Pour Bucket Play Figure

Abstract

A pour bucket play figure, including: a play figure having an ornamental design, which simulates appearance and characteristics of a living being having: a torso having a torso frontally mounted latch, a base integral with the torso, the base having upwardly directed nubs and an upwardly directed alignment pin, feet integral with the base, a head interchangeably, removably, and releasably fastened to the torso; a pour bucket removably and releasably mounted to the torso and the base, the pour bucket having: a wall having a wall upper lip, nub receiving receptacles adapted to matingly and removably receive the upwardly directed nubs therein, an alignment pin receiving receptacle adapted to matingly and removably receive the upwardly directed alignment pin therein; the frontally mounted latch adapted to matingly and removably receive the wall upper lip therein, and may have optional bubble blowing apparatus, fluid squirting apparatus, camera, microphone, and remote control device.

Description

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Field of the Invention

The present invention relates generally to play figures and more particularly to pour bucket play figures.

Background Art

Children learn about the world around them, themselves, and others through play figures, dolls, and toys. Children learn new concepts through dolls and toys, especially those in the likeness of human beings, animals, or birds and other living things. Play figures, dolls, toys, and the like in the likeness of human beings, animals, or birds and other living things may be used as teaching aids and for play and may be used in a variety of settings and environments.

Choosing toys and dolls that foster children's learning, especially those that appeal to them, teach them beneficial concepts, foster their learning, and help and make their early years count and worth remembering. Toys, dolls, and play figures can teach children to: figure out how things work; learn new ideas; build muscle control and strength; use their imagination; solve problems; and learn to play with and cooperate with others.

Play figures and dolls date back to early times, as far back as human history. These dolls, figures, figurines, statues, statuettes, and the like were often used as play items, toys, in magic, and religious rituals, and may be caricatures. The play figures, dolls, and the like were often in the likeness of or caricatures of human beings, animals, or birds, and other living things.

Archaeological evidence places dolls as the foremost candidate as the oldest known toy. Dolls have been documented in Ancient Egypt, Greece, and Rome, and were made of materials, such as clay, stone, wood, bone, ivory, leather, dried leaves, and wax. Wooden paddle dolls date back to 2,000 BC and were found in ancient Egyptian tombs, and ancient Greek dolls with articulating limbs have been shown to date back to between 200 BC and 100 BC. Romans made dolls of clay, wood, ivory, and rags. These dolls often had multiple roles. For example, newlyweds would give dolls to their goddesses, others were used as playthings, and others were thought to have magical powers and were used in rituals.

African dolls were used for education, messengers of the gods and ancestors, and ritual tools, while Japanese dolls date back to 8,000 BC to 200 BC.

Puppets, on the other hand, have been used since earliest times to animate and communicate ideas and needs of human societies. Puppetry is a very ancient art form, thought to have originated about 4,000 years ago.

Play figures, dolls, and the like have, thus, have been universally used throughout history, and have been used as toys, for education, in religion, rituals, magic, as show pieces, and a variety of other purposes.

Since children naturally enjoy playing at the beach, around a pool, and in the bath, the play figures or dolls should have a water based aspect to them that allows the children to learn and use the toys in and around water, in and around a bath, in the sand, and to fetch and carry water to and from the sea or a pool.

A play figure that can be used in the sand, close to the sea, in a child's bath, or just in a back yard, or in other surroundings is desirable.

Playing in the bath, at the beach, at a pool, or in the sand with play figures, dolls, and the like can be an invaluable opportunity for children to have unstructured and structured play time.

Some of the benefits include development and improvements in:

• • tactile sense, which improves and develops sense of touch and development of fine motor skills; vestibular sense for understanding body movement and balance; and proprioceptive sense, which teaches the awareness of body parts and workings in children's surroundings; building creativity and imagination; and development and improvement of social and language skills; and providing nurturing experiences to the children.

Children enhance their coordination skills, gross motor skills, and even learn the fundamentals of math, while playing in the sand and water:

• • For example, when children collect water in a bucket and/or shovel sand into bucket, the children develop hand-eye coordination skills and test their coordination skills as they build sand structures, and scoop and pour water and sand into and out of the bucket.
  • When the children fill their buckets with sand and water, they also enhance their gross motor skills as they pick up the sand, dump the sand, pour the water, and/or transport the sand and water.
  • As the children pour water into buckets and gauge whether or not they are successful, they learn math skills and probability of success. Depending on the tools provided, if a scoop is offered, then children learn how many scoops it takes to fill given containers. When they put materials into a bucket, they learn ideas, such as “more than,” “less than,” and “equal to.” These skills eventually lead them to learn how many cups, scoops, and shovels of material would be needed to fill the container.

A combination water and sand based doll, play figure, figurine or the like and water container that may be used for collecting sand and/or water and that may be used as a teaching aid and for play and may be used in a variety of settings and environments is necessary.

The combination water and sand based doll, play figure, figurine or the like and water container should be easy to use, durable, attractive, long lasting, inexpensive at all socioeconomic levels, adaptable for use in different cultures and languages, capable of being used as a teaching aid and for play, and provide comfort to and be adaptable for use by children of all ages, and capable of being carried by and used by a user at all times.

The combination water and sand based doll, play figure, figurine or the like and water container should be capable of being manufactured with a variety of different ornamental designs, caricature shapes, and simulated shapes of a being or creature.

