BACKGROUND
People, and especially kids, love dolls. Brands, as well as media, are always looking for ways to connect with kids over their brands and properties. Brands will often use images of licensed characters, artists and media celebrities on packaging, on printed materials, and on products to help sell their products and connect with consumers. Kids are a great influence on items and products that families will buy and/or consume. It is the dream of many brands to come up with gifts and items that people love to collect and engage with. Of course, these desires are always tempered with the costs associated with creating the type of items that will grab the imagination of a customer or fan, and further engage with them in such a way that the item will remain top of mind and something they would choose to reach for or retain as a keepsake. It is therefore desirable to provide a low-cost gift that people will love to collect and engage with.
SUMMARY
Some embodiments described herein relate to a customizable doll that comprises a planar material shaped as a living creature comprising a first set of appendage openings and a second set of appendage openings. The customizable doll further comprises appendage material for insertion into the first set of appendage openings and the second set of appendage openings.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
FIG. 201 is a customizable doll according to some embodiments.
FIG. 201a is a customizable doll according to some embodiments.
FIG. 201b is a customizable doll according to some embodiments.
FIG. 201c is a customizable doll according to some embodiments.
FIG. 201d is a customizable doll according to some embodiments.
FIG. 201e is a customizable doll according to some embodiments.
FIG. 201f is a customizable doll according to some embodiments.
FIG. 201g is a customizable doll according to some embodiments.
FIG. 201h is a customizable doll according to some embodiments.
FIG. 201i is a customizable doll according to some embodiments.
FIG. 201j is a customizable doll according to some embodiments.
FIG. 201k is a customizable doll according to some embodiments.
FIG. 202 is a customizable doll according to some embodiments.
FIG. 203 is a customizable doll according to some embodiments.
FIG. 203a is a customizable doll according to some embodiments.
FIG. 204 is a customizable doll according to some embodiments.
FIG. 205 is a customizable doll according to some embodiments.
FIG. 206 is a customizable doll according to some embodiments.
FIG. 207 is a customizable doll according to some embodiments.
FIG. 207a is a customizable doll according to some embodiments.
FIG. 207b is a customizable doll according to some embodiments.
FIG. 207c is a customizable doll according to some embodiments.
FIG. 207d is a customizable doll according to some embodiments.
FIG. 207e is a customizable doll according to some embodiments.
FIG. 207f is a customizable doll according to some embodiments.
FIG. 208 is a customizable doll according to some embodiments.
FIG. 209 is a customizable doll according to some embodiments.
FIG. 210 is a customizable doll according to some embodiments.
FIG. 211 is a customizable doll according to some embodiments.
FIG. 212 is a customizable doll according to some embodiments.
FIG. 213 is a customizable doll according to some embodiments.
FIG. 214 is a customizable doll according to some embodiments.
FIG. 215 is a customizable doll according to some embodiments.
FIG. 216 is a customizable doll according to some embodiments.
FIG. 217 is a customizable doll according to some embodiments.
FIG. 218 is a customizable doll according to some embodiments.
FIG. 219 is a customizable doll according to some embodiments.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
In the following detailed description, numerous specific details are set forth in order to provide a thorough understanding of the embodiments. However, it will be understood by those of ordinary skill in the art that the embodiments may be practiced without these specific details. In other instances, well-known methods, procedures, components and circuits have not been described in detail so as not to obscure the embodiments.
The following embodiments relate to a customizable doll. Customers and fans come in all ages so the materials being used to create a customizable doll is a key criterion in creating the customizable doll, such that the customizable doll can appeal to different aged audiences. It is in this spirit that the inventor decided to combine the play and keepsake value of a doll, with low cost printing and custom materials options to create a Customizable Printed Doll System.
The inventor contemplates printing an image that may be laser cut or die cut into any shape. In some embodiments, the shape may comprise a living creature shape such as, but not limited to, a human being or an animal. This base shape would have special openings to accept arms, legs and/or other appendages. Based on the audience the brand is appealing to, the same shape could accept arms, legs and/or appendages made from different materials, ideally suited for their audience. For example, a doll for kids may have appendages made from plain yarn or wax infused yarn, while the appendages for the same doll for older kids may be made from pipe cleaners or chenille stems. The plain yarn, wax infused yarn, pipe cleaners or chenille stems may be referred to as appendage material.
