Plush toy with appeal

Abstract

A toy, toy display, and related method are described. The toy includes a removable outer shell having a communication area to display an incentive communication on an inner surface and a second toy positioned within the outer shell. A toy display includes a structure based on an environment of the toy, the structure comprising a retainer for retaining the toy. A method includes the steps of providing a first toy, having a removable outer shell and a second toy positioned therein, to a first individual where the outer shell has a communication area displaying an incentive communication on an inner surface thereof; and providing a third toy to the first individual if the first individual affirmatively responds to the incentive communications of the first toy.

Description

RELATED APPLICATIONS

The present application hereby claims the benefit of priority of Provisional Application Ser. No. 60/496,389 filed on Aug. 20, 2003 and hereby incorporates said Provisional Application herein in its entirety by reference.

Field of the Invention

The present invention relates to a toy, toy display, and method related thereto.

BACKGROUND

The disclosed invention relates to the field of plush toys typically purchased by children of all ages. In recent years toy manufacturers have experienced enormous success launching toy lines consisting of dolls, either plush toy dolls or molded plastic doll of all shapes and sizes which are sold and marketed as a collection. Children purchasing the dolls desiring a complete set of the toys return to purchase more toys attempting to complete the set of dolls which can be used for their own collections or for trading and swapping.

SUMMARY

A toy includes a removable outer shell having a communication area to display an incentive communication on an inner surface and a second toy positioned within the outer shell.

A toy display includes a structure based on an environment of the toy, the structure comprising a retainer for retaining the toy.

A method aspect includes the steps of: providing a first toy, having a removeable outer shell and a second toy positioned therein, to a first individual where the outer shell has a communication area displaying an incentive communication on an inner surface thereof; and providing a third toy to the first individual if the first individual affirmatively responds to the incentive communications of the first toy.

Still other advantages of the present invention will become readily apparent to those skilled in the art from the following detailed description, wherein the preferred embodiments of the invention are shown and described, simply by way of illustration of the best mode contemplated of carrying out the invention. As will be realized, the invention is capable of other and different embodiments, and its several details are capable of modifications in various obvious respects, all without departing from the invention.

DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The present invention is illustrated by way of example, and not by limitation, in the figures of the accompanying drawings, wherein elements having the same reference numeral designations represent like elements throughout and wherein:

FIG. 1 shows the toy in its concealed shape of a banana;

FIG. 2 shows the toy in a partially revealed condition in the shape of peeled banana;

FIG. 3 shows a list of parental incentives in the form a child's tasks and chores;

FIG. 4 shows a display of bunches of toys hanging as fruit on a tree like stand;

FIG. 5 shows the toy in the form of dinosaur egg with segmented cracks; and

FIG. 6 shows the toy in the form of a rocket ship with segments.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

The instant invention consists of a toy, preferably a doll, which is initially concealed from the purchaser with a cover 11. In a preferred embodiment the cover comprises material which provides an appearance of a skin, peel or rind of a fruit. In a preferred embodiment the peel is banana peel. The doll 12 is concealed within the peel of banana or other fruit until such time as the customer purchases the doll and its packaging providing the opportunity to open the packaging and the peel and reveal the doll or toy within. With this method, an element of surprise such as purchasing trading cards is maintained. The hidden aspect of the doll within the peel provides the option for trading duplicate dolls for another's selection in a swap meet.

As another embodiment, the covering, or peel of the fruit cover for the doll includes a unique separate appeal in the form of an incentive program designed to foster child education and parent cooperation 13. In a preferred embodiment the peel is divided into four segments, however, other numbers of segments are foreseen depending on the style of covering as discussed below that may be used. Segments of the cover include a directional or informational communication which can be used to reward the child if the instructions are followed and reported and confirmed by the parent. In a preferred embodiment the instructions may include chores 14 to be completed around the house or personal hygiene routines 15 or homework 16 and other child-oriented responsibilities. Through the rewarding appeal of the peel instruction and redemption, the child may earn the privilege to purchase another toy after completing the chores to the satisfaction of the parent and in accordance with the invention. In a preferred embodiment the level of the chore and amount of effort required to complete the chore is proportional to the size and cost of the doll which is made available in various sizes and costs. In one embodiment the directional information is related to the shape of the toy. For example, where the shape of the toy is a dog, the information may be in the form of a chore such as “groom the dog.”

