Having Enclosed Liquid Patents (Class 446/267)
  • Patent number: 7422507
    Abstract: A toy figure assembly and its method of manufacture. The toy figure has a body structure with an exposed exterior. The exposed exterior of the figure includes at least one first section of fabric material and at least one second section of elastomeric gel material that are joined together along at least one common seam. The common seam can be closed using adhesive, heat bonding or sewing. The sections of the toy figure defined by fabric material are filled with dry fill. The sections of the toy figure defined by elastomeric gel material can be filled with either dry fill or a fluid fill. By forming a toy figure from both fabric material and elastomeric gel, a toy figure is obtained that has external areas having contrasting tactile characteristics, thereby increasing the play value of the toy figure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 29, 2005
    Date of Patent: September 9, 2008
    Inventors: Mark J. Chernick, Webb T. Nelson
  • Publication number: 20080182481
    Abstract: A decorative device enabling ornaments to rotate and move up and down inside a crystal ball amidst fluttering, shiny disc snowflakes, which uses a device structured from a motor mechanism, a gear mechanism, a rotary mechanism and a crystal ball so that when a motor drives and rotates transmission gears of the gear mechanism, apart from using mutually repelling of two double-sided magnets to drive and rotate a magnet impeller wheel, and thereby cause whirling of water and fluttering of shiny disc snowflakes within the crystal ball, moreover, rotating of a transmission shaft causes rotating of a rotary tray and toy figurines suspended from lower ends of ornament hanger rods. Furthermore, large and small umbrella-shaped gears drive and rotate eccentric wheels, thereby driving and causing up and down movements of the toy figurines.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 31, 2007
    Publication date: July 31, 2008
    Inventor: Shin-Ya Yang
  • Patent number: 7402092
    Abstract: A drinking cup that has a removable lid with three different types of drink delivery novelties. The first is a rotary drive dispenser. In which fluid is drawn up in a straw. At the top of the straw is a rotary arm, which is free to rotate. As the fluid is brought up through the straw, it is forced out of holes formed in the rotary arm causing the arm spins around the straw. As it rotates, the fluid is dispensed into a sump where a drinking straw is used to remove it. In the second design, fluid rises up through the straw where it exits the straw like a fountain spray. In the third design, a tall tube extends up from the lid. A ball sits in the tube. As the fluid is brought up, the ball is propelled upward inside the tube.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 4, 2005
    Date of Patent: July 22, 2008
    Inventors: Gary Randall, Don Karterman
  • Patent number: 7384324
    Abstract: A plush toy is provided having its surface generally covered with multiple panels of fur fabric or plush fabric, which is non-stretching but soft to the touch. The toy includes a center body, a head, two ears and four legs. Eye and nose members may also be added as appropriate to model the actual animals and the like. In the belly side of the toy, a shaped patch of elastic fabric is stitched to cover a blank, which is defined by the edges of the panels of the fur fabric. The elastic fabric is free of fur and lies flush with the surrounding belly panel areas in its natural state. The head and four legs have respective cavities filled with cotton batting and the like to give a thickness and softness before or after their attachments to the center body. A bladder of elastic material such as rubber or silicon is prepared with liquid, which is filled at least partially to provide an expansive response to squeezes. The bladder is introduced into a cavity of the body through the blank and rests securely therein.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 2, 2005
    Date of Patent: June 10, 2008
    Inventor: Russ Fullmer
  • Publication number: 20080045118
    Abstract: The invention provides a water toy comprising a cylindrical main body which figure housing bodies are connected, a base part for fixing the main body vertically and a water stop releasing part, wherein a figure body is housed in the main body, the figure housing bodies has an opening in their upper part and a figure body is housed inside thereof, the base part has a main body supporting part supporting the main body and has a water stop control part stopping water poured in the main body, and the water stop releasing part comprises a stopper releasing part, a vertically movable part connected to the rear end of the stopper releasing part and a locking part detachably engaging with the upper end of the vertically movable part, where the engagement with the vertically movable part is disengaged when the figure body moved upward in the main body is touched to the locking part.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 16, 2007
    Publication date: February 21, 2008
    Applicant: AGATSUMA CO., LTD
    Inventor: Shinji Todokoro
  • Patent number: 7310900
    Abstract: A liquid-filled display device includes a hollow member mounted on a transparent top end wall of a hollow base and confining a water-tight inner space filled with a liquid body, and a display unit mounted on the top end wall and having a top wall and two transparent sidewalls connected to the hollow member. The sidewalls and the top wall cooperate with the hollow member and the top end wall to confine a display space. At least one of the sidewalls is provided with an advertisement. An air pump unit is mounted in the base, and is operable so as to supply fine air bubbles into the liquid body through a diffuser set mounted within the inner space. A lamp unit mounted in the base beneath the hollow member is operable so as to radiate colored light that penetrates through the top end wall into the inner space.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 11, 2004
