Abstract: The invention provides a book containing a three dimensional model assembly made from a plurality of model components attached to respective pages in the book. The model can be a human body or anything desired. When the book is closed, the model components combine to form a completely assembled model assembly that is thinner than the book. Thus, the book can lie flat on either its front or back cover on a flat surface. When the book is open, and as a reader turns each page, the model components attached to the respective page separate from the model assembly revealing other components that remain combined to form a partially assembled model assembly. The components can be fixedly or hingedly attached to respective pages with bars, flaps or both. If hingedly attached, the model components can be separated from the model assembly without turning a respective page.

Abstract: The present invention provides a stuffed toy with an integral book. Generally, the stuffed toy includes a body portion with a pack portion for fixedly securing the book to the body portion and a means for keeping the pack portion closed, when desired. The stuffed toy and the integral book is preferably adapted for use by young children. However, both the stuffed toy and the book may be tailored so that the invention may be used by adults as a note pad, a photo album, or a small dryers type pad. In a further embodiment, the pack portion may be adapted as an enclosure portion for securing a portable electronic device such as a cellular phone or a personal digital assistant. Pockets or other securing means may also be provided to allow for the storage of pens, or other objects in the stuffed toy.

Abstract: The toy kitchen of the invention has a variety of play features, including a countertop, a stove top arrangement, a sink, an answering machine and telephone, and a cookbook. The toy kitchen includes a control system that receives and processes inputs from several switches associated with the various play features. The disclosed stove top arrangement includes a pair of simulated burners on which a child may place a utensil. A switch is placed beneath each burner to sense an object that has been placed on a burner. A simulated cookbook is mounted on the countertop. The cookbook includes a page that is pivotally mounted to the cookbook base so that it can be turned by the child user. When the page is turned to either side of the cookbook, it engages a switch on the cookbook base. When an object is placed on one of the burners, the sound output by the control system varies depending on which side of the page engages the switch.

Abstract: A memory album retains and displays items of memorabilia and comprises top and bottom covers, which may be constructed of a stiff backing material and have a selected geometric configuration, and a foldable display panel disposed between the covers for receiving the items of memorabilia. The foldable display panel is moveable between a compact state where it is in a collapsed configuration with the top and bottom covers positioned in a first orientation with respect to one another, and an expanded state where it is in a flattened configuration with the top and bottom covers positioned at a second orientation with respect to one another. The display panel is operative upon movement of the memory album between the compact state and the expanded state to extend along both a first direction that is parallel to longitudinal axis and a second direction that is transverse thereto, thereby to reveal a plurality of display panel regions adapted to receivably retain the items of memorabilia.

Abstract: A three-dimensional surface treatment which can be applied to or supported by a substrate is provided for covering a book. The surface treatment comprises at least one three-dimensional member made from plastic having an outer surface, an inner surface and a border. The outer surface is sculpturally molded into a three-dimensional sculpture-in-the-round, having peaks, impressions, relieved areas and undercuts in all axes to increase the overall dimensionality and detail of the surface treatment. In the preferred embodiment, multiple three-dimensional members may be used, wherein each three-dimensional member serves as a separate layer that forms part of the overall three-dimensional appearance of the surface treatment. In addition, interactive devices may be embedded in the three-dimensional members in order to make the surface treatment interactive.

Abstract: A book constructed of foam is improved wherein a bendable, shape retaining material is used to enhance the user's enjoyment of the disclosed foam book.

Abstract: A children's game is provided, including a figurine having a compartment for receiving flat objects, at least one card dimensioned to be insertable into the compartment, and a lock for sealing the compartment. The game is intended to enable a child to make a wish and, in a ritualistic manner, expect to enhance the realization of the wish while at the same time keeping the wish a secret.

