Field of the invention

The present disclosure relates to a transformable toy body. introduction

Toy dolls and balls have a long history. Indeed, there is alleged archaeological evidence that places dolls as the foremost candidate for the oldest known toy. Over the centuries, there have been many different trends and fashions for toy dolls.

In recent times, there has been increasing demand for toy dolls and, in particular, action figures to be able to perform more and more “acts” and functions. That is to say, there has been a focus on manufacturing dolls that are configurable to move, to change and/ or to transform in an interesting, amusing and/ or surprising way. One example of this is the Transformers ^® line of toys which are typically transformable from an action figure to a vehicle, and back again.

As a result of this, many toy dolls are now provided with complex mechanical parts and electrical circuits to facilitate the performance of such acts/ functions. Accordingly, such toy dolls have become expensive and complicated to produce. Moreover, as a result of having more components, they are more prone to breaking, and require periodic servicing and/ or repeated replacement of parts.

The toy body according to the present invention aims to solve at least some of the problems associated with the prior art. Primarily, it aims to solve the problem of providing a transformable toy body that is simple and cheap to produce.

Summary of the invention

Against this background, the invention resides in a transformable toy body, the toy body comprising: a compressible exterior defining at least a part of an enclosed internal volume, and a capsule containing a change-inducing substance arranged within the internal volume, wherein the toy body is configured such that a user can apply a compressive force across the capsule through the compressible exterior, and wherein the capsule is configured to expel the change-inducing substance when the compressive force exceeds a threshold value, whereupon the toy body undergoes a change.

In other words, the toy body can undergo some kind of change in properties, e.g. a visual change and/ or tactile change, when a user squeezes the toy body in particular way. Furthermore, due to the simple arrangement of the components of the toy body, the toy body can be manufactured both cheaply and with ease.

The capsule may comprise a capsule shell that contains the change-inducing substance. The capsule may also comprise an opening arranged in the capsule shell through which the change-inducing substance is expellable when a compressive force greater than the threshold value is applied across the capsule shell.

In one embodiment, the capsule comprises a hinge for facilitating compression of the capsule, wherein the hinge is provided by an indent, preferably a groove, that is set into the capsule shell. The hinge preferably extends in a straight line across the capsule shell. The hinge may be arranged opposite the opening of the capsule.

In a preferred embodiment, the capsule comprises/ incorporates a plug that is releasably arranged in the opening of the capsule that contains the change-inducing substance within the capsule. The capsule may be configured to eject the plug therefrom, and expel the change- inducing substance, when the compressive force applied across the capsule by the user exceeds the threshold value. In this way, this capsule is a burstable capsule that is burstabie only once.

Alternatively, the opening of the capsule can be sufficiently small such that the change- inducing substance is contained within the capsule unless the compressive force applied across the capsule by the user exceeds the threshold value. In this way, the need for the above-described plug is removed.

To fill this capsule with change-inducing substance, a syringe with a needle can be used. After the syringe has been filled with change-inducing substance, the needle can then be arranged to extend within the capsule through the opening thereof. The syringe should then be operated so as to direct/ inject the change-inducing substance into/ to/ within the capsule. In an embodiment, the capsule comprises a capsule shell containing the change-inducing substance and a weakness extending across at least a portion of the capsule shell. The capsule may be configured such that the capsule bursts open at the weakness and the change-inducing substance is expelled therefrom, when the compressive force applied across the capsule by the user exceeds the threshold value. In this way, this capsule is a burstable capsule that is burstable only once. For simplicity, the weakness may be provided by making at least a portion of the capsule sufficiently thin. The weakness may extend in a (preferably straight) line across the capsule shell, but may also take the form of a point on the capsule shell.

Alternatively, the weakness may take the form of an adhered section where two distinct portions of the capsule shell are adhered together, the two portions being adhered only to the extent that they are separable when sufficient compressive force is applied either side of the adhered section.

