Synthetic resin eyeballs for dolls

Abstract

To provide a synthetic resin eyeball for dolls having excellent realism, where a boundary between an iris part and a white part of the eye continues smoothly, and including the bright iris part and a glossy outer peripheral surface of the white part of the eye.SOLUTION: An eyeball for dolls held by an eyeball holding part of a doll, comprises: a synthetic resin body part 3 consisting of a top face part 5 shaped in a concave, and a skirt part 7 being continuous from the top face part 5 and gradually expanding toward the bottom; and iris part 21 disposed on the top face part 5; and a transparent synthetic resin cover part 23 closely covering over the outer peripheral surface of the body part 5 and the iris part 21 and disposed in a dome shape on the iris part 21. The top face part 5 is spherically concaved, and an upper edge portion 5b of the top face part 5 is configured into an R-shape without any step from an inner bottom surface of the top face part 5 to the skirt part 7.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 4

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present invention relates to eyeballs for dolls, and more specifically to synthetic resin eyeballs for dolls that are fitted from the inside into eye holes (eye holes) drilled in a hollow head body, with part of the eyeball facing outwards through the eye holes.

[0002] Furthermore, in this specification, the term "doll" refers to a doll that has a torso, legs, arms, and a head and is a replica of a human, but is not limited to this and may be a doll other than a human replica as long as some of the eyeballs are positioned so that they face one of the doll's external faces, or a doll that does not have a head that is clearly separated from the torso. In other words, the term covers all things that fall into the category generally referred to as dolls, and is a concept that includes dolls that are replicas of animals, imaginary creatures, robots, etc. [Background technology]

[0003] As one of the parts that make up a doll, the eyeballs are quite important. That is to say, the more lustrous and vivid the irises, like those of a living creature, the more beautiful the doll's facial expression will be. Therefore, even in the case of a completed doll that is originally equipped with the main components such as the head, legs, arms and torso, there are many dolls that are missing only the eyeballs, and for these dolls, consumers purchase eyeballs that suit their preferences separately after purchasing the doll and then attach them later. In addition, consumers can place such eyeballs against the eyeholes of the head body from the inside, exposing part of the white of the eye and the iris to the outside of the head body, thereby enhancing the realism of the doll's facial expression.

[0004] Among the eyeballs used for dolls, there are those called glass eyes, which are made from glass. These eyeballs are formed into a dome shape from glass, and as they are suitable for expressing a sense of depth in the pupils through a lens effect, they are in high demand as they can provide beautiful eyes. However, glass eyes, whether handmade or machine-made, are expensive, so there was a demand for doll eyeballs that could provide the same sense of depth at a lower price. Therefore, eyeballs made of synthetic resin, known as low-cost acrylic eyes, are attracting attention.

[0005] For example, Patent Document 1 discloses a device in which a cylindrical recess is provided on the top surface of the eyeball body (white part of the eye) formed into a dome shape using an acrylic material or the like, an iris part printed on a circular paper sheet is attached to the inner bottom surface of the recess, and a transparent convex synthetic resin cover part (cornea part) is fitted into the recess so as to be in close contact with the iris part (see Figure 9). This configuration allows for a greater distance between the iris and the outer surface of the cornea (cover), providing a sense of pupil depth and meeting consumer needs. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0006] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2009-247798 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0007] Eyeballs include those in which both the iris and pupil are circular, those in which the iris is circular and the pupil is vertically narrow and cat-eye shaped, and those in which the iris is vertically long and roughly oval shaped. In particular, those with a vertically elongated oval iris resemble the eyes of characters in anime, and are therefore called animetic eyes or character eyes, and are in high demand among consumers.

[0008] Here, it is assumed that the configuration of Patent Document 1 is adopted, and an iris portion having such a vertically elongated ellipse shape is provided to form an animated eye.

