WO2005072840A1 - A doll - Google Patents

Abstract

A doll (10) and a feeding bottle (56) for use with the doll (10) are disclosed. The doll comprises a mouth portion (24) arranged to receive a feeding bottle (56) during use, and eyes (68) pivotable between an open position and a closed position. The eyes (68) and the feeding bottle (56) are arranged to cooperate with each other so that when the feeding bottle (56) is disposed in the mouth portion (24), the eyes (68) move to the open position.

Description

A DOLL

Field of the Invention

The present invention relates to a doll, to a chamber pot for use with a doll, to a feeding bottle for use with a doll, and to a dummy for use with a doll.

Background of the Invention

It is known to provide a doll which simulates bodily functions and which can be used by young children in child care type games .

However, such dolls are generally relatively unsophis icated in that they do not closely simulate bodily functions of a human infant.

Summary of the Invention

In accordance with a first aspect of the present invention, there is provided a feeding bottle for use with a doll comprising a mouth portion arranged to receive a feeding bottle during use, and eyes pivotable between an open position and a closed position, said feeding bottle being arranged such that said eyes and said feeding bottle magnetically cooperate with each other when the feeding bottle is disposed in the mouth portion so that the eyes move to the open position.

In this way, an increased play value compared to conventional dolls is provided whereby the doll appears to slowly wake up as the feeding bottle is introduced into the doll's mouth. The feeding bottle may include a teat portion formed of silicone rubber and it will be understood that by forming the teat portion from silicone rubber, the play value is enhanced since the teat portion and thereby the feeding bottle resembles a real feeding bottle in appearance and feel.

In accordance with a second aspect of the present invention, there is provided a doll comprising a mouth portion arranged to receive a feeding bottle during use, and eyes pivotable between an open position and a closed position, said eyes being arranged to cooperate with said feeding bottle so that when the feeding bottle is disposed in the mouth portion, the eyes move to the open position.

In one arrangement, each eye is movable to an open position in response to a magnetic force and the feeding bottle comprises at least one bottle magnet arranged to cooperate with the eyes so as to move the eyes to the open position when the feeding bottle is disposed in the mouth portion. For this purpose, each eye may be provided with an eye magnet.

In an alternative arrangement, each eye is associated with an actuator movable between a first position wherein the actuator does not contact an eye and a second position wherein the actuator contacts the eye and urges the eye to move to the open position, the actuator being caused to move from the first position to the second position by contact with the feeding bottle during use. The actuator may be of generally elongate configuration and may be pivotably movable between the first and second positions. In one arrangement, the actuator is disposed in an actuator receptacle and a resilient skirt is disposed on the actuator receptacle so as to form a seal with the actuator.

In accordance with a third aspect of the present invention, there is provided a chamber pot for use with a doll comprising a mouth portion arranged to receive material during use and at least one mechanism for controlling excretion of material from the doll, said chamber pot comprising means for activating said at least one mechanism when the doll is seated on the chamber pot so as to thereby cause excretion of material from the doll.

In one embodiment, the at least one mechanism for controlling excretion of material from the doll is activatable in response to a magnetic force, and the chamber pot comprises at least one chamber pot magnet arranged to cooperate with the at least one mechanism when the doll is seated on the chamber pot so as to activate the at least one mechanism and thereby cause excretion of material from the doll.

In an alternative embodiment, the at least one mechanism for controlling excretion of material from the doll is activatable in response to a mechanical force, and the chamber pot comprises at least one upstanding portion arranged to apply a mechanical force to the at least one mechanism when the doll is seated on the chamber pot so as to activate the at least one mechanism and thereby cause excretion of material from the doll. In the embodiment wherein the at least one mechanism for controlling excretion of material from the doll is activatable in response to a magnetic force, the chamber pot magnet may be movably mounted on the chamber pot such that when the chamber pot magnet is disposed in a first position the chamber pot magnet does not cause discharge of material from the doll and when the chamber pot magnet is disposed in a second position, the chamber pot magnet cooperates with the mechanism for controlling excretion of material so as to cause excretion of material from the doll.

In one arrangement, the chamber pot magnet is slidably mounted on the chamber pot. In an alternative arrangement, the chamber pot magnet is rotatably mounted on the chamber pot.

It will be understood that providing a chamber pot magnet which is movable enables the excretion mechanism to be selectively activated and as a result the play value is greatly improved relative to dolls known hitherto.

In one embodiment, the chamber pot includes a first chamber pot magnet disposed at a rear portion of the chamber pot and a second chamber pot magnet disposed at a front portion of the chamber pot, the first chamber pot magnet being operatively associated with a solids excretion mechanism of a doll so as to effect excretion of solids from the doll when the doll is seated on the chamber pot during use, and the second chamber pot magnet being operatively associated with a liquids excretion mechanism of a doll such that liquids are excreted from the doll when the doll is seated on the chamber pot during use.

In accordance with a fourth aspect of the present invention, there is provided a doll comprising: a mouth portion arranged to receive solid and/or liquid material during use; and an excretion mechanism for controlling excretion of material from the doll, said mechanism comprising: a receptacle for receiving material introduced into the doll through the mouth portion; a resilient outlet tube in communication with the receptacle; an actuator movable between a first position wherein the actuator compresses the outlet tube and thereby substantially prevents egress of material from the receptacle, and a second position wherein the actuator does not compress the outlet tube and material is able to discharge from the receptacle through the outlet tube, the actuator being resiliently biased towards the first position; and means for selectively causing the actuator to move from the first position to the second position.

In one embodiment, the mechanism further comprises a magnet disposed on the actuator and usable to cause the actuator to move from the first position to the second position by application of external magnetic force.

In an alternative embodiment, the actuator is connected to a button disposed so as to be accessible through an external wall of the doll, wherein application of a force to the button causes the actuator to move from the first position to the second position.