Different dolls and play figures have heretofore been known. However, none of the dolls, play figures, figurines, and the like adequately satisfies these aforementioned needs.

• • U.S. Pat. No. 3,359,677 (Hepler) discloses a combination beach bucket and doll. The combination beach bucket and doll has a receptacle that simulates a doll torso and has depending leg-connectors on its underside. A pair of simulated doll legs are detachably connected to the leg-connectors, while a removable cover on the receptacle simulates shoulders. A cover handle upstanding from the cover simulates a doll neck, and a shovel upstands detachably from the cover handle. A skirt extends about and depends from the receptacle concealing the leg-connectors and providing a base for use of the receptacle as a bucket, while a pair of arms are pivoted to opposite sides of the receptacle and are provided at their opposite ends with detachable connection means to provide a bail.
  • U.S. Pat. Nos. 7,908,683 and 7,302,715 (Finell) each disclose a bath accessory collection, holder, and storage device that includes a base and a scoop, which is removably coupled to the base. The device has a drain for draining liquid therefrom, a handle attached to the scoop, and a hanger to suspend at least one bath accessory therefrom. In another embodiment, a clamp is used to grippingly hold at least one bath accessory. The base is furnished with a shelf for receiving and supporting bath accessories thereon. Preferably, the device presents the appearance of an object or thing designed to promote interest in the device by children and for encouraging use of the device when the scoop is attached to the base.
  • U.S. Pat. No. 5,213,234 (Stefanopoulos) discloses a ceramic or plastic pitcher, in the form of a cow, with a hollow body for the purpose of filling with milk or other liquids with a hollow chamber at the rear end of the body for the purpose of housing a gravity activated electronic switch, whereas the switch will produce the sound of an animal when the pitcher is lifted and tilted to pour the liquid through the mouth of the animal.
  • U.S. Pat. No. 4,185,413 (Goldfarb, et al.) discloses a toy milkable FIG. representative of an animal of the type capable of dispensing milk. The figure has a pivotally mounted head that may be pushed downward from an upper position to a lower position where a mouth opening in the head is immersed in liquid. The figure has a pivotally mounted tail, which may be pumped up and down to create a liquid pumping action, an udder that forms a liquid holding chamber, and one or more flexible and squeezable teats. When the head is lowered into the liquid supply and the tail pumped, liquid is drawn into the mouth opening and delivered into the udder chamber. A liquid intake limiting mechanism causes the head to automatically raise out of the liquid after a predetermined amount of pumping. The teat has a valve device at its inner end, whereby when the teat is squeezed the valve device closes to limit liquid flow back into the udder chamber, and there is a positive squirting discharge from an outer aperture of the teat representative of that of a real animal. If the amount of liquid introduced into the udder is excessive, an overflow device allows the excess to escape through another teat. A sound generating device is coupled to the head to generate a mooing sound when the head raises.
  • U.S. Pat. No. D343,328 (Ancona, et al.) discloses an ornamental design for a kettle, showing a kettle having a cow's head.
  • U.S. Pat. No. 5,702,003 (Springer) discloses a bath toy storage unit having a storage chamber that stores bath toys for tidy clean-up after a bath. The storage chamber is accessible by removing a lid or by removing an exterior cover, and includes a perforated surface to hold the toys and to allow water to drain into a collection chamber underneath the surface. A removal tray may be provided for ease of dispensing of collected water. The exterior of the bath toy storage unit may be shaped in the form of an animal to provide incentive for children to place their toys in the unit.
  • U.S. Pat. No. 7,234,207 (Goldberg) discloses a novelty figurine and carabiner storage assembly. The figurine comprises a head portion, a body portion located proximate to the head portion, and at least one carabiner attachment assembly extending from the body portion for selectively allowing the figurine to be attached to or removed from another item able to receive the attachment assembly. The carabiner attachment assembly comprises at least first and second leg assemblies, with one of the leg assemblies having a selectively openable gate assembly extending therealong. The body portion has at least one substantially hollow interior section and at least one selectively openable door assembly for access into the substantially hollow interior section.
  • U.S. Pat. No. 6,663,458 (Jauregui) discloses a tub toy receptacle, which includes a device for holding wet bathtub toys near their point of use and in such a manner as to allow them to dry between uses. To attain this, a receptacle base designed to rest against the inner bathtub sidewall includes a character head and a hook for placement atop the bathtub sidewall. The tub edge hook may be in the shape of a character's legs. Also attached to the receptacle base is a receptacle within which to store the toys. The receptacle may be in the shape of a character's torso.
  • U.S. Pat. No. 3,248,741 (Stout, et. al.) discloses a portable infant shower-tub formed in the shape of an animal or other interest attracting object for use in showering infants.

The combination water and sand based doll, play figure, figurine, or the like and water container may be enhanced with a bubble blowing mechanism for further enjoyment of the user and, in particular, a bubble blower that includes an air generator or a water squirter. However, none of the dolls, play figures, figurines, and the like, or water containers adequately satisfies these aforementioned needs.

