TOY PLAY SET WITH VISCOELASTIC FLUID

Abstract

A toy set includes a container, a toy configured to be disposed within the container and having a coating configured to dissolve within a liquid, and a powder material. The powder material, the coating dissolved by the liquid, and the liquid are configured to mix to provide a viscoelastic fluid.

Claims

1. A toy set, comprising: a container configured to receive a liquid; a powder material configured to mix with the liquid in the container to produce a viscoelastic fluid; and a toy configured to be disposed within the container and comprising a coating, wherein the coating is configured to dissolve within the viscoelastic fluid.

2. The toy set of claim 1, wherein the powder material is configured to mix with the liquid to produce the viscoelastic fluid having a first color, and the coating is configured to dissolve within the viscoelastic fluid and change the viscoelastic fluid to a second color, the second color being different from the first color.

3. The toy set of claim 1, wherein the coating is configured to dissolve within the liquid to produce a fluid solution, and the powder material is configured to mix with the fluid solution to produce the viscoelastic fluid.

4. The toy set of claim 1, wherein the powder material is configured to mix with the liquid to produce the viscoelastic fluid having in a first color, and the coating is configured to dissolve within the liquid to provide a fluid solution of a second color, the second color being different from the first color.

5. The toy set of claim 4, wherein the fluid solution is configured to mix with the powder material and/or viscoelastic fluid and change the viscoelastic fluid to a third color, the third color being a mixture of the first color and the second color.

6. The toy set of claim 1, wherein the powder material is configured to cross-link with the liquid to provide the viscoelastic fluid.

7. The toy set of claim 1, wherein the toy comprises a base layer, and the coating covers the base layer such that dissolving the coating exposes the base layer.

8. The toy set of claim 7, wherein the coating is liquid-soluble, and the base layer is not liquid-soluble.

9. The toy set of claim 7, wherein the viscoelastic fluid is of a first color, and the base layer comprises a second color, different from the first color.

10. The toy set of claim 1, wherein the container comprises: a body defining an interior configured to receive the powder material and the toy; and a cap configured to couple to the body to cover the interior, wherein the cap is configured to detach from the body to expose the interior for removal of the toy from the interior.

11. The toy set of claim 10, wherein the powder material is configured to be disposed within sealed packaging stored within the interior of the container, the sealed packaging being removable from the interior upon detachment of the cap from the body.

12. The toy set of claim 1, wherein the container comprises an indicia indicating an amount of the liquid to be added to the container to sufficiently mix with the powder material to produce the viscoelastic fluid and dissolve the coating.

13. A toy set, comprising: a toy comprising a liquid-soluble coating configured to dissolve within a liquid to provide a fluid solution of a first color; and a powder material configured to cross-link upon contact with the fluid solution to provide a viscoelastic fluid of a second color, different from the first color.

14. The toy set of claim 13, wherein the powder material is of a third color, different from the first color and the second color, and the second color of the viscoelastic fluid comprises a mixture of the first color of the fluid solution and the third color of the powder material.

15. The toy set of claim 13, wherein the liquid-soluble coating comprises the first color.

16. The toy set of claim 13, comprising a container configured to receive the toy and the powder material, wherein the container comprises: a body defining an interior configured to receive the toy and the powder material; and a cap configured to removably couple to the body, wherein the container is configured to transition between an open configuration in which the cap is detached from the body and a closed configuration in which the cap is coupled to the body.

17. The toy set of claim 16, wherein the cap is configured to receive an amount of the liquid that sufficiently dissolves the liquid-soluble coating to provide the fluid solution for cross-linking the powder material.

18. A toy set, comprising: a powder material configured to cross-link upon contact with a liquid to provide a viscoelastic fluid of a first color; and a toy comprising a liquid-soluble coating configured to dissolve upon contact with the viscoelastic fluid, wherein dissolving the liquid-soluble coating within the viscoelastic fluid changes the first color of the viscoelastic fluid to a second color, different from the first color.

19. The toy set of claim 18, wherein the liquid-soluble coating comprises a third color, different from the first color and the second color, and the second color comprises a mixture of the first color and the third color.

