US20080014828A1

Movatterモバイル変換

Info

Publication number: US20080014828A1
Application number: US11/729,504
Authority: US
Inventors: Emily Kelly
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Mattel Inc
Priority date: 2006-03-29
Filing date: 2007-03-28
Publication date: 2008-01-17
Also published as: EP1998865A2; WO2007117430A3; WO2007117430A2

Abstract

A beauty preparation toy is disclosed. The toy may include a base; at least a portion of a toy doll configured to be attached in an upright position to the base; and at least one cover connected to the base and configured to move relative to the base among a plurality of positions, including a covered position in which the at least one cover is adjacent to the base and, with the base, at least substantially encloses the at least a portion of a toy doll while the at least a portion of a toy doll is attached in the upright position to the base, and an uncovered position in which the at least one cover is spaced from the base relative to the covered position.

Description

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application claims priority under 35 U.S.C. §119(e) to U.S. Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 60/787,309 entitled “Beauty Preparation Practice Device and Container,” filed Mar. 29, 2006. The complete disclosure of that application is herein incorporated by reference for all purposes.

BACKGROUND OF THE DISCLOSURE

The present disclosure is directed to beauty preparation toys, which may include at least a portion of a toy doll and one or more toy accessories for that portion of a toy doll.

Examples of beauty preparation devices may be found in U.S. Pat. Nos. 1,437,467; 2,165,476; 2,381,663; 2,968,104; 3,048,941; 3,552,549; 3,587,836; 3,765,123; 3,808,736; 4,361,981; 4,403,962; 4,810,196; 4,993,988; 5,180,325; 5,205,776; 5,234,370; 5,607,338; 6,109,921; 6,638,133; 6,926,152, D316,996, and D357,701. The complete disclosures of those patents are herein incorporated by reference for all purposes.

SUMMARY OF THE DISCLOSURE

Some embodiments provide a beauty preparation toy. The toy may include a base; at least a portion of a toy doll configured to be attached in an upright position to the base; and at least one cover connected to the base and configured to move relative to the base among a plurality of positions. The plurality of positions may include a covered position in which the at least one cover is adjacent to the base and, with the base, at least substantially encloses the at least a portion of a toy doll while the at least a portion of a toy doll is attached in the upright position to the base, and an uncovered position in which the at least one cover is spaced from the base relative to the covered position.

Some embodiments provide a beauty preparation toy. The toy may include a base; a portion of a toy doll configured to be attached in an upright position to the base; and first and second covers pivotally connected to the base and configured to move relative to the base among a plurality of positions. The plurality of positions may include a covered position in which the first and second covers are adjacent to each other and enclose, with the base, the portion of a toy doll while the portion of a toy doll is attached in the upright position to the base, and an uncovered position in which the first and second covers are spaced from each other relative to the covered position.

Some embodiments provide a beauty preparation toy. The toy may include a base; a portion of a toy doll configured to be attached in an upright position to the base; first and second covers pivotally connected to the base and configured to move relative to the base among a plurality of positions, including a covered position in which the first and second covers are adjacent to each other and enclose, with the base, the portion of a toy doll while the portion of a toy doll is attached in the upright position to the base, and an uncovered position in which the first and second covers are spaced from each other relative to the covered position, wherein the first and second covers include faces and at least a portion of the faces are coplanar with each other and are at least substantially parallel to a bottom surface of the base when the first and second covers are in the uncovered position; and one or more toy jewelry items, wherein the portion of a toy doll includes one or more apertures sized to receive a portion of at least one of the one or more jewelry items.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is an isometric view of some embodiments of a beauty preparation toy.

FIG. 2 is a partial isometric view of the beauty preparation toy ofFIG. 1, showing a base having a drawer and toy accessories contained within the drawer.

FIG. 3 is an exploded partial side view of the beauty preparation toy ofFIG. 1, showing a portion of a toy doll and a base.

FIGS. 4A and 4B are partial views of a portion of a toy doll of the beauty preparation toy ofFIG. 1, showing attachment of toy accessories to parts of a portion of a toy doll.

