Mealtime play toys

Abstract

To provide a more interesting meal play toy than before.SOLUTION: A doll body 10 comprises: a mouth part 13 into which a food body 50 can be charged; a passage part 20 through which the food body 50 charged from the mouth part 13 passes; a food detection part 21 for detecting the food body 50 passing through the passage part 20; an air bag 30 incorporated at a position corresponding to a belly part 15 of the doll body 10, and capable of expanding and contracting; and a pump 31 for supplying air into the air bag 30. When the food detection part 21 detects the passage of the food body 50, the air is supplied from the pump 31, and the air bag 30 incorporated in the belly part 15 of the doll body 10 is made to expand.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 2

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This invention relates to a food-play toy that can make a humanoid eat pseudo-food.

Background Art

[0002] Patent Document 1 discloses a food education toy that consists of a pseudo-animal body and pseudo-food, wherein the pseudo-animal body has a mouth part into which the pseudo-food can be put, a storage part as a stomach part communicating with this mouth part, and a closing part capable of opening and closing this storage part.

Prior Art Document

Patent Document

[0003]

Patent Document 1

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0004] However, the toy described in Patent Document 1 simply makes the pseudo-animal body eat the pseudo-food in order, and has a problem of lacking in趣味性. Therefore, an object of the present invention is to provide a food-play toy that is more interesting than the conventional ones.

Means for Solving the Problems

[0005] To solve the above problems, the present invention is a toy that can play a game of making a humanoid eat a food body imitating food, wherein the humanoid includes a mouth part into which the food body can be inserted, a passage part through which the food body inserted from the mouth part passes, a food detection part that detects the food body passing through the passage part, an airbag that is built in at a position hitting the abdomen of the humanoid and can expand and contract, and a pump that supplies air to the airbag, and when the food detection part detects the passage of the food body, air is supplied from the pump so that the airbag expands.

Effects of the Invention

[0006] As described above, the present invention is designed so that when the food detection unit detects the passage of food, air is supplied from a pump, causing an airbag built into the abdomen of the doll to inflate. With this configuration, when the doll is fed, its stomach inflates, giving the realistic impression that it is actually being fed. Therefore, it is possible to provide a more interesting feeding toy than conventional toys. [Brief explanation of the drawing]

[0007] [Figure 1] This is an external view of a feeding-themed toy. [Figure 2] This is a perspective view (viewed from the right front) showing the internal structure of the doll's body. [Figure 3] This is a perspective view (viewed from the left front) showing the internal structure of the doll's body. [Figure 4] This is a perspective view (viewed from the right rear) showing the internal structure of the doll's body. [Figure 5] This diagram illustrates the passage of food, specifically showing the state before the food is introduced. [Figure 6] This diagram illustrates how food passes through a room, specifically showing the food detection unit detecting the food. [Figure 7] This is a diagram illustrating how food passes through a section, specifically showing the food after it has passed through the passage. [Figure 8] This is a block diagram showing the internal structure of a doll's body. [Figure 9] This is a flowchart illustrating one example of how to play. [Modes for carrying out the invention]

[0008] Embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the figures. The feeding toy according to this embodiment is a toy that allows for the play of feeding food-like objects 50 to a doll body 10, as shown in Figure 1. The doll body 10 has a built-in device as shown in Figure 2-4, and these devices are covered with a sheet of cloth or rubber. In this embodiment, the doll body 10 is modeled after an animal, but the form of the doll body 10 is not limited to animals and may be other forms (for example, the form of a human or an animated character).

[0009] As shown in Figure 1, the doll body 10 comprises a head 11 and a torso 14. The doll body 10 can be placed on the ground with the head 11 on top of the torso 14. Specifically, as shown in Figure 2, a base 19 for placing the doll body 10 on the ground is provided inside the doll body 10. This base 19 has a flat bottom surface, and by placing the doll body 10 on the ground with this bottom surface facing directly downwards, the doll body 10 can maintain an upright position as shown in Figure 1. The head 11 of the doll body 10 is provided with eyes 12 and a mouth 13.

[0010] The eye section 12 is the part that makes up the eyes of the doll body 10. As shown in Figures 2 and 3, the eye section 12 of this embodiment is equipped with two spherical members, and by rotating these spherical members back and forth, it is possible to represent the eyes in an open state (see Figure 2) and the eyes in a closed state (see Figure 3).

