U.S. patent application number 10/938865 was filed with the patent office on 2005-05-19 for plush doll shampoo toy set.
Invention is credited to Marine, Jon C., Mills-Winkler, James P..
Application Number | 20050106991 10/938865 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 34576619 |
Filed Date | 2005-05-19 |
United States Patent
Application |
20050106991 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Marine, Jon C. ; et
al. |
May 19, 2005 |
Plush doll shampoo toy set
Abstract
The present invention provides a toy set including a stuffed
animal, a bathtub and bath time-related accessories. The bathtub is
configured such that a child may cause water to be dispensed from
the showerhead. In addition, the child may cause foam to be
dispensed from either a foaming brush or the upper surface of the
bathtub.
Inventors: |
Marine, Jon C.; (Fullerton,
CA) ; Mills-Winkler, James P.; (Long Beach,
CA) |
Correspondence
Address: |
KOLISCH HARTWELL, P.C.
520 S.W. YAMHILL STREET
SUITE 200
PORTLAND
OR
97204
US
|
Family ID: |
34576619 |
Appl. No.: |
10/938865 |
Filed: |
September 9, 2004 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
|
|
60504550 |
Sep 19, 2003 |
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Current U.S.
Class: |
446/296 |
Current CPC
Class: |
A63H 33/28 20130101;
A63H 33/3038 20130101; A63H 3/52 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
446/296 |
International
Class: |
A63H 013/02; A63H
003/46 |
Claims
What is claimed is:
1. A toy bathtub comprising: a water dispensing assembly
comprising: a water reservoir; a showerhead; a series of conduits
configured to provide fluid communication between the water
reservoir and the showerhead; a first pump configured to effect
movement of water from the reservoir through the series of conduits
and out of the showerhead; and a bubble dispensing assembly
comprising: a liquid reservoir; a foam orifice; a series of
conduits configured to provide fluid communication between the
liquid soap reservoir and the foam orifice; an aeration mechanism
in fluid communication with the liquid reservoir, the aeration
mechanism being configured to aerate the liquid in the liquid
reservoir so as to produce air bubbles; and a second pump
configured to effect movement of the bubbles through the series of
conduits and out of the foam orifice.
2. The toy bathtub of claim 1 where the first pump is manually
operable.
3. The toy bathtub of claim 1 where the second pump is manually
operable.
4. The toy bathtub of claim 1 where the foam orifice is defined
within the body of a brush.
5. The toy bathtub of claim 1 where the foam orifice is defined
within the body of the toy bathtub.
6. The toy bathtub of claim 1 further comprising a second foam
orifice.
7. The toy bathtub of claim 6 further comprising a switch allowing
selective operation between the first and second foam orifices.
8. The toy bathtub of claim 7 where the switch is manually
operable.
9. The toy bathtub of claim 1 further comprising a sound emitting
assembly configured to produce sounds in response to predetermined
stimuli.
10. The toy bathtub of claim 9 where the predetermined stimuli is
operation of the first pump.
11. A play set including the toy bathtub of claim 1 and further
comprising: a doll having a fabric exterior.
12. The play set of claim 11 wherein at least a portion of the
fabric exterior is configured to alter in characteristics upon
exposure to water.
13. The play set of claim 12 where the altered characteristic is
color.
14. An amusement device comprising: a base having a reservoir
defining a fluid reservoir for containing a body of liquid, such as
water; a shower head having a nozzle supported above the fluid
reservoir; a first pumping assembly for pumping liquid through the
nozzle; a first selectively operable actuator for actuating the
pumping assembly; a foaming brush having a nozzle supportable above
the fluid reservoir; a second pumping assembly for pumping foam
through the foaming brush nozzle; and a second selectively operable
actuator for actuating the second pumping assembly.
15. The amusement device of claim 14 further comprising: a
plurality of orifices in the fluid reservoir; wherein the second
pumping assembly is configured to pump foam through the
orifices.