• • U.S. Pat. Nos. D637,240, D640,752, and D640,753 (Ivanic, et. al.) disclose ornamental designs for a cow shaped bubble blower, a dinosaur shaped bubble blower, and a pig shaped bubble blower, respectively.
  • U.S. Pat. Nos. 7,883,390 and 7,021,986 (Thai) disclose a bubble generating assembly that has a housing having an outlet, an air generator positioned on the housing, a bubble producing device positioned over the air generator, a first activator coupled to the air generator, a reservoir associated with the housing for storing a liquid, a pump system coupling the reservoir and the outlet, and a second activator coupled to the pump system for delivering the liquid from the reservoir out of the outlet. Thus, a user can use the first activator to generate air to produce bubbles and use the second activator to generate a stream of the liquid that can be aimed at the generated bubbles.
  • U.S. Pat. No. 10,807,015 (Chan) discloses a bubble generating device and method for generating bubbles. In one aspect of the invention, an apparatus for generating bubbles comprises: a housing; a motor; an air flow generator operably coupled to the motor; a trough containing a bubble solution; a cam; and a follower member comprising a bubble generating device, the follower member in operable cooperation with the cam surface; and the motor operably coupled to the follower member to drive the follower member along the cam.
  • U.S. Pat. No. 9,884,262 (Huey) discloses a bubble generating apparatus that includes an air flow generator, a liquid tray defined by a floor and sidewalls and having one or more bubble forming ports therein, and a pivot arm coupled to a motor for pivoting the pivot arm about an axis, so that during pivoting a bubble generating member of the pivot arm passes over one of the bubble forming ports, the air flow generator positioned to direct an air stream through the one or more bubble forming ports, and a gravity feed liquid reservoir, wherein the liquid tray is configured to generate bubbles from the liquid when the air flow generator directs the air stream through the one or more bubble forming ports while the pivot arm pivots about the axis.
  • U.S. Pat. No. 9,878,262 (Chan) discloses a bubble generating device, including a housing, a fan device, and a motor operably coupled to the fan device. The motor rotates the fan device about a rotational axis. The apparatus may further include one, or a plurality, of bubble generating devices that are coupled to the housing. Each of the bubble generating devices may comprise a bubble producing member that converges towards the rotational axis with increasing distance from the fan device. Each of the bubble producing members may define an opening that lies on a plane that intersects the rotational axis of the fan device at an oblique angle.
  • U.S. Pat. No. 6,200,184 (Rich, et. al.) discloses a bubble maker toy for producing a plurality of bubble streams from a liquid bubble solution, comprising a bubble wand and an electric fan. The bubble wand includes a plurality of bubble rings connected together by connection arms. The electric fan is configured for producing an airflow concentrated adjacent to the center of the bubble wand, which forces the bubble streams outward from the center of the bubble wand and away from each other. The connection arms are arcuate in shape and connected to each other at approximately the center of the bubble wand, causing the air flow produced by the electric fan to swirl in a rotating manner, further forcing the bubble streams away from each other, thus preventing the bubbles from sticking together or combining to form a cluster of bubbles.
  • U.S. Pat. No. 4,995,844 (McNett, et. al.) discloses a bubble blowing figure toy having a hollow torso of a stuffed bear configured with a head portion defining a mouth opening and a squeezable body portion. An operative device is arranged substantially within the torso of the figure toy for generating bubbles from a bubble forming liquid applied to the mouth opening. In response to squeezing of the figure toy, a stream of air is directed toward the mouth opening to facilitate bubble formation into either a large bubble or a series of generally uniform smaller bubbles. The operative device includes a mouthpiece, an air bladder, and an air duct. The mouthpiece is arranged at the mouth opening of the toy and to one end of which the bubble forming liquid is applied. The air bladder generates an air stream, and the air duct connects the air bladder with the mouthpiece. The air duct is configured to inhibit ingestion of bubble forming liquid into the air bladder. A valve in the air duct further facilitates bubble formation.
  • U.S. Pat. No. 4,804,346 (Sheng) discloses an open mouth bubble blowing toy, which includes a figure, which is shown as a frog, with a mouth which opens. Bubble blowing liquid is contained in a reservoir in a lower jaw. An upper jaw has a depending flange which rests in the liquid when the mouth is closed. A cylinder is disposed within the body. Air admitted to the cylinder drives a piston to the rear of the cylinder. A rod carried by the piston encounters a depending flange from the head member which causes the head member to pivot and open the mouth. The air also rushes through an opening in the cylinder, through an air channel and through a nozzle disposed within the mouth, which blows bubbles from the film of bubble blowing liquid extending from the upper jaw to the lower jaw.
  • U.S. Pat. No. 4,689,032 (Trossman) discloses a water toy for infants that comprises a floatable portion and a restraining portion for loosely restraining the floatable portion, so that the floatable portion when floated in water in a pool or tub in which an infant is playing or being bathed is enabled to bob up and down, pitch and roll, spin through an angle of 360 degree about a vertical axis, and move over a limited portion of the surface of the water but prevented from moving and remaining beyond the reach of the infant.

For the foregoing reasons, there is a need for a combination water and sand based doll, play figure, figurine or the like and water container that may be used for collecting sand and/or water and that may be used as a teaching aid and for play and may be used in a variety of settings and environments is necessary.

The combination water and sand based doll, play figure, figurine or the like and water container should be inexpensive, durable, attractive, easy to use, and capable of being used as a teaching aid and for play, provide a child with a warm, cuddly, and happy feeling, and give both adult and child a feeling of comfort, self-esteem, and confidence in learning and in play. The combination water and sand based doll, play figure, figurine or the like and water container should be capable of being voice activated and/or remote controlled, and have an optional camera, which may be a video camera or other suitable camera and/or microphone, have optional bubble blowing apparatus and/or fluid squirting apparatus.

