US2853829A - Toy - Google Patents

Description

Sept. 30, 1958 N. A GREENE TOY Filed Nov. 13. 1957 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 NORM/W A. GZEEA/E ATTOENEYS Sept. 30, 1958 N. A. GREENE 2,853,829

Y TOY Filed Nov. I 13, 1957 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 A mews s United States Patent .TOY

Norman Austin Greene, New Rochelle, N. Y.

Application November 13, 1957, Serial No. 696,078

16 Claims. (Cl. 46--8) This invention relates to toys, and more particularly to an animated bubble making toy.

' The primary object of the present invention is to generally improve bubble making toys. A more particular object is to provide such a toy which is operated by squeezing a flexible body of substantial size, instead of blowing by mouth or by manipulation of a pump handle. The toy therefore is suitable for use by very small children.

A further object of the invention is to provide a bubble making toy which is also a figure toy, and-the arrangement is such that the figure simulatedly blows the bubbles. Still another object of the invention is to provide such a toy which is animated (has relatively movable parts), thereby producing a comical and amusin'g'appearance during the production of bubbles, and even independently of the production of bubbles. In the particular form here illustrated, the head rises far from the body on an elongated neck.

Further objects center about a preferred construction and assembly of parts, which facilitates and reduces the cost of manufacture of the toy;

To accomplish the foregoing general objects and other more specific objects which will hereinafter appear, my invention resides in the animated bubble producing figure toy elements, and their relation one to another, as are hereinafter more particularly described in the following specification. The specification is accompanied by drawings in which:

Fig. 1 is a vertical section through a toy embodying features of my invention, with the dip ring immersed in the bubble liquid;

Fig. 2 is a similar view, but showing the relation of the parts on squeezing the body, with the dip ring and head elevated above the container of bubble liquid;

Fig. 3 is a front elevation of the neck plunger alone;

Fig. 4 is a front elevation of the toy with the head and dip ring raised;

Fig. 5 is an elevation of one-half the head, looking in the direction of the arrows 55 of Fig. 2;

Fig. 6 is a horizontal section taken approximately in the plane of the line 66 of Fig. 2;

Fig. 7 is a horizontal section through the neck plunger taken approximately in the plane of the line 7-7 of Fig. 3; and

Fig. 8 is a disassembled fragmentary plan view taken approximately in the plane of the line 8--8 of Fig. 2.

Referring to the drawings, and more particularly to Figs. 1 and 2, the bubble making toy here illustrated comprises a flexible squeeze bottle 12, a container 14 for bubble liquid 16, and a movable element 18 mounted for movement in response to squeezing of the squeeze bottle 12. There is also a dip ring 20 carried by the movable element 18, for movement between a lowered position shown in Fig. 1 in which the ring is immersed in the liquid, and an elevated position shown in Figs. 2 and 4, in which the ring 20 is raised out of the liquid and above the container 14.

ice

The device further has an air discharge hole 22 com-v municating with the squeeze bottle 12, and directed .toward the ring 20 when the ring is in its elevated position. There is also a valve action which normally closes the hole 22 until the dip ring has been raised. More specifically, a portion of the movable element 18 acts as a valve which normally closes the hole 22, as will be seen in Fig. 1. However, when the part 18 is raised to the position shown in Figs. 2 and 4, the hole 22 is cleared for discharge of air from the squeeze bottle toward the ring.

Considered from another viewpoint, it may be said that the present toy is an animated figure toy comprising a body 12, a head 24, a container 14 for bubble liquid 16 mounted in front of the body 12, a slidable plunger 18, a dip ring'20 carried by the plunger, and means, not necessarily although here exemplified by a squeeze bottle action, to blow air Within the body toward the plunger 18. The said air causes a movement of the plunger, which in turn moves the ring to its raised position above the container, at which time air is discharged through hole 22, and thus forms bubbles. The net result is that the toy figure seems to blow the bubbles, which is amusing in itself.

