Passover Game with Bread-Shaped Container Toys

Abstract

Toy containers for containing and hiding a surprise are disclosed, wherein the toy containers are shaped like bread products. The toy bread-shaped containers can be used in a hide-and-search game. The toys, kits, and games as disclosed can help solve the problem of getting children and/or others interested in learning about and participating in Passover and its rituals, such as removing leavened products from a home or other location.

Description

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

This application is a continuation of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 16/281,525, filed Feb. 21, 2019, the entirety of which is expressly incorporated by reference herein.

TECHNICAL FIELD

The inventions described herein are generally related to the fields of toys and games.

BACKGROUND

Toys and games can have various uses, such as providing amusement, opportunities for making personal connections, and/or education. Toys and games may additionally have specialized uses, for example as an activity related to a holiday or other special occasions.

One example of a popular toy is a toy Easter egg, examples of which are disclosed in U.S. Pat. Nos. 2,998,896 and 4,124,135. The typical toy Easter egg is a hollow egg-shaped container made of flexible plastic. The egg-shaped container has two halves that can be joined together by a snap connection or friction fit, and it can be opened by separating the two halves from each other. The Easter egg toys are commonly used in an Easter egg hunt game in which prizes such as chocolate candies or jelly beans are placed in the plastic eggs and the eggs are hidden for others to find.

SUMMARY

The inventions disclosed herein are generally directed to new toys and games.

In some embodiments, the inventions disclosed herein are novel toys that comprise bread-shaped containers.

In some embodiments, the inventions disclosed herein are novel games that make use of toy bread-shaped containers.

In some embodiments, the inventions disclosed herein are novel games that may be played relating to the Jewish holiday of Passover. Toy bread-shaped containers may be hidden for others to find, for example in simulating the Passover ritual of Bedikat Chametz, the search for leavened foods to remove them from the home for Passover.

Further features of the toys and games disclosed herein are recited in the claims.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The accompanying drawings illustrate examples of toy bread-shaped containers in accordance with the disclosure.

FIG. 1A shows a perspective view of a toy container in the shape of a bread loaf, shown in a closed condition.

FIG. 1B shows a front elevational view of the toy container of FIG. 1A.

FIG. 1C shows a back elevational view of the toy container of FIG. 1A.

FIG. 1D shows a right side elevational view of the toy container of FIG. 1A.

FIG. 1E shows a left side elevational view of the toy container of FIG. 1A.

FIG. 1F shows a top view of the toy container of FIG. 1A.

FIG. 1G shows a bottom view of the toy container of FIG. 1A.

FIG. 1H shows a perspective view of the toy container of FIG. 1A in an open condition.

FIG. 2A shows a perspective view of a toy container in the shape of a croissant, shown in a closed condition.

FIG. 2B shows a front elevational view of the toy container of FIG. 2A.

FIG. 2C shows a back elevational view of the toy container of FIG. 2A.

FIG. 2D shows a right side elevational view of the toy container of FIG. 2A.

FIG. 2E shows a left side elevational view of the toy container of FIG. 2A.

FIG. 2F shows a top view of the toy container of FIG. 2A.

FIG. 2G shows a bottom view of the toy container of FIG. 2A.

FIG. 2H shows a perspective view of the toy container of FIG. 2A in an open condition.

FIG. 3A shows a perspective view of a toy container in the shape of a baguette, shown in a closed condition.

FIG. 3B shows a front elevational view of the toy container of FIG. 3A.

FIG. 3C shows a back elevational view of the toy container of FIG. 3A.

FIG. 3D shows a right side elevational view of the toy container of FIG. 3A.

FIG. 3E shows a left side elevational view of the toy container of FIG. 3A.

FIG. 3F shows a top view of the toy container of FIG. 3A.

FIG. 3G shows a bottom view of the toy container of FIG. 3A.

FIG. 3H shows a perspective view of the toy container of FIG. 3A in an open condition.

FIG. 4A shows a perspective view of a toy container in the shape of a challah, shown in a closed condition.

FIG. 4B shows a front elevational view of the toy container of FIG. 4A.

FIG. 4C shows a back elevational view of the toy container of FIG. 4A.

FIG. 4D shows a right side elevational view of the toy container of FIG. 4A.

FIG. 4E shows a left side elevational view of the toy container of FIG. 4A.