The combination water and sand based doll, play figure, figurine or the like and water container should be easy to use, durable, attractive, long lasting, inexpensive at all socioeconomic levels, adaptable for use in different cultures and languages, capable of being used as a teaching aid and for play, and provide comfort to and be adaptable for use by children of all ages, and capable of being carried by and used by a user at all times.

The combination water and sand based doll, play figure, figurine or the like and water container should be capable of being manufactured with a variety of different ornamental designs, caricature shapes, and simulated shapes of beings, creatures, dolls, play figures, figurines or the like, and water containers.

SUMMARY

The present invention is directed to a water and sand based doll or play figure and water container, comprising a pour bucket play figure, which may be used for collecting sand and/or water and that may be used as a teaching aid and for play and may be used in a variety of settings and environments. The pour bucket play figure is inexpensive, durable, attractive, easy to use, and capable of being used as a teaching aid and for play, provides a child with a warm, cuddly, and happy feeling, and gives both adult and child a feeling of comfort, self-esteem, and confidence in learning and in play. The pour bucket play figure is capable of being voice activated and/or remote controlled, has an optional camera and/or microphone, and has optional bubble blowing apparatus and/or fluid squirting apparatus.

The pour bucket play figure is easy to use, durable, attractive, long lasting, inexpensive at all socioeconomic levels, adaptable for use in different cultures and languages, capable of being used as a teaching aid and for play, and provides comfort to and is adaptable for use by children of all ages, and capable of being carried by and used by a user at all times.

The pour bucket play figure is capable of being manufactured with a variety of different ornamental designs, caricature shapes, and simulated shapes of dolls, play figures, figurines, and the like, and water containers.

A pour bucket play figure having features of the present invention comprises: a caricature shaped play figure of a being having: a caricature shaped head of the being, a caricature shaped body of the being, caricature shaped legs and feet of the being; a base integral with the caricature shaped body; a frontally disposed pour bucket removably attached to the caricature shaped body and the base; a handle fastened to the pour bucket play figure.

The pour bucket play figure may have: a fluid discharge apparatus having: a fluid reservoir, a fluid discharge outlet, a fluid pump, which: withdraws a portion of fluid in the fluid reservoir and discharges the withdrawn portion of the fluid from the fluid discharge outlet.

The pour bucket play figure may have: a bubble blower apparatus having: a fluid reservoir, an air blower, a bubble aperture, and a fluid pump, which withdraws a portion of fluid in the fluid reservoir and pumps the withdrawn portion of the fluid past the air blower, which entrains air with the withdrawn portion of the fluid to create bubbles and blow the bubbles from the bubble aperture.

The pour bucket play figure may have: a controller, which controls the bubble blowing apparatus, and a remote control device, which remotely and wirelessly controls the controller.

The pour bucket play figure may have: an internal heater, an external surface, and/or a thermometer, which displays temperature on the external surface.

Another pour bucket play figure having features of the present invention comprises: a caricature shaped pelican play figure having: a caricature shaped head and beak, a caricature shaped body having caricature shaped wings and feathers, caricature shaped legs and feet; a base integral with the caricature shaped body; a frontally disposed pour bucket removably attached to the caricature shaped body and the base; a handle fastened to the pour bucket play figure.

Another pour bucket play figure having features of the present invention comprises: a play figure having an ornamental design, which simulates appearance and characteristics of a being, having: a simulated shaped head of the being, a simulated body of the being, simulated legs and feet of the being; a base integral with the simulated body; a frontally disposed pour bucket removably attached to the simulated body and the base; a handle fastened to the pour bucket play figure.

Another pour bucket play figure having features of the present invention comprises: a play figure having an ornamental design, which simulates appearance and characteristics of a living being having: a torso having a torso frontally mounted latch, a base integral with the torso, the base having upwardly directed nubs and an upwardly directed alignment pin, feet integral with the base, a head interchangeably, removably, and releasably fastened to the torso; a pour bucket removably and releasably mounted to the torso and the base, the pour bucket having: a wall having a wall upper lip, nub receiving receptacles adapted to matingly and removably receive the upwardly directed nubs therein, an alignment pin receiving receptacle adapted to matingly and removably receive the upwardly directed alignment pin therein; the frontally mounted latch adapted to matingly and removably receive the wall upper lip therein, and optional bubble blowing apparatus, fluid squirting apparatus, camera, microphone, and remote control.

