SCENTED STUFFED TOYS AND A METHOD OF MAKING

Abstract

A scented stuffed toy includes a body having an internal cavity that is filled with filler material that has absorbed a fragrance substance. The filler material is grain or pellets that are capable of absorbing the fragrance substance, such as an oil-based fragrance liquid. The fragrance substance is mixed with the filler material and then inserted into the body of the stuffed toy to provide a scented stuffed toy. A unique identifier is attached to the stuffed toy to differentiate the stuffed toy from other stuffed toys. The unique identifier comprises at least one indicia that corresponds to one or a combination of a type of fragrance substance and a type of stuffed toy. A method of making the scented stuff toy is provided.

Description

BACKGROUND

1. Technical Field

The present disclosure is directed to stuffed toys, bean bags and the like, including stuffed animals (all referred to herein as “stuffed toys”), and, in particular, to scented stuffed toys and methods for making the same.

2. Description of the Related Art

Stuffed toys provide enjoyment for all ages of individuals. For many individuals, a certain level of comfort and warmth is provided by stuffed toys. Stuffed toys can invoke specific memories from the past, which may be the result of a sensory or emotional response to a particular fabric of the stuffed toy, a type of stuffed toy, and the name of the stuffed toy.

BRIEF SUMMARY

In one embodiment, a stuffed toy includes a body having an internal cavity filled with filler material that has absorbed a fragrance substance. The body of the stuffed toy may be made by making stuffed animal or stuffed toy skins from fabric such as cotton or polyester, as done in a known, traditional way. The filler material contained within the body may be comprised of organic material such as grains like rice, barley, ceramic, or clay, or it may include beads or pellets comprised of plastics, polymers, composites, or other suitable inorganic materials that are capable of absorbing moisture or a fragrance substance. The fragrance substance absorbed by the filler material may be a liquid fragrance, such as an oil-based fragrance or other known fragrance substance.

The filler material may absorb the fragrance substance by various means. For example, the fragrance substance and filler material may be placed in a tumbling machine or other machine that mixes the fragrance substance and the filler material until adequate absorption is achieved. It will be appreciated that the filler material and fragrance substance could be mixed, stirred, tumbled, or otherwise combined in any known manner that provides sufficient absorption. In one example, approximately 35 drops of a particular liquid fragrance substance could be used for each pound of filler material, although this amount could be increased or decreased depending upon various factors or desired amount of scent to emanate from the filler material. After the filler material has been mixed with the fragrance substance, the filler material may be allowed to rest for a period of time, thereby providing an opportunity for the filler material to adequately absorb the fragrance substance. For example, the filler material and fragrance substance can sit for approximately 48-72 hours, although more or less time could be used in particular situations.

In various embodiments, the stuffed toy can include a unique identifier having at least one indicia to differentiate the stuffed toy from other stuffed toys. The at least one indicia may somehow incorporate or correspond to a type of fragrance absorbed by the filler material and/or a type of stuffed toy, such as an animal, robot, or other type of toy. The unique identifier may be a tag, patch, or other device attached to the stuffed toy, attached to the packaging of the stuffed toy, provided with instructions that come with the stuffed toy, or the like. For example, the unique identifier may be a tag attached to the stuffed toy that includes at least one indicia providing the name “Mint Chocolate Chipmunk” for a stuffed toy in the form of a chipmunk having mint chocolate chip scented filler material therein. It will be appreciated that the at least one indicia may correspond to one or more characteristics or features of a particular aspect of the stuffed toy and the scented filler material. An individual of ordinary skill in the art, having reviewed this disclosure, will appreciate the variations that are possible for: the nature and types of fragrance substances that could be used; the types of filler material or other materials that could be used to retain the fragrance substance; and the types of body and/or coverings that can be used to hold the scented filler material, all without deviating from the spirit of the invention.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 shows a stuffed toy according to one embodiment.

FIG. 2 shows a stuffed toy according to another embodiment.

FIG. 3 shows a method of making a stuffed toy according to one embodiment.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

FIG. 1 shows a stuffed toy 10 comprising a body 12 comprised of a plush material and having an internal cavity 14 filled with a filler material 16, according to one embodiment. The filler material 16 includes a fragrance substance 18 absorbed thereon and/or therein. The filler material 16 may comprise at least one of a grain, pellets, or beads, but it may comprise other suitable material capable of absorbing or containing a fragrance substance. A unique identifier, such as a tag 20, may be removably attached or secured to the stuffed toy 10 to differentiate between other stuffed toys or other toys generally. The tag 20 may include at least one indicia 22 that may correspond to, or incorporate, at least one of a type of the fragrance substance 18 absorbed by the filler material 16, a type of animal or toy, and other features of the stuffed toy 10. In this embodiment, the stuffed toy 10 is a chipmunk having mint chocolate chip fragrance substance 18. A tag 20 provides the at least one indicia 22 comprises the words “Mint Chocolate Chipmunk” which corresponds to the type of fragrance substance 18 (mint chocolate chip) and the type of stuffed toy 10 (a chipmunk).

