US2675644A - Weeping doll - Google Patents

Description

April 20, 1954 H. SENIOR ET AL I 2,675,644

WEEPING DOLL Filed Aug. 16, 1949 2 Sheets-Sheet l I nvenlors Henr J'enz'ar' Japk Hensman. WI lllanp 7- Warn! By April 20, 1954 H. SENIOR ET AL WEEPING DOLL 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed Aug. 15, 1949 I nu en tor5 Sen/or l Jack Hensmmz h/l l/lam T Wald 3' Han/- Patented Apr. 20, 1954 WEEPIN G DOLL Henry ,Senior, Jack Hensman, and William Thomas Ward, Leicester, England, assignors, by mesne assignments, to American Character Doll Company, New York, N. Y., a firm composed of Jacob Brock and Max Brock Application August 16, 1949, Serial No. 110,502

This invention relates to ..dolls, animals .and like toy figures, and has for its object to provide improvements in the same designed to produce a variety of entertaining, amusing and instructive effects as will be hereinafter described Hereafter, reference will be made, for convenience, to dolls, but it is to be understood that this term is intended to include other toy figures, where the context so admits.

According to this invention we provide a doll having a head and a body, part at least of the body being hollow and contains an air chamber with walls of a resilient and self-restoring character, a liquid container for .accommodation in the interior of said air chamber, and a tube connecting the liquid container with at least one opening, e. g. representingthe mouth,.in the head of the doll.

This liquid container may perform several functions. Thus it can be arranged to receive liquid through an opening, which will. hereinafter be assumed to be the mouth, in the head of. the doll, and it is one of the realistic features of the invention that this liquid can be introduced into the mouth by means of a feeding bottle, a spoon, or in some other manner simulating the real life feeding of a baby. The liquid thusarriving .in the container can be used in several ways. For example by tilting the doll, it can be caused to run back into the tube connecting to the mouth of the doll and issue from the mouth.

Again, the liquid container may have, passing through the end opposite to that connected to the mouth, an auxiliary tube which communicates respectively with the interior of the liquid container and with the air chamber.v

Preferably this auxiliary tube will extendinto the container, which may be cylindrical, a substantial distance such that it would project above the level of any liquid in the container until this level reaches a substantial height, e. g. threequarters of the length of the container. The auxiliary tube will thus depend from the end of the container remote from that to which the main tube is connected and is arranged to be located in the hollow space in the body of the doll such that, on alternately flexing the wall of this space and allowing it to restore to its normal condition, air will be forced through the auxiliary tube into the container.

The effect of this air will be firstly, if there is no liquid present in the main tube, to pass through this main tube of the mouth of the doll to simulate breathing of the latter or secondly, if liquid has beenintroduced' into the main tube by'tilting the 8 cats; (01. 46-135) doll to expel the liquid through the mouth, erg. as bubbles. In the first of these two casesyan amusing effect can be obtained by insertinga pipe containing soap solution or other suitable medium in the mouth of the d011, so that the resultant breathing or blowing will cause bubbles to issue from the bowl of the pipe.

According to a further feature of the invention, and this represents a third possible use of the liquid container, the head is provided with tear openings adjacent the eyes and with tubing for connecting these openings with theinterior of the liquid container.

By the alternate pressing and releasing of the wall of the body the air pressure createdon the. surface of liquid inthe liquid container, by .the passage of air through the auxiliary tube, will force the liquid contents of the container up the tubing to the tear openings so that the doll 'will appear to cry. It will be apparent thatthisair. pressure can only become effective ifthe air is' prevented from escaping from the. container .via the main tube-a precaution which can easily be taken by the insertion of. a closure plug, .e. g. in the form of a. comforter, in the mouth of .the d011,;

Preferably the tear openings will each be .in the. form of a small channel secured to anopene. ing adjacent the inner side of ,each eye, anda single tube will connect this channel with the. interior of the liquid container. Preferably this connecting tubing is substantially smaller in diameter than the main and auxiliary tubes pree viously referred to.

