Nursing, Eating, Or Drinking Patents (Class 446/304)
  • Patent number: 11839274
    Abstract: A toy bank has a toy bank body having a coin slot. The bank also has an elastic material covering a portion of the toy bank body. The toy bank body is constructed such that the elastic material distends upon insertion of sufficient coins into the coin slot.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 1, 2021
    Date of Patent: December 12, 2023
    Inventor: Leah Greenberg
  • Patent number: 11007448
    Abstract: An apparatus for retrieving a fallen tooth of a child is disclosed. The apparatus includes a toy having a body defining a face and a chest portion. The face includes a mouth defining an opening for receiving the fallen tooth. The apparatus also includes a container located at the chest portion of the body to store the fallen tooth. The container is accessed by a user for retrieving the stored fallen tooth.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 18, 2019
    Date of Patent: May 18, 2021
    Inventor: Elizabeth Carroll
  • Patent number: 9592455
    Abstract: A toy head assembly with facial features that can be adjusted by touching the facial features with enough force to alter their shape and/or position. Within the toy head assembly is a head base that is surrounded, in part, by a face that is made of an elastomeric material. Facial features on the face are supported, in part, by posable elements that lay under the elastomeric material of the face. Each posable element extends from the interior head base at a different ball and socket joint. Each posable element also has a post that extends from the ball and socket joint. The post contacts the interior surface of the face, wherein movement of a post alters a point of contact between the post and the face within the contact area. Changes in the point of contact cause changes in the contours of the face. This alters the facial features.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 20, 2015
    Date of Patent: March 14, 2017
    Inventors: Simeon E. Tiefel, Keith Scheffler
  • Patent number: 7883391
    Abstract: A stuffed animal or doll that holds, stows, or warms a feeding bottle of an infant. The stuffed animal or doll includes adjustable straps extending forwardly from arms and legs thereof to adjustably embrace the infant in a face-to-face posture; flexible appendages in the form of rabbit ears having a Velcro fastener to circumscribe, clamp, and hold the feeding bottle in a feeding position relative to the infant when embraced by the adjustable straps; a battery-powered warmer pouch disposed at a posterior region of the animal doll to provide stowage and/or warming of a feeding bottle when not in use by the infant, and a voice-activated record/playback to record and repeatedly playback an audio track recorded by a caretaker of said infant. In addition, a speaker may be embedded inside the stuffed animal to playback a music track for the infant.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 15, 2007
    Date of Patent: February 8, 2011
    Inventor: Kwabena Asomani
  • Patent number: 7878878
    Abstract: A Halloween novelty item used for entertainment consisting of a removable reservoir of fluid and a timed electromagnetic valve inside a head that is activated by a motion sensor whereby allowing fluid to expel intermittently out of orifices attached to a tongue when the Halloween novelty item is approached. The expelled fluid is caught by a bucket attached to a slide bracket which is attached to a body panel whereby allowing the bucket to be removable. An assembly attached to a bucket handle consisting of a pair of hooks attached to a pair of hands connected to a pair of flexible arms allows the assembly to detach from the bucket's handle. A stabilization board keeps the novelty item stable. Motion sensors facing different directions are attached to a voice recorder and a speaker allowing messages to play. A hinge and latches attached to the body allows the invention to condense.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 7, 2008
    Date of Patent: February 1, 2011
    Inventor: Darren S. Massaro
  • Patent number: 7811152
    Abstract: Provided is an assembly for moving a selectively magnetized article. The assembly has a conduit having an inlet and an outlet and defining a lumen extending from the inlet to the outlet. A magnetic source is selectively positioned proximate an exterior surface of the conduit and transmits a magnetic field into the lumen to magnetically engage at least a portion of the selectively magnetized article. The assembly is configured to attract the selectively magnetized article through the inlet and move the article through the lumen toward the outlet. The assembly can be positioned within a doll with the inlet of the assembly positioned proximate a mouth of the doll. The assembly can include means for articulating a lower lip of the doll to simulate chewing of the selectively magnetized article when the article is inserted into the mouth of the doll.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 26, 2008
    Date of Patent: October 12, 2010
    Assignee: Original Appalachian Artworks, Inc.
    Inventors: Richard McEntyre, Sally Segalla McEntyre, Gerald Ray London
  • Patent number: 7744442
    Abstract: Toy dolls include a head having a face having an alterable appearance and a mechanism for altering the appearance of the face. The mechanism may include a first element configured to pivot about a first axis between a first position and a second position, a second element operatively coupled to the first element and configured to pivot about a second axis between a third position and a fourth position in response to the first element pivoting from the first position to the second position, and a third element operatively coupled to the first element and configured to pivot about a third axis between a fifth position and a sixth position in response to the first element pivoting from the first position to the second position. Pivoting the second element may alter a first aspect of the appearance of the face, and pivoting the third element may alter a second aspect of the appearance of the face.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 7, 2007
    Date of Patent: June 29, 2010
    Assignee: Mattel, Inc.
