TOY DISPENSER FOR CLEANER TOYS

Abstract

A caddy that includes a structure with a base portion, one or more dividing walls and one or more outer sections that create one or more columnar spaces. The caddy also includes a handle that is affixed to a top portion of one or more of the dividing walls and goods that are within the one or more columnar spaces. Each good is a good that is sealed within a container that includes a removable lid to enclose the good until the good is removed from the toy caddy and from inside the container.

Description

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[0001] 1. Field of the Invention

[0002] This invention relates generally to toys in a toy caddy and, more particularly, to toys in a toy caddy where the toys are wrapped in packaging and inserted into the toy caddy such that the toys remain clean and available for use by removing them from the toy caddy and then removing the toy from the packaging.

[0003] 2. Discussion of the Related Art

[0004] Toys are used to entertain children. Typically, parents attempt to travel with toys so that when a child or children need a distraction a toy can be presented. In waiting rooms, waiting areas and restaurants children are occasionally presented with books and/or toys. However, it is rare that the children are able to take the toy home with them. Further, the toy that they have been provided may not be clean because of its public use. Thus, there is a need in the art to have toys available that are clean and that the children can keep for themselves.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0005] In accordance with the teachings of the present invention, a caddy is disclosed where the caddy includes a structure with a base portion, one or more dividing walls and one or more outer sections that create one or more columnar spaces. The caddy also includes a handle that is affixed to a top portion of one or more of the dividing walls and goods that are within the one or more columnar spaces. Each good is a good that is sealed within a container that includes a removable lid to enclose the good until the good is removed from the toy caddy and from inside the container.

[0006] Additional features of the present invention will become apparent from the following description and appended claims, taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0007] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a toy caddy;

[0008] FIG. 2 is a top view of the toy caddy;

[0009] FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view of another embodiment of the toy caddy; and

[0010] FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view of a packaged toy.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE EMBODIMENTS

[0011] The following discussion of the embodiments of the invention directed to toys in a toy caddy is merely exemplary in nature, and is in no way intended to limit the invention or its applications or uses.

[0012] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a toy caddy 10 with a base portion 12. The toy caddy 10 includes a handle 14 and may also include a menu holding portion 16 holding a menu 26. The menu holding portion 16 may be used to hold advertising material other than a menu, as the toy caddy 10 may be used in many locations, such as day care centers, schools, stores, any type of waiting room or waiting area, as well as in restaurants. The toy caddy 10 can also include crayon holders 18 at various locations, such as the corners of the outer perimeter of the toy caddy 10. The toy caddy 10 as shown is generally square-shaped, however, other shapes such as rectangular, oval, circular, triangular, etc. may be used. As long as packaged toys 30, discussed below, can be placed inside the toy caddy 10, the shape of the toy caddy 10 can be any shape desired.

[0013] The toy caddy 10 includes dividing walls 20 and outer sections 22 for holding the packaged toys 30 in place. Examples of toys that can be the packaged toys 30 include, for example, wooden blocks, foam blocks, crayons, clay, balls, puzzles, games, toy figures, such as plastic toy characters, etc. Essentially, any toy that will fit inside the toy caddy 10 may be used. The toys that can be the packaged toys 30 may be made from disposable and/or recyclable materials. The packaged toys 30 are inserted into the toy caddy 10 by stacking them in a columnar space provided between the dividing walls 20 and the outer sections 22.

[0014] FIG. 2 is a top view of the toy caddy 10 using the same reference numerals for like elements as shown in FIG. 1, where columns 24 are the spaces provided between the dividing walls 20 and the outer portions 22 that create the space for the packaged toys 30. In the embodiment of FIGS. 1 and 2, the toy caddy 10 holds four columns 24 of packaged toys 30, however, any number of columns of packaged toys 30 may be used. Further, the number of packaged toys 30 in a column 24 may vary depending on the dimensions of the caddy 10 and the packaged toys 30, particularly depending on the depth of each packaged toy 30.

[0015] FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view of the toy caddy 10 using the same reference numerals for like elements as shown in FIG. 1. According to FIG. 3, one packaged toy 30 is inserted into each column of the toy caddy 10. FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view of the packaged toy 30. Packaging 32 for each toy is shown, and may be made from a variety of structures, such as plastic, cardboard, foil, etc., that is the shape of the space provided by the toy caddy 10. The packaging 32 includes a removable lid 34 such as a peelable foil lid, thereby keeping the toy inside clean until it is opened for use. The packaging 32 and the removable lid 34 may be made from disposable and/or recyclable materials. The toy inside may be branded or labeled to provide desired advertising for a desired product or service such that the toys that are opened and used provide entertainment as well as advertising. The packaging 32 and the toy caddy 10 may also be branded or labeled to provide desired advertising for any product or service.

