TOY COMPRISING A FRUIT OR VEGETABLE SHAPED BODY AND AN AUDIO DEVICE

Abstract

A toy is disclosed comprising a fruit or vegetable shaped body and an audio device configured to play a pre-recorded message, wherein the audio device is housed in a housing external to the toy and coupled to the toy. The audio device may be configured to play a pre-recorded message which recites the benefits of eating that particular fruit or vegetable.

Description

FIELD OF INVENTION

This invention relates to a toy and, in particular but not exclusively, to an educational toy for teaching children about nutrition.

SUMMARY OF INVENTION

In accordance with a first aspect of the present invention, there is provided a toy comprising a fruit or vegetable shaped body (ideally including a facial representation on the body) and an audio device configured to play a pre-recorded message, wherein the audio device is housed in a housing which is external to the toy and which is coupled to the toy.

The audio device may be configured to play a pre-recorded message which recites the benefits of eating that particular fruit or vegetable. Also, the audio device may be configured to play any one of a plurality of pre-recorded messages.

In accordance with a second aspect of the present invention, there is provided a toy packaged for sale comprising a fruit or vegetable shaped body and a plurality of audio devices, each configured to play a pre-recorded message, each housed in a separate housing external to the toy and each configured to be coupled to the toy.

In accordance with a third aspect of the present invention, there is provided a toy comprising a fruit or vegetable shaped body and an audio device configured to play a pre-recorded message which recites the benefits of eating that particular fruit or vegetable. The audio device may be housed in the body or, alternatively, the audio device may be housed in a housing which is external to the toy which is coupled to the toy.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The invention will now be described, by way of example only, with reference to the following figures in which:

FIG. 1 illustrates an asparagus shaped toy according to the present invention.

FIGS. 2a and 2b are front and back illustrations of a carrot shaped toy with an external audio device attached to the carrot, according to the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Referring to FIG. 1, a toy “Archie Asparagus” 10 is shown comprising a plastic, translucent, asparagus shaped body housing an internal audio device (not shown) and internal battery power supply (not shown). Materials other than plastic could alternatively be used such as latex. The audio device is activated by pulling a pull cord 12, 12′ and, upon being so activated, the audio device randomly plays one of a number of pre-recorded messages. Some of the messages extol the virtues of eating asparagus and include reference to the “5 a day” message, i.e. a recommendation to eat 5 portions of fruit and vegetables each day, and the high nutrient-per-calorie content of asparagus. Sound is emitted through a pattern of holes 11 in the body adjacent a speaker (not shown). Button 13 activates an internal light (not shown) which causes the translucent body to glow.

Referring to FIGS. 2a and 2b, a toy “Charlie Carrot” 20 is shown comprising a carrot shaped body. An external audio device 22 is provided with an internal battery power supply (not shown). The audio device is activated by pressing a button 26 and, upon being so activated, the audio device randomly plays one of a number of pre-recorded messages. Some of the messages extol the virtues of eating carrots and include reference to carrots helping one to see in the dark (which whilst not strictly true may well encourage children to eat them) and a high carotene which the body converts to vitamin A. The audio device 22 is connect via a ring 24 and a length of cord 23 to a ring 21 attached to the body of the carrot. Sound is emitted through a pattern of holes 25 in the audio device housing adjacent a speaker (not shown).

It is contemplated that such a toy would be packaged for sale with a plurality of such audio devices, enabling the attached audio device and therefore the messages to be changed. For example, one device might contain a message relating to the health benefits of that particular fruit or vegetable, another might contain a message relating to how that particular fruit or vegetable is cooked, and another relating to how that that particular fruit or vegetable is grown.

Lastly, the invention is illustrated using an asparagus and carrot, but is of course equally applicable to other types of fruit and vegetables.

Claims

1. A toy comprising a fruit or vegetable shaped body and an audio device configured to play a pre-recorded message, wherein the audio device is housed in a housing external to the toy and coupled to the toy.

2. A toy according to claim 1 wherein the audio device is configured to play a pre-recorded message which recites the benefits of eating that particular fruit or vegetable.

3. A toy according claim 1 wherein the audio device is configured to play any one of a plurality of pre-recorded messages.

4. A toy according to claim 1 wherein the audio device is activated by a button.

5. A toy according to claim 1 including a facial representation on the body.

6. A toy packaged for sale comprising a fruit or vegetable shaped body and a plurality of audio devices, each configured to play a pre-recorded message, each housed in a separate housing external to the toy and each configured to be coupled to the toy.

7. A toy comprising a fruit or vegetable shaped body and an audio device configured to play a pre-recorded message which recites the benefits of eating that particular fruit or vegetable.

8. A toy according to claim 7 wherein the audio device is housed in the body.

9. A toy according to claim 7 wherein the audio device is housed in a housing which is external to the toy and which is coupled to the toy.

10. A toy according to claim 7 wherein the audio device is activated by a pull string.

11. A toy according to claim 7 wherein the audio device is activated by a button.

12. A toy according to claim 7 wherein the audio device is configured to play any one of a plurality of pre-recorded messages.

13. A toy according to claim 7 including a facial representation on the body.