Abstract:
A toy figure resembling a four-legged animal includes a resilient body having a back portion and a head defining a mouth passage. A liquid filled bottle is insertable into the mouth of the figure to transfer liquid into the interior of the figure. A single direction flow valve couples the transferred liquid from the mouth through a throat housing and ultimately into a resilient liquid bladder supported within the body of the toy figure. The toy figure body further supports a discharge valve coupled to a downwardly open discharge port which is operated by a vertically extending actuating rod supported within the bladder. The actuating rod and discharge valve as well as the discharge port define communicating passages which provide an air vent for the bladder during filling. A quantity of liquid is discharged downwardly through the discharge port by pressing upon the toy figure body with sufficient force to depress the actuating rod and open the discharge valve.

Description:
FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
     This invention relates generally to dolls and toy figures and particularly to dolls and toy figures providing a drinking and wetting action. 
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     Toy figures and dolls are well known in the art and have been provided in virtually endless variety for many years. Among the many types of toy figures and dolls known in art, many include operative mechanisms which cause the toy figure or doll to simulate certain basic functions such as eating, walking, crawling, crying and the like. One type of function simulating toy figure and doll which has received substantial attention in the art may be generally described as a “wetting” toy figure or doll. 
     While toy figures and dolls having a wetting action have been provided in a considerable variety, all may be generally understood to include the same general apparatus. This general apparatus typically includes some mechanism for intake of a liquid, usually water, together with an internal reservoir within the toy figure or doll for storing a quantity of the water intake and a mechanism for controlled discharge of the liquid from the internal reservoir to simulate the wetting action. 
     For the most part, wetting dolls which generally resemble human infants form the most numerous and common type of wetting doll. However, toy figures which provide a simulated wetting feature are known in the art which often resemble animal figures. 
     For example, U.S. Pat. No. 5,254,028 issued to Liao sets forth a FLUID RELEASING AND SOUND GENERATING TOY having a body generally resembling a dog within which a container for receiving a fluid and maintaining the fluid under pressure is supported within the doll body. An electric valve is operatively coupled to the pressurized container for releasing liquid therefrom. A sound generating unit and a receiving circuit cooperate with a controller unit to facilitate discharge of the pressurized liquid from the container through operation of the valve. The valve operation is triggered by controller action responsive to a pressure sensitive switch disposed in the nose of the toy figure The controller further operates the sound generating unit to provide sound in accompaniment to the release of pressurized liquid. 
     Typical wetting dolls are found in many patents such as U.S. Pat. No. 2,907,139 issued to Rekettye which sets forth a WEEPING, CRYING AND WETTING DOLL having a doll having a body, appendages and head generally resembling a human infant. The head defines a mouth having a passage extending inwardly therefrom which provides liquid communication with the doll interior. A reservoir is disposed within the doll head for receiving and holding liquid. The reservoir is further coupled to a discharge orifice at the lower end of the doll torso. The holding mechanism within the doll is operative to provide discharge of liquid through the discharge orifice in the doll torso when the doll is positioned in a prone position. 
     U.S. Pat. No. 3,959,919 issued to Baulard-Cogan sets forth ANIMATED OBJECTS SUCH AS DOLLS, FIGURED PERSONAGES AND THE LIKE having a deformable flexible envelope mounted on a rigid casing filling the greater part of the head and trunk portions of the doll. The mouth of the doll is moved by actuating means causing nursing of the doll and permitting absorption and excretion of liquid. 
     U.S. Pat. No. 4,151,675 issued to Guan sets forth DOLLS THAT SIMULATE PHYSIOLOGICAL FUNCTIONS having a doll defining a doll body and head. The head includes a mouth aperture coupled to a plurality of conductive tubes extending inwardly through the doll head to a reservoir supported with the doll body. The reservoir receives liquid from the mouth and deforms when pressure is applied to the doll body causing water to be discharged from the reservoir to a discharged tube simulating wetting function. 
     U.S. Pat. No. 4,160,338 issued to Lyons et al sets forth a SOUND EMITTING AND WETTING DOLL having a toy doll body and head which in turn includes a mouth opening adapted to receive a simulated nursing bottle. An internal bellows mechanism is configured to produce a sound device which creates a burping sound when the doll back is patted. The operation of the sound producing device also causes liquid to be emitted from the doll body. 
