Play device with activatable characters and method

Abstract

A play device includes an outer shell, a holding compound, and at least one activatable character concealed within the compound. The character has a resilient/elastomeric body and at least one appendage. The character may bend, stretch, and/or be compressed. The compound is capable of temporarily confining a character covered with the compound. The compound gradually releases the character from a deformed state within the compound to an un-deformed state. The outer shell holds the deformed character within the compound to prevent the character from progressing to an activated, undeformed state until the user is ready to activate the character by releasing the character from the outer shell. Spring forces associated with the resilient or elastomeric material of the character allows it to progress from the deformed state to the un-deformed state in which the character expands and at least a portion of the character breaks free from the compound.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A play device comprising:
 an outer shell;   an activatable character having a body and at least one appendage;   a holding material compound in contact with and surrounding at least a portion of said activatable character, said activatable character and said holding material compound placed within said outer shell; and   
       wherein said outer shell is removed from said activatable character and said holding material enabling said activatable character to progress from a deformed state within said holding material to an un-deformed state in which said activatable character expands and at least a portion of said activatable character breaks free from said holding material compound. 
     
     
         2 . The device, as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein:
 said activatable character is made from an elastomeric material.   
     
     
         3 . The device, as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein:
 said holding material compound is a pliable, viscous material which places a compression holding force upon said activatable character when said activatable character is covered with said holding material compound, and further wherein said activatable character is made from an elastomeric material such that when said activatable character is deformed within said holding material compound, a return spring force of said elastomeric material overcomes the compression holding force enabling said activatable character to expand and break free from said holding material compound.   
     
     
         4 . The device, as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein:
 said body resembles the shape of an animal or a fanciful character, and said appendages resemble the shape of arms, legs, tentacles, or combinations thereof.   
     
     
         5 . The device, as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein:
 the outer shell has the shape of a rock or meteor.   
     
     
         6 . A method of interacting with a play device to selectively activate a character of the device, said method comprising:
 providing a play device comprising an outer shell, an activatable character made of an elastomeric material, said character having a body and at least one appendage, and a holding material compound in contact with and surrounding at least a portion of said activatable character;   placing said activatable character and said holding material compound within said outer shell; and   removing said outer shell from said activatable character and said holding material;   expanding said activatable character by spring forces associated with said elastomeric material so said activatable character progresses from a deformed state within said holding material to an un-deformed state in which said activatable character expands and at least a portion of said activatable character breaks free from said holding material compound.   
     
     
         7 . The method, as claimed in  claim 6 , further including:
 providing a pin and an opening in said at least one appendage of said activatable character;   placing the pin in said opening to hold said appendage in the deformed state; and   removing the pin when a user wishes to activate said activatable character.   
     
     
         8 . The method, as claimed in  claim 6 , wherein:
 cracks are formed in said holding material compound when said at least a portion of said activatable character breaks free from said holding material compound.   
     
     
         9 . A play device comprising:
 an outer shell;   an activatable character having a body and at least one appendage;   a holding material compound in contact with and encapsulating said activatable character therein;   said activatable character and said holding material compound placed within said outer shell wherein at least said holding material compound is placed in contact with an inner surface of said outer shell; and   wherein said activatable character is made from an elastomeric material such that when said activatable character is deformed within said holding material compound, a return spring force of said elastomeric material overcomes a compression holding force of said holding material compound enabling said activatable character to expand and break free from said holding material compound.   
     
     
         10 . The device, as claimed in  claim 9 , wherein:
 said holding material compound is a pliable, viscous material which places the compression holding force upon said activatable character when said activatable character is encapsulated within said holding material compound.   
     
     
         11 . The device, as claimed in  claim 9 , wherein:
 said outer surface is exposed and said outer surface includes a plurality of ridges and depressions.