Abstract: The present invention is a toy for amusement. The toy is comprised of a cardboard-like panel with one or more spherical toy balls, commonly known as “floating eyeballs,” Jet Balls™ or Glide Balls™, affixed to the panel which bear human, insect, animal, or creature-like facial features on both its front and back surfaces. The panel in the preferred embodiment has a doodle pad with disposable pages attached to its front surface along with the floating eyeballs to allow a user to create his own coordinated doodles with the floating eyeballs. The panel and floating eyeballs together make an entertaining three-dimensional facial representation that can be controlled by the user to create a visual effect in which the floating eyeballs move about in a manner similar to human-like eye movement. Another embodiment shows a daytime calendar having the floating eyeballs protruding through the top page of the calendar.

Abstract: A scented ink composition suitable for use in ink jet printing which generates aromas during printing and produces scented printed articles such as greeting cards.

Abstract: A book having a storage tube attached thereto for storage of manipulatives for use with enjoyment of the book is disclosed.

Abstract: A game such as a book useable with candy or other game pieces. The book includes internal passageways configured to allow a game piece to travel freely therein. One aspect of the invention includes a book with multiple pages including internal passageways in one or more pages, and wherein an outlet form one page substantially aligns with an inlet from an adjacent page such that the game piece moves between pages. Under another aspect of the invention, the page includes an actuator such as a lever or a wheel to move the game piece between portions of the passageway. In yet another aspect of the invention, the book includes an integral game piece dispenser.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to an activity book designed to make reading more enjoyable and educational for young readers. The activity book of the present invention comprises at least one illustrated page with at least one opening on the page through which a moldable material such as modeling clay is forced or extruded by the reader as through a die. The moldable material is forced through the opening(s) by the reader compressing the illustrated page against an area located on a hard flat surface such as a table or another page of the book. The moldable material passing through the opening(s) completes the illustration on the page. The shape of the opening(s) compliments the illustration and facilitates the completion of the illustration when a moldable material is extruded through the opening.

Abstract: A sports trading card that has a picture of an athlete on one side and statistics for the athlete on a reverse side. The picture and the statistics are imprinted on layers or cover sheets that are secured to opposite sides of a backing surface by means of static cling.

Abstract: A book having a storage tube attached thereto for storage of manipulatives for use with enjoyment of the book is disclosed.

Abstract: A communication and teaching aid for increasing the communication skills of a nonverbal, speech and/or language impaired individual comprising a collection assembly preferably in the form of a book structure having a plurality of movably mounted pages each of which serves as a support structure for a plurality of demonstration pieces. Informative indicia is formed on an exposed surface of each of the demonstration pieces either in the form of an alpha-numeric display or a pictorial representation with a word or phrase label, wherein the informative indicia is representative of subject related categories of common objects, activities, statements, phrases, questions, answers, etc. A coding system is utilized to identify each of the plurality of demonstration pieces by category so as to facilitate their accessibility and identity when at least one demonstration piece of a given category is desired to be used either by the individual or one communicating with or teaching the individual.

Abstract: An interactive book comprising at least one page comprising a track formed on said page, said page further comprising a fold out portion, said fold out portion comprising a track disposed thereon, whereby the tracks on said page and fold out portion cooperate to provide increased trackage area, a toy or figure wherein the toy or figure is movably engable on said track to move continuously from said page to said fold out portion.

Abstract: Books with internal mechanization have rotary and linear drive mechanisms which displace objects along linear, non-linear, rotary and three-dimensional paths relative to the book pages are described. Spatially arranged cut-outs in the pages which correspond to the range of motion of the displaced and translated objects allow different moving objects to be viewed at different areas of the book from page to page. Battery powered drive mechanisms with push-button operation accessible from the front of the book enables easy, selective activation of the moving objects, independent of the position of the front cover and pages relative to the back cover. Belt-driven wheels provide inherent clutching action to prevent damage to the drive mechanism. Manually operated embodiments of the various drive mechanisms which produce each of the described motions are also disclosed.