20. The toy set of claim 18, wherein dissolving the liquid-soluble coating changes a third color of the toy to a fourth color, different from the third color.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0007] The toy set presented herein may be better understood with reference to the following drawings and description. The elements in the figures are not necessarily to scale, emphasis instead being placed upon illustrating the principles of the toy set. In the figures, like-referenced numerals designate corresponding parts throughout the different views.

[0008] FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram of a toy set, according to embodiments of the present disclosure.

[0009] FIG. 2 is a top perspective view of an embodiment of a toy container of a toy set in an open configuration, according to embodiments of the present disclosure.

[0010] FIG. 3 is a top perspective view of the toy container of FIG. 2 in an open configuration to receive various toy components, according to embodiments of the present disclosure.

[0011] FIG. 4 is a front perspective view of the toy container of FIG. 2 being shaken to mix toy components, according to embodiments of the present disclosure.

[0012] FIG. 5 is a perspective view of the toy container of FIG. 2 in an open configuration to eject a mixture of toy components, according to embodiments of the present disclosure.

[0013] FIG. 6 is a flowchart of a method for interacting with a toy set by mixing toy components in a toy container.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0014] The toy set presented herein adds play value by providing a surprise element to a user, such as a child. For example, the toy set may include a powder material and a toy (e.g., a toy figure or a toy vehicle) with a liquid-dissolvable coating (e.g., paint). A user can interact with the toy set by mixing the powder material and the toy together with a liquid, such as water. When the powder material is mixed with the liquid, a viscoelastic fluid, such as slime, is created. The viscoelastic fluid and/or liquid further dissolves the liquid-dissolvable coating of the toy. Additionally, when the liquid-dissolvable coating is dissolved (e.g., by the liquid), a fluid solution is produced that may also interact and further mix with the viscoelastic fluid, e.g., to determine the color of the viscoelastic fluid.

[0015] In some embodiments, the liquid-dissolvable coating covers or obscures an appearance of the toy, such as facial features of a toy figure. Thus, dissolving the liquid-dissolvable coating via the viscoelastic fluid and/or liquid may reveal the appearance of the toy in a surprising manner. Furthermore, creating the viscoelastic fluid via mixture of the liquid and the powder material may also provide a surprising experience by transforming the texture of the powder material and the liquid. Further still, mixing the fluid solution and the viscoelastic fluid and/or using the fluid solution to create the viscoelastic fluid may change an initial appearance of the viscoelastic fluid. As an example, mixing the fluid solution and the viscoelastic fluid may change a color of the viscoelastic fluid. The changed appearance of the viscoelastic fluid may further provide a surprise element. Thus, mixing the toy (or at least a coating thereof), the powder material, and the liquid with one another may provide various features that enhance the interactive experience with the toy set.

[0016] FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram of a toy set or toy play set 100. The toy set 100 includes a toy container 102, which is adjustable between an open configuration and a closed configuration. In the open configuration, an interior of the toy container 102 is exposed, whereas in the closed configuration, the interior of the toy container 102 is covered. The toy set 100 also includes a powder material 104 and a toy 106 (e.g., a toy figurine, a toy vehicle). The powder material 104 and the toy 106 may each be arranged in the toy container 102. By way of example, the interior of the toy container 102 is accessible in the open configuration to enable the powder material 104 and the toy 106 to be positioned in the interior.

[0017] The toy container 102 is also configured to receive a liquid 108, such as water, which may mix with the powder material 104 and the toy 106. For example, in the closed configuration, the toy container 102 may block egress of the powder material 104, the toy 106, and the liquid 108 from the interior, thereby forcing the powder material 104, the toy 106 (or at least the coating 112 thereof), and the liquid 108 to contact and mix with one another. Such mixture may change an appearance of the powder material 104, the toy 106, and/or the liquid 108.

