Weight loss abstract
A doll system simulates weight gain and weight loss in a doll by
the selective expansion and contraction of parts of the doll subject
to simulated weight gain and weight loss by selectively coupling
a chamber within the doll with a pressure-raising apparatus configured
to simulate a weight gain object or a pressure-lowering apparatus
configured to simulate a weight loss object and operating the coupled
apparatus to either raise the pressure within the chamber to simulate
weight gain or lower the pressure within the chamber to simulate
weight loss.
Weight loss claims
The embodiments of the invention in which an exclusive property
or privilege is claimed are defined as follows:
1. A doll system enabling the simulation of weight gain and weight
loss in a doll by the selective expansion and contraction of parts
of the doll subject to simulated weight gain and weight loss, the
doll system comprising:
a doll body having a shell including wall portions delineating
the parts of the doll subject to simulated weight gain and weight
loss;
a chamber within the doll body and communicating with the wall
portions of the shell, the wall portions being expansible and contractible
in response to raised and lowered pressure, respectively, within
the chamber;
valve means normally sealing the chamber against ambient pressure;
a first apparatus configured to simulate an object representing
a consumable which, when consumed, normally will cause weight gain,
the first apparatus including selectively operated pressure-raising
means;
a second apparatus configured to simulate an object representing
a consumable which, when consumed, will assist in attaining weight
loss, the second apparatus including selectively operated pressure-lowering
means; and
coupling means for selectively coupling one of the first apparatus
and the second apparatus with the valve means such that selective
coupling of the first apparatus with the valve means and operation
of the first apparatus will raise the pressure within the chamber
and expand the wall portions of the doll body to simulate weight
gain, and selective coupling of the second apparatus with the valve
means and operation of the second apparatus will lower the pressure
within the chamber and contract the wall portions of the doll body
to simulate weight loss.
2. The invention of claim 1 wherein the first wall portions are
constructed of an elastomeric material.
3. The invention of claim 1 wherein the first apparatus includes
a pump for raising the pressure within the chamber.
4. The invention of claim 1 wherein the second apparatus includes
a pump for lowering the pressure within the chamber.
5. The invention of claim 1 wherein the wall of the shell is constructed
of an elastomeric material, the second wall portions have a predetermined
wall thickness and the first wall portions have a wall thickness
less than the predetermined wall thickness of the second wall portions.
6. The invention of claim 5 wherein the wall of elastomeric material
includes transitional wall portions intermediate the first wall
portions and the adjacent second wall portions, the transitional
wall portions having a wall thickness which increases gradually
from the first wall portions to the corresponding adjacent second
wall portions.
7. The invention of claim 1 wherein the doll simulates a human
figure and includes a simulated face with a mouth, and the valve
means and the selective coupling means are located for coupling
the first apparatus and the second apparatus at the mouth of the
doll.
8. The invention of claim 7 wherein the simulated human figure
includes a simulated torso and simulated limbs, and at least some
of the first wall portions are located along the simulated torso
and the simulated limbs.
9. The invention of claim 8 wherein at least some of the first
wall portions are located along the face.
10. The invention of claim 9 wherein the first wall portions are
constructed of an elastomeric material.
11. The invention of claim 10 wherein the first apparatus includes
a pump for raising the pressure within the chamber.
12. The invention of claim 11 wherein the second apparatus includes
a pump for lowering the pressure within the chamber.
13. The invention of claim 9 wherein the wall of the shell is constructed
of an elastomeric material, the second wall portions have a predetermined
wall thickness, and the first wall portions have a wall thickness
less than the predetermined wall thickness of the adjacent second
wall portions.
14. The invention of claim 13 wherein the wall of elastomeric material
includes transitional wall portions intermediate the first wall
portions and the adjacent second wall portions, the transitional
wall portions having a wall thickness which increases gradually
from the first wall portions to the corresponding adjacent second
wall portions.
Weight loss description
The present invention relates generally to dolls and pertains,
more specifically, to a doll system which serves an educational
purpose, as well as being entertaining.
Dolls have been a staple in toys for a very long time. Dolls and
doll systems have been developed for demonstrating and performing
almost every conceivable function. The doll system of the present
invention demonstrates the effects of eating various foods on weight
gain and on weight loss and serves to educate and inform children
in dietary matters. As such, the present invention exhibits several
objects and advantages, some of which may be summarized as follows:
Provides an entertaining as well as informative doll system for
educating and informing children of the effects on weight gain and
weight loss of eating various foods, while at the same time entertaining
the children for enhanced retention and learning about dietary matters;
enables a simplified yet effective doll construction for demonstrating
the effects of weight gain and weight loss on the body; provides
a "hands-on" approach to teaching children about diet
and the effects of the consumption of instantly recognizable commonly
available foods on weight gain and on weight loss; enables children
of a wide range of ages to understand and appreciate the effects
of diet and weight gain and weight loss on the body; provides a
doll system which is simple in use and is manufactured readily in
large numbers of high quality for widespread availability with economy.