A fourth use of the doll is obtained by the provision of a hole at the lower part of the body wall for the escape of liquid, This liquid :is obtained from the liquidcontainer by causing the: liquid to overflow down the auxiliary tube. Where the doll is held upright this overflow'will only take place when the liquid in the container. reaches the level of the top of the auxiliary tube, but will take place sooner if the doll and the, container are tilted, as into. the usual-feeding position. .i

The liquid will drop'from the auxiliary tube into the bottom o-ftlie'body'of the doll and, the dis charge opening in this lower part of the bod'yfis preferably arranged somewhat above thealowes't point so that a certain amount of liquid will'col lect in th bottom of the body and will only be discharged when the latter is tilted-thus erihancing the wettingff effect The 'idisjcharge opening must besmaller than the combinedtear openings.

Other features 1 ofthe "doll acorkihig to the invention are referred to hereafter in the description and claims.

One embodiment of a doll according to the invention is illustrated, by Way of example in the accompanying drawings, in which:

Figure 1 is a vertical section through the body and head of the doll and in part through the liquid container and connecting tubing thereof.

Figure 2 is a detail cross section of the liquid container and associated tubing, taken on the line II-II of Figure 1 and at right angles to the section illustrated in the latter.

Figure 3 is a fragmentary perspective view of the middle of the face of the doll, indicating the position of the tear channels.

Figure 4 is a perspective view of the head of the doll indicating the production of bubbles from a pipe.

Figure 5 is another perspective View of the dolls head illustrating the introduction of liquid from a feeding bottle.

Referring to the drawings the .body of the doll is generally designated and the head I I. Both these parts are hollow and are preferably made by the process described in the specification of United Kingdom Letters Patent 600,270, that is to say byintroducing a plastic composition consisting of or including a dispersion of finely divided polyvinyl chloride in liquid plasticiser, in a cold fiowable-condition, into an appropriately shaped .mould or die, heating the mould or die during or aftersuch introduction to gell the composition, -thedegreeof heating being so controlled to determine the flexibility of the moulded article, and removing the completed moulded article from themouldor dieafter it has gelled therein.

When .made .in this way the body I!) can be compressed by squeezing between the fingers and, after release, it self-restoring to its normal shape.

The vbody I0 is formed at its upper part with ribs 12 and the head with correspondingly configurated parts, as at [3, whereby the head can be secured to the body in an air-tight fashion.

,At the location corresponding to the mouth of thedoll, the head is formed with an internally projecting open-ended spigot [4 to which is secured, when the doll isassembled, the end of the main tube 15. At its lower end this tube I5 is secured in a plug [6 which .is threaded at I! so as to .be engageable in corresponding internal threading at the upper end of a cylindrical tubular container 18 made of a transparent plastic. It will be noted that the tube terminates at its end flush with the lower face H! of the plug I6. The latter is provided at its periphery with grooves 20 to facilitate screwing thereof into the container l8. Hence, the container is suspended more or less freely within the space defined by the hollow interior of the body ID.

The bottom wall of this container I8 is provided with an opening through which projects, for a distance of about three-quarters of the length of the container, an auxiliary tube 2| similar to the tube 15 and open at both ends. The main tube 15 and the auxiliary tube 2! are preferably of a flexible composition, for instance rubber or extruded polyvinyl chloride.

The head is formed with internal protrusions 22 forming sockets for receiving the eyes 23 (see Figure 3) which are elements as disclosed in the specification of United Kingdom Letters Patent No. 534,706. Adjacent the protrusions 22 are short tubular metal channels 24 which project through the material of the wall of the head to the exterior. These channels 24 represent the tear ducts or lachrymal canals and are each connected by a tube 25 to the liquid container [8. The tubes 25 are again of rubber or extruded polyvinyl chloride, but are of substantially smaller bore diameter than the tubes l5 and 2|. As will be seen from Figure 2, the tubing 25 projects through plug IS a substantial distance into the interior of the container, in fact to the vicinity of the bottom of the latter.

At the lower part of the body ill, but to the rear of and somewhat above the lowermost point of this body is moulded a small boss 26 with a passage 21 therein communicating with the exterior. This passage is smaller than the combined tear ducts 24.

The body is furnished with arms 28 and legs 29, formed by the same process used to produce the body [0 and head H, these arms and legs being respectively separable from the body I0 and being mounted in the latter so as to be capable of independent pivoting movement, e. g. by forming them at the inner ends with an annular flange engaging behind a corresponding opening in the body. The body is reinforced by transverse elements 3i! and 3|, extending respectively between the armand leg-receiving openings and moulded integrally with the body.