DRAWINGS

These and other features, aspects, and advantages of the present invention will become better understood with regard to the following description, appended claims, and accompanying drawings where:

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a pour bucket play figure, constructed in accordance with the present invention;

FIG. 2 is an exploded perspective view of the pour bucket play figure of FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is a side view of the pour bucket play figure of FIG. 1, showing internal components of the pour bucket play figure;

FIG. 4 is a side view of an alternate embodiment of a pour bucket play figure, showing internal components of the pour bucket play figure;

FIG. 5 is a side view of another alternate embodiment of a pour bucket play figure, showing internal components of the pour bucket play figure;

FIG. 6 is a perspective view of an alternate embodiment of a pour bucket play figure;

FIG. 7 is a perspective view of another alternate embodiment of a pour bucket play figure;

FIG. 8 is a perspective view of another alternate embodiment of a pour bucket play figure;

FIG. 9 is a side view of an alternate embodiment of a pour bucket play figure, showing internal components of the pour bucket play figure;

FIG. 10 is a side view of another alternate embodiment of a pour bucket play figure, showing internal components of the pour bucket play figure;

FIG. 11 is a side view of another alternate embodiment of a pour bucket play figure, showing internal components of the pour bucket play figure;

FIG. 12 is a side view of yet another alternate embodiment of a pour bucket play figure, showing internal components of the pour bucket play figure;

FIG. 13 is a schematic representation of a pour bucket play figure bubble blowing apparatus of the pour bucket play figure of FIG. 9; and

FIG. 14 is an alternate schematic representation of a pour bucket play figure bubble blowing apparatus of an alternate embodiment of a pour bucket play figure.

DESCRIPTION

The preferred embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS. 1-14 of the drawings. Identical elements in the various figures are identified with the same reference numbers.

FIGS. 1-3 show a pour bucket play FIG. 10, constructed in accordance with the present invention, having a play FIG. 12, comprising an ornamental design, caricature shape, or simulated shape of a being or creature, in this case a pelican, and a pour bucket 14 removably mounted to the play FIG. 12.

The play FIG. 12 has a body or torso 16, a base 18 or platform integral with the body 16, and legs and feet 20 integral with the base 18, and an interchangeable head 22 removably fastened to the body 16. The body 16 also has arms or wings or feathers 24, in this case, integral with the body 16. The pour bucket play FIG. 10 has a handle 26 fastened to the interchangeable head 22 to facilitate carrying the pour bucket play FIG. 10, maneuvering, or tipping the pour bucket play FIG. 10 in a desired direction and discharging contents of the pour bucket 14 therefrom. The handle 26 may alternatively be fastened to the body 16. The interchangeable head 22 is removably fastened to the body 16. The interchangeable head 22 has a head threaded fastener 28, and the body 16 has a body threaded fastener 30, the head threaded fastener 28 and the body threaded fastener 30 matingly and removably fastened one to the other, each of which may be a mating half turn threaded fastener.

The pour bucket play FIG. 10 of FIGS. 1-3, then, shows a caricature shaped pelican play FIG. 10 having: a caricature shaped head 22 and beak, a caricature shaped body 16 having caricature shaped wings 24 and feathers, caricature shaped legs and feet 20, a frontally disposed pour bucket 14 removably attached to the caricature shaped body 16, and a handle 26 fastened to the pour bucket play FIG. 10.

The base 18 has a base mount 32 or platform mount, for removably mounting the pour bucket 14 thereto, having upwardly directed lugs or nubs 34 extending upward from the base mount 32, and centrally disposed upwardly directed guide tube 35 and rim 36 for guiding the pour bucket 14 onto the base mount 32.

The pour bucket 14 has receptacles 38 adapted to removably and matingly receive the lugs or nubs 34 therein and allow the pour bucket 14 to be matingly and removably mounted to the base mount 32. The body 16 has a latch 40, which is used to releasably fasten the pour bucket 14 to the body 16 at lip 42 of the pour bucket 14. The pour bucket 14 has a pour bucket spout 44 for pouring contents, such as water 46, sand, or other suitable liquids, solids, or mixtures thereof therefrom. The base mount 32 may be substantially flat, as shown in FIG. 2 or arcuate shaped, as shown in FIG. 3, or have another suitable shape.

The pour bucket play FIG. 10 may have optional mouth spout 48 and/or beak spout 50, pump 52, and trigger 54. The trigger 54 may be used to control the pump 52, which is used to pump or draw the water 46 or fluid from cavity 55 of the body 16 or reservoir 56 of the pour bucket 14 and squirt the water 46 or fluid from the mouth spout 48 and/or the beak spout 50 under pressure.

Water levels 57 and 58 of the water 46 or fluid in the cavity 55 of the body 16 and the reservoir 56 of the pour bucket 14, respectively, typically remain at approximately the same height other than during times when the water 46 or fluid is being instantaneously withdrawn from the cavity 55 of the body 16 or the reservoir 56 of the pour bucket 14.

The pump 52 is activated by the trigger 54, at which time the water 46 or fluid is withdrawn from the cavity 55 or the reservoir 56 via body tube 59 and the water 46 or fluid is squirted from the mouth spout 48 via mouth spout tube 49 and/or the beak spout 50 via beak spout tube 51 under pressure.

When the water 46 or fluid is withdrawn from the cavity 55 or the reservoir 56, one way valve 60 at the bottom of the pour bucket 14 opens and the water 46 or fluid in the reservoir 56 flows into the cavity 55 via base drain 61 and base tubing 62, thus maintaining approximately the water levels 57 and 58 at the same height, or the same head, in both the cavity 55 and the reservoir 56.

The pour bucket 14 may have optional temperature display 64 and/or optional thermometer or temperature indicator 66 to display temperature of the water 46 and/or liquid in the reservoir 56 of the pour bucket 14 and/or ambient air temperature.

The interchangeable head 22 has eyes 68, a beak 70, which has the beak spout 50 and a mouth 72, which has the mouth spout 48. The beak spout 50 and/or the mouth spout 48 may optionally be outwardly directed or downwardly directed.