[0018] As an example, mixing the powder material 104 and the liquid 108 may create a first viscoelastic fluid (e.g., a non-Newtonian fluid) composed of the powder material 104 and the liquid 108. In some embodiments, contact between the powder material 104 and the liquid 108 causes a reaction that forms the first viscoelastic fluid. For instance, the powder material 104 (e.g., slime powder) may include polymers that cross-link upon contact with the liquid 108, such as by activating a boron cross-linker, to form the first viscoelastic fluid (e.g., slime), which may include a moist, soft, and/or slippery fluid, such as a gelatinous substance, having a different texture and profile than that of the powder material 104 or the liquid 108.

[0019] As another example, contact between the liquid 108 and the toy 106 may change an appearance of the toy 106. By way of example, the toy 106 may include a base layer 110 and a coating 112 (e.g., an opaque coating) that at least partially covers the base layer 110, thereby obscuring an appearance of the base layer 110 and hiding an identity of the toy 106. Thus, the base layer 110 is not visible from one or more perspectives, and the appearance of the toy 106 is primarily established by the coating 112. As such, the coating 112 provides a surprise element for the user, because a user may initially be unable to ascertain an appearance of the toy 106, such as to identify or recognize the toy 106 from a set of multiple toys. However, it should be noted that although the coating 112 obscures the base layer 110, the coating 112 may not hide a shape or profile of the toy 106. For example, while the coating 112 remains applied to the toy 106, the general structure of the toy 106 may remain discernable (e.g., the head, torso, arms, and legs of the toy 106 may remain identifiable).

[0020] Contact between the liquid 108 and the coating 112 dissolves the coating 112, thereby removing the coating 112 from the base layer 110 and forming a fluid solution composed of the liquid 108 and the coating 112. To this end, the coating 112 is composed of a liquid-soluble material, such as a water-soluble paint. Removal of the coating 112 from the base layer 110 exposes the base layer 110. The base layer 110 is not liquid-soluble and therefore remains applied to the toy 106 upon contact with the liquid 108. Thus, the appearance of the toy 106 is primarily established by the base layer 110, instead of by the coating 112, after the liquid 108 has dissolved the coating 112. The base layer 110 may have a different appearance, such as a different color, than that of the coating 112. As such, the appearance of the toy 106 is changed by dissolving the coating 112.

[0021] Furthermore, an appearance of the first viscoelastic fluid formed from mixture between the powder material 104 and the liquid 108 can be changed during interaction with the toy set 100. For instance, the powder material 104 may be of a first color (e.g., blue) such that mixture between the powder material 104 and the liquid 108 forms or begins to form the first viscoelastic fluid having the first color. Then, if the coating 112 of the toy 106 is a second color (e.g., yellow), dissolving of the coating 112 in the liquid 108 can form a fluid solution of the second color. In fact, the first viscoelastic fluid and the fluid solution may mix to form a second viscoelastic fluid having a third color (e.g., green) that is a mixture of the first color and the second color. Or, put another way, the coating 112, the powder material 104, and the liquid 108 may mix to form a viscoelastic fluid that has a color provided based on colors of the coating 112, the powder material 104, and/or the liquid 108. In any case, the viscoelastic fluid will have an appearance based on interaction between the powder material 104, the liquid 108, and the coating 112. The changes in appearances of various components of the toy set 100 may enhance the interactive and surprising experience provided to a user.

[0022] During any of the aforementioned mixing processes, the toy container 102 may control the amount of liquid 108 introduced into a mixture. For example, the toy container 102 may be sized to receive an amount of liquid that ensures that the coating 112 is fully dissolved (e.g., by enabling the toy 106 to be fully covered by the liquid) and/or that the viscoelastic fluid is fully formed. Additionally or alternatively, the toy 106, with or without the coating 112, may act as an agitator during a mixing process, and the toy container 102 may be sized accordingly. That is, the toy 106 and/or toy container 102 may be sized to allow the toy 106 to move within the toy container 102 and agitate the powder material 104, coating 112, and/or liquid 108 to encourage these components to intermix and/or interact.

