APPARATUS AND METHOD FOR DETECTING AND REACTING TO THE PRESENCE OF A FLUID

Abstract

A fluid detection and reaction apparatus that physically responds to fluid contact. An open-ended chamber with a hinged cover holds a compressed springy material. The cover/lid is subjected to pressure by the compressed springy material to open the chamber end. A latch is formed between the chamber cover and the rim of the chamber end to generate a holding force that keeps the cover in place. The latch is formed by a water-reactive material that is adapted to will fail or sever under stress when wet. When water contacts the water-reactive material, the material tears, allowing the cover to open the chamber and release the springy material.

Description

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present disclosure relates generally to fluid presence detection and alerting for entertainment, and more particularly, to a system and method for a toy that senses and/or responds to a water for amusement.

BACKGROUND

For many decades, children and adults have found amusement in throwing water at each other. Similarly, children and adults enjoy playing the game of tag. One of the primary issues and frustrations with any tag game is discerning whether or not a person has been tagged; tag detection and indication is a problem for tag games/entertainment.

When playing with thrown water, batteries and electronic components are less desirable due to the sealing requirement, replacement, costs, and potential health issues. A non-electronic water tag sensing/indicator/response is desirable.

Safe play is also important; thus, a tag is desired to be soft, light weight, non-toxic, smooth, wearable, and generally non-interfering with running or other actions that a player may take. Players in such high action games often bang into things and even fall; thus, the tag/indicator/response should be tolerant of diverse physical impacts without causing injury or interfering with other player functions.

When playing tag or participating in entertainment events, physically active indicators and responses are desirable to enhance performance and entertainment. Visually noticeable tags that indicate with explosive actions can be observed at longer distances and by more players. It is desirable that players are unmistakably tagged.

If the water tag detector/indicator/response is too cumbersome, players will avoid its use. The water tag detector/indicator/response should be compact and non-obtrusive such that players are not impacted by the presence of the tag. Similarly, if the water detector/indicator/response is utilized in physically interactive displays or entertainment features, then it is desirable that the unactivated apparatus has a minimal appearance in the scene.

Water tag should be easy for the players to use. Ideally, the detector/indicator/response system should be easy and rapid to reset.

Players desire their entertainment to be low cost; thus, the play utility is higher if the tag is simple and less complicated, as well as non-electronic.

If the water is thrown by water balloons, then, when the water balloon play ends, many broken balloon pieces are widely dispersed over an area. Even if the balloons are made of a biodegradable material, these pieces still represent an eyesore or stain to the view, with the possibility of an ingestion and digestion issue for any animals or pets that might cross the play region. Clean up can be quite tedious and time consuming. Thus, it is desirable for any consumable tag components to be as small as possible and as rapidly biodegradable as possible.

Other alternative devices for playing water tag include:

• • 1) Player worn vest with water collecting chamber and a gauge (Stream Machine Water Tag Set)
  • 2) Water dissolvable badge (Soaker tag) (corn starch cover that washes away to indicate a hit)
  • 3) T-shirts that show wetness

These water tag alternatives possess deficiencies relative to being:

cumbersome, obtrusive to play, requiring specific placement, constraining what to wear and where to place tag, etc.

Therefore, a need exists for an improved amusement apparatus and system for detecting, indicating, and/or responding to the presence of water on a person, or responsive entertainment item.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention is directed to an apparatus and method for detecting and reacting to sensing/indicator/response fluid presence for amusement. The present invention provides a series of improvements over conventional water detection and reaction sensing/indicator/response methods, including: significantly shrinking the apparatus; minimizing interference to a player's actions; mitigating any potential harm to a player; maximizing visibility/observability that water has been detected; ease-of-play; and enablement of rapid and easy resetting.

In an embodiment, the water sensing/indicator/response also is configured to attach to nearly any surface or be placed in any location. This increases the diverse games that can be played with the water sensing/indicator/response, including a combination of water play and tag. The tag can be affixed to clothing, headgear, and even skin (with a sticking bandage).

