Drinking doll having wetting and non-wetting modes

A wetting doll includes a mouth opening, a second opening, a reservoir, a first conduit leading from mouth to near the reservoir and a second conduit leading from near the first conduit inner end to the second opening. A detachable connector is provided which may be connected to join the two conduits and reservoir in a manner to allow fluid entering the mouth to fill the reservoir but be excluded from the second conduit, or in an alternative manner to allow such fluid to go directly to the second opening but be excluded from the reservoir disposed within the interior thereof for catching the liquid. Upon the reservoir filling up, it is removed from the interior of the doll and emptied.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
1. Field of the Invention 
The present invention pertains to toys. More particularly, the present 
invention pertains to doll-like toys. Even more particularly, the present 
invention concerns dolls having wetting capabilities. 
2. Prior Art 
There has been disclosed heretofore in the prior art a plurality of dolls 
having various human-type functions, such as, for example, a weeping 
capability, a crying capability and a wetting capability. Such types of 
dolls have enjoyed increased popularity over the years. The market that 
has been created has necessitated providing toys, such as dolls, which 
carry out life-like functions. Thus, the art has taught dolls of the type 
heretofore defined. See, inter alia, U.S. Pat. Nos. 2,080,439; and 
3,839,819. 
One of the more disconcerting problems relative to such types of dolls, and 
in particular, the wetting dolls, is the inability to trap the fluid as it 
is issued into the interior. of the doll. Although being desirous of 
necessitating the human function of eliminating the water, this does 
create a rather messy household situation, especially with younger 
children. When the fluid is issued from the doll it creates a household 
inconvenience which is not readily eliminated. 
Yet, as the child gets older, it would be most beneficial if one could 
completely simulate the function of drinking and eliminating fluids. Yet, 
and as heretofore noted, the prior art has failed to teach a doll of the 
type under consideration herein which provides the capability of either 
trapping the fluid or permitting the fluid, once it is "ingested" to be 
eliminated from an orifice other than the mouth. It is to such a type doll 
with which the present invention is concerned. 
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
In accordance herewith, there is provided a doll having an orifice which 
simulates a mouth. The orifice is in communication with an internally 
disposed tube. The tube is an elongated conduit which communicates with a 
reservoir or trap disposed in the interior of the doll. 
A second conduit or tube communicates with the reservoir, as well as the 
first conduit. A T-coupling interconnects the first tubing, the second 
tubing and the reservoir. Because of the disposition of the T-coupling, 
and in accordance herewith, fluid entering the interior of the doll 
through the conduit flows directly into the trap. Only by disconnection of 
the T-coupling from the conduits and the direct interconnection thereof, 
or by appropriate overflow control does fluid issue directly into the 
second conduit. The second conduit terminates at an orifice which 
simulates a second body opening. 
Furthermore, and in accordance with the present invention, the reservoir is 
removably mounted within the interior of the doll. 
The interior of the doll has a mounting member to which the reservoir is 
mounted. A resilient flap formed on the exterior of the doll is moveable 
to an open position to permit access to the reservoir to permit the 
emptying thereof. The trap or reservoir further includes an opening which 
permits the emptying of the fluid contained therewithin. 
For a more complete understanding of the present invention, reference is 
made to the following detailed description and accompanying drawing. In 
the drawing like reference characters refer like parts through the several 
views in which:

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS 
Now, and with reference to the drawing, there is depicted therein a doll, 
generally, denoted at 10. The doll 10 simulates a human child and includes 
a head section 12, a torso 14 and a lower leg portion 16. The doll also 
includes arms 18. 
Although not critical to the present invention, it is possible, and in 
accordance herewith, that the doll incorporate crying mechanisms (not 
shown), opening and closing eyes 20, as well as other human-like functions 
which are known to the skilled artisan. 
Associated with the head section 12 is an orifice 22 which simulates a 
mouth. The orifice 22 communicates with and is in registery with a conduit 
24, which extends rearwardly from the orifice and into the hollow interior 
of the doll 10. Preferably, the conduit is formed from a light weight 
material, such as a synthetic plastic or the like. The only criticality 
attached to the conduit is that it has sufficient rigidity and structural 
integrity to carry minor amounts of fluid therewithin. 
The lower or free end of the conduit 24 terminates at a reservoir assembly, 
generally, denoted at 26. 
The reservoir assembly is utilized to collect fluid directly from the 
conduit 24 to prevent spill over of the fluid. 
The reservoir assembly 26 comprises a reservoir 28 for collecting fluid, as 
well as means, generally denoted at 30 for mounting the reservoir within 
the interior of the doll. The assembly 26 further comprises means for 
interconnecting the reservoir 28 and the conduit 24, said means for 
interconnecting being generally depicted at 32. 
The reservoir 28 comprises any suitable container which has sufficient 
structural integrity to retain a fluid therewithin. The reservoir 
comprises a container having a closed wall construction. The container 
further comprises a first projection 34 and a lower projection 36. The 
projections 34 and 36 are diametrically opposed and are integrally formed 
with the exterior wall of the reservoir. As will be subsequently detailed, 
the projections comprise a portion of the mounting means 30. 
The container further comprises an open neck 38, which is integrally formed 
with the container and opens into communication therewith. A cap 40 is 
used to seal the neck by any conventional mode, such as by press fitting, 
threaded securement or the like. 