To increase the play and/or display value of these customized dolls, there are two items in the marketplace that are worth mentioning. First, the Wikki Stix brand of infused wax yarn to be used as arms and legs, whose sticky nature makes it easy to attach dolls to each other and to other things. The second is a product offered by 3M, a company well known for producing adhesives and methods of attachment. One such item that works well with this invention is their low profile Dual Lock Fastener, especially when it is used as hands or feet attached to the arms and legs of the doll, as they also provide an excellent way to attach the dolls to each other and things. Both products will enable the doll to hold items, stand on pedestals, or be attached to each other, or to other things, making them great for display or play.
FIG. 201 is a die cut Customizable Doll 1 with Doll Openings 2 which may accept Doll Body Parts 3. In this preferred embodiment Customizable Doll 1 is printed digitally (or offset) on a flexible plastic, vinyl stock or film laminated cardstock that could last as a keepsake and not break down from play and/or handling. In some embodiments, the flexible plastic, vinyl stock or film laminated cardstock is a planar material. This would allow the user to make the Customizable Doll 1 in the image of licensed characters, brand ambassadors with character, animal, art and photo images. The inventor contemplates that there may be instances when the user does not consider durability as important, so a lower cost standard, unlaminated card or paper stock may be used to produce Customizable Doll 1. Doll Openings 2 will receive Doll Body Parts 3 to complete assembly.
The inventor contemplates that Doll Body Parts 3 can be made from pipe cleaners, foam strips, plastic cord, bendable craft wire, yarn, cord, wax infused yarn or any other well-known and suitable flexible materials. The inventor contemplates the Customizable Doll 1 may be offered with or without Doll Body Parts 3. In the latter option, the user would be instructed to choose their own age-appropriate Doll Body Parts 3. Consider an event where separate bins may contain age-appropriate Doll Body Parts 3 materials that could be used to complete Customized Doll 1. For example, Customized Doll 1 could be outfitted with Doll Body Parts 3 made from wax infused yarn for little kids (soft) or from pipe cleaners (prickly) for older kids, etc.
FIG. 201a is a top view of Doll Openings 2. The inventor contemplates that the user may choose to produce Customizable Doll 1 with Doll Openings 2 in different sizes and shapes, as well as slits, tabs or a combination thereof that suits the user's application. The inventor further contemplates that the different sizes and styles of Doll Openings 2 will either allow or restrict the movement of Doll Body Parts 3 differently based on the material used (not shown).
FIG. 201b is a front view is a preferred embodiment of Customizable Doll 1 with four wax infused Doll Body Parts 3 (two individual arms and two individual legs) each to threaded into their respective Doll openings 2 and pinched at the Doll Openings 2 to adhere to Customized Doll 1. This embodiment uses less wax infused yarn, compared to FIG. 201, that requires longer material to form two arms from a single Doll Part 3 and two legs from a single Doll Part 3. Also, when using wax infused yarn, threading a shorter Doll Part 3 for one leg or arm, is easier than using a longer Doll Part 3 to thread through two holes to make two arms, as the wax will not slide easily especially if it is being threaded by a small child. This is less of a problem when Doll parts 3 are made from string or pipe cleaner materials. Also important to note that the size and style of Doll Openings 2, described in FIG. 201a will make the insertion of Doll Parts 3 easier or more difficult as desired by the creator of Customizable Doll 1.
FIG. 201c is a completed Customizable Doll 1 of FIG. 201b according to some embodiments. FIG. 201d shows an unassembled kit of Customizable Doll 1 attached to Backer Card 9 by perforation, and four Doll Parts (Wikki Stix) 3 attached to a Backer Card 9. The inventor contemplates a further embodiment of the invention, where customized Doll 1, may be more fully attached to Backer Panel 9, such as when a cereal box or a paper board snack tray, as the ones served to kids in fast food establishments, may contain a perforated or partially perforated character complete with Doll Openings 2, where a child may be provided with Doll Body Parts 3 in a separate bag or container so that a child may perforate the licensed character Customized Doll 1 from the cereal box or snack tray and add the Doll Body Parts 3 to play or collect (not shown).
FIG. 201e shows the kit of FIG. 201d, with a detachable card (such as a business card) and a detachable Customizable Doll 1 with Doll parts 3 attached. FIG. 201f is a Flat top view of Doll Stand 19 with bendable die-cut Upright Portion 20 in a flat position.