Moreover, in the preferred form here shown, the plunger 18 may be used to not only raise the ring, but also to animate the figure, and in the specific form here shown, the plunger acts as an elongated or stretchable neck. The head 24 is mounted at the upper end of the plunger. When air is blown toward the plunger (or when the flexible bottle 12 is squeezed), the entire head is raised a substantial distance, and the neck is seemingly stretched, as shown by the change from Fig. l to Fig. 4.

The result is comical and amusing because the figure seems to be straining to its greatly elongated neck condition by the effort of blowing the series of bubbles.

Considering the arrangement in greater detail, the body 12 is preferably formed of a flexible plastic having the characteristics of polyethylene. Such a bottle has the advantage of being flexible, but without appreciable stretch, and thus thoroughly displaces air when squeezed. Such bottles are readily made by known blow molding techniques. The bottle as blown includes a neck portion 30, with a neck opening therethrough. The plunger 18 might be made slidable directly in the neck opening, but I find it convenient and preferable to make a special bushing 32 which is received in the neck opening. It may be held with a snap engagement afforded by a ring 34 of saw-tooth section formed on the exterior of the bushing, and received in a mating undercut annular groove inside the neck opening.

The plunger 18 is preferably non-circular in cross section, and is non-rotatable relative to the body, in order to maintain the dip ring 20 in alignment with the container 14. Referring to Fig. 7, in the present case the plunger 18 is circular except for a key or spline 36 extending longitudinally of the plunger. The bushing 32 (Fig. 6) has a mating non-circular configuration, that is, it has a groove at 38 to mate with the key 36.

The bubble liquid container .14 is preferably molded integrally with a band 40 which is received tightlyaround the outside of the neck portion 30 of the body. Here again, pro-vision is preferably made to hold the container 14 in proper orientation in front of the body. Specifically, the neck portion 32 is provided with a key 42 (Figs. 1, 2 and 6), and the band 40 is matingly shaped at 44 to receive the key 42. Thus, the band 40 is held against rotation, which in turn holds the bubble liquid container 14 against movement to one side or the other. Incidentally, the constricting effect of the band 40, when forced downward around the neck 30, helps additionally lock the bushing 32 in position in the neck opening.

The plunger 18 is provided with means to limit its upward movement. In the present case, there is a flange 46 at its lower end. This may be generally circular, as is best shown in Fig. 7, and provides a ledge which effectively stops the plunger against escape when raised to the position shown in Fig. 2. The ledge 46 and key 36 are joined at the bottom edge of the plunger, as is best shown in Fig. 3. q

The stop flange 46 is also desirable for another reason, namely, in preventing escape of air around the plunger after the plunger has risen, and in thus insuring e'fiicie'nt discharge through the tiny jet hole 22, of all of the additionally displaced air.

The head 24 may be formed integrally with a hat 48. In the present case, the head is molded in two halves, separated on a parting plane 50 which extends from side to side. The front half 52 of the head may be molded integrally with the dip ring 20, these parts being conriected by a connection 54 leading, if desired, to an enlargement 56,.which in turn is connected to the mouth portion of the head at 58.

The halves of the head may be joined by any suitable cement, solvent, or adhesive. To help align the same, one half may be provided with small integrally molded pins or dowels, and the other half with mating holes. These are indicated at 60 in Fig. 5, and in dotted lines in Figs. 1 and 2.

The head is secured to the upper end of the neck plunger 18 with the aid of generally horizontal parts 62 and 64. These come together in edge to edge relation, but form an opening therebetween, as is indicated at 66, 68 in Fig. 8 of the drawing. The upper end of the' plunger is peripherally grooved, as is best shown at 70 in Fig. 3. The opening 66, 68 is received in the groove 70, thus locking the head against vertical movementat the upper end of the plunger.

Referring now to Fig. 8, it will be seen that the section' through the plunger at the groove 70 is non-circular. In the particular case here shown, there is a fiat at 72. The opening 63 has a mating flat, and thus the head is non-rotatable relative to the plunger. The latter is nonrotatable relative to the body, and this keeps the dip.

ring 20 in pro-per alignment with the bubble liquid container 14.