The pump 52 is preferably inside the interchangeable head 22, but the pump 52 may alternately be inside the body 16.

An alternate embodiment of the pour bucket play FIG. 10 may be constructed in which the one way valve 60 at the bottom of the pour bucket 14 is plugged or replaced with a plug to prevent the water 46 or liquid from draining or exiting the pour bucket 14. Alternately, bottom wall 74 of the pour bucket 14 adjacent the base 18 of the pour bucket play FIG. 10 may be solid to prevent the water 46 or liquid from draining or exiting the pour bucket 14.

FIG. 4 shows an alternate embodiment of a pour bucket play FIG. 80, which is substantially the same as the pour bucket play FIG. 10 except that the pour bucket play FIG. 80 comprises a battery operated pump 82. Battery or power source 84 is used to power the battery operated pump 82, and switch 86 is used to control the battery operated pump 82. An optional controller may be included in the pour bucket play FIG. 80 to further control the intensity and type of discharge such as, for example, intensity and shape of the discharge, which may include squirt, spray, width of spray, or other suitable discharge intensities and patterns.

FIG. 5 shows an alternate embodiment of a pour bucket play FIG. 90, which is substantially the same as the pour bucket play FIG. 10 except that the pour bucket play FIG. 90 has a heater 92 or bottle warmer, such as a baby bottle warmer or other suitable bottle warmer, powered by power source or battery 94 to warm bottle 96 or container in pour bucket 98 and/or the water 99 or liquid in the pour bucket 98.

FIG. 6 shows an alternate embodiment of a pour bucket play FIG. 100, which is substantially the same as the pour bucket play FIG. 10 except that the pour bucket play FIG. 100 has an optional body mounted camera 102 and/or an optional head mounted camera 104, each of which may be a video camera or other suitable camera. The pour bucket play FIG. 100 may have optional communications apparatus to communicate with a cell phone, smart phone, and or other device, which may be used communicate videos, photos, and/or audio from the pour bucket play FIG. 100 to another device or location.

FIG. 7 shows an alternate embodiment of a pour bucket play FIG. 110, which is substantially the same as the pour bucket play FIG. 10 except that the pour bucket play FIG. 110 has an optional foam applicator 112 that may be used to generate and dispense foam, such as from shampoo or another suitable foam generating water or liquid based product. Optional housing 114 may be used to cover the pour bucket play FIG. 110. Alternatively, an exterior pour bucket may not be used for compactness and a sleek design.

FIG. 8 shows an alternate embodiment of a pour bucket play FIG. 120, which is substantially the same as the pour bucket play FIG. 100 except that the pour bucket play FIG. 120 has optional eye mounted cameras 122 for video and microphone 124 for audio. Again, the pour bucket play FIG. 120 may have optional communications apparatus to communicate with a cell phone, smart phone, and/or other suitable device, which may be used to communicate videos, photos, and/or audio from the pour bucket play FIG. 120 to another device or location. The pour bucket play FIG. 120 may have an optional loudspeaker.

FIG. 9 shows an alternate embodiment of a pour bucket play FIG. 130, which is substantially the same as the pour bucket play FIG. 10 except that the pour bucket play FIG. 130 comprises a bubble blowing apparatus 132, which may be used to blow bubbles 133. The bubble blowing apparatus 132 has a battery powered pump 134, a battery or suitable power source 136 to power the battery powered pump 134, and a bubble aperture 138 to form the bubbles 133, as soapy water 142 is entrained and blown through the bubble aperture 138.

Trigger 144 activates contact switch 146, which activates the battery powered pump 134 and air blower 148, which when activated draws air 150 into air intake 152, forcing the air 150 through air discharge pipe 154, out of air outlet 156, and through the bubble aperture 138. Simultaneously, the soapy water 142 is withdrawn by the battery operated pump 134 from cavity 158 and/or optionally reservoir 159 through body pipe 160 or tube and discharged by the battery operated pump 134 into and through soapy water discharge pipe 162, and out of soapy water outlet 164. As the soapy water 142 drips onto the bubble aperture 138, the air 150 is blown through the bubble aperture 138. The bubbles 133 are formed as the air 150 contacts the dripping soapy water 142 and is blown through the bubble aperture 138.

Excess soapy water 165 drips from the bubble aperture 138 onto guide 166 or excess soapy water return, which guides the excess soapy water 165 back into the cavity 158 and/or optionally the reservoir 159.

The bubble blowing apparatus 132 having the battery powered pump 134, the air blower 148, and the bubble aperture 138 is preferably inside interchangeable head 167. The bubble blowing apparatus 132 or portions of the bubble blowing apparatus 132 may alternately be inside body 168.

FIG. 10 shows an alternate embodiment of a pour bucket play FIG. 170, which is substantially the same as the pour bucket play FIG. 130, except that the pour bucket play FIG. 170 has a pour bucket 172, which has a one way valve 174 for allowing water 176, fluid, or soapy water to be drawn from the pour bucket 172 through base tubing 178 or pipe by pump 179 into cavity 180 from reservoir 181. The pour bucket play FIG. 170 may be used to form and blow more bubbles 182, owing to the combined or larger storage capacity of both the cavity 180 and the reservoir 181.

