Plush doll shampoo toy set

Abstract

The present invention provides a toy set including a stuffed animal, a bathtub and bath time-related accessories. The bathtub is configured such that a child may cause water to be dispensed from the showerhead. In addition, the child may cause foam to be dispensed from either a foaming brush or the upper surface of the bathtub.

Description

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application is based upon and claims priority under 35 U.S.C. § 119(e) to the following U.S. provisional patent application, which is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety for all purposes: Ser. No. 60/504,550, entitled “Plush Doll Shampoo Toy Set,” filed Sep. 19, 2003.

BACKGROUND AND SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to toys and dolls or stuffed animals. More particularly, the present invention relates to a toy set including a fabric dog and tub, in which a child can give the dog a bath.

Examples of toys that simulate bathing situations or produce bubbles are described in U.S. Pat. Nos. 6,384,089, 5,879,218, 5,746,636, 4,568,302, 4,447,982, 3,998,001, 3,842,531, 3,577,675, 3,015,828, 2,831,2932,814,905, 2,533,534, 2,133,499, and 1,739,098, each of which is hereby incorporated by reference in its entirety for all purposes.

The advantages of the present invention will be understood more readily after a consideration of the drawings and the Detailed Description.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 depicts one embodiment of a toy set according to the present invention.

FIG. 2 depicts foam dispensing and water dispensing assemblies suitable for use with the present invention.

FIG. 3 depicts the toy set of FIG. 1 with water being dispensed from the showerhead.

FIG. 4 depicts the toy set of FIG. 1 with foam being dispensed from the foam brush.

FIG. 5 depicts the toy set of FIG. 1 with foam being dispensed from the tub.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION AND BEST MODE OF THE INVENTION

The present invention is a toy set including a fabric doll or stuffed animal and a bathtub in which a child may bathe the doll using real water and foam. The toy set may further include accessories related to bath time activities.

FIG. 1 depicts one embodiment of a toy set 10 according to the present invention. As shown, toy set 10 includes a plush doll 12 and a bathtub 14. As shown, the toy set further includes a liquid container 16, a towel 18, a comb 20, a brush 22, and a set of slippers 24.

Doll 12 may be shaped to resemble a dog, as in the depicted embodiment. It will be appreciated, however, that doll 12 may take other forms, including those in animal, humanoid, or other, shapes. Typically, the exterior of doll 12 is covered by or made of a durable fabric that can withstand exposure to water and soap, such as nylon or another similar fabric. Some or all of the exterior fabric of doll 12 may change in appearance when exposed to water. For example, the ears of the dog may be adapted to change colors or display a different pattern when wet. Doll 12 may further be filled with a pliable material such as stuffing, so as to form a doll commonly referred to as a stuffed animal.

As described above, toy set 10 may include a number of accessories for the doll, including accessories that can be worn, as clothing, by the doll. As shown, slippers 24 and bathrobe 26 may be configured to be placed on doll 12, such that they are worn by the doll.

Bathtub 14 includes a body 15, which defines a water reservoir 28. Typically, reservoir 28 is sized such that doll 12 may be placed in reservoir 28 for bathing. Foam may be dispensed through orifices 30 in body 15, in a matter described in greater detail below with reference to FIG. 2. Bathtub 14 further includes pump buttons 32 and 34, showerhead 36, foaming brush 38, and foam control knob 40, the details of which are also described below with reference to FIG. 2.

Liquid container 16 holds and dispenses liquid 17. Liquid 17 may take the form of liquid soap, which may be used to create the foam that is dispensed through orifices 30 and foaming brush 38. The liquid soap may be a viscous, soapy composition configured to form bubbles easily when aerated. Typically, the composition is such that the bubbles and/or foam that are created are able to withstand external air pressure for a substantial period of time. As such, the bubbles/foam formed from liquid 17 may be able to last for second, minutes, or even hours of time before popping.

As an example, liquid 17 may be a non-toxic solution containing water, capryl/capramidopropyl betaine, ammonium laureth sulfate, cocamide DEA, fragrance, benzyl alcohol, methylparaben, propylparaben, disodium EDTA, and D&C Red #33.

As stated above, bathtub 14 includes apparatus for dispensing both water and foam. FIG. 2 is a schematic diagram of a bathtub 14 including a water dispensing assembly 42 and a foam dispensing assembly 44. Typically water dispensing assembly 42 and foam dispensing assembly 44 are incorporated into body 15 such that the internal mechanisms of the assemblies are not viewable by the user.

As shown, water dispensing assembly 42 may be adapted to draw water 46 from reservoir 28 and release the water from orifices 37 in showerhead 36. Water dispensing assembly 42 may include fluid pathway 48 and pumping assembly 50.

