Hasbro has applied and has successfully secured a brand new patent for an anti-theft, anti-tamper packaging for their toy figures.
Published on November 25th, this new patent may very well be a step in the right direction to prevent rampant toy tampering due to Hasbro’s new eco-friendly packaging with plastic-less open windows. What’s interesting is the fact that the locking mechanism is a part of the toy itself.
Official description at World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO):
A package can include a product display panel to which a product is to be secured, the product display panel comprising an opening for receiving a product locking assembly. The product locking assembly can include a locking element having a peg and an extended portion extending from the peg, and the extended portion comprising first and second spaced apart projections, and a receiving element disposed in or attached to the product, the receiving element comprising an aperture having a first end and an inwardly disposed second end. The locking element is adapted to fit through the opening and be inserted into the receiving element to a first position such that product display panel is secured to the product and the first projection extends past the second end of the aperture of the receiving element to prevent the locking element from being removed from the aperture, and the locking element being further adapted to be further inserted into the aperture after removal of the product display panel from the product to a second position such that the second projection extends past the second end of the aperture of the receiving element.
The above sounds like a lot of words, but we’ve attached some images from the patent application to help you understand the solution better.
In addition to the anti-theft and anti-tamper features of the new packaging design, the patent also highlights a feature to prevent returning a different toy in place of the original that was in the packaging. Once taken out of the package, the locking mechanism (known as ‘The Key Lock’) is permanently pushed into the toy to make it less obvious. This will prevent the toy from being reattached back into the packaging. If the toy is not reattached, the store can identify if the toy is used or a different toy is in place of the original. The seller can also examine if the locking mechanism is removed.
The only downside of this mechanism is having a visible mark of the lock on the toy itself. However, Hasbro may design the toys to have the lock, less obvious.
It is likely that we will see this new application on future Hasbro toys including Transformers and G.I. Joe.
Neko-bot77
Understood. My gripe is with the lack of… let's say "transparency"… on Hasbro's part. They could be upfront and say "we are releasing this mold CJ with these 2 color options. Collectors may choose which version (s) they want to purchase: toy accurateor toon accurate." Instead we have to roll the dice on if the color scheme we purchase will be the one we actually want years later.
Hoffman
Fair enough, I guess I slightly understood what you were saying. Often people say "why not just do the perfect version to begin with?", which ignores the reality of improvement and development.
I understand what you mean now, but I also agree with Scorponok, they release different versions because different people will buy them, and there will always be new people who want to buy whatever version is on the shelf.
The issue isn't so much that Hasbro keeps releasing versions of the figures, it's that collectors feel like they need to own every version or a "perfect" mix of the versions that they release.
Neko-bot77
Thank you
Neko-bot77
Fair enough, and perhaps there are people happy with "toy colors" CJ. HOWEVER, how many people feel burned by a more toon accurate version released a year later? I will never get the $24 +tax back for the earthrise version when i upgrade to the new one.
Conversely I'm glad I skipped Earthrise Starscream, because I can now get him with the coronation accessories. And I passed all G1 siege Megatron releases until the one with skelevore.
How about some creative solutions? Let's see how we can help Hasbro out.
1 Announce that your doing multiple versions of a toy and give release dates. "OK fans, we're doing a new CJ mold this year! Toy accurate colors in June, toon colors in December!"
Will never happen, cuz they want the unintentional double dippers.
2 Transformers "leasing" service. For a low fee you can lease your toys and trade them in every year for the newest, more accurate version. "For a low price of $24 PER YEAR you can 'own' CJ! Just mail him back every 12-18 months for the newest version!"…
Never work, logistical nightmare. And who would pay $240 over a 10 year period for a deluxe CJ that is just a little more perfect each year?
3 Use the damn mold ONCE per character.
Never work. Every collector NEEDS 7 variants of G1 Megatron in the siege mold…
SPLIT LIP
That doesn't contradict itself at all, though. He's saying they should stop releasing the Megatron mould as Megatron and, if they're going to make retools no matter what, make them different characters so you're not buying basically the same toy of the same version of the character over and over. He even capitulates that at least SG Megs represents a separate iteration of the character. How is that contradictory?
I also completely agree with him. The tail-chasing of WFC with so many versions of the exact same Optimus and Megatron was crazy. Redecoes are gonna happen, it's unavoidable, but how many barely changed versions of Megatron did we need?
ScorponokIsHere
Which would be the singular perfect version? Some people like translucent windows. Some people like painted windows.
Isn't it okay to sometimes have different versions that better please different people? Nobody is being forced to buy all of them. You can stop whenever you don't wanna.
Neko-bot77
???
No, what i'm saying is only make ONE g1 Megatron from the Siege mold. Make it the best it can be. Don't release a new "this is the best g1 Megatron" color fix every 6 months!
It's 100% fine with me to use that mold with a new head or new paintjob and be something DIFFERENT.
Like I said, combat hero got new paint, new head, and represents his g2 self.
Why not do another head, color it blue, and be Straxus?
Japan is the land of wacky crossovers. Color him pink and cover him with Hello Kitty images! "Hello Kitty x Transformers crossover!"
And why not recolor him, make his insignia red, and give him some new accessories? Oh, wait, they did, as SG Megatron. AND IT WORKS, because it's a DIFFERENT CHARACTER.
Hoffman
You just completely contradicted yourself. First you said that they should just make the perfect version of a character.