FIG. 201g is a perspective view of a clear Doll Stand 19 with Upright Portion folded in an upwards position. FIG. 201h is a perspective view of FIG. 1g with Customizable Doll 1 attached to Upright Portion 20. It is important to note that this embodiment works best when Doll Parts 3 are made from Wax infused yarn. By simply pinching the legs (Doll Parts 3) to Doll Stand 19 will hold Customizable Doll 1 in an upright position. Other materials for Doll Parts 3 will require different means of attachment (not shown).
FIG. 201i shows Customizable Doll 1 of FIG. 201b as a card, and an additional Card Portion 21 combined to make a novelty business card, where Doll Parts 3 are used only for arms. This differentiation and novelty makes it stand out from traditional business cards.
FIG. 201j shows Customizable Doll 1 of FIG. 201b in two parts, Head Portion 22 and Body Portion 23 attached at Neck Portion 23 with Connector 10 made from 3M Dual Lock Fastener. This embodiment allows the user to move the position of the head relative to the position of the body, and to easily switch heads to show different facial expressions and/or different characters. FIG. 201k shows Customizable Doll 1 described in FIG. 201j with Head Portion 22 rotated to the right.
FIG. 202 is an assembled view of FIG. 201 where Doll Parts 3 are inserted into Doll Openings 2 in a crisscross orientation to form arms and legs. In this embodiment Doll Body Parts 3 are made from pipe cleaners, as they are well suited for easily arranging the assembled Customizable Doll 1 into multiple positions. It is important to note, that parents of small children may prefer a softer material for Doll Parts 3, such as foam or yarn or cord, as these would be less likely to scratch a small child. It is the intent of the inventor to let the user determine the best material and lengths of Doll
Parts 3 to offer based on their application. In this embodiment a single Doll Part 3 actually forms both an arm and a leg, so two Doll Parts 3 are required to form two arms and two legs. It is important to note that in this embodiment, and those shown in FIG. 212 and FIG. 215 the front of Customizable Doll 1 has an uninterrupted panel for art and copy, however on the reverse side of the panel, to varying degrees, the art and copy may be hidden by Doll Parts 3. The inventor contemplates that the user will determine whether to choose this embodiment described in FIG. 207a for their application.
FIG. 203 is an alternate embodiment of FIG. 202 where Doll Parts 3 are threaded differently than the crisscross fashion shown in FIG. 202. This style may be a preferred option by the user if the material for Doll Parts 3 (e.g., appendage material) is foam, string, cord or yarn, require no support, and are unaffected by the rotations shown in FIG. 213 and FIG. 214. In this embodiment the arms and legs would not be used for support as shown in FIG. 212 and FIG. 215. Also, if Doll Parts 3 are made from wax infused yarn, and rotation is an issue, then rotation may be easily thwarted by simply pinching the wax infused yarn to Customizable Doll 1 surface at Points 7, or anywhere along the wax infused yarn that touches Customizable Doll 1. FIG. 207 shows a wax infused yarn application where individual Doll Parts 3, once threaded through Doll Opening 2, may be pinched to Customizable Doll 1 surface to prevent rotation. FIG. 203a Shows Doll Parts 3 threaded in a crisscross fashion and in an up and down fashion.
FIG. 204 is the same view of FIG. 203 where Customizable Doll 1 has Doll Attachments 4 that serve as hands and feet. Doll Attachments 4 may be printed on Plastic or paper or may be made from sheet foam or other similar and suitable materials. In this embodiment the method of attachment is accomplished by simply threading the wax infused yarn through Attachment Openings 5 and squeezing the wax infused yarn to the Doll Attachments 4. It is important to note, that if wax infused yarn is not used in this embodiment, a suitable different method of attachment will be required. In this embodiment of the invention, depending on the size and weight of Customizable Doll 1 and the length of the wax infused yarn, the user may be able to have the Customizable Doll 1 stand for a time. The larger the Customizable Doll 1, the less likely, the Customizable Doll 1 will stand in an upright position as shown in FIG. 212 and FIG. 215. If standing in an upright position is desired, then different materials will be more well suited for Doll Parts 3, including pipe cleaners and craft wire.