The excretion mechanism may include a solids excretion mechanism for controlling excretion of solids from the doll and the solids excretion mechanism may include a solids receptacle in fluid communication with the resilient outlet tube and in fluid communication with the mouth portion. The solids receptacle may be generally conical in shape.

It will be understood that since the solids receptacle is generally conical in shape, the likelihood of solids becoming entrained in the solids receptacle is small.

Alternatively or in addition, the excretion mechanism may include a liquids excretion mechanism comprising a liquids receptacle in fluid communication with the resilient outlet tube and in fluid communication with the mouth portion.

It will be understood that since minimal or no mechanical cooperation between the chamber pot and the doll is required to cause the actuator to move to the second position and thereby cause excretion of material from the doll, little or no resistance to placement of the doll on the chamber pot is present and even a very young child is able to place the doll on the chamber pot with little effort.

The doll may further comprise a liquids inlet valve having a valve housing and a valve member moveable relative to the valve housing and arranged to cooperate with the valve housing so as to define a closed valve position and an open valve position, the valve member and the valve housing including apertures which align when the valve is in the open position so as to permit fluid to flow from the valve member through the valve housing and which do not align when the valve is in the second position. The apertures may be in fluid communication with a liquids receptacle arranged to hold liquid to be excreted from a groin portion of the doll and/or a tears receptacle arranged to hold liquid to be excreted from eyes of the doll.

It will be understood that the construction of the liquids inlet valve ensures that liquids will be retained in the doll until the liquid is excreted by the excretion mechanism.

The doll may further comprise eye sockets arranged to receive eyes of the doll, the eye sockets may be connected in fluid communication with the tears receptacle, and the doll may further comprise an air pump arranged to increase air pressure in the tears receptacle and thereby cause liquid in the tears receptacle to flow to the eye sockets .

The doll may be arranged such that movement of one or both arms of the doll cause compression of the air pump thereby flow of liquid from the tears receptacle to the eye sockets . Movement of one or both arms and thereby compression of the air pump may also cause air to pass through a sound device arranged to produce the sound of a cry of a human infant. By using one or more of the arms of the doll to effect compression of the air pump, the lever action of the or both arms ensures that only minimal force need be applied to cause generation of tears .

In accordance with a fifth aspect of the present invention, there is provided a dummy for use with a doll comprising a mouth portion arranged to receive a dummy during use, and eyes pivotable between an open position and a closed position, each eye being moveable to a closed position in response to a magnetic force, said dummy comprising at least one magnet arranged to cooperate with the eyes so as to move the eyes to the closed position when the dummy is disposed in the mouth portion.

The dummy may be formed of any suitable material such as silicone rubber and it will be understood that by forming the dummy from silicone rubber, the play value is enhanced since the dummy resembles a real dummy in appearance and feel .

It will also be understood that an increased play value compared to conventional dolls is provided whereby the doll appears to slowly go to sleep as the dummy is introduced into the dolls mouth.

In accordance with a sixth aspect of the present invention, there is provided a doll comprising: a mouth portion arranged to receive liquids during use; and a liquids excretion mechanism for controlling excretion of liquids from the doll, said mechanism comprising: a liquids receptacle for receiving liquids introduced into the doll through the mouth portion, the liquids receptacle including an aperture; a valve operable so as to selectively permit or prevent flow of liquid through the aperture; and a timer unit operatively associated with the valve and arranged to actuate and thereby open the valve after a predetermined period of time has elapsed.

Preferably, the timer unit includes a first liquids chamber and a second liquids chamber in fluid communication with the first liquids chamber, the first liquids chamber being disposed relative to the second liquids chamber and the aperture being arranged such that when the doll is in a generally recumbent position, liquid in the first liquids chamber passes drip-wise into the second liquids chamber; the first and second liquids chambers being disposed in and pivotably mounted relative to the liquids receptacle and being arranged such that after the predetermined period of time has elapsed, the first and second liquids chambers pivot from a first position to a second position and thereby urge the valve to move to the open position.

The aperture may be disposed at a portion of the liquids receptacle relatively adjacent a head portion of the doll. In this way, when the doll is in a generally upright orientation, the liquids in the liquids receptacle will be disposed below the aperture and as a consequence liquids are not able to be excreted from the liquids receptacle, and when the doll is in a generally recumbent orientation liquids are able to flow through the aperture and thereby be excreted from the doll .

In accordance with a seventh aspect of the present invention, there is provided a doll comprising: a wall portion defining a head, arms, legs and a torso; and a plurality of apertures provided in the wall portion, the apertures being of sufficient size such that liquid present inside the doll is able to flow freely out of the doll .

It will be understood that providing such relatively large apertures enables the doll to be taken into water and that the approach is considerably more effective in prolonging the life of the doll than attempting to hermetically seal the doll.

Brief Description of the Drawings

The present invention will now be described, by way of example only, with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which: Figure 1 is a diagrammatic side view in part cross- section of a head and torso portion of a doll in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention; Figure 2 is a diagrammatic cross-sectional view of a one way valve for controlling flow of liquid introduced into the doll through a mouth portion of the doll during use; Figure 3 is a diagrammatic cross-sectional view of an alternative one way valve; Figure 4 is a diagrammatic side view of a feeding bottle in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention with a teat portion of the feeding bottle shown in an extended configuration; Figure 5 is a diagrammatic side view of the feeding bottle shown in Figure 4 with the teat portion of the feeding bottle shown in a contracted configuration; Figure 6 is a diagrammatic side view of the feeding bottle shown in Figures 4 and 5 with the teat portion and a nozzle of the feeding bottle disposed in a mouth cavity of the doll shown in Figure 1; Figure 7 is a diagrammatic view of an eye of the doll shown in Figure 1 with the eye shown in a closed position; Figure 8 is a diagrammatic view of the eye shown in Figure 7, with the eye shown in an open position; Figure 9 is a diagrammatic side view of a head of the doll shown in Figure 1 with the doll in a reclined position; Figure 10 is a diagrammatic side view of a head of the doll shown in Figure 1 with the doll in a reclined position and with the teat portion of the feeding bottle shown in Figure 4 disposed in a mouth cavity of the doll; Figures 11 and 12 are diagrammatic side views in part cross-section of a head of a doll in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention including an alternative mechanism for effecting opening of the eyes; Figure 13 is a diagrammatic side view of a dummy in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention; Figures 14 and 15 are diagrammatic side views of a head of the doll shown in Figure 1 and showing the effect of introducing the dummy shown in Figure 13 into a mouth portion of the doll; Figure 16 is a diagrammatic side view in cross- section of part of a liquids excretion mechanism of the doll shown in Figure 1, with the liquids excretion mechanism shown in a first position; - 13 - Figure 36 is a diagrammatic rear view of a doll with the hair dryer and adaptor shown in Figure 35 attached to a doll.