The hinge may alternatively be a frangible portion of the capsule shell. The weakness may also take the same form as, or be identical to, the above-described hinge, i.e. as an indent set into the capsule shell.

Preferably, the capsule comprises exactly one weakness. This advantageously makes breaking easy, while allowing the capsule to be produced easily.

In an embodiment, the capsule is substantially ovoid, and is preferably substantially spherocylindrical.

The opening may be arranged at one of the two extending ends of the capsule shell. The hinge may be arranged on the opposite extending end of the capsule shell to the opening.

The weakness may extend across one of the two extending ends of the capsule shell.

Preferably, the capsule is configured such that, prior to expulsion, the change-inducing substance is not perceivable from outside the toy body through the exterior.

In one embodiment the threshold value is between 40 and SON, and preferably between 48 and 71N. The internal volume may further comprise a filler material. The filler material and the burstable capsule may fill the (entire) internal volume of the compressible exterior.

Preferably, the filler material comprises an active substance. The change-inducing substance and the active substance may therefore be selected such that the change in the toy body is effected when the change-inducing substance and the active substance interact. The interaction may be a chemical reaction and / or a physical change.

A change in the toy body may be temporary or permanent. When the change is visual, the exterior is preferably at least partially transparent. When the change is tactile, a suitable material for the exterior can be selected.

In a particularly preferred embodiment, the change includes at least a colour change of the toy body, in this embodiment, the exterior is preferably at least partially transparent, thereby allowing the colour change to be observed.

The change-inducing substance may comprise at least one of colour dye, glitter, rheoscopic mica powder, a luminescence-emitting substance, and a metallic powder.

The change may additionally or alternatively include a tactile change of the toy body.

The change-inducing substance may be at least one of water, slime, foam, glucose preferably stretch glucose, dough, sand, glitter, rheoscopic mica powder, colour dye, water beads, pellets (preferably thermoplastic rubber (TPR) and / or acrylonitrile butadiene styrene (ABS) pellets) and marbles.

Additionally or alternatively, the change-inducing substance may be selected to form a slime on interaction with the active substance, in these embodiments, the change-inducing substance is preferably a slime-forming powder such as sodium tetraborate, and the active substance may be water.

The change may also include a change in size and/ or shape of the toy body. The change-inducing substance may be selected to expand in size and/ or change in shape on interaction with the active substance. In these embodiments, the change-inducing substance may be at least one dehydrated bead and / or expandable foam, and the active substance may be water.

The change may also include a change in temperature of the toy body.

Additionally or alternatively, the change-inducing substance may be selected to change in temperature on interaction with the active substance. To this end, the change-inducing substance may be sodium polyacrylate ammonium nitrate, calcium ammonium nitrate and/ or urea, and the reactive substance may be water. Sodium polyacryiate is advantageously non- toxic. In these embodiments, the exterior is preferably configured such that the change in temperature is perceivable through the exterior by a user’s touch. In certain embodiments, the change-inducing substance may become so cold that it freezes for a while.

The filler material may comprise at least one of: water, slime, foam, glucose preferably stretch glucose, dough, sand, glitter, rheoscopic mica powder, colour dye, water beads, pellets preferably TPR and/ or ABS pellets, and marbles. The filler material is advantageously selected to provide the toy body will a particular hand feel.

At least a portion of the exterior may be deformable, and is preferably made out of thermoplastic rubber (TPR) plastic.

The exterior and/ or the capsule are preferably produced by an injection moulding process.

The toy body preferably takes the form of a doll, more preferably an action figure, or a ball.

Features of any one aspect or embodiment of the invention may be used, alone or in appropriate combination, with other aspects and embodiments as appropriate.

Brief Description of the Drawings

Figure 1 is a cross-section of a toy body according to an embodiment of the invention wherein a capsule within the toy body contains a change-inducing substance therein; Figure 2 is a cross-section of the toy body of Figure 1 , wherein the capsule has expelled the change-inducing substance therefrom, thereby providing a visual and/ or tactile change in the toy body;

Figure 3 is an exploded view of a capsule for use in the toy body of Figure 1 ;

Figure 4 is an assembled view of the capsule of Figure 3;

Figure 5 is a side view of the capsule of Figure 4;

Figure 6 is a cross-sectional view of the capsule of Figure 4; and Figure 7 is a further side view of the capsule of Figure 4.