[0011] The mouth portion 13 is the part that makes up the mouth of the doll body 10. When feeding the doll body 10 food 50, the food 50 is put in through this mouth portion 13. In this embodiment, the mouth portion 13 comprises an upper jaw portion 13a and a lower jaw portion 13b, as shown in Figures 2 and 3. The upper jaw portion 13a is fixed to the frame of the doll body 10 and does not move. On the other hand, the lower jaw portion 13b is designed to rotate up and down. By rotating this lower jaw portion 13b up and down, it is possible to represent a closed mouth state (see Figure 2) and an open mouth state (see Figure 3). When the mouth portion 13 is closed, the food 50 cannot be put in. On the other hand, when the mouth portion 13 is open, it becomes possible to put in the food 50.

[0012] The eye section 12 and mouth section 13 described above are operated by the same motor (the eye / mouth opening / closing motor 34, which will be described later). In other words, the eye section 12 and mouth section 13 operate in conjunction with the same power source. The eye section 12 and mouth section 13 are configured to open and close alternately. That is, as shown in Figure 2, when the eyes are open, the mouth section 13 is closed, and as shown in Figure 3, when the eyes are closed, the mouth section 13 is open. The torso 14 of the doll body 10 has an abdomen 15 on the front side. Additionally, a backpack 18 is provided on the back side of the torso 14.

[0013] The abdomen 15 is located at the stomach of the doll body 10. This abdomen 15 is covered with a stretchable sheet of cloth or rubber, and contains an inflatable airbag 30. This airbag 30 inflates when air is supplied by a pump 31 (described later) when the doll body 10 is fed food 50. When the airbag 30 inflates, the abdomen 15 of the doll body 10 expands, thus representing that the doll's stomach is full.

[0014] Note that the airbag 30 according to this embodiment can expand in two stages under the control of a control board 40 described later. That is, when the food body 50 is made to eat in the state where the airbag 30 is deflated, it first expands to the size of the first stage. Then, when the food body 50 is made to eat at this size of the first stage, it expands to a size larger than the first stage and to the size of the second stage.

[0015] The backpack 18 is attached in the state where the humanoid body 10 is carrying it. Inside this backpack 18, a storage part 25 as shown in FIG. 5 etc. is provided. This storage part 25 is a space for storing the food body 50 put into the humanoid body 10. This storage part 25 is designed to be opened inside by opening the backpack 18. Therefore, when it is desired to take out the food body 50 that has been made to eat by the humanoid body 10, it can be taken out by hand by opening the backpack 18. Inside this humanoid body 11, as shown in FIGS. 5-7, a passage part 20 and a food detection part 21 are provided.

[0016] The passage part 20 is a pipe for passing the food body 50 put in from the mouth part 13. The upstream side of this passage part 20 is connected to the mouth part 13, and the downstream side is connected to the storage part 25. The passage part 20 is formed with a width that allows only one food body 50 to pass through. This passage part 20 is inclined so that when the humanoid body 11 is placed on the ground, the upstream side is at a higher position than the downstream side. For this reason, the food body 50 put in from the mouth part 13 passes through the passage part 20 and falls into the storage part 25.

[0017] The food detection part 21 is for detecting the food body 50 passing through the passage part 20. The food detection part 21 of this embodiment is provided near the boundary between the passage part 20 and the mouth part 13 (the part hitting the throat of the humanoid body 11), and includes a detection switch 22 and a switch pressing plate 23. The switch pressing plate 23 is a plate-shaped member arranged to block the passage part 20. This switch pressing plate 23 is rotatable backward around a rotation shaft 23a provided at the upper end. Also, this switch pressing plate 23 has a protrusion 23b on the back side.

[0018] This switch pressing plate 23 is biased by a spring and is in a state of hanging downward as shown in FIG. 5 during normal times. In this state, the switch pressing plate 23 protrudes into the passing portion 20.

[0019] When the food body 50 is inserted, as shown in FIG. 6, the food body 50 pushes the switch pressing plate 23 backward, and the switch pressing plate 23 rotates upward. When the switch pressing plate 23 rotates, the food body 50 can pass through the passing portion 20. Further, the switch pressing plate 23 that has rotated upward presses the detection switch 22 by the protrusion 23b. When the detection switch 22 is pressed, an electrical signal is output to a control board 40 described later. By this electrical signal, the food body 50 passing through the passing portion 20 can be detected.