Description of an Embodiment of the Invention

Referring to the drawings, there is shown a doll 10 in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention, the doll 10 being configured so as to resemble a human infant.

The doll 10 is of a type arranged to receive liquids and solids through a mouth portion of the doll and to subsequently excrete the liquids and solids from a groin region so as to simulate bodily functions of a human infant .

The doll 10 includes a head 12, a torso 14, legs 16 and arms 18, although in some of the Figures the arms and legs are omitted for clarity.

As shown in Figure 1, the doll 10 also includes a first mechanism 20 for controlling excretion of liquids from the doll 10, and a second mechanism 22 for controlling excretion of solids from the doll 10, the first and second mechanisms 20, 22 being disposed inside the torso 14.

The doll 10 further includes a mouth 24 extending into a mouth cavity 25, the mouth cavity 25 being provided with a liquids inlet valve 26, as shown more particularly in

Figure 2. The mouth cavity 25 is in fluid communication with a solids tube 27 extending to the second mechanism 22.

Referring to Figure 2, the liquids inlet valve 26 includes an aperture 28 in fluid communication with the mouth cavity 25 and extending into a valve housing 30. - 12 - Figure 17 is a diagrammatic side view in cross- section of the portion of the liquids excretion mechanism shown in Figure 16, with the liquids excretion mechanism shown in a second position; Figure 18 is a diagrammatic representation of an alternative embodiment of a liquids excretion mechanism; Figure 19A is a diagrammatic side view in cross- section of the liquids excretion mechanism shown in Figure 18, with the liquids excretion mechanism shown incorporated into a doll and disposed in a first position; Figure 19B is a diagrammatic side view in cross- section of the liquids excretion mechanism shown in Figure 18, with the liquids excretion mechanism shown incorporated into a doll and disposed in a second position; Figures 20 to 22 are diagrammatic upper, side and lower views of a chamber pot in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention; Figures 23 to 25 are diagrammatic views of a solids excretion mechanism of the doll shown in Figure 1; Figures 26 to 28 are diagrammatic views of an alternative solids excretion mechanism; Figure 29 is a diagrammatic perspective view of an air pump of the doll shown in Figure 1; Figure 30 is a diagrammatic side view of an eye of the doll showing egress of liquids from the eye during use; Figures 31 and 32 are diagrammatic perspective views of internal components of the doll shown in Figure 1 including the air pump shown in Figure 29; Figure 33 is a diagrammatic front view of a torso of the doll shown in Figure 1; Figure 34 is a diagrammatic rear view of the torso of the doll shown in Figure 1; Figure 35 is a diagrammatic side view of a hair dryer and an adaptor for a hair dryer, the adaptor being useable with the doll shown in Figure 1; and The valve housing 30 is in fluid communication with a first liquids tube 32 extending to a tears receptacle 202 and a second liquids tube 34 extending to the first mechanism 20 disposed in the torso 14 as shown more particularly in Figures 30 and 31. The tears receptacle 202 is usable to supply liquid to eyes of the doll in order to simulate tears as is discussed in more detail below.

Disposed inside the valve housing 30 is a valve member 35. The valve member 35 is moveable between a closed position wherein a first aperture 36 provided in the valve housing 30 does not align with a second aperture 38 provided in the valve member 35 and a third aperture 40 provided in the valve housing 30 does not align with a fourth aperture 42 provided in the valve member 35, and an open position wherein the first aperture 36 aligns with the second aperture 38 and the third aperture 40 aligns with the fourth aperture 42. The valve member 35 is resiliently biased towards the closed position, in this example using a coil spring 44.

The liquids inlet valve 26 also includes a fifth aperture 46 provided in the valve housing 30, and an air outlet tube 47 connected to the fifth aperture 46. The valve member 35 is shaped such that when the valve member 35 is in the closed position, the valve member 35 and the valve housing 30 form an air seal which prevents flow of air between the air outlet tube 47 and the mouth cavity 25.

During use, when the doll 10 is disposed in an upright orientation or a cradled position, liquid is introduced into the mouth cavity 25 and the valve member 35 is caused to move to the open position, liquid is permitted to flow into the valve member 35 and through the first and second liquids tubes 32, 34. Movement of the valve member 35 to the open position also allows air present in the tears receptacle 202 and the air outlet tube 47 to vent to atmosphere .

As described above, liquid which flows into the first liquids tube 32 serves to replenish the tears receptacle with liquid useable for supply to the eyes 68 as simulated tears .

The second liquids tube 34 serves to supply liquid to the first mechanism 20 for excreting liquids from a groin region of the doll 10.

It will be understood that since the fourth aperture 42 is closer to a base 69 of the valve member 35 than the second aperture 38, when liquid is introduced during use into the liquids inlet valve 26 more liquid will flow through the second liquids tube 34 than the first liquids tube 32 during use.