FIG. 4F shows a top view of the toy container of FIG. 4A.

FIG. 4G shows a bottom view of the toy container of FIG. 4A.

FIG. 4H shows a perspective view of the toy container of FIG. 4A in an open condition.

FIG. 5A shows a perspective view of a toy container in the shape of a biscuit, shown in a closed condition.

FIG. 5B shows a front elevational view of the toy container of FIG. 5A.

FIG. 5C shows a back elevational view of the toy container of FIG. 5A.

FIG. 5D shows a right side elevational view of the toy container of FIG. 5A.

FIG. 5E shows a left side elevational view of the toy container of FIG. 5A.

FIG. 5F shows a top view of the toy container of FIG. 5A.

FIG. 5G shows a bottom view of the toy container of FIG. 5A.

FIG. 5H shows a perspective view of the toy container of FIG. 5A in an open condition.

FIG. 6A shows a perspective view of a toy container in the shape of a bagel, shown in a closed condition.

FIG. 6B shows a front elevational view of the toy container of FIG. 6A.

FIG. 6C shows a back elevational view of the toy container of FIG. 6A.

FIG. 6D shows a right side elevational view of the toy container of FIG. 6A.

FIG. 6E shows a left side elevational view of the toy container of FIG. 6A.

FIG. 6F shows a top view of the toy container of FIG. 6A.

FIG. 6G shows a bottom view of the toy container of FIG. 6A.

FIG. 6H shows a perspective view of the toy container of FIG. 6A in an open condition.

FIG. 7A shows a perspective view of a toy container in the shape of a dinner roll, shown in a closed condition.

FIG. 7B shows a front elevational view of the toy container of FIG. 7A.

FIG. 7C shows a back elevational view of the toy container of FIG. 7A.

FIG. 7D shows a right side elevational view of the toy container of FIG. 7A.

FIG. 7E shows a left side elevational view of the toy container of FIG. 7A.

FIG. 7F shows a top view of the toy container of FIG. 7A.

FIG. 7G shows a bottom view of the toy container of FIG. 7A.

FIG. 7H shows a perspective view of the toy container of FIG. 7A in an open condition.

FIG. 8A shows a perspective view of a toy container in the shape of a muffin or cupcake, shown in a closed condition.

FIG. 8B shows a front elevational view of the toy container of FIG. 8A.

FIG. 8C shows a back elevational view of the toy container of FIG. 8A.

FIG. 8D shows a right side elevational view of the toy container of FIG. 8A.

FIG. 8E shows a left side elevational view of the toy container of FIG. 8A.

FIG. 8F shows a top view of the toy container of FIG. 8A.

FIG. 8G shows a bottom view of the toy container of FIG. 8A.

FIG. 8H shows a perspective view of the toy container of FIG. 8A in an open condition.

FIG. 9 shows an example of a kit of components that may be used for playing a game using toy bread-shaped containers as described herein.

The accompanying drawings and the inventions disclosed herein may be better understood by reference to the following detailed description.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

For the purposes of promoting an understanding of the disclosure, reference will now be made to the implementations illustrated in the drawings, and specific language will be used to describe the same. These implementations are example embodiments only, and no limitation of the scope of the disclosure is intended. Any modifications to the described examples and any further applications or uses of the present disclosure are fully contemplated as would normally occur to one skilled in the art to which the disclosure relates. For example, the features, components, and/or steps described with respect to one implementation may be combined with features, components, and/or steps described with respect to other implementations.

Examples of toys disclosed herein comprise toy containers in the shape of bread products. The bread-shaped toy containers typically comprise two parts (although more parts are possible) that are joinable in an interlocking fashion and are wholly or at least partially separable from each other to open the container. For example, a bread-shaped toy container as disclosed herein may be transversely divided into a pair of complementary and interlocking sections. When the parts of a toy container as disclosed herein are joined together, the toy container is in its closed condition and has an overall shape resembling a bread product. In the closed condition, a compartment within the toy container is enclosed, and a surprise, such as a toy or edible treat, may be hidden inside. The parts of the toy container are separable from each other in order to open the compartment and reveal and access the surprise.

The toy bread-shaped containers as disclosed herein may be made of any suitable material, such as a thin plastic material that may have some flexibility. The toy bread-shaped containers may be made using any suitable manufacturing process, such as a suitable molding process, for example injection molding. The toy bread-shaped containers may have visually pleasing colors. For example, they may be brightly colored in a variety of solid colors, or in patterns, or colored to simulate the coloration of the bread products.