The above objects and advantages, as well as further objects and
advantages, are attained by the present invention which may be described
briefly as a doll system enabling the simulation of weight gain
and weight loss in a doll by the selective expansion and contraction
of parts of the doll subject to simulated weight gain and weight
loss, the doll system comprising: a doll body having a shell including
a wall having first wall portions delineating the parts of the doll
subject to simulated weight gain and weight loss, and adjacent second
wall portions; a chamber within the doll body and communicating
with the first wall portions of the shell, the first wall portions
being expansible and contractible relative to the second wall portions
in response to raised and lowered pressure, respectively, within
the chamber; valve means normally sealing the chamber against ambient
pressure; a first apparatus configured to simulate a weight gain
object, the first apparatus including selectively, operated pressure-raising
means; a second apparatus configured to simulate a weight loss object,
the second apparatus including selectively operated pressure-lowering
means; and selective coupling means for selectively coupling one
of the first apparatus and the second apparatus with the valve means
such that selective coupling of the first apparatus with the valve
means and operation of the first apparatus will raise the pressure
within the chamber and expand the first wall portions of the doll
body relative to the second wall portions to simulate weight gain,
and selective coupling of the second apparatus with the valve means
and operation of the second apparatus will lower the pressure within
the chamber and contract the first wall portions of the doll body
to simulate weight loss.
The invention will be understood more fully, while still further
objects and advantages will become apparent, in the following detailed
description of preferred embodiments of the invention illustrated
in the accompanying drawing, in which:
FIG. 1 is a pictorial perspective view of a doll constructed in
accordance with the invention, for use in the doll system of the
invention;
FIG. 2 is a pictorial perspective view similar to FIG. 1 and illustrating
another condition of the doll;
FIG. 3 is a longitudinal cross-sectional view of the doll;
FIG. 4 is an enlarged, fragmentary view of a portion of the doll
cut away to illustrate internal details;
FIG. 5 is an enlarged, fragmentary view similar to FIG. 4 and demonstrating
the operation of another component of the system of the invention;
and
FIG. 6 is an enlarged, fragmentary view similar to FIG. 4 and demonstrating
the operation of still another component of the system of the invention.
Referring now to the drawing, and especially to FIG. 1 thereof,
a doll 10 constructed in accordance with the invention is seen in
a normal condition in which the doll 10 simulates a human figure
having a normal weight. Doll 10 includes a doll body 12 having a
torso 14 and limbs in the form of arms 16 and legs 18. A head 20
includes a face 22 having a mouth 24. Doll body 12 is constructed
in the form of a shell 30 having a wall 31 including first wall
portions 32 which delineate predetermined parts of the torso 14,
the arms 16 and the legs 18, as well as the face 22. In FIG. 2,
the doll 10 is in an expanded condition and simulates weight gain.
In the expanded condition, the torso 14, arms 16 and legs 18, and
the face 22 all are expanded so as to demonstrate the effects of
weight gain on the appearance of the doll 10.
Turning to FIG. 3, shell 30 is seen to be hollow so as to include
within shell 30 a chamber 34 communicating with the wall portions
32. The wall portions 32 are expansible and contractible in response
to raised and lowered pressure, respectively, within the chamber
34, preferably by constructing shell 30 of an elastomeric material,
such as rubber or a similar elastomeric synthetic polymeric material,
and by providing the wall portions 32 with a wall thickness T which
is less than the predetermined wall thickness P of adjacent second
wall portions 36 of the wall 31 of shell 30 in general. In this
manner, increased pressure within the chamber 34 will expand wall
portions 32 relative to adjacent wall portions 36 of the wall 31
of shell 30 to achieve the condition illustrated in FIG. 2. Reduced
pressure in the chamber 34 will contract the wall portions 32 relative
to the wall portions 36 of the wall 31 of the shell 30. It is noted
that the transition from the thicker wall portions 36 of the wall
31 of the shell 30, in general, to the thinner wall portions 32
is gradual, as shown at transitional wall portions 38 intermediate
the thinner wall portions 32 and the thicker adjacent wall portions
36, which intermediate wall portions 38 have a wall thickness which
increases gradually from the first wall portions 32 to the corresponding
adjacent second wall portions 36, so as to enable a graduated expansion
along the transitional wall portions 38, which graduated expansion
maintains a more natural appearance in the doll 10 in the expanded
condition.
As seen in FIG. 4, chamber 34 normally is sealed against ambient
pressure by valve means shown in the form of a valve 40 located
in the mouth 24 of the face 22 of doll 10. Valve 40 includes an
annular valve seat 42 fitted into a complementary annular groove
44 in the head 20 of the doll 10, within mouth 24, and having a
valve passage 46. A valve member in the form of a valve flap 48
integral with the shell 30 of the doll body 12 is biased resiliently
against the valve seat 42 to close the valve passage 46, by virtue
of the resilient property of the material of shell 30.
