Toy

Abstract

We provide toys that use liquids to offer visual enjoyment. [Solution] The toy 100 comprises a main body 110 having an internal space 140 formed by being surrounded by an inner surface, the internal space communicating with the outside through an upper opening 120 and a lower opening, and when the main body is submerged in liquid from the lower opening, the liquid flows into the internal space through the lower opening and the air in the internal space flows out to the outside through the upper opening, and when the main body is moved up and down with the upper opening above the liquid surface and the lower opening below the liquid surface, when the main body is moved upward, the air pressure in the internal space decreases and the liquid in the internal space is sucked upward, and when the main body is moved downward, a portion of the liquid in the internal space which has upward inertia comes out to the outside through the upper opening.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to a toy that plays using liquids such as water and hot water.

Background Art

[0002] Toys that play using liquids such as water and hot water (hereinafter collectively referred to as "liquids") in children's pools, bathtubs, etc. have been proposed in various ways. Among them, a water spraying toy provided with a stretchable container connected to a compression spring inside the main body has been proposed (for example, see Patent Document 1). In the toy described in Cited Document 1, the spring is compressed to expand the container and fill it with liquid, and the elastic force of the spring stretching contracts the container, allowing the liquid inside the container to be blown out to the outside through the water spraying mouth.

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0003]

Patent Document 1

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0004] The toy described in Cited Document 1 can provide visual enjoyment to the user because liquid blows out from the main body. However, because it has various movable members inside the main body, such as a compression spring and a stretchable container, the structure becomes complex, the weight increases, and the manufacturing cost also increases. Therefore, an object of the present invention is to provide a toy using a liquid that can give visual enjoyment to the user with a simple structure.

Means for Solving the Problems

[0005] One aspect of the present invention is provided with a main body having an internal space formed by being surrounded by an inner surface, the internal space communicates with the outside through an upper opening and a lower opening, When the main body is submerged in the liquid from the lower opening, the liquid flows into the internal space through the lower opening, and the air in the internal space flows out to the outside through the upper opening. The toy is characterized in that, when the main body is moved up and down with the upper opening positioned above the liquid surface and the lower opening positioned below the liquid surface, when the main body is moved upward, the air pressure in the internal space decreases and the liquid in the internal space is drawn upward, and when the main body is moved downward, a portion of the liquid in the internal space, which has upward inertia, is released to the outside through the upper opening. [Effects of the Invention]

[0006] As described above, the above embodiment makes it possible to provide a liquid-based toy with a simple structure that can provide the user with visual enjoyment. [Brief explanation of the drawing]

[0007] [Figure 1A] This is a schematic perspective view showing a toy according to the first embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 1B] This is a side cross-sectional view showing section AA of Figure 1A. [Figure 2A] This is a schematic side cross-sectional view showing the initial state when using the toy according to the first embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 2B] This is a schematic side cross-sectional view showing the toy after it has been moved upward from the state shown in Figure 2A. [Figure 2C] This is a schematic side cross-sectional view showing the state in which the toy is moved downwards from the state shown in Figure 2B, and the liquid in the internal space has been released to the outside through the upper opening. [Figure 3A] This is a schematic perspective view showing a toy according to a second embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 3B] This is a side cross-sectional view showing the cross-section BB of Figure 3A. [Figure 4A] This is a schematic side cross-sectional view showing the initial state when using the toy according to the second embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 4B]This is a schematic side cross-sectional view showing the toy after it has been moved upward from the state shown in Figure 4A. [Figure 4C] Figure 4B shows a schematic side cross-sectional view illustrating the state after the toy has been moved downwards, causing the liquid inside to drain out through the upper opening. [Figure 5A] This is a schematic side cross-sectional view showing the initial state when using the toy according to the third embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 5B] This is a schematic side cross-sectional view showing the toy after it has been moved upward from the state shown in Figure 5A. [Figure 5C] This is a schematic side cross-sectional view showing the state in which the toy is moved downwards from the state shown in Figure 5B, and the liquid in the internal space has been released to the outside through the upper opening. [Figure 6A] This image shows the results of a test conducted using the toy according to the first embodiment, which was prototyped, and represents the initial state. [Figure 6B] This image shows the liquid inside the toy actually coming out through the top opening after moving the toy up and down from the state shown in Figure 6A. [Modes for carrying out the invention]

[0008] Next, specific embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings. In each figure, corresponding members having the same function are given the same reference numeral. In the following description and drawings, up and down are indicated along the direction of gravity.