Now you're saying that they should keep creating new molds.
Which is it? Make the perfect character and be done forever, or make new iterations and try to improve them or do different things?
Neko-bot77
Why not stop making the SAME EXACT TOY?
The Siege Megatron mold was used as "G1 Megatron" a ton of times, BUT was also G2 "combat hero" Megatron, with a unique head. You could have him next to any g1 version and say "yes, this is someone different/ Megatron at a different point of time".
Now look at the earthrise CJ mold. Here’s how it's been used:
CJ
Hubcap
Netflix BB (VW reshell)
Bugbite
Target 4 pack BB
Shattered Glass Goldbug
All are unique characters! Except now we JUST NEED to have a straight up toon recolor of CJ…
Edit: And don't even get started on how many UNIQUE CHARACTERS they get from both the siege and earthrise SEEKER molds… The only straight up redo of 1 character is SS getting redone with his coronation gear.
Hoffman
Why not just stop making toys?
Neko-bot77
Seconded, and to add to this: why not release 1 perfect version? Just look at Kup and CJ from the upcoming Target Buzzworthy line. How long until we see someone return the old "inferior" versions in the new packaging? It used to be Hasbro got their mold reuse with new name redecos and new heads. Now they want us to bend over and buy the same character with better accuracy.
Powerglide1991
Depends, some of the larger figures could easily be fine, like Jetfire, skylynx, even the titans.
cybeast
Back od the head is damage waiting to happen. Either the head gets ripped off, or the lock is so weak that it won't matter.
2fabdad
How's about an anti QC no Paint oops Perfect product version and let the Retail Store handle anti Whatever.
rapid_fire
I havnt bought a Hasbro Transformer in years now. So don't really care.
Doesn't semn like that big of a deal though.
Boxitron
It's actually cheaper than the current tiedown methods, thus PREVENTING packaging eroding the budget.
With Love,
The Inventor
T-Hybrid
Here…let me get a pic of a box that uses similar tech:
View attachment 29322075
You'll note the pup is behind a piece of plastic. That plastic has flaps that go through slits in the backing and are taped to the underside. That tape is only accessible if you open the package to get to the back of the blue panel. The plastic is also fit to the pup. So if the *wrong* pup is swapped in the plastic won't fit it. Additionally, if the pup is missing the plastic will be clearly tampered with (or missing).
Additionally, the vehicle doesn't appear to be tied to anything. That's because it's not. However, you'll see there's a blue platform underneath the fire true. Inside of that are two plastic tabs that go up through the bottom of the cardboard and in to two matching holes on the underside of the vehicle. The tabs are taped to the underside of the blue cardboard riser, which is built in to the main package. What you can't see is the perforated flap on the underside of the packaging. This needs to be opened to access the two plastic tabs, which are *taped* to the underside of the cardboard. Ripping up the tape lets you turn the tabs and release their hold on the toy. At that point it lifts effortlessly out..but the packaging is destroyed.
You cannot swap these. The plastic tray will only fit the pup that goes in there, and the two key locks that come up through the bottom are positioned differently based on the vehicle that goes in the box. And even if you somehow got past all of that…the box is beat to shit and even if the store takes it back there's no way it goes back out on the floor like a normal return.
At *best* it goes out as a "REPACK" or "DAMAGED" item with a clearly marked tag and significant discount. I know, as I've seen them sitting in the Clearance aisles of Walmarts.
This type of packaging would work GREAT for Cyberverse, because those are trending towards more open packaging. It'd also work great for larger toys from other brands. NERF, Power Rangers, etc…roleplay toys or things with large amounts of surface area that are packed open-package.
T-Hybrid
But it makes it *harder* to swap toys since you can't put the wrong toy in a box with tabs for a different toy. And even if it doesn't get caught by a lazy store clerk, a consumer will note the tampered package and likely not buy it.
Seriously, are people not reading past the headlines? Hot Wheels and Paw Patrol do this now and the only way to access the tabs to release the toy is to rip the box open. And not in a way that you can discreetly tape shut. The tabs are under perforated cardboard. Even the most carefully opened box would mean that flap is open and clearly resealed.
The changes to packaging for Kingdom didn't cut in to the budget at all. Look at the paint/articulation on those guys.
Zress Tayasu
A: as noted by others, toy swap stuff is something only the retailers would be able to stop, and that would be entirely up to their ability to make employees care.
B: the design document does not seem to imply anything other than the buyer pushing the lock in as a means of ensuring it actually does get pushed in… which means that anyone actually intent on swapping figures would learn about it fast and avoid it. especially with this newspost advertising it before it goes into use. I am reminded of television shows talking about `secret` things that get people out of dangerous situations… which are not secret after that point and thus no longer useful. derp.
C: who wants to bet on this measure eating into budgets for actual figure design? hasbro always finds a way, after all.
TFXProtector
I could if it was a poor person who was flat broke and couldn't afford it. (It still wouldn't be legal, ethical, moral, or right but I can understand their plight better.)
No, most swappers have money and are just cheap and lazy thieves who feel they're entitled to the "better" version and f*ck Hasblow and Suckara/Blowme because they're billionaires and the swapper is just a good dude doin' one thing wrong this one or two times. (Gosh, typing that out made me want to immolate myself. I can't stand swappers and thieves. I just want to break their bones.)