Detailed Description of Embodiments of the invention

The invention relates to a transformable toy body 1, exemplified herein as a transformable toy doll 1 , and which preferably takes the form of an action figure. By transformable, it is to be understood that the toy doll 1 is configured to undergo a transformation when operated by a user (not shown).

Such a transformation may involve a visual and/ ortactile change in the toy doll 1 , i.e. a change that can be seen or felt by a user from outside the toy doll 1 , and may be temporary or permanent. Such a visual change may include a change in the toy’s appearance such that the toy doll 1 takes on a different colour, shape and/ or size, while such a tactile change may include change in hand feel such as a change in consistency, viscosity, and/ or temperature of the toy doll 1.

To operate the toy doll 1 so as to bring about such a transformation, a user compresses, or squeezes, the toy doll 1. When such a compression or squeezing has been performed, the toy doll 1 then beings its visual and/ ortactile transformation.

To this end, the toy doll 1 comprises a compressible exterior 15 that at least in part defines an enclosed internal volume, and a capsule 20 arranged within the enclosed internal volume of the compressible exterior 15, as shown in Figure 1. The capsule 20 contains a change- inducing substance. The toy doll 1 is configured such that a user can apply a compressive force across the capsule 20 through the compressible exterior 15. The capsule 20 is configured such that, when the compressive force applied across the capsule 20 exceeds a threshold value, the capsule 20 expels the change-inducing substance therefrom, as shown in Figure 2. This expulsion of the change-inducing substance from the capsule 20 causes the toy doll 1 to undergo said visual and/ or tactile change.

This simple arrangement of components therefore allows the toy doll 1 to transform/ change in an amusing and surprising manner. Moreover, since this arrangement is simple, it is easy to manufacture and cheap to produce.

Each of the features of the toy doll 1 will now be described in detail.

First, the change-inducing substance will be described.

As explained above, it is the change-inducing substance that provides the change in property of the toy doll 1 when expelled from the capsule 20. The change-inducing substance may provide such a change on its own or may require interaction with a secondary substance, i.e. a reactive substance, to provide a desired effect.

When the change-inducing substance provides the visual and/ or tactile change on its own, i.e. without any need to interact with a secondary substance, it already produces the desired visual and/ or tactile effect when contained within the capsule 20, but due to the configuration of the capsule 20, this effect cannot be perceived and/ or felt by the user from outside the toy doll 1 . To this end, the capsule 20 can be sufficiently opaque and/ or thick and/ or rigid and/ or insulating.

However, after being expelled from the capsule 20, the effect of the change-inducing substance is no longer blocked by the capsule 20, since it is no longer (fully) contained within the capsule 20. As such, its effect can now be perceived and/ or felt by the user from outside the toy doll 1. in this way, although the change-inducing substance has always been producing the same effect throughout, this effect is only perceivable after expulsion of the change- inducing substance from the capsule 20. In this way, the appearance and/ or feel of the toy doll 1 can change, despite the change-inducing substance remaining (substantially) the same throughout. To provide a colour change in the toy body, the change-inducing substance may comprise at least one of colour dye, glitter, rheoscopic mica powder, a luminescence-emitting substance and metallic powder, or any other suitable material. Hence, possible colour changes include glittery/ metallic/ luminescent changes as well as changes in hues and/ or shades of the toy body.

To provide a tactile change in the toy body, the change-inducing substance may comprise at least one of water, slime, foam, glucose preferably stretch glucose, dough, sand, glitter, rheoscopic mica powder, water beads, pellets preferably thermoplastic rubber (TPR) and/ or acrylonitrile butadiene styrene (ABS) pellets, and marbles, or any other suitable material.