The present invention eliminates the issues with the prior water tag systems that, can be cumbersome, hard to observe at long distances, uncertain, easily deceived, player interference, or potentially harm a player in the event of a collision or fall.

The present invention also allows for single player games, such as tossing the water at the tag as a targeting game. The tag can be hidden from sight as well, but will still respond to thrown water's impact on the tag.

The water tag and its sensing/indicator/response can be utilized in physically interactive displays or other entertainment scenes to enhance its entertainment and appearance.

The present invention also provides a relatively safer apparatus during use while throwing near others, and/or while carrying (including when one is running during play and could inadvertently fall.) The system also provides for safer water hits at all ranges since an enclosed container (such as a balloon or bag) does not impact the players. The water dispensing provides a soft, rain-like shower, covering a large area. The dispenser floats in air for easy player recovery.

A toy apparatus is disclosed for detecting and reacting to the presence of a fluid. The apparatus includes a chamber with one open end; a cover that fits the open end; the cover can be significantly opened, but also closed over the end of the cover; a springy material which is easily compressed, holds significant spring force without degradation, and is resistant to holding water; a latching mechanism allows the chamber cover to fully open but can latch the cover closed to hold the springy material in place; the latch detaches when wetted; the latch's tensile strength is substantially weakened by water; hooks or other attachments to the chamber provide for placement of the device.

In one embodiment, the chamber has an integrated attached cover that flips open. The chamber may have a box shape with a spring-loaded lid that pops open unless held closed. When hit by water, the latch material weakens, breaks and then the chamber cover flips open due to its spring-loaded lid, allowing the springy material to deploy. The deployed springy material is the primary indicator that water has hit the device. The action of opening the cover is further indication that water has hit the device. This cover opening action can be utilized to trigger further events as well, such as flipping a switch to generate a sound if desired.

In an embodiment, the knobs are covered with, or constructed from, a hydrophobic material to minimize water adherence and lingering. The hydrophobic surface mitigates the potential for adversely wetting a new piece of water-reactive material during the process of resetting the toy device.

In an embodiment, one or both knob can be formed from the water-reactive material. These reactive knobs can be fit into slots, holes, or clips on a the toy device.

In an embodiment, the ends of clips can act as the knobs to hold and latch the water-reactive materials.

In an embodiment, the flexible chamber is filled with springy material and covered by a semi-rigid cover that compresses and holds the spring material inside the chamber; similar knobs protrude from both the cover and an aligned lip of the chamber, such that when the cover is closed, the two knobs are adjacent to one another; a thin, water-reactive material is emplaced to hold the two knobs close to one another such that the cover is held in its closed position. Upon water striking the water-reactive material, the material weakens and the spring force over comes the water-reactive material's tensile strength, causing it to fail; the tensile failure releases the two knobs from one another and allows the cover to be opened by the spring force, popping the springy material out past the chamber opening and cover.

The springy material preferably is highly compressible; can be compressed by the fingers of children; does not hold wetness; when uncompressed, fills a volume that is many times larger than its compressed volume; and is vibrant, highly noticeable. Further preference is that the springy material allows for inserted features such as glitter or even lights.

In an embodiment, springy material is 100% recycled plastic, made into a mesh just like those in a body pouf (synthetic loofah). It could be made from a plant based loofah, but is more expensive, and less springy.

The toy apparatus preferably includes an attached cover for ease in setting and resetting the devices spring-loaded cover. The attachment between the chamber and cover can be created by constructing them as one plastic molded piece with a living hinge of plastic. Alternatively, the cover and chamber could be separate pieces that are attached with a hinge or strap.

In an embodiment, a molded chamber with integrated, flip cover is constructed.

In an embodiment, the flip cover and the chamber rim are latched such that the water reactive-material acts as a knob, as it is inserted into a notch or hole.

The toy apparatus preferably included integrated knobs to form the two ends of a latch, one knob on the cover, and one knob on the rim of the open end of the chamber. The knobs align when the cover is closed over the end of the chamber.

In one embodiment, matching molded knobs protrude from both the chamber cover, as well as the rim of the open end of the chamber. The aligned knobs form the two pieces to be latched.