[0023] FIG. 2 is a perspective front view of the toy container 102. The toy container 102 includes a body 150, which defines an interior 152, and a cap 154 couplable to the body 150. For example, the cap 154 may be coupled to the body 150 to cover the interior 152 and transition the toy container 102 to a closed configuration, and the cap 154 may be detached from the body 150 to expose the interior 152 and transition the toy container 102 to an open configuration 156 as depicted herein. In some embodiments, the toy container 102 may initially be in the closed configuration and may store the toy 106 and the powder material 104 in the interior 152. For instance, the powder material 104 may be disposed within sealed packaging 158 to group the powder material 104 together and avoid scattering the powder material throughout the interior 152. However, the powder material 104 might also be secured in the interior 152 without separate packaging (e.g., disposed on or adhered to one or more walls). In the open configuration 156, the toy 106 and the powder material 104 are accessible and can be removed from the interior 152 of the toy container 102.

[0024] FIG. 3 is a perspective front view of the toy container 102 in which the powder material 104, the toy 106, and the liquid 108 are being mixed together in the interior 152 of the toy container 102. For instance, the sealed packaging 158 may be opened, such as via a tear strip and/or a perforation, to enable the powder material 104 within the sealed packaging 158 to be directed out of the sealed packaging 158 and placed in direct contact with the liquid 108. Contact between the powder material 104 and the liquid 108 may begin forming a first viscoelastic fluid 200 within the interior 152, such as by activating a cross-linking reaction. Additionally, placing the liquid 108 and the toy 106 within the interior 152 places the liquid 108 in contact with the coating 112 of the toy 106. As a result, the liquid 108 begins dissolving the coating 112 from the sealed packaging 158.

[0025] In some embodiments, the cap 154 is initially filled with the liquid 108, such as to an indicia 204 formed on the cap 154, and the liquid 108 is then transferred (e.g., poured) from the cap 154 into the interior 152 defined by the body 150. The indicia 204 may indicate an amount of the liquid 108 that forms the first viscoelastic fluid 200 and dissolves the coating 112 in a desirable manner, such as to sufficiently (e.g., fully) dissolve the coating 112 without hindering formation of the first viscoelastic fluid 200 (e.g., by inhibiting the cross-linking reaction) that otherwise may occur under presence of an excessive amount of the liquid 108. In other words, filling the cap 154 with the liquid 108 to the indicia 204 and then transferring the liquid 108 from the cap 154 to the body 150 enables the powder material 104, the toy 106, and the liquid 108 to mix and provide a desirable interactive experience.

[0026] Moreover, in certain embodiments, the toy container 102 may be particularly shaped or otherwise configured to enable the powder material 104, the toy 106, and the liquid 108 to mix desirably. As an example, the interior 152 defined by the body 150 may be sized to accommodate a corresponding size of the toy 106, as well as to enable the liquid 108 to immerse the toy 106 to fully mix with the coating 112. As another example, the body 150 may avoid forming corners, pockets, or other areas that can entrap the powder material 104 and inhibit the powder material 104 from mixing with the toy 106 and/or with the liquid 108. As a further example, interior surfaces of the toy container 102 may be composed of and/or coated with a material (e.g., a non-stick material) that limits friction during contact. Such coating may facilitate movement of the powder material 104, the toy 106, and/or the liquid 108 along the interior surfaces and within the interior 152, thereby correspondingly facilitating mixture of the powder material 104, the toy 106, and/or the liquid 108 with one another. Indeed, the interior surface of the toy container 102 may be composed of a first material to facilitate mixture of the powder material 104, the toy 106, and/or the liquid 108 with one another, and the exterior surface of the toy container 102 may be composed of a second material, different from the first material. The second material may, for instance, provide sufficient friction during contact to facilitate gripping of the toy container 102 by a user.

[0027] FIG. 4 illustrates the toy container 102 in the closed configuration 250 in which the cap 154 is coupled to the body 150. Thus, the cap 154 covers the interior 152 to contain the powder material 104, the toy 106, and the liquid 108 within the interior 152. For example, the closed configuration 250 of the toy container 102 may enable a user 252 to shake the toy container 102 and cause the powder material 104, the toy 106, and the liquid 108 to move within the interior 152 without being ejected out of the toy container 102, thereby causing the powder material 104, the toy 106, and the liquid 108 to contact and mix with each other. For example, shaking the toy container 102 may agitate the powder material 104, the toy 106, and the liquid 108 to promote mixture thereof. Consequently, shaking the toy container 102 may facilitate removal of the coating 112 from the toy 106 to provide the fluid solution 202 and/or facilitate mixture between the liquid 108 and the powder material 104 to provide the first viscoelastic fluid 200 (or a combination of both).