[0020] The food body 50 that has passed through the food detection portion 21 falls into the storage portion 25 as shown in FIG. 7. Further, the switch pressing plate 23 returns to its initial state by the spring and again protrudes into the passing portion 20.

[0021] Note that such a food detection portion 21 is only an example, and other types of food detection portions 21 may be used. For example, the food detection portion 21 may be constituted by a non-contact sensor, and the food body 50 passing through the passing portion 20 may be detected by this sensor.

[0022] Next, the input / output device of the humanoid body 10 will be described. As shown in FIG. 4, the humanoid body 10 according to the present embodiment includes a control board 40. This control board 40 includes a processing unit (such as a CPU) capable of executing a program stored in advance, and is configured to control various input devices and output devices when this processing unit reads the program.

[0023] As shown in Figure 8, the mannequin body 10 is equipped with an abdominal sensor 41, a detection switch 22, an open detection switch 42, and a closed detection switch 43 as input devices. The mannequin body 10 is also equipped with a pump 31, an exhaust valve motor 33, an eye / mouth opening / closing motor 34, and a speaker 35 as output devices. Note that the input / output devices are not limited to those shown in Figure 8, and other input / output devices may be provided.

[0024] The abdominal sensor 41 is a sensor that detects when the abdomen 15 of the doll body 10 is stroked. As shown in Figures 2 and 3, this abdominal sensor 41 is attached to the front of the airbag 30. This abdominal sensor 41 is located inside the cloth or sheet that covers the abdomen 15 of the doll body 10. When this abdominal sensor 41 detects external contact with the abdomen 15 of the doll body 10, it outputs a signal to the control board 40. For example, an electrostatic sensor can be used as the abdominal sensor 41. In this embodiment, the control board 40 (processing unit) determines that "the abdomen 15 is being stroked" when the abdominal sensor 41 detects a predetermined number of contacts within a certain period of time.

[0025] As already explained, the detection switch 22 is a switch that constitutes the food detection unit 21. When food 50 is inserted through the opening 13, the detection switch 22 turns on and outputs a signal to the control board 40.

[0026] The open detection switch 42 and the close detection switch 43 are switches for detecting the opening and closing operation of the mouth 13. As shown in Figures 2 and 4, these open detection switches 42 and 43 are located on the head 11 and are configured to detect the movement of the link mechanism that operates the mouth 13 and the eye 12. Specifically, the open detection switch 42 is pressed when the mouth 13 is fully open (in other words, when the eye 12 is fully closed). Similarly, the close detection switch 43 is pressed when the mouth 13 is fully closed (in other words, when the eye 12 is fully open). When the open detection switch 42 or the close detection switch 43 is pressed, a signal is output to the control board 40. Based on this signal, the control board 40 can detect the open and closed state of the mouth 13 and the eye 12.

[0027] Pump 31 is for supplying air to the airbag 30. This pump 31 is a motor pump that operates in response to a signal from the control board 40. The control board 40 operates the pump 31 for a predetermined amount of time, thereby supplying a predetermined amount of air to the airbag 30.

[0028] The exhaust valve motor 33 is the power source for opening and closing the exhaust valve 32. The exhaust valve 32 is a valve that switches whether or not to expel air from the airbag 30. When the exhaust valve 32 is closed, air from the airbag 30 does not leak to the outside, so the airbag 30 can be inflated with air supplied from the pump 31 or maintained in an inflated state. On the other hand, when the exhaust valve 32 is opened, air from the airbag 30 is expelled to the outside, causing the airbag 30 to deflate. This exhaust valve 32 opens when the exhaust valve motor 33 is rotated in a specific direction, and closes when the exhaust valve motor 33 is rotated in the opposite direction. The control board 40 can control whether or not to release air from the airbag 30 by controlling the operation of this exhaust valve motor 33.

[0029] The eye / mouth opening / closing motor 34 is the power source for operating the eye section 12 and the mouth section 13. The control board 40 can control the opening and closing of the eye section 12 and the mouth section 13 by controlling the operation of this eye / mouth opening / closing motor 34. Specifically, when the eye / mouth opening / closing motor 34 is rotated in a specific direction, the eye section 12 gradually closes and the mouth section 13 gradually opens. On the other hand, when the eye / mouth opening / closing motor 34 is rotated in the opposite direction to the specific direction, the eye section 12 gradually opens and the mouth section 13 gradually closes. By repeating this operation, the eye section 12 and the mouth section 13 repeatedly open and close. In other words, the eye / mouth opening / closing motor 34 repeatedly rotates forward and backward within a predetermined range of rotational speeds, causing the eye section 12 and the mouth section 13 to repeatedly open and close.