Abstract: In one embodiment, there is provided a cognition nurturing toy comprising at least one rigid board having a series of cavities therein, with each cavity having a distinct outline belonging to a first set. There is also provided a series of colorful illustrations printed on the board with each illustration encompassing one cavity. Each illustration in the series is arranged on the rigid board in a coherent order portraying at least one environment. The cognition nurturing toy also comprises a plurality of distinct pieces each having a shape corresponding to one of the outlines of the cavities such that each piece is insertable in only one of the cavities. Each piece further has colors and graphic properties of the illustration encompassing the corresponding cavity. A child using the cognition nurturing toy is able to associate each piece to only one of the cavities, using shape recognition, color recognition and whole picture recognition.

Abstract: The present invention is a book having (a) a front cover, a back cover and a spline, forming an outer portion of a book; (b) a plurality of pages affixed within the outer portion of the book and containing a plurality of words constituting a text; (c) at least one page being a three-dimensional hollow frame structure with its front being at least partially made of see-through material. The frame structure is divided into an upper section and a lower section, separated by a wall having at least one connecting orifice, and containing a trap mechanism at each of said at the connecting orifice, and including a lever functionally connected to the trap mechanism. There is also a plurality of bead-like structures contained within the upper section of said frame structure, having a sufficient shape and size to flow via gravity through the connecting orifice of the upper section to the lower section when a user actuates the lever with the book in a substantially upright position.

Abstract: An educational reading device having a core leaf of a first thickness and a plurality of secondary leaves having a thickness less than the first thickness, the secondary leaves connected to the core leaf to dispose a portion of the core leaf intermediate two secondary leaves. The device includes a three dimensional sculptured head connected to the core leaf and a foot for orienting the device in an upright orientation. The secondary leaves are connected to the core leaf to permit the secondary leaves to be opened as a book.

Abstract: A combination toy vehicle and book having a toy vehicle with an inner rigid frame and an outer flexible three-dimensional shell that alleviates possible pinch points when the vehicle is opened to reveal the book and the internal book has page tabs that extend out of an opening in the toy vehicle to assist opening toy vehicle when desired.

Abstract: A combined dual object device and method is disclosed which can be configured either to display a book or an animate type object. In another embodiment of the present invention, a dual object device and method is disclosed which is in the form of a book which stores a child's blanket. The combined dual object device and method preferably have a pocket on a surface thereof for securing an audiotape or a compact disk.

Abstract: A new image board with detachable and interchangeable accessories kit for allowing a user to create an imaginative, novel, three-dimensional work of art. The inventive device includes a card member with an image displayed on an image surface and a plurality of circular perforation sets extending through the card member such that the tearing out of a circular perforation set forms an accessory aperture through the card member. A plurality of accessory members for mounting to the card member image surface are provided. Each accessory member has a mounting portion for extending through an accessory aperture for mounting the accessory member to the card member image surface.

Abstract: A book wherein one or more of the covers or pages or binding is provided with a track, and a toy figure is movably coupled to the track. For this purpose, the cover(s) or page(s) which attach the toy figure have sufficient structural integrity to support the toy figure and the movement of the toy figure along the track. Preferably, the track is provided along the edge or periphery of a cover or page so that the toy figure may be moved around the periphery of the book even when the book is closed. The toy figure preferably takes the shape of an animal or other creature which is the subject of a story in the book. In this way, a young reader can easily correlate the movable toy figure with the story. The book is particularly useful in encouraging children to read.

Abstract: A children's book joined with a bendable figurine to form a figurine book assembly which functions not only as a book but also as an object for play so that the child's interest is sustained in the book. The figurine is a three dimensional character or object which is joined to the book and can be shaped to appear as a character or object in the story of the book. The book can be attached to the figurine so that the figurine extends out beyond the four corners of the book and is thereby at least partially visible from a front of the book. The figurine can have an upper portion that extends over the top of the book and is made of a bendable material so that it can be bent down by the child user over the front cover of the book, thereby holding the book closed. When the child wishes to open the book, the child bends the upper portion up and out of the way of the front cover. The upper portion can be configured as an upper limb like an arm.

Abstract: A dollhouse activity book with several pages made of a soft durable material. The pages depict rooms in a house. On the pages, pockets and straps can be found into which dollhouse family dolls may be inserted. There is also a family pet that can be moved from room to room and placed on a Velcro strip. The book is constructed in such a manner as to be very portable, with a handle at it's top.