In a preferred embodiment the toys are sold displayed as fruit 17 such as hanging from a tree 18 or other display where the purchaser can select either a particular fruit or bunch of fruit from a tree or grove or stand.

The invention is not limited to covers of fruit but can also include any cover designed to hide the underlying identity of the toy. In a preferred embodiment the cover can be an egg shape cover 19 and may reveal a toy dinosaur inside. A form in the shape of rocket ship 20 or vehicle may also be used which may have a greater appeal to young boys than a fruit-like covering may have for young girls. The appeal or instructional communication can be incorporated into the segmented shape of the cover such that the child redeems the segments to the parent upon completion of the chores or communicated event triggering activity such that the cover is reconstructed upon a fully completed set of chores. For example, in an embodiment where the cover is a dinosaur egg 19, which may comprise a toy dinosaur within, the child may complete a set chores as instructed on the segments of the egg cover turning each segment over to the parent who rebuilds the cover until it is fully constructed. Upon reconstruction of the cover, the child may be given permission and/or finds to purchase another toy thereby attempting to complete the set of toys and obtaining a new set of chores or potential for accomplishment which also benefits the parents.

The invention can be sold as a kit or individual units. The invention includes the toy itself as a device and the method of constructing the toy as well as the method and concept of providing a reward/incentive communication or appeal in combination with a toy and the covering of the toy. It should be noted that the present invention has been described in connection with preferred embodiments. However, as one of ordinary skill in the art may appreciate, elements of the invention may be practiced individually or in various sub-combinations not including all the elements of the preferred embodiments, and still fall with the spirit and scope of the present invention.

It will be readily seen by one of ordinary skill in the art that the present invention fulfills many of the advantages set forth above. After reading the foregoing specification, one of ordinary skill will be able to affect various changes, substitutions of equivalents and various other aspects of the invention as broadly disclosed herein. It is therefore intended that the protection granted hereon be limited only by the definition contained in the appended claims and equivalents thereof

Claims

1. A toy comprising:

a removable outer shell, the outer shell having a communication area able to display an incentive communication on an inner surface;

a second toy positioned within the outer shell.

2. The toy of claim 1, wherein the outer shell is food-shaped.

3. The toy of claim 1, wherein the outer shell is animal-shaped.

4. The toy of claim 1, wherein the outer shell is vehicle-shaped.

5. The toy of claim 1, wherein the communication area includes a preset incentive communication.

6. The toy of claim 5, wherein the preset incentive communication is a writing indicating a task to be performed.

7. The toy of claim 5, the preset incentive communication being related to the shape of the second toy.

8. The toy of claim 1, the second toy being positioned entirely within the outer shell.

9. The toy of claim 1, the removable outer shell comprising a plurality of separable elements.

10. The toy of claim 9, at least one of the plurality of separable elements having a communication area on an inner surface thereof

11. The toy of claim 9, each of the plurality of separable elements having a communication area on an inner surface thereof.

12. The toy of claim 9, the plurality of separable elements being recombinable to form the original shape of the toy.

13. A toy display for displaying the toy of claim 1, comprising:

a structure based on an environment of the second toy comprising a retainer for retaining the second toy.

14. The toy display of claim 13, the second toy being fruit-shaped and the structure being plant-shaped, wherein the plant-shape corresponds to the shape of a plant bearing fruit corresponding to the fruit-shape.

15. The toy display of claim 13, the second toy being animal-shaped and the structure being plant-shaped, wherein the plant-shape corresponds to the shape of a plant related to the animal corresponding to the animal-shape.

16. The toy display of claim 13, the structure being arranged for retaining a plurality of the toy.

17. A method for providing an incentive to an individual, comprising the steps of:

providing a first toy to a first individual, the toy having a removable outer shell and a second toy positioned within the outer shell, the outer shell having a communication area displaying an incentive communication on an inner surface; and

providing a third toy to the first individual if the first individual affirmatively responds to the incentive communications of the first toy.

18. The method of claim 17, the third toy having a removable outer shell and a fourth toy positioned within the outer shell, the outer shell having a communication area displaying an incentive communication on an inner surface.

19. The method of claim 17, the incentive communication being a task for the first individual.

20. The method of claim 19, the incentive communication being correlated in relation to the age of the first individual and the cost and size of the toy.