Accuracy in this respect is here desired more than one might expect, because of another feature of the present construction. In Figs. 1, 2 and 6, it will be seen that the upper end of the container is not widely open. Instead, it is partially closed by a cap 74, and the opening 76 through cap 74 is a narrow or elongated opening which requires fairly accurate positioning of the dip ring 26). using a cement or adhesive, or it may be assembled in the upper end of the container with a snap fit. Such a cap 74 is preferred, because it inhibits spillage of liquid from the bubble toy, until the toy is tipped to a rather steep angle, say forty-five to sixty degrees away from vertical. This anti-spill construction is of particular value when the toy is used by very small children, who may not be conscious of the importance of keeping the toy upright. At the same time, because of its cone or funnel shape, the cap does not make more difiicult the pouring of bubble liquid from a bottle into the container 14. v

The body 12 is preferably made rather large, broad and flat in configuration, which makes it easy for even small children to squeeze the body from front to back, and thus to operate the toy.

It is desirable to provide the toy with a check valve which facilitates rapid refilling and expansion of the body when released, but which prevents escape of air when the body is squeezed. Such a check valve may be provided anywhere on the squeeze bottle, but I find it convenient and desirable to make the neck plunger 18 The cap 74 may be secured in position by' .4 hollow, and to locate a check valve at the upper end of the plunger, where it is protected by the surrounding head. The sealing together of the halves of the head, or/ and the connection between the horizontal parts 62, 64 of the head, are preferably not air tight, so that there is free access of air to the upper end of the check valve. if desired, special notches forming air passages may be provided, as indicated at 90 in Fig. 5.

Referring to Figs. 1 and 2, the check valve in the present case comprises a small dumbbell-shaped member 78. This is freely slidable in oversized opening 82 in the upper end of the plunger, and the latter is preferably provided with two (or more) spaced fingers which limit the downward or gravitational movement of the valve element 78. At the bottom there is a continuous seat for engagement with the lower head or ball of the dumbbell.

On examination of the drawing it will be seen that when the body is squeezed, as shown in Fig. 2, the valve element 78 rises, and is held in sealed position bythe air compressed therebeneath. Thus, the plunger 18 is forced upward without loss of air until finally the jet discharge hole 22 is exposed to release ajet of air result'in'g' from continued squeezing of the body. On the other hand,,wheri the body is released, the valve 78 falls to the position shown in Fig. l, and air freely flows back into the squeeze bottle or squeeze body, because the valve hole 82 is preferably much larger in diameter than the shank o f the valve element 78. The spaced fingers 80' prevent the top ball from closing the top of the open;

ing, the situation then being entirely different from that shown in Fig. 2, when the bottom ball is seated and closes the valveopening.

.Theair discharge hole 22 preferably slopes upward slightly in orderto direct its, air jet generally toward the center of the dip ring 20. However, accuracyin this regard is not essential, and it is sufiicientthat the air jet comes somewhere within or near, rather than wholly'outside' the dip ring. I

. A surprising volume of bubbles is blown by one squeeze of the body. The volume of bubbles seems to' far exceed the actual volumetric displacement caused by squeezing of the b ody. While not certain of the theory, I believe that the constricted nature of the air jet leaving the hole 22causes a Venturi action, and that the jet draws along with itself some of the ambient air, most of which air then passes through the dip ring to form; bubbles. In this .way, the contained volume of the blown series of bubbles, which may be as many as twentybubbles and more, may actually exceed the volumetric displacement of the squeeze body.

'It has already been mentioned that the squeeze bottle is preferably made of polyethylene or like plastics material, andfthat such materials are preferably molded to desired form by a blow molding method. One limitation in the blow molding, method is that it is difficult to expand the bottoni of the bottle to large dimension. Better and more successful results are readily obtained if the bottom of the bottle is of limited area. O n the other hand, it is desirablethatthe toy have a base of considerable area, so as to remain stably upright when placed on a table. These conflicting requirements are met in the present structure by forming a base, here simulating spread feet 84, out of a separate molded piece which subsequently is assembled with the bottle, In Figs. 1 and 2, :it. be seen that the lower end 86 of the bottle is preferably molded. with a peripheral groove or undercut indicated at 88. The base 84 is molded with a ma ting opening, and the parts may be assembled by simply forcing the lower end of the bottle through the opening in the base, where it is received with a snap engagementwhich locks thepartstogether. 7