FIG. 205 shows Customizable Doll 1 with wax infused yarn for Doll Parts 3 (e.g. appendage material), attached to Pen 6 by pinching the wax infused yarn between Doll Attachments 4 and Pen 6. FIG. 206 shows Customizable Doll 1 attached to Pen 6 directly with the wax infused yarn and without the use of Doll Attachment 4. It is important to note, that since Customizable Doll 1 is customizable, the user may choose what Doll Parts 3 and Doll Attachments 4 they prefer to use.
FIG. 207 Shows Customizable Doll 1 of FIG. 203 where four separate wax infused yarn Doll Parts 3 will be required to make two arms and two legs and each will need to be attached (by pinching) to Customizable Doll 1 separately through Doll Openings 2. Other means of attachment would be required when using different materials for Doll Parts 3, for example if using string or yarn, a simple tie knot may be all that is needed as an appropriate means of attachment to Customizable Doll 1. It is the intent of the inventor to allow the user to determine the materials for the Doll Parts 3 and their means of attachment to Customizable Doll 1.
FIG. 207a is an embodiment of the invention, where Customizable Doll 1 has a Front Body Panel 16 and a Rear Body Panel 17 separated by Body Fold 18 that when folded and attached to each other hide Doll Parts 3 that slide between Front Body Panel 16 and a Rear Body Panel 17. This may be desirable, if the user would like to have an uninterrupted image or copy on both sides of an assembled Customizable Doll 1. The inventor contemplates that the wax infused yarn will provide a means of attachment of Front Body Panel 16 and Rear Body Panel 17, by pinching the panels together. When not using wax infused yarn, the means of attachment may include a card or vinyl material with adhesive on one side, glue, tape, hook and loop, 3M Dual Lock Coin Fasteners, or simply tuck tabs (not shown).
FIG. 207b is the same view of FIG. 207a with Doll Parts 3 inserted in Doll Openings 2. FIG. 207c is the same view of FIG. 207a with Doll Parts 3 inserted and Rear Body Panel 17 rotated upwards and attached to Front Body Panel 16 as described in FIG. 207a. FIG. 207d is the same view of FIG. 207c featuring a Rear Body Panel 17 that hides Doll Parts 3. This embodiment is preferred to the embodiment described in FIG. 202, when art or copy on Rear Body Panel 17 is more desirable than the incremental cost, or the additional effort, to assemble Customizable Doll 1.
FIG. 207e shows Customizable Doll 1 described in FIG. 201j where Head Portion 22 has an added Neck Portion 24 that when assembled, slips in Neck Opening 25, between Front Body Panel 16 and Rear Body Panel 17 of separate Body Portion 23 of FIG. 207a.
FIG. 207f shows Customizable Doll 1 of FIG. 207e fully assembled. This embodiment allows the user to move the position of the head right and left or up and down relative to the position of the body, and to easily switch heads to show different facial expressions and/or different characters.
FIG. 208 is an embodiment of the invention that threads a single Doll Part 3 to form two arms and two legs. The user will need to cut Doll Part 3 after threading, at Point 8, to form the two legs. In this embodiment, if the legs are not cut at Point 8, the Customizable Doll 1 may serve as a bottle topper (not shown) or as a ring (not shown) or other similar inexpensive handout, collectible or gift premium.
FIG. 209 Shows a doll kit complete with Customizable Doll 1, Doll Parts 3 and Backer Card 9. The inventor contemplates that this embodiment is a very low cost and easy to produce premium, restaurant handout or toy. In this embodiment the user assembles Customizable Doll 1. Inventor contemplates that the user may also choose to a die-cut and attach by perforation the Customizable Doll 1 from Backer Panel 9.
FIG. 210 is Customizable Doll 1 of FIG. 202 with Connector 10 made from a die-cut low-profile 3M Dual Lock Fastener material with adhesive on one side. To assemble, the user removes Adhesive Liner 11, then slides in Doll Part 3 and folds the Connector 10 in so the 3M Dual Lock Fastener surface is on the outside and the Doll Part 3 is sandwiched between the two adhesive panels of Connector 10. Once one end of Doll Part 3 has Connector 10 attached, it may be threaded into Customizable Doll 1 to form both the arm and leg, and then Connector 10 may be attached to the opposite end or Doll Part 3. The process is repeated with the second Doll Part 3 in the same way to complete assembly of Customizable Doll 1. Attached Connectors 10 will help prevent Doll Parts 3 from sliding out of Doll Openings 2 in this embodiment.