An alternative liquids inlet valve 49 is shown in Figure 3. The liquids inlet valve 49 includes a stub pipe 50 which houses a valve 51, in this example a ball valve including a ball member 52 and a coil spring 54 arranged to resiliently bias the ball member 52 towards a closed position wherein the ball member 44 is disposed against an aperture 55 in the mouth cavity. It will be understood that, during use, the ball valve 51 is ordinarily in a closed position and fluid is not able to pass between the mouth cavity 25 and the stub pipe 50. The ball valve 52 is movable to an open position wherein fluid is allowed to pass between the mouth cavity 25 and the stub pipe 50 by urging the ball member 52 to move away from the mouth cavity 25.

A feeding bottle 56 for use with the doll 10 is shown in Figures 4 to 6. The feeding bottle 56 includes a bottle portion 58 for receiving and holding liquid such as water, and a lid portion 60 having an elongate nozzle 62 and a resilient teat portion 64 which resembles a teat portion of a feeding bottle used to feed liquids to a human infant. The nozzle 62 is provided at a remote end thereof with an aperture 66. The teat portion 64 may be formed of any suitable material such as silicone rubber.

As shown in Figure 6, the nozzle 62 and the teat portion 64 are disposable relative to the mouth 24 of the doll 10 such that the teat portion 64 rests against the mouth 24 and extends at least partially into the mouth cavity 25 and such that the nozzle 62 extends through the mouth cavity 25 and into the valve housing 30.

It will be understood that introducing the nozzle 62 into the valve housing 30 has the effect of causing the valve member 35 to move to the open position, and that when the doll 10 is in a cradled position this allows liquid in the bottle portion 58 to flow through the aperture 66 in the nozzle 62 to the valve housing 30 and thereby to the first and second liquids tubes 32, 34.

It will also be understood that by providing a resilient teat portion 64 which at least partially surrounds the nozzle 62, a feeding bottle 56 is produced which more closely resembles a feeding bottle of the type used to feed liquids to human infants .

During use of the feed bottle 56 when the doll 10 is disposed in an upright orientation or a cradled position, liquid which flows from the feed bottle 56 into the first liquids tube 32 passes into a tears receptacle 202, the liquid in the tears receptacle 202 being for supply to eyes 68 so as to simulate tears. An eye 68 is shown in more detail in Figures 7 and 8. Each eye 68 is housed in an eye socket 70 of generally spherical configuration and each eye socket 70 includes an aperture 72 connected in fluid communication to the tears receptacle 202 using a third liquids tube 74. The aperture 72 allows liquid to pass during use to the eye socket 70 and thereby onto an outwardly facing surface of the eye 68 so as to simulate tears.

Each eye 68 is pivotable about an axis 69 between an open position as shown in Figures 8 and 10 and a closed position as shown in Figures 7 and 9, and each eye 68 includes an eye magnet 76 usable to cause the eyes 68 to open by magnetic force. Each eye 68 is configured so as to open by gravity when the doll is in a generally upright orientation and to close by gravity when the doll is in a generally recumbent orientation or cradled position. In order to cause the eyes 68 to open during use when the doll 10 is in a generally recumbent orientation or cradled position, the feeding bottle 56 is provided with a bottle magnet 57 arranged to cause the eyes 68 to open when the teat portion 64 and the nozzle 62 are disposed in the mouth cavity 25 by attracting the eye magnets 76. As shown in Figures 8 and 10, when the bottle magnet 57 is brought into close proximity to the eyes 68, the eyes 68 are caused by the bottle magnet 57 to move to the open position, thereby simulating opening of the eyes of a human infant whilst feeding.

An alternative mechanism for causing the eyes 68 to open is shown in Figures 11 and 12. Like and similar features are indicated with like reference numerals .

The alternative mechanism includes an elongate actuator 80 pivotably mounted at a pivot connection 82 and disposed in an actuator receptacle 84. A resilient skirt 86 is disposed on the actuator receptacle 84 and forms a seal with the actuator 80. The resilient skirt 86 may be formed of rubber, silicone, or any suitable resilient material .

The actuator 80 is moveable between a first position shown in Figure 11 and a second position shown in Figure 12. As can be seen, when the actuator 80 moves to the second position, the actuator 80 contacts an eye 68 and urges the eye to move to the open position.

The arrangement is such that when the nozzle 62 of the feeding bottle 56 is passed into the mouth cavity 25 and introduced into the valve member 35, the valve member 35 is caused to urge the actuator 80 to move to the second position and thereby cause the eye 68 to move to the open position. It will be understood that in order to facilitate better contact between the valve member 35 and the actuator 80, the valve member 35 may be provided with a projection 88 fixed to the base 69.

Also in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention, a dummy 90 as shown in Figure 13 may be provided, the dummy 90 including a resilient teat portion 92 and a dummy magnet 94. In contrast with the feeding bottle 56, the dummy 90 is arranged so that the dummy magnet 94 repels the eye magnets 76 when the dummy 90 is in close proximity to the eyes 68 and thereby causes the eyes 48 to close when the teat portion 92 of the dummy 90 is inserted into the mouth cavity 25 of the doll 10. In this way, insertion of the teat portion 92 into the mouth cavity 25 simulates closing of the eyes of a human infant when pacified with a dummy as shown in Figures 14 and 15.

Also during use of the feed bottle 56 when the doll 10 is disposed in an upright orientation or a cradled position, liquid which enters the second liquids tube 34 passes into the first mechanism 20 shown in Figure 1. As shown in Figures 16 to 18, the second liquids tube 34 is connected in fluid communication to a liquids receptacle 100 provided with a timing mechanism arranged to discharge liquid through an outlet aperture 102 and an outlet tube 103 when the doll 10 is in a generally recumbent position and after a predetermined period of time defined by the timing mechanism has elapsed.

In this example, the timing mechanism includes a disc valve 104 disposed above the outlet aperture 102 and mounted on a pivotable lever 106, and a timing unit 108 arranged to cause the disc vale 104 to lift from the outlet aperture 102 after expiration of a predetermined period of time. The disc valve 104 may be formed of any suitable flexible material such as latex.