    Inventors: Tim Rettberg, Joe C. Ward, Tsui Yiu Sang
  • Publication number: 20100130095
    Abstract: Provided is an assembly for moving a selectively magnetized article. The assembly has a conduit having an inlet and an outlet and defining a lumen extending from the inlet to the outlet. A magnetic source is selectively positioned proximate an exterior surface of the conduit and transmits a magnetic field into the lumen to magnetically engage at least a portion of the selectively magnetized article. The assembly is configured to attract the selectively magnetized article through the inlet and move the article through the lumen toward the outlet. The assembly can be positioned within a doll with the inlet of the assembly positioned proximate a mouth of the doll. The assembly can include means for articulating a lower lip of the doll to simulate chewing of the selectively magnetized article when the article is inserted into the mouth of the doll.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 26, 2008
    Publication date: May 27, 2010
    Inventors: Richard McEntyre, Sally Segalla McEntyre, Gerald Ray London
  • Patent number: 7695339
    Abstract: A teething toy that is chewable and sensory stimulating uses a hollow cylinder made of a soft clear polymeric material. It is approximately half filled with a colored fluid. Shiny particle specks and different shaped multicolored floating objects are suspended in the fluid. Nipple shaped protrusions extend from end spherical end. A circular handle with oval cross section extends from the side of the cylinder. Directly opposite this handle is a rectangular shaped handle with oval cross section. The sides of both handles have small extension knobs protruding from the narrow sides of the cross sections. Options include longitudinal ribs running along the cylinder surface for easy grasp and manipulation. Additional options include rectangular grips extending, from the sides of the toy. Options include a suction cup and suspended from a flexible plastic cord that tethers the toy to a surface such as a high chair tray.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 21, 2007
    Date of Patent: April 13, 2010
    Inventors: Mary Kathryn Friedman, Larry P. LaPointe, Candace M. LaPointe, Richard Friedman
  • Publication number: 20090233518
    Abstract: An interactive toy doll where the doll interacts with the user by reacting to its own orientation and to pressure applied to its body or mouth. If the doll is placed in a horizontal position, such as being laid down in a bed, it will close its eyes and go to sleep. Squeezing the doll's chest, as if hugging it, or placing the doll in an upright position can wake the doll. The doll can be fed by placing a toy bottle in the doll's mouth. The doll will then react by making sounds of a baby sucking on a bottle. After a set period of time in which the doll has not been fed, the doll will emit crying sounds, as if the doll is hungry.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 11, 2008
    Publication date: September 17, 2009
    Inventor: Man Kit Hui
  • Patent number: 7354331
    Abstract: A set of interactive eating utensils includes a first eating utensil, such as a spoon or other piece of cutlery, and a container for containing food. The spoon or other cutlery piece has an embedded magnet that produces a magnetic field. The container is electrically operable and includes an induction coil that is electrically operatively connected to a speaker for producing sound upon the interaction of the magnetic field of the magnet and an electromagnetic field of the induction coil generated upon passing of an electric current through the coil. The container has a moveable portion that moves in response to a predetermined set of conditions, such as failure of the induction coil magnetic field to interact with first eating utensil magnetic field for a predetermined period of time.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 15, 2003
    Date of Patent: April 8, 2008
    Assignee: Star H.K. Electronic Limited
    Inventor: Andre Sala
  • Patent number: 7189137
    Abstract: A tearing mechanism for a toy includes a fluid chamber, a valve in operable communication with the fluid chamber for allowing or restricting the flow of a fluid from the tearing mechanism, and a motor operable in first and second generally opposite directions. The motor actuates the valve to cause tearing of the toy, when operating in only one of the first and second directions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 16, 2005
    Date of Patent: March 13, 2007
    Inventors: Steven Ellman, Lawrence Mass, Fredric Ellman, Julius Ellman
  • Patent number: 7115014
    Abstract: A toy animal having a rigid body with movable legs, head and tail, is operated by internal gear mechanisms powered by a single, reversible, battery-powered motor operated in different directions. A hand controller is attached to the body to actuate the single motor in a selected direction to either move a plurality of legs to cause movement of the body while wagging the animal's tail, and to then cause the toy animal to urinate, or to move the head and actuate a tongue held in the head to lick a person holding the toy animal, or ingest fluid. The toy animal may also include a speaker and related circuitry that is actuated to cause the toy animal to make sounds, such as a bark, panting, a whimper and/or a tinkling sound at appropriate times.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 3, 2004
    Date of Patent: October 3, 2006
    Assignee: Mattel, Inc.