     U.S. Pat. No. 5,083,965 issued to Mayem sets forth an INTERACTIVE DOLL SYSTEM which includes both liquid handling elements for receiving liquid through the doll mouth in one position and dispensing liquid through the eyes when the doll is in a second position. Alternatively, water is dispensed through an anal opening of the doll when the doll is in a third position. An electronic assembly within the doll senses the position or attitude and motion of the doll as well as the feeding thereof for creating a range of sounds in response thereto. 
     U.S. Pat. No. 5,941,750 issued to Pracas sets forth a DOLL HAVING MAGNETICALLY ACTUATED FUNCTIONS capable of simulating physiological functions of a human body in response to an applied magnetic field. The doll includes an internal reservoir which may be filled with fluid through the doll mouth. The internal reservoir which has an outlet which is closeable by a closure member. The closure member is movable from a closed position to an open position in which the outlet is opened in response to an applied magnetic field. A cooperating cot is utilized which includes a magnet operative to energize or activate the closure member when the doll is placed on the cot. The proximate position of the doll closure member and the magnetic with the cot causes the closure member to open and allows the doll to wet. 
     U.S. Pat. No. 6,033,229 issued to Sherman et al, U.S. Pat. No. 4,443,200 issued to Murphy and U.S. Pat. No. 5,509,808 issued to Bell set forth various toilet training devices having similar structures to the above described wetting dolls and generally related to the art to which the present invention pertains. 
     U.S. Pat. No. 4,439,162 issued to Blaine sets forth a TRAINING MANIKIN FOR MEDICAL INSTRUCTION while U.S. Pat. No. 3,745,696 issued to Sapkus et al sets forth a DOLL HAVING MEANS FOR CHANGING FACIAL EXPRESSION UPON TURNING OF HEAD. 
     While the foregoing described prior art devices have to some extent improved their respective arts and have in some instances enjoyed commercial success, there remains nonetheless a continuing need in the art for improved, more interesting and amusing toy figures having drinking and wetting functions. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     Accordingly, it is a general object of the present invention to provide an improved and more amusing toy figure. It is a more particular object of the present invention to provide an improved and more amusing toy figure which includes a novel mechanism for producing or creating a simulated drinking and wetting effect. 
     In accordance with the present invention there is provided a toy figure comprising: a deformable toy figure body having a head defining a mouth aperture and mouth passage and having a body interior cavity; an internal liquid bladder supported within the body interior cavity; means for coupling the mouth passage to the liquid bladder; a discharge valve supported within the body internal cavity coupled to the liquid bladder, the discharge valve including a vertically extending actuation rod; and a bottle having a sport couplable to the mouth aperture and mouth passage for transferring liquid to the internal liquid bladder, the actuation rod having a vent passage therethrough and an upper end, the toy figure body being at least partially deformable by pressure applied thereto whereby the actuation rod is forced downwardly to open the discharge valve allowing the liquid to flow from the body to simulate wetting. 
    
    
     BRIEF OF THE DRAWINGS 
     The features of the present invention, which are believed to be novel, are set forth with particularity in the appended claims. The invention, together with further objects and advantages thereof, may best be understood by reference to the following description taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, in the several figures of which like reference numerals identify like elements and in which: 
     FIG. 1 sets forth a side elevation view of a toy animal figure constructed in accordance with the present invention during simulated wetting; 
     FIG. 2 sets forth a section view of the toy animal figure of FIG. 1 together with a cooperating liquid dispensing bottle showing the toy figure being filled with water; 
     FIG. 3 sets forth a section view of the present invention animal toy figure taken along section lines  3 — 3  in FIG.  1 . 
    
    
     DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT 
     FIG. 1 sets forth an animal toy figure constructed in accordance with the present invention and generally referenced by numeral  10 . Toy FIG. 10 is fabricated having a body  11  generally resembling the body of a cat. However, it will be apparent to those skilled in the art that body  11  may be fabricated to resemble virtually any animal or fanciful depiction of an animal as desired. Accordingly, body  11  includes a torso  12  having a back portion  13  supported by front legs  16  and  17  and rear legs  14  and  15 . Body  11  further includes a head  18  supporting a mouth  19 . Toy FIG. 10 may be fabricated of virtually any material. However, it is anticipated that materials such as molded plastic or the like may be used for structural elements shown within body  11  as seen in FIGS. 2 or  3 . In addition, in the preferred fabrication of the present invention, back  13  of body  11  is fabricated of a somewhat resilient material allowing back  13  to be deformed and deflect downwardly to dashed-line position  35  when the user applies a suitable force upon back  13  in the direction indicated by arrow  45 . 