FIG. 11 shows an alternate embodiment of a pour bucket play FIG. 190, which is substantially the same as the pour bucket play FIG. 170, except that the pour bucket play FIG. 190 has one way drain valve 192 at bottom 194 of pour bucket 196 and tubing 197 or piping within body 198, which is connected directly from the one way drain valve 192 to pump 200. Soapy water 202 in reservoir 203 of the pour bucket 196 is withdrawn from the reservoir 203 via the one way drain valve 192 through the tubing 197 or piping by the pump 200 and discharged through soapy water discharge pipe 206. Bubbles 208 are generated and formed by the pour bucket play FIG. 190 as in the pour bucket play FIG. 170. The pour bucket play FIG. 190 also has guide 210 or excess soapy water return, which guides excess soapy water 212 back into the reservoir 203 of the pour bucket 196.

FIG. 12 shows an alternate embodiment of a bubble generating play FIG. 220, which is substantially the same as the pour bucket play FIG. 190, except that the pour bucket play FIG. 220 has a housing 222 similar to the housing 114 of the pour bucket play FIG. 110 and soapy water 224 is contained in cavity 226. An exterior pour bucket is not used in the bubble generating play FIG. 220 for compactness and a sleek design.

FIG. 13 shows a schematic representation of the pour bucket play figure bubble blowing apparatus 132 of the pour bucket play FIG. 130.

Again, the pour bucket play figure bubble blowing apparatus 130 has the battery powered pump 134, the battery or suitable power source 136 to power the battery powered pump 134, and the bubble aperture 138 to form the bubbles 133, as the soapy water 142 is blown through the bubble aperture 138.

The trigger 144 activates the contact switch 146, which activates the battery powered pump 134 and the air blower 148, which when activated draws air 150 into the air intake 152, through the air discharge pipe 154, and out of the air outlet 156. Simultaneously, the soapy water 142 is withdrawn by the battery operated pump 134 from the soap container 158, cavity, or reservoir through the body pipe 160 or tube and discharged by the battery operated pump 134 into and through the soapy water discharge pipe 162, and out of the soapy water outlet 164. As the soapy water 142 drips onto the bubble aperture 138, the air 150 is blown through the bubble aperture 138. The bubbles 133 are formed as the air 150 contacts the dripping soapy water 142 and is blown through the bubble aperture 138.

The excess soapy water 165 drips from the bubble aperture 138 onto the guide 166 or excess soapy water return, which guides the excess soapy water 165 back into the soap container 158, cavity, or reservoir.

Alternate bubble apertures 234 and 236 are shown in FIG. 13 although other suitable bubble apertures may be used. The bubble aperture 234 has a plurality of fluted edges 237 about the internal circumference of the bubble aperture 234. The bubble aperture 236 has four quadrant bubble apertures 238, although other suitable combinations of apertures may be used.

FIG. 14 shows a schematic representation of a pour bucket play figure bubble blowing apparatus 240 of an alternate embodiment of a pour bucket play figure for forming and generating bubbles 241, which is substantially the same as the pour bucket play FIG. bubble blowing apparatus 132, except that the pour bucket play figure bubble blowing apparatus 240 has a controller 242 and an optional remote control 243. The controller 242 controls pump 246 and air blower 248. The pour bucket play figure bubble blowing apparatus 240 also has contact switch 250, trigger 251, and alternate bubble apertures 252 and 254 and is powered by battery 255 or other suitable power source.

The pour bucket play figure bubble blowing apparatus 240 has the remote control 243, which communicates with the controller 242, which may be used to control formation and generation of the bubbles 241, by controlling the pump 246 and the air blower 248 and optionally controlling the switch 250 and selection of which of the alternate bubble apertures 252 and 254 to use.

The remote control 243 has a touch screen 256, and the remote control 243 and the controller 242 each have wireless communication subsystems, which allow the remote control 243 and the controller 242 to communicate with each other wirelessly. The wireless communications subsystems may use Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, RF, infrared, or other suitable wireless communications media. The pour bucket play figure bubble blowing apparatus 240 may be voice activated and controlled, using the remote control 243 or may be controlled by entering commands into the remote control 243 via the touch screen 256. Information, operation, and data associated with the pour bucket play figure bubble blowing apparatus 240 is displayed on the touch screen 256. The remote control 243 may be a cell phone or other suitable wireless device.

Although the present invention has been described in considerable detail with reference to certain preferred versions thereof, other versions are possible. Therefore, the spirit and scope of the appended claims should not be limited to the description of the preferred versions contained herein.

Claims

1. A pour bucket play figure, comprising:

a caricature shaped pelican play figure having: a caricature shaped head and beak, a caricature shaped body having caricature shaped wings and feathers, caricature shaped legs and feet;

a base integral with said caricature shaped body;

a frontally disposed pour bucket removably attached to said caricature shaped body and said base;

a handle fastened to said pour bucket play figure.

2. The pour bucket play figure according to claim 1, further comprising:

a fluid discharge apparatus having: a fluid reservoir, a fluid discharge outlet, a fluid pump, which: withdraws a portion of fluid in said fluid reservoir and discharges said withdrawn portion of said fluid from said fluid discharge outlet.

