Apparatus and method for detecting and reacting to the presence of a fluid

Abstract

A fluid detection and reaction apparatus that physically responds to fluid contact. An open-ended chamber with a hinged cover holds a compressed springy material. The cover/lid is subjected to pressure by the compressed springy material to open the chamber end. A latch is formed between the chamber cover and the rim of the chamber end to generate a holding force that keeps the cover in place. The latch is formed by a water-reactive material that is adapted to will fail or sever under stress when wet. When water contacts the water-reactive material, the material tears, allowing the cover to open the chamber and release the springy material.

1 . A toy apparatus for reacting to the presence of fluid, the apparatus comprising:
 a chamber having an interior cavity and at least one open end surrounded by a rim;   a cover attached to the rim of the chamber at a cover mounting location, the cover having a closed position wherein the cover covers the open end for closing off the interior cavity and an open position wherein the cover does not completely close off the open end;   a spring force applied to the cover by a component for urging the cover into its open position, the spring force component being at least one of (i) a reusable, waterproof spring mounted between the cover and the chamber and which biases the cover into an open position, or (ii) a reusable, waterproof material compressed in the interior cavity of the chamber and held in place by the cover when the cover is in its closed position, the compressible material configured to decompress so as to project out of the open end of the chamber when the cover is in its open position;   a first attachment mount located on the rim of the chamber adjacent to the open end, the first attachment mount located at a first rim location on the rim which is on an opposite side of the open end from the cover mounting location and a second attachment mount on the cover at a second location which is on an opposite side of the cover from the cover mounting location, the first and second attachment mounts being located such that they are close together when the cover is closed over the open end of the chamber; and   a latch separate from the spring force component and which is configured to attach the first and second attachment mounts to one another in a disconnectable manner so as to counter the spring force and hold the cover closed over the open end of the chamber and maintain the cover in its closed position, and   wherein either the latch or one of the first and second attachment mounts is removably replaceable and made from a thin water-reactive material configured to sever or tear when wet and subjected to the spring force.   
     
     
         2 . The toy apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the spring force is provided by the material compressed within the interior cavity and wherein the material is a springy material. 
     
     
         3 . The toy apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the latch is made from the thin water-reactive material and is configured to attach the first and second attachment mounts to hold the cover in its closed position over the open end of the chamber to maintain the cover in its closed position, the water-reactive material adapted to readily sever when wet. 
     
     
         4 . The toy apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein there is only one open end, and wherein the chamber is tube-like with a closed end opposite the open end. 
     
     
         5 . The toy apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the cover is attached to the rim at the cover mounting location by a hinge formed from a strap of flexible material. 
     
     
         6 . The toy apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the chamber cover fits inside the end of the chamber. 
     
     
         7 . The toy apparatus of  claim 2 , wherein the springy material is lightweight plastic mesh that possesses high released volume compared to its compressed volume. 
     
     
         8 . The toy apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the first and second attachment mounts are rounded small hooks. 
     
     
         9 . The toy apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the water-reactive material is the latch, and the latch is made from paper material. 
     
     
         10 . The toy apparatus of  claim 9 , wherein the latch has at least one hole sized to slip over at least one of the first and second attachment mounts. 
     
     
         11 . The toy apparatus of  claim 1 , further comprising an external mounting attachment on the chamber to enable it to be affixed to a player or other play devices. 
     
     
         12 . The toy apparatus of  claim 11 , wherein the chamber is mounted to a remote control vehicle by the external attachment, and wherein the apparatus is a remote control vehicle stopper adapted to, when hit with water, cause the material contained within the interior cavity to be released and go under wheels of the remote control vehicle. 
     
     
         13 . A method of detecting and reacting to the presence of a fluid as part of a game, the method comprising the steps of:
 providing a toy apparatus according to  claim 1 ;   receiving fluid on the toy apparatus;   causing the fluid to unlock the cover; and   releasing material from inside the chamber, the release of the material providing a visual indication of that water has hit the apparatus.   
     
     
         14 . The method of  claim 13 , wherein the step of causing the fluid to unlock the cover involves:
 causing the fluid to contact the water-reactive material to sever the material, and urging the cover into its open position to release the material.   
     
     
         15 . The method of  claim 13 , wherein the toy apparatus is attached to a player and wherein the step of providing visual indication of water detection indicates that a player has been hit or tagged by the fluid contact. 
     
     
         16 . The method of  claim 13 , wherein the toy apparatus is attached to a remote control vehicle and wherein the step of releasing material involves deploying a springy material under tires or tracks on the vehicle so as to impede the motion of the vehicle; and wherein the step of providing visual indication of water detection involves the vehicle stopping so as to indicate a fluid hit on the vehicle. 
     
     
         17 . A toy apparatus for reacting to the presence of fluid, the apparatus comprising:
 a chamber defining an interior and having at least one open end surrounded by a rim;   a cover hingedly attached to the rim at a cover mounting location, the cover configured to cover the open end in a closed position;   a reusable, waterwroof spring-like flexible plastic material adapted to be compressed into the chamber and held in place by the cover in the closed position, the spring-like material configured to decompress so as to project out of the open end of the chamber when the cover is not covering the open end;   a first attachment mount located on the rim of the chamber adjacent to the open end, the first attachment mount located at a first rim location on the rim which is on an opposite side of the open end from the cover mounting location, and a second attachment mount located on the cover at a second location which is on an opposite side of the cover from the cover mounting location where the cover hingedly attaches to the rim, the first and second attachment mounts being located in close proximity to each other when the cover is in its closed position; and   a latch separate from the spring-like flexible plastic material and which is configured to attach the first and second attachment mounts to one another in a disconnectable manner so as to hold the cover in its closed position over the open end of the chamber to maintain the springy material compressed within the chamber, and   wherein either the latch or one of the first and second attachment mounts is removably replaceable and made from a water-reactive material configured to sever or tear when wet and subjected to the spring force.   
     
     
         18 . The toy apparatus of  claim 17 , wherein the latch is made from the water-reactive material and is configured to attach the first and second attachment mounts to hold the cover in its closed position over the open end of the chamber to maintain the springy material compressed within the chamber, the water-reactive material adapted to readily sever when wet.