US3202423A - Toy simulated feeding dish - Google Patents

Description

Aug. 4, 1965 J. R; BECKER 3,202,423

TOY SIMULATED FEEDING DISH Filed 001). 15, 1964 2 Sheets-Sheet l INVENTOR JAMES R. BECKER Wizhiww ATTORA/fVS.

Aug. 24, 1965 J. R. BECKER 3,202,423

TOY SIMULATED FEEDING DISH Filed Oct. 15, 1964 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 INVENTOR JAMES R. EEC/(El? ATTORNEYS.

United States Patent C) 3,202,423 TOY SIMULATED FEEDING DISH James R. Becker, Oceanside, N.Y., assignor to Amsco Industries, Inc., Hathoro, Pa., a corporation of Pennsylvania Filed Oct. 15, 1964, Ser. No. 404,034 7 Claims. (Cl. 272-8) This invention relates to a toy feeding dish which simulates the appearance of an observable liquid being consumed as a spoon is passed immediately adjacent thereto.

More particularly, this invention relates to an amusement device in which a quantity of liquid, resembling oatmeal or porridge, is permanently retained in interconnected upper and lower chambers between which the liquid can pass, the upper chamber permitting the liquid to be seen, as though the dish were full or partially filled, and the lower chamber being a secret compartment permitting the liquid to be concealed as the spoon is manipulated over the device in simulation of dipping and feeding. Each time the spoon is placed adjacent to a transparent cover over the upper chamber, it causes the intermittent actuation of jiggling of a valve between the upper and lower chamber such that a quantity of liquid, approximating a spoonful, trickles into the hidden compartment giving the illusion of consumption of the contents in the upper chamber.

As is well known, young children love to play house with dishes, pots, pans and other kitchen utensils, and to mimic real life eating by feeding of their dolls in imitation of mother. However, because of a childs propensity to spill liquids and foods upon themselves and mothers new carpet, there is great hesitation to supply with the dishwear the usual viscous eating contents. As a consequence, considerable visual appeal is lost to the child because the special flavor of food articles is missing and repeated handling of empty containers soon becomes a bore.

It is therefore an object of this invention to provide a toy feeding dish which contains an observable liquid and simulates the characteristics of delivery of food'contents without any danger of spillage during manipulation.

Another object of this invention is to provide a toy feeding dish containing a liquid simulating food which is caused to disappear into a secret compartment in quantities comparable to a spoonful each time a spoon is manipulated adjacent the top of the dish.

Still another object of this invention is to provide a toy feeding dish which is realistic in appearance and which can be operated reliably and effectively over extended periods of time.

Yet another object of this invention is to provide'a toy feeding dish in which a quantity of liquid ispermanently contained in connected upper visible and lower secret compartments, the transfer from the upper to the lower compartment being actuated by the manipulation of a spoon in simulated'consumption of food, and when the upper compartment is emptied, being refillable by invert ing the dish without spilling-the contents, with the cycle repeatable at will.

A still further object of this invention-is to provide a liquid containing toy feeding dish which fully simulates the viscosity and foamed characteristics of liquid food's normally consumed by children and permits slow progressive disappearance of the liquid during actuation without actual contact with the liquid being made by the child.

Other objects of this invention are to provide an intproved device of the character described, which is easily and economically produced, which is sturdy in construction, and both highly efficient and effective in operation.

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With the above and related objects in view, this invention consists of the details of construction and combination of parts as will be more'fully understood from the following detailed description when read in conjunction with the following drawings, in which:

FIGURE 1 is a perspective view of a toy feeding dish embodying this invention.

FIGURE 2 is a sectional view taken along lines Z-2 of FIGURE 1, and further including an actuating spoon embodied in this invention.

FIGURE 3 is a sectional view taken along lines 33 of FIGURE 1.

FIGURE 4 is an exploded view of the component parts of the toy feeding dish.

