Toy with a degradable film release mechanism and containment device

Abstract

The toy has a liquid degradable membrane extending over the opening of a hollow containment device. The membrane maintains a compressible component, such as a layer foam, in the device in its compressed state. A structure such as a doll supports the compressed component in the containment device, which may take the form of a plant pot. In a preferred embodiment, the compressed foam will expand through the plane of the membrane when contacted by the liquid after it passes through the membrane. An applicator may be provided to facilitate the application of the liquid to the membrane.

1 . A toy, comprising:
 a normally compressed component adapted to expand;   a structure upon which the expandable component is supported;   a containment device defining a cavity within which said structure is situated with the component in its compressed state; and   a membrane positioned on the containment device configured to degrade upon application of a liquid on an exterior surface of the membrane.   
     
     
         2 . The toy of  claim 1  wherein said containment device comprises an opening, and the membrane extending over the opening, wherein liquid situated on the exterior surface of the membrane will cause the membrane to degrade, the normally compressed positioned within the containment device such that degrading of the member allows the compressed component to expand through the opening. 
     
     
         3 . The toy of  claim 2  wherein said containment device includes a rigid hollow body. 
     
     
         4 . The toy of  claim 1  further comprising a frame upon which the structure is supported. 
     
     
         5 . The toy of  claim 1  further comprises a bracket adapted to support the structure such that said compressed component is situated between the structure and the membrane. 
     
     
         6 . The toy of  claim 2  wherein said membrane has an exterior surface and further comprises a removable, protective lid situated over the exterior surface of the membrane. 
     
     
         7 . The toy of  claim 1  wherein the containment device comprises first and second parts and a hinge connecting the first part to the second part such that the parts can be moved between a closed position, wherein the cavity is enclosed, and a position wherein the cavity is open. 
     
     
         8 . The toy of  claim 7  wherein each of first and second parts comprises an engaging part and wherein said engaging parts, when interengaged, maintain first and second parts in the closed position. 
     
     
         9 . The toy of  claim 1  wherein the containment device comprises a substantially cylindrical body with a closed bottom and an open top. 
     
     
         10 . The toy of  claim 1  wherein the structure takes the form of a doll. 
     
     
         11 . The toy of  claim 1  further comprising an applicator for supplying liquid to the membrane. 
     
     
         12 . The toy of  claim 11  further comprising a cover that is configured to retain the applicator. 
     
     
         13 . The toy of  claim 12  wherein said applicator comprises a liquid reservoir and a conduit through which liquid from the reservoir can be delivered to the membrane. 
     
     
         14 . The toy of  claim 1  wherein said containment device has a theme, and the toy further comprises a one or more elements which are associated with the theme within the containment device. 
     
     
         15 . The toy of  claim 14  wherein the containment device takes the form of a plant pot. 
     
     
         16 . A toy, comprises:
 a normally compressed foam component adapted to expand;   a doll upon which the foam component is supported;   a hollow cylindrical containment device defining a cavity within which the doll is situated with the foam component in it compressed stated; and   a membrane positioned on the containment device configured to degrade upon application of a liquid on an exterior surface of the membrane..   
     
     
         17 . The toy of  claim 16  wherein said component device has an external surface and an opening, the membrane comprising a liquid permeable membrane extending over the opening, wherein the foam component is situated between the doll and the membrane, such that liquid situated on the exterior surface of the membrane will pass through the membrane, cause the membrane to degrade, the foam component configured to extend through the opening. 
     
     
         18 . The toy of  claim 16  wherein the containment device comprises a rigid hollow body and a frame upon which the membrane is supported, and a bracket adapted to support the doll beneath the membrane. 
     
     
         19 . The toy of  claim 16  further comprising an applicator for supplying liquid to the membrane, wherein the applicator comprises a liquid reservoir. 
     
     
         20 . The toy of  claim 16  wherein the containment device comprises first and second hollow halves and a hinge connecting the first and second halves such that the first and second halves can be moved between a closed position, wherein first and second halves enclose the doll, and an open position wherein the doll is visible. 
     
     
         21 . The toy of  claim 20  wherein each of the first and second halves comprises an engaging part, and wherein the engaging parts, when interengaged, maintain the first and second halves in the closed position. 
     
     
         22 . The toy of  claim 16  wherein the containment device takes the form of a plant pot. 
     
     
         23 . The toy of  claim 22  wherein the plant pot comprises a wall with an interior surface and the toy further comprises a one or more elements extending from the interior surface which are associated with the plant pot. 
     
     
         24 . A toy, comprising:
 a containment device defining a cavity with an opening;   a liquid degradable permeable membrane extending over said opening and having an exterior surface; and   a compressed component situated within the device cavity under the membrane and normally contained within the device by the membrane, wherein liquid applied to the exterior surface of the membrane degrades the membrane to release the component such that the component may extend through the membrane.   
     
     
         25 . The toy of  claim 24  further comprises a structure within the containment device upon which the compressed component is supported. 
     
     
         26 . The toy of  claim 24  wherein the compressed component expands, is lifted or is elevated beyond the plane of the membrane, when the membrane is degraded by the application of liquid.