FIG. 5 is a side view of the beauty preparation toy ofFIG. 1, shown with covers in an uncovered position.

FIG. 6 is a side view of the beauty preparation toy ofFIG. 1, shown with covers in a covered position.

FIG. 7 is a partial isometric view of the beauty preparation toy ofFIG. 1, showing a cover in a covered position and another cover in an uncovered position, without a portion of a toy doll.

FIG. 8 is a top view of toy accessories of the beauty preparation toy ofFIG. 1.

FIG. 9 is a partial side view of the beauty preparation toy ofFIG. 1, shown with a panel.

FIG. 10 is a partial side view of the beauty preparation toy ofFIG. 1, shown with the panel ofFIG. 9 pivoted about a vertical axis such that the panel is behind a portion of a toy doll.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE DISCLOSURE

Referring toFIG. 1, some embodiments of abeauty preparation toy20 are shown, which may include a base orbase portion22, adoll portion24, at least one cover orcover portion26, and one ormore toy accessories28.Base22 may include any suitable structure configured to at least partially supportdoll portion24 in at least an upright position U. Additionally,base22 may include any suitable structure configured to contain at least some of the toy accessories. For example,base22 may include astand30, at least onestorage chamber32, and at least oneconnector34, as shown inFIGS. 2-3.

The stand may be any suitable shape(s) and/or any suitable size(s). For example, the stand may have a rectangular parallelepiped shape and may be sized to be smaller relative tocover26, as shown inFIGS. 2-3. Additionally, stand30 may include at least onetop surface36, at least onebottom surface38, and at least oneside surface40. Moreover, stand30 may include at least one opening42 sized to at least partially receivestorage chamber32.

Althoughstand30 is shown to have a rectangular parallelepiped shape, the base may alternatively, or additionally, include other parallelepiped shape(s) and/or other shapes, such as polyhedron(s), prism(s), pyramid(s), cylinder(s), cone(s), sphere(s), etc. Additionally, althoughstand30 is shown to be smaller relative to cover26, the stand may alternatively be about the same size or larger than the cover. Moreover, althoughstand30 is shown to have asingle opening42, the base may include two or more openings to accommodate two ormore storage chambers32.

Storage chamber

32 may be any suitable shape(s) and/or any suitable size(s) configured to at least substantially contain one ormore toy accessories28 and/or be at least partially received within opening42. For example,storage chamber32 may include at least onedrawer44, which may include afront46 having aknob48, as shown inFIGS. 2-3. Althoughstorage chamber32 is shown to includedrawer44, the storage chamber may alternatively, or additionally, include other types of structures configured to at least substantially contain one or more of the toy accessories. Additionally, although only asingle drawer44 is shown,storage chamber32 may include two or more drawers.

Connector

34 may be on any suitable location onstand30 and/or may include any suitable structure configured to allow attachment ofdoll portion24 to stand30. For example,connector34 may include at least oneprotuberance50, which may be located ontop surface36 ofstand30. Althoughconnector34 is shown to include asingle protuberance50, the connector may include two or more protuberances. Additionally, althoughconnector34 is shown to includeprotuberance50, the connector may alternatively, or additionally, include other types of fasteners and/or connectors, such as hook(s), tape, button(s), groove(s), and/or other fasteners.

Moreover, althoughconnector34 is shown to be located ontop surface36, the connector may additionally, or alternatively, be located on any suitable surface(s) ofstand30. Furthermore, althoughbase22 is shown to includestand30,storage chamber32, andconnector34, the base may additionally, or alternatively, include any suitable structure configured to at least partially supportdoll portion24 in at least upright position U.

Doll portion

24 may include any suitable structure configured to provide one or more subjects for a user to groom and/or practice beauty preparation. For example,doll portion24 may include at least a portion of atoy doll52, which may be configured to be attached in at least upright position U tobase22, as shown inFIGS. 1 and 3. The portion of a toy doll may include any suitable portion(s), such as a toy doll's head, shoulders, and upper chest. The head may includehair portion53 and one or more facial features. Portion of atoy doll52 may resemble any suitable subject, such as a woman.