    Inventors: Tara McGrath, Kevin W. Gray, Ok-Soo Choi, Sam Tsui, Jon Marine
  • Patent number: 6872116
    Abstract: An improved baby bottle adapted with handles and a sound-generating module for generating audible sounds. A generally cylindrical baby bottle is adapted with longitudinally extending slots on opposing sides of the bottle. The slots receive and retain a removable handle assembly having first and second opposing handles that facilitate holding of the bottle while feeding. Additionally, the handle assembly includes a portion adapted for receiving an interchangeable sound-generating module in removable engagement therewith. The sound-generating module includes a battery power source, memory chip, speaker, and electrical circuitry required to selectively produce sounds when disposed on the handle assembly. The sound module may be adapted to play single or multiple songs such as the ABC song or lullabies, or may be configured for educational purposes such as number counting lessons.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 16, 2004
    Date of Patent: March 29, 2005
    Inventors: Christopher Dunnum, Michael M. Anthony
  • Patent number: 6767271
    Abstract: A sensor switch assembly intended for use inside a simulated mouth of a doll. The assembly include a fixed structure having a guide channel and a micro-switch attached near the guide channel, a movable structure having a floating pivot that may pivot within and slide along the guide channel so that the micro-switch may be triggered by any combination of sliding or pivoting of the movable structure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 20, 2002
    Date of Patent: July 27, 2004
    Assignee: Mattel, Inc.
    Inventor: Sam Tsui
  • Patent number: 6743071
    Abstract: A device and a method for the use thereof are disclosed for encouraging a child who is a poor eater to eat its food. The device includes a rim member having a contiguous periphery, which defines a central opening, with the underside of the rim member defining a securing portion adapted for securely mating with a peripheral edge portion of a container. A head member is mounted onto the rim member with at least part of the head member being located in a plane above the central opening defined by the rim member. The head member has at least one passageway defined therein, the passageway being adapted to allow access therethrough into and beyond the central opening defined by the rim member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 22, 2002
    Date of Patent: June 1, 2004
    Inventor: Harlene G. Tronca
  • Patent number: 6739933
    Abstract: A wearable drink holder apparatus. In accordance with one embodiment, the wearable drink holder apparatus includes an animal-shaped body member having an interior compartment for securely encasing a drink container therewithin. Elongated support straps shaped as grasping animal limbs are utilized to attach the animal-shaped body member to a wearer's body. A protuberance member formed in the shaped of an animal face extends from the top of and approximately centrally aligned with the body member. The protuberance member includes an interior cavity through which a drinking conduit extends from the drink container to the exterior of the protuberance member toward the wearer's face.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 25, 2003
    Date of Patent: May 25, 2004
    Inventor: Elaine Taylor
  • Patent number: 6709310
    Abstract: A soft-bodied drink-and-wet doll having a hard head and a hard butt or crotch area, a soft, stuffed body connecting the head and butt areas, and a fluid conduit connecting the mouth in the head and a hole in the butt. The hard butt area avoids liquid “evacuated” by the doll from being absorbed by the soft body portion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 29, 2003
    Date of Patent: March 23, 2004
    Assignee: Goldberger Doll Co.