Fluid pathway 48 includes a series of fluid channels 52 through which water 46 may travel. The desired direction of travel of water 46 is shown by arrows 54. Backwards travel of water 46 is prevented by a plurality of valves 56. Typically, fluid channels 52 are formed of flexible tubing made, for example, of plastic or rubber. Valves 56 may be, for example, ball valves housed within a suitable casing so as to keep the valves in proper position along fluid pathway 48.

Pumping assembly 50 controls movement of water 46 through fluid pathway 48. Pumping assembly 50 includes bellows 58, bellows housing 60, and press button 32. Downward movement of button 32 compresses bellows 58. When button 32 is released, bellows 58 decompresses. Repeated movement of button 32 creates sufficient vacuum pressure to draw water from reservoir 28 and through fluid pathway 48. Thus, a child may create a shower of water by repeatedly pressing button 32, as shown in FIG. 3.

Returning to FIG. 2, as stated above, bathtub 14 may also include a foam dispensing assembly 44. Foam dispensing assembly includes a pumping assembly 70, an airflow pathway 72, and an aeration or foaming mechanism 74. Pumping assembly 70 includes bellows 76, bellow housing 78, and press button 34. Airflow pathway 72 includes channel 80, which includes air inlet 82. Air may be prevented from escaping inlet 82 by valve 84. Bellows 76 and channel 80 are fluidly connected at joint 86, from which channel 88 extends. Downward movement of button 34 compresses bellows 76. When button 34 is released, bellows 76 decompresses. Repeated movement of button 34 creates sufficient vacuum pressure to draw air into channel 80 via air inlet 82 and then through channel 88.

Channel 88 is in fluid communication with tank 90 of aeration mechanism 74. For example, in an embodiment employing liquid soap as the medium for forming foam, tank 90 typically contains an amount of liquid soap 17. A user may pour liquid soap 17 from bottle 16 into tank 90 via inlet 92. Plug 94 may be inserted into inlet 92 after tank 90 has been filled. Tank 90 includes a port 96, which is in fluid communication with channel 88. Port 96 includes a valve 98, which forces air into the liquid stored in tank 90, thereby forming soap bubbles 100. Pressure from pumping assembly 70 forces soap bubbles 100 up through channel 102, to joint 104. Joint 104 includes valve 106, which is controlled by knob 40.

A child (or other user) playing with bathtub 14, may choose to turn knob 40, and consequently, valve 106 such that bubbles 100 are forced through channel 110 and into foaming brush 112. Once bubbles 100 reach foaming brush 112, they are forced through filter 114, which may include one or more layers of a porous nylon cloth 116. Filter 114 turns the soap bubbles 100 into foam 118, which is then dispensed via orifices 120 in foaming brush 112, as shown in FIG. 4.

Returning to FIG. 2, in the alternative, valve 106 may be turned so that bubbles 100 are forced through channel 122, which runs under the upper lip 13 (shown in FIG. 1) of bathtub 14. Bubbles 100 are forced through filters 124, which, like filter 114, may include one or more layers of porous nylon cloth. Filters 124 turn the soap bubbles 100 into foam 118, which is then dispensed via orifices 30 (also shown in FIG. 1), creating the appearance of a bubble bath, as shown in FIG. 5.

While the above disclosure discusses a mechanism to allow a user to selectively chose between dispensing foam from brush 112 or orifices 30, it will be appreciated that an embodiment of bathtub 14 may be contemplated that allows for the dispensing of foam through foaming brush 112 and orifices 30 at the same time, and that the current disclosure is not intended to be limited to dispensing foam through only a single mechanism at one time.

Returning to FIG. 2, bathtub 14 may be capable of emitting sounds such as music, noises or voices. For example, bathtub 14 may be adapted to produce sounds that simulate running water, a dog barking, or a dog singing in the shower. It may be desirable for bathtub 14 to produce these sounds in response to particular stimuli. For example, it may be desirable for bathtub 14 to produce the sound of running water when the child is causing the tub to dispense water from showerhead 36 and the sound of a dog barking when foam is dispensed. Alternatively, a sound may be selected at random from a series of sounds and the randomly selected sound played when a user pumps either pumping assembly. Accordingly, buttons 32 and 34 on pumping assemblies 50 and 70, respectively each may further include an arm 62, which, when the buttons are depressed, each contact a switch 64. Each switch 64 is electronically connected to sound system 66 via wire 68. When arm 62 contacts switch 64, sound system 66 emits sound through speaker 130. Sound system 66 may receive power from battery 67.