16. The amusement device of claim 15 further comprising a switch
configured to allow selection between pumping foam through the
foaming brush and pumping foam through the orifices.
17. The amusement device of claim 14 where the shower head is in
fluid communication with the fluid reservoir and the first pumping
assembly is configured to pump liquid from the fluid reservoir to
and out of the shower head.
18. The amusement device of claim 17 where the pumping assembly is
manually operable.
19. The amusement device of claim 14 further comprising a second
fluid reservoir for containing a second body of fluid such as
liquid soap.
20. A play set comprising: a doll having a fabric exterior, at
least a portion of the fabric exterior being configured to have an
alterable characteristic when placed in contact with water; and a
play tub sized to receive the doll and configured to deliver water
onto the surface of the doll.
21. The play set of claim 20 further comprising a container of
liquid foam.
22. The play set of claim 20 further comprising a comb.
23. The play set of claim 20 further comprising a brush.
24. The play set of claim 20 further comprising clothing for the
doll.
25. The play set of claim 20 further comprising a towel.
Description
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS
[0001] This application is based upon and claims priority under 35
U.S.C. .sctn. 119(e) to the following U.S. provisional patent
application, which is incorporated herein by reference in its
entirety for all purposes: Ser. No. 60/504,550, entitled "Plush
Doll Shampoo Toy Set," filed Sep. 19, 2003.
BACKGROUND AND SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0002] The present invention relates to toys and dolls or stuffed
animals. More particularly, the present invention relates to a toy
set including a fabric dog and tub, in which a child can give the
dog a bath.
[0003] Examples of toys that simulate bathing situations or produce
bubbles are described in U.S. Pat. Nos. 6,384,089, 5,879,218,
5,746,636, 4,568,302, 4,447,982, 3,998,001, 3,842,531, 3,577,675,
3,015,828, 2,831,2932,814,905, 2,533,534, 2,133,499, and 1,739,098,
each of which is hereby incorporated by reference in its entirety
for all purposes.
[0004] The advantages of the present invention will be understood
more readily after a consideration of the drawings and the Detailed
Description.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0005] FIG. 1 depicts one embodiment of a toy set according to the
present invention.
[0006] FIG. 2 depicts foam dispensing and water dispensing
assemblies suitable for use with the present invention.
[0007] FIG. 3 depicts the toy set of FIG. 1 with water being
dispensed from the showerhead.
[0008] FIG. 4 depicts the toy set of FIG. 1 with foam being
dispensed from the foam brush.
[0009] FIG. 5 depicts the toy set of FIG. 1 with foam being
dispensed from the tub.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION AND BEST MODE OF THE INVENTION
[0010] The present invention is a toy set including a fabric doll
or stuffed animal and a bathtub in which a child may bathe the doll
using real water and foam. The toy set may further include
accessories related to bath time activities.
[0011] FIG. 1 depicts one embodiment of a toy set 10 according to
the present invention. As shown, toy set 10 includes a plush doll
12 and a bathtub 14. As shown, the toy set further includes a
liquid container 16, a towel 18, a comb 20, a brush 22, and a set
of slippers 24.
[0012] Doll 12 may be shaped to resemble a dog, as in the depicted
embodiment. It will be appreciated, however, that doll 12 may take
other forms, including those in animal, humanoid, or other, shapes.
Typically, the exterior of doll 12 is covered by or made of a
durable fabric that can withstand exposure to water and soap, such
as nylon or another similar fabric. Some or all of the exterior
fabric of doll 12 may change in appearance when exposed to water.
For example, the ears of the dog may be adapted to change colors or
display a different pattern when wet. Doll 12 may further be filled
with a pliable material such as stuffing, so as to form a doll
commonly referred to as a stuffed animal.
[0013] As described above, toy set 10 may include a number of
accessories for the doll, including accessories that can be worn,
as clothing, by the doll. As shown, slippers 24 and bathrobe 26 may
be configured to be placed on doll 12, such that they are worn by
the doll.