FIG. 211 shows how once the Doll Parts 3 have Connectors 10 made from 3M Dual Lock Fastener materials attached, then the user may attach multiple Customizable Doll 1 to each other with ease. The inventor contemplates that an attachment may have a magnet attached to one side of 3M Dual Lock Fastener, and with that Customized Doll 1 may be attached to refrigerators or other metal surfaces (not shown).
FIG. 212 is the same view of FIG. 202 except Doll Parts 3 are threaded in a horizontal orientation. One Doll Part 3 forms the arms and a second Doll Part 3 forms the legs.
FIG. 213 is the same view of FIG. 212 where, unlike the crisscross orientation of Doll Parts 3 of FIG. 202, where Doll Parts 3 are made from pipe cleaner or wire material, Customizable Doll 1 will tend to rotate up and down unless there is significant friction created between Doll Openings 2 and Doll Parts 3. Even then over time, this construction will tend to rotate after use.
FIG. 214 is the same view of FIG. 212, where Doll Parts 3 are made from pipe cleaner or wire material and if held by one leg, will tend to rotate Customizable Doll 1 right and left unless there is significant friction created by Doll Openings 2. Even then over time, this construction will tend to rotate after use.
FIG. 215 is the same view of FIG. 214 except by stabilizing both legs, the right and left rotation is minimized or eliminated. FIG. 216 shows an option where Customizable Doll 1 has two Doll Openings 2 and will accept one Doll Part 3. Of course, if there is a desire to make a Customizable Doll 1 with multiple appendages such as in a monster, multiple Doll Parts 3 may be inserted into Doll Openings 2 (not shown).
FIG. 217 is the same view of FIG. 210 with Connector Stabilizer 13 introduced to Connector 10 to help stabilize Customizable Doll 1 when in an upright, standing position as shown in FIG. 212. Doll Parts 3 made from pipe cleaner material after sustained bending, will get weaker and Customizable Doll 1 will not be able to hold its upright position well. In this embodiment, Doll Part 3 is threaded through Stabilizer Opening 15 and rests between adhesive portions of Connector 10, then Connector 10 panels are folded and squeezed together with Doll Part 3 sandwiched in between to make a bond. It is the intent of the inventor that Connector Stabilizer 13 is made from a flexible plastic or printed vinyl such that it may be scored and/or bent into a desired angle and the material memory of Connector Stabilizer 13 will keep the desired angle(s) the user chooses by bending Connector Stabilizer 13. It is important to note that Connector Stabilizer 13 material should be able to be bent many times and still hold Customizable Doll 1 in an upright or other desired position as shown in FIG. 218.
FIG. 218 is the same view of FIG. 212 with Connector Stabilizers 13 attached. It is important to note that Connectors 10 for the hands are made from a single die-cut and folded 3M Dual Lock Fastener, while Connectors 10 engaged with Connector Stabilizers 13 for the legs are made with separate 3M Dual Lock Fastener coins attached to each other. FIG. 219 Shows a perspective view of Customizable Doll 1 where Doll Parts 3 are used as an animal's front and rear legs, where Head Portion 22 is bent at Fold 26 so that it stands perpendicular to Body Portion 23 to form any animals that stand on all fours. This embodiment lends itself to also creating animals and living organisms that have multiple appendages such as an octopus or a spider among many others (not shown).
In some embodiments, the planar material for the customizable doll will be substantially credit card or business card sized. For example, the planar material for the customizable doll may be approximately 3.5 inches long and 2 inches wide. In some embodiments, the customizable doll may be no more than 3.5 inches long and 2 inches wide. In some embodiments, to provide a lighter weight doll, the planar material for the customizable doll may be no more than 2 inches long and at least 1.4 inches wide so that the doll is not a child hazard. The reason for a lighter weight doll is so that the appendages do not fold over from the weight of the planar material when in a standing position.
This written description uses examples to disclose multiple embodiments, including the preferred embodiments, and also to enable any person skilled in the art to practice the invention, including making and using any devices or systems and performing any incorporated methods. Aspects from the various embodiments described, as well as other known equivalents for each such aspects, can be mixed and matched by one of ordinary skill in the art to construct additional embodiments and techniques in accordance with principles of this application.
Those in the art will appreciate that various adaptations and modifications of the above-described embodiments can be configured without departing from the scope and spirit of the claims. Therefore, it is to be understood that the claims may be practiced other than as specifically described herein.
Patent Application
20240350931
