Tummy pal doll ensemble and storage system

Abstract

A doll ensemble and storage system for enhancing one's imagination and developing fine motor skills is provided. The system comprises a doll having a head, a stomach, a pair of arms, a hand attached to each of the arms, a pair of legs, and a foot attached to each of the legs. The doll is shaped such that the stomach of the doll is proportionately larger than the rest of the components of the doll. At least one accessory associated with the doll is provided. A storage member in the form of a ball is provided for storing at least the doll and the at least one accessory. The doll ensemble and storage system of the invention is one of a series of dolls that may be collected by a child or a doll collector which all revolve around a central theme.

Description

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS [0001] This application is related to Provisional Application Ser. No. 60 / 674,485 filed Apr. 25, 2005.FIELD OF THE INVENTION [0002] The invention relates, in general to a doll and a storage device for the doll and, more particularly, to a doll ensemble and storage system that includes a set of corresponding accessories and is part of a series of dolls that are capable of enhancing a child's imagination and developing the child's fine motor skills. BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION [0003] The toy industry is replete with different doll designs that range from dolls that talk to those that imitate babies who drink from bottles and “go potty”. Such dolls leave little to the imagination for the child playing with them. Nor do such dolls promote the development of a child's fine motor skills as they are not capable of doing anything other than their assigned task. Basically the child carries the doll around, feeds it a bottle and / or changes its diaper. [...

AI Technical Summary

Benefits of technology

[0007] It is therefore an object of the invention to provide a doll ensemble and storage system that promotes pretend play and enhances a child's imagination.

[0009] It is still another object of the invention to provide a doll ensemble and storage system that develops the acquisition of language and enhances the child's reading skills through the reading of associated storybooks.

[0011] It is another object of the invention to provide a doll ensemble and storage system that glows in the dark and acts as a nightlight to aid the child at bedtime.

[0014] It is yet another object of the invention to provide a doll having a shape wherein the stomach is proportionately larger than the rest of the doll, hence the name “Tummy Pal”, so that the child may comfortably wrap his / her arms around the stomach and hug the doll.

Problems solved by technology

Such dolls leave little to the imagination for the child playing with them.

Nor do such dolls promote the development of a child's fine motor skills as they are not capable of doing anything other than their assigned task.

While the Cabbage Patch Dolls and Care Bears are marketed as a series of dolls / animals, these series do not include a coordinated set of accessories, which enhances the child's imagination.

Also, neither doll / animal offer anything to develop the child's fine motor skills.

Basically, these dolls / animals “look cute” but their use is limited to the child carrying the doll / animal about.

The American Girl series does include a coordinated set of accessories from clothes to books and other keepsakes, however, this series is limited to girls in the 8-12 age range.

Also, these dolls do not include devices that aid in the development of the child's fine motor skills nor are these dolls made of a size that promotes playing with and hugging them.

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