Referring now in greater detail to the drawings, in which similar reference characters refer to similar parts, the toy simulated feeding dish of the instant invention comprises an outer bowl or shell, generally designated as A, a medial divider B which separates the bowl into upper and lower interconnected chambers 5 and 19, a transparent cover C, and a valve D actuated by a spoon E for intermittently permitting liquid L to how from the upper and disappear into the lower secret chamber.

The shell A is an integrally formed bowl-like member preferably molded of a variously colored opaque plastic material, such as polystyrene, for good impact resistance. It includes a flat bottom 12 having a circular ridge 14 which provides rigidity or reinforcement and further acts as a-resting foot. The bottom 12 is gently contoured upwardly into a generally shallow cylindrical side wall 16, the'upper portion of which has a peripheral outwardly extending flange 18 oil-set from the cylindrical wall to define a circular shoulder 20. A circular groove 22 is formed in the flange ls'together with a recessed seat 24 for retaining the cover C in complementary disposition therewith. Various pictorial designs and words may be embossed upon the surface of the flange 18 to add appeal or educational materials. A tubular boss or sleeve 26 upwardly extends from the bottom 12 and acts as a guide for the valve D. It is to be particularly noted that the outer shell A is opaque since it will form the lower hidden ,or secret compartment 10 in which the liquid L can be concealed.

The medial divider B'is also an integrally formed element', preferably molded of the same colored opaque polystyrene plastic as the shell A. The divider B comprises an upwardly concave tray Sit-oi circular configuration having a marginal lip 32'which interfits upon the shoulder 20 and is cemented thereto. A central aperture 34 is formed in the center of the tray 30 through which the liquid L may flow from the upper 5 to the lower chamber 10, and a plurality of circiunferentiallyspaced small openings 36, 38 and 4d at the periphery thereof which act as return ports whereby the liquid may be returned from the lower chamber to refill the upper chamber when-the dish is inverted. These ports also act as vent holes when the liquid L passes through the aperture 34 from the upper to the lower chamber. Upstanding ribs 42, 44 and 46 radially extend from an area anuularly spaced about the marginal edge of the aperture 34 to the periphery of the lip 32 and divide the tray into compartments simulating individual serving receptacles for separate items of food. The ribs 42, 44- and 46 also pass over the respective return ports 36, 38 and 40 and act to conceal them from view. In addition, the ribs provide reinforcement and assist in the support of the cover C and prevent damage to the latter should external undue force be applied to the center portion thereof. Notches 48 formed at the upper interior portions of the ribs act as a support for a cap 58 which conceals the vertical reciprocation of the valve D.

The cover C is a flat transparent plastic disk 50 molded of a clear resin, such as methyl methacrylate, polyvinyl chloride or a styrene-acrylonitrile copolymer. The disk 50 has a downwardly depending circular flange 52 which interfits with the groove 22 in the outershell A, the margin of the disk seating within and being cemented tothe recess 24 of flange 18. ,Thus, the cover C is mounted flush with the top of the bowl A, and appears generally invisible to the eye so as to permit full observation of the upper chamber and any liquid contained therein or the top of the divider tray B. a

The valve D comprises a hollow plastic body portion 54 containing a permanent magnet 56. A cap 58 is cemented within the notches 48 of the ribs andis nori the upper chamber 5 preparatory to another cycle of mally spaced abovethe valve D. The cap 58 is of a larger diameter than the valve and conceals its movement. Both the bodyportion 54 and the cap 58 are formed of the same colored polystyrene material as the outer shell 1A and the divider B. The body portion 54 includes an upper cylindrical wall member 69, which is dimensioned to freely slide between the inner edges of the ribs 42, 44 and 46, a conical portion 62, which seats within the aperture 34, and a downwardly depending stem 64, which is slidably retained within the sleeved boss 26. Themagnet 56 may be a conventional lodestone type bar magnet, an aluminum-nickel composition,

commonly referred to as Alnico, or ferritic magnetized particles molded within a plastic or rubber mass.