FIG. 2 shows a stuffed toy 110, according to one embodiment, in the form of a llama having a body 112 with an internal cavity 114 filled with filler material 116 having a fragrance substance 118 absorbed therein. The internal cavity 114 of the stuffed toy 110 also includes a supplemental filler material 117, such as cotton or polyester. In this example, a tag 120 is attached to the body 112 and includes at least one indicia 122 comprising the words “Pink LLamanade.” The at least one indicia 122 pertains to the type of stuffed toy 110 (a llama) and the type of scented fragrance 118 (pink lemonade) that was absorbed by the filler material 116 and stuffed in the internal cavity 114 of the stuffed toy 110.

FIG. 3 illustrates a method 200 comprising steps for making a scented stuffed toy, according to one embodiment. The method 200 includes step 202 of providing a stuffed toy having a body with an internal cavity, and step 204 of causing a fragrance substance to be absorbed by a filler material for filling the internal cavity of the body. The method further comprises step 206 of filling, at least partially, the internal cavity of the body of the stuffed toy with the scented filler material. The method may culminate in step 208 of enclosing the body of the stuffed toy to provide a scented stuffed toy having at least one indicia corresponding to a type of animal and/or a type of fragrance substance, represented by step 209.

In some embodiments, the method may comprise step 210 of mixing the filler material and the fragrance substance in a machine adapted to mix the filler material and the fragrance substance, such as a tumbling machine or other suitable machine (not shown). The method may further comprise step 212 of allowing the filler material and fragrance substance to rest after mixing such that the filler material may absorb the fragrance substance. The method may further include step 214 of attaching a tag to the body of the stuffed toy; the tag may have the features as discussed above regarding FIGS. 1 and 2, for example. In some embodiments, the method may comprise filling the internal cavity of the stuffed toy with a supplemental filler material before enclosing the body, such as with cotton or polyester. It will be appreciated that some or all of the above steps may occur in a different order while still achieving the desired result of providing a scented stuffed animal toy described herein.

The various embodiments described above can be combined to provide further embodiments. The U.S. patent application referred to in this specification and/or listed in the Application Data Sheet is incorporated herein by reference, in its entirety.

These and other changes can be made to the embodiments in light of the above-detailed description. In general, in the following claims, the terms used should not be construed to limit the claims to the specific embodiments disclosed in the specification and the claims, but should be construed to include all possible embodiments along with the full scope of equivalents to which such claims are entitled. Accordingly, the claims are not limited by the disclosure.

Claims

1. A stuffed toy comprising:

a body comprised of a plush material and having an internal cavity; and

a filler material within the internal cavity of the body, wherein the filler material includes a fragrance substance absorbed therein.

2. The stuffed toy of claim 1 wherein the filler material comprises at least one of a grain, pellets, and beads.

3. The stuffed toy of claim 1 wherein the fragrance substance comprises a liquid fragrance.

4. The stuffed toy of claim 1 further comprising a unique identifier attached to the stuffed toy to differentiate the stuffed toy from other stuffed toys.

5. The stuffed toy of claim 4 wherein the unique identifier comprises at least one indicia that corresponds to one or a combination of a type of fragrance substance and a type of stuffed toy.

6. The stuffed toy of claim 1 wherein a supplemental filler material is contained within the internal cavity of the body.

7. A filler material for positioning within a body of a stuffed toy, the filler material comprised of at least one of a plurality of grains, pellets, and beads and having a fragrance substance absorbed therein.

8. The filler material of claim 7 wherein the fragrance substance includes a type of fragrance substance.

9. The filler material of claim 8 wherein the type of fragrance substance is incorporated by a unique identifier attached to the stuffed toy.

10. The filler material of claim 7 wherein the fragrance substance is a liquid fragrance.

11. A method comprising:

providing a stuffed toy comprising a body having an internal cavity;

causing a fragrance substance to be absorbed by a filler material;

filling, at least partially, the internal cavity of the body with the filler material; and

enclosing the body of the stuffed toy to provide a scented stuffed toy.

12. The method of claim 11 wherein causing the fragrance substance to be absorbed by the filler material further comprises mixing the filler material and the fragrance substance.

13. The method of claim 12 wherein mixing the filler material and the fragrance substance comprises adding the filler material and the fragrance substance to a machine adapted to mix the filler material and the fragrance substance.

14. The method of claim 13 wherein causing the fragrance substance to be absorbed by the filler material further comprises allowing the filler material to rest after mixing the fragrance substance such that absorption of the fragrance substance can occur.

15. The method of claim 11 wherein the filler material comprises at least one of a grain, pellets, and beads.

16. The method of claim 11 wherein the fragrance substance includes a type of fragrance substance.

17. The method of claim 16 further comprising attaching a unique identifier to the body of the stuffed toy, the unique identifier having at least one indicia corresponding to at least one of the type of selected fragrance that was absorbed by the filler material.

18. The method of claim 11 further comprising attaching a unique identifier to the body of the stuffed toy, the unique identifier having at least one indicia to differentiate the scented stuffed toy from other scented stuffed toys.

19. The method of claim 18 wherein the at least one indicia includes one of or a combination of a type of fragrance substance and a type of stuffed toy.

20. The method of claim 11 further comprising filling the internal cavity with a supplemental filler material before enclosing the body of the scented stuffed toy.