    Date of Patent: December 25, 2007
    Inventor: Chih-Yuan Huang
  • Patent number: 7244161
    Abstract: A container has a cup-like lower body that receives liquid therein, the lower body having a bottom wall and an open upper mouth. The container also has an inverted cup-like upper body having a top wall and an open lower mouth, and an opening provided in the top wall. The upper body is removably connected to the lower body with the open mouths thereof in communication with each other to form an interior chamber. The container also includes a lid pivotably coupled to the top wall and covering the opening, and a stopper inserted through the opening.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 31, 2005
    Date of Patent: July 17, 2007
    Assignee: Arko Development Limited
    Inventor: Douglas Thai
  • Patent number: 7040950
    Abstract: A thermal energy-actuated toy water glove is disclosed to include a transparent plastic globe body holding an organic solvent and glitters in the organic solvent, and a lamp holder supporting the globe body and holding a lamp bulb for heating the organic solvent to the boiling status to cause the glitters to move in the boiling organic solve when turned on to emit light.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 16, 2004
    Date of Patent: May 9, 2006
    Inventor: Ching-Chao Chen
  • Patent number: 6988699
    Abstract: A sheet member holder includes a holder base with a smoothly arched upright at the border, a dome-like cover member holding a fluid and a floating ornament on the fluid and covered on the holder base, and a smoothly arched retaining gap defined in between the dome-like cover member and the smoothly arched upright for holding a sheet member in a vertical position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 7, 2004
    Date of Patent: January 24, 2006
    Inventor: Hua Wen Hsu
  • Patent number: 6951499
    Abstract: A toy sword having at least one visual or auditory indicator for signaling a user when the sword contacts a target is provided. In one preferred embodiment the auditory indicator is a balloon disposed within the body of the sword and positioned to burst via mechanical pressure when the tip of the sword is depressed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 4, 2004
    Date of Patent: October 4, 2005
    Inventor: Andre Arturo Gulmesoff
  • Patent number: 6938833
    Abstract: A vehicle air freshener is constructed to include a bottle holding a color fluid and a volatile liquid perfume floating on the color fluid, a socket fastened to the bottle neck of the bottle to hold an absorptive core member that dissipates the volatile liquid perfume into air outside the bottle, a weight-attached ornament set in the volatile liquid perfume and the color fluid, a base fastened to the bottom side of the bottle and adapted to support the vehicle air freshener on a surface; and a bottle cap fastened to the bottle neck of the bottle around the socket, the bottle cap having a center through hole, which receives the bottleneck of the bottle, and a plurality of wire holes for mounting cord members.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 18, 2003
    Date of Patent: September 6, 2005
    Inventor: Hsiang Mei Chen
  • Patent number: 6905431
    Abstract: Toys and balls are disclosed having a skin and a core of somewhat dissimilar materials. The skin and core are of different colors. When the toy is squeezed, the non-liquid deformable core presses against at least a portion of the skin, making the skin thin at that point and permitting the color of the core to show through, creating the appearance of a color change of the toy.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 11, 2003
    Date of Patent: June 14, 2005
    Assignee: EdiZONE, LC
    Inventors: Tony M. Pearce, Terry V. Pearce
  • Patent number: 6896578
    Abstract: A swinging bob toy having an outer bob and middle bob on a string, with the middle bob having a bore through which the string passes to allow the middle bob to slide along the string. The middle bob has a substantially toroidal, liquid-containing bladder. The mass of the liquid contributes substantially to the overall mass of the middle bob, but the viscosity of the liquid and the dimensions of the bore of the toroid are such that the dynamic moment of inertia (i.e., a moment of inertia dependent on linear and/or rotational velocity and/or acceleration, of a history thereof) is small as the middle bob begins its rotation as the outer bob passes the top of its orbit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 19, 2004
    Date of Patent: May 24, 2005
    Inventor: Laurence J. Shaw
  • Patent number: 6890238
    Abstract: An exercise and/or play hoop, made of semi-rigid plastic tubing, is partially filed with water (30) to between ? and ½ full, most preferably ¼ full. The water improves the dynamics of the hoop and makes it easier to keep the hoop elevated by gyration. The hoop is made of a length of hoop tube (10) bent into a circle. A coupling tube (20) is inserted where the ends (11, 12) abut, spanning the joint. The coupling tube includes a bore (25) through which the liquid flows circumferentially around inside the hoop, and past the joint. The coupling tube is formed of a hard and strong inner tube and a softer, somewhat compressible outer sheath which forms a seal with the inside of the hoop tube. A decorative, preferably iridescent sheet (18) may cover the hoop.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 27, 2003
    Date of Patent: May 10, 2005
    Assignee: Maui Toys, Inc.