It is believed that the method of construction, assembling and using my animated bubble making .figuretoy;

as well as the advantages thereof, will be apparent from the foregoing detailed description. The toy automatically produces a stream of bubbles, without requiring mouth operation. Children tend to hand a toy from one to another, and the present toy is more sanitary to use than mouth operated toys. The large and somewhat flattened bulbous shape of the body makes it easy for even a small child to squeeze the toy, for it may seize and squeeze the body in two hands at once. There is considerable amusement value, because the toy simulates a figure which seemingly blows the bubbles. Moreover, the figure is itself animated and comical in action, with a motion derived from the same squeeze action which blows the bubbles. In the present case, the head rises, and the neck is greatly elongated, as the figure'blows the bubbles.

The small reservoir conserves the use of bubble liquid, and is shaped to best apply the liquid to the dip ring. The container is capped in such away as to guard against accidental spillage of liquid from the container, while in no way complicating the operation of pouring liquid into the container.

The toy is advantageously assembled out of easily molded parts. Specifically, the plunger may be passed upwardly through the bushing before the divided head is secured to the upper end ofthe plunger. Thereafter, the bushing (with the plunger and head) is added to the squeeze body by simply forcing it downwardly into the neck opening with a snap engagement. In such case, the liquid container is added to the body before insertion of the bushing. However, it is also possible to insert the combination of plunger and bushing in the neck opening before securing the head on the plunger, and in such case the liquid container may be added after insertion of the bushing and before addition of the head. The base or feet are readily and similarly added by a direct snap engagement, and this may be done either before or after assembling the parts at the top of the body. The addition of a separate base facilitates forma-,

tion of the body in one piece by a standard blow molding operation. The location of the check valve at the top of the plunger protects the same, and insures its free operation.

It will be understood that while I have shown and described my invention in preferred form, changes may be made without departing from the scope of the invention as sought to be defined in the following claims.

I claim: I

1. A bubble-making toy comprising a flexible squeeze bottle, a container for bubble liquid structurally connected to said squeeze bottle, a movable element operatively connected to said squeeze bottle and mounted for movement in response to squeezing of said squeeze bottle, a dip ring carried by said movable element for movement thereby between a position in which the ring is immersed in the liquid and an elevated position in which the ring is removed from the liquid, and said toy having an air discharge hole communicating with the squeeze bottle and directed toward said ring when said ring is in elevated position, the exterior of said squeeze bottle being exposed for direct manual squeezing.

2. A bubble-making toy comprising a flexible squeeze bottle, a container for bubble liquid structurally connected to said squeeze bottle, a movable element operatively connected to said squeeze 'bottle and mounted for movement in response to squeezing of said squeeze bottle, a dip ring carried by said movable element for movement thereby between a position in which the ring is immersed in the liquid and an elevated position in which the ring is removed from the liquid, said toy having an air discharge hole communicating with the squeeze bottle and directed toward said ring when said ring is in elevated position, and a valve which normally closes the hole until the dip ring has been elevated, the exterior of said squeeze bottle being exposed for direct manual squeezing.

3. A bubble-making toy comprising a flexible squeeze bottle, a container for bubble liquid structurally connected to said squeeze bottle, a movable element operatively connected to said squeeze bottle and mounted for movement in response to squeezing of said squeeze bottle, a dip ring carried by said movable element for movement thereby between a position in which the ring is immersed in the liquid and an elevated position in which the ring is removed from the liquid, said toy having an air discharge hole communicating with the squeeze bottle and directed toward said ring when said ring is in elevated position, and a portion of said movable element cooperating with said hole to act as a valve which normally closes the hole until the dip ring has been elevated.

