Novelty plush stuffed toy/utility case
A method of adding utility to stuffed or plush toys by the addition of common transportable items. Adding this utility broadens the market for these transportable items as well as the stuffed or plush toy by expanding the range of age groups to which the finished product will appeal. Via the use of a standardized product holder interface panel, items that are usually carried about such as CD discs, photographs, stationery items, food items, etc. may be attached to the interface panel either directly or by means of a product holder. The interface panel in turn is attached in an aesthetically pleasing manor to the toy via the use of a secondary assembly. In this embodiment of the invention the secondary assembly is attached to the stomach area to accentuate the girth of the finished item. In another embodiment it is attached to the posterior to accentuate the size of the posterior; in either case adding to the aesthetic appeal of the finished product. By adding this utility to an item usually evaluated from an aesthetic standpoint only, the user enjoys benefits of efficiency and economy. By using a standardized product holder interface panel the manufacturer enjoys economy of flexibility and inventory management.
The present invention is directed toward the addition of utility to stuffed or plush toys as well as broadening the scope of market for existing utility and storage items. The most basic toy is represented by the stuffed or plush category. This toy category consists of a wide range of representations such as animals, imaginary objects or beings, insects, foods, tools and anything else recognizable by the user. The item may be an accurate representation or a characterization designed to enhance a specific characteristic, the goal of said enhancement to provide entertainment value. This toy group, although typically associated with children, is embraced at a more advanced age level due to commonly accepted definitions of style and collectability. These characteristics are also well known.
Children and people of all ages are placing additional value on functionality. Changes in day-to-day life in terms of how we entertain ourselves, how we move about freely and how we carry things of importance with us have lead to the creation of many utility and storage items. The need to conserve resources and provide economy as well as convenience of function has led to a growing emphasis on value-added enhancements to day-to-day items. The present invention addresses the addition of this functionality to the arena of stuffed or plush items while retaining the characteristics that enable these items to be embraced by a broad range of age groups. This addition of functionality to a classification of item primarily known mostly for aesthetic values opens new markets for the functional items while helping the consumer consolidate wants with needs.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTIONThe present invention has been developed to overcome the deficiencies of the prior art discussed above. It is the object of this invention to provide three-dimensional stuffed or plush articles displaying a level of aesthetics pleasing to many age groups.
It is a further object of the invention to provide three dimensional stuffed or plush articles designed to accentuate the portly appearance of said articles in the area of an implied stomach or posterior, where said characteristic appears naturally in nature or in an aesthetic interpretation of a not-natural object or being; where said portly appearance lends further positive aesthetic appeal to an object already defined as a toy.
It is a further object of the invention to provide three dimensional stuffed or plush articles designed to accentuate the portly appearance of certain animals in the area of the stomach or posterior, where said characteristic appears naturally in nature or in an aesthetic interpretation of a not-natural object or being, where said characterization of portly appearance provides space for the addition of items providing utility such as, but not limited to, CD Sleeves, Photo Sleeves and Paper notes via utilization of a product-holder interface panel.
It is a further object of the invention to provide three dimensional stuffed or plush articles designed to allow the inclusion of articles within standardized containing structures, said structures attached to a product-holder interface panel. Said articles may be but are not limited to stationery items, jewelry, and consumable food items.
It is a further object of this invention to provide three-dimensional stuffed or plush articles featuring handles for ease of portability.
It is a further object of this invention to provide three-dimensional stuffed or plush articles that are relatively inexpensive to manufacture.
It is a further object of this invention to provide three-dimensional stuffed or plush articles easily differentiated from the simple addition of plush representations to existing items of utility as a decoration.
In accordance with the illustrative embodiments, demonstrating features and advantages of the present invention, there is provided a plush or stuffed article designed as a representation of some real or imaginary animal, being or item. Said plush or stuffed article will have an identified top, bottom, right, left, front and backside easily identified such as in the instance of an animal, or said plush or stuffed article may have orientation of sides defined by application of the inventive design. In both cases one side of said article now called the primary side would have attached a secondary assembly of complementary fabric and design, said secondary assembly incorporating the aesthetic values of the aforementioned plush or stuffed article.
The secondary assembly is formed from two halves hingedly attached at a common point via sewn stitching. The front half of the secondary assembly will in its final form be visible and form a part of the aesthetic value of the finished product. This front half of the secondary assembly is formed from two layers of fabric material, stitched together to form a fully encased envelope suitable for the addition of fabric or synthetic fillers such as but not limited to polyester. Said fillers serve two functions, the first of which is protection of the final enclosed objects of additional utility; the second of which is to create a thickening effect easily adjusted to enhance the size of the assembly, said assembly forming a part of the finished object in the stomach or posterior area. The second half of the secondary assembly is formed from two layers of fabric material stitched together with none of the aforementioned filler. Each of said halves then has attached thereto another layer of fabric material via sewn stitching; sized to form a first pocket on one half and a second pocket on the other half. The hingedly attached first and second halves will be oriented such that when placed in contact and parallel to one another in the closed position, the first and second pockets will come in contact with one another and provide access from the same direction. Said first and second pockets will furthermore be sized to provide secure placement of a product-holder interface panel serving as a generic interface between the secondary assembly and product holders such as but not limited to a set of CD sleeves. Furthermore, the hingedly attached secondary assembly will have attached around the circumference of said secondary assembly a closure mechanism such as but not limited to commonly used fabric zippers. Thus the secondary assembly may be rendered accessible or inaccessible via movement of the zipper or other closure device. This rendering will be utilized in the inventive stuffed or plush article in ways such as but not limited to the creation of an opening pouch in the instance of a stuffed animal.