    Inventor: Brian Kessler
  • Patent number: 6880273
    Abstract: A water plug for an ornamental water ball to prevent from leak upon the water being frozen into ice; the water ball has a neck part mounted with a water plug; the water plug includes a flat plate and a buffer cylinder; the buffer cylinder has a round cylinder extended down from the center of the flat plate; the inside of the round cylinder is furnished with a semi-spherical membrane extended upwards; the water filled in the glass balls subject to being frozen into ice in winter; in that case, the ice therein would distend to need more space, and then the buffer space furnished in the buffer cylinder will meet the requirement so as to prevent the water ball from having water leak.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 30, 2002
    Date of Patent: April 19, 2005
    Inventor: Shih-Yuan Lo
  • Patent number: 6872116
    Abstract: An improved baby bottle adapted with handles and a sound-generating module for generating audible sounds. A generally cylindrical baby bottle is adapted with longitudinally extending slots on opposing sides of the bottle. The slots receive and retain a removable handle assembly having first and second opposing handles that facilitate holding of the bottle while feeding. Additionally, the handle assembly includes a portion adapted for receiving an interchangeable sound-generating module in removable engagement therewith. The sound-generating module includes a battery power source, memory chip, speaker, and electrical circuitry required to selectively produce sounds when disposed on the handle assembly. The sound module may be adapted to play single or multiple songs such as the ABC song or lullabies, or may be configured for educational purposes such as number counting lessons.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 16, 2004
    Date of Patent: March 29, 2005
    Inventors: Christopher Dunnum, Michael M. Anthony
  • Patent number: 6857928
    Abstract: A container has a cup-like lower body that receives liquid therein, the lower body having a bottom wall and an open upper mouth. The container also has an inverted cup-like upper body having a top wall and an open lower mouth, and an opening provided in the top wall. The upper body is removably connected to the lower body with the open mouths thereof in communication with each other to form an interior chamber. The container also includes a lid pivotably coupled to the top wall and covering the opening, and a stopper inserted through the opening.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 21, 2003
    Date of Patent: February 22, 2005
    Assignee: Arko Development Limited
    Inventor: Douglas Thai
  • Patent number: 6857929
    Abstract: An ornamental water ball is provided in a base with a musical box having a movement and a lower disc, and in a transparent shell fixed to a top of the base with a fan and a decorated upper disc above the fan. When the movement is rotated, it synchronously rotates the upper disc through meshing of a first small gear on the movement with a second large gear mounted on an axis that is located in the base and engaged with a spindle of the upper disc. The lower disc is mounted on the axis and quickly rotated through meshing of a second small gear formed at a lower center of the lower disc with a first large gear mounted on the movement, so as to magnetically rotate the fan, causing the fan to scatter a plurality of snowflake-shaped chips or metallic chips in the shell.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 12, 2003
    Date of Patent: February 22, 2005
    Inventors: Kuo-Yun Liao, Chih-Chan Chang
  • Publication number: 20040229541
    Abstract: An ornamental water ball is provided in a base with a musical box having a movement and a lower disc, and in a transparent shell fixed to a top of the base with a fan and a decorated upper disc above the fan. When the movement is rotated, it synchronously rotates the upper disc through meshing of a first small gear on the movement with a second large gear mounted on an axis that is located in the base and engaged with a spindle of the upper disc. The lower disc is mounted on the axis and quickly rotated through meshing of a second small gear formed at a lower center of the lower disc with a first large gear mounted on the movement, so as to magnetically rotate the fan, causing the fan to scatter a plurality of snowflake-shaped chips or metallic chips in the shell.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 12, 2003
    Publication date: November 18, 2004
    Inventors: Kuo-Yun Liao, Chih-Chan Chang