[0028] Additionally, shaking the toy container 102 may also promote mixture of the fluid solution 202 and the first viscoelastic fluid 200 with one another to provide a second viscoelastic fluid 300. In some embodiments, shaking the toy container 102 for a first duration of time (e.g., 1 to 3 minutes) provides the fluid solution 202 and the first viscoelastic fluid 200, and shaking the toy container 102 for a second duration of time (e.g., an additional 1 to 5 minutes) after the first duration of time provides the second viscoelastic fluid 300. During any such shaking, the toy 106 may agitate the powder material 104, liquid 108, and/or coating 112 to promote full mixing.

[0029] In some embodiments, the fluid solution 202, the first viscoelastic fluid 200, and/or the second viscoelastic fluid 300 are at least partially opaque to obscure an appearance/identity of the toy 106 in the toy container 102. Thus, even though the coating 112 of the toy 106 may be dissolved during shaking of the toy container 102, the appearance of the toy 106 may remain obscured and undiscernible by the user. Therefore, the surprise element of the appearance of the toy 106 is still preserved while the powder material 104, the toy 106, and the liquid 108 are being mixed (e.g., the user has to remove the toy 106 from the toy container 102 to see the appearance of the base layer 110 of the toy 106).

[0030] FIG. 5 is a perspective view of the toy container 102 in the open configuration 156 with the cap 154 detached from the body 150 to expose the interior 152. In the illustrated embodiment, the toy container 102 is in the open configuration 156 after the toy container 102 has been shaken to mix the powder material 104, the toy 106, and the liquid 108 with one another. Thus, the toy 106 and the second viscoelastic fluid 300 are removable from the toy container 102. As a result of mixture between the liquid 108 and the toy 106 to dissolve the coating 112, as well as removal of the toy 106 from the toy container 102 to separate from the second viscoelastic fluid 300, the base layer 110 of the toy 106 is visible.

[0031] By way of example, the base layer 110 may include facial features, skin complexion, and/or clothing accessories that were previously covered by the coating 112 and therefore not initially visible. Thus, the toy 106 changes appearance during removal of the coating 112 covering the base layer 110. Additionally, mixture between the fluid solution 202 and the first viscoelastic fluid 200 forms the second viscoelastic fluid 300 (e.g., from the liquid 108, the powder material 104, and the coating 112). Thus, the toy set 100 initially contains the toy 106 and the powder material 104 prior to interaction, and the toy set 100 subsequently contains the second viscoelastic fluid 300 and the toy 106 after interaction. Such a change in the configuration of the toy set 100 provides the surprise element that enhances the interactive experience for a user.

[0032] Further, the second viscoelastic fluid 300 may have a different appearance than the first viscoelastic fluid 200. For example, directing the liquid 108 into contact with the toy 106 and the powder material 104 may initially provide the first viscoelastic fluid 200 having a first color. However, further mixing between the powder material 104, such as by shaking the toy container 102 that contains the powder material 104, the toy 106, and the liquid 108, provides the second viscoelastic fluid 300 having a second color, different from the first color.

[0033] By way of example, the coating 112 may be of a third color, different from the first color and the second color, such that the fluid solution 202 composed of the liquid 108 and the coating 112 is of the third color. Consequently, mixing the fluid solution 202 of the third color and the first viscoelastic fluid 200 of the first color may create the second viscoelastic fluid 300 of the second color, which is a mixture of the first color and the third color. In certain embodiments, the liquid 108 may also have a fourth color (e.g., different from the first color, the second color, and the third color) such that the second viscoelastic fluid 300 is a color that is a mixture of the first color, the third color, and the fourth color. Indeed, the second viscoelastic fluid 300 may have any suitable color that is effectuated by mixture of the powder material 104, the toy 106, and the liquid 108 with one another.