[0009] (Toy according to the first embodiment) First, an overview of the toy according to the first embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to Figures 1A and 1B. Figure 1A is a schematic perspective view showing the toy according to the first embodiment of the present invention. Figure 1B is a side cross-sectional view showing cross-section AA of Figure 1A.

[0010] The toy 100 according to the first embodiment of the present invention is a toy that plays with liquid, and can be enjoyed anywhere as long as there is equipment such as a children's pool, a bathtub, a water tank, or a bucket that can store liquid. The toy 2 according to the present embodiment is mainly composed of a main body 110. The main body 110 according to the present embodiment has a hollow structure formed by an outer shell with a predetermined thickness t. In the illustrated example, the main body 110 has an integrated structure in which a substantially cylindrical side surface portion 112 and a substantially disc-shaped upper surface portion 114 are connected. An upper opening 120, which is a through hole, is formed in a region substantially at the center of the upper surface portion 114. A lower opening 130 that is entirely open is formed on the lower side of the side surface portion 112.

[0011] As a result, an internal space 140 surrounded by the inner surface 112A of the side surface portion 112 and the ceiling surface 114A of the upper surface portion 114 is formed, and the internal space 140 communicates with the outside through the upper opening 120 and the lower opening 130.

[0012] In the present embodiment, the main body 110 is formed of a resin material. More specifically, resin materials such as EVA (ethylene vinyl acetate copolymer), ABS (acrylonitrile, butadiene, styrene synthetic resin), PP (polypropylene), PE (polyethylene), PVC (polyvinyl chloride), POM (polyacetal), PA (polyamide), PC (polycarbonate), TPE (elastomer), and PU (polyurethane) can be used.

[0013] Since the main body 110 is formed of a resin material, it is lightweight, safe, and easy to handle, and can provide a suitable toy for water play. However, it is not limited to this, and the main body 110 can also be formed of wood, ceramic, or other pottery, or a metal material.

[0014] As shown in Figure 1B, the thickness t of the outer shell constituting the main body 10 can be exemplified as approximately 1 mm to 5 mm. The inner diameter d2 of the internal space 140 surrounded by the side portions 112 can be exemplified as approximately 10 mm to 100 mm, and the height h of the main body 110 can be exemplified as approximately 50 mm to 400 mm. In the illustrated example, one upper opening 120 is formed, but it is also possible that multiple upper openings 120 are formed. The diameter d1 and opening area of ​​the upper opening 120 will be described in detail later.

[0015] <How to use> Next, the method of using the toy 100 according to the first embodiment having the structure described above will be explained with reference to Figures 2A to 2C. Figure 2A is a schematic side cross-sectional view showing the initial state when using the toy according to the first embodiment of the present invention. Figure 2B is a schematic side cross-sectional view showing the toy after being moved upward from the state shown in Figure 2A. Figure 2C is a schematic side cross-sectional view showing the toy after being moved downward from the state shown in Figure 2B, and the liquid in the internal space has come out through the upper opening. Note that Figures 2A to 2C only show the upper region of the main body 110 of the toy 100.

[0016] To use the toy 100 according to this embodiment, first, as shown in Figure 2A, the main body 110 is submerged in the liquid from the lower opening 130. Preferably, the area where the liquid is stored has a depth greater than or equal to the height h direction, such that the entire main body 110 is submerged in the liquid.

[0017] As the main body 110 sinks into the liquid, the liquid flows into the internal space through the lower opening 130, and the air in the internal space 140 flows out through the upper opening 120. This allows the liquid to flow smoothly into the internal space 140 from the lower opening 130. When the main body 110 is submerged to a position where the upper opening 120 is above the liquid surface but very close to it (distance from the liquid surface is S1), the initial state for starting the game is reached as shown in Figure 2A. At this time, air exists only in the upper region of the internal space 140 near the top surface 114, and the region of the internal space 140 below that is filled with liquid.

[0018] During use, the main body 110 is moved up and down with the upper opening 120 positioned above the liquid surface and the lower opening 130 positioned below the liquid surface. The main body 110 should be moved up and down at a comfortable speed. Even infants can easily move the main body 110 up and down. As schematically shown by the white arrows in Figure 2B, when the main body 110 is moved upward, the volume of the internal space 140, which is located above the external liquid surface WL, increases (distance S2 > S1 from the liquid surface WL). Consequently, outside air flows into the internal space 140 from the upper opening 120. If the top surface portion 114 did not exist and the upper part of the main body 110 was completely open like the lower part, outside air would flow smoothly into the internal region 140. However, in this embodiment, the upper part of the main body 110 is covered by the top surface portion 114, and the upper opening 120 is formed only in a part of the top surface portion 114.