Alternatively, the change-inducing substance can be selected to provide a change in the toy doll 1 only when interacting with a reactive substance. In other words, the change-inducing substance can only provide the desired change when it undergoes a chemical reaction with the reactive substance or a physical change when in contact with the reactive substance.

In these embodiments, the reactive substance is arranged outside the capsule 20 but within the enclosed internal volume of the toy exterior 15. in this way, the change-inducing substance does not produce the desired visual and/ or tactile effect when initially contained within the capsule 20, since it does not interact with the reactive substance there. However, after being expelled from the capsule 20, the change-inducing substance does interact with the reactive substance, and hence produces the desired effect that can then be perceived from outside the toy exterior 15. it is in this way, therefore, that the exterior 15 undergoes a visual and/ or tactile change.

To provide a change in size and/ or shape of the toy body (or just to change the toy body's appearance or feel), the change-inducing substance may be selected so as to expand in size and/ or change in shape on interaction with the active substance. To this end, the change- inducing substance may be a dehydrated bead and / or expandable foam and/ or any other suitable material, and the active substance can be water. In these embodiments, the rehydrated bead or expanded foam can provide the toy doll 1 with both a visual and tactile change to the toy doll 1 after formation and expulsion from the capsule 20. After expansion, the volume of the change-inducing substance may increase to such an extent that the toy doll exterior 15, and hence the toy doll 1 itself, expands in size. To provide a change in temperature in the toy body, the change-inducing substance can be selected to change in temperature on interaction with the active substance. To this end, the change-inducing substance may be sodium polyacrylate ammonium nitrate, calcium ammonium nitrate and/ or urea, or any other suitable material(s), and the reactive substance may be water. Sodium poiyacrylate is advantageously selected in this case due to its non- toxicity to humans, and since it feels cold to the touch when reacted with water, thereby providing the toy doll 1 with an interesting and unusual tactile change, in certain embodiments, the change-inducing substance may become so cold that it freezes for a while.

Additionally and/ or alternatively, the change-inducing substance can be selected to form a slime on interaction with the active substance. To this end, the change-inducing substance may be a slime-forming powder such as sodium tetraborate, and the active substance may be water. Such slimes can provide the toy doll 1 with both an interesting visual and tactile change to the toy doll 1 after formation and expulsion from the capsule 20.

Now that the change-inducing substance has been described, the capsule 20 that initially contains the change-inducing substance will be overviewed.

As explained above, when the capsule 20 initially contains the change-inducing substance, the visual and/ or tactile effect associated with said substance is not perceivable by the user from outside the toy doll 1 . However, when the capsule 20 is compressed, or squeezed, in a particular way, the capsule 20 expels the change-inducing substance. After expulsion, said visual and/ or tactile effect associated with the change-inducing substance is then perceivable by the user from outside the toy doll 1.

AA depicted by Figures 3 to 7, the capsule 20 is substantially ovoid, and preferably substantially spherocylindrical. The capsule 20 comprises a capsule shell 22 that defines an enclosed interior volume within the capsule 20 for containing the change-inducing substance. The capsule shell 22 may be coloured (e.g. differently to the toy doll exterior 15) or transparent so as to provide the toy doll 1 with a desired aesthetic that is observable through the toy doll exterior 15.

At one of the two extending ends of the capsule shell 22, there is arranged an opening 23 in the capsule shell 22. It is through this opening 23 that the change-inducing substance initially contained within the capsule 20 can be expelled when the compressive force applied across the capsule 20 exceeds the threshold value. During production of the toy doll 1 , the opening 23 also serves to allow the capsule 20 to be filled with the change-inducing substance, as will be detailed below.