Although portion of atoy doll52 is shown to include particular portions of a toy doll, the portion of a toy doll may additionally, or alternatively, include any suitable portion(s) of toy doll. For example, portion of atoy doll52 may include only a toy doll's head or only a toy doll's head and neck. Alternatively,doll portion24 may include an entire toy doll, instead of a portion of a toy doll.

Portion of atoy doll52 may include any suitable structure configured to allow pivoting of that portion relative to the base about a vertical axis V, such as when at least one of the base and the cover is supported on a horizontal surface for use, and configured to retain one or more of the toy accessories. For example, the portion of a toy doll may include one ormore connector portions54. The connector portions may be in any suitable locations on the portion of a toy doll. For example, abottom56 andears58 of the portion of a toy doll may includeconnector portions54, as shown inFIGS. 3-4.

Additionally, the connector portions may include any suitable structure configured to receive at least a portion ofprotuberance50 ofbase22 and/or configured to receive a portion of at least one of the toy accessories. For example,connector portions54 may include one ormore apertures60 sized to receive at least a portion ofprotuberance50 of base22 (which may allow the portion of a toy doll to pivot relative to the base about the vertical axis) and/or to receive a portion of at least one of the toy accessories, as shown inFIGS. 3-4.

Althoughconnector portions54 are shown to be located on bottom56 andears58 of the portion of a toy doll, the connector portions may additionally, or alternatively, be located on any suitable location(s) of the portion of a toy doll. For example, connector portions may be located on a forehead, a nose, a mouth, etc., of the portion of a toy doll. Additionally, althoughconnector portions54 are shown to includeapertures60, the connector portions may alternatively, or additionally, include any suitable connectors and/or fasteners, such as those described above.

Moreover, althoughdoll portion24 is shown to include portion of atoy doll52, the doll portion may additionally, or alternatively, include any suitable structure configured to provide subject(s) to practice beauty preparation. For example,doll portion24 may include portions of two or more toy dolls. Furthermore, althoughdoll portion24 includes a portion of a toy doll resembling a woman, the portion of a toy doll may alternatively resemble a man, an animal, and/or any suitable subject.

At least onecover26 may include any suitable structure connected to base22 and configured to move relative to the base among a plurality of positions, such as a closed or covered position C in which the at least one cover is adjacent to the base and, with the base, at least substantially encloses the at least a portion of a toy doll while the at least a portion of a toy doll is attached in the upright position, and an open or uncovered position D in which the at least one cover is spaced from the base relative to the covered position, as shown inFIGS. 1 and 5-6. The cover may be connected to the base in any suitable way, such as pivotally connected.

Althoughcover26 is shown to move between the covered and uncovered positions, the cover may additionally, or alternatively, move among any suitable position(s). Additionally, althoughcover26 is shown to be pivotally connected tobase22, the cover may alternatively, or additionally, be connected or attached to the base in any suitable way(s), such as slidingly and/or rotatably connected to the base.

The cover may include at least oneface66 and at least a portion of the face may be at least substantially parallel withbottom surface38 ofbase22 when the cover is in uncovered position D. Additionally, or alternatively, at least a portion of the face may be at least substantially parallel withside surface40 ofbase22 when the cover is in covered position C, as shown inFIGS. 5-7. Although the cover is shown to have particular configurations or orientations relative to the base, the cover may additionally, or alternatively, have any suitable configurations relative to the base.

Face

66 may include any suitable ornamentation and/or aesthetic features. For example, face66 may include ornamentation such thattoy20 resembles a toy purse whencover26 is in coveredposition C. Face66 may alternatively, or additionally, have any suitable ornamentation such thattoy20 resembles any suitable article whencover26 is in the covered position. For example, face66 may have suitable ornamentation such thattoy20 resembles luggage, a make-up kit, or other item(s) whencover26 is in the covered position.