[0019] Therefore, as the main body 110 moves upward, the amount of outside air flowing into the internal space 14 from the upper opening 120 is limited compared to the volume increase of the internal space 140 region above the external liquid level WL. As a result, the air pressure inside the internal space 140 decreases, becoming negative pressure. The liquid filling the internal space 140 is subjected to the pressure from below by the liquid surface exposed to atmospheric pressure, so the liquid inside the internal space 140 is drawn upward. Therefore, as shown in Figure 2B, the liquid level inside the internal space 140 moves to a position higher than the external liquid level WL.

[0020] Subsequently, the vertical movement of the main body 110 is reversed, and the main body 110 is moved downward, as schematically shown by the white arrow in Figure 2C. At this time, the liquid in the internal space 140, which has been sucked up by the negative pressure, has upward inertia and continues to move upward regardless of the downward movement of the main body 110. As a result, some of the liquid in the internal space 40 that continues to move upward exits to the outside through the upper opening 120.

[0021] Also, as the main body 110 moves downward, the volume of the region of the internal space 140 located above the external liquid level WL decreases (the distance S3 from the liquid level WL < S2). When the main body 110 is moved upward, the internal space 140 becomes a negative pressure, but since the liquid is sucked up and the negative pressure is eliminated, air tries to flow out of the internal space 140 to the outside. This air flow promotes the liquid in the internal space 40 that continues to move upward to exit from the upper opening 120 to the outside. Due to the influence of this air flow, a part of the liquid that continues to move upward may break up and fly out to the outside like liquid splashes.

[0022] <Size of the upper opening 120> In the illustrated example, the case where the toy 100 has one upper opening 120 is shown, but it is not limited to this, and there may be a case where a plurality of upper openings 120 are provided. By allowing the liquid to fly out from the plurality of upper openings 120, visual amusement can be given to the user. On the other hand, in order to effectively discharge the liquid from the upper opening 120 to the outside, it is preferable to lower the air pressure in the internal space 140 more when the main body 110 is moved upward. From the viewpoint of making the internal space 140 more strongly negative pressure, it is preferable that the area of the upper opening 120 is smaller. However, if the upper opening 120 is too small, it becomes difficult for the liquid to exit to the outside through the upper opening 120 due to the viscosity and surface tension of the liquid.

[0023] As partially shown in the embodiments described later, a toy 100 having a main body 110 with the same shape as in the first embodiment was actually prototyped, and tests were conducted with upper openings 120 having various areas. When the speed of moving the main body 110 up and down is high, even if an upper opening 120 with a relatively large area is formed, the liquid in the internal space 140 can be discharged from the upper opening 120 to the outside. However, from the viewpoint that various users including infants can easily discharge the liquid in the internal space 140 from the upper opening 120, it is preferable that the area of the upper opening 120 is 10% or less of the area of the ceiling surface 114A. It was found that it is more preferable to be less than 5%, and most preferable to be less than 1%. Also, considering the viscosity and surface tension of the liquid, it is preferable that the diameter of the upper opening 120 is 0.8 mm or more.

[0024] As described above, in the toy 100 according to the first embodiment of the present invention, the upper end of the internal space 140 is covered by the ceiling surface 114A, an upper opening 120 is made in the ceiling surface 114A, and the area of ​​the upper opening 120 is 10% or less of the area of ​​the ceiling surface 114A.

[0025] Having an upper opening 120 of this size allows the liquid inside the internal space 140 to be easily released through the upper opening 120 by moving the main body 110 up and down. This unexpected movement of the liquid makes it possible to provide a toy 100 that, despite its simple structure, can provide the user with visual enjoyment.

[0026] In the above embodiment, the entire lower part of the main body 110 is occupied by the lower opening 130, but it is not limited to this. The lower part of the main body 110 may have a small inner bottom surface. Also, in the above embodiment, the main body 110 is substantially cylindrical, but it is not limited to this, and may be substantially rectangular. Furthermore, the main body 110 can be of any shape, including the shape of the main body in the second embodiment below.

[0027] (Toy according to the second embodiment) Next, an overview of the toy according to the second embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to Figures 3A and 3B. Figure 3A is a schematic perspective view showing the toy according to the second embodiment of the present invention. Figure 3B is a side cross-sectional view showing cross-section BB of Figure 3A.