     In operation, and in accordance with the present invention apparatus set forth below in greater detail, toy FIG. 10 receives a quantity of water which by means also set forth below in greater detail is retained within a liquid bladder  22  (seen in FIG.  2 ). The liquid within body  11  is retained in the absence of a deflecting force upon back  13 . Thus, toy FIG. 10 may be used in accordance with conventional play patterns typical of children playing with such toy figures. In addition and in accordance with the present invention, the application of a downward force upon back  13  in the direction indicated by arrows  45  deflects back  13  downwardly to the configuration shown in dashed-line  35 . By means set forth below in greater detail, this deflection of back  13  also operates a discharge valve  50  (seen in FIG. 2) causing a liquid discharge  27  to take place which in turn simulates the wetting action of toy FIG.  10 . As discharge  27  continues with the continued pressing upon back  13  by the user, a quantity of wetted liquid  20  collects about rear legs  14  and  15 . 
     While a variety of liquids may be used in combination with toy FIG. 10, the most likely and the preferred liquid to be used is simple tap water or the like. However, water having additional additives such as colorant or the like as desired may be used without departing from the spirit and scope of the present invention. 
     FIG. 2 sets forth a section view of toy FIG. 10 shown in the absence of the above mentioned wetting action. In addition, FIG. 2 shows an illustration of liquid transfer to the interior of toy FIG. 10 using a water bottle  65 . Water bottle  65  is preferably fabricated of a low-cost material such as molded plastic or the like and defines an interior cavity  66  within which a quantity of liquid  68  is confined. Bottle  65  further includes a spout  67  defining a passage  69  therein. 
     Toy FIG. 10 includes a body  11  within which an interior cavity  21  is formed. Body  11  includes a torso  12  supported by a plurality of legs such as legs  14  and  17 . Body  11  further includes a back portion  13 , a head  18 , a mouth  19  which in turn defines a mouth passage  30 . 
     A coupler  31  defining an interior passage  32  is joined to mouth passage  30  and further supports a valve body  33 . Valve body  33  includes a valve mechanism  34  operative to provide single direction liquid flow through valve body  33 . Valve body  33  communicates with coupler  31  and is supported within a throat housing  40 . Throat housing  40  is supported within interior cavity  21  of body  11  by conventional support means (not shown) and defines an elongated downwardly angled throat passage  41  together with a downwardly open aperture  42 . Throat housing  40  further defines a fitting  46  at the interior end of throat passage  41 . 
     A resilient liquid bladder  22  having an interior cavity  23  includes a neck  24  received upon fitting  46  and a downwardly facing neck  25  passing through aperture  42  of throat housing  40 . 
     A vertically oriented discharge valve  50  includes a valve body  51  received within neck  25  in a sealing attachment. Valve body  51  defines a valve seat  52  and is joined to a downwardly facing discharge port  62 . The latter defines a discharge passage  63 . Discharge valve  50  further includes a movable valve plug  53  supported within valve body  51  by a spring  57 . Valve plug  53  is configured to conform generally to a portion of valve seat  52  in a sealing contact. Valve plug  53  is maintained in the raised position shown in FIG. 2 which corresponds to the closed position of discharge valve  50 . Valve plug  53  further defines an aperture  56  and receives the lower end of a vertically extending rod  54 . Rod  54  is supported by valve plug  53  and defines an interior passage  55 . A knob  60  having an aperture  61  formed therein is supported upon the upper end of rod  54 . 
     In operation, and with discharge valve  50  in the closed position shown, bottle  65  is coupled to mouth  19  by the insertion of spout  67  into mouth passage  30  as shown. Once the insertion of spout of  67  within mouth passage  30  is complete, liquid  68  within an interior  66  of bottle  65  begins flowing downwardly through passage  69  and into interior passage  32  of coupler  31  as shown by arrows  70 . The downward flow of liquid  68  is sufficient to force valve  34  open allowing a further flow of liquid through valve  34  as indicated by arrows  71 . The flowing liquid continues down through throat passage  41  as indicated by arrows  72  and thereafter accumulates within interior cavity  23  of liquid bladder  22  accumulating as a quantity of liquid  26 . 