    Inventor: Michael Pietrafesa
  • Patent number: 6699097
    Abstract: A timer activated toy that has a “run time” which correlates to the time interval of a user input. The toy may include both a button which can be depressed for a time interval and a switch that can be switched to an on position. The toy may have a motor or electronic sound circuit that is activated when the switch is turned on and a counter that counts to a count value after the button is depressed. The motor is deactivated when the counter reaches the count value. The toy will thus be activated for an interval that corresponds to the time the button is depressed. This correlation simulates filling a “gas tank” of the toy.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 9, 2001
    Date of Patent: March 2, 2004
    Inventors: Elliot Rudell, George T. Foster
  • Patent number: 6471565
    Abstract: A toy includes a toy proper and accessories. The toy proper includes a processing unit having a microprocessor or a microcontroller incorporated therein. An autonomous electrical supply supplies the processing unit with electrical energy. An assembly of at least one of a sensor and an actuator connected to the processing unit carries out at least one type of function. An inductive coupler is connected to the processing unit. The accessories associated with the toy proper each include at least one inductive label for interacting electromagnetically with the inductive coupler so that a current of defined frequency flows through said at least one inductive coupler connected to said at least one processing unit and said inductive coupler exchanges with said inductive labels binary data corresponding to phase or amplitude states of the frequency modulation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 8, 2001
    Date of Patent: October 29, 2002
    Assignee: Groupe Berchet
    Inventor: Janick Simeray
  • Patent number: 6135845
    Abstract: A toy doll includes a body having an opening simulating a mouth and first and second electrical switches, each switch being disposed proximal to the simulated mouth and activatable by an object inserted at least partially into the mouth. A speaker is attached to the body. An electrical circuit including an integrated circuit chip is electrically connected with the switches and with the speaker. A base configured as a feeding tray is disposed externally of and is detachably connected with the body. The base has three external switches electrically connected with the circuit chip. The circuit chip has a plurality of memory registers, each register storing a separate signal corresponding to a separate audio message. The chip is configured to randomly select a prompt signal from the memory registers and to transmit the stored signal to the speaker. The prompt signal prompts the user to select a specified one of the switches. The chip is also configured to compare the selected switch with the specified switch.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 1, 1998
    Date of Patent: October 24, 2000
    Inventors: Randall Jon Klimpert, Ann Danielak Klimpert, David Christianson, Dieter Herbstler, Anne Pitrone
  • Patent number: 6095886
    Abstract: A toy nursing bottle for use with a doll is provided with a reciprocating nipple that actuates a bellows to create air bubbles in a liquid within the bottle. The toy nursing bottle includes a transparent bottle having a body portion and a neck portion, and a volume of liquid, preferably a colored liquid, in the body portion of the bottle. A resiliently compressible bellows is supported within the neck portion of the bottle. The bellows includes an outlet valve in the bottom wall for injecting air bubbles into the liquid in the bottle when the bottle is inverted and the bellows is compressed, and an inlet valve in the bottom wall for drawing air back into the bellows when the bellows is released. An elongated air inlet tube is connected to the inlet valve and extends upwardly into an air space above the volume of liquid in the bottle so that the air is drawn into the bellows from the air space.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 21, 1999
    Date of Patent: August 1, 2000
    Assignee: Design Lab, LLC
    Inventors: Ralph Beckman, John Murphy, Roseanne Radosevich, Stephanie Janis
  • Patent number: 6042450
    Abstract: A doll with simulated physiological functions, in particular a toy doll in the form of a teddy bear, is described. The teddy bear has a head with eyes that can move and a mouth that opens and closes. A lower jaw pivots about a first axis to provide the opening and closing action of the mouth. A mechanical linkage means is provided to transmit a movement of the lower jaw to another part of the doll, for example to the eyes, whereby opening and/or closing of the mouth, for example when feeding the teddy bear, can produce a simulated physiological response from the doll, for example a responsive eye movement. The mechanical linkage means also actuates a sound generating means. The arrangement of the mechanical linkage means is such that there is a degree of unpredictability in the simulated physiological functions which enhances the long term play value of the doll and increases the enjoyment of a child. Incorporating other simulated physiological functions further enhances the play value of the teddy bear.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 19, 1997
    Date of Patent: March 28, 2000
    Assignee: Toy Concepts Pty. Ltd.
    Inventors: John Malcolm Leversedge, Victor Manuel Pracas
  • Patent number: 5984760
    Abstract: A bottle includes an outer vessel formed of a transparent or clear material and an inner vessel slightly smaller than the outer vessel and received therein to create a space therebetween. A cap is secured to the outer vessel and defines apertures therein. The outer vessel defines a closed upper end having apertures aligned with the cap apertures. A valve body providing check valves operable in opposite directions is coupled to a pair of straws which in turn are directed upwardly through the respective apertures and are joined at a common pump bulb. The pump bulb is formed of a resilient elastic material and cooperates with the check valves to displace liquid from the outer vessel to the inner vessel as the bulb is repeatedly squeezed and released. A doll cooperating with the bottle receives the pump bulb in a mouth opening and provides mouth motion to squeeze and release the pump bulb.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 13, 1998
    Date of Patent: November 16, 1999
    Assignee: Mattel, Inc.
    Inventor: Jon C. Marine
  • Patent number: 5975979
    Abstract: The doll of the invention includes an internal mechanism based on gears, cams and terminations by virtue of which a series of movements are performed to provide a) swinging of the left arm, causing a rattler attached to said arm's hand to sound; b) stopping these movements and initiating movement of the second arm, bending the arm at the elbow and closing the hand in an approaching and grabbing motion on the pacifier previously inserted in the doll's mouth, opposite movements of said second arm being performed thereafter to pull out the pacifier, it being released from the hand holding it as a result of the pacifier being attached to a tether placed around the doll's neck. This cycle is repeated every time the pacifier is placed in the doll's mouth, thus simulating real-life movements for sounding the rattler and then removing the pacifier by itself.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 2, 1996
    Date of Patent: November 2, 1999
    Assignee: Onilco Innovacion S.A.