[0028] The main body 210 according to the second embodiment also has a hollow structure formed with an outer shell of a predetermined thickness t. In the illustrated example, the main body 210 has an outer and inner surface shape that is generally frustoconical. The main body 210 has an integral structure in which a substantially frustoconical side portion 212 and a substantially disc-shaped upper surface portion 214 are connected. An upper opening 220, which is a through hole, is formed in the area approximately in the center of the upper surface portion 214. A lower opening 230 that is completely open is formed on the lower side of the side portion 212. The area of ​​the lower opening 230 is larger than the area of ​​the upper opening 220. The upper opening 220 of the second embodiment is formed to be larger than the upper opening 120 of the first embodiment described above.

[0029] The toy 200 according to this embodiment has an internal space 240 surrounded by an inner surface 212A, and the internal space 240 communicates with the outside through an upper opening 220 and a lower opening 230. Furthermore, the inner surface 212A is an inclined surface that opens downwards, such that the volume of the internal space 240 decreases as you move from the lower opening 230 to the upper opening 220.

[0030] In this embodiment as well, the main body 210 is made of the same resin material as described above. Because the main body 210 is made of resin material, a lightweight, safe, and easy-to-handle toy 200 suitable for water play can be provided.

[0031] The thickness t of the outer shell constituting the main body 210 can be exemplified as approximately 1 mm to 5 mm. The diameter d2 of the upper end of the roughly frustoconical inner surface 212A can be exemplified as approximately 20 mm to 50 mm, and the diameter d3 of the lower end of the inner surface 112A, i.e., the diameter of the lower opening 230, can be exemplified as approximately 50 mm to 200 mm. The height h of the main body 210 can be exemplified as approximately 30 mm to 150 mm. The diameter d1 of the upper opening 220 can be exemplified as approximately 15 mm to 30 mm. Note that the lower part of the main body 210 is not limited to the case where the entire lower part is occupied by the lower opening 230; the main body 210 may also have a small inner bottom surface around the periphery of the lower part.

[0032] A notable feature of the second embodiment is that a check valve 250 is positioned in the area of ​​the upper opening 220. A fixed bearing 254 is attached to the upper part of the outer surface of the main body 210. A movable bearing 256 is attached to the rotating plate-shaped portion 252. The fixed bearing 254 and the movable bearing 256 are positioned at both ends of the plate-shaped portion 252 along the direction of the rotation axis G, and a shaft 258 passes through them. As a result, the plate-shaped portion 152 is attached to the main body 210 in a rotatable state, as schematically shown by the bold arrows in Figures 3A and 3B. A counterweight 252A is integrally formed at one end of the plate-shaped portion 252. In this embodiment, the shaft 258 is made of a metal rod, and the other parts are made of resin material.

[0033] The plate-shaped portion 252 is formed such that the rotational moment of the main part of the plate-shaped portion 252 on the left side of the drawing is approximately balanced with respect to the axis of rotation G by the rotational moment of the counterweight 252A on the right side of the drawing. As a result, the plate-shaped portion 252 rotates smoothly in any direction with only slight force application or pressure changes.

[0034] When the plate-shaped portion 252 on the left side of the rotation axis G is rotated counterclockwise in the drawing so that the main part of the plate-shaped portion 252 moves downward, the main part of the plate-shaped portion 252 comes into contact with the upper surface 214 of the main body 210, and the upper opening 220 is closed. On the other hand, when the plate-shaped portion 252 on the left side of the rotation axis G is rotated clockwise in the drawing so that the main part of the plate-shaped portion 252 moves upward, a gap is created between the upper surface 214 of the main body 210 and the main part of the plate-shaped portion 252, and the upper opening 220 is opened.

[0035] <How to use> Next, the method of using the toy 200 according to the second embodiment having the structure described above will be explained with reference to Figures 4A to 4C. Figure 4A is a schematic side cross-sectional view showing the initial state when using the toy according to the second embodiment of the present invention. Figure 4B is a schematic side cross-sectional view showing the toy moved upward from the state shown in Figure 4A. Figure 4C is a schematic side cross-sectional view showing the toy moved downward from the state shown in Figure 4B, with the liquid in the internal space coming out through the upper opening.

[0036] To use the toy 200 according to this embodiment, first, as shown in Figure 4A, the main body 210 is submerged in the liquid from the lower opening 230. Preferably, the area where the liquid is stored has a depth greater than or equal to the height h direction, so that the entire main body 210 is submerged in the liquid.