The secondary assembly will be sized such as to complement the style and aesthetics of the stuffed or plush article when used in conjunction with said stuffed or plush article. Taking the aesthetics into consideration, there will be a choice of side on the stuffed or plush article, henceforth known as the primary side. On this primary side the secondary assembly will be attached to a specific position described as the designated attachment area using sewn stitching forming a final assembly of the previously existing plush or stuffed article and the secondary assembly, imparting the functionality of the secondary assembly while adding to or not detracting from the aesthetics of the plush or stuffed article. This final assembly of stuffed or plush article with secondary assembly will be utilized aesthetically in ways such as but not limited to the display of an opening pouch in the instance of a stuffed animal while product holders attached to the product holder interface panel provide storage utility to the heretofore non-utilitarian stuffed or plush item.
DESCRIPTION OF THE SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE DRAWINGFor the purpose of illustrating the invention, there is shown in the accompanying drawings one form that is presently preferred; it being understood that the invention is not intended to be limited to the precise arrangements and means shown.
Considering FIGS. 1 thru 10 inclusive, there is illustrated in
The illustrated and relatively simple embodiment of the invention for purpose of this document has a backside 12 shown in
Second pocket 22 is manufactured from similar materials as front and back of secondary assembly 16 and 18 and attached thereto by sewn stitching at seam 26, said seam 26 extending around the circumference of back of secondary assembly 18 from starting point 34 to ending point 36, the distance between said starting point 34 and ending point 36 described as degrees of a circle, said circle having center point 40 on back of secondary assembly 18 and said measurement of degrees on said circle as measured between starting point 34 to ending point 36 measuring between 210 degrees and 220 degrees. Second pocket 22 as composed of two flexible cloth panels in superposed relation forms a first opening 50. Zipper closure 28 is shown as the preferred closure mechanism sewn with one mating half 28A sewn to front of secondary assembly 16 and the other mating half 28B sewn to back of secondary assembly 18, thus serving as a closing and securing mechanism.
Further demonstrating the quality of two mating halves hingedly attached and the ability of said mating halves to provide a closed or open configuration, the secondary assembly 14 shown in
At this time there is described a carrying handle 44 as shown in
Having now provided stuffed or plush article 10 as shown in
Having taken care in the design, manufacture and aesthetic qualities of secondary assembly 14 as described in
The ability to hingedly displace the components of secondary assembly 14 are demonstrated in
At this time it is noted that first pocket 20 as composed of two flexible cloth panels in superposed relation and second pocket 22 as composed of two flexible cloth panels in superposed relation when manipulated in this open position shown in
The completed insertion of product-holder interface panel 52 into first openings 48 and 50 in first and second pockets 20 and 22 is shown in
In
Claims
1. (canceled)
2. (canceled)
3. (canceled)
4. (canceled)
5. (canceled)
6. (canceled)
7. (canceled)
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9. (canceled)
10. The combination of a three-dimensional stuffed or plush article and a product-holder interface panel incorporated with the three-dimensional stuffed or plush article as part of a secondary assembly comprising:
- a three-dimensional stuffed or plush article;
- a product holder interface panel being a standardized insert attached in a temporary fashion to said three-dimensional stuffed or plush article; and
- a generic product holder permanently attached to said product-holder interface panel, said generic product holder sized to house articles that may be but are not limited to stationery items, jewelry, and consumable food items
- wherein said product-holder interface panel forms a part of the aesthetic
11. The combination of claim 10 wherein said product-holder interface panel has product holders permanently attached thereto.
12. The combination of claim 10 wherein commonly available and thus standardized CD sleeves, photograph holders, or note paper bindings are permanently attached to said product-holder interface panel.
13. The combination of claim 10 wherein custom designed CD sleeves, photograph holders, or notepaper bindings are permanently attached to said product-holder interface panel.
14. The combination of claim 10 wherein a closure mechanism is engaged to contain and protect said product-holder interface panel and permanent attachments thereto from handling and damage.
15. The combination of claim 10 wherein a handle is added as part of the inventive design or to said original stuffed or plush article using said inventive design, thus providing portability.
Type: Application
Filed: Feb 9, 2004
Publication Date: Aug 11, 2005
Inventor: Bennett Beer (Philadelphia, PA)
Application Number: 10/774,138