The parts of a bread-shaped toy container as disclosed herein may be joinable together in an interlocking fashion by any suitable interlocking mechanism, such as friction fit, interference fit, snap fit, screw thread connection, or the like. In one example, one part of the toy container may have a raised ridge around the perimeter of its opening, wherein the raised ridge has a slightly smaller perimeter than the adjacent area of the outside of the container when it is closed. The other part of the toy container may correspondingly have a lip with a recessed area for receiving the raised ridge, such that when the two parts are pressed together, they are held together by a friction fit between the outside of the ridge on the first part and the inside of the lip of the second part. When the two parts are joined to close the bread-shaped container, the interlocking mechanism is generally hidden, and the bread-shaped container generally has a smooth outer surface. In other examples, the container parts may have one or more projections and one or more corresponding grooves for providing or enhancing an interlocking fit. The container parts may be joined together in a similar manner as is disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 2,998,896. As another example, the container parts may be joined together in a similar manner as is disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 4,124,135. If desired, the two parts of the bread-shaped toy container may be joined by a hinge such that the toy container can be closed and opened without completely separating the two parts from each other.

As examples, the bread-shaped toy containers as disclosed herein may have any suitable shape resembling a bread product. For example, the toy container may be shaped as a bagel, baguette, biscuit, bread loaf, brownie, bundt cake, cake, challah, cinnamon roll, cookie (e.g., sandwich cookie), cornbread, cracker, croissant, crumb, cupcake, danish, dinner roll, doughnut, muffin, pancake or stack of pancakes, pastry, pie, pizza, pizza slice, pullman loaf, pretzel, roll, scone, or waffle. As used herein, the term “bread-shaped” means shaped in a form recognizable as a well-known bread product, such as the bread products listed above.

The toy bread-shaped containers as disclosed herein may have any suitable size. For example, along their longest dimension, they may have a length between 2 inches and 7 inches, although smaller or larger sizes may be used. The bread-shaped containers may be smaller than the actual bread products that they resemble in shape, i.e., they may be miniaturized versions of the actual bread products that they resemble in shape.

FIGS. 1A-1H show an example bread-shaped toy container 100 in the shape of a bread loaf. FIG. 1A shows the toy container 100 in a closed condition. FIG. 1H shows the toy container 100 in an open condition.

As can be seen in FIGS. 1A-1H, the toy container 100 comprises two parts 110 and 120. As can be seen in FIG. 1A, when joined together in an interlocking fashion, the two parts 110, 120 form the closed toy container 100 having an overall shape resembling a bread loaf. As can be seen in FIG. 1H, each part 110 and 120 has a cavity, 112 and 122, respectively. When the two parts 110, 120 are joined together as shown in FIG. 1A, the two cavities 112, 122 join together to complete an internal compartment within the toy container 100. In FIG. 1A, the transverse parting line 130 between the two parts 110, 120 is visible.

For joining the two parts 110, 120 together, the part 110 has a raised ridge 114 (shown in phantom lines) around the perimeter of its opening to the cavity 112. The raised ridge 114 has a slightly smaller perimeter than the adjacent area of the outside of the container 100 when it is closed. The other part 120 of the toy container 100 has a lip 124 with a recessed area 126 (shown in phantom lines) for receiving the raised ridge 114, such that when the two parts 110, 120 are pressed together, they are held together by a friction fit between the outside of the ridge 114 on the first part 110 and the inside of the lip 124 of the second part 120. When the two parts 110, 120 are joined, the interlocking mechanism is generally hidden, and the toy bread-shaped container 100 has a generally smooth outer surface, as can be seen in FIG. 1A.

Alternative configurations for interlocking the two parts are within the scope of the disclosure. For example, the raised ridge 114 need not be continuous but may instead comprises ridge sections. Any corners of the ridge 114 may be rounded or omitted in order to provide additional flexibility. Additionally or alternatively, the container parts 110, 120 may have one or more projections and one or more corresponding grooves for providing or enhancing the interlocking fit. As alternatives, the container parts 110, 120 may be joinable together by another type of friction fit, an interference fit, a snap fit, a screw thread connection, or any other suitable interlocking mechanism.