  • Patent number: 6814646
    Abstract: A floating toy is provided which can achieve varied and entertaining movements by means of a simple composition. The floating toy comprises: a liquid container section (11, 12) containing liquid therein; a figure (2) of lower specific gravity than the liquid, accommodated inside the liquid container section; magnetic bodies (31, 32) accommodated movably inside the liquid container section; line members (41, 42) extended between the figure and the magnetic bodies; and electromagnetic mechanisms (51, 52) that act on the magnetic bodies. The magnetic bodies and the figure are caused to move against the buoyancy force of the figure, by passing current through the electromagnetic mechanisms, and are caused to return to their original positions by the buoyancy force of the figure, by releasing the passage of current through the electromagnetic mechanisms.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 14, 2003
    Date of Patent: November 9, 2004
    Assignees: Sega Toys, Ltd., Ing 21 Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Hirohiko Atobe, Tomohiko Onishi, Mie Ueda, Shigeru Kanauchi
  • Patent number: 6746296
    Abstract: A bubble blower and penholder arrangement is disclosed to include a penholder holding a writing element, and a bubble blower mounted in the penholder for pressing by hand to extend the writing element out of the penholder for writing. The bubble blower includes a fluid container, which has a bottom extension tube inserted into the penholder and stopped at the top end of the writing element, and an applicator detachably fastened to the fluid container for picking up the bubble fluid for blowing bubbles.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 25, 2003
    Date of Patent: June 8, 2004
    Inventor: Mon-Sheng Lin
  • Patent number: 6743070
    Abstract: A whipping top based bubble toy includes at least a whipping top, a fluid tube, a bracket board and a pull rod in which the whipping top, a conic block, has a central post to be mounted with sleeve and a ground tip. The bracket board has a vertical opening to receive the protruded sleeve from the whipping top and a transverse go-through aperture to house the rack which meshes the pinion gear installed in the bracket board. The whipping top forms a hollow vessel to be filled with bubble fluid. Aside from the whipping function, the whipping top also produces the bubbles.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 26, 2003
    Date of Patent: June 1, 2004
    Inventor: Mon-Sheng Lin
  • Patent number: 6729500
    Abstract: A fluid pump dispenser includes a spring biased pump piston having a generally hollow stem and reciprocable between pressure and return strokes within a pump cylinder therewith defining a variable volume pump chamber for dispensing fluid through a discharge opening at an outer end of the stem. The stem defines a valve controlled discharge passage leading from the pump chamber to the discharge opening. A driver nut may be mounted adjacent the pump piston and include at least one flange engaged with at least one respective spiral turn on a spindle disposed within the pump chamber to thereby rotate the spindle during reciprocation of the pump piston. A dip tube may be disposable within a container and affixed to the spindle for rotation with the spindle. A figurine may be mounted onto the dip tube for complementary rotation with the dip tube and the spindle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 27, 2003
    Date of Patent: May 4, 2004
    Assignee: Saint-Gobain Calmar, Inc.
    Inventors: Douglas B. Dobbs, Kevin O'Neill
  • Patent number: 6699092
    Abstract: A toy aquarium includes a container configured to contain a liquid and a drive mechanism operably coupled to toy characters to impart motion to the toy characters.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 27, 2002
    Date of Patent: March 2, 2004
    Assignee: Mattel, Inc.
    Inventors: Christopher D. Cimerman, Robert W. Jourdian, Robert W. Salmon
  • Patent number: 6651364
    Abstract: A display globe assembly includes a transparent dome defining a cavity in which a scene is disposed and a base supporting the transparent dome. A shaft is rotatably disposed within the cavity of the dome and is rotated by a driving mechanism. An arm is attached to and projects generally radially from a distal end of the shaft within the cavity and engages an ornament disposed on exterior surface of the dome to move it thereon.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 19, 2001
    Date of Patent: November 25, 2003
    Assignee: Mr. Christmas Inc.