The timing unit 108 in this example includes a first liquids chamber 110 and a second liquids chamber 112 in fluid communication with the first liquids chamber 110 through an aperture 114. The first liquids chamber 110 is disposed relative to the second liquids chamber 112 and the aperture 114 is arranged such that when the doll is in a generally recumbent position, liquid in the first liquids chamber 110 passes drip-wise into the second liquids chamber 112.

The timing unit 108 also includes a support member 116 on which the first and second liquids chambers 110, 112 are pivotably mounted, an actuator 118 extending from the second liquids chamber 112 and arranged such that the actuator 118 contacts the lever 106 when the timing unit 108 pivots towards the lever 106, and an air tube 120 arranged to allow air to pass from the second liquids chamber 112 to the first liquids chamber 110 when liquid passes from the first liquids chamber 110 to the second liquids chamber 112. In the present example, the first and second liquids chambers 110, 112 contain oil 122, although it will be understood that any suitable liquid is envisaged.

During use, the liquids receptacle 100 holds liquid received into the liquids receptacle 100 from a feeding bottle 56 through the second liquids tube 34.

When the doll 10 is in a generally upright position, the liquid in the liquids receptacle 100 is not discharged from the doll since the outlet aperture 102 is disposed generally above the liquid.

When the doll 10 is disposed in a generally recumbent position, the liquid in the liquids receptacle 100 causes the disc valve 104 to cover the outlet aperture 102 and thereby prevent egress of liquid from the liquids receptacle 100. In addition, liquid in the first liquids chamber 110 begins to pass drip wise into the second liquids chamber 112. It will be understood that since at this stage the majority of the liquid is disposed in the first liquids chamber 110, the actuator 118 is maintained above the lever 106 and the disc valve 104 covers the outlet aperture 102. As shown in Figure 17, when a sufficient amount of liquid has passed into the second liquids chamber 112, the actuator 118 moves towards the lever 106 and thereby causes the disc valve 104 to lift from the outlet aperture 102 and liquid in the liquids receptacle 100 to pass through the outlet aperture 102 and discharge through the liquids outlet tube 103.

In the present example, the liquids receptacle 100 is sufficiently large to ensure that liquid from a full feeding bottle 56 is accommodatable in the liquids receptacle 100. An alternative liquids excretion mechanism 123 is shown in Figure 18. Like features are indicated with like reference numerals. The liquids chamber 100 includes a wall member 126 disposed around the outlet aperture 102 so as to reduce the speed of discharge of the liquid from the liquids receptacle 100.

During use, when the doll is in a generally upright position as shown in Figure 19A and liquids 128 are introduced into the liquids receptacle 100, the liquids 128 are disposed below the aperture 102 and as a consequence the liquids cannot flow out of the liquids receptacle 100. When the doll is in a generally recumbent position as shown in Figure 19B, the liquids 128 are able to flow through the aperture 102 and thereby out of the liquids receptacle 100.

A chamber pot 140 in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention and useable with the doll 10 is shown in Figures 19 to 22.

The chamber pot 140 includes a cavity portion 142 configured so as to be at least partly complimentary in shape with upper portions of the legs 16 of the doll 10 and a lower portion of the torso 14 of the doll 10 so that the doll 10 is able to sit snugly on the chamber pot 140.

The chamber pot 140 also includes an upstanding portion 144 arranged to extend upwardly and be disposed between the legs 16 of the doll 10 when the doll 10 is seated on the chamber pot 140 during use.

The chamber pot 140 also includes a rear wall portion 146 arranged to extend around a lower portion of a torso 14 of a doll 10 seated during use on the chamber pot 140, and a recess 148 arranged so as to be disposed beneath the groin region of the doll 10 when the doll 10 is seated during use on the chamber pot 140.

The chamber pot 140 also includes a movable chamber pot magnet 150 disposed in the rear wall portion 146 and operatively associated with the second mechanism 22 so as to cause selective discharge of solids from the doll 10 as discussed in more detail below.

The second mechanism 22 for controlling discharge of solids is shown in Figures 23 to 25.

The second mechanism 22 includes a solids receptacle 152 for receiving solids material from the mouth cavity 25 through the solids tube 27, and a solids outlet tube 154 formed of any suitable resilient material such as rubber. The solids tube is formed of sufficiently large diameter tubing that solids may pass relatively freely through the solids tube 27.

It will be understood that since the receptacle 152 is of generally conical shape, the likelihood of build up of solids in the receptacle is minimised.

It will be understood that solids may be introduced into the mouth cavity 25 in any suitable way. For example, solids may be transferred to the mouth cavity 25 using a spoon of appropriate size to fit inside the mouth cavity 25.

In contact with the solids outlet tube 154 is an actuator 156 of generally L-shaped configuration. The actuator 156 is connected at a first end to an outer wall of the solids receptacle 152 and is resiliently biased towards the solids outlet tube 154 so as to compress the solids outlet tube 154 and thereby prevent solids from discharging from the solids receptacle 152. Disposed on the actuator 156 is a solids discharge magnet 158 useable to cause the actuator 156 to move from a first position shown in Figures 23 and 24 wherein the actuator 156 compresses the solids outlet tube 154, to a second position shown in Figure 25 wherein the actuator 156 does not compress the solids outlet tube 154 and solids are able to freely discharge from the solids receptacle 152 when the doll 10 is in a generally upright position.

It will be understood that the actuator 156 may be caused to move from the first position to the second position using a magnet in any suitable way. For example, the chamber pot magnet 150 may be disposed inside the chamber pot 140 such that the chamber pot magnet 150 is disposed adjacent the solids discharge magnet 158 when the doll is seated on the chamber pot as shown in Figure 25.