4. A bubble-making toy comprising a flexible squeeze bottle having a neck opening, a container for bubble liquid structurally connected to said squeeze bottle, a hollow plunger vertically slidable in said neck opening, said plunger and opening being so shaped in cross section as to prevent relative rotation thereof, a check valve at the top of said plunger to permit rapid refilling of the squeeze bottle with air, a flange at the bottom of said plunger to limit upward movement thereof when the bottle is squeezed, a dip ring carried by the upper end of said plunger for movement between a lowered position with the ring immersed in the container and a raised position in which the ring is above the container, said bottle having an air discharge hole located at the neck opening for directing air above the container and toward the ring when the ring is in raised position, said plunger acting as a slide valve which normally closes said discharge hole until the plunger has been raised to its upper position by squeezing of the squeeze bottle.

5. A bubble-making toy comprising a flexible squeeze bottle made of polyethylene, a container for bubble liquid structurally connected to said squeeze bottle, a bushing secured in the neck portion of said squeeze bottle, a hollow plunger vertically slidable in said bushing, said plunger and bushing being so shaped in cross section as to prevent relative rotation thereof, a check valve at the top of said plunger to permit rapid refilling of the squeeze bottle with air, a flange at the bottom of said plunger to limit upward movement thereof when the bottle is squeezed, a dip ring carried by the upper end of said plunger for movement between a lowered position with the ring immersed in the container and a raised position in which the ring is above the container, said bottle having an air discharge hole through said bushing for directing air from said squeeze bottle above the container and toward the ring when the ringis in raised position, said plunger acting as a slide valve which normally closes said discharge hole until the plunger has been raised to its upper position by squeezing of the squeeze bottle.

6. An animated bubble-making figure toy comprising a body, a head on said body, a container for bubble liquid mounted on and in front of said body, a slidable plunger mounted at said container, a dip ring moved by said plunger for immersion in the container when in lowered position, means to blow air toward the plunger, the arrangement being such that the said air causes movement of the plunger and ring to a position with the ring above the container, said toy having an air discharge hole communicating with saidair-blowing means for directing air toward said ring when the latter is in elevated position, whereby said figure simulatedly blows bubbles.

7.. An animated bubble-making figure toy comprising a body, a head on said body, a container for bubble liquid mounted on and in front of said body, a slidable plunger mounted at said container, a dip ring moved by said plunger for immersion in the container when in lowered position, means to blow air toward the plunger, the arrangement being such that the said air causes movement of the plunger and ring to a position with the ring above the container, said toy having an air discharge hole com-- municating With said air-blowing means for directing air toward said ring when the latter is in elevated position, said plunger cooperating saidhole to prevent dis charge of air through said hole until after said ring has been raised toeIevated position, whereby said figure simulatedly blows bubbles. I a I v 8. An animated bubble-making figure toy comprising a body having a neck portion with aneckop'ening, acontainer for bubble liquid mounted on and in front of the upper portion of said body, a simulated head for said body mounted at the upper end of an upright plunger simulating an elongated neck, said plunger being vertically slidable in the neck opening of said ,body, a dip ring carriedby said head and suitably located for immersion in the container when the head is in lowered position, means conri'ect'ed to said neck opening to blow air toward the neck opening, the arrangement being such that the air causes upward movement of the neck plunger, head, and ring to an elevated position with the ring above the container, said toy having an air discharge hole in the neck portion for directing air from said neck portion toward said ring when the latter is in elevated 'position, said neck plunger cooperating with saidhole to prevent discharge of air through said hole until after said neck plunger and ring have been raised to elevated position. v

9. An animated bubble-making figure toy comprising a flexible squeeze bottle simulating the body of a figure, a head on said body, a container for bubble liquid mounted on and in front of said body, a slidable plunger operatively connected to said squeeze bottle forrriovement in response to squeezing of said bottle, a dip ring moved by said plunger for immersion in the container when in lowered position, the arrangement being such that squeezing of the body causes movement of the plunger and ring to a position with the ring above the container, said toy having an air discharge hole communicating with said squeeze bottle for directing air toward said. ring when the latter is in elevated position, said plunger cooperating with said hole to prevent discharge of air through said hole until after said ring has been raised to elevated position.