[0037] As the main body 210 sinks into the liquid, the liquid flows into the internal space 240 through the lower opening 230, and the air inside the internal space 240 flows out through the upper opening 120. This allows the liquid to flow smoothly into the internal space 240 from the lower opening 230. The main body 210 is then submerged until the upper opening 220 is above the liquid surface but very close to it (distance from the liquid surface is S1), resulting in the initial state for starting the game as shown in Figure 4A. At this time, air exists only in the upper region of the internal space 240 near the upper surface portion 214, and the region of the internal space 240 below that is filled with liquid. At this time, the plate-shaped portion 252 of the check valve 250 can be stopped at any rotational position, but it is preferable that it be stopped in a position close to the closed state.

[0038] During use, the main body 210 is moved up and down with the upper opening 220 positioned above the liquid level WL and the lower opening 140 positioned below the liquid level WL. As schematically shown by the white arrows in Figure 4B, when the main body 210 is moved upward, the volume of the internal space 240, which is positioned above the external liquid level WL, increases (distance S2 > S1 from the liquid level WL). Consequently, the air pressure in the internal space 240 decreases and is drawn in through the upper opening 220, causing the plate-shaped portion 252 of the check valve 250 to rotate counterclockwise in the drawing, that is, in the closing direction.

[0039] As a result, the plate-like portion 252 of the check valve 250 closes the upper opening 120. Since the upper opening 220 is closed by the check valve 250, as the volume of the region of the internal space 240 above the external liquid level WL increases, the pressure of the air in the internal space 140 further decreases. The liquid filled in the internal space 240 is in a form where the liquid in the internal space 140 is sucked upward because the pressure of the liquid having a liquid level exposed to the atmospheric pressure acts from below. Therefore, as shown in FIG. 4B, the liquid level of the liquid in the internal space 240 moves to a position higher than the external liquid level WL.

[0040] After that, the vertical movement of the main body 210 is reversed, and the main body 210 is moved downward as schematically shown by the white arrow in FIG. 4C. At this time, the liquid in the internal space 140 sucked up under negative pressure has an upward inertia. Therefore, regardless of the downward movement of the main body 110, the liquid continues to move upward.

[0041] As the main body 210 moves downward, the volume of the region of the internal space 240 located above the external liquid level WL decreases (the distance S3 from the liquid level WL < S2). Although the internal space 240 becomes negative pressure when the main body 210 is moved upward, since the liquid has been sucked up and the negative pressure has been eliminated, air tries to flow out from the internal space 240 to the outside. Pushed by this air flow, the plate-like portion 252 of the check valve 250 that was in the closed state rotates clockwise in the drawing, that is, in the opening direction, and the upper opening 220 becomes an open state. For this reason, a part of the liquid in the internal space 240 having an upward inertia exits to the outside through the upper opening 220.

[0042] In addition, since the air in the internal space 240 flows out from the upper opening 220 to the outside as described above, it promotes the liquid in the internal space 240 that continues to move upward to exit from the upper opening 220 to the outside. Due to the influence of this air flow, a part of the liquid that continues to move upward may break up and fly out to the outside like liquid splashes.

[0043] As described above, in the toy 200 according to the second embodiment, a check valve 250 is provided in the upper opening 220, which closes when the main body 210 moves upward and opens when the main body 210 moves downward.

[0044] This check valve 250 allows the liquid inside the internal space 240 to be reliably expelled through the upper opening 220 by moving the main body 210 up and down. This unexpected movement of the liquid makes it possible to provide a toy 200 that, despite its simple structure, can provide the user with visual enjoyment.

[0045] Furthermore, in the toy 200 according to this embodiment, the inner surface 212A of the main body 210 is an inclined surface that opens towards the lower opening 230, such that the volume of the internal space 240 decreases as it moves from the lower opening 230 to the upper opening 220.

[0046] Since the inner surface 212A of the main body 210 has an inclined surface such that the volume of the internal space 240 decreases as you move from bottom to top, it is possible to further promote the expulsion of the liquid in the internal space 240 out through the upper opening 220.

[0047] In the second embodiment described above, the entire lower part of the main body 210 is occupied by the lower opening 230. However, it is not limited to this, and the lower part of the main body 210 may have a small inner bottom surface. Also, in the embodiment described above, the main body 210 is roughly frustoconical in shape, but it is not limited to this, and it may also be roughly frustopyric in shape. Furthermore, the main body 210 can be of any shape, including the shape of the main body in the first embodiment described above.