[0009] First, a printed paper iris portion is formed with a diameter that fits into the inner bottom surface of a cylindrical recess provided on the top surface of the eyeball body (white part of the eye). This paper iris part is made by printing the pupil part in a vertical cat's eye shape in the central area of ​​a white circular paper sheet, for example, so that there are white sheets (background color) on the left and right of the pupil part (see Figure 9). Then, this paper iris part is attached to the inner bottom surface of the cylindrical part, and then the lens body is fitted into the recess to complete the product. However, such a configuration can cause the following problems. Due to the difference in physical properties between the white part of the eyeball body made of synthetic resin and the white part of the iris made of paper, there is a risk that the appearance of white will differ, which may cause a sense of discomfort (see Figure 9).

[0010] Even if the iris portion were printed on the same acrylic plate as the eyeball body, there would be an edge at the upper edge of the recess in the eyeball body, which would cast a shadow and result in a step between the recess and the iris portion.

[0011] It may also be possible to create a sheet on which only the pupil of the eye is printed and attach it to the inner bottom surface of the recess. In this case, it can be said that the above-mentioned problem is unlikely to occur. However, it is difficult to attach such a vertically narrow cat's eye-shaped pupil part to the inner bottom surface of the recess in a fixed position without misalignment, and there is also the problem that it is time-consuming and very difficult to attach to the inner bottom surface of a cylindrical recess with sharp edges. Furthermore, attaching a printed iris to the bottom of the recess creates at least some space between the recess and the iris, making the edges of the eyeball itself and the rim of the iris clearly visible, and the lens effect causes this space (gap) to appear raised. In other words, in actual human eyeballs and the eyeballs of characters in manga and anime, there is no space (gap) at the boundary between the iris and the white of the eye, and it is smoothly continuous. Therefore, in conventional synthetic resin eyeballs, this unnatural space (gap) detracts from the realism of the eyeball, and there are limits to how realistic the doll's facial expression can be.

[0012] The object of the present invention is to eliminate the above-mentioned inconveniences and to provide a synthetic resin eyeball for dolls that has a smooth and continuous boundary between the iris and the white of the eye, a vivid iris, and a glossy outer surface of the white of the eye, and that has an excellent sense of realism. [Means for solving the problem]

[0013] The technical means of the first invention to solve the above problems is a doll's eyeball held in an eyeball holder of a doll, a main body made of synthetic resin, the main body being configured with a top surface portion formed in a concave shape and a bottom portion that is continuous with the top surface portion and gradually widens in diameter; an iris portion disposed on the top surface portion; a cover portion made of a transparent synthetic resin that tightly covers the outer peripheral surface of the main body portion and the iris portion and is disposed on the iris portion in a dome shape; 、 It consists of The top surface portion has a concave surface that is recessed in a spherical shape, The upper edge of the top surface portion is Concave It is configured in an R-shape with no steps from the inner bottom surface to the bottom part, The bottom surface of the main body is located inward from the end of the hem and is provided with an eye direction adjustment assisting portion, the eyeball direction adjustment assisting portion includes a jig insertion groove formed between a plurality of protruding portions protruding from the bottom surface portion, The protruding portion is provided at a height that does not protrude beyond the edge of the skirt portion of the main body portion. Synthetic resin eyeballs for dolls This is what we have decided.

[0014] The second invention is the first invention, The iris portion is arranged in a vertically elongated shape, The jig insertion groove is provided between two protruding pieces that are spaced a predetermined distance apart, The synthetic resin eyeball for dolls is characterized in that the protrusion extends in the same direction as the length of the iris.

[0015] The third invention is the first invention or the second invention, The cover portion includes a first region that thinly covers a bottom region of the main body portion; a second region covering the iris portion in a dome shape; The synthetic resin eyeballs for dolls are characterized by the following:

[0016] The fourth invention is the method according to any one of the first to third inventions, This is what we have decided. [Effects of the Invention]