In some embodiments,front46 ofdrawer44 may be at least partially covered by the at least one cover when the at least one cover is in the covered position, and/or may be uncovered by the at least one cover when the at least one cover is in the uncovered position, as shown inFIGS. 5-7. Although the cover is shown to at least partially cover the front of the drawer in the covered position, the cover may be shaped and/or sized such that it does not at least partially cover the front of the drawer, which may allow a user to pull the drawer even when the cover is in the covered position.

In some embodiments, cover26 may include afirst cover62 and asecond cover64, as shown inFIGS. 5-7. The first and/or second covers may be configured to move relative to the base among a plurality of positions, such as covered position C in which the first and second covers are adjacent to each other and enclose, with the base, the portion of a toy doll while the portion of a toy doll is attached in upright position U tobase22, and uncovered position D in which the first and second covers are spaced from each other relative to covered position C. The first and second covers may be connected to the base in any suitable way(s), such as pivotally, slidingly, and/or rotatably connected to the base.

Althoughfirst cover62 andsecond cover64 are shown to move between the covered and uncovered positions, the first and second covers may additionally, or alternatively, move among any suitable position(s). Additionally, although two covers are shown, any suitable number of covers may be included, such as a single cover, three covers, etc. Moreover, although first and second covers are shown to be connected to the base, the first and second covers may alternatively, or additionally, be connected to each other.

The first cover may include afirst face68 and the second cover may include asecond face70, as shown inFIG. 5. At least a portion of the first face may be coplanar with at least a portion of the second face when the first and second covers are in the uncovered position. Additionally, or alternatively, at least a portion of the first and second faces may be parallel tobottom surface38 of the base when the first and second covers are in the uncovered position. Although the first and second covers are shown to have particular configurations or orientations relative to each other and/or to the base, the covers may have any suitable configurations relative to each other and/or to the base.

Additionally, at least one of the first and second covers may include one ormore latching portions72, which may include any suitable structure configured to maintain at least one of the first and second covers in the covered position. For example, the latching portion may include at least oneclasp74 included with the second cover, as shown inFIG. 7. Although latchingportions72 is shown to includeclasp74, the latching portions may alternatively, or additionally, include any suitable connectors and/or fasteners, such as those described above. Additionally, althoughsecond cover64 is shown to include latchingportion72, the first cover may alternatively, or additionally, include one ormore latching portions72.

Moreover, at least one of the first and second covers may include at least onehandle76, which may include any suitable structure configured to allow a user to carrytoy20, such as when the first and second covers are in the covered position. For example,first cover62 may include handle76, as shown inFIGS. 1 and 5.

Althoughfirst cover62 is shown to includehandle76,second cover64 may alternatively, or additionally, include the handle. Additionally, although the first and second covers are shown to include a single handle, the first and second covers may include two or more handles. Moreover, although handle76 is shown to be a specific shape and size, the handle may be any suitable shape(s) and/or size(s).

Furthermore, at least one of the first and second covers may include at least onestorage portion78, which may include any suitable structure configured to at least partially contain one or more of the toy accessories. For example,storage portion78 may include at least onepouch80 located on aninner portion82 of the second cover.

Althoughstorage portion78 is shown to include asingle pouch80, the storage portion may include two ormore pouches80. Additionally, althoughpouch80 is shown to be located oninner portion82 of the second cover, the pouch may alternatively, or additionally, be located on suitable portions of either or both of the first and second covers. Moreover, althoughstorage portion78 is shown to includepouch80, the storage portion may additionally, or alternatively, include any suitable structure configured to at least partially contain one or more of the toy accessories.

Toy accessories

28 may include any suitable structure configured to be attached to, supported on, and/or interact with one or more parts of the at least a portion of a toy doll. For example,toy accessories28 may include one or moretoy jewelry items84 and one or moretoy hair accessories86, as shown inFIGS. 4B and 8.