A comforter 32 is provided for sealing the mouth opening in amoreor less air-tight fashion, a pipe 33 (see Figure 4) which .can similarly be i: inserted in the mouth as and when required, and

a feeding bottle 34 (see .Figure 5) madeof asuitable plastic composition, for example methylmethacrylate resin, and having a nozzle-provided, screw-on end cap 35 which can likewise be inserted into the mouthof the doll. The arms of the doll can be suitably shaped to support the pipe or bottle in their positions of use. The doll, with these variousaccessories, and with napkins and pins, can be made up and sold as a set.

With the doll illustrated a number of amusing or instructional results, simple of execution, can be obtained.

In the first place, by pressing in and .flexing the wall of the body I0, in the vicinity of the stomach of the doll, air from the interior of the body and head will be forced through the tubes 2| and I5 and, if the comforter 32 is not present, through the mouth of the doll. The passage of the air through the tubes has a marked sound effect, these tubes constituting, in elfect the counterpart of the human wind-pipe and its ramificationssuch as the bronchial tubes. Thus by alternately compressing and releasing the body, the doll is caused .to "breathe out and in. By a suitable control :of this squeezing operation the doll can, moreover, be made to breathe either quietly or stertoriously, regularly or irregularly.

Although in this specific embodiment the breathing takes place through the mouth, it will be apparent that the nostril openings could alternatively or in addition be provided to produce or enhance the breathing effect.

A further entertaining and amusing effect can be produced by inserting the stem of the pipe 33 into the mouth opening, a small quantity of lighted tobacco, e. g. a cigarette-end, being inserted into the bowl 36 of the pipe. Thus, as and when the doll is caused 'to' inhale and exhale in the manner previously described herein, the consequentstreams of air will pass through the pipe and the tobacco and cause puffs of smoke to give the effect of smoking. In another arrangement saponaceous liquid, such as soapy water, can .be poured into the bowl 36 so that .the doll, instead of smokingfls caused to blow bubbles as indicated in Figure 4. v

The provision of the container l8 enables liquid to be, stored up within the body of the doll for other purposes, as will now be described.

The liquid, for example. water, isfed through the mouth opening by means of a miniature spoon, an air-operated filler, the bottle 34 (as in Figure 5) or by any other suitable means so that it runs down thetube l5,to enter the'container l8. Thereafter, by tilting or inverting the doll, or by placing it on its stomach, liquid from the container I8 can be causedto run along the tube I5 and out through the mouth opening. When this has happened, and the body is subsequently compressed and released, air will bubble through the liquid in the tube l5. Alternatively, the doll can be manipulated so that when this compression and relaxation of the wall of the body takes place, air will be forced through the container in such a way that the, liquid will be blown through the tubing I5 and ejected through the mouth opening in a gush or spurt. Thus, according 'to the manner of operation, a variety of natural functions, from the gurgling of the baby to gargling, and even vomiting, may be easily simulated.

Furthermore, if the mouth opening is closed by the comforter 32, the pressure of the air forced by the squeezing action through the auxiliary tube 2i will act on the surface of liquid accumulated in the container 18 and will thus force this liquid to flow through the narrow tubes 25 and through the tear channels 24. By appropriate manipulation of the doll, the liquid discharged through the openings 24 can be in the form of small drops simulating tears or a profuse fiow representing more violent weeping.

Again, it will be observed that when the liquid is caused to flow out through the auxiliary tube 2| into the lower part of the body Ill, where it will collect as at 31 in Figure 1, this accumulation of liquid can, on tilting of the body of the doll, be made to pass through the passage 21, i. e. in simulation of the natural function of urinating. The doll will thereby be adapted to, say, wet a napkin. Such wetting takes place automatically upon the container l8 being filled beyond a certain point, or upon the body being tilted when the collected liquid 31 has reached a certain height.

A non-return valve could, if desired, be provided at the wetting location. This valve, whilst permitting the seepage of liquid therethrough, nevertheless would prevent the, escape of air through the passage 21 upon compression of the body of the doll.

The doll may, moreover, be furnished with one or more sound producing elements or devices adapted, upon a stream of air being blown therethrough, to emit a sound or sounds. For example, where, as is preferred, the limbs of the doll are hollow one or more or all of these may be fitted with a reed or reeds or a squeaking device or devices adapted to be brought into commission and to emit a sound or sounds whenever the limb or limbs is or are squeezed. A plurality of reeds of different tones may be adapted to emit respectively different vowel or other sounds representing speech or/and noises made 'by a baby.

