Patent Application
20230294009
The present invention relates to plush toys, specifically toys consisting of a soft exterior material covering either a soft or firm stuffing material. Plush toys are made of various exterior materials such as soft boa fabric, tricot fabric, pearl velvet cloth, wide wale soft boa, polar fleece, velboa, printed polyester, polyester plush (pile) material, pile textiles, cotton, mohair, wool, worsted yarn, simulated fur, real fur, silk with a cotton backing, terry cloth and any other fabric well known in the art. These exterior materials are formed of synthetic materials such as polyester, nylon, plastics and/or natural materials such as cotton, wool or real fur. Common stuffing materials may include polyester fiber, polyethylene pellets, expanded polyethylene, polyurethane foam, polyvinyl chloride, polypropylene, polyethylene, EVA, polyformaldehyde, polystyrene, plastic coated wire, polyurethane, synthetic fibers, batting, cotton, wool, straw, wood wool, plastic pellets and beans.
Plush toys are enjoyed by children and adults alike. Children or adults may use them solely for the enjoyment of play but many adults may collect them for enjoyment or financial gain. Plush toys are often based on characters ranging from zoo/farm animals to characters invented by their manufacturers to famous licensed characters such as super heroes or cartoon characters. Plush toys are a significant market enjoyed by those of all ages and all walks of life.
The plush toy disclosed in the present application is configurable to change the face displayed on the toy. In the first of three embodiments, the hair is moveable to display a face flap that has a different face on each side of the flap. The flap can be positioned to display either side and face or can be stowed on the back of the toy's head to display a third face.
In the second embodiment, a face strap is pulled to position a first and second face on the front of the plush toy. The hair is moveable to display the strap so the user may pull it to position the face in their choice of positions.
The third embodiment includes a moveable face hood that can be positioned in one of two positions to display two different faces. The moveable face hood rotates to hide one face and display the second.
The following detailed description refers to the preferred embodiment of the disclosed invention as shown in the attached figures and in the below description. This detailed description is not meant to limit the scope of the invention in any way but is intended to disclose the preferred embodiment/best mode of the invention at the time of filing this application.
In step B, hair 2 is shown in hair second position 7. Further, hair tabs 8 are also shown. In this embodiment, two hair tabs 8 are shown, but any number of tabs may be used to secure hair 2 in its first position.
Step C shows face 3 being lifted off plush toy 1 so that it can be repositioned to display its second side and display show second face 11. Further, third face 10 is shown under face flap 3 and can be displayed if face flap 3 is stowed behind the doll's head and behind hair 2. Step C further shows face flap tabs 9 in their disengaged step. Face flap tabs 9 are used to secure face flap 3 to the plush toy when face flap 3 is in its attached position as the face of plush toy 1. Step D shows face flap 3 flipped over with second face 11 displayed.
Step E shows face flap 3 in its attached position on the front of plush toy 1 with second face 11 is displayed. Further, face flap tabs 9 are in their attached position to secure face flap 3 to the face location of plush toy such that second face 11 is displayed. Step F shows hair 2 moved back to first hair position 6. In step F the transition to second face 11 is complete, with first face 5 hidden on the first side of face flap 3. Face flap 3 is further attached to plush toy 1 with face flap tabs 9 and hair tabs 8 used to secure face flap 3 to plush toy 1.
Step G shows the first step in the process to display third face 10. Here, hair 2 is moved to second hair position 6 and face flap 3 detached from plush toy 1 by detaching hair tabs 8 and face flap tabs 9. Step H shows face flap 3 being rotated to the back of the head of plush toy 1 so that third face 10 will be visible. Step I shows face flap 3 being attached to the back of the head of plush toy 1 using face flap tabs 9. Hair 2, in second hair position 7, is rotated such that the second side of hair 2, with full hair, completely covers and hides face flap 3, so that only third face 10 is visible. Hair 2 is oriented such that third face 10 is visible through the face display area 12 of hair 2 side one. Lastly, Step J shows the final configuration of plush toy 1 with third face 10 displayed and hair 2 in second position 6.
The exterior of the disclosed plush toy can be manufactured using any of many methods well known in the art, but in the preferred embodiment, the fabric exterior (plush) is sewn together utilizing a sewing machine. The various pieces of the exterior of the plush toy are cut into suitable pieces and sewn together to form the exterior. This can be done manually by a human being or by utilizing automated sewing devices well known in the art. The exterior material for the plush toy can be made from any material well known in the art, including but not limited to soft boa fabric, tricot fabric, pearl velvet cloth, wide wale soft boa, polar fleece, velboa, printed polyester, polyester plush (pile) material, pile textiles, cotton, mohair, wool, worsted yarn, simulated fur, real fur, silk with a cotton backing, terry cloth and any other fabric well known in the art.
The interior material of the plush toy can be formed of many materials well known in the art. While any soft/deformable material will work, the interior of the plush toy disclosed herein may be made from a variety of polyester fiber, polyethylene pellets, expanded polyethylene, polyurethane foam, polyvinyl chloride, polypropylene, polyethylene, EVA, polyformaldehyde, polystyrene, plastic coated wire, polyurethane, synthetic fibers, batting, cotton, wool, straw, wood wool, plastic pellets and beans.
Although the present invention has been described in relation to the above disclosed preferred embodiment, many modifications in design, implementation, systems and execution are possible while still maintaining the novel features and advantages of the invention. The preferred embodiment is not meant to limit the scope of the patent in any way, and it should be given the broadest possible interpretation consistent with the language of the disclosure on the whole.
