Patents by Inventor Mary M. Ponthan

Mary M. Ponthan has filed for patents to protect the following inventions. This listing includes patent applications that are pending as well as patents that have already been granted by the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO).

  • Method of reconfiguring a flexible planar item to a simulated character
    Patent number: 7144359
    Abstract: The present invention is a combination flexible planar item and character. The item comprises a flexible planar item, that when manipulated, takes on the appearance of a character. The character is formed by a character body that becomes defined from the manipulation of the planar item. The planar item has an exterior surface and at least one character feature that is present on the exterior surface of the item. When correctly manipulated, the combination of at least one character feature and the character body provide the appearance of a character.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 5, 2000
    Date of Patent: December 5, 2006
    Assignee: MPA International Corporation
    Inventors: Mary M. Ponthan, David P. Behr, George R. Larsgard