This apparatus preferably incorporates a water-reactive material to form the latch that holds the two knobs together, as a latch, until the water-reactive material's tensile strength weakens and fails, releasing the knobs (unlatching).

In a preferred embodiment, the water-reactive material is a wood-based, 100% recycled, rapidly biodegrading paper; such paper rapidly loses its tensile strength when significantly wetted. The tensile strength of the wetted biodegradable paper piece, forming the latch, will be overcome by the spring force of springy material, pushing out on the cover. The cover will open, releasing the springy material in a burst. The high released volume of the springy material will fill a large volume and wave in the air.

The toy device may include attachments so that the device can be easily and reliably affixed to buttons, hats, beltloops, skin, remote control vehicles, etc. Since the player or car might be rapidly accelerating and even bumping into other objects, the attachments may be constructed to ensure robust adherence to the player or other targeted items.

In a preferred embodiment, attachments may include Velcro, sticky bandages, hang tab hooks, plastic or wire ties, etc. These attachments may be affixed to the chamber in nearly any location. The orientation of the attachment on the chamber, and the affixed location on the player/car/tag target may impact the efficacy of the water-reactive material.

The toy device may be attached to a remote control vehicle to transform the vehicle into a target. The toy device is capable of stopping the vehicle when it is hit by a fluid, such as water, and the springy material deploys. The springy material gets under the vehicles tires and the vehicle can no longer move under control. Analogously, a remote control aerial vehicle would be significantly impeded by the release of the springy material.

In a preferred embodiment, the chamber is attached to a remotely operated vehicle to be utilized as a vehicle hit indicator, and vehicle stopper. Such a tag game could be played individually, in a timed mode, or in a battle mode where other players are trying to hit and/or stop the vehicles of other players.

In a preferred embodiment, the physical action of the release of the springy material can be utilized to activate a switch to further trigger indications or alerts that are electrical or electronically controlled, such as sounds and lights.

The foregoing and other features of the invention and advantages of the present invention will become more apparent in light of the following detailed description of the preferred embodiments, as illustrated in the accompanying figures. As will be realized, the invention is capable of modifications in various respects, all without departing from the invention. Accordingly, the drawings and the description are to be regarded as illustrative in nature, and not as restrictive.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

For the purpose of illustrating the invention, the drawings show a form of the invention which is presently preferred. However, it should be understood that this invention is not limited to the precise arrangements and instrumentalities shown in the drawings.

FIG. 1 illustrates an embodiment of a toy apparatus during use. FIG. 1A illustrates the static target prior to being contacted by water. FIG. 1B illustrates the device being contacted by water. FIG. 1C illustrates the device's response to water contact, wherein the water-reactive material weakens and tears, allowing the cover to hinge open. FIG. 1D illustrates the explosive reaction of the springy material emerging from the chamber under the hinged cover, to indicate that water has contacted the device.

FIG. 2 illustrates the force balancing between the spring force of the compacted springy material and the holding force of the latched cover.

FIG. 3 illustrates the utility of the entertainment device as a water contact indicator in a game of water tag. FIG. 3A illustrates a player after the device is activated.

FIG. 4 illustrates the utility of the entertainment device as a water contact indicator in a game where remote control vehicles are contacted with water rather than players. Players can battle through throwing water, driving vehicles and trying to avoid water contact on their vehicle. FIG. 4A illustrates a vehicle after the device is activated.