Abstract: A book wherein one or more of the covers or pages or binding is provided with a track, and a toy figure is movably coupled to the track. For this purpose, the cover(s) or page(s) which attach the toy figure have sufficient structural integrity to support the toy figure and the movement of the toy figure along the track. Preferably, the track is provided along the edge or periphery of a cover or page so that the toy figure may be moved around the periphery of the book even when the book is closed. The toy figure preferably takes the shape of an animal or other creature which is the subject of a story in the book. In this way, a young reader can easily correlate the movable toy figure with the story. The book is particularly useful in encouraging children to read.

Abstract: Apparatus and processes for educating and entertaining persons. Said apparatus having one or more primary sheets with cuts, slits, or slots therein, through which a plurality of cards or strips are woven to form a foldable device. Said apparatus having an upper or exterior surface upon which a first indicia may be printed or appear. Said apparatus capable of folding to cause the first indicia to be covered and reveal an otherwise hidden second indicia printed or appearing thereon. Said invention further including the processes for manufacturing and using said apparatus.

Abstract: A children's book has a number of slidable pages. Each slidable page has a inner page assembly bound between a pair of cover by a binding and linked to an outer page assembly by a linking member. A handle is secured to each outer page assembly and extends beyond the covers. The page assemblies and the linking member have text and/or illustrations printed thereon. The linking member is slidably received within each page assembly and retained therein by a retention member. As a child pulls outwardly on the handle, the page assemblies separate and expose the linking member and illustrations printed thereon. The handles may, alternatively, actuated other movable structural features mounted in or on the pages.

Abstract: A puppet toy which can be transformed from a book to a puppet and vice versa is disclosed. The puppet toy comprises a cover having a pocket therein. A number of pages are connected to the cover, such that in one form the puppet toy is a book. A number of puppet features are located on the inside surface of the pocket of the cover. The puppet toy is turned inside-out to transform the book into a puppet.

Abstract: There is disclosed herein a new form of print media product which provides enhanced realism through a three-dimensional effect. It includes a master sheet or card having a background picture, along with a picture of a person or an object printed or disposed on a substrate and which substrate is directly adhered to the surface of the card to provide a substantially continuous profile edge around the picture and which edge preferably is substantially perpendicular to the surface of the background picture. This arrangement enables a shadow to exist along this profile edge and to give an enhanced three-dimensional effect. In the case of a trading card, the reverse side preferably has detailed biographical information and detailed life sports statistics. In alternative embodiments, the profile item formed by the picture and its substrate can be removable from another object such as a magazine cover.

Abstract: By providing a foldable portion in association with the cover of a book with the cover and foldable portion incorporating coordinated indicia thereon, a unique book construction is achieved which provides a readily deployable, enlarged, visually stimulating display associated therewith. Preferably, the foldable portion is mounted or cooperatingly associated with the lower or bottom edge of the cover and incorporates an integrally formed fold line therein. In this way, the cover in combination with the foldable portion establishes an elongated, substantially continuous overall configuration which enables the book to be vertically mounted on a supporting surface with the folded portion extending therefrom.

Abstract: A greeting card assembly including a basic greeting card member with a removable message insert assembly connected thereto. The basic greeting card member is provided with an insert mounting opening and insert anchor tabs which are connected to the removable message insert assembly. The removable message insert assembly includes a primary message insert member and an insert support assembly operable for connection to each other having the insert anchor tabs clamped and secured therebetween. The insert anchor tabs are operable to be severed to remove the removable message insert assembly from the basic greeting card member. The primary message insert member is connected to a cylindrical support member constructed of a magnetic material for ready attachment to an exterior surface of a refrigerator or other magnetically compatible surfaces.

Abstract: A book package of sheets including printed materials thereon comprised of printed writing of a connectible series of written expressions and a series of drawing illustrations compatible with the written expressions to allow the sheets to be chronologically and compatibly arranged in illustrated chronological form, a portion of the printed materials being printed in latent form which can be made visible with a marker included in the book package.