[0030] The rotation range of the mouth opening / closing motor 34 is controlled by the open detection switch 42 and the close detection switch 43. Specifically, to stop the mouth 13 in a fully open position, the mouth opening / closing motor 34 is operated in the direction of opening the mouth 13, and the motor is stopped when the open detection switch 42 is pressed. Similarly, to stop the mouth 13 in a fully closed position, the mouth opening / closing motor 34 is operated in the direction of closing the mouth 13, and the motor is stopped when the close detection switch 43 is pressed. Furthermore, to open and close the mouth 13, the rotation direction of the mouth opening / closing motor 34 is switched at the timing when the open detection switch 42 and the close detection switch 43 are pressed.

[0031] Speaker 35 outputs various sounds. The sounds output by Speaker 35 are pre-stored in a memory device and are played back at programmed timings. For example, it outputs sounds that prompt action (such as "stroke its tummy," which will be described later) and sounds that inform the user of the situation (such as "I want to eat more" or "I'm full"). Next, we will explain the specific processing flow of the aforementioned feeding play toys, referring to Figure 9.

[0032] First, as shown in step S100 of Figure 9, the power to the doll body 10 is turned on. This supplies power to the processing unit of the control board 40, enabling operation. At this time, the airbag 30 is retracted, and the mouth 13 is closed (the eyes 12 are open). Then, the process proceeds to step S105.

[0033] In step S105, the speaker 35 is used to output the voice command "stroke the tummy." This prompts the user to stroke the abdomen 15. Then, the process proceeds to step S110. In step S110, the abdominal sensor 41 is used to detect a stroking motion of the abdomen 15. Then, the process proceeds to step S115.

[0034] In step S115, it is checked whether the airbag 30 is in its second stage of inflation. If the airbag 30 is in its second stage of inflation (i.e., it has been inflated twice without deflating), the process proceeds to step S120. On the other hand, if the airbag 30 is not in its second stage of inflation, the process proceeds to step S125.

[0035] If the process proceeds to step S120, the airbag 30 is already fully inflated, so the exhaust valve motor 33 is activated to open the exhaust valve 32. This releases the air from the airbag 30, causing it to deflate. This returns the system to its initial state when the power was turned on. Then, the process returns to step S105.

[0036] If the process proceeds to step S125, the eye / mouth opening / closing motor 34 is activated to open the mouth 13. The opening of the mouth 13 informs the user that the food 50 is ready to be received. At this time, the speaker 35 may output a voice prompting the user to put in the food 50 (for example, "Feed me something!"). Then, the process proceeds to step S130.

[0037] In step S130, the device waits for the food 50 to be introduced. When the food 50 is introduced through the opening 13 and the detection switch 22 is turned on (i.e., when the food detection unit 21 detects the passage of the food 50), the device proceeds to step S135.

[0038] In step S135, the eye and mouth opening / closing motor 34 is activated to open and close the mouth 13 and eye 12 a predetermined number of times (for example, 3 times). This allows the mouth to move and the appearance of chewing to be represented. After the predetermined number of opening and closing operations are completed, the eye and mouth opening / closing motor 34 is stopped with the mouth 13 closed. Then, the process proceeds to step S140.

[0039] In step S140, it is checked whether the airbag 30 is in its first stage of inflation. If the airbag 30 is not in its first stage of inflation (i.e., the airbag 30 is in a deflated state), the process proceeds to step S145. On the other hand, if the airbag 30 is in its first stage of inflation (i.e., the airbag 30 is already inflated), the process proceeds to step S150.

[0040] If the process proceeds to step S145, the pump 31 is activated to supply air to the airbag 30. By operating the pump 31 for a certain period of time, the airbag 30 is inflated to its first size. After the airbag 30 is inflated, the speaker 35 may output a voice prompting further intake of food 50 (for example, "I want to eat more"). Then, the process returns to step S105. If the abdominal sensor 41 then detects a motion of stroking the abdomen 15, the process finally proceeds to step S150, and the airbag 30 is inflated to its second size.