FIG. 5 illustrates an embodiment where the chamber has a box shape with a spring-loaded lid. The spring is mounted such that it is applying a spring force urging the lid to open. The holding force of the latched cover keeps the cover closed until the latch is wetted and severs. FIG. 5A illustrates the cover in its open position.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE EMBODIMENTS

An example embodiment of fluid presence detection and alerting apparatus 1 includes a chamber 2 that is made from substantially fluid-tight flexible material, for example, a flexible, thin polymer material, and has an open port. A chamber cover 3 is attached to the chamber 2 and covers the port in the chamber; the cover is preferably flexible, pliable (or has limited rigidity). The cover is configured to open when released or unlatched. A springy material 4 is compressed inside the chamber 2, preferably made from a plastic mesh, such as a pouf, and is held in place by the cover 3. Knobs 5 on both the cover 3 and the rim of the chamber 2 are placed such that they align when the cover 3 is closed to compress the springy material 4. The knobs 5 are preferably smooth, hydrophobic, and easily accessible. A water-reactive material component 6 provides the latching to hold the two knobs 5 next to one another, as well as holding the cover in place; the water-reactive material is preferably made from a 100% recycled and rapidly biodegradable paper.

The apparatus and method of the present invention for fluid presence detection and alerting delivers many of the desirable fluid detecting and alerting advantages identified above. Fluid detection is rapid and reliable without any electrical devices or batteries being required. Fluid contact indication is immediate and highly visual with an extremely large indicator volume being deployed and possessing a flowing motion. Further, the flexible components are preferably soft and configured to be safe for players during play and after deployment of the large volume indicator. Only a tiny amount of fluid or water is required to trigger the indication and reaction. Further the apparatus can be easily deployed as wearable devices on players and deployable devices on other systems, including mobile remote control vehicles. For remote control vehicles the deployed indicator, springy material, acts are a vehicle stopping net that opens under the vehicle's tires and impedes the motion of the vehicle. Rapid and easy resetting of the device's detector is critical to the player's entertainment and is enhanced by the present device. Further, the fluid consistently detected when the device is hit due to the construction of the apparatus. These features overcome many of the problems experienced by prior art.

Preferred Embodiments

This disclosure describes several example embodiments for implementing different features, structures, or functions of the fluid presence detection and alerting for entertainment apparatus and system, including preferred embodiments components, arrangements, and configurations. These examples are provided to simplify the present disclosure. However, these preferred embodiments are provided merely as examples and are not intended to limit the scope of the invention.

FIG. 1 is a simplified diagram illustrating an embodiment of a fluid presence detection and alerting system 1. In FIG. 1A in this embodiment, chamber 2 that is made from substantially fluid-tight flexible material, for example, a flexible, thin polymer material, and has an open port. A chamber cover 3 is attached to the chamber 2 and covers the port in the chamber; the cover is preferably flexible, pliable (or has limited rigidity); the cover configured to open when released or unlatched. A springy material 4 is compressed inside the chamber 2, preferably made from a plastic mesh, such as a pouf, and is held in place by the cover 3. Knobs 5 on both the cover 3 and the rim of the chamber 2 are placed such that they align when the cover 3 is closed to compress the springy material 4. The knobs 5 are preferably smooth, hydrophobic, and easily accessible. A water-reactive material component 6 provides the latching to hold the two knobs 5 next to one another, as well as holding the cover in place; the water-reactive material is preferably made from a 100% recycled and rapidly biodegradable paper. Of course, it is also contemplated that the arrangement of knobs 5 and water-reactive material 6 can be quite diverse, including using the water-reactive material as a knob itself, possibly rolled up to form that knob, or latch attachment point.

FIG. 1B 7 illustrates the device being contacted by water 8. In this embodiment, the water-reactive material can be sized for varying play modes to allow either an extremely small or large target of water-reactive material.

FIG. 1C 9 illustrates the device's response to water contact, wherein the water-reactive material 10 weakens and tears 11, allowing the cover 12 to hinge open.

FIG. 1D 13 illustrates the explosive reaction of the springy material 14 emerging from the chamber under the hinged cover, to indicate that water has contacted the device.

FIG. 2 illustrates the force balancing 15 between the spring force of the compacted springy material 16 and the holding force of the latched cover 17 being held in place by a latch formed from the knobs 18, linked by the water-reactive material 19. A dry water-reactive material 19 provides sufficient force to overcome the spring force from the compressed springy material 16 that pushes to open the cover 17. When a fluid or water contacts the water-reactive material 19, then that material weakens, and its tensile strength is overcome by the spring force, and the cover 16 is pushed open to release the springy material 16.