    Inventor: Jaime Ferri Llorens
  • Patent number: 5975980
    Abstract: A hand-held and manipulated eating toy for simulating eating, chewing, swallowing and discharge of objects by finger and thumb manipulation of a fabric mouth and throat, comprises a toy figure, which may be an animal, dinosaur, imaginary type figure, or the like, includes a mouth forming area with an introducing aperture and a discharge forming area with a discharge aperture. An inner fabric pouch is secured within the toy figure and has a first opening at a top end and a second opening at a bottom end. The first opening is positioned in the mouth forming area of the toy figure and the second opening is positioned in the discharge forming area of the toy figure. The second opening has mating pieces of hook and loop fastening material secured thereto for closure of the second opening. The inner fabric pouch is irregularly configured and has a bottom tapered base portion and a broadened portion secured to the bottom tapered base portion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 12, 1998
    Date of Patent: November 2, 1999
    Inventor: Joline Whiteneck
  • Patent number: 5926990
    Abstract: A bird decoy movement system for simulating the movement of a bird is described. Some bird decoys are manufactured with legs that pivot at the lower part of the body. These decoys also have a prefabricated opening on the bottom of the body behind the pivotal legs. The preferred embodiment of the present invention takes advantage of the existing design in that the motion device is mounted in the prefabricated opening. The rotary motion of an arm mounted on the motion device shaft imparts a linear motion to a rod mounted on the end of the arm. When the other end of the arm is attached to a fixed rod in a ground plane, the decoy pivots about the pivotal legs and simulated feeding. Other embodiments simulate movement of a shell type decoy and a full body decoy with fixed legs.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 8, 1996
    Date of Patent: July 27, 1999
    Inventor: Russell Okimoto
  • Patent number: 5890907
    Abstract: An educational doll, useful to teach toilet training to young children, dispenses measured portions of superhydrophobic sand into water, perhaps contained in a transparent commode, scaled to the size of the doll. The superhydrophobic sand collects on the bottom of the commode as a cohesive mass, simulating a bowel movement. The sand can be dyed brown to enhance the visual image imparted to the child. The commode can be equipped with a trap door to simulate flushing of the toilet. When the water is drained away, the sand will be dry because of its superhydrophobic property, thus, easy to handle and reuse.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 13, 1998
    Date of Patent: April 6, 1999
    Assignee: Clifford W. Estes Company, Inc.
    Inventor: David T. Minasian
  • Patent number: 5853315
    Abstract: A sound generating toy capable of generating sound without any power supply and while being simplified in structure, as well as exhibiting more reality. The toy includes a toy body including a head, in which a mouth (4), a door member (5) pivotally moved when the mouth is charged with a toy food (3), a spiral spring wind-up mechanism (6) actuated in association with the door member, a spiral spring unit (7) and a sound output unit (A) are arranged. When an eccentric rotating member (15) mounted on an output shaft (14) of the spiral spring unit is rotated to engage with a sound generating means (8), the sound generating means cyclically generates sound.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 8, 1997
    Date of Patent: December 29, 1998
    Assignee: Takara Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Ryouichi Satoh
  • Patent number: 5823329
    Abstract: An infant's food dish includes a sound unit which is enabled by a switch, the state of which can be changed merely by bringing an object into proximity with the switch. Suitably the switch is magnetically operable and the object is the magnetized tip of a feeding utensil such as a spoon.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 25, 1997
    Date of Patent: October 20, 1998
    Inventor: Brian G. Roberts
  • Patent number: 5820441
    Abstract: An animated doll having a head, torso, and limbs is provided with an animation mechanism for moving the limbs. The animation mechanism is housed in the torso and includes an electric motor, a cam wheel rotated by the motor, and a plurality of lever arms engaged with the cam wheel and pivotal as the wheel rotates. A plurality of pivotal members are provided, each extending into a respective limb. Each lever arm is engaged with a respective pivotal member to produce movement of the limbs in response to operation of the motor. The plane of rotation of the cam wheel and the plane of pivoting movement of the lever arms is parallel to the plane which passes through the torso and limbs. A switch may be provided to provide electric power to the motor. The switch may be a magnetically actuated switch located at the mouth of the doll; and a magnet to actuate the switch may be provided on a simulated feeding bottle or on clothing of a user. The doll may produce sounds such as crying, sucking, or a heart beat.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 25, 1997
    Date of Patent: October 13, 1998
    Assignee: Inntoy Pty. Ltd.