The toy jewelry items may include one or more ofearrings88,necklaces90, etc. At least some of the toy jewelry items may be received within one ormore connector portions54 of the portion of a toy doll. For example, the earring(s) may be partially received withinapertures60 of portion of atoy doll52, as shown inFIG. 4. At least some of the toy jewelry items may be supported on one or more parts of the portion of a toy doll. For example, the necklace(s) may be supported on an upper chest of the portion of a toy doll. Althoughtoy jewelry items84 are shown to includeearrings88 andnecklaces90, the toy jewelry items may additionally, or alternatively, include any suitable toy jewelry items, such as rings, studs, etc.

Toy hair accessories

86 may include one ormore hair fasteners92,hair extensions94,hair ties96, andhair grooming devices98. At least some of the toy hair accessories, such as the hair fasteners, the hair extensions, and the hair ties may be attached to the hair of the portion of a toy doll. At least some of the toy hair accessories may be used to interact with the hair of the portion of a toy doll, such as hair grooming devices98 (which may include brush(es), comb(s), etc.).

Althoughtoy hair accessories86 are shown to includehair fasteners92,hair extensions94,hair ties96, andhair grooming devices98, the toy hair accessories may additionally, or alternatively, include any suitable toy hair accessories configured to be attached to, be supported on, and/or interact with the hair of the portion of a toy doll. For example, toy hair accessories may include a toy hair crimping device, a toy hair dryer, a toy hair braider, etc. Additionally, althoughtoy accessories28 are shown to includetoy jewelry items84 andtoy hair accessories86, the toy accessories may additionally, or alternatively, include any suitable accessories configured to be attached to, be supported on, and/or interact with one or more parts of the portion of a toy doll. For example,toy accessories28 may include a make-up kit (not shown) to allow a user to apply make-up on one or more facial features of the portion of a toy doll.

Moreover, althoughtoy20 is shown to includebase22,doll portion24,cover26, andtoy accessories28, the toy may additionally, or alternatively, include any suitable structure. For example, in some embodiments,toy20 may include atoy panel100. The toy panel may include any suitable structure configured to be supported overbase22 in an upright position, as shown inFIGS. 9-10.

The toy panel may include afirst face102 and asecond face104. The first face may include atoy mirror106, while the second face may include one or more retainers108 (such as hooks) configured to support one or more of the toy accessories. In some embodiments, the toy panel may be attached to the first and/or second covers and may be configured to pivot relative to the first and/or second covers, as shown inFIGS. 9-10.

Althoughtoy panel100 is shown to include first and second faces, the toy panel may include more or less faces. Additionally, although the toy panel is shown to be connected tofirst cover62, the toy panel may alternatively, or additionally, be connected or attached to the base and/or the second cover. Moreover, although the toy panel is shown to be pivotally connected tofirst cover62, the toy panel may alternatively, or additionally, be connected or attached in any suitable way(s), such as slidingly and/or rotatably connected to the first cover.

Furthermore, although the faces of the toy panel includetoy mirror106 andretainers108, one or more of the faces may alternatively, or additionally, include any suitable structure. For example, one or more of the faces may include one or more light(s) to illuminate the portion of a toy doll, which may make that portion more visible in the toy mirror.

The disclosure set forth above encompasses multiple distinct inventions with independent utility. While each of these inventions has been disclosed in its preferred form, the specific embodiments thereof as disclosed and illustrated herein are not to be considered in a limiting sense as numerous variations are possible. The subject matter of the inventions includes all novel and non-obvious combinations and subcombinations of the various elements, features, functions and/or properties disclosed herein. Similarly, where any claim recites “a” or “a first” element or the equivalent thereof, such claim should be understood to include incorporation of one or more such elements, neither requiring nor excluding two or more such elements.

Inventions embodied in various combinations and subcombinations of features, functions, elements, and/or properties may be claimed through presentation of new claims in a related application. Such new claims, whether they are directed to a different invention or directed to the same invention, whether different, broader, narrower or equal in scope to the original claims, are also regarded as included within the subject matter of the inventions of the present disclosure.

