Prize containing game piece, related combinations and methods

Abstract

An improvement for all games which incorporate the capturing of game (or playing) pieces as part of game play. A game piece set where each piece is hollow and has an access or opening to allow surprises to be inserted prior to play and removed during play. Surprises may include confections, toys, printed materials, currency, and other items designed or selected to fit inside game piece. Surprises are held inside game piece by an integrated (or attached) seal or detachable seal (such as a removable plug or cap). Game can be played on a standard game board. The factory, players, and/or caregivers fill the game pieces with surprises prior to start of game. The surprise remains concealed until game piece is captured during play; the seal is then opened by player, and the surprise is removed and enjoyed. Overall, the tangible surprise element serves as an immediate, fin, and exciting improvement to the game.

1 . A game piece, comprising: 
 A base having a first part and a second part which can be fitted together to form an internal chamber for securing a prize, where the prize is capable of removal by a user; and    a design portion coupled with the base.    
   
   
       2 . The game piece of  claim 1 , where the design portion is directed upward from the base.  
   
   
       3 . The game piece of  claim 1 , where the game piece is chosen from a group consisting of: 
 a chess piece;    a checker piece;    a shogi piece;    a qiang xi piece;    a tiddly-winks piece;    a memory game piece;    a backgammon piece; and    a tic-tac-toe piece.    
   
   
       4 . The game piece of  claim 2 , where the design portion defines the identity of the game piece.  
   
   
       5 . The game piece of  claim 1 , where the first part is a hollow body having a single access region.  
   
   
       6 . The game piece of  claim 5 , where the second part is chosen from a group consisting of: 
 a removable cap; and    a removable plug.    
   
   
       7 . The game piece of  claim 6 , where the removable cap or removable plug can be fitted together with the first part, thereby covering the access region.  
   
   
       8 . The game piece of  claim 7 , where the first part and the removable cap or removable plug are fitted together by press-fitting, screwing, threading, snap-on action, adhesion, hook and loop means, magnetism, bolting, or sliding.  
   
   
       9 . The game piece of  claim 1 , wherein the first part and second part of the base have complementary hollow bodies.  
   
   
       10 . The game piece of  claim 1 , further comprising a prize secured in the internal chamber.  
   
   
       11 . The game piece of  claim 1 , where a plurality of game pieces are manufactured in one package, the plurality of game pieces capable of being individually removed from the package to form individual game pieces.  
   
   
       12 . The game piece of  claim 10 , wherein the prize is capable of being removed from the internal chamber.  
   
   
       13 . The game piece of  claim 12 , wherein after removal of the prize from the internal chamber, a new prize is secured in the internal chamber.  
   
   
       14 . The game piece of  claim 1 , wherein shrink-wrap extends around the design portion of the game piece.  
   
   
       15 . The game piece of  claim 1 , wherein the first part and the second part form a one-piece base, and a prize is capable of being inserted into the internal chamber by squeezing or otherwise manipulating the one-piece base.  
   
   
       16 . A game package, comprising: 
 (a) A container;    (b) a plurality of game pieces, each game piece comprising a base having a first part and a second part which can be fitted together to form an internal chamber for securing a prize, where the prize is capable of removal by a user, and a design portion coupled with the base and extending upward; and    (c) a set of instructions for instructing the player to fill or remove a game piece with a prize.    
   
   
       17 . The game package of  claim 16 , further comprising a plurality of prizes.  
   
   
       18 . The game package of  claim 16 , further comprising a game playing surface.  
   
   
       19 . The game package of  claim 16  wherein the plurality of game pieces are manufactured in one package, the plurality of bases capable of being individually removed from the package to form individual game pieces.  
   
   
       20 . A method of packaging a game piece for sale and use in a game, comprising: 
 (a) providing a container;    (b) providing a plurality of game pieces, each game piece comprising a base having a first part and a second part which can be fitted together to form an internal chamber for securing a prize, where the prize is capable of removal by a user, and a design portion coupled with the base and extending upward; and    (c) providing a set of instructions for instructing the player to fill or remove a game piece with a prize.    
   
   
       21 . The method of  claim 20 , further comprising providing a plurality of prizes.  
   
   
       22 . The method of  claim 20 , further comprising providing a game playing surface.  
   
   
       23 . Method of motivating children to learn games of skill, using at least one game piece as described in  claim 1 .  
   
   
       24 . Method of motivating children to learn games of skill, using a game package as described in  claim 15.