    Inventor: Victor Manuel Pracas
  • Patent number: 5820440
    Abstract: A toy doll or bear that laughs or sings a nursery song when bounced or dandled is disclosed. A particular area on the rump of the doll is pressure sensitive and produces the given sound when a pressure level is detected in that particular area that is within a range of pressure levels produced when the doll's rump contacts the child's knee in a gentle bounce. In an alternative embodiment, electrically conductive sensors are provided on the rump area of the doll to detect when the doll's rump is wet. Tapping one of the bear's knees selects a respective song and controls the sound generator's mode of operation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 17, 1997
    Date of Patent: October 13, 1998
    Assignee: Pragmatic Designs, Inc.
    Inventor: Joseph F. Truchsess
  • Patent number: 5713778
    Abstract: A doll includes a torso having an opening. A simulated bowel movement may be moved through the opening between positions respectively inside and outside the torso.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 31, 1996
    Date of Patent: February 3, 1998
    Assignees: Design Lab LLC, Steven A. Schwartz, Roseann Radosevitch
    Inventors: Roseann Radosevich, Ralph A. Beckman, Gregory L. Gerold, John Murphy, Stephen A. Schwartz
  • Patent number: 5655946
    Abstract: An apparatus and method for simulating the feeding of a variety of food types to a child's baby doll is disclosed. The apparatus includes a spoon and a food container. The food container is segmented into three compartments, each of which contains a different simulated food type. Within each compartment is a cam assembly for interaction with a cam follower that is disposed within a spindle that is rotatably mounted within the bowl of the spoon. The outer surface of the spindle is configured to also represent food, where the types of food represented on the spindle in the bowl of the spoon are the same food types that are simulated in the food container.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 14, 1996
    Date of Patent: August 12, 1997
    Assignee: Fisher-Price, Inc.
    Inventors: Peter M. Harris, Charles W. Paddock
  • Patent number: 5580292
    Abstract: A toy bank has a body part having a mouth-forming area provided with an introducing slot, the mouth-forming area having an immovable portion and a movable portion which is movable relative to the immovable portion between an open position in which the mouth-forming area imitates an open mouth and the introducing slot is exposed for introducing money, and a closed position in which the mouth-forming area imitates a closed mouth and the introducing slot is not exposed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 21, 1995
    Date of Patent: December 3, 1996
    Inventor: Iosif Gaportsin
  • Patent number: 5391106
    Abstract: An animated toy figure comprising an articulate jaw and a spring actuated tongue member, wherein the articulate jaw defines a mouth movable between an open position for rigidly extending the tongue member away from the mouth and a closed position for storing the tongue member which recoils automatically into the mouth upon actuation, the spring actuated tongue member further including fabric fasteners for attaching small objects to be caught in the tongue member as it recoils into the mouth.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 25, 1994
    Date of Patent: February 21, 1995
    Inventor: Albert W. Lidert, Jr.
  • Patent number: 5290198
    Abstract: A doll having a sensor for determining the insertion of a top portion of a nursing bottle. The sensor includes a movable portion pivoting in response to insertion of the top portion of the nursing bottle. A contact point secures to one end of the movable portion and engages a contact member in order to cause a sound to be emitted by the doll. The sound is emitted from a speaker placed within the doll. A pair of pressure activated switches are also provided in the doll and operate in conjunction with the sensor to generate varied vocal responses.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 17, 1990
    Date of Patent: March 1, 1994
    Assignee: Yugen Kaisha Nakashou Giken
    Inventor: Toshiaki Nakayama
  • Patent number: 5250003
    Abstract: A cookie eating toy doll having a head, limbs and body, and a mouth with upper and lower lips, and a cookie "eating" mechanism. A storage area is also provided in the body for the cookies fed to the doll, and a passageway leads from the mouth to the storage area. A pair of cookie rollers advance a cookie into the doll's mouth when placed therein; and an electrically driven motor including a drive train rotates the cookie rollers enabling the cookie to be drawn into the mouth in and discharging the cookie into a passageway which directs the cookie to a storage area in the body of the doll.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 16, 1992
    Date of Patent: October 5, 1993
    Assignee: Creatividad Y Diseno S.A.