As will subsequently be detailed, upon removal of the reservoir from the 
interior of the doll, the cap is opened and the food contained within the 
reservoir is emptied through the neck. 
Referring again to the drawing, and as hereinbefore noted, the reservoir 
assembly 26 further comprises mounting means 34 removably mounting the 
reservoir 28 within the interior of the doll 10. As clearly shown in FIGS. 
3 and 4, the rear or back of the doll has a pair of spaced apart inwardly 
directed resilient tabs 42, 44 integrally formed therewith. As noted, each 
tab is integrally formed with the rear wall of the doll and is integrally 
directed toward the hollow interior of the doll. Each tab is formed from a 
semi-rigid material which enables it to be flexed to a certain degree upon 
the application of sufficient force thereto. Each tab is provided with a 
transverse slit 46 (only one of which is shown). Since the tabs are formed 
of a semi-rigid material, each tab can be flexed to open the slit to a 
greater degree. Thus, upon flexing the tab, the slit may be open to a 
degree sufficient to receive therewithin the upstanding or cap portion of 
the projection 34 or 36 associated therewith. In essence, the projections 
function in much the same manner as buttons which are fitted into button 
holes, which are comparable to the slits 46. Thus, by mounting the 
projection to the associated tabs the reservoir is removable mounted 
within the interior of the doll. It is to be thus appreciated that the 
tabs with their associated slits cooperate with the projections formed on 
the reservoir to define the mounting means 30. 
In order to provide access to the interior of the doll, the rear or back 
portion of the doll is provided with a rotatable flap 48 which defines 
means for access into the interior of the doll. The flap is located 
proximate the reservoir to facilitate the removal and insertion of the 
reservoir. The flap comprises an upper edge which is integrally formed 
with the back portion of the doll. The edge defining a hinge 50 about 
which rotation occurs. The lower end of the flap snappingly engages the 
free edge of the back about which the flap is formed, as shown. In 
essence, the rotatable flap is a cut-out section of the back which can be 
rotated into and out of a closed position to provide access to the 
interior. Indentations or the like can be formed in the back, such as at 
52 in order to facilitate grasping of the flap for opening same. Thus, in 
order to obtain access to the reservoir, as well as the interior of the 
doll, the flap is merely rotated away from the back, thus, enabling access 
into the interior of the doll. Upon performing the desired function within 
the interior of the doll, the flap is then rotated back into position to 
close off the back. 
As hereinbefore noted, and as shown in FIGS. 1 and 3, the reservoir 
assembly further comprises a coupling 32. The coupling, preferably, 
comprises a T-coupling having a first leg 54 which provides communication 
between the reservoir 28 and the right angle leg 56 integrally formed with 
the leg 54 to define the T. The leg 56, which is perpendicular to the leg 
54 has a hollow interior, as does the leg 52. The leg 52 is integral with 
the leg 56 and is in fluid communication therewith. The leg 52 cooperates 
with the leg 56 to define the cross bar of the T-coupling The leg 52 has a 
diameter which can either be slightly greater than or slightly less than 
the diameter of the conduit 24. In this manner, either the leg or the 
conduit can be telescoped into the other member to provide a telescoping 
interengagement and fit therebetween. It should be noted in this regard 
that the free end of the leg 56 is closed. the reasons for this will 
become apparent hereinafter. 
It is to be appreciated that by closing off the end of the leg 56 of the 
I-coupling that fluid entering into the conduit 24 can only flow into the 
reservoir. This, in essence, blocks any flow of fluid past the reservoir 
and must be collected therewithin. However, and as heretofore noted, the 
present invention also contemplates the issuance of the fluid from the 
mouth orifice through a second orifice displaced therefrom to simulate the 
human like function of eliminating water. To this end, and in accordance 
with the present invention, there is provided a second conduit 58. The 
conduit 58 is disposed within the interior of the doll and extends between 
the first conduit and a second orifice (not shown) formed in the exterior 
of the doll. The conduit 58 has a diameter substantially equal to that of 
the first conduit. Thus, the closed end of the leg 56 can be telescoped 
onto or into the free or interiorly disposed end of the conduit 58. Thus, 
all conduits within the interior of the doll are securely positioned. It 
is also to be appreciated with respect hereto that upon removable of the 
T-coupling from the two conduits, the two free ends of the conduits 24 and 
58 can be joined together by any suitable mode thereby providing a 
continuous passageway from the first orifice or mouth to the second 
orifice or point of elimination of fluid. Thus, when a child is older the 
reservoir assembly can be disconnected from the fluid flow path and a doll 
can be readily provided which enables the flow of fluid to simulate the 
wetting function. When the child is younger, the child can readily attempt 
to feed the doll without the situation of fluid over flowing from the doll 
and creating a domestic problem. 
In utilizing the present invention, a childs bottle or the like is placed 
against the mouth and the fluid therewithin is forced into the first 
conduit through the orifice 22. Depending on the connection therewithin, 
fluid either flows therefrom into the reservoir or into the second conduit 
and out of the second orifice. Upon the reservoir being filled, it is 
dismounted or dismantled from the mounting means and removed from the 
interior via the flap. The cap is opened and the fluid is disposed of 
through the neck. The cap is then replaced and the reservoir is then 
remounted and the T-coupling is reconnected. 
It is to be appreciated from the preceding that there has been disclosed 
herein a doll which is fully adaptable to simulating the wetting function 
for an older child while enabling the simulating of a feeding concept 
without the attendant clean up problems.