disposed within said spherical capsule, wherein said first toy figure component includes a mating member having a shank and a head portion, said head portion having a stepped neck and a cross sectional dimension larger than a diameter of a first of said apertures and said shank has a cross sectional dimension substantially corresponding to a diameter of a first of said apertures where the shank is aligned to be received in said aperture.

11. The vending container and toy combination of claim 10, wherein said first hemispherical shell member and said second hemispherical shell member engage along said first mating surface and said second mating surface.

12. The vending container and toy combination of claim 10, further comprising:

at least one key way formed in one of said first hemisphere or said second hemisphere, and

at least one alignment key formed in the other of said first hemisphere of said second hemisphere, wherein said at least one alignment key engages said at least one key way to ensure proper alignment of said first set of notches and said second set of notches.

13. The vending container and toy combination of claim 10, wherein said mating member of said at least one toy figure component engages at least one of said apertures of said spherical capsule to form a toy figure.

14. The vending container and toy combination of claim 10, further comprising at least a second toy figure component disposed within said spherical capsule, wherein said second toy figure component includes a mating member having a shank and stepped neck, said stepped neck having a head portion where said head portion has a cross sectional dimension larger than a diameter of a second of said apertures and said shank has a cross sectional dimension substantially corresponding to a diameter of a second of said apertures where the shank is aligned to be received in said aperture.

15. The vending container and toy combination of claim 10, further comprising at least a third toy figure component disposed within said spherical capsule, wherein said third toy figure component includes a mating member having a shank and stepped neck, said stepped neck having a head portion where said head portion has a cross sectional dimension larger than a diameter of a third of said apertures and said shank has a cross sectional dimension substantially corresponding to a diameter of a third of said apertures where the shank is aligned to be received in said aperture.

16. The vending container and toy combination of claim 10, further comprising at least a fourth toy figure component disposed within said spherical capsule, wherein said fourth toy figure component includes a mating member having a shank and stepped neck, said stepped neck having a head portion where said head portion has a cross sectional dimension larger than a diameter of a fourth of said apertures and said shank has a cross sectional dimension substantially corresponding to a diameter of a fourth of said apertures where the shank is aligned to be received in said aperture.

17. The vending container and toy combination of claim 10, wherein said spherical capsule emulates a head of a humanoid or animal.

18. The vending container and toy combination of claim 10, wherein said spherical capsule emulates a body part of a humanoid or animal.

19. The vending container and toy combination of claim 10, wherein said at least one toy figure component emulates a head of a humanoid or animal.

20. The vending container and toy combination of claim 10, wherein said at least one toy figure component emulates a body part of a humanoid or animal.

21. The vending container and toy combination of claim 10, wherein said spherical capsule is capable of rotating with respect to said at least one toy figure component when said toy figure component is engaged with said mating member.