The shape and size of the cavities 112, 122 and the resulting internal compartment may take any suitable form. In the illustrated example, the wall of the container is thin and has a generally constant thickness, such that the shape of the internal compartment generally matches the outer shape of the container (but is slightly smaller due to the thickness of the wall). In other examples, the internal compartment may have a different shape than the outer shape of the container. For example, the cavities 112, 122 may have rectangular cross-sectional shapes or other cross-sectional shapes, such as square, oval, or circular. In one such example, the cavities 112, 122 may have circular cross-sections, and correspondingly the ridge 114 and lip 124 and recessed area 126 may also be circular. A circular ridge 114 may be provided with an external screw thread to mate with an internal screw thread on lip 124.

When closed, the shape of the toy container 100 is of a typical bread loaf. The bread loaf is generally elongated, has a generally flat bottom surface 141, two generally flat elongated side surfaces 142, 143, two generally flat end surfaces 144, 145, and a top surface 146 in the form of a flattened curved. The flattened curve of the top surface 146 extends slightly beyond the two flat elongated side surfaces 142, 143 and curves down onto them. Thus, the flattened curve of the top surface 146 has the appearance of the top of a bread loaf, as is generally formed when a bread loaf expands upon baking and the top expands upward and outwardly slightly over the top of the bread pan.

FIGS. 2A-8H show examples of other toy bread-shaped containers. FIGS. 2A-2H show an example bread-shaped toy container 200 in the shape of a croissant. FIGS. 3A-3H show an example bread-shaped toy container 300 in the shape of a baguette. FIGS. 4A-4H show an example bread-shaped toy container 400 in the shape of a challah. FIGS. 5A-5H show an example bread-shaped toy container 500 in the shape of a biscuit. FIGS. 6A-6H show an example bread-shaped toy container 600 in the shape of a bagel. FIGS. 7A-7H show an example bread-shaped toy container 700 in the shape of a dinner roll. FIGS. 8A-8H show an example bread-shaped toy container 800 in the shape of a muffin or cupcake. FIGS. 2A, 3A, 4A, 5A, 6A, 7A, and 8A show the toy containers 200, 300, 400, 500, 600, 700, and 800, respectively, in a closed condition. FIGS. 2H, 3H, 4H, 5H, 6H, 7H, and 8H show the toy containers 200, 300, 400, 500, 600, 700, and 800, respectively, in an open condition.

As can be seen in FIGS. 2A-8H, each of the toy containers 200, 300, 400, 500, 600, 700, and 800 comprises two parts 210 and 220, 310 and 320, 410 and 420, 510 and 520, 610 and 620, 710 and 720, and 810 and 820, respectively.

As can be seen in FIG. 2A, when joined together in an interlocking fashion, the two parts 210, 220 form the closed toy container 200 having an overall shape resembling a croissant. As can be seen in FIG. 2H, each part 210 and 220 has a cavity, 212 and 222, respectively. When the two parts 210, 220 are joined together as shown in FIG. 2A, the two cavities 212, 222 join together to complete an internal compartment within the toy container 200. In FIG. 2A, the transverse parting line 230 between the two parts 210, 220 is visible.

As can be seen in FIG. 3A, when joined together in an interlocking fashion, the two parts 310, 320 form the closed toy container 300 having an overall shape resembling a baguette. As can be seen in FIG. 3H, each part 310 and 320 has a cavity, 312 and 322, respectively. When the two parts 310, 320 are joined together as shown in FIG. 3A, the two cavities 312, 322 join together to complete an internal compartment within the toy container 300. In FIG. 3A, the transverse parting line 330 between the two parts 310, 320 is visible.

As can be seen in FIG. 4A, when joined together in an interlocking fashion, the two parts 410, 420 form the closed toy container 400 having an overall shape resembling a challah. As can be seen in FIG. 4H, each part 410 and 420 has a cavity, 412 and 422, respectively. When the two parts 410, 420 are joined together as shown in FIG. 4A, the two cavities 412, 422 join together to complete an internal compartment within the toy container 400. In FIG. 4A, the transverse parting line 430 between the two parts 410, 420 is visible.