FIG. 3 illustrates the utility 20 of the entertainment device as a water contact indicator in a game of water tag. Player A 21 throw a fluid or water 22 at player B 23 who is wearing the devices 24. When the fluid or water contacts either or both devices 24, player B 25 is marked with water-contact indicators in the form of the deployed springy material 26 (FIG. 3A). Player B 25 is safely, rapidly, reliably and clearly indicated as being hit or tagged by fluid or water.

FIG. 4 illustrates the utility 27 of the entertainment device as a water contact indicator in a game where remote control vehicles are contacted with water rather than players. Player A 28 throws fluid or water 29 at a mobile remote control vehicle 30 that is being driven to try to avoid fluid or water contact on their vehicle. The remote control vehicle has one or more devices 31 attached. When fluid or water contacts either or both devices 33 on the remote control vehicle 32, the springy material 34 is released and deployed, marking the vehicle as being hit with fluid or water. When the vehicle's tires run over the deployed springy material 34, the tires no longer thrust the vehicle 32 because the springy material 34 is attached to the vehicle 32 through the device 33 (FIG. 4B). Thus, the remote control vehicle 32 is effectively stopped by the deployed device 33 when hit by a fluid or water. The vehicle is safely, rapidly, reliably and clearly indicated as being hit or tagged by fluid or water.

While the water-reactive material forms a latch in the illustrated between the first and second attachment mounts, it is also contemplated that, instead, one of the attachment mounts could be made from the water-reactive material and the latch could, instead, be made from a plastic material.

FIG. 5 illustrates the modified version of the invention where the opening of the cover on a box-like chamber 35 is controlled by a spring 37. The box 35 has a lid or cover 36 that is attached to the chamber of the box by the spring 37. The spring 37 is configured to bias the cover into its open position (FIG. 5A), thus providing the opening force for causing the cover to open. When the cover is closed and latched (as discussed in the prior embodiment), the biasing action of the spring 37 (i.e., the potential energy) is held in place by the latch. When the latch is wetted and severs, the spring 37 urges the cover 36 to open, releasing the materials inside.

The chamber 35 can contain any suitable items, including in addition to or in place of the springy material, confetti, small items (e.g., toys), colored dye, or other visual indicators.

As discussed above, for the purposes of promoting an understanding of the principles of the invention, reference has been made to the preferred embodiments illustrated in the drawings, and specific language has been used to describe these embodiments. However, no limitation of the scope of the invention is intended by this specific language, and the invention should be construed to encompass all embodiments that would normally occur to one of ordinary skill in the art.

Claims

1. A toy apparatus for reacting to the presence of fluid, the apparatus comprising:

a chamber having an interior cavity and at least one open end surrounded by a rim;

a cover attached to the rim of the chamber at a cover mounting location, the cover having a closed position wherein the cover covers the open end for closing off the interior cavity and an open position wherein the cover does not completely close off the open end;

a spring force applied to the cover by a component for urging the cover into its open position, the spring force component being at least one of (i) a reusable, waterproof spring mounted between the cover and the chamber and which biases the cover into an open position, or (ii) a reusable, waterproof material compressed in the interior cavity of the chamber and held in place by the cover when the cover is in its closed position, the compressible material configured to decompress so as to project out of the open end of the chamber when the cover is in its open position;

a first attachment mount located on the rim of the chamber adjacent to the open end, the first attachment mount located at a first rim location on the rim which is on an opposite side of the open end from the cover mounting location and a second attachment mount on the cover at a second location which is on an opposite side of the cover from the cover mounting location, the first and second attachment mounts being located such that they are close together when the cover is closed over the open end of the chamber; and

a latch separate from the spring force component and which is configured to attach the first and second attachment mounts to one another in a disconnectable manner so as to counter the spring force and hold the cover closed over the open end of the chamber and maintain the cover in its closed position, and

wherein either the latch or one of the first and second attachment mounts is removably replaceable and made from a thin water-reactive material configured to sever or tear when wet and subjected to the spring force.