[0048] (Toy according to the third embodiment) Next, an overview of the toy according to the third embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to Figures 5A to 5C. Figure 5A is a schematic side cross-sectional view showing the initial state when using the toy according to the third embodiment of the present invention. Figure 5B is a schematic side cross-sectional view showing the toy after being moved upward from the state shown in Figure 5A. Figure 5C is a schematic side cross-sectional view showing the toy after being moved downward from the state shown in Figure 5B, with the liquid in the internal space coming out through the upper opening.

[0049] The main body 300 according to the third embodiment also has a hollow structure formed with an outer shell of a predetermined thickness t. In the illustrated example, the toy 300 comprises an elongated, substantially cylindrical main body 310. An upper opening 320 that is fully open is formed at the top of the main body 310, and a lower opening 330 that is fully open is formed at the bottom of the main body 310. This forms an internal space 340 surrounded by the inner surface 310A of the main body 310, and the internal space 340 communicates with the outside through the upper opening 320 and the lower opening 330.

[0050] In this embodiment as well, the main body 310 is formed from the same resin material as described above. Because the main body 310 is formed from a resin material, a lightweight, safe, and easy-to-handle toy 300 suitable for water play can be provided.

[0051] As shown in Figure 5A, the thickness t of the outer shell constituting the main body 310 can be exemplified as approximately 1 mm to 5 mm. The inner diameter d of the internal space 340 surrounded by the inner surface 310A of the main body 310 can be exemplified as approximately 5 mm to 30 mm, and the height h of the main body 310 can be exemplified as approximately 30 mm to 500 mm.

[0052] <How to use> The method of using the toy 300 according to the third embodiment having the structure described above will now be explained. To use the toy 300, first, as shown in Figure 5A, the main body 310 is submerged in the liquid from the lower opening 330. Preferably, the area where the liquid is stored has a depth greater than or equal to the height h direction, so that the entire main body 310 is submerged in the liquid.

[0053] As the main body 310 sinks into the liquid, the liquid flows into the internal space 340 through the lower opening 330, and the air inside the internal space 340 flows out through the upper opening 320. This allows the liquid to flow smoothly into the internal space 340 from the lower opening 330. The main body 310 is then submerged to a position where the upper opening 320 is above the liquid surface but very close to it (distance from the liquid surface is S1), resulting in the initial state for starting the game as shown in Figure 5A. At this time, air exists only in the upper region of the internal space 340, while the region below it is filled with liquid.

[0054] When using the device, with the upper opening 320 positioned above the liquid level and the lower opening 340 positioned below the liquid level, place finger F at the upper opening 320 and move the main body 310 up and down. As schematically shown by the white arrow in Figure 5B, when moving the main body 310 upward, increase the pressure of finger F so that the pad of finger F closes the upper opening 320.

[0055] As the main body 310 is moved upward, the volume of the internal space 340, which is located above the external liquid level WL, increases (distance S2 > S1 from the liquid level WL). However, since the upper opening 320 is closed by finger F, outside air does not flow in through the upper opening 320, and the air pressure inside the internal space 140 decreases. The liquid filling the internal space 340 is subjected to the pressure from below by the liquid with a liquid level exposed to atmospheric pressure, so the liquid inside the internal space 340 is drawn upward. Therefore, as shown in Figure 5B, the liquid level inside the internal space 340 moves to a position higher than the external liquid level WL.

[0056] Next, the up-and-down movement of the main body 310 is reversed, and the main body 310 is moved downward, as schematically shown by the white arrow in Figure 5C. At this time, by releasing the pressure of the finger holding down the upper opening 320, a gap is created between the upper opening 320 and the finger F, and the upper opening 320 opens.

[0057] Since the liquid in the internal space 340 sucked up by negative pressure has upward inertia, it continues to move upward regardless of the downward movement of the main body 310. For this reason, a part of the liquid in the internal space 340 that continues to move upward will exit to the outside through the gap between the upper opening 340 and the finger F.

[0058] Also, as the main body 310 moves downward, the volume of the region of the internal space 340 located above the external liquid level WL decreases (the distance S3 from the liquid level WL < S2). When the main body 310 is moved upward, the internal space 340 becomes negative pressure, but since the liquid is sucked up and the negative pressure is eliminated, air tries to flow out from the internal space 340 to the outside through the upper opening 340. This air flow promotes the liquid in the internal space 340 that continues to move upward to exit to the outside through the upper opening 320. Due to the influence of this air flow, a part of the liquid that continues to move upward may break up and fly out to the outside like liquid splashes.