When it is desired to simulate weight gain, a first apparatus,
configured to simulate a weight gain object, is operated selectively
to raise the pressure in the chamber 34 and thereby bring the doll
body 12 to the condition illustrated in FIG. 2. Thus, as seen in
FIG. 5, a first apparatus in the form of an air pump 50 is configured
to simulate a hamburger, an object which, when consumed, normally
will cause weight gain. Other weight gain objects, such as hot dogs,
containers of soft drinks, candy and other foods which tend to promote
weight gain can be simulated. The air pump 50 has a bulb-like pumping
chamber 52 constructed of an elastomer and includes an inlet flap
valve 54 and an outlet flap valve 56, both formed unitary with the
body 58 of the air pump 50. A stem 60 is integral with the body
58 of the air pump 50 and includes a tubular tip 62 and a shoulder
64. Tubular tip 62 is generally complementary with the valve passage
46 of valve 40 so that tubular tip 62 may be inserted selectively
into valve passage 46 until shoulder 64 is seated against valve
seat 42 to move valve flap 48 away from valve seat 42 and bring
pumping chamber 52 into communication with chamber 34 in the doll
10, as illustrated. In this manner, the stem 60 and the annular
valve seat 42 serve as coupling means for selectively coupling the
air pump 50 with the valve 40. Upon operation of the air pump 50,
by squeezing the pumping chamber 52 as shown, the pressure within
chamber 34 will be increased and wall portions 32 will expand relative
to the wall portions 36 to bring the doll 10 to the condition illustrated
in FIG. 2, thereby simulating weight gain and demonstrating visually
the effects of weight gain. A pressure relief valve 59 is placed
in the wall of the body 58 of air pump 50 to preclude the build-up
of excessive pressure in the chamber 34, which excessive pressure
could result in damage to the doll 10. Upon removal of the tubular
tip 62 from the valve seat 42, the valve 40 will close, as illustrated
in FIG. 4, and the doll 10 will remain in the expanded condition
illustrated in FIG. 2.
In order to simulate weight loss, a second apparatus configured
to simulate a weight loss object is employed. As seen in FIG. 6,
a second apparatus in the form of an exhaust pump 70 is constructed
in a configuration which simulates a container of a diet drink,
which, when consumed, will assist in attaining weight loss. Other
weight loss objects, such as fruits, vegetables, diet supplements
and other foods which assist in weight loss can be simulated. Exhaust
pump 70 has a bulb-like pumping chamber 72 constructed of an elastomer
and includes an inlet flap valve 74 and an outlet flap valve 76,
both formed unitary with the body 78 of the exhaust pump 70. A stem
80 is integral with the body 78 of the exhaust pump 70 and includes
a tubular tip 82 and a shoulder 84. Tubular tip 82 is generally
complementary with the valve passage 46 of valve 40 so that tubular
tip 82 may be inserted selectively into valve passage 46 until shoulder
84 is seated against valve seat 42 to move valve flap 48 away from
valve seat 42 and bring pumping chamber 72 into communication with
chamber 34 in the doll 10, as illustrated. In this manner, the stem
80 and the annular valve seat 42 serve as coupling means for selectively
coupling the exhaust pump 70 with the valve 40. Upon operation of
the exhaust pump 70, by squeezing the pumping chamber 72 as shown,
the pressure within chamber 34 will be decreased and wall portions
32 will contract to bring the doll 10 to the condition illustrated
in FIG. 1, thereby simulating weight loss and demonstrating visually
the effects of weight loss. Upon removal of the tubular tip 82 from
the valve seat 42, the valve 40 will close, as illustrated in FIG.
4, and the doll 10 will remain in the contracted condition illustrated
in FIG. 1.
It will be seen that the doll 10 together with the air pump 50
and the exhaust pump 70 constitute a doll system which enables the
simulation of weight gain and weight loss by the selective expansion
and contraction of parts of the doll ordinarily subject to simulated
weight gain and weight loss. As such, the doll system attains the
various objects and advantages summarized above, namely: Provides
an entertaining as well as informative doll system for educating
and informing children of the effects on weight gain and weight
loss of eating various foods, while at the same time entertaining
the children for enhanced retention and learning about dietary matters;
enables a simplified yet effective doll construction for demonstrating
the effects of weight gain and weight loss on the body; provides
a "hands-on" approach to teaching children about diet
and the effects of the consumption of instantly recognizable commonly
available foods on weight gain and on weight loss; enables children
of a wide range of ages to understand and appreciate the effects
of diet and weight gain and weight loss on the body; provides a
doll system which is simple in use and is manufactured readily in
large numbers of high quality for widespread availability with economy.
It is to be understood that the above detailed description of preferred
embodiments of the invention is provided by way of example only.
Various details of design and construction may be modified without
departing from the true spirit and scope of the invention, as set
forth in the appended claims.
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