[0034] Although the techniques discussed herein are primarily directed to the mixing between the powder material 104, the toy 106, and the liquid 108, the powder material 104, the toy 106, and the liquid 108 may mix in any suitable manner to provide a final arrangement of the toy 106 and a viscoelastic fluid. As an example, in additional or alternative embodiments, the liquid 108 initially dissolves the coating 112 from the toy 106 to form the fluid solution 202, and the fluid solution 202 contacts the powder material 104 to directly form the second viscoelastic fluid 300. In other words, the second viscoelastic fluid 300 may be formed as a result of mixture between the fluid solution 202 and the powder material 104. As another example, in further embodiments, the liquid 108 initially mixes with the powder material 104 to form the first viscoelastic fluid 200, and the first viscoelastic fluid 200 contacts the toy 106 to dissolve the coating 112 and directly form the second viscoelastic fluid 300. That is, the second viscoelastic fluid 300 is formed as a result of mixture between the first viscoelastic fluid 200 and the coating 112. Indeed, any suitable combination of the powder material 104, the toy 106, and the liquid 108 may mix (e.g., to form the fluid solution 202 and/or the first viscoelastic fluid 200) to form the second viscoelastic fluid 300 and the toy 106 with the coating 112 dissolved.

[0035] FIG. 6 is a flowchart of a method 350 for interacting with a toy set, such as the toy set 100. The method 350 may be performed differently than depicted in additional or alternative embodiments. For example, an additional operation may be performed, and/or any of the operations depicted in the method 350 may be performed differently, performed in a different order, and/or not performed. In certain embodiments, the method 350 may be performed by a user, such as a child.

[0036] At block 352, a toy, such as a toy figure/figurine and/or a toy vehicle, and a powder material are positioned in a toy container. For example, the toy container is transitioned to an open configuration, such as by decoupling a cap from a body, to expose the interior of the toy container. In some embodiments, the powder material is initially stored in sealed packaging and is removed from the sealed packaging to enable the powder material to be dispersed throughout the interior of the toy container for contact with the toy.

[0037] At block 354, a liquid is added into the toy container to contact the powder material and the toy. In certain embodiments, the liquid is initially added into the cap of the toy container, such as to fill the cap or to reach a target fill level of the cap (e.g., indicated by indicia formed on the cap), and the liquid is then transferred from the cap into the body of the toy container. Such a technique to direct liquid into the toy container may provide a desirable amount of liquid for mixture with the powder material and the toy.

[0038] At block 356, the toy container is shaken to mix the powder material, the toy, and the liquid with one another. To this end, the toy container is transitioned to the closed configuration to block the powder material, the toy, and the liquid from being ejected out of the toy container. Mixing the powder material, the toy, and the liquid with one another changes an appearance of the powder material, the toy, and the liquid. By way of example, the liquid may dissolve a liquid-dissolvable coating of the toy, thereby removing the liquid-dissolvable coating and exposing a base layer of the toy previously covered by the liquid-dissolvable coating. Additionally, the liquid and the powder may mix to provide a viscoelastic fluid that previously was not present in the toy container. Further still, a color of the powder material, the toy, and/or the liquid may change. As an example, the viscoelastic fluid may be of a different color than that of the powder material, the toy, and/or the liquid. For instance, the viscoelastic fluid may be a mixture of the colors of the powder material, the toy, and/or the liquid. In any case, the change in appearance of the toy and the formation of the viscoelastic fluid may provide a surprising experience that enhances the entertainment and play value provided by the toy set.

[0039] In certain embodiments, the liquid and the powder initially mix to provide a first viscoelastic fluid (e.g., having a first color) and the liquid initially dissolves the coating of the toy to provide a fluid solution (e.g., having a second color), such as when the liquid is first added into the toy container. The first viscoelastic fluid and the fluid solution then mix together, such as when the toy container is shaken, to provide a second viscoelastic fluid (e.g., having a third color that is a mixture of the first color and the second color). Additionally or alternatively, the liquid and the powder initially mix to provide a viscoelastic fluid (e.g., having a first color), such as when the liquid is first added into the toy container, and the viscoelastic fluid then dissolves the coating (e.g., having a second color) of the toy (e.g., to change the color of the viscoelastic fluid to a third color that is a mixture of the first color and the second color). In further embodiments, the liquid initially dissolves the coating of the toy to provide a fluid solution (e.g., having a first color), such as when the liquid is first added into the toy container, and the fluid solution then mixes with the powder material (e.g., having a second color) to provide a viscoelastic fluid (e.g., having a third color that is a mixture of the first color and the second color). In any of these embodiments, a toy and a final viscoelastic fluid that is composed of the powder material, the coating of the toy, and the liquid are provided.