[0014] Bathtub 14 includes a body 15, which defines a water
reservoir 28. Typically, reservoir 28 is sized such that doll 12
may be placed in reservoir 28 for bathing. Foam may be dispensed
through orifices 30 in body 15, in a matter described in greater
detail below with reference to FIG. 2. Bathtub 14 further includes
pump buttons 32 and 34, showerhead 36, foaming brush 38, and foam
control knob 40, the details of which are also described below with
reference to FIG. 2.
[0015] Liquid container 16 holds and dispenses liquid 17. Liquid 17
may take the form of liquid soap, which may be used to create the
foam that is dispensed through orifices 30 and foaming brush 38.
The liquid soap may be a viscous, soapy composition configured to
form bubbles easily when aerated. Typically, the composition is
such that the bubbles and/or foam that are created are able to
withstand external air pressure for a substantial period of time.
As such, the bubbles/foam formed from liquid 17 may be able to last
for second, minutes, or even hours of time before popping.
[0016] As an example, liquid 17 may be a non-toxic solution
containing water, capryl/capramidopropyl betaine, ammonium laureth
sulfate, cocamide DEA, fragrance, benzyl alcohol, methylparaben,
propylparaben, disodium EDTA, and D&C Red #33.
[0017] As stated above, bathtub 14 includes apparatus for
dispensing both water and foam. FIG. 2 is a schematic diagram of a
bathtub 14 including a water dispensing assembly 42 and a foam
dispensing assembly 44. Typically water dispensing assembly 42 and
foam dispensing assembly 44 are incorporated into body 15 such that
the internal mechanisms of the assemblies are not viewable by the
user.
[0018] As shown, water dispensing assembly 42 may be adapted to
draw water 46 from reservoir 28 and release the water from orifices
37 in showerhead 36. Water dispensing assembly 42 may include fluid
pathway 48 and pumping assembly 50.
[0019] Fluid pathway 48 includes a series of fluid channels 52
through which water 46 may travel. The desired direction of travel
of water 46 is shown by arrows 54. Backwards travel of water 46 is
prevented by a plurality of valves 56. Typically, fluid channels 52
are formed of flexible tubing made, for example, of plastic or
rubber. Valves 56 may be, for example, ball valves housed within a
suitable casing so as to keep the valves in proper position along
fluid pathway 48.
[0020] Pumping assembly 50 controls movement of water 46 through
fluid pathway 48. Pumping assembly 50 includes bellows 58, bellows
housing 60, and press button 32. Downward movement of button 32
compresses bellows 58. When button 32 is released, bellows 58
decompresses. Repeated movement of button 32 creates sufficient
vacuum pressure to draw water from reservoir 28 and through fluid
pathway 48. Thus, a child may create a shower of water by
repeatedly pressing button 32, as shown in FIG. 3.
[0021] Returning to FIG. 2, as stated above, bathtub 14 may also
include a foam dispensing assembly 44. Foam dispensing assembly
includes a pumping assembly 70, an airflow pathway 72, and an
aeration or foaming mechanism 74. Pumping assembly 70 includes
bellows 76, bellow housing 78, and press button 34. Airflow pathway
72 includes channel 80, which includes air inlet 82. Air may be
prevented from escaping inlet 82 by valve 84. Bellows 76 and
channel 80 are fluidly connected at joint 86, from which channel 88
extends. Downward movement of button 34 compresses bellows 76. When
button 34 is released, bellows 76 decompresses. Repeated movement
of button 34 creates sufficient vacuum pressure to draw air into
channel 80 via air inlet 82 and then through channel 88.
[0022] Channel 88 is in fluid communication with tank 90 of
aeration mechanism 74. For example, in an embodiment employing
liquid soap as the medium for forming foam, tank 90 typically
contains an amount of liquid soap 17. A user may pour liquid soap
17 from bottle 16 into tank 90 via inlet 92. Plug 94 may be
inserted into inlet 92 after tank 90 has been filled. Tank 90
includes a port 96, which is in fluid communication with channel
88. Port 96 includes a valve 98, which forces air into the liquid
stored in tank 90, thereby forming soap bubbles 100. Pressure from
pumping assembly 70 forces soap bubbles 100 up through channel 102,
to joint 104. Joint 104 includes valve 106, which is controlled by
knob 40.