Although in the particular embodiment described, the entire body, i. e. the torso or trunk, is made hollow with flexible walls defining the air chamber, it will be appreciated that only a *6 part of the bo.dy;could be. so :iormed', e g. the abdominal portion. .f a

Again, the improved doll could alternatively be produced by the injection moulding process, in which instance the hollow part or parts concerned may be fitted with a flexible insert or inserts adapted to provide the one or more contractible and ,dilatable air chambers.

Fromthe ,foreoging it will therefore be appreciated that the improved doll ,is eminently suitable for use in connection, with the training of children and young persons in nursing, hygiene and analogous sciences. H

@Weclaim: Y A 1 I 1. A toyfigure comprising a body, part at least of which is hollow with resilient walls, a head with a mouth opening and tear openings appropriately positioned therein, a hollow, substantially rigid container for liquid disposed in the interior of the figure, a filling tube connecting the interior of said container with said mouth opening, liquid conducting tubing connected to said tear openings and projecting downwards into said container, an air tube projecting upwards into said containerand terminating, in theinterior of said container, above the lower tr"- mination of said liquid conducting tubing, said air tube extending into the interior of the hollow body or body part external to the container, and means for closing said mouth opening, whereby fiexure of said resilient walls is adapted to create a flow of air under pressure from the interior of hollow body through said air tube, into the interior of the container to force liquid from this container through said liquid conducting tubing to the tear openings.

2. A toy figure comprising a body, part at least of which is hollow with resilient walls, a head with a mouth opening and tear openings appropriately positioned therein, a hollow, substantially rigid container for liquid disposed in the interior of the figure, a filling tube connecting the interior of said container with said mouth opening, and mounting said container within the figure, liquid conducting tubing connected to said tear openings and projecting downwards into said container, an air tube projecting upwards into said container and terminating, in the interior of said container, above the lower termination of said liquid conducting tubing, said air tube extending into the interior of the hollow body or body part external to the container, and a removable member for sealing said mouth opening, whereby fiexure of said resilient walls is adapted to create a flow of air under pressure.

3. A toy figure according to claim 1, wherein the container is of cylindrical form and has its upper end closed by a removable plug in which is secured one end of said filling tube.

4. A toy figure according to claim 1, wherein the body is formed with a liquid discharge orifice at a location above the lowest point in the hollow interior thereof.

5. A toy figure according to claim 1, further including rigid channels in said tear openings connected to flexible tubes constituting the said liquid conducting tubing.

6. A toy figure according to claim 1, wherein the head and body are connected by airtight locking means.

7. In a doll, a hollow doll body including a, head having eyes and a mouth opening and a resilient torso, a liquid receiving container located in said body, a conduit leading from said mouth opening and opening into 'said container for supplyin the container with liquid fed through the mouth opening, an overflow conduit connected with the container with the inner end thereof located above the'bottom wall of the container for discharging the liquid from the container above the level of the inner end thereof, conduit means connected with the head and extending from openings adjacent the eyes with the lower ends of said conduit means extending into said container and terminating below the inner end of said overflow conduit for discharging liquid from the container through said last mentioned conduit means and through the openings adjacent the eyes by compression of the torso for supplying air pressure to the top of the liquid in the container when the mouth opening is closed, and means for insertion in the mouth opening to close the same.

8. In a doll, a hollow doll body including a head, having eyes and a mouth opening and a resilient torso, a liquid receiving container located in said body, a conduit leading from said mouth opening and openin into said container for supplying the container with liquid fed through the mouth opening, :an overflow conduit connected with said container with the inner end thereof disposed to .permit the partial filling of said container, two conduits leading from openings adjacent the eyes and extending into said container below the inner end of said overflow conduit and means for closing the mouth opening to permit the discharge of liquid from said container through the openings at the eyes by compressing the torso of the doll.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Name Date 1,268,714 Hoefler June 4, 1918 2,080,439 Schaefier May 18, 1937 2,157,763 Konikofi et al May 9, 1939 2,196,912 Gilbraith Apr. 9, 1940 2,229,439 Brock Jan. 21, 1941 FOREIGN PATENTS Number Country Date 819,329 France Mar. 17, 1937 578,606 Great Britain July 4, 1946

Images