     Once the user has completed the desired filling of interior cavity  23  of liquid bladder  22 , body  65  is removed from mouth  19  as spout  67  is withdrawn from mouth passage  30 . In accordance with the conventional operation of valve  34 , liquid  26  is prevented from interior  23  through throat passage  41  by the closure of valve  34 . 
     In the absence of actuation of discharge valve  50 , liquid  26  continues to be retained within interior cavity  23  of bladder  22  for an indefinite period of time. Once the user decides to actuate the wetting function of toy FIG. 10, the user simply presses downwardly upon back  13  with sufficient force to deflect back  13  downwardly in the manner shown in FIG.  1 . The downward deflection of back  13  causes a corresponding deflection of liquid bladder  22 . The downward deflection of liquid bladder  22  allows the transfer of downward force to knob  60  forcing rod  54  downwardly in the direction indicated by arrow  45 . The downward movement of rod  54  is achieved by overcoming the force of spring  57  such that valve plug  53  is moved correspondingly downward. Once valve plug  53  is displaced downwardly, the seal between valve plug  53  and valve seat  52  is released allowing liquid  26  to flow downwardly between valve seat  52  and valve plug  53 . This downward flow passes through the interior of valve body  51  and discharge passage  63  of discharge port  62  as indicated by arrow  77 . Thus, the flow of liquid  26  outwardly through discharge port  62  continues so long as the user maintains sufficient force upon back  13  to displace rod  54  and valve plug  53  downwardly. 
     Once the user releases the downward force upon back  13 , the resilience of the material forming back  13  as well as the resilience forming the material of liquid bladder  22  allow each to return to the natural shape shown in FIG.  2 . In addition, in the absence of force upon knob  60 , spring  57  again returns valve plug  53  to the sealed position shown in which valve plug  53  is seated against valve seat  52  preventing further liquid flow. 
     At any point, the user may choose to reinsert spout  67  of bottle  65  and transfer additional liquid to interior  23  of liquid bladder  22 . In accordance with an important aspect of the present invention, it will be noted that the cooperation of aperture  61 , passage  55  of rod  54 , and discharge passage  63  of discharge port  62  cooperate to provide an air vent by which air trapped within interior cavity  23  of bladder  22  may be forced outwardly as indicated by arrows  75 ,  76  and  77  to vent the interior of bladder  22 . This venting of bladder  22  is critical to the process of refilling the quantity of liquid  26  therein. The extension of rod  54  above the anticipated surface of liquid  26  prevents liquid flow through aperture  61  and passage  55 . Thus, bladder  22  remains capable of securely holding liquid  26  and remains properly vented to allow refilling and discharge of liquid in the above described manner. 
     FIG. 3 sets forth a section view of toy FIG. 10 taken along section lines  3 - 3  in FIG.  1 . Toy FIG. 10 includes a body  11  having a torso  12  supported by front legs  16  and  17 . Torso  12  further defines an interior cavity  21  within which a resilient liquid bladder  22  is supported. Bladder  22  defines an interior cavity  23  and a downwardly open neck  25 . Neck  25  is received within aperture  42  of throat housing  40 . Liquid bladder  22  further includes a neck  24  (seen in FIG. 2) received upon a throat fitting  46  formed in throat housing  40 . Throat housing  40  further defines a throat passage  41 . 
     What has been shown is a novel animal toy figure having a simulated liquid drinking and wetting action which is carried forward with a simple but effective discharge mechanism. The animal toy figure is readily filled by a conventional liquid bottle having a supply of convenient liquid such as water or the like. A liquid bladder within the toy figure receives and securely contains the ingested quantity of liquid until the wetting action is initiated. The entire mechanism is capable of fabrication using conventional low-cost mass-produce components such as molded plastic components and the like. 
     While particular embodiments of the invention have been shown and described, it will be obvious to those skilled in the art that changes and modifications may be made without departing from the invention in its broader aspects. Therefore, the aim in the appended claims is to cover all such changes and modifications as fall within the true spirit and scope of the invention.