The magnet 56 is fully concealed within the body portion of the valve D, and the outer cylindrical wall 6% thereof below thecap 53 gives the appearance of a plug which closes the port of a hot water jacketed feeding dish frequently employed for keeping infants food hot. With the feeding dish of the instant invention in normal. position, the valve D is .of such a weight that it bears downwardly by gravity whereby the conical portion seats upon the margin of aperture 34 and seals the aperture to the flow ofliquid from the upper chamber 5 to the lower chamber 10. 1 1 The spoon E is formed from a magnetically attracted material such as steel which is plated with zinc or nickel to prevent 'rust, and is conventional'in every other respect except that it may be miniaturized to resemble a childs or dolls spoon. Passing the spoon E immediately over the cover C adjacent the center thereof, in a normal spooning action, permits it to enter the field of themagnet 56 and causes the valve D to be slidably elevated for a "moment from its seat within the aperture 34. Hence,

a small quantity of liquid L will fiow from-the upper chamber 5 through theaperture 34 into the concealed secret lower chamber ltl. Note also that the weight'of the valve D is such that it can be lifted from the seat by magnetic attraction. In addition, it is to be observed that upwardly concave configuration of the divider tray fltlallows the liquid L to drain toward the center thereby giving'the illusion'of the liquid contents being emptied with each passage of the spoon E. Finally, it"is apparent that the spoon B may havea magnetsembedded therein with a magnetically attractable core in the valve D.

The liquid L is fully contained within the feeding dish of the instant invention and cannot be spilled. The.

' As the upper chamber 5 is spooned'- and drained of its contentsthroughthe repeated actuation of the valve spooning. 7

Although this invention has been described in considerable detail, such description is intended as being illustrative rather than limiting, since the invention may be varously embodied, and the scope of the invention is to be determined as claimed. 7

What is claimed is:

1. A toy simulated feeding dish comprising a container having an opaque side wall and a closed transparent top, an opaque divider tray separating said container into an upper visible chamber and a lower concealed chamber, a liquid contained within the upper chamber, valve means normally sealing the liquid in said upper chamber, and means cooperating with said valve means from the exterior of said container intermittently actuating said valve means so as to permit a small quantity of liquid to drain from the upper chamber into the secret lower chamber to simulate consumption of. the liquid.

2. The invention of claim 1 including return ports in said divider tray whereby inversion of said container will permit the liquid in the secret chamber to refill the visible chamber.

.3. A toy simulated feeding dish comprisin a shallow opaque bowl, a transparent closed cover on said bowl, a medial upwardly concave tray dividing said bowl into an upper visible chamber and a lower concealed chamber, said tray having a central aperture therein, a vertically reciprocable valve seated in said aperture, magnetic means thereto above said cover and actuating the elevation of said valve wherebya small quantity of liquid will drain from the upper chamber through the aperture into the lower concealed chamber each time said spoon means is passed over said cover togive the illusion of consumption of said liquid. 7 g Q 4. A toy simulated feeding dish comprising a bowlshaped container, a transparent cover on said container, a medial tray intermediate said cover and the bottom of said container dividing aid container into an upper visible chamber and a lower concealed chamber, said tray having an upwardly concave surface and' an aperture centrally disposed therein, a valve vertically reciprocable in the aperture and normally. acting as a closure therefor when said container is in upright position, a liquid retained in said container selectively in said upper chamber and said lower chamber, magnetic means associated with said valve, and a steel spoon, said spoon actuating said valve when juxtaposed therewith above said cover and causing said liquid to drain in. small quantities'at a time from said upper chamber through said aperture into said lower concealed chamber to'produce an illusion of consumption of food, and means to return said liquid from the concealed chamberto the visible chamber when the dish v is inverted."

ID, the liquid L passes into the secret lower chamber 10.