[0016] In addition to containing toys, the packaging 32 may contain edible or drinkable contents. Thus, children may be provided with food, drink and/or toys from the toy caddy 10. In this way, parents may be able to keep a child or children satisfied by providing them with food, drink and/or toys that are available in a nearby toy caddy 10. In situations where kids are required to wait, time may pass more easily by providing them with items available in the toy caddy 10. The toy caddy 10 may be refilled, thus, the toy caddy 10 would be useful in restaurants, day cares, schools, and many types of waiting rooms or waiting areas. The toy caddy 10 may also include individually wrapped hand wipes or hand sanitizer in one or more of the columns 24. Alternatively, the toy caddy 10 may include individually wrapped hand wipes that are between each packaged toy 30 in the columns 24, or the individually wrapped hand wipes may be packaged with each packaged toy 30. The toy caddy 10 may also be used to simply promote a product or business by providing food, drink and/or toys with the appropriate branding or labeling, therefore, the toy caddy can be used in any commercial setting.

[0017] The foregoing discussion discloses and describes merely exemplary embodiments of the present invention. One skilled in the art will readily recognize from such discussion and from the accompanying drawings and claims that various changes, modifications and variations can be made therein without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention as defined in the following claims.

Claims

1. A toy caddy comprising: a structure with a base portion, one or more dividing walls and one or more outer sections that create one or more columnar spaces; a handle that is affixed to a top portion of one or more of the dividing walls; and toys within the one or more columnar spaces, wherein each toy is a toy that is packaged in a packaging material to enclose the toy until it is removed from the toy caddy and from the packaging material.

2. The toy caddy according to claim 1 further comprising crayon holders on one or more of the outer sections.

3. The toy caddy according to claim 1 further comprising a menu holding portion that is affixed to one or more of the outer sections and/or one or more of the dividing walls.

4. The toy caddy according to claim 1 wherein the toy caddy is square, rectangular, oval, circular or triangular shaped.

5. The toy caddy according to claim 1 wherein the toys are toy blocks.

6. The toy caddy according to claim 1 wherein the packaged toys are crayons, clay, balls, puzzles, games and/or toy figures.

7. The toy caddy according to claim 1 wherein the toys are inserted into the toy caddy by stacking the packaged toys in the one or more columnar spaces.

8. The toy caddy according to claim 1 wherein the number of packaged toys inserted into each of the one or more columnar spaces varies depending on the dimensions of the packaged toys.

9. The toy caddy according to claim 1 wherein the toys, the packaging material and/or the toy caddy are branded and/or labeled.

10. A caddy comprising: a structure with a base portion, one or more dividing walls and one or more outer sections that create one or more columnar spaces; a handle that is affixed to a top portion of one or more of the dividing walls; and goods within the one or more columnar spaces, wherein each good is a good that is sealed within a container that includes a removable lid to enclose the good until the good is removed from the toy caddy and from inside the container.

11. The caddy according to claim 10 further comprising an advertisement holding portion that is affixed to one or more of the outer sections and/or one or more of the dividing walls.

12. The caddy according to claim 10 wherein the caddy is square, rectangular, oval, circular or triangular shaped.

13. The caddy according to claim 10 wherein the goods are consumable goods.

14. The caddy according to claim 10 wherein the goods are toys.

15. The caddy according to claim 10 wherein the goods, the container and/or the toy caddy are branded and/or labeled.

16. A caddy comprising: a structure with a base portion, one or more dividing walls and one or more outer sections that create one or more columnar spaces; a handle that is affixed to a top portion of at least one of the dividing walls; and goods that are toys, food, or drink that are within the one or more columnar spaces, wherein each good is sealed within a container that includes a removable lid to enclose the good until the good is removed from the toy caddy and from inside the container.

17. The caddy according to claim 16 further comprising an advertisement holding portion that is affixed to one or more of the outer sections and/or one or more of the dividing walls.

18. The caddy according to claim 16 wherein the goods, the toy caddy and/or the container are branded and/or labeled.

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