Additionally, as shown in Figures 21 and 22, the chamber pot magnet 150 may be mounted relative to the chamber pot 140 such that the chamber pot magnet 150 is moveable between a first position shown in full lines in Figure 22 wherein the chamber pot magnet 150 is disposed adjacent the solids discharge magnet 158 and a second position shown in broken lines wherein the chamber pot magnet 150 is not disposed adjacent the solids discharge magnet 158. This may be achieved in any suitable way, for example by providing the chamber pot 140 with an actuator assembly 160 slidable relative to the rear wall portion 146 so as to facilitate selective movement of the chamber pot magnet into and out of operative association with the solids discharge magnet 158. However, other arrangements are possible. For example, the chamber pot magnet 150 may be moveable between a first position wherein an attractive force is generated between the chamber pot magnet 150 and the solids discharge magnet 158 and a second position wherein a repulsive force is generated between the fourth magnet 150 and the fifth magnet 158. This may be achieved by providing the chamber pot 140 with a switch connected to a rack, rotatably mounting the chamber pot magnet 150 relative to the chamber pot 140, and providing the chamber pot magnet 150 with a gear which engages with the rack and which causes the chamber pot magnet 150 to rotate when the switch and thereby the rack is moved reciprocally. In this way, the action of the chamber pot magnet 150 in causing the solids to discharge from the solids receptacle 152 may be selectively activated and deactivated by a user.

Accordingly, it will be understood that when the doll 10 is seated on the chamber pot 140 and the chamber pot magnet 150 is in an activated position, solids are discharged from the doll 10 to thereby simulate excretion of solids from a human infant.

A similar actuation mechanism may be provided in order to allow a user to selectively activate and deactivate the first mechanism 20 so that liquid is selectively dischargeable from the first liquids chamber 100 by a user irrespective of whether the doll 10 is in a recumbent position.

For this purpose, such an additional magnet actuated actuation mechanism may be provided between the liquids receptacle 100 and the liquids outlet tube 103, and an additional chamber pot magnet 160 may be disposed inside the upstanding portion 144 of the chamber pot 140 as shown in Figures 19 and 26. The additional magnet actuated mechanism includes a resilient actuator 161, a liquids outlet tube 163 formed of any suitable resilient material such as rubber, and a liquids discharge magnet 165 disposed on the resilient actuator 161. The arrangement is such that when the doll 10 is disposed in a seated position on the chamber pot 140, the additional chamber pot magnet 160 cooperates with the liquids discharge magnet 165 so as to cause the actuator 161 to move away from the liquids outlet tube 163 and thereby permit discharge of liquid to the recess 148 of the chamber pot 140.

It will be understood that in order to allow selective activation and deactivation of the additional actuation mechanism, the additional chamber pot magnet 160 may be slidably or rotatably mounted relative to the upstanding portion 144 in a similar way as the chamber pot magnet 150 is slidably or rotatably mounted relative to the chamber pot 140. In this way, a user is able to selectively control whether liquid is discharged only when the doll 10 is disposed in a recumbent position, or whether liquid is discharged when the doll 10 is disposed in a recumbent position or when seated on the chamber pot 140.

An alternative second mechanism 170 for controlling discharge of solids is shown in Figures 27 and 28. Like and similar features are indicated with like reference numerals .

The second mechanism 170 includes an actuator 172 connected at a first end to an outer wall of the receptacle 152 and resiliently biased towards the solids outlet tube 154 so that a second opposite end of the actuator 172 compresses the solids outlet tube 154 and thereby prevents solids from discharging from the solids receptacle 152. Extending from a portion of the actuator 172 between the first and second opposite ends of the actuator 172 is a transverse member 174 having a button 176 disposed at an end of the transverse member 174 remote from the actuator 172. The button 176 is disposed in an aperture 178 formed in a rear wall portion of the torso 14. The arrangement is such that application of a force to the button 176 causes the transverse member 174 to urge the actuator 172 to move away from the solids outlet tube 154 and thereby cause the solids outlet tube 154 to open.

As shown in Figures 28A and 28B, a force may be applied to the button 176 by providing an upstanding portion 180 on the rear wall portion 146 of the chamber pot 140. In this way, when the doll 10 is disposed on the chamber pot 140, the upstanding portion 180 contacts the button 176 and thereby urges the actuator 172 to move away from the solids outlet tube 154. In this example, the upstanding portion 180 is integral with a resilient support 181 so that the upstanding portion 180 is movable towards and away from the doll when the doll is disposed on the chamber pot 140. This enables a child to activate or deactivate the solids excretion mechanism depending on whether the upstanding portion is in an extended position as shown in Figure 28B or a retracted position as shown in Figure 28A. In order to facilitate movement of the upstanding portion 180 between the extended and retracted positions, a switch 183 is provided, the switch being arranged to move an actuator 185 which may be generally wedge shaped.

A similar actuation mechanism may be provided in order to allow a user to selectively activate and deactivate the first mechanism 20 so that liquid is selectively dischargable from the first liquids chamber 100 by a user irrespective of whether the doll 10 is in a recumbent position.

The doll 10 also includes an air pump 184 shown in Figure 29, in this example the air pump 184 being of bellows type configuration and being disposed in a chest cavity of the doll 10 as shown in Figures 31 and 32. The air pump 184 is useable to cause the doll 10 to generate a sound which simulates the cry of a human infant and to cause liquid to be discharged from the eyes 68 of the doll 10 so as to simulate crying.

The air pump 184 includes a first plate member 186 and a second plate member 188 movable relative to each other such that the air pump is movable between an expanded configuration as shown in Figures 29 and 31 and a contracted configuration as shown in Figure 32. The first and second plate members 186, 188 are resiliently biased away from each other, in this example using a coil spring (not shown) . Disposed between free edges of the first and second plate members 186, 188 is a side member 190 formed of any suitable air impermeable flexible material. A dividing wall member 192 is disposed between the first and second plate members 186, 188 such that the dividing wall member 192, the first and second plate members 186, 188, and the side member 190 define first and second air chambers 194 and 196 respectively. In this example, the first air chamber 194 is smaller than the second air chamber 196, although it will be understood that other arrangements are possible.