As can be seen in FIG. 5A, when joined together in an interlocking fashion, the two parts 510, 520 form the closed toy container 500 having an overall shape resembling a biscuit. As can be seen in FIG. 5H, each part 510 and 520 has a cavity, 512 and 522, respectively. When the two parts 510, 520 are joined together as shown in FIG. 5A, the two cavities 512, 522 join together to complete an internal compartment within the toy container 500. In FIG. 5A, the transverse parting line 530 between the two parts 510, 520 is visible.

As can be seen in FIG. 6A, when joined together in an interlocking fashion, the two parts 610, 620 form the closed toy container 600 having an overall shape resembling a bagel. As can be seen in FIG. 6H, each part 610 and 620 has a cavity, 612 and 622, respectively. When the two parts 610, 620 are joined together as shown in FIG. 6A, the two cavities 612, 622 join together to complete an internal compartment within the toy container 600. In FIG. 6A, the transverse parting line 630 between the two parts 610, 620 is visible.

As can be seen in FIG. 7A, when joined together in an interlocking fashion, the two parts 710, 720 form the closed toy container 700 having an overall shape resembling a dinner roll. As can be seen in FIG. 7H, each part 710 and 720 has a cavity, 712 and 722, respectively. When the two parts 710, 720 are joined together as shown in FIG. 7A, the two cavities 712, 722 join together to complete an internal compartment within the toy container 700. In FIG. 7A, the transverse parting line 730 between the two parts 710, 720 is visible.

As can be seen in FIG. 8A, when joined together in an interlocking fashion, the two parts 810, 820 form the closed toy container 800 having an overall shape resembling a muffin or cupcake. As can be seen in FIG. 8H, each part 810 and 820 has a cavity, 812 and 822, respectively. When the two parts 810, 820 are joined together as shown in FIG. 8A, the two cavities 812, 822 join together to complete an internal compartment within the toy container 800. In FIGS. 8B-8E, the transverse parting line 830 between the two parts 810, 820 is visible.

For joining the corresponding parts together, each first part 210, 310, 410, 510, 610, 710, and 810 has a raised ridge 214, 314, 414, 514, 614, 714, and 814, respectively (shown in phantom lines), around the perimeter of its opening to its respective cavity 212, 312, 412, 512, 612, 712, and 812. In each of these examples, the raised ridge 214, 314, 414, 514, 614, 714, and 814 has a slightly smaller perimeter than the adjacent area of the outside of the container when it is closed. To join the parts together, each second part 220, 320, 420, 520, 620, 720, and 820 has a lip 224, 324, 424, 524, 624, 724, and 824, respectively, with a respective recessed area 226, 326, 426, 526, 626, 726, and 826 (hidden or shown in phantom lines) for receiving the corresponding raised ridge 214, 314, 414, 514, 614, 714, and 814 of the corresponding first part. When the two corresponding parts are pressed together, they are held together by a friction fit between the outside of the ridge 214, 314, 414, 514, 614, 714, and 814 on the first part and the inside of the respective lip 224, 324, 424, 524, 624, 724, and 824 of the second part. When the two parts are joined, the interlocking mechanism is generally hidden, and the toy bread-shaped container 200, 300, 400, 500, 600, 700, and 800 has a generally smooth outer surface, as can be seen in FIGS. 2A, 3A, 4A, 5A, 6A, 7A, and 8A, respectively.

As described above with respect to FIGS. 1A-1H, alternative configurations for interlocking the first and second parts of the embodiments of FIGS. 2A-8H or other embodiments are within the scope of the disclosure. For example, the raised ridges need not be continuous but may instead comprises ridge sections. Any corners of the ridge may be rounded or omitted in order to provide additional flexibility. Additionally or alternatively, the container parts may have one or more projections and one or more corresponding grooves for providing or enhancing the interlocking fit. As alternatives, the container parts may be joinable together by another type of friction fit, an interference fit, a snap fit, a screw thread connection, or any other suitable interlocking mechanism.

As also described above with respect to FIGS. 1A-1H, the shape and size of the cavities and the resulting internal compartments of the embodiments of FIGS. 2A-8H or other embodiments may take any suitable form. In each of the illustrated examples in FIGS. 2A through 7H, the wall of the container is thin and has a generally constant thickness, such that the shape of the internal compartment generally matches the outer shape of the container (but is slightly smaller due to the thickness of the wall). In other examples, such as the embodiment of FIGS. 8A-8H, the internal compartment may have a different shape than the outer shape of the container. For example, the cavities may have rectangular cross-sectional shapes or other cross-sectional shapes, such as square, oval, or circular. In one such example, the cavities may have circular cross-sections (for example as in the embodiment of FIGS. 8A-8H), and correspondingly the ridge and lip and recessed area may also be circular. A circular ridge may be provided with an external screw thread to mate with an internal screw thread on lip.