2. The toy apparatus of claim 1, wherein the spring force is provided by the material compressed within the interior cavity and wherein the material is a springy material.

3. The toy apparatus of claim 1, wherein the latch is made from the thin water-reactive material and is configured to attach the first and second attachment mounts to hold the cover in its closed position over the open end of the chamber to maintain the cover in its closed position, the water-reactive material adapted to readily sever when wet.

4. The toy apparatus of claim 1, wherein there is only one open end, and wherein the chamber is tube-like with a closed end opposite the open end.

5. The toy apparatus of claim 1, wherein the cover is attached to the rim at the cover mounting location by a hinge formed from a strap of flexible material.

6. The toy apparatus of claim 1, wherein the chamber cover fits inside the end of the chamber.

7. The toy apparatus of claim 2, wherein the springy material is lightweight plastic mesh that possesses high released volume compared to its compressed volume.

8. The toy apparatus of claim 1, wherein the first and second attachment mounts are rounded small hooks.

9. The toy apparatus of claim 1, wherein the water-reactive material is the latch, and the latch is made from paper material.

10. The toy apparatus of claim 9, wherein the latch has at least one hole sized to slip over at least one of the first and second attachment mounts.

11. The toy apparatus of claim 1, further comprising an external mounting attachment on the chamber to enable it to be affixed to a player or other play devices.

12. The toy apparatus of claim 11, wherein the chamber is mounted to a remote control vehicle by the external attachment, and wherein the apparatus is a remote control vehicle stopper adapted to, when hit with water, cause the material contained within the interior cavity to be released and go under wheels of the remote control vehicle.

13. A method of detecting and reacting to the presence of a fluid as part of a game, the method comprising the steps of:

providing a toy apparatus according to claim 1;

receiving fluid on the toy apparatus;

causing the fluid to unlock the cover; and

releasing material from inside the chamber, the release of the material providing a visual indication of that water has hit the apparatus.

14. The method of claim 13, wherein the step of causing the fluid to unlock the cover involves:

causing the fluid to contact the water-reactive material to sever the material, and urging the cover into its open position to release the material.

15. The method of claim 13, wherein the toy apparatus is attached to a player and wherein the step of providing visual indication of water detection indicates that a player has been hit or tagged by the fluid contact.

16. The method of claim 13, wherein the toy apparatus is attached to a remote control vehicle and wherein the step of releasing material involves deploying a springy material under tires or tracks on the vehicle so as to impede the motion of the vehicle; and wherein the step of providing visual indication of water detection involves the vehicle stopping so as to indicate a fluid hit on the vehicle.

17. A toy apparatus for reacting to the presence of fluid, the apparatus comprising:

a chamber defining an interior and having at least one open end surrounded by a rim;

a cover hingedly attached to the rim at a cover mounting location, the cover configured to cover the open end in a closed position;

a reusable, waterwroof spring-like flexible plastic material adapted to be compressed into the chamber and held in place by the cover in the closed position, the spring-like material configured to decompress so as to project out of the open end of the chamber when the cover is not covering the open end;

a first attachment mount located on the rim of the chamber adjacent to the open end, the first attachment mount located at a first rim location on the rim which is on an opposite side of the open end from the cover mounting location, and a second attachment mount located on the cover at a second location which is on an opposite side of the cover from the cover mounting location where the cover hingedly attaches to the rim, the first and second attachment mounts being located in close proximity to each other when the cover is in its closed position; and

a latch separate from the spring-like flexible plastic material and which is configured to attach the first and second attachment mounts to one another in a disconnectable manner so as to hold the cover in its closed position over the open end of the chamber to maintain the springy material compressed within the chamber, and

wherein either the latch or one of the first and second attachment mounts is removably replaceable and made from a water-reactive material configured to sever or tear when wet and subjected to the spring force.

18. The toy apparatus of claim 17, wherein the latch is made from the water-reactive material and is configured to attach the first and second attachment mounts to hold the cover in its closed position over the open end of the chamber to maintain the springy material compressed within the chamber, the water-reactive material adapted to readily sever when wet.