[0059] As described above, in the toy 300 according to the third embodiment, when in use, the user presses the upper opening 320 with the finger F and increases the pressing force when moving the main body 310 upward, the pressure of the air in the internal space 340 decreases, and when moving the main body 310 downward, the pressing force is relaxed, so that the liquid in the internal space 340 exits to the outside through the gap between the upper opening 320 and the finger F.

[0060] In this way, with a toy 300 having a very simple structure, the liquid in the internal space 340 can surely be made to exit from the upper opening 320. It is possible to provide a toy 300 that can give the user visual enjoyment due to such unexpected movement of the liquid.

[0061] Note that in the toy 100 according to the first embodiment and the toy 300 according to this third embodiment, the inner surfaces 112A and 310A of the main bodies 110 and 310 have a substantially cylindrical shape such that the volumes of the internal spaces 140 and 340 are constant from the lower opening 130, 330 side to the upper opening 120, 320 side.

[0062] Since the inner surfaces 112A and 310A of the main body 110 and 310 have a roughly cylindrical shape, liquid can flow smoothly into and out of the internal space 340. Furthermore, the shape makes it easy for the user to hold the main body 110 and 310.

[0063] In the third embodiment described above, the upper and lower parts of the main body 310 are entirely occupied by the upper opening 320 and the lower opening 330. However, it is not limited to this, and at least one of the upper or lower parts of the main body 310 may have a small inner bottom surface around its periphery. Also, in the embodiment described above, the main body 310 is substantially cylindrical, but it is not limited to this, and may also be substantially rectangular. Furthermore, the main body 310 can be of any shape, including the shape of the main body in the second embodiment described above.

[0064] As described above, in each of the toys 100, 200, and 300 according to the first, second, and third embodiments, there is a main body 110, 210, and 310 having internal spaces 140, 240, and 340 formed by being surrounded by inner surfaces 112A, 212A, and 310A, and the internal spaces 140, 240, and 340 communicate with the outside through upper openings 120, 220, and 320 and lower openings 130, 230, and 330, and when the main body 110, 210, and 310 are submerged in liquid from the lower openings 130, 230, and 330, the liquid flows into the internal spaces 140, 240, and 340 through the lower openings 130, 230, and 330, and the upper openings 120, 220, and 330 When using the main body 110, 210, 310 and moving it up and down, with the upper openings 120, 220, 320 positioned above the liquid level and the lower openings 130, 230, 330 positioned below the liquid level, when the main body 110, 210, 310 is moved upward, the air pressure inside the internal spaces 140, 240, 340 decreases, causing the liquid inside the internal spaces 140, 240, 340 to be drawn upward. When the main body 110, 210, 310 is moved downward, some of the liquid inside the internal spaces 140, 240, 340, which has upward inertia, escapes to the outside through the upper openings 120, 220, 320.

[0065] This makes it possible to provide liquid-based toys 100, 200, and 300 with a simple structure that can provide users with visual enjoyment.

[0066] (Examples) Next, with reference to Figures 6A to 6B, we will describe an example in which a prototype of the toy according to the first embodiment described above was actually manufactured, and a demonstration test was conducted using the prototype toy. Figure 6A is an image showing the initial state when a test was conducted using the prototype toy according to the first embodiment. Figure 6B is an image showing the state after the toy was moved up and down from the state shown in Figure 6A, and the liquid in the internal space actually came out from the upper opening.

[0067] The prototype resin toy is identical in shape to the toy according to the first embodiment described above, has a roughly cylindrical shape, and has one upper opening at the top. The inner diameter of the inner surface of the main body is approximately 30 mm, the height of the main body is approximately 120 mm, and the thickness t of the outer shell is approximately 1 mm. The diameter of the upper opening is approximately 3 mm.

[0068] As shown in Figures 6A and 6B, the toy body was held by hand and submerged in the liquid through the lower opening. Starting from the initial state shown in Figure 6A, where the upper opening was close to the liquid surface, the body was moved up and down until the upper opening was above the liquid surface and the lower opening was below the liquid surface. This demonstrated that the liquid inside the internal space could be easily drained out through the upper opening, as shown in Figure 6B.