When closed, the shapes of the toy containers 100, 200, 300, 400, 500, 600, 700, and 800 are recognizable as a well-known bread product, i.e., they are “bread-shaped” within the meaning of this disclosure. As stated above, toy container 100 is shaped as a typical bread loaf. The other illustrated toy containers 200, 300, 400, 500, 600, 700, and 800 are also recognizable as well-known bread products.

The toy bread-shaped container 200 is in the shape of a croissant. It resembles dough wrapped in a series of overlapping turns 241, 242, 243, and 244 with a relatively large midsection 245 tapering to two smaller ends 246 and 247. The overall shape is slightly curved so that a line through the center of the midsection 245 and the ends 246 and 247 is generally arc-shaped or crescent-shaped, giving the croissant an arc or crescent shape.

The toy bread-shaped container 300 is in the shape of a baguette. It is elongated between its ends 341 and 342, has a relatively flat bottom surface 343, and a curved top surface 344. The top surface may be provided with a series of indentations 345 resembling places where the dough separated during baking (e.g., as if the dough had been scored along diagonals prior to baking).

The toy bread-shaped container 400 is in the shape of a challah. The shape has a series of braids 441 to resemble the effect of braided dough baked into challah bread. The bottom surface 442 is generally flat.

The toy bread-shaped container 500 is in the shape of a biscuit. The overall shape is somewhat cylindrical, with a generally flat bottom surface 541, a generally circular side surface 542, and a generally flat or slightly rounded and somewhat irregular or bumpy top surface 543. The side surface 542 and/or top surface 543 may be textured to resemble a layered, flaky biscuit.

The toy bread-shaped container 600 is in the shape of a bagel. The overall shape is generally toroidal. The shape has a generally tubular profile 641 generally in the shape of a circle, with a hole 642 (or the appearance of a hole) in the center.

The toy bread-shaped container 700 is in the shape of a dinner roll. It is elongated between its ends 741 and 742, has a relatively flat bottom surface 743, and a curved top surface 744. In the illustrated example, it is relatively thicker in the middle 745 compared to the two ends 741, 742. The top surface may be provided with a series of indentations 746 resembling places where the dough separated during baking (e.g., as if the dough had been scored along diagonals prior to baking).

The toy bread-shaped container 800 is in the shape of a muffin or cupcake. It has a generally flat bottom 841 and, in the illustrated example, a corrugated side wall 842 shaped to resemble a corrugated paper or foil muffin or cupcake lining. The side wall 842 may be slightly tapered to be wider at the top than at the bottom. The top surface 843 is generally rounded to have the appearance of the top of a muffin or cupcake, as is generally formed when a muffin or cupcake expands upon baking and the top expands upward from the top of the lining.

A kit may be provided for playing a game using toy bread-shaped containers as described herein. As one example, a kit may comprise one or more toy bread-shaped containers as described herein along with instructions for playing the game. As another example, a kit may comprise a plurality of toy bread-shaped containers as described herein, wherein at least two of the bread-shaped containers have different shapes from each other. As another example, a kit may comprise ten toy bread-shaped containers as described herein. As another example, illustrated in FIG. 9, a kit may comprise one or more toy bread-shaped containers 910 as described herein (for example, ten toy bread-shaped containers at least some of which have different shapes from each other) along with a spoon 920 (which may be a toy shaped like a spoon) and a feather 930 (which may be a toy shaped like a feather), and optionally including instructions for playing the game. Any of the kits as described herein may also include a candle (which may be a toy shaped like a candle) or other light 940 (which may be a toy shaped like a light) and/or a bread basket 950 (which may be a toy shaped like a bread basket) for collecting the toy bread-shaped containers. In any of these kits or other kits in accordance with the disclosure, at least some of the toy bread-shaped containers in the kit may have different colors from each other. In any of these kits or other kits in accordance with the disclosure, the shapes of the toy bread-shaped containers may be selected from the list of bread products disclosed above.