Abstract: A gift card is disclosed for accompanying a gift expressing awareness of an occasion and providing a return note expressing gratitude. The gift card has a fold which defines a first portion provided with language expressing awareness of the occasion, and a second portion having language expressing gratitude for the gift and gift card. The back side of the second portion is provided with the return address of the sender. A majority of the second portion is removably affixed to the remainder of the gift card, such that the return note expressing gratitude may be removed to form a thank you card which may be mailed from the recipient back to the sender.

Abstract: In the color changing print of this invention, plural areas are printed by using plural types of color changing inks which develop into different colors from the substantially invisible colorless state by reaction with a color changing agent. By the emergence of print from colorlessness and by giving changes in the appearing colors, unexpectedness and entertainingness are provided so that an attractive education may be realized.

Abstract: A sound producing control switch for a picture-frame, includes a control circuit which is fastened in the back cover of a picture-frame. The control circuit includes a music IC, a battery power supply and a speaker, a conductive strip fastened in the picture-frame at the inside, two leaf springs mounted on the window glass of the picture-frame, which leaf springs are respectively connected to the two opposite terminals of the control circuit and constantly forced to contact the conductive strip by two spring means. The control circuit is triggered to produce the sound of "I Love You" twice when the picture-frame is touched to produce a short circuit signal. The spring means automatically force the leaf springs to contact the conductive strip immediately after the leaf springs have been forced to disconnect from the conductive strip.

Abstract: A book that can be customized to teach letters, numbers, a series of letters, for example, a word such as a child's name and the like. The front cover has a window or opening through which can be seen the letters. The series of letters is formed by cutting each page short enough than the page beneath it such that letters on the right edge form the series.

Abstract: A greeting card for commemorating a particular date includes a front sheet having a obverse face, a reverse face and a pair of laterally spaced apart opposite edges, apertures in the front sheet configured and placed for presenting an image of at least a portion of the date at the obverse face of the front sheet, a back sheet integral with the front sheet along one of the opposite edges of the front sheet and folded along the one of the edges so as to be juxtaposed with the reverse face of the front sheet, and selected areas delineated on the obverse face of the front sheet, adjacent the apertures, for the reception of alphanumeric characters thereon to complete the representation of the date.

Abstract: A card construction includes an envelope portion of a card in the form of a sleeve or pocket with an opening at the top which receives and holds a slideable pullout. A tab is formed by a reverse fold at the lower end of the pullout. The rear face of the envelope includes an aperture or window which engages a tab extending from the lower end of the pullout. The location and dimension of the window corresponds to the tab so that the two engage at a point where it is appropriate to stop the pullout from coming any farther out of the envelope. Because of the outward spring force of the tab, a tapered end of the tab is thrust out of the window as it passes by the aperture, thus ensuring engagement between the pullout and the envelope.

Abstract: In a bag flying-out toy, a foaming material including a plurality of foaming agents which generate gas at mixing thereof is accommodated in a gas-tight bag toy unit. An accommodating bag unit has its volume at swelling thereof, which is smaller than that of the bag toy unit at swelling thereof. The bag toy unit before swelling thereof is accommodated in a folded manner in the accommodating bag unit. The accommodating bag unit is ruptured at a swelling pressure of the bag toy unit due to the foaming material. Alternatively, the bag toy unit before swelling rests on a substrate. A tearing cover is provided for covering the bag toy unit on the substrate to fixedly mount the bag toy unit to the substrate. The tearing cover is torn off by a swelling pressure of the bag toy unit.

Abstract: Stuffed animal apparatus includes one or more storage compartments in which visual and/or audio materials may be stored and/or displayed. The storage compartments are disposed in the stuffed animal body or in an appendage. An external storage compartment is shown secured to an appendage. The storage compartments may need flap coverings or they may be a pouch and they may be large or small, as desired.