In fluid communication with the first air chamber 194 is a whistle device 198. The arrangement is such that when the air pump 184 is compressed, the first and second plate members 186, 188 move towards each other and causes air to pass through the whistle device 198. This causes a sound to be generated which simulates the sound of a cry of a human infant.

Movement of the first and second plate members 186, 188 towards each other also causes air to flow from the second chamber 196 through an air outlet tube 200 and into the tears receptacle 202 through a one way valve 203. This causes the air pressure in the tears receptacle 202 to increase and thereby liquid to flow from the tears receptacle 202 through tears tubes 204 to the eye sockets 70. As a consequence, liquid is discharged from the eyes 68 thereby simulating crying of an infant, as shown in Figure 30.

The air pump 184 also includes a one way valve 205 arranged to allow air to pass from ambient to the second air chamber 196 and to prevent passage of air from the second air chamber 196 to ambient. In this way, an increase in pressure caused by activation of the air pump 184 is maintained whilst permitting replenishment of air in the second air chamber 196.

The first and second plate members 186, 188 may be caused to move towards each other in any suitable way. For example, as shown more particularly in Figures 31 and 32, an actuating rod 206 connected to one or both arms 18 of the doll may be provided, the actuating rod 206 being configured and mounted on one or both arms 18 such that rotation of one or both arms 18 exerts a force on one of the first and second plate members 186, 188. In Figures 31 and 32, an air pump 184 having generally parallel plate members 186, 188 is shown, although it will be understood that any suitable air pump may be used, the important aspect being that the plate members 186, 188 of the air pump 184 may be caused to move towards each other by movement of one or more of the arms 18.

As shown in Figures 33 and 34, the torso 14 may include front torso apertures 220 and rear torso apertures 222. In addition, the head 12 may include apertures (not shown) . Such apertures 200, 222 facilitate drying of inwardly facing surfaces of the doll 10 in the event that the inwardly facing surfaces have become wet during use. As shown in Figure 35, in order to facilitate such drying, an attachment 230 formed of any suitable resilient material such as rubber is provided, the attachment 230 being attachable to a conventional hair dryer 232 and being useable to introduce air into the doll 10 through the rear torso apertures 222 as shown in Figure 36. The attachment 230 may include projections 234 which facilitate accurate alignment with rear torso apertures 222 of the doll 10.

It will be understood that by providing apertures 200, 222 and providing an attachment 230 it becomes possible to immerse the doll in water, for example in a bath or swimming pool. This is not possible with prior art dolls known hitherto since immersion of the doll in water causes build up of contaminants in the doll such as mould and bacteria because water remains inside the doll for long periods of time.

It will also be understood that although only a feeding bottle and a dummy provided with magnets for interacting with eyes of the doll are described above, other accessories which also interact with the eyes are envisaged. For example, a ring or bracelet containing a magnet may be provided so that by moving the ring or bracelet close to the eyes of the doll, an effect whereby the doll appears to slowly wake up may be created, for example by stroking or patting the dolls head.

Modifications and variations as would be apparent to a skilled addressee are deemed to be within the scope of the present invention.

Claims

CLAIMS :

1. A feeding bottle for use with a doll comprising a mouth portion arranged to receive a feeding bottle during use, and eyes pivotable between an open position and a closed position, said feeding bottle being arranged such that said eyes and said feeding bottle magnetically cooperate with each other when the feeding bottle is disposed in the mouth portion so that the eyes move to the open position.

2. The feeding bottle as claimed in claim 1, further comprising a teat portion formed of silicone rubber.

3. The feeding bottle as claimed in claim 1 or claim 2, wherein each eye is movable to an open position in response to a magnetic force and the feeding bottle comprises at least one bottle magnet arranged to cooperate with the eyes so as to move the eyes to the open position when the feeding bottle is disposed in the mouth portion.

4. A chamber pot for use with a doll comprising a mouth portion arranged to receive material during use and at least one mechanism for controlling excretion of material from the doll, said chamber pot comprising means for activating said at least one mechanism when the doll is seated on the chamber pot so as to thereby cause excretion of material from the doll.

5. The chamber pot as claimed in claim 4 , wherein the at least one mechanism for controlling excretion of material from the doll is activatable in response to a magnetic force, and the chamber pot comprises at least one chamber pot magnet arranged to cooperate with the at least one mechanism when the doll is seated on the chamber pot so as to activate the at least one mechanism and thereby cause excretion of material from the doll.

6. The chamber pot as claimed in claim 5 , wherein the chamber pot magnet is movably mounted on the chamber pot such that when the chamber pot magnet is disposed in a first position the chamber pot magnet does not cause discharge of material from the doll and when the chamber pot magnet is disposed in a second position, the chamber pot magnet cooperates with the mechanism for controlling excretion of material so as to cause excretion of material from the doll .

7. The chamber pot as claimed in claim 6, wherein the chamber pot magnet is slidably mounted on the chamber pot.

8. The chamber pot as claimed in any one of claims 5 to 7, wherein the chamber pot includes a first chamber pot magnet disposed at a rear portion of the chamber pot and a second chamber pot magnet disposed at a front portion of the chamber pot, the first chamber pot magnet being operatively associated with a solids excretion mechanism of a doll so as to effect excretion of solids from the doll when the doll is seated on the chamber pot during use, and the second chamber pot magnet being operatively associated with a liquids excretion mechanism of a doll such that liquids are excreted from the doll when the doll is seated on the chamber pot during use.

9. The chamber pot as claimed in claim 4 , wherein the at least one mechanism for controlling excretion of material from the doll is activatable in response to a mechanical force, and the chamber pot comprises at least one upstanding portion arranged to apply a mechanical force to the at least one mechanism when the doll is seated on the chamber pot so as to activate the at least one mechanism and thereby cause excretion of material from the doll.