I Since only theupper chamber 5 is visible through the transparent coverC, the chil'd will be satisfied that'a real life feedingaction is'occurring. 'When all of the liquid L has passed into the'lower chamber. 10, the dish is inverted so that the liquid will then return from the lower chamber .10 through the ports 36,- 38, and 4tl and refill 5. A toy simulated feeding dish comprisinga closed container having a transparent top, a medial tray dividing said container into a visible chamber and a concealed chamber interconnected with each other, a liquid encapsulated in saidcontainer and selectively retained in said visible chamber and said concealed chamber, a valve in said tray normally retaining said liquid in said visible chamber when said dish is in upright position, a spoon associatedwith said. container and externally located thereto, means coupled with said valve and effecting actuation thereof by juxtaposition of said spoon with the top of said container, said spoon a'ctuatingsaid means and said valve upon being over the top of said container to drain small quantities of liquid at a time from said visible chamber/to said concealed chamber, to give an illusion of consumption of food when said dish is in upright position, and the liquid being returned from said concealed 5 chamber to said visible chamber when said dish is inverted.

6. The invention of claim 5 wherein said means is a magnet and said spoon includes magnetically attractable material.

7. A toy simulated feeding dish comprising an opaque container, a transparent cover on said container, a medial tray dividing said container into a visible chamber and a concealed chamber, said tray having an upwardly concave surface and a centrally disposed aperture, a plurality of upstanding ribs radially extending about said aperture to the periphery of said tray, circumferentially spaced openings in said tray at the periphery of said tray immediately below said ribs and interconnecting said visible chamber with said concealed chamber, a liquid encapsulated in said container and selectively retained in said visible chamber and said concealed chamber, a valve vertically reciprocabie intermediate the annulus defined by the inner margins of said ribs and normally seated in said aperture to act as a closure therefor when said dish is in upright position, a magnet in said valve, and a steel spoon associated with said container and externally located thereto, said spoon upon being passed over said top elevating said valve from the aperture seat and permitting a small quantity of liquid to drain from said visible chamber to said concealed chamber to give the illusion of food being consumed, and said liquid being returned from the concealed chamber to the visible chamber through the openings when said dish is inverted.

No references cited.

RICHARD C. PINKHAM, Primary Examiner.

Claims (1)

1. 4. A TOY SIMULATED FEEDING DISH COMPRISING A BOWLSHAPED CONTAINER, A TRANSPARENT COVER ON SAID CONTAINER, A MEDIAL TRAY INTERMEDIATE SAID COVER AND THE BOTTOM OF SAID CONTAINER DIVIDING SAID CONTAINER INTO AN UPPER VISIBLE CHAMBER AND A LOWER CONCEALED CHAMBER, SAID TRAY HAVING AN UPWARDLY CONCAVE SURFACE AND AN APERTURE CENTRALLY DISPOSED THEREIN, A VALVE VERTICALLY RECIPROCABLE IN THE APERTURE AND NORMALLY ACTIANG AS A CLOSURE THEREFOR WHEN SAID CONTAINER SELECTIVELY IN SAID UPPER CHAMBER AND SAID SAID CONTAINER SELECTIVELY IN SAID UPPER CHAMBER AND SAID LOWER CHAMBER, MAGNETIC MEANS ASSOCIATED WITH SAID VALVE, AND A STEEL SPOON, SAID SPOON ACDTUATINUG SAID VALVE WHEN JUXTAPOSED THEREWITH ABOVE SAID COVER AND CAUSING SAID LIQUID TO DRAIN IN SAMALL QUANTITIES AT A TIME FROM SAID UPPER CHAMBER THROUGH SAID APERTURE INTO SAID LOWER CONCEALED CHAMBER TO PRODUCE AN ILLUSION OF CONSUMPTION OF FOOD, AND MEANS TO RETURN SAID LIQUID FROM THE CONCEALED CHAMBER TO THE VISIBLE CHAMBER WHEN THE DISH IS INVERTED.

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