Abstract: A spring box is an assembly of a box body and a spring, the box body being formed of a single piece of foldable material such as card stock. The box body bears a message on a message panel. When the box body is closed the message is covered by a cover panel. The box body includes a tab that releasably holds the box body closed with the cover panel overlapping the message panel with the spring biasing the message panel against the cover panel. When the tab is released, the spring suddenly opens the box body, thus to push the message panel upward. The upward movement of the message panel causes the cover panel suddenly to move away from the message panel, thus to expose the message to view. During the sudden opening of the box body, the message panel and the cover panel pivotally move in opposite arcuate directions.

Abstract: A picture book set with play effect, having a plurality of toy elements with modularly dimensioned coupling means. The toy elements may be placed on a picture plane provided with correspondingly dimensioned positioning recesses or elevations, so that a child may play with the toy elements to arrange a three-dimensional representation of the situation described in the story text.

Abstract: A three-dimensional book or display of three-sided pyramidal configuration including an inner pyramidal support member with its defining sides or panels being joined at their respective edges and outer overlying sides or panels hinged at the joined edges of the inner support member. The hinges comprise a flexible sheet extending laterally in opposed directions from the hinge axis to be secured to at least a portion of the inner surface of the outer panel and a portion of the outer surface of the inner panel. The invention further contemplates the provision of graphic representation on an inwardly facing surface of the panels defining the inner support member to present a kaleidoscopic representation along with another inwardly facing reflective surface of an adjoining panel.

Abstract: A book for children comprises a front cover, a back cover and a plurality of sheets forming a succession of pages between the front cover and the back cover. The sheets are die cut or perforated to form knockout plugs intended to be removed by the consumer. When the plugs are removed, the sheets form a stencil and define a work page bearing an illustration related to the stencil. A tutorial page adjacent to the work page and visible together with the work page when the book is opened to the work page illustrates the appearance of an image when properly drawn with the aid of the stencil. A binding for the covers and sheets enables the book to be opened to any of the pages and to lie with both of the covers and all of the pages flat. This facilitates the use of the book as a stencil book.

Abstract: An optical toy image generator of the present invention comprises a parabolic reflector having a central opening for movable receipt of an image bearing shaft. The image bearing shaft contains a distorted representation which will appear on the shiny mirrored surface of the reflector as a dynamic changing proper image to the viewer who is facing the reflector's parabolic surface.

Abstract: An amusement device having a plurality of mirror blocks of the same size and configuration, each of the blocks having a mirror face adapted to face upwardly when the blocks are supported on a flat horizontal supporting surface, and a plurality of pattern-bearing elements each bearing a partial section of an overall pattern and selectively positionable with respect to the mirror faces of the blocks to reconstruct the overall pattern by reflections from the mirror faces of the mirror blocks.

Abstract: A device for amusement and instruction comprises a succession of planar display panels, hingedly connected to collectively provide a book-like structure. The panels display words, pictures and the like. One or more of the panels displays an incomplete or partial scene within its perimeter. Adjunct display members needed to complete the partial scene are supported by such panel and/or an adjacent panel for movement from disposition within the perimeter of the book-like structure to position completing the partial scene. When the panels are disposed to provide the book-like structure, the adjunct display members may be nested within its perimeter such that the closed book-like structure is generally square, rectangular, or of other desired shape, not evidencing the presence of the adjunct display members.

Abstract: A pillow book construction is disclosed formed of an inscribable, foldable cushion having a pair of spaced padded portions connected by a central unpadded portion. One or more inscribable unpadded sheet-like members are connected to the central portion of the cushion between the padded portions, and are disposed for pivotal movement between said padded portions. The cushion is foldable between an open configuration in which the padded portions are juxtaposed in side-by-side relation and a closed configuration in which the padded portions are disposed in overlying relation with the sheet-like members sandwiched therebetween. The construction is such that when the cushion is in its open configuration, the padded portions form the cover leaves of a book and the unpadded sheet-like members form the pages of a book. When the cushion is in its closed configuration, the book may be used as a cushioned pillow. A strap fastening arrangement serves to releasably retain the cushion in its closed configuration.