10. The chamber pot as claimed in claim 9, wherein the upstanding portion is movable between an extended position wherein upstanding portion applies a mechanical force to the at least one mechanism when the doll is seated on the chamber pot and a retracted position wherein the upstanding portion does not apply a mechanical force to the at least one mechanism when the doll is seated on the chamber pot .

11. A doll comprising a mouth portion arranged to receive a feeding bottle during use, and eyes pivotable between an open position and a closed position, said eyes being arranged to cooperate with said feeding bottle so that when the feeding bottle is disposed in the mouth portion, the eyes move to the open position.

12. The doll as claimed in claim 11, wherein each eye is movable to an open position in response to a magnetic force and the arrangement is such that when a feeding bottle provided with at least one bottle magnet is introduced into a mouth portion of the doll, the eyes move to. the open position.

13. The doll as claimed in claim 11, wherein each eye is associated with an actuator movable between a first position wherein the actuator does not contact an eye and a second position wherein the actuator contacts the eye and urges the eye to move to the open position, the actuator being caused to move from the first position to the second position by contact with a feeding bottle when the feeding bottle is introduced into a mouth portion of the doll during use.

14. The doll as claimed in claim 13, wherein the actuator is of generally elongate configuration and is be pivotably movable between the first and second positions.

15. A doll comprising: a mouth portion arranged to receive solid and/or liquid material during use; and an excretion mechanism for controlling excretion of material from the doll, said mechanism comprising: a receptacle for receiving material introduced into the doll through the mouth portion; a resilient outlet tube in communication with the receptacle; an actuator movable between a first position wherein the actuator compresses the outlet tube and thereby substantially prevents egress of material from the receptacle, and a second position wherein the actuator does not compress the outlet tube and material is able to discharge from the receptacle through the outlet tube, the actuator being resiliently biased towards the first position; and means for selectively causing the actuator to move from the first position to the second position.

16. The doll as claimed in claim 15, wherein the mechanism further comprises a magnet disposed on the actuator and usable to cause the actuator to move from the first position to the second position by application of external magnetic force.

17. The doll as claimed in claim 15, wherein the actuator is connected to a button disposed so as to be accessible through an external wall of the doll, wherein application of a force to the button causes the actuator to move from the first position to the second position.

18. The doll as claimed in any one of claims 15 to 17, wherein the excretion mechanism includes a solids excretion mechanism for controlling excretion of solids from the doll and the solids excretion mechanism includes a solids receptacle in fluid communication with the resilient outlet tube and in fluid communication with the mouth portion.

19. The doll as claimed in claim 18, wherein the solids receptacle is generally conical in shape.

20. The doll as claimed in any one of claims 15 to 19, wherein the excretion mechanism includes a liquids excretion mechanism comprising a liquids receptacle in fluid communication with the resilient outlet tube and in fluid communication with the mouth portion.

21. The doll as claimed in any one of claims 15 to 20, wherein the doll further comprises a liquids inlet valve having a valve housing and a valve member moveable relative to the valve housing and arranged to cooperate with the valve housing so as to define a closed valve position and an open valve position, the valve member and the valve housing including apertures which align when the valve is in the open position so as to permit fluid to flow from the valve member through the valve housing and which do not align when the valve is in the second position and the apertures being in fluid communication with a liquids receptacle arranged to hold liquid to be excreted from a groin portion of the doll and/or a tears receptacle arranged to hold liquid to be excreted from eyes of the doll.

22. The doll as claimed in any one of claims 15 to 21, wherein the doll further comprises eye sockets arranged to receive eyes of the doll and a tears receptacle, the eye sockets being connected in fluid communication with the tears receptacle, and the doll further comprising an air pump arranged to increase air pressure in the tears receptacle and thereby cause liquid in the tears receptacle to flow to the eye sockets .

23. The doll as claimed in claim 22, wherein the doll is arranged such that movement of one or both arms of the doll causes compression of the air pump and thereby flow of liquid from the tears receptacle to the eye sockets .

24. A dummy for use with a doll comprising a mouth portion arranged to receive a dummy during use, and eyes pivotable between an open position and a closed position, each eye being moveable to a closed position in response to a magnetic force, said dummy comprising at least one magnet arranged to cooperate with the eyes so as to move the eyes to the closed position when the dummy is disposed in the mouth portion.

25. The dummy as claimed in claim 24, wherein the dummy is formed of silicone rubber.

26. A doll comprising: a mouth portion arranged to receive liquids during use; and a liquids . excretion mechanism for controlling excretion of liquids from the doll, said mechanism comprising: a liquids receptacle for receiving liquids introduced into the doll through the mouth portion, the liquids receptacle including an aperture; a valve operable so as to selectively permit or prevent flow of liquid through the aperture; and a timer unit operatively associated with the valve and arranged to actuate and thereby open the valve after a predetermined period of time has elapsed.

27. The doll as claimed in claim 26, wherein the timer unit includes a first liquids chamber and a second liquids chamber in fluid communication with the first liquids chamber, the first liquids chamber being disposed relative to the second liquids chamber and the aperture being arranged such that when the doll is in a generally recumbent position, liquid in the first liquids chamber passes drip-wise into the second liquids chamber; the first and second liquids chambers being disposed in and pivotably mounted relative to the liquids receptacle and being arranged such that a ter the predetermined period of time has elapsed, the first and second liquids chambers pivot from a first position to a second position and thereby urge the valve to move to the open position.

28. A doll as claimed in claim 26 or claim 27, wherein the timer mechanism includes a wall member disposed at least partially around the aperture so as to reduce the speed of discharge of liquids from the liquids receptacle when the doll is in a generally recumbent position.

29. A doll comprising: a wall portion defining a head, arms, legs and a torso; and a plurality of apertures provided in the wall portion, the apertures being of sufficient size such that liquid present inside the doll is able to flow freely out of the doll.