The bread-shaped toy containers and kits as described herein may be used in novel games. In some example embodiments, the games are games that relate to the Jewish holiday of Passover. Toy bread-shaped containers may be hidden for others to find, for example in simulating the Passover ritual of Bedikat Chametz, the search for leavened foods to remove them from the home for Passover.

According to Jewish custom, all leavened foods are to be removed from the home prior to the start of Passover. Bedikat Chametz is a ritual in which leavened foods are searched for and removed from the home. Often children conduct the search, and sometimes others hide leavened foods around the house for the children to find. According to some customs, ten leavened foods are hidden, although more or fewer may be used. According to some customs, when a leavened food is found, a feather is used to sweep the leavened food into a wooden spoon, after which the leavened food is placed into a bag for removal from the home. According to some customs, a candle or other light may be used to assist in the searching. According to some customs, a basket may be used to collect the leavened foods prior to placing them in a bag for removal from the home. According to some customs, the last item removed is a bread crumb, symbolizing completion of the removal of leavened foods.

In a game simulating Bedikat Chametz in accordance with the disclosure, toy bread-shaped containers as disclosed herein are used instead of actual leavened foods. Optionally, a kit as disclosed herein may be used. In the game, a plurality (e.g., ten, although more or fewer may be used) of toy bread-shaped containers are filled with surprises (e.g., chocolate, candy, or toys) and closed and hidden in various places in the home (or school or other location). The toy bread-shaped containers may all have the same shape or may have two or more different shapes, and they may all have the same color or may have two or more different colors. The seekers then hunt for the hidden toy bread-shaped containers, and, upon finding them or after the game is over, the seekers open the toy bread-shaped containers to collect their contents. Optionally, a feather (which may be part of the kit or another feather) may be used to sweep the located toy bread-shaped containers into a spoon (which may be part of the kit or another spoon) in order to simulate removal of the bread products from the home (or other location). Optionally, a candle or other light (which may be part of the kit or another candle or light) is used to assist in the searching. Optionally, a basket (which may be part of the kit or another basket) may be used to collect the located toy bread-shaped containers. Optionally, the last item removed may be a toy shaped like a bread crumb.

The toy bread-shaped containers may also be used in other games. For example, the toy bread-shaped containers may be used in search-and-find games unrelated to Passover. In example games, a plurality of toy bread-shaped containers are filled with surprises and hidden in various places. Seekers then hunt for the hidden toy bread-shaped containers, and, upon finding them or after the game is over, the seekers open the toy bread-shaped containers to collect their contents.

A kit as disclosed herein may contain instructions for playing a game as disclosed herein. The game may include one or more of the following steps, and the instructions may recite one or more of the following steps: (1) fill a plurality (e.g., ten, although more or fewer may be used) of open toy bread-shaped containers with surprises (e.g., chocolate, candy, or toys) and close them such that the surprises are hidden inside the closed toy bread-shaped containers, (2) hide the filled toy bread-shaped containers in various places, (3) have seekers hunt for the hidden toy bread-shaped containers, (4) use a candle or other light source (which may be part of the kit or another candle or light source) to help find the hidden toy bread-shaped containers, (5) use a feather (which may be part of the kit or another feather) to sweep the located toy bread-shaped containers into a spoon (which may be part of the kit or another spoon), (6) use the spoon to deposit the toy bread-shaped containers into a bread basket or other container (which may be part of the kit or another basket/container).

Toys, kits, and games as disclosed herein have several uses and advantages. When used in connection with the Jewish holiday of Passover as described above, they help children and/or others learn about the holiday and its associated rituals (e.g., the rituals of Bedikat Hametz), and they help get children and/or others involved in ridding the home or other location of leavened products. They provide a festive and fun way to complete the task of ridding the home or other location of leavened products. They also help get children and/or others excited about the holiday. Thus, the toys, kits, and games as disclosed herein help solve the problem of getting children and/or others interested in learning about and participating in Passover and its rituals. Playing games as disclosed herein can also serve as a bonding experience for those playing. Toys, kits, and games as disclosed herein also provide amusement, excitement, and joy. The toy bread-shaped containers are visually fun and pleasing.

The implementations encompassed by the disclosure are not limited to the particular example implementations described above. A wide range of modifications, changes, and substitutions are contemplated, and such variations may be made without departing from the scope of the disclosure. Accordingly, it is appropriate that the appended claims be construed broadly and in a manner consistent with the disclosure.