[0018] According to the present invention, it is possible to provide a synthetic resin eyeball for a doll that has a smooth and continuous boundary between the iris and the white of the eye, a vivid iris, and a glossy outer peripheral surface of the white of the eye, and that has excellent realism. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0019] [Figure 1] 1 is a schematic front view showing an embodiment of a synthetic resin eyeball for a doll according to the present invention. FIG. [Figure 2] FIG. 2 is a schematic bottom view of the synthetic resin eyeball for dolls shown in FIG. 1. [Figure 3] FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view taken along line III-III in FIG. [Figure 4] FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view taken along line IV-IV in FIG. [Figure 5] FIG. 5 is a partial enlarged view of the area surrounded by the dashed line in FIG. 4. [Figure 6] FIG. 1 is an image diagram showing a tracking state. [Figure 7] 10 is a schematic cross-sectional plan view showing a state in which the direction of the eyeball is being adjusted by inserting a jig into the eyeball direction adjustment assisting portion. FIG. [Figure 8]1 is a schematic cross-sectional view showing a state in which synthetic resin eyeballs for dolls according to the present invention are held in eyeholes (eyeball holding parts) in the head of a doll. [Figure 9] FIG. 1 is a cross-sectional view of a conventional synthetic resin eyeball for a doll. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0020] Hereinafter, synthetic resin eyeballs for dolls according to one embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the accompanying drawings. Note that this embodiment is merely one embodiment of the present invention and should not be construed as being limited to this embodiment, and design modifications are possible within the scope of the present invention.

[0021] As shown in the figure, the eyeball 1 in this embodiment has a roughly bowl-shaped appearance. The eyeball 1 is held by, for example, pressing the outer surface 1b of the convex side (surface side) 1a against the eyehole (eyeball holding portion) G of the doll's head H from the inside of the head H (see Figure 9). In this embodiment, the eyepiece is slidably fitted into the eyehole G. At this time, a part of the eyeball 1 is exposed to the front of the face through the eyehole G, forming the doll's facial expression.

[0022] The eyeball 1 comprises a main body 3 which becomes the white of the eye, an iris 21 disposed on the top surface 5 of the main body 3, and a cover 23 which covers the iris 21 and the main body 3.

[0023] As shown in the figure, the main body 3 is configured as a hollow, approximately hemispherical shape, with a top surface 5 having a spherically recessed concave surface 5a and a hollow, bowl-shaped skirt 7 that gradually widens in diameter from an upper edge 5b of the top surface 5. In other words, the bottom surface 9 of the main body 3 is located inward of the end 11 of the skirt 7 and is formed back-to-back opposite the top surface 5 (see Figure 3).

[0024] The concave surface 5a of the top surface portion 5 is recessed in a perfect circle in a plan view, and its radius of curvature R1 is preferably about 10 mm (R10) in this embodiment, assuming that the diameter of the end 11 of the skirt portion 7 of the main body portion 3 is about 20 mm and the height of the main body portion 3 is about 7 mm. This is because the depth D to which ultraviolet light can penetrate the ultraviolet-curable resin that makes up the cover portion 23, which will be described later, is about 2 mm. The radius of curvature R1 of the concave surface 5a is not particularly limited and can be modified within the scope of the present invention. The curved shape of the skirt portion 7 is also not particularly limited and can be modified within the scope of the present invention.

[0025] The upper edge 5b of the top surface 5 continues from the inner bottom surface of the concave surface 5a of the top surface 5 and is configured in a smooth, rounded shape without any steps down to the bottom 7 (see FIGS. 3 to 5).

[0026] The radius of curvature R2 of the upper edge portion 5b has a relationship of R1>R2 with the radius of curvature R1 of the concave surface 5a of the top surface portion 5 (see FIG. 5). In this embodiment, the radius of curvature R1 of the concave surface 5a of the top surface portion 5 is set to about 10 mm, while the radius of curvature R2 of the upper edge portion 5b is set to about 2.5 mm (R2.5).

[0027] In addition, in this embodiment, the upper edge portion 5b is configured with the same radius of curvature R2 in the circumferential direction, but it is within the scope of the present invention if the radius of curvature is partially changed. Note that the upper edge 5b is not restricted to the relationship R1>R2 as in this embodiment, as long as it is continuous from the inner bottom surface of the concave surface 5a of the top surface portion 5 and is configured in a gentle R-shape without any steps toward the bottom 7. However, if the radius of curvature is extremely small, there is a risk that the edge will become sharp, so attention should be paid to this point.