[0041] If the process proceeds to step S150, the pump 31 is activated to supply air to the airbag 30. By operating the pump 31 for a certain period of time, the airbag 30 is inflated to its second size. After the airbag 30 is inflated, the speaker 35 may output a voice message (for example, "You're full. Thank you for the meal") indicating that no more food 50 can be added. Then, the process returns to step S105. If the abdominal sensor 41 then detects a motion of stroking the abdomen 15, the process finally proceeds to step S120, and the airbag 30 deflates. According to this flow, the child can play by repeatedly performing the actions of stroking the doll body 10's stomach and feeding the doll body 10 the food item 50.

[0042] As described above, according to this embodiment, when the food detection unit 21 detects the passage of food 50, air is supplied from the pump 31, causing the airbag 30 built into the abdomen 15 of the doll body 10 to inflate. With this configuration, when the doll body 10 is fed, its stomach inflates, giving a realistic impression as if it were actually being fed. Therefore, it is possible to provide a more interesting feeding toy than conventional toys.

[0043] Furthermore, when a predetermined action (for example, stroking the stomach) is detected on the doll body 10, the exhaust valve motor 33 activates and the airbag 30 deflates. This allows for a play style where the doll can eat again by performing actions that promote digestion, further increasing the fun.

[0044] Furthermore, the mouth 13 opens and closes when the food detection unit 21 detects the passage of food 50. This makes it appear as if the doll 10 is chewing food, providing a more realistic and engaging toy.

[0045] Furthermore, the Airbag 30 can inflate to at least two different sizes. This makes it appear as if the toy is gradually filling up as you feed it, adding to the overall entertainment value.

[0046] In this embodiment, the airbag 30 inflates in two stages, but it is not limited to this, and the airbag 30 may be configured to inflate gradually in three or more stages each time food is given. [Explanation of Symbols]

[0047] 10 Doll bodies 11 Head 12 Eye area 13 Mouth 13a Upper jaw 13b Lower jaw 14 Torso 15 Abdomen 18 Backpack 19. Base 20 Passage section 21 Food detection unit 22 detection switch 23 Switch push plate 23a Rotary shaft 23b Protrusion 25 Storage Unit 30 airbags 31 pumps 32 Exhaust valve 33 Exhaust valve motor (power source for opening and closing) 34. Motor for opening and closing the eyes / mouth. 35 speakers 40 Control board 41 Abdominal sensor 42 Opening detection switch 43. Close detection switch 50 Food body

Claims

1. It is a toy that allows you to play by feeding food-like objects to a doll. The aforementioned doll body is An opening into which food can be inserted, A passage through which the food material introduced from the mouth passes, A food detection unit that detects food objects passing through the passage section, An inflatable and deflated airbag is built into the abdominal area of ​​the aforementioned doll body, A pump that supplies air to the aforementioned airbag, An exhaust valve for discharging air from the aforementioned airbag, A power source for opening and closing the exhaust valve, An abdominal sensor that detects when the abdomen of the doll body is stroked, Equipped with, When the food detection unit detects the passage of food, air is supplied from the pump and the airbag inflates. When the abdominal sensor detects that the abdomen of the doll body has been stroked, the opening / closing power source activates and the airbag retracts. Toys for playing with food.

2. It is a toy that allows you to play by feeding food-like objects to a doll. The aforementioned doll body is An opening into which food can be inserted, A passage through which the food material introduced from the mouth passes, A food detection unit that detects food objects passing through the passage section, An inflatable and deflated airbag is built into the abdominal area of ​​the aforementioned doll body, A pump that supplies air to the aforementioned airbag, Equipped with, The airbag is capable of inflating to at least two different sizes when air is supplied from the pump when the food detection unit detects the passage of food. When the food detection unit detects the passage of food, it checks whether the airbag is inflated to the first stage. If the airbag is not inflated, it inflates to the first stage; if the airbag is inflated to the first stage, it inflates to the second stage. Toys for playing with food.

3. It is a toy that allows you to play by feeding food-like objects to a doll. The aforementioned doll body is An opening into which food can be inserted, A passage through which the food material introduced from the mouth passes, A food detection unit that detects food objects passing through the passage section, An inflatable and deflated airbag is built into the abdominal area of ​​the aforementioned doll body, A pump that supplies air to the aforementioned airbag, Equipped with, The airbag is capable of inflating to at least two different sizes when air is supplied from the pump when the food detection unit detects the passage of food. When the airbag is inflated to its maximum size, it emits an audio message indicating that no more food can be placed inside. Toys for playing with food.

4. When the food detection unit detects the passage of food, the opening opens and closes. A feeding toy according to any one of claims 1 to 3.

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