    Inventors: Terry Hermanson, Meng-Suen Huang
  • Patent number: 6638131
    Abstract: A container has a container body that has an inner chamber, a bottom wall, a top wall, a opening provided in the top wall, and a tube extending from the opening into the inner chamber to provide communication between the inner chamber and the exterior of the container body. The opening can be curved, the tube can have a curved cross-section, and the tube can be positioned offset from the center of the inner chamber.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 26, 2000
    Date of Patent: October 28, 2003
    Assignee: Arko Development Limited
    Inventor: Douglas Thai
  • Publication number: 20030140533
    Abstract: A rubber plug for a water ball to prevent from having bubbles, which comprises a plurality of glue plates for gluing an ornament, and then is assembled together with a glass ball in water; the rubber plug has a buffer membrane under the glue plates, and extending downwards; the buffer membrane can provide a buffer space to prevent the water ball from having bubbles upon the water in the water ball being frozen in winter to cause a distension.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 30, 2002
    Publication date: July 31, 2003
    Applicant: Seagull Decor Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Cheng Liang
  • Patent number: 6595822
    Abstract: A container has a cup-like lower body that receives liquid therein, the lower body having a bottom wall and an open upper mouth. The container also has an inverted cup-like upper body having a top wall and an open lower mouth, and an opening provided in the top wall. The upper body is removably connected to the lower body with the open mouths thereof in communication with each other to form an interior chamber. The container also includes a lid pivotably coupled to the top wall and covering the opening, and a stopper inserted through the opening.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 1, 2000
    Date of Patent: July 22, 2003
    Assignee: Placo Corporation Limited
    Inventor: Douglas Thai
  • Patent number: 6582274
    Abstract: A noise making toy for making a gurgling sound to imitate a bodily function is provided having a rigid, hollow and elongate tube sealed at each end by an elastically expansible flexible bladder. The elongate tube and the bladders define an inner volume that is sealed from an ambient outside environment and filled with a combination of a highly viscous, gel-like material and a gas, whereby when one of the flexible bladders is squeezed, the highly viscous gel-like material and the gas are forced through the elongate tube thereby creating a gurgling sound.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 26, 2000
    Date of Patent: June 24, 2003
    Assignee: Basic Fun, Inc.
    Inventors: Daniel A. Chernek, Michael P. Kind
  • Patent number: 6582276
    Abstract: A toy washing machine has a safety function to prevent the release of water and the like. The safety function locks the door of the toy washing machine when the machine is filled with water. As water is poured into the machine, it flows to a container positioned below an internal drum cabin. The container has a float that rises as the container fills with water. The rising of the float activates a lever device that is connected to a pin. The pin locks the door and prevents the door from opening when water is within the machine. The door of the machine has a seal made of heterotypic silicon rubber that prevents leakage.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 22, 2002
    Date of Patent: June 24, 2003
    Assignee: Golden Bright Manufacturer Limited
    Inventor: Wei Gang Bao
  • Patent number: 6550631
    Abstract: A drinking vessel comprises a body part (10) to receive a drinks liquid, a lid (30) to seal the top of the body part, a liquid outlet passage (50, 52) extending down to a lower region of the interior space of the body part, and an air intake passage (54) also extending down to the lower region of the interior space of the body part. As the user draws liquid out of the vessel through the liquid outlet passage (50, 52), replacement air enters through the air intake passage (54) and then bubbles upwardly through the liquid within the vessel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 29, 1999
    Date of Patent: April 22, 2003
    Assignee: Vogue International Limited
    Inventor: Christopher Mark Francis Thompson
  • Patent number: 6550168
    Abstract: A display assembly intended primarily but not exclusively for use in the advertisement of any of a variety of different products or services structured to visually simulate the presence of moving liquid representative of an effervescent or bubbling liquid in the advertisement or display. An ornamental display, in the form of a pictorial representation, indicia, or other visual representation includes a light transmittable material aligned with an illumination assembly and a chamber through which a pattern of fluid flow passes. The pattern of fluid flow comprises a plurality of air streams of bubbles and provides the appearance of moving liquid to an exterior observer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 8, 2001
    Date of Patent: April 22, 2003
    Inventor: Victor Salas Campos