[0040] Although the present disclosure discusses usage of a toy container to facilitate mixing between the powder material, the toy, and the liquid, it should be noted that any suitable technique may be used to mix the powder material, the toy, and the liquid. Indeed, in certain embodiments, the powder material, the toy, and the liquid may be mixed without placing the powder material, the toy, and the liquid in the toy container or any other enclosure. For example, the powder material 104, the toy 106, and the liquid 108 may be placed on and moved about a planar surface to mix with one another. In any case, mixing the powder material, the toy, and the liquid with one another using any suitable technique changes the appearance of the powder material, the toy, and/or the liquid to create a surprise element of the toy set.

[0041] While the toy set presented herein has been illustrated and described in detail and with reference to specific embodiments thereof, it is nevertheless not intended to be limited to the details shown, since it will be apparent that various modifications and structural changes may be made therein without departing from the scope of the disclosure and within the scope and range of equivalents of the claims. In addition, various features from one of the embodiments may be incorporated into another of the embodiments. That is, it is believed that the disclosure set forth above encompasses multiple distinct embodiments with independent utility. While each of these embodiments has been disclosed in a preferred form, the specific embodiments thereof as disclosed and illustrated herein are not to be considered in a limiting sense as numerous variations are possible. The subject matter of the disclosure includes all novel and non-obvious combinations and subcombinations of the various elements, features, functions and/or properties disclosed herein. Accordingly, it is appropriate that the appended claims be construed broadly, and in a manner consistent with the scope of the disclosure as set forth in the following claims.

[0042] It is also to be understood that the toy set described herein, or portions thereof may be fabricated from any suitable material or combination of materials, such as plastic, foamed plastic, wood, cardboard, pressed paper, metal, supple natural or synthetic materials including, but not limited to, cotton, elastomers, polyester, plastic, rubber, derivatives thereof, and combinations thereof. Suitable plastics may include polyvinyl chloride (PVC), high-density polyethylene (HDPE), low-density polyethylene (LDPE), polystyrene, acrylonitrile butadiene styrene (ABS), polycarbonate, polyethylene terephthalate (PET), polypropylene, ethylene-vinyl acetate (EVA), or the like. Suitable foamed plastics may include expanded or extruded polystyrene, expanded or extruded polypropylene, EVA foam, derivatives thereof, and combinations thereof.

[0043] Additionally, it is to be understood that terms such as left, right, top, front, bottom, rear, side, height, length, width, upper, lower, interior, exterior, inner, outer and the like as may be used herein, merely describe points of reference and do not limit the present disclosure to any particular orientation or configuration. Further, the term exemplary is used herein to describe an example or illustration. Any embodiment described herein as exemplary is not to be construed as a preferred or advantageous embodiment, but rather as one example or illustration of a possible embodiment of the disclosure.

[0044] Finally, when used herein, the term comprises and its derivations (such as comprising, etc.) should not be understood in an excluding sense, that is, these terms should not be interpreted as excluding the possibility that what is described and defined may include further elements, steps, etc. Similarly, where any description recites a or a first element or the equivalent thereof, such disclosure should be understood to include incorporation of one or more such elements, neither requiring nor excluding two or more such elements. Meanwhile, when used herein, the term approximately and terms of its family (such as approximate, etc.) should be understood as indicating values very near to those which accompany the aforementioned term. That is to say, a deviation within reasonable limits from an exact value should be accepted, because a skilled person in the art will understand that such a deviation from the values indicated is inevitable due to measurement inaccuracies, etc. The same applies to the terms about and around and substantially.