It will be appreciated that other stimuli may result in the production of sounds from sound system 66. For example, the movement of the foam brush, the placement of doll 12 in bathtub 14, or the filling bathtub 14 with water (as non-limiting examples), may result in the production of a specific, or randomly selected, sound. Accordingly, playset 10 and the component pieces may be outfitted with numerous sensors and/or switches, as needed, in order to deliver appropriate signals to sound system 66. Moreover, it further will be appreciated that sound system 66 may be located within the body of bathtub 14 as shown, or in another location, as desired or suitable.

It is believed that the disclosure set forth above encompasses multiple distinct inventions with independent utility. While each of these inventions has been disclosed in its preferred form, the specific embodiments thereof as disclosed and illustrated herein are not to be considered in a limiting sense as numerous variations are possible. The subject matter of the inventions includes all novel and non-obvious combinations and subcombinations of the various elements, features, functions and/or properties disclosed herein. Similarly, where the claims recite “a” or “a first” element or the equivalent thereof, such claims should be understood to include incorporation of one or more such elements, neither requiring nor excluding two or more such elements.

Inventions embodied in various combinations and subcombinations of features, functions, elements, and/or properties may be claimed in this or a related application. Such claims, whether they are directed to a different invention or directed to the same invention, whether different, broader, narrower or equal in scope to any original claims, are also regarded as included within the subject matter of the inventions of the present disclosure.

Claims

1. A toy bathtub comprising:

a water dispensing assembly comprising: a water reservoir; a showerhead; a series of conduits configured to provide fluid communication between the water reservoir and the showerhead; a first pump configured to effect movement of water from the reservoir through the series of conduits and out of the showerhead; and

a bubble dispensing assembly comprising: a liquid reservoir; a foam orifice; a series of conduits configured to provide fluid communication between the liquid soap reservoir and the foam orifice; an aeration mechanism in fluid communication with the liquid reservoir, the aeration mechanism being configured to aerate the liquid in the liquid reservoir so as to produce air bubbles; and a second pump configured to effect movement of the bubbles through the series of conduits and out of the foam orifice.

2. The toy bathtub of claim 1 where the first pump is manually operable.

3. The toy bathtub of claim 1 where the second pump is manually operable.

4. The toy bathtub of claim 1 where the foam orifice is defined within the body of a brush.

5. The toy bathtub of claim 1 where the foam orifice is defined within the body of the toy bathtub.

6. The toy bathtub of claim 1 further comprising a second foam orifice.

7. The toy bathtub of claim 6 further comprising a switch allowing selective operation between the first and second foam orifices.

8. The toy bathtub of claim 7 where the switch is manually operable.

9. The toy bathtub of claim 1 further comprising a sound emitting assembly configured to produce sounds in response to predetermined stimuli.

10. The toy bathtub of claim 9 where the predetermined stimuli is operation of the first pump.

11. A play set including the toy bathtub of claim 1 and further comprising:

a doll having a fabric exterior.

12. The play set of claim 11 wherein at least a portion of the fabric exterior is configured to alter in characteristics upon exposure to water.

13. The play set of claim 12 where the altered characteristic is color.

14. An amusement device comprising:

a base having a reservoir defining a fluid reservoir for containing a body of liquid, such as water;

a shower head having a nozzle supported above the fluid reservoir;

a first pumping assembly for pumping liquid through the nozzle;

a first selectively operable actuator for actuating the pumping assembly;

a foaming brush having a nozzle supportable above the fluid reservoir;

a second pumping assembly for pumping foam through the foaming brush nozzle; and

a second selectively operable actuator for actuating the second pumping assembly.

15. The amusement device of claim 14 further comprising:

a plurality of orifices in the fluid reservoir; wherein the second pumping assembly is configured to pump foam through the orifices.

16. The amusement device of claim 15 further comprising a switch configured to allow selection between pumping foam through the foaming brush and pumping foam through the orifices.

17. The amusement device of claim 14 where the shower head is in fluid communication with the fluid reservoir and the first pumping assembly is configured to pump liquid from the fluid reservoir to and out of the shower head.

18. The amusement device of claim 17 where the pumping assembly is manually operable.

19. The amusement device of claim 14 further comprising a second fluid reservoir for containing a second body of fluid such as liquid soap.

20. A play set comprising:

a doll having a fabric exterior, at least a portion of the fabric exterior being configured to have an alterable characteristic when placed in contact with water; and

a play tub sized to receive the doll and configured to deliver water onto the surface of the doll.

21. The play set of claim 20 further comprising a container of liquid foam.

22. The play set of claim 20 further comprising a comb.

23. The play set of claim 20 further comprising a brush.

24. The play set of claim 20 further comprising clothing for the doll.

25. The play set of claim 20 further comprising a towel.