[0028] According to this embodiment, the main body 3 employs a configuration in which the thickness of the top surface 5 and the thickness of the skirt 7 are different (see FIGS. 3 and 4), but this is not intended to be limiting, and a configuration in which they are formed with the same thickness is also possible. Also, the thickness of the skirt 7 may be gradually thinner or thicker from the end 11 of the skirt 7 toward the top surface 5, as desired.

[0029] The material of the main body 3 is not particularly limited as long as it can maintain a certain degree of strength, since it will become the main body of the eyeball 1, but for example, synthetic resins such as polycarbonate can be selected as desired. In this embodiment, since the main body 3 becomes the white part of the eyeball 1, it is preferable that a white material is selected or that the outer surface of the main body 3 is colored white, but this is not a limiting interpretation, and it is also within the scope of the present invention to appropriately select a material such as transparent or a color other than white. It is also possible to use materials other than polycarbonate.

[0030] In this embodiment, an eyeball direction adjustment assisting section 13 is provided on the bottom surface section 9 of the main body section 3 (see FIGS. 2 to 5 and 7).

[0031] The eyeball direction adjustment auxiliary part 13 is an auxiliary part that allows the consumer to easily change the direction of the eyeball 1, i.e., the pupil, in any direction up, down, left or right to change the facial expression after attaching the eyeball 1 to the eyehole G of the head H, using a jig J. The eyeball direction auxiliary part 13 constituting the present invention is provided on the bottom surface part 9 of the main body part 3, and can be modified in design within the scope of the present invention as long as it can insert a jig and move the eyeball 1 in any direction up, down, left or right. Furthermore, eye direction adjustment assisting part 13 is configured so as not to protrude from end 11 of hem 7 of main body 3. If eye direction adjustment assisting part 13 were provided so as to protrude from end 11 of hem 7 of main body 3, a protrusion would exist inside head H, which could occupy the internal space of the head and become a nuisance, particularly in the case of a doll with a small head with a narrow internal space.

[0032] In this embodiment, the eyeball direction adjustment assisting portion 13 includes a jig insertion groove 17 formed between two rectangular protruding portions 15, 15 that are spaced a predetermined distance apart and integrally protrude from the bottom surface 9 of the main body portion 3. These two protruding portions 15, 15 are arranged side by side in the same vertical direction Y1 as the iris portion, in accordance with the vertically elongated iris portion 21 provided on the top surface portion 5 of the main body portion 3 (see FIGS. 2 to 5 and 7). The reason for this configuration is as follows. In a doll having a vertically long iris portion 21 as in this embodiment, the orientation of the iris portion 21 is important. That is, the vertically long iris portion 21 needs to be arranged vertically. For example, if this vertically long iris portion 21 is arranged horizontally at an angle of 90 degrees, not only will the iris portion 21 be completely meaningless, but problems will arise in the doll's facial expression. Therefore, by providing two protruding parts 15, 15 that extend in the same direction (vertical direction Y1) as the longitudinal direction of the iris part 21, the orientation of the eyeball (position of the iris part 21) can be grasped easily and accurately when attaching the eyeball 1 to the eyehole G from the internal space side of the head H, which makes handling extremely easy. The jig J shown in the figures is one embodiment and is not to be construed as being limited.

[0033] The two protruding portions 15, 15 are each formed to a protruding height sufficient to be accommodated within the internal space of the main body portion 3 and not to protrude from the end portion 11 (see FIG. 3). Furthermore, the top surface portion 5 (concave surface 5a) of the main body portion 3 is formed to be thin-walled, but two protruding pieces 15, 15 are integrally molded on the back side of the top surface portion 5 (concave surface 5a), and these protruding pieces 15, 15 function as reinforcing material.