  • Patent number: 6533637
    Abstract: A toy projectile device that is thrown at flat surfaces, such as pains of glass. The toy projectile has a volume of fill material that is encapsulated within a thin-walled shell. The fill material contains a liquid and may contain solid objects suspended within the liquid. The shell is fabricated from an elastomeric material that is highly elastic, has high tear resistance and has a tacky exterior. When the toy projectile is thrown against a hard surface, the thin-walled shell deforms on impact and stretches into a splat pattern on the impacted surface. Due to the tackiness of the shell, the shell adheres to the impacted surface in the splat pattern. After a short period of time, the elastic properties of the shell cause the shell to contract and peel way from the impacted surface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 5, 2002
    Date of Patent: March 18, 2003
    Inventor: Chu-Yuan Liao
  • Patent number: 6530815
    Abstract: A bubble-blowing apparatus for use in blowing bubbles from bubble solution may be provided with a bubble solution container capable of holding a volume of bubble solution and having a rounded bottom surface and a container side wall that at least partially defines an interior volume. The container may have a weight distribution, when the internal volume of the container is at least partially filled with bubble solution, that causes the container to automatically move to an upright position from a tilted position angularly displaced from the upright position. The apparatus may also be provided with a cap member that is capable of being attached to the bubble solution container and a bubble wand having a bubble-blowing orifice disposed therein.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 22, 2000
    Date of Patent: March 11, 2003
    Assignee: Oddzon, Inc.
    Inventors: Jay M. Bro, Daniel Seifert, Terry J. Sanchez, Syed J. Hasan, Martin J. Hirsch
  • Patent number: 6527616
    Abstract: The present throwing toy is comprised of a sticky elastomer shell around a liquid core. The shell is comprised of a thermoplastic rubber mixed with a petroleum based oil in a ratio that produces an extremely soft shell. The core is comprised of clarified water. When the toy is thrown against a wall, it greatly flattens to produce a splash effect, sticks to the wall temporarily, slowly reforms into its original shape as it drips down the wall, and falls off the wall.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 25, 2002
    Date of Patent: March 4, 2003
    Assignee: JS Vision Ltd.
    Inventor: Daniel Hak Li
  • Patent number: 6523287
    Abstract: A decorative aqua ball mainly comprises a base, a power device disposed in a cavity of the base, a music box connected with the power device, a transparent casing sitting on the base, an ornamental article placed in the transparent casing, and a lid plug hermetically sealed on an opening of the casing. The aqua ball further comprises a rotation device which is composed of an upper turntable and a lower turntable situated on the lid plug on respective top and bottom faces in virtue of mutual attraction of respective pieces of enhanced magnets residing face to face on the turntables. By proper arrangement of the magnets, both turntables can rotate synchronously without needing extra power so that a reliable aqua ball is realized to present dynamic sightly scene for appreciation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 27, 2001
    Date of Patent: February 25, 2003
    Inventor: Sern-Chen Lee
  • Patent number: 6506091
    Abstract: A combination toy building block and container for holding liquids and the like having male connectors formed on one side of the container and female receptacles formed on an opposing side, wherein a male connector is threadably engaged with the container side such that it can be unscrewed to allow dispensing of the container's contents, and wherein a protrusion is recessed within one of the female receptacles for holding and/or carrying of the container. Identical containers or similar containers possessing similarly dimensioned male connectors and female receptacles can be connected to one another and/or stacked by engaging the male connectors of a first container with the female receptacles of a second container, and so on, essentially providing toy building blocks.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 29, 2001
    Date of Patent: January 14, 2003
    Inventor: Scott Garpow
  • Patent number: 6494760
    Abstract: An exercise and/or play hoop, made of semi-rigid plastic tubing, is partially filed with water (30) to between ⅙ and ½ full, most preferably ¼ full. The water improves the dynamics of the hoop and makes it easier to keep the hoop elevated by gyration. The hoop is made of a length of hoop tube (10) bent into a circle. A coupling tube (20) is inserted where the ends (11, 12) abut, spanning the joint. The coupling tube includes a bore (25) through which the liquid flows circumferentially around inside the hoop, and past the joint. The joint is sealed on the outside with a shrink-plastic tube. A decorative, preferably iridescent cover (18) may cover the hoop.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 3, 2002
    Date of Patent: December 17, 2002
    Assignee: Maui Toys, Inc.