10. An animated bubble-making figure toy comprising a flexible squeeze bottle simulating the body of the figure, and having a neck portion with a neck opening, a container for bubble liquid mounted on and in front of the upper portion of said body, a simulated head for said body mounted at the upper end'of an upright plunger simulating an elongated neck, sa'id plunger being vertically slidable in the neck opening of said squeeze bottle, a dip ring carried by said head and suitably located for immersion in the container when the head is in lowered position, the arrangement being such that squeezing of the body causes upward movement of the neck plunger, head, and ring to an elevated position with the ring above the container, said toy having an air discharge hole in the neck portion of said squeeze bottle for directing air from said squeeze bottle toward said ring when the latter is in elevated position, said neck plunger c ooperatnig with said hole to prevent discharge of air through said hole until after said neck plunger and ring have been raised to ele vated position.

11. An animated bubble-making figure toy comprising a flexible squeeze bottle simulating the body of a figure and having a neck portion with a neck opening, a container for bubble liquid mounted on and in front of said body, a simulated head for said body mounted at the upper end of an upright plunger simulating an elongated neck, said plunger being vertically slidable in said opening, said plunger and opening being so shaped inc'ross section'as to prevent relative rotation thereof, means on said plunger to limit upward movementthereof when the bottle is squeezed, a dip ring carried by said head and suitably located for immersion in'theconta-iner whenthe head 'is in lowered "position, the arrangement being such that squeezing of the bottle causes upward movement of the neck plunger, head and ring to an elevated position with the ring above the container, said toy having an air discharge hole in the neck portion of said squeeze bottle for directing air from said squeeze bottle above the container and toward the ring when the ring is in raised position, said neck plunger cooperating with said holet-o prevent discharge of air through said hole until after the neck plunger and ring have been raised.

12. An animated bubble-making figure toy comprising a flexible squeeze bottle simulating the body of a figure and having a neck portion with a neck opening, a container for bubble liq'uid mounted on and in front of said body, a simulated head for said body mounted at the upper end of an upright plunger simulating an elongated neck, said plunger being vertically slidable in said opening, said plunger and opening being so shaped in cross section as to prevent relative rotation thereof, means on said plunger to limit upward movement thereof when the bottle is squeezed, a dip ring carried by said head and suitably located for immersion in the container when the head is in lowered position, the arrangement being such that squeezing of the bottle causes upward move ment of the neck plunger, head and ring to an elevated position with the ring above the container, said-toy having an air discharge hole in the neck portion of said squeeze bottle for directing air from said squeeze bottle above the container and toward the ring when the ring is in raised position, said neck plunger cooperating with said hole to prevent discharge of air through said hole until after the neck plunger and ring have been raised, and a base simulating feet for supporting said figure toy in upright position, said base having an opening receiving the lower end of the squeeze bottle with a snap fit.

13. An animated bubble-making figure toy comprising a flexible squeeze bottle simulating the body of a figure and having a neck portion with a 'neck opening, a container for bubble liquid'mounted on and in front of said body, a simulated head for said body mouted at the upper end of an upright plunger simulating an elongated neck, said plunger being vertically slid'able in said opening, said plunger and opening being so shaped in cross section as to prevent relative rotation thereof, means on said plunger to limit upward movement thereof when the bottle is squeezed, a dip ring carried by said head and suitably located for immersion in the container when the head is in lowered position, the arrangement being such that squeezing of the bottle causes upward movement of the neck plunger, head and ring to an elevated position with the ring above the container, said toy having an air discharge hole in the neck portion of said queeze bottle for directing air from said squeeze bottle above the container and toward the ring when the ring is in raised position, said neck plunger cooperating with said hole to prevent dis chargfiof air'through said hole'until after the neck plunger and ring have been raised, said head being inolded of two separable halves including horizontal portions which come together and form a non circula'r opening therebetween, the upper end of said neck plunger being molded with a circumferential groove receiving said horizontal portions in order'toanchor'the'head on the 'neck plunger, the cross section of said plunger at said groove being non-circular to mate with the non-circular openingin said 'head and to thereby prevent relative rotation of the head and plunger and body. I