[0034] The eyeball direction adjustment assistance unit 13 is not limited to this embodiment, and other forms can be adopted as long as they are capable of fine-tuning the direction of the eyeball 1 via the jig J, and the design can be modified as appropriate within the scope of the present invention. For example, although not shown in the figures, it is also possible to form a cross-shaped jig insertion groove by further protruding two protruding pieces extending in the horizontal direction X1 at a predetermined distance from the bottom surface 9 of the main body 3 so as to be perpendicular to the two protruding pieces 15, 15 extending in the vertical direction Y1 in this embodiment.

[0035] In this embodiment, the iris portion 21 is provided by printing directly on the concave surface 5a of the top surface portion 5 of the main body portion 3. In addition, in this embodiment, in order to provide an animated eye, a vertically elongated, approximately elliptical iris portion is used, with the vertical direction Y1 portion being longer than the horizontal direction X1 portion (see FIG. 1). The iris portion 21 is printed in the vertical direction Y1 all over the R-shaped slope 19a of the concave surface 5a, and in the horizontal direction X1 up to the middle of the R-shaped slope 19b (see FIGS. 3 and 4). The iris portion 21 may be printed only in the central region of the concave surface 5a that does not overlap the R-shaped slopes 19a and 19b of the concave surface 5a, and this is within the scope of the present invention.

[0036] The iris portion 21 can be designed to have a circular shape in a plan view or other shapes within the scope of the present invention, and the surface of the iris portion 21 is printed with any iris pattern, pupil pattern, highlight pattern reflecting external light, etc. in any color. Any shape may be used depending on the size and shape of the pattern to be displayed on the surface of the iris portion 21, such as an oval, a circle, or a star. It is also possible to freely select an iris portion that is printed with only coloring and no pattern. Alternatively, a three-dimensionally printed iris may be used, for example, in the shape of a convex bulge at the center, a concave depression at the center, a crown, a star, or the like.

[0037] The cover portion 23 is arranged such that a transparent resin closely adheres to and covers the outer peripheral surface of the skirt portion 7 of the main body portion 3 and the iris portion 21. A first region 23a that thinly covers the region of the skirt portion 7 of the main body portion 3 and a second region 23b that covers the region of the top surface portion 5 of the main body portion 3 in a thick dome shape as compared to the first region 23a are smoothly and continuously formed. It is integrally formed on the outer peripheral surface of the skirt portion 7 of the main body portion 3 and the iris portion 21 by molding using a predetermined mold. That is, when the wall thickness of the first region 23a is t1 and the wall thickness of the second region 23b is t2, they have a relationship of t1 < t2. In this embodiment, since it is possible to make the wall thickness t1 of the first region 23a and the wall thickness t2 of the second region 23b different by molding the cover portion 23, while increasing the lens effect by making the wall thickness t2 of the second region 23b in a thick dome shape, it is possible to form the wall thickness t1 of the first region 23a in a thin shape. Therefore, when the eyeball 1 is applied to the eye hole G of the humanoid head H from the inside, the eyeball 1 can protrude from the eye hole G with an appropriate protrusion amount (see FIG. 9).

[0038] The material of the resin forming the cover portion 23 can be appropriately selected according to requirements as a material that has high transparency and can form a glossy surface and can be sufficiently cured to maintain the outer shape of the eyeball 1. For example, in this embodiment, an ultraviolet curable (UV) resin is adopted. By adopting an ultraviolet curable (UV) resin, curing progresses rapidly, so the production time can be shortened. Also, if a two-component mixed resin (for example, an epoxy resin) is used, the time required for curing becomes longer, but the surface gloss becomes beautiful and the aging deterioration is relatively gentle. Note that it is not limited to an example of these resins, and other transparent resins may be used.

[0039] When the eyeball 1 is formed in this way, a distance can be increased between the iris portion 21 printed on the concave surface 5a of the top surface portion 5 of the main body portion 3 and the second region 23b formed in a thick dome shape of the cover portion 23. Therefore, a sense of depth can be obtained by the lens effect, and the iris portion 21 looks three-dimensional and large. Furthermore, since a sense of depth is obtained, a tracking effect can also be obtained due to the lens effect (see Figure 6). That is, even when the consumer looks at the eyeball 1 from a direction (diagonal lateral direction) away from the center of the eyeball 1 (the most protruding area of ​​the second area 23b), the iris portion 21 can be seen on the surface of the lens-like protruding second area 23b of the cover portion 23, making it seem as if the consumer and the doll are always looking at each other, and the doll's facial expression becomes more expressive.