The capsule 20 is also provided with a plug 25 that is releasably arranged in the opening 23 of the capsule 20. in this position, the plug 25 seals the capsule 20 such that the change- inducing substance arranged within the interior volume of the capsule 20 cannot escape unless sufficient compressive force is applied across the capsule 20 by the user. However, when the compressive force applied across the capsule 20 by the user exceeds the threshold value, the capsule 20 ejects the plug 25 away from the capsule shell 22, as well as the change- inducing substance contained therein. To this end, the plug 25 is preferably mushroom- shaped, as best seen in Figures 3 and 6.

In this way, it can be appreciated that this capsule 20 is a burstable capsule 20 since it is configured to bust open (i.e. by ejecting the plug 25 away from the capsule 20 shell) when squeezed. In this way, the capsule 20 is burstable only once.

In some embodiments, no such plug 25 is arranged in the opening 23 of the capsule 20. Instead, the opening 23 is sufficiently small such that the change-inducing substance is maintained within the capsule 20 unless the compressive force applied across the capsule 20 by the user exceeds the threshold value. Such a capsule 20 can be filled using a syringe with a needle, as will be detailed below.

In other embodiments, no such opening 23 need be provided in the capsule shell 22 at all. Instead, at one of the two extending ends of the capsule shell 22, there is provided a weakness extending thereacross. The weakness is a part of the capsule shell 22 that is configured to be more easily broken compared to other parts of the capsule shell 22. in this way, when the compressive force that is applied across the capsule 20 by the user exceeds the threshold value, the capsule 20 bursts open at the weakness, and the change-inducing substance is expelled therefrom, in this way, this capsule 20 also takes the form of a burstabie capsule 20 that is burstabie only once.

The weakness is typically formed by configuring at least a portion of the capsule shell 22 to be sufficiently thin compared to the rest. Alternatively, the weakness takes the form of an adhered section where two distinct portions of the capsule shell are adhered together, the two portions being adhered only to the extent that they are separable when sufficient compressive force is applied either side of the adhered section. This weakness may be formed by adhering together (mechanically or chemically) two separated portions of the capsule shell. To adhere the portions together mechanically, the separated portions can be provided with e.g. corresponding ridges that can be securely connected together. To adhere the portions together chemically, a glue may be used.

To facilitate compression of the capsule 20, the capsule 20 may be provided with a hinge 24 on the extending end of the capsule shell 22 opposite to the opening 23 (see Figures 4, 6 and 7). As a result of said hinge 24, the capsule 20 is more easily compressible when a user applies a compression force to the capsule 20 either side of the hinge 24.

To realise this hinge 24, an indent, preferably a groove, is set into the capsule shell 22. This is advantageously arranged to extend in a straight line across the middle of this extending end of the capsule shell 22 opposite the opening 23.

The threshold value for the compressive force (above which the capsule 20 expels the change- inducing substance when applied thereacross by the user) is between 40 and SON, and preferably between 48 and 71N. This prevents the change-inducing substance from being expelled accidentally but also allows a user to squeeze the capsule 20 without exerting too much effort. In this way, the toy doll 1 also only undergoes a transformation w hen caused to by a user.

Now that the capsule 20 has been described, an overview of the exterior 15 of the toy doll 1 will be provided.

As stated above, the exterior 15 of the toy doll 1 defines at least a part of the enclosed internal volume in which the capsule 20 is arranged. Since the toy doll 1 is enclosed, even when the change-inducing substance escapes from the capsule 20, it remains within the enclosed internal volume of the toy doll 1 , i.e. it does not escape from the toy doll 1 into the surroundings of the toy doll 1. Likewise, any present filling substance(s) remain within the enclosed internal volume during use of doll 1. The exterior 15 is typically shaped so that the toy body 1 resembles a human or humanoid body. In the embodiment of Figures 1 and 2, the toy exterior 15 is shaped with a torso, a neck 11 (i.e. a collar), and four limbs 12 in the form of two arms 12a and two legs 12b. The neck 11 and limbs 12 are integrally connected with the torso. In this embodiment, the toy exterior 15 does not include a head, i.e. it is headless. Instead, the head 10 is a separate, but is securely connected to the rest of the body-shaped exterior 15 at the neck 11 of the toy doll exterior 15.