[0023] A child (or other user) playing with bathtub 14, may choose
to turn knob 40, and consequently, valve 106 such that bubbles 100
are forced through channel 110 and into foaming brush 112. Once
bubbles 100 reach foaming brush 112, they are forced through filter
114, which may include one or more layers of a porous nylon cloth
116. Filter 114 turns the soap bubbles 100 into foam 118, which is
then dispensed via orifices 120 in foaming brush 112, as shown in
FIG. 4.
[0024] Returning to FIG. 2, in the alternative, valve 106 may be
turned so that bubbles 100 are forced through channel 122, which
runs under the upper lip 13 (shown in FIG. 1) of bathtub 14.
Bubbles 100 are forced through filters 124, which, like filter 114,
may include one or more layers of porous nylon cloth. Filters 124
turn the soap bubbles 100 into foam 118, which is then dispensed
via orifices 30 (also shown in FIG. 1), creating the appearance of
a bubble bath, as shown in FIG. 5.
[0025] While the above disclosure discusses a mechanism to allow a
user to selectively chose between dispensing foam from brush 112 or
orifices 30, it will be appreciated that an embodiment of bathtub
14 may be contemplated that allows for the dispensing of foam
through foaming brush 112 and orifices 30 at the same time, and
that the current disclosure is not intended to be limited to
dispensing foam through only a single mechanism at one time.
[0026] Returning to FIG. 2, bathtub 14 may be capable of emitting
sounds such as music, noises or voices. For example, bathtub 14 may
be adapted to produce sounds that simulate running water, a dog
barking, or a dog singing in the shower. It may be desirable for
bathtub 14 to produce these sounds in response to particular
stimuli. For example, it may be desirable for bathtub 14 to produce
the sound of running water when the child is causing the tub to
dispense water from showerhead 36 and the sound of a dog barking
when foam is dispensed. Alternatively, a sound may be selected at
random from a series of sounds and the randomly selected sound
played when a user pumps either pumping assembly. Accordingly,
buttons 32 and 34 on pumping assemblies 50 and 70, respectively
each may further include an arm 62, which, when the buttons are
depressed, each contact a switch 64. Each switch 64 is
electronically connected to sound system 66 via wire 68. When arm
62 contacts switch 64, sound system 66 emits sound through speaker
130. Sound system 66 may receive power from battery 67.
[0027] It will be appreciated that other stimuli may result in the
production of sounds from sound system 66. For example, the
movement of the foam brush, the placement of doll 12 in bathtub 14,
or the filling bathtub 14 with water (as non-limiting examples),
may result in the production of a specific, or randomly selected,
sound. Accordingly, playset 10 and the component pieces may be
outfitted with numerous sensors and/or switches, as needed, in
order to deliver appropriate signals to sound system 66. Moreover,
it further will be appreciated that sound system 66 may be located
within the body of bathtub 14 as shown, or in another location, as
desired or suitable.
[0028] It is believed that the disclosure set forth above
encompasses multiple distinct inventions with independent utility.
While each of these inventions has been disclosed in its 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 inventions
includes all novel and non-obvious combinations and subcombinations
of the various elements, features, functions and/or properties
disclosed herein. Similarly, where the claims recite "a" or "a
first" element or the equivalent thereof, such claims should be
understood to include incorporation of one or more such elements,
neither requiring nor excluding two or more such elements.
[0029] Inventions embodied in various combinations and
subcombinations of features, functions, elements, and/or properties
may be claimed in this or a related application. Such claims,
whether they are directed to a different invention or directed to
the same invention, whether different, broader, narrower or equal
in scope to any original claims, are also regarded as included
within the subject matter of the inventions of the present
disclosure.
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