    Inventor: Jose M. R. Ferre
  • Patent number: 5190492
    Abstract: A mechanism for dolls which allows for crying, movement of the lips and swivelling of the eyeballs. The mechanism includes a control circuit and timing element which is connected to a switch placed in the mouth of the doll, a magnetic field detector placed in the proximity of the mouth, a voice apparatus, and a motor attached to a mechanism for moving the lips and eyes. The latter mechanism consists of an eccentrically mounted shaft which is attached to one end of a spring having its other end connected to a piece that ends in the shape of an arrow-head connected to the doll face in the proximity of the mouth of the doll. A pacifier inserted in the mouth of the doll, opens the switch to maintain inactive all the devices. If the pacifier is removed the voice device is activated. A bottle having a magnetic element can be inserted into the mouth, and operates the magnetic field detector to start the motor and operate the lips and the eyes.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 27, 1991
    Date of Patent: March 2, 1993
    Inventor: Juan J. Berenguer
  • Patent number: 5163863
    Abstract: An action toy for young children comprising a base that defines a pathway, and motor means on the base connected to a primary mobile object in the form of a personified animal or vehicle such as a toy shark for advancing the object forwardly along the pathway. Caming surfaces are spaced along the pathway and a matting caming surface is provided on the primary object. The caming surfaces are arranged and designed so that they engage and cause the primary object to raise upwardly at each pathway caming surface and then lower back down between pathway caming surfaces. This provides intermittent up and down movement of the primary object as it moves forwardly. Such movement could simulate the opening and closing of the jaws of the shark. Secondary objects such as small fish may also be provided for movement along the pathway; They may appear to be "swallowed" by the shark when it reaches one of them.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 8, 1991
    Date of Patent: November 17, 1992
    Assignee: Adolph E. Goldfarb
    Inventors: Adolph E. Goldfarb, Martin I. Goldfarb
  • Patent number: 5141465
    Abstract: A toy including a flexible cover having a fish-like shape, a filler material contained within the flexible cover, and an engagement material attached within an indented area within the flexible cover. The flexible cover has an area at one end defining a mouth for the fish-like shape. The filler material is generally pliable. The filler material at least partially fills the flexible cover. The engagement material is suitable for contact engagement with another material exterior of the cover. The engagement material is threadedly fastened to the mouth area of the flexible cover. The engagement material is a loop material. The loop material is suitable for contact engagement with a hook material. A fishing lure apparatus is provided. The fishing lure apparatus is covered with a hook material. This hook material can engage the loop material of the mouth of the flexible cover.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 26, 1991
    Date of Patent: August 25, 1992
    Inventor: James H. Stellman
  • Patent number: 5125865
    Abstract: A toy doll includes a doll body and an animating mechanism in the doll body. The doll body includes a head portion including a resiliently flexible mouth section, a longitudinally expandable and contractible torso portion, and right and left arms and legs. The animating mechanism is operative by manually depressing the mouth section to actuate the animating mechanism to reciprocally move the mouth section inwardly and outwardly to simulate a chewing activity, and it is thereafter operative by manipulating one of the arms to actuate the animating mechanism to longitudinally expand the torso portion to simulate a growing activity.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 2, 1990
    Date of Patent: June 30, 1992
    Assignee: Toy Builders
    Inventors: Henry Orenstein, Joseph Wetherell, Alan Buckwalter
  • Patent number: 5118321
    Abstract: A utensil which has a feeding end and a hollow handle. A holding element is displaceable within the hollow element relative to the feeding end between a revealing position, where an end of the holding element that is decorated with imitation food projects over the feeding end, and a hidden position, where the decorated end of the holding element is withdrawn and concealed within the hollow handle. A spring biases the holding element into the hidden position and a latch retains the holding element in the revealing position. The holding element enters the revealing position during withdrawal of the utensil from a toy container and enters the hidden position during insertion of the feeding end into a doll`s mouth.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 2, 1991
    Date of Patent: June 2, 1992
    Assignee: Kenner Products, Division of Tonka Corp.