    Inventor: Brian Kessler
  • Patent number: 6488558
    Abstract: A vehicle noisemaker device and method are provided according to the invention. The vehicle noisemaker device includes a gas supply configured to be removably affixed to a vehicle, with the gas supply including at least one gas supply outlet. The vehicle noisemaker device further includes at least one nozzle. The at least one nozzle creates a flatulation sound effect. An at least one outlet valve is positioned between and communicates with the at least one gas supply outlet and the at least one nozzle for allowing the gas to be released from the gas storage tank. The vehicle noisemaker device preferably also includes a controller communicating with the at least one outlet valve and controlling a release of the gas from the gas storage tank. The controller is preferably manually triggered and opens the at least one outlet valve to create the flatulation sound effect.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 6, 2001
    Date of Patent: December 3, 2002
    Inventor: Tommy E. Scrivner
  • Patent number: 6482136
    Abstract: An exercise and/or play hoop, made of semi-rigid plastic tubing, is partially filled with water (30) to between ⅙ and ½ full, most preferably ¼ full. The water improves the dynamics of the hoop and makes keeping the hoop elevated by gyration easier. The hoop is preferably made of a length of hoop tube (10) bent into a circle. A coupling tube (20) is inserted where the ends (11, 12) abut, spanning over the joint. The coupling tube includes a bore (25) through which the liquid flows circumferentially around inside the hoop, and past the joint. To seal the water in O-rings (41, 42) are used. A decorative, preferably iridescent cover (18) may cover the hoop. Tape (50) keeps the joint together. The hoop may be scented.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 14, 1999
    Date of Patent: November 19, 2002
    Assignee: Maui Toys, Inc.
    Inventor: Brian D. Kessler
  • Patent number: 6481128
    Abstract: An ornament includes a closed showcase in which a liquid and a plurality of granules as well as a model of volcano are provided; a liquid-guiding mechanism provided in a lower part of the showcase to provide a cyclic liquid path for the ornament; and a driving mechanism located below the liquid-guiding mechanism to suck the liquid downward and then force the liquid upward via the liquid-guiding mechanism, so that the liquid carries the granules to repeatedly spout into a conduit in the model of volcano and erupt from a crater of the volcano and then scatter over the liquid-guiding mechanism, creating a dynamic scene similar to a volcanic eruption. A light and sound producing mechanism is mounted in a base of the showcase to produce flashes and sounds corresponding to the scene of volcanic eruption.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 20, 2001
    Date of Patent: November 19, 2002
    Inventor: Ming-Kuei Lin
  • Patent number: 6477799
    Abstract: A self-orienting logo assembly so that the logo is always in a horizontal orientation. In the preferred embodiments the logo is located on a disk. The disk is weighted or otherwise designed to have its weight distributed nonuniformly. The disk is located inside a housing. The housing is attached to the computer or other equipment bearing the logo. When the housing is located in a vertical plane the disk rotates to allow the logo to remain horizontal. The disk can be rotationally mounted to the housing or can be suspended in liquid. In an alternate embodiment the disk can have a magnet incorporated so that when the disk is in a horizontal orientation it can act as a compass. In another embodiment a portion of the disk is removed and the housing contains an additional logo or wording. The rotation of the disk can then cover or expose the additional logo or wording.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 13, 2000
    Date of Patent: November 12, 2002
    Assignee: Compaq Information Technologies Group, L.P.