[0040] The top surface 5 of the main body 3 is recessed to form the concave surface 5a, and the upper edge 5b of the top surface 5 is formed in a gentle R-shape that continues from the concave surface 5a and extends to the bottom 7 without any steps. As a result, the lens effect of the thick, dome-shaped second region 23b of the cover 23 makes it difficult to see the boundary area between the main body 3 and the iris 21, which is the white of the eye. In other words, the space (gap, boundary line, step, etc.) at the boundary between the main body 3 and the iris 21, which was clearly visible in conventional technology, is now difficult to see, resulting in a beautiful appearance.

[0041] Furthermore, the outer diameter of the cover part 23 (the outer diameter of the eyeball 1) is formed to match the outer diameter of the eyeball 1 set in the eyehole G of the doll's head H. As a result, when the eyeball 1 is placed against the eyehole G of the doll's head H from the inside, the eyeball 1 protrudes from the eyehole G by an appropriate amount, making it possible to create a well-balanced facial expression for the doll.

[0042] In this embodiment, the main body 3 is formed in a hollow hemispherical shape, but the design of the inner shape of the main body 3 may be freely changed according to specifications. For example, the inside of the main body 3 may be solid. However, it is preferable that the eye direction adjustment assisting portion 13 does not protrude outward.

[0043] Since the cover portion 23 can be integrally molded using a transparent resin material, it is possible to decorate the cover portion 23 with predetermined ornaments such as jewels or glass beads (glass pieces), thereby enhancing the decorative effect and increasing the consumer's interest. It should be noted that the iris portion 21 is not necessarily formed by printing directly onto the concave surface 5a of the main body portion 3, but rather may be printed on a thin flexible sheet and placed on the concave surface 5a of the main body portion 3, and the design can be modified as appropriate within the scope of the present invention. [Industrial Applicability]

[0044] The present invention can be used for all dolls, regardless of the overall height of the doll. [Explanation of symbols]

[0045] 1 eyeball 3 Main body 5 Top part 5a concave 5b Upper edge 7 Hem 13 Eye direction adjustment assistance unit 15 Protrusion 21 Iris 23 Cover 23a First Region 23b The Second Realm

Claims

1. A doll's eyeball held in an eyeball holder of a doll, a main body made of synthetic resin, the main body being configured with a top surface portion formed in a concave shape and a bottom portion that is continuous with the top surface portion and gradually widens in diameter; an iris portion disposed on the top surface portion; a cover portion made of a transparent synthetic resin that closely covers the outer peripheral surface of the main body portion and the iris portion and is disposed on the iris portion in a dome shape, The top surface portion has a concave surface that is recessed in a spherical shape, The upper edge of the top surface portion is configured in an R-shape without a step from the inner bottom surface of the concave surface of the top surface portion to the bottom portion, The bottom surface of the main body is located inward from the end of the hem and is provided with an eye direction adjustment assisting portion, the eyeball direction adjustment assisting portion includes a jig insertion groove formed between a plurality of protruding portions protruding from the bottom surface portion, The synthetic resin eyeball for a doll is characterized in that the protruding portion is provided at a height that does not protrude beyond the end of the hem of the main body portion.

2. The iris portion is arranged in a vertically elongated shape, The jig insertion groove is provided between two protruding pieces that are spaced a predetermined distance apart, 2. The synthetic resin eyeball for dolls according to claim 1, wherein the protrusion extends in the same direction as the length of the iris.

3. The cover portion includes a first region that thinly covers a region of the bottom of the main body portion, 3. The synthetic resin eyeball for dolls according to claim 1, further comprising a second area that covers the iris in a dome shape.

4. A synthetic resin eyeball for dolls as described in any one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that when the R of the concave surface is R1 and the R of the upper edge portion is R2, the relationship R1 > R2 holds.

Images