    Inventors: Lawrence J. Greenberg, Gregory E. Hyman, Judith H. Blau
  • Patent number: 5037345
    Abstract: A doll of a human baby, teddy bear or other shape is provided and has the capacity to ingest a simulated solid food item in its mouth and thereafter store it within its body, and produce one of a variety of responsive simulated voice expressions. The ingested food item may thereafter be recovered for reuse from a holding region of the doll.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 7, 1989
    Date of Patent: August 6, 1991
    Assignee: Nakashou Giken Limited Company
    Inventor: Toshiaki Nakayama
  • Patent number: 4778433
    Abstract: The disclosed toy creature defines a mouth, a tongue, and means for manipulating the tongue between a substantially extended straight orientation projecting from the mouth, and a coiled orientation totally within the mouth. As so manipulated, the tongue may be coiled around and entrap some toy prey, and draw the prey back toward and into the mouth, as if to eat the prey. The mouth may be opened and closed, correlated to the movement of the tongue, particularly in opening the mouth wide only upon the tongue being recoiled, to carry the captured prey into the opened mouth. The tongue may be formed of links, pivoted together end-to-end; and a push-pull member, extended substantially the full length of the tongue links, but offset laterally from the pivot connections, may be used for manipulating the tongue.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 12, 1987
    Date of Patent: October 18, 1988
    Assignee: Up-Trend Design
    Inventors: Robert S. McKay, Dennis R. Dahm, Robert S. McLennan
  • Patent number: 4699603
    Abstract: A motion toy consists of a toy body and a power feeder. The toy body contains a driving mechanism for driving a movement mechanism and a fixed terminal on one side thereof. The power feeder is provided independently of the toy body and formed in a desired shape and has a connection terminal which can be detachably connected to the fixed terminal. The driving mechanism for driving the movement mechanisms is provided within the head of the toy body, and the fixed terminal is arranged within the mouth of the toy. The power feeder is shaped like a feeding bottle containing batteries, and the connection terminal thereof is shaped like the mouthpiece of the feeding bottle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 24, 1986
    Date of Patent: October 13, 1987
    Assignee: Iwaya Corporation
    Inventors: Hiroshi Saigo, Takashi Suzuki
  • Patent number: 4669997
    Abstract: Pneumatic action toy creatures each have a body with a hollow resilient compressible portion. An opening in the compressible portion receives an elongated piston with a cross section substantially conforming to the opening to provide for pneumatic reciprocation of the piston. At least one set of opposed members is mounted for pivotal movement with respect to each other in a direction, and about an axis, generally transverse to the elongated dimension of the piston. Either by an enlargement on one end of the piston, or through interaction with the opposed members, the throw of the piston is limited to retain the one end within the compressible portion. Reciprocation of the piston upon compression and release of the resilient body portion actuates pivotal movement of the opposed members through mechanical engagement.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 4, 1985
    Date of Patent: June 2, 1987
    Assignee: Marvin Glass & Associates
    Inventors: Ralph J. Kulesza, Harry Disko, Dennis R. Gibbons
  • Patent number: 4595379
    Abstract: A toy doll with arms and legs mounted for pivotal movement relative to the torso in response to rotational movement of a bottle nipple in the doll's mouth. One gear on a rotatable feed tube within the hollow head of the doll engages vertically oriented racks that then engage spur gears to rotate the arms. A bevel gear also carried by the tube engages a bevel gear on a depending drive shaft that has a crown gear driving a bevel gear for each of the legs. Both the arms and the legs are mounted on spools that freely rotate with respect to the torso. Frictional engagement of the limbs with respect to the spool permit the spool to pivotally drive the arms while also allowing selective, independent angular orientation of each of the limbs with respect to its respective spool.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 14, 1985
    Date of Patent: June 17, 1986
    Assignee: Marvin Glass & Associates
    Inventors: Russell G. Rasmussen, Steven P. Hanson, Jeffrey D. Breslow
  • Patent number: 4585425
    Abstract: A glove puppet assembly simulating a creature with movable claws has a body member and forwardly extending claw members with lever arm portions which extend into the cavity of the body member. A bell crank assembly in the cavity is pivotally connected to the inner ends of the lever arm portions, and an actuator connected to the bell crank assembly extends outwardly of the body member so that it may be manually actuated to pivot the bell crank assembly and cause the forward ends of the claw members to move relative to each other. A glove is secured to the lower outer surface of the body member and has a finger thereof extending through a ring portion on the actuator so that the user's finger may be pivoted downwardly to provide the desired manual action. The creature also includes a tail member pivoted to the body member, and it is pivotable by relative motion between the forearm and hand of the user in the glove.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 21, 1985
    Date of Patent: April 29, 1986
    Assignee: Coleco Industries, Inc.
    Inventors: Francis R. Amici, Hans S. Berger, John P. McNett
  • Patent number: 4582499
    Abstract: A motion toy consists of a toy body and a power feeder. The toy body contains a driving mechanism for driving a movement mechanism and a fixed terminal on one side thereof. The power feeder is provided independently of the toy body and formed in a desired shape and has a connection terminal which can be detachably connected to the fixed terminal. The driving mechanism for driving the movement mechanisms is provided within the head of the toy body, and the fixed terminal is arranged within the mouth of the toy. The power feeder is shaped like a feeding bottle containing batteries, and the connection terminal thereof is shaped like the mouthpiece of the feeding bottle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 30, 1983
    Date of Patent: April 15, 1986
    Assignee: Iwaya Corporation
    Inventors: Hiroshi Saigo, Takashi Suzuki