COORDINATED REMOVABLE DECORATIVE PATCHES FOR DOLLS AND THEIR USERS
A system of decorative doll patches that can be applied to both a doll's clothing/accessories and a user's clothing/accessories for coordinated play. At least one first patch is adapted to be attachable to a doll's clothing/accessories, and at least one second patch is adapted to be attachable to a user's clothing/accessories. The first and second patches are coordinated so that the second patch corresponds to the first patch. The correspondence of the first and second patches comprises at least one of that the patches i) resemble or ii) contrast with or iii) are identical to each other. The patches are easily removable from the doll's or the user's clothing/accessories. Multiple patches may be mixed and matched to form larger patterns, and multiple sizes of patches can be provided for different usages (e.g., on the doll, on the user's shoe, on the user's totebag).
Priority is claimed from U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 62/478,721 filed Mar. 30, 2017 and entitled “COORDINATED REMOVABLE DECORATIVE PATCHES FOR DOLLS AND THEIR USERS”, the entirety of which is incorporated by reference herein.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION Field of the InventionThe invention is directed to toys such as dolls, and more specifically to devices that can be used to coordinate the look of both a doll and its user.
Description of Related ArtChildren (and adults) have been playing with dolls for time immemorial. In addition to having the dolls engage in various play/pretend activities, one source of much entertainment revolves around dressing the doll in different outfits. Two conventional doll lines that have excelled in the doll apparel area are the BARBIE® brand doll line and the AMERICAN GIRL® brand doll line, both made by Mattel, Inc. of El Segundo, Calif. Over the years, both of these lines have offered numerous different outfits and accessories for their dolls.
There is a long-felt need in the industry to be able to enhance a user's play experience with dolls which, unless provided with electronics or similar “gimmick”, typically just sit there. Although users can develop very strong feelings toward dolls, it would be desirable to enhance the doll-user relationship.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTIONThe invention is a system and play method of appliqués or patches (hereafter “patches”) that can be applied to both a doll's clothing/accessories and a user's clothing/accessories. At least one patch is provided for attachment to the doll's clothing/accessories, and at least a second patch is provided for attachment to the user's clothing/accessories. The patches are preferably coordinated, i.e., the user's patch will correspond to (e.g., resemble, be identical to, or contrast with) the doll's patch. The patches are also preferably easily removable from either the doll's or the user's clothing/accessories. In a preferred embodiment, the patches are provided with the hook portion of a hook-and-loop fastener which are easily securable to and removable from the doll's or user's fabric clothing/accessories. In another embodiment, the patch may be adherable to the target surface using static cling/adhesion and/or vacuum adhesion, reusable adhesive, or the like.
In another embodiment, at least three different sizes of patches are provided: a small-sized patch or patches to be applied to the doll; a medium-sized patch or patches to be applied to the shoes of the user; and a large-sized patch or patches to be applied to the accessories (e.g., a tote bag) of the user.
Multiple patches may be mixed and matched to form larger patterns. For example, head patches, torso patches, and leg patches can be combined to make patch versions of dolls and outfits that correspond to (e.g., match, coordinate with, contrast with, etc.) the dolls and outfits being used/worn by the user.
The invention includes a system of decorative doll patches. At least one first patch is adapted to be attachable to a doll's clothing/accessories, and at least one second patch is adapted to be attachable to a user's clothing/accessories. The first and second patches are coordinated so that the second patch corresponds to the first patch. The correspondence of the first and second patches optionally includes at least one of that the patches i) resemble or ii) contrast with or iii) are identical to each other.
Preferably, the patches are easily removable from the doll's or the user's clothing/accessories. Optionally, at least one of the first and second patches includes a hook portion of a hook-and-loop fastener, the hook portion being easily securable to and removable from the doll's or user's fabric clothing/accessories. As another option, at least one of the first and second patches are adherable to a surface associated with the doll or the user respectively using at least one of static cling/adhesion and/or vacuum adhesion, or reusable adhesive.
Optionally, the first and second patches are provided in at least three different sizes. The three different sizes may optionally include at least one relatively small-sized patch to be applied to the doll; at least one relatively medium-sized patch to be applied to the shoes of the user; and at least one relatively large-sized patch to be applied to an accessory of the user.
Optionally, multiple of the patches may be mixed and matched to form larger patterns. The patches may thus include at least two of head patches, torso patches, and leg patches that can be combined to make patch versions of dolls and outfits that correspond to the dolls and outfits being used/worn by the user.
Description will now be given with reference to the attached
As shown in
As described, decorative side 21 is typically substantially flat, however that does not mean it need be entirely two-dimensional. Patches 20 can be embroidered and/or screen printed and can also have raised texture or elements to create a more three-dimensional appearance or nature.
Examples of the invention in use are shown in
The invention is not limited to the above description. For example, although the exemplary accessory described above is a bag, other accessories, such as hats, belts, stuffed animals, eye mask, toy stroller (e.g., the outer material on the seat), apparel, sashes, socks, and the like are also contemplated as being capable of receiving and/or being a part of the inventive system.
Having described certain embodiments of the invention, it should be understood that the invention is not limited to the above description or the attached exemplary drawings. Rather, the scope of the invention is defined by the claims appearing hereinbelow and includes any equivalents thereof as would be appreciated by one of ordinary skill in the art.
Claims
1. A system of decorative doll patches, comprising:
- at least one first patch adapted to be attachable to a doll's clothing/accessories; and
- at least one second patch adapted to be attachable to a user's clothing/accessories,
- wherein said first and second patches are coordinated so that said second patch corresponds to said first patch.
2. A system of decorative doll patches according to claim 1, wherein said correspondence of said first and second patches comprises at least one of that said patches i) resemble or ii) contrast with or iii) are identical to each other.
3. A system of decorative doll patches according to claim 1, wherein said patches are easily removable from the doll's or the user's clothing/accessories.
4. A system of decorative doll patches according to claim 3, wherein at least one of said first and second patches comprises a hook portion of a hook-and-loop fastener, said hook portion being securable to and removable from the doll's or user's fabric clothing/accessories.
5. A system of decorative doll patches according to claim 3, wherein at least one of said first and second patches are adherable to a surface associated with the doll or the user respectively using at least one of static cling/adhesion and/or vacuum adhesion, or reusable adhesive.
6. A system of decorative doll patches according to claim 1, wherein said first and second patches are provided in at least three different sizes.
7. A system of decorative doll patches according to claim 6, wherein said three different sizes further comprise:
- at least one relatively small-sized patch to be applied to the doll;
- at least one relatively medium-sized patch to be applied to the shoes of the user; and
- at least one relatively large-sized patch to be applied to an accessory of the user.
8. A system of decorative doll patches according to claim 1, wherein multiple of said patches may be mixed and matched to form larger patterns.
9. A system of decorative doll patches according to claim 8, wherein said patches comprise at least two of head patches, torso patches, and leg patches that can be combined to make patch versions of dolls and outfits that correspond to the dolls and outfits being used/worn by the user.
Type: Application
Filed: Nov 8, 2017
Publication Date: Oct 4, 2018
Inventors: Sarah Caplan (New York, NY), Holly Wallace (Huntington, NY)
Application Number: 15/806,659