To securely attach the head 10 to the neck 11 , the neck 11 may be provided with an extension portion 11a that is shaped to be securely received in a corresponding receiver arranged in the head 10. To ensure a secure connection, the extension portion 11a, and the corresponding receiver may be mushroom shaped, as in Figures 1 and 2. in this way, they can be connected together securely with a friction fit. Additionally or alternatively, the extension portion 11a may be shaped as a screw, i.e. with ridges, while the receiver of the head 10 may be provided with corresponding grooves, such that the extension portion 11a can be securely screwed into the receiver of the head 10. To strengthen any of these connections, an adhesive may be applied between the extension portion 11a and the receiver.

The exterior 15 is provided with an aperture 11b, preferably a single aperture 11b, through which it can receive components when the toy doll 1 is being assembled. This aperture 11b is preferably arranged in the neck 11 of the toy exterior 15. To form the enclosed internal volume, the aperture 11b may be sealed with adhesive (such that the exterior 15 alone defines the enclosed internal volume) or, when arranged in the neck 11 , sealed by the toy doll head 10 (such that the exterior 15 and the head 10 define the enciosed internal volume together).

To allow the capsule 20 within the exterior 15 to be gripped through said exterior 15, the exterior 15 is deformable and is preferably made from TPR. In one preferred embodiment, the exterior 15 is elastic such that it advantageously returns to its original shape after deformation. In other embodiments, the exterior 15 may be plastic.

In being deformable, a user is able to manipulate the exterior 15 with ease and hence grip the capsule 20 through the exterior 15 and apply a compressive force thereacross so as to bring about the desired transformation effect. The deformable nature of the exterior 15 also provides the toy doll 1 with a stretchy and gelatinous feel that is amusing to play with. When the toy doll 1 is configured to undergo a visual transformation, the exterior 15 is preferably at least partially transparent. The colour of the exterior 15 can also be selected to provide an interesting visual effect when the change-inducing substance is expelled from the capsule 20, Likewise, when the toy doll transformational effect is tactile, the exterior 15 is preferably thin enough such that the change is perceivable through the exterior 15 by a user’s touch.

It is advantageous if at least a portion of the exterior 15 is less deformable than the rest. For example, when the aperture 11b is arranged in the neck 11 (or collar) of the exterior 15, it is preferably if the neck 11 is made from a more rigid material than the exterior 15, such as ABS. The neck 11 being made from ABS allows the toy doll 1 to be easily filled during assembly since the neck 11 is more easily attached to a pipe or gun.

The head 10 is preferably made from PVC. PVC is preferable since it allows the head 10 to be roto moulded. In this way, the head 10 can advantageously be made hollow, in one (integral) piece, and without split lines, while simultaneously maintaining a degree of natural flexibility, thereby allowing the head 10 to be friction fit to the neck 11 if required.

In a preferred embodiment, the enclosed internal volume contains a filler material 17 in addition to the capsule 20.

The filler material 17 and the capsule 20 fill the internal volume completely. As such, when the toy doll 1 makes use of a reactive substance, said reactive substance forms part of the filler material 17.

The filler material 17 is selected such that the capsule 20 is movable therethrough, thereby allowing the capsule 20 to be moved around the enclosed internal volume of the toy doll 1 . The filler material 17 can be selected to provide the toy doll 1 with the desired appearance and/ or hand feel both prior to and after the change-inducing substance is expelled from the capsule 20. To these ends, the filler material 17 may comprise at least one of: water, slime, foam, glucose preferably stretch glucose, dough, sand, glitter, rheoscopic mica powder, colour dye, water beads, pellets preferably TPR and/ or ABS pellets, and marbles. The filler material 17 may also contain small amounts of air, although it is preferable to exclude as much as air as possible within the toy doll 1 during production thereof. This is because air bubbles provide the toy doll 1 with an unattractive appearance and because they increased the likelihood that the toy doll 1 will burst during normal handling thereof.