[0069] As described above, the first embodiment of the present invention is It comprises a main body having an internal space formed by being surrounded by inner surfaces, The aforementioned internal space communicates with the outside through an upper opening and a lower opening. When the main body is submerged in the liquid from the lower opening, the liquid flows into the internal space through the lower opening, and the air in the internal space flows out to the outside through the upper opening. The toy is characterized in that, when the main body is moved up and down with the upper opening positioned above the liquid surface and the lower opening positioned below the liquid surface, when the main body is moved upward, the air pressure in the internal space decreases and the liquid in the internal space is drawn upward, and when the main body is moved downward, a portion of the liquid in the internal space, which has upward inertia, is released to the outside through the upper opening.

[0070] A second embodiment of the present invention is the same as the first embodiment, The upper end of the aforementioned internal space is covered by the ceiling surface, and the aforementioned upper opening is made in the ceiling surface. The toy is characterized in that the area of ​​the upper opening is 10% or less of the area of ​​the ceiling surface.

[0071] A third embodiment of the present invention is the same as the first embodiment, The toy is characterized in that a check valve is positioned in the upper opening, which closes when the main body moves upward and opens when the main body moves downward.

[0072] A fourth embodiment of the present invention is the same as the first embodiment, This toy is characterized in that when the user presses the upper opening with their finger during use and increases the pressure when moving the body upward, the air pressure in the internal space decreases, and when the user releases the pressure when moving the body downward, the liquid in the internal space escapes to the outside through the gap between the upper opening and the finger.

[0073] A fifth embodiment of the present invention is a modification of any of the first to fourth embodiments, The toy has an inner surface that is substantially cylindrical in shape such that the volume of the internal space is constant from the lower opening to the upper opening.

[0074] A sixth embodiment of the present invention is a modification of any of the first to fourth embodiments, The toy is characterized in that the inner surface is an inclined surface that opens towards the lower opening, such that the volume of the internal space decreases as you move from the lower opening to the upper opening.

[0075] A seventh embodiment of the present invention is a modification of any of the first to sixth embodiments, The toy is characterized in that the main body is made of a resin material.

[0076] Although embodiments of the present invention have been described, the disclosed content may change in the details of the configuration, and changes in the combination and order of elements in the embodiments can be realized without departing from the claimed scope and spirit of the present invention. [Explanation of Symbols]

[0077] 100, 200, 300 toys 110, 210, 310 main unit 310A inner surface 112, 212 Side part 112A, 212A inner surface 114,214 Top part 114A, 214A Ceiling surface 120, 220, 320 Top opening 130, 230, 330 Lower opening 140, 240, 340 interior space 250 Check valve 252 Plate-like part 252A Counterweight 254 Fixed side bearing 256 Movable side bearing 258 shaft F finger G rotation axis

Claims

1. It comprises a main body having an internal space formed by being surrounded by inner surfaces, The aforementioned internal space communicates with the outside through an upper opening and a lower opening. When the main body is submerged in the liquid from the lower opening, the liquid flows into the internal space through the lower opening, and the air in the internal space flows out to the outside through the upper opening. A toy characterized in that, when the main body is moved up and down with the upper opening positioned above the liquid surface and the lower opening positioned below the liquid surface, when the main body is moved upward, the air pressure in the internal space decreases and the liquid in the internal space is drawn upward, and when the main body is moved downward, a portion of the liquid in the internal space, which has upward inertia, is released to the outside through the upper opening.

2. The upper end of the aforementioned internal space is covered by the ceiling surface, and the aforementioned upper opening is made in the ceiling surface. The toy according to claim 1, characterized in that the area of ​​the upper opening is 10% or less of the area of ​​the ceiling surface.

3. The toy according to claim 1, characterized in that a check valve is provided in the upper opening, which closes when the main body moves upward and opens when the main body moves downward.

4. The toy according to claim 1, characterized in that when the user presses the upper opening with their finger during use and increases the pressure when moving the main body upward, the air pressure in the internal space decreases, and when the user releases the pressure when moving the main body downward, the liquid in the internal space escapes to the outside through the gap between the upper opening and the finger.

5. The toy according to any one of claims 1 to 4, characterized in that the inner surface has a substantially cylindrical shape such that the volume of the internal space is constant from the lower opening to the upper opening.

6. The toy according to any one of claims 1 to 4, characterized in that the inner surface is an inclined surface that opens toward the lower opening such that the volume of the internal space decreases as you move from the lower opening to the upper opening.

7. The toy according to any one of claims 1 to 4, characterized in that the main body is formed of a resin material.

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