    Inventors: Carol Erickson, Kenneth Jansen, David R. Wooten, Guy McSwain, Michael F. Angelo, Keith Lutsch
  • Patent number: 6471564
    Abstract: The splattle paddle comprises a main housing with a handle secured thereto. A stretchable, flexible material is secured at an outer edge to the main housing. A button is secured centrally of the main housing to which one end of a linear stretchable cord is secured. The opposite end of the cord is secured to a holding apparatus, such as a clip. In use, a water-filled balloon or ball is secured to the holding apparatus and the water-filled balloon is then hit by the paddle until the balloon breaks.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 6, 2001
    Date of Patent: October 29, 2002
    Inventors: Thomas J. Coleman, William K. Schlotter, IV, Princess Ann Coleman, Ann M. Schlotter
  • Patent number: 6461122
    Abstract: A water circulation pump for an aquarium includes a shaft centrally engaged to the impeller. The free end of the shaft includes a pinion securely mounted to drive a reduction device. The reduction device includes a gear set having a final output gear that has an output shaft mounted to provide an extra power source. For example, the output shaft can drive a decorative device to make the aquarium looking more vivid and vigorous.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 24, 2000
    Date of Patent: October 8, 2002
    Inventor: Yi-Chung Huang
  • Patent number: 6450100
    Abstract: A method for making a paintball grenade includes adding a thickening agent, a coloring agent, and a mixing agent to an enclosure, such as a balloon. Water is added to the enclosure and combines with the thickening agent and the coloring agent to form a colored, gelatinous liquid. The mixing agent facilitates the mixing of the thickening agent and the coloring agent with the water. The enclosure can be thrown or launched during a game of paintball to eliminate players on an opposing team from the game.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 19, 2000
    Date of Patent: September 17, 2002
    Assignee: ACAR, L.L.C.
    Inventor: Anthony R. Carson
  • Patent number: 6447356
    Abstract: A bubble-making toy provides a container structure having a main compartment for containing bubble solution and an outside compartment within which a bubble forming ring can be positioned. The main compartment and outside compartment can be opened to one another by way of a valve so that the bubble forming ring can be brought within the bubble solution and where the main compartment and outside compartment can be closed to one another during bubble generation by a user. Such a bubble-making toy reduces the possibility of bubble solution spillage during non use or storage of the bubble-making toy and during the time of bubble generation. Moreover, the design allows easy access of the bubble forming ring to the bubble solution. The provision of an adequately sized outside chamber also advantageously permits a bubble ring with a filling of bubble solution to be shielded until the time when a user intends to create a bubble.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 22, 2000
    Date of Patent: September 10, 2002
    Assignee: Prime Time Toys Ltd.
    Inventor: Brian Lapointe
  • Patent number: 6443791
    Abstract: A vertically disposed bubble maker comprising a specially designed container for reducing the amount of a bubble solution required for dipping a large, vertically oriented, bubble forming loop in bubble solution for blowing bubbles. A wand comprises a handle attached to the loop, and there is a loop opening inside the loop. The container retains a liquid bubble solution, is open at the top, and is large enough so that the loop opening can be fully submerged in bubble solution when the loop is vertically oriented and when the container is full. The container has a shape that is substantially conformal to the shape of the vertically oriented loop when both the loop and the container are viewed from above. In the preferred embodiment, the container comprises a lower and an upper section, the lower section is the holster, the upper section is the reservoir.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 16, 2001
    Date of Patent: September 3, 2002
    Inventor: Wayne K. Portwine
  • Patent number: 6419545
    Abstract: A combination miniature toy vehicle and squirt gun. In one embodiment, the toy vehicle includes a hand grip which, when pivotally extended downwardly from the vehicle bottom, also serves as a water pump. Each time the grip is manually actuated by squeezing, a supply of water is drawn from a tank within the toy vehicle and pumped through suitable concealed conduit for discharge as streams of water through discharge nozzles located in each headlight of the model car. When the grip is in its stored position within a cavity in the bottom of the model car, a separate button shaped actuator in the top of the model car may be depressed to actuate the stored grip and thusly to discharge water streams from the headlights. In an alternate embodiment, a depressable button or body panel area directly activates a water pump in fluid communication between the water tank and the headlight water discharge nozzles.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 28, 2000
    Date of Patent: July 16, 2002
    Inventor: Stephen Motosko
  • Patent number: 6415534
    Abstract: Fluid decorative structure including an enclosing body and a scat body. The enclosing body is made of a very soft transparent or semitransparent material and formed with an opening at bottom end. Fluids with different colors and specific weights are filled into the enclosing body. An insertion member has a patterned article and an ejecting device. The ejecting device is composed of a tube body and a piston disposed in the tube body. When a rotary disc is rotated and a first magnetic member is moved to a position right under a second magnetic member, the first magnetic member will repel the second magnetic member to make the piston periodically move upward within the tube body so as to eject the second fluid with the heavier specific weight from the spout of the tube body.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 30, 2000
    Date of Patent: July 9, 2002
    Inventor: Chu-Yuan Liao
  • Patent number: D514152
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 18, 2004
    Date of Patent: January 31, 2006
    Inventor: Vincent K. Lee