The skilled person will appreciate that it is the selection of the material for the exterior 15 and the filler material 17, if present, in the toy doll 1 that allows the capsule 20 to be graspable through the compressive exterior 15 and hence a compressive force to be applied across the capsule 20.

Now that the components of the toy doll 1 have been discussed, a method of manufacturing the toy doll 1 will now be described.

Firstly, the capsule shell 22 is moulded using a moulding process such as an injection moulding process. When the capsule 20 makes use of a plug 25, the plug 25 is also moulded during this stage.

Thereafter, the interior volume of the capsule shell 22 is filled with the change-inducing substance. if used, the plug 25 is then arranged within the opening 23 of capsule 20 so as to seal the opening 23 and contain the change-inducing substance within the capsule shell 22.

When instead the capsule 20 makes use of a sufficiently small opening 23 instead of a plug 25, a syringe with a needle can be used to fill the interior volume of the capsule 20 full of the change-inducing substance. To this end, the syringe is first filled with change-inducing substance. Then the needle is arranged to penetrate the opening 23 of the capsule shell 22. The syringe should then be operated so as to direct the change-inducing substance to within the capsule 20.

When instead the capsule 20 makes of a weakness, the capsule shell 22 is directly moulded around the change-inducing substance, making sure that one potion thereof is narrower, or includes an Indent, and is hence more easily breakable, that the rest. Alternatively, a complete and yet hollow capsule shell 22 is moulded first and then subject to a cut such that two adjacent portions on one side thereof are now separated. After, the change-inducing substance is arranged within the interior volume of the capsule shell 22 and the two separated portions are adhered together (mechanically or chemically) to form a weakness in the form of an adhered section. A frangible portion on the capsule shell can instead be achieved using conventional moulding practices. If a hinge 24 Is used in the capsule 20, this is also achieved by the moulding process.

In the next step, the toy exterior 15 is made using a moulding process such as an injection moulding process.

Thereafter, the above-described capsule 20 is arranged in the toy exterior 15 by inserting the capsule 20 through the aperture 11b of the toy exterior 15. Then, the exterior 15 may be filled with the filler material 17, if used, through the aperture 11b. Thereafter the aperture 11b is closed by sealing it with a suitable adhesive and/ or securely attaching the head 10 to the neck 11 of the exterior 15. Either way, the head 10 is securely attached to the exterior 15 in the final step.

Variations on the toy doll 1 described above will also be apparent to the skilled person that do not depart from the scope of the appended claims.

For example, the toy exterior 15 may be shaped to resemble any animal or object. It can have any number of limbs 12. In one alternative embodiment, the head 10 may be integrally formed with the toy exterior 15. In embodiments where the toy exterior 15 includes a head 10, the capsule 20 may be arranged within said head 10.

In some embodiments, the head 10 (or any part of the toy exterior) is provided with at least one extending portion that extends away from, but is integrally formed with, the head 10. in this way, a plurality of thin extending portions can have the appearance of hairs growing from the head 10. These extending portions may define enclosed cavities therewithin, which open up into the internal volume within the toy doll body 1. In this way, when the change-inducing substance escapes from the capsule 20, it may pass through the cavities of the extending portions by capillary action towards the tip of the hairs. In so doing, the “hairs” of the toy doll may undergo a change in appearance or tactile feel.

In some embodiments, the at least one extending portion may take the form of lips and/ or eyes. Likewise, the toy doll 1 may be provided with extending portions that take the form of clothing such as a dress that can be configured to change appearance or tactile feel when the change-inducing substance escapes from the capsule 20. In other embodiments, the toy body 1 does not take the form of a doll at all, and instead takes the form of a ball such as a stress ball or bouncy ball, the toy exterior 15 being preferably spherical in shape. Alternatively, the toy body 1 takes the shape of a vehicle, preferably a car. In some embodiments, if can be preferable if the above-described reactive substance is arranged within the capsule, 20 while the change-inducing substance is arranged within the filler material 19.