14. An animated bubble-makingfigure toy comprising a'flexible squeeze'bottlemade of polyethylene and simulating the body of a figure, abushing secured in the neck portion of said squeeze bottle, 'a container for bubble liquid mounted on and'in frontof'the'upperp'ortion of said'bo'dy, a simulated head for said body mounted at the upperend of an upright plunger simulating an elongated neck, said plunger being hollow and vertically s'lid'able in said bushing, said plunger and bushing beingso shaped in cross section as to prevent relative rotation thereof, a check valve at the top of said plunger to permit rapid refilling of the squeeze bottle with air, a flange at the bottom of said plunger to limit upward movement thereof when the bottle is squeezed, a dip ring carried by said head and suitably located for immersion in the container when the head is in lowered position, the arrangement being such that squeezing of the bottle causes upward movement of the neck plunger, head and ring to an elevated position with the ring above the container, an air discharge hole through said bushing for directing air from said squeeze bottle above the container and toward the ring when the ring is in raised position, said neck plunger cooperating with said hole to prevent discharge of air through said hole until after the neck plunger and ring have been raised, and a base simulating feet for supporting said figure toy in upright position.

15. An animated bubble-making figure toy comprising a flexible squeeze botle made of polyethylene and simulating the body of a figure, a bushing secured in the neck portion of said squeeze bottle, a container for bubble liquid mounted on and in front of the upper portion of said body, a simulated head for said body mounted at the upper end of an upright plunger simulating an elongated neck, said plunger being hollow and vertically slidable in said bushing, said plunger and bushing being so shaped in cross section as to prevent relative rotation thereof, a check valve at the top of said plunger to permit rapid refilling of the squeeze bottle with air, a flange at the bottom of said plunger to limit upward movement thereof when the bottle is squeezed, a dip ring carried by said head and suitably located for immersion in the container when the head is in lowered position, the arrangement being such that squeezing of the bottle causes upward movement of the neck plunger, head and ring to an elevated position with the ring above the container, an air discharge hole through said bushing for directing air from said squeeze bottle above the container and toward the ring when the ring is in raised position, said neck plunger cooperating with said hole to prevent discharge of air through said hole until after the neck plunger and ring have been raised, and a base simulating feet for supporting said figure toy in upright position, said base having an opening receiving the lower end of the squeeze bottle with a snap fit.

16. An animated bubble-making figure toy comprising a flexible squeeze bottle made of polyethylene and simulating the body of a figure, a bushing secured in the neck portion of said squeeze bottle, a container for bubble liquid mounted on and in front of the upper portion of said body, a simulated head for said body mounted at the upper end of an upright plunger simulating an elongated neck, said plunger being hollow and vertically slidable in said bushing, said plunger and bushing being so shaped in cross section as to prevent relative rotation thereof, a check valve at the top of said plunger to permit rapid re filling of the squeeze bottle with air, a flange at the bottom of said plunger to limit upward movement thereof when the bottle is squeezed, a dip ring carried by said head and suitably located for immersion in the container when the head is in lowered position, the arrangement being such that squeezing of the bottle causes upward movement of 1 the neck plunger, head and ring to an elevated position with the ring above the container, an air discharge hole through said bushing for directing air from said squeeze bottle above the container and toward the ring when the ring is in raised position, said neck plunger cooperating with said hole to prevent discharge of air through said hole until after the neck plunger and ring have been raised, and a base simulating feet for supporting said figure toy in upright position, said head being molded of two separable halves including horizontal portions which come together and 'form a non-circular opening therebetween, the upper end of said neck plunger being molded with a circumferential groove receiving said horizontal portions to anchor the head on the neck plunger, the section through said plunger at said groove being non-circular to mate with the non-circular opening in said head and to thereby prevent relative rotation of the head and plunger and body.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 851,782 Soss Apr. 20, 1907 1,196,649 Bockstabler Aug. 29, 1916 1,410,408 Mack Mar. 21, 1922 2,015,301 -Delvaux Sept. 24, 1935 2,675,644 Senior Apr. 20, 1954

Images