Claims

1. A beauty preparation toy, comprising:

a base;

at least a portion of a toy doll configured to be attached in an upright position to the base; and

at least one cover connected to the base and configured to move relative to the base among a plurality of positions, including a covered position in which the at least one cover is adjacent to the base and, with the base, at least substantially encloses the at least a portion of a toy doll while the at least a portion of a toy doll is attached in the upright position to the base, and an uncovered position in which the at least one cover is spaced from the base relative to the covered position.

2. The toy ofclaim 1, wherein the at least one cover has a face and at least a portion of the face is at least substantially parallel with a bottom surface of the base when the at least one cover is in the uncovered position.

3. The toy ofclaim 1, wherein the at least one cover has a face and at least a portion of the face is at least substantially parallel to a side surface of the base when the at least one cover is in the covered position.

4. The toy ofclaim 1, wherein the at least one cover is pivotally connected to the base.

5. The toy ofclaim 1, further comprising one or more toy accessories configured to be attached to one or more parts of the at least a portion of a toy doll.

6. The toy ofclaim 5, wherein the at least a portion of a toy doll includes one or more connector portions configured to receive a portion of at least one of the one or more toy accessories.

7. The toy ofclaim 6, wherein the connector portions include one or more apertures.

8. The toy ofclaim 5, wherein the base includes at least one storage chamber sized to at least substantially contain one or more of the toy accessories.

9. The toy ofclaim 8, wherein the storage chamber includes at least one drawer.

10. The toy ofclaim 9, wherein the drawer has a front that is at least partially covered by the at least one cover when the at least one cover is in the covered position, and is uncovered by the at least one cover when the at least one cover is in the uncovered position.

11. The toy ofclaim 1, further comprising a panel configured to be supported over the base in an upright position.

12. The toy ofclaim 11, wherein the panel includes a first face with a toy mirror.

13. The toy ofclaim 12, wherein the panel is attached to the at least one cover and is configured to pivot relative the at least one cover.

14. The toy ofclaim 1, wherein the doll is configured to pivot relative to the base about a vertical axis when at least one of the base and the at least one cover is supported on a horizontal surface for use.

15. A beauty preparation toy, comprising:

a base;

a portion of a toy doll configured to be attached in an upright position to the base; and

first and second covers pivotally connected to the base and configured to move relative to the base among a plurality of positions, including a covered position in which the first and second covers are adjacent to each other and enclose, with the base, the portion of a toy doll while the portion of a toy doll is attached in the upright position to the base, and an uncovered position in which the first and second covers are spaced from each other relative to the covered position.

16. The toy ofclaim 15, wherein the first and second covers include faces, and at least a portion of the faces are coplanar with each other and are at least substantially parallel to a bottom surface of the base when the first and second covers are in the uncovered position.

17. The toy ofclaim 15, further comprising one or more toy jewelry items configured to be attached to one or more parts of the portion of a toy doll.

18. The toy ofclaim 17, wherein the portion of a toy doll includes one or more apertures sized to receive a portion of at least one of the one or more toy jewelry items.

19. A beauty preparation toy, comprising:

a base;

a portion of a toy doll configured to be attached in an upright position to the base;

first and second covers pivotally connected to the base and configured to move relative to the base among a plurality of positions, including a covered position in which the first and second covers are adjacent to each other and enclose, with the base, the portion of a toy doll while the portion of a toy doll is attached in the upright position to the base, and an uncovered position in which the first and second covers are spaced from each other relative to the covered position, wherein the first and second covers include faces and at least a portion of the faces are coplanar with each other and are at least substantially parallel to a bottom surface of the base when the first and second covers are in the uncovered position; and

one or more toy jewelry items, wherein the portion of a toy doll includes one or more apertures sized to receive a portion of at least one of the one or more jewelry items.

20. The toy ofclaim 19, wherein the base includes at least one drawer sized to contain one or more of the toy jewelry items.