3. The pour bucket play figure according to claim 1, further comprising:

a bubble blower apparatus having: a fluid reservoir, an air blower, a bubble aperture, and a fluid pump, which withdraws a portion of fluid in said fluid reservoir and pumps said withdrawn portion of said fluid past said air blower, which entrains air with said withdrawn portion of said fluid to create bubbles and blow said bubbles from said bubble aperture.

4. The pour bucket play figure according to claim 3, further comprising:

a controller, which controls said bubble blowing apparatus, and a remote control device, which remotely and wirelessly controls said controller.

5. The pour bucket play figure according to claim 1, wherein:

said frontally disposed pour bucket has an internal heater, an external surface, and a thermometer, which displays temperature on said external surface.

6. A pour bucket play figure, comprising:

a caricature shaped play figure of a being having: a caricature shaped head of said being, a caricature shaped body of said being, caricature shaped legs and feet of said being;

a base integral with said caricature shaped body;

a frontally disposed pour bucket removably attached to said caricature shaped body and said base;

a handle fastened to said pour bucket play figure.

7. The pour bucket play figure according to claim 6, further comprising:

a fluid discharge apparatus having: a fluid reservoir, a fluid discharge outlet, a fluid pump, which: withdraws a portion of fluid in said fluid reservoir and discharges said withdrawn portion of said fluid from said fluid discharge outlet.

8. The pour bucket play figure according to claim 6, further comprising:

a bubble blower apparatus having: a fluid reservoir, an air blower, a bubble aperture, and a fluid pump, which withdraws a portion of fluid in said fluid reservoir and pumps said withdrawn portion of said fluid past said air blower, which entrains air with said withdrawn portion of said fluid to create bubbles and blow said bubbles from said bubble aperture.

9. The pour bucket play figure according to claim 8, further comprising:

a controller, which controls said bubble blowing apparatus, and a remote control device, which remotely and wirelessly controls said controller.

10. The pour bucket play figure according to claim 6, wherein:

said frontally disposed pour bucket has an internal heater, an external surface,

and a thermometer, which displays temperature on said external surface.

11. A pour bucket play figure, comprising:

a play figure having an ornamental design, which simulates appearance and characteristics of a being, having: a simulated shaped head of said being, a simulated body of said being, simulated legs and feet of said being;

a base integral with said simulated body;

a frontally disposed pour bucket removably attached to said simulated body and said base;

a handle fastened to said pour bucket play figure.

12. The pour bucket play figure according to claim 11, further comprising:

a fluid discharge apparatus having: a fluid reservoir, a fluid discharge outlet, a fluid pump, which: withdraws a portion of fluid in said fluid reservoir and discharges said withdrawn portion of said fluid from said fluid discharge outlet.

13. The pour bucket play figure according to claim 11, further comprising:

a bubble blower apparatus having: a fluid reservoir, an air blower, a bubble aperture, and a fluid pump, which withdraws a portion of fluid in said fluid reservoir and pumps said withdrawn portion of said fluid past said air blower, which entrains air with said withdrawn portion of said fluid to create bubbles and blow said bubbles from said bubble aperture.

14. The pour bucket play figure according to claim 13, further comprising:

a controller, which controls said bubble blowing apparatus, and a remote control device, which remotely and wirelessly controls said controller.

15. The pour bucket play figure according to claim 11, wherein:

said frontally disposed pour bucket has an internal heater, an external surface, and a thermometer, which displays temperature on said external surface.

16. A pour bucket play figure, comprising:

a play figure having: a torso having a torso frontally mounted latch, a base integral with said torso, said base having upwardly directed nubs and an upwardly directed alignment pin, feet integral with said base, a head removably and releasably fastened to said torso;

a pour bucket removably and releasably mounted to said torso and said base, said pour bucket having: a wall having a wall upper lip, nub receiving receptacles matingly and removably receiving said upwardly directed nubs therein, an alignment pin receiving receptacle matingly and removably receiving said upwardly directed alignment pin therein; said frontally mounted latch matingly and removably receiving said wall upper lip therein.

17. The pour bucket play figure according to claim 16, further comprising:

a fluid discharge apparatus having: a fluid reservoir, a fluid pump, a fluid discharge outlet, said fluid reservoir having fluid therein, said fluid pump withdrawing a portion of said fluid from said fluid reservoir and discharging said withdrawn portion of said fluid from said fluid discharge outlet.

18. The pour bucket play figure according to claim 16, further comprising:

a bubble blowing apparatus having: a soapy water reservoir, at least one bubble blower aperture, a soapy water pump, an air blower, said soapy water reservoir having soapy water therein, a bubble discharge outlet adjacent said at least one bubble blower aperture and an air inlet adjacent said air blower, said soapy water pump withdrawing a portion of said soapy water from said soapy water reservoir and discharging said withdrawn portion of said soapy water above said at least one bubble blower aperture, which allows said withdrawn portion of said discharged soapy water to drip through and entrain said withdrawn portion of said soapy water in said bubble aperture, said air blower drawing air from said air inlet and blowing said drawn air and said entrained soapy water through said bubble aperture and out of said bubble discharge outlet as bubbles.

19. The pour bucket play figure according to claim 18, further comprising:

a controller, which controls said bubble blowing apparatus, and a remote control device, which remotely and wirelessly controls said controller.

20. The pour bucket play figure according to claim 16, wherein:

said pour bucket has an internal heater, an external surface, and a thermometer, which displays temperature on said external surface.