Claims

1. A toy container for containing and hiding a surprise, the toy container comprising:

a first part having a cavity, and

a second part having a cavity;

wherein the first part is adapted to be joined to the second part to put the container in a closed condition;

wherein in the closed condition the cavity of the first part and the cavity of the second part together form a compartment within the toy container;

wherein the toy container may be opened from its closed condition by separating the first part from the second part to reveal any contents of the compartment; and

wherein when the toy container is in the closed condition, the toy container is bread-shaped.

2. A toy container as in claim 1, wherein when the toy container is in the closed condition, the toy container has the shape of a loaf of bread.

3. A toy container as in claim 1, wherein when the toy container is in the closed condition, the toy container has the shape of a croissant.

4. A toy container as in claim 1, wherein when the toy container is in the closed condition, the toy container has the shape of a baguette.

5. A toy container as in claim 1, wherein when the toy container is in the closed condition, the toy container has the shape of a challah.

6. A toy container as in claim 1, wherein when the toy container is in the closed condition, the toy container has the shape of a biscuit.

7. A toy container as in claim 1, wherein when the toy container is in the closed condition, the toy container has the shape of a bagel.

8. A toy container as in claim 1, wherein when the toy container is in the closed condition, the toy container has the shape of a dinner roll.

9. A toy container as in claim 1, wherein when the toy container is in the closed condition, the toy container has the shape of a muffin or cupcake.

10. A toy container as in claim 1, wherein when the toy container is in its closed condition, the toy container has the shape of one of the following bread products: bagel, baguette, biscuit, bread loaf, brownie, bundt cake, cake, challah, cinnamon roll, cookie (e.g., sandwich cookie), cornbread, cracker, croissant, crumb, cupcake, danish, dinner roll, doughnut, muffin, pancake or stack of pancakes, pastry, pie, pizza, pizza slice, pullman loaf, pretzel, roll, scone, or waffle.

11. A kit comprising:

a plurality of toy containers, each toy container comprising a first part having a cavity and a second part having a cavity, wherein the first part is adapted to be joined to the second part to put the container in a closed condition, wherein in the closed condition the cavity of the first part and the cavity of the second part together form a compartment within the toy container, wherein the toy container may be opened from its closed condition by separating the first part from the second part to reveal any contents of the compartment, and wherein when the toy container is in the closed condition, the toy container is bread-shaped.

12. A kit as in claim 10, wherein the kit further comprises a spoon and a feather.

13. A kit as in claim 10, wherein the kit further comprises a candle or other light source.

14. A kit as in claim 10, wherein the kit further comprises a basket.

15. A kit as in claim 10, wherein when the toy containers are in their closed conditions, each of the toy containers has a shape resembling one of the following bread products: bagel, baguette, biscuit, bread loaf, brownie, bundt cake, cake, challah, cinnamon roll, cookie (e.g., sandwich cookie), cornbread, cracker, croissant, crumb, cupcake, danish, dinner roll, doughnut, muffin, pancake or stack of pancakes, pastry, pie, pizza, pizza slice, pullman loaf, pretzel, roll, scone, or waffle.

16. A method of playing a game comprising, for each of a plurality of toy bread-shaped containers, the steps of:

opening the toy bread-shaped container;

placing a surprise inside the toy bread-shaped container;

closing the toy bread-shaped container such that the surprise is hidden inside the closed toy bread-shaped container;

hiding the toy bread-shaped container; and

searching for the toy bread-shaped container.

17. A method of playing a game as in claim 16, further comprising the step of using a candle or other light source to help find the hidden toy bread-shaped containers.

18. A method of playing a game as in claim 16, further comprising the step of using a feather to sweep the located toy bread-shaped containers into a spoon.

19. A method of playing a game as in claim 16, further comprising the step of depositing the located toy bread-shaped containers into a basket.

20. A method of playing a game as in claim 16, wherein when the toy containers are closed, each of the toy containers has a shape resembling one of the following bread products: bagel, baguette, biscuit, bread loaf, brownie, bundt cake, cake, challah, cinnamon roll, cookie (e.g., sandwich cookie), cornbread, cracker, croissant, crumb, cupcake, danish, dinner roll, doughnut, muffin, pancake or stack of pancakes, pastry, pie, pizza, pizza slice, pullman loaf, pretzel, roll, scone, or waffle.