Two-Piece Stuffed Animal Device

Abstract

The present invention relates to a two-piece stuffed animal device primarily comprised of a body with a first half and a second half that are internally fastened to one another via a middle seam, as well as a method of making the device. Both halves are made such that the fasteners used to form the perimeter seams and to attach both halves at the middle seam are positioned on the inside of the body when fully assembled. Therefore, the body does not contain any outward fasteners or other items that can be removed causing a choking hazard.

Description

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates generally to the field of stuffed animals. More specifically, the present invention relates to a two-piece stuffed animal device primarily comprised of a body with a first half and a second half that are internally fastened to one another via a middle seam, as well as a method of making the device. Both halves are made such that the fasteners used to form the perimeter seams and to attach both halves at the middle seam, are positioned on the inside of the body when fully assembled. Therefore, the body does not contain any outward fasteners or other items that can be removed causing a choking hazard. Accordingly, the present disclosure makes specific reference thereto. Nonetheless, it is to be appreciated that aspects of the present invention are also equally applicable to other like applications, devices, and methods of manufacture.

BACKGROUND

People may enjoy playing with stuffed animals due to nostalgia, pleasant memories, and more. Children may look to their stuffed animals for comfort and friendship. However, many stuffed animals known in the art contain a plurality of choking hazards such as, but not limited to, buttons and eyes. As a result, a child may remove and inadvertently swallow and choke on a button or an eye of a stuffed animal.

Therefore, there exists a long-felt need in the art for an improved stuffed animal. There also exists a long-felt need in the art for a two-piece stuffed animal device that does not pose a choking hazard to child users. More specifically, there exists a long-felt need in the art for a two-piece stuffed animal device that contains no external fasteners or features that present a choking hazard that can be removed by a child.

The subject matter disclosed and claimed herein, in one embodiment thereof, comprises a two-piece stuffed animal device. The device is primarily comprised of a body with a first half and a second half that are internally fastened to one another via a middle seam, as well as a method of making the device. Both halves are made such that the fasteners used to form the perimeter seams and to attach both halves at the middle seam are positioned on the inside of the body when fully assembled. As a result, the body can resemble a shape such as, but not limited to, a bear but does not contain any outward fasteners or other items that can be removed causing a choking hazard.

In this manner, the two-piece stuffed animal device of the present invention accomplishes all of the foregoing objectives and provides an improved stuffed animal that does not pose a choking hazard to child users. To do so, the device contains no external fasteners or features that present a choking hazard if removed by a child.

SUMMARY

The following presents a simplified summary in order to provide a basic understanding of some aspects of the disclosed innovation. This summary is not an extensive overview, and it is not intended to identify key/critical elements or to delineate the scope thereof. Its sole purpose is to present some general concepts in a simplified form as a prelude to the more detailed description that is presented later.

The subject matter disclosed and claimed herein, in one embodiment thereof, comprises a two-piece stuffed animal device. The device is primarily comprised of a body with a first half and a second half that are internally fastened to one another via a middle seam. The device is also comprised of a method of making the device. The body preferably resembles a bear but may resemble any animal, character, person, object, item, etc., known in the art. The body is preferably also made from a hypoallergenic fabric.

The bear-like body of the device is preferably made from a first half and a second half which are both comprised of an arm, a leg, a head, a torso, an ear, and at least one perimeter seam in some combination thereof. The perimeter seam gives each half its shape. The seam is comprised of at least one fastener such as, but not limited to, a stitch, adhesive, staples, etc. When both halves are assembled to form the body, the fastener is on the interior space of the body such that it cannot be accessed or removed by a child. The body is further stuffed by at least one type of stuffing.

The device may also be comprised of at least one middle seam that fastens the first half to the second half via at least one fastener such as, but not limited to, a stitch, adhesive, staples, etc. It should be further appreciated that when both halves are assembled to form the body, the fastener is on the interior space of the body such that it cannot be accessed or removed by a child.

The body may also be comprised of at least one garment such as, but not limited to, a ribbon tied around the neck of the body in a fixedly attached manner, a hat, a shirt, a pair of pants, a pair of shorts, a scarf, etc. The garment is preferably fixedly attached to the body via being tied and/or via at least one fastener such as, but not limited to, a stitch, adhesive, staples, etc., that are concealed by the garment, such that it cannot be accessed or removed by a child.

The body and/or garment may also be comprised of at least one tag fixedly attached to the body and/or garment via at least one fastener such as, but not limited to, a stitch, adhesive, staples, etc., that is concealed by the tag such that it cannot be accessed or removed by a child. The tag symbolizes the name of the child the device is for and/or the identity of the character the device is intended to represent.

The device is also comprised of a method of making the device. First, a first fastener is used to create the perimeter seam on the first half and a second fastener is used to create the perimeter seam on the second. Next, both halves can be turned inside out and both halves can be partially attached to each other by forming a middle seam using a third fastener. Next, the garment can be attached to the body using a fourth fastener and the tag and instruction card can also be attached to the body and/or garment using a fifth and sixth fastener. Once partially attached, both halves can be flipped right-side-out, such that the body can be filled with the stuffing. Then, both halves can be fully secured to one another using a fastener at the middle seam such that all stuffing is enclosed within the body.

Accordingly, the two-piece stuffed animal device of the present invention is particularly advantageous as it provides an improved stuffed animal. The device does not pose a choking hazard to child users by containing external fasteners or features that present a choking hazard that can be removed by a child. In this manner, the two-piece stuffed animal device overcomes the limitations of existing stuffed animals known in the art.

To the accomplishment of the foregoing and related ends, certain illustrative aspects of the disclosed innovation are described herein in connection with the following description and the annexed drawings. These aspects are indicative, however, of but a few of the various ways in which the principles disclosed herein can be employed and are intended to include all such aspects and their equivalents. Other advantages and novel features will become apparent from the following detailed description when considered in conjunction with the drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The description refers to provided drawings in which similar reference characters refer to similar parts throughout the different views, and in which:

FIG. 1 illustrates a front view of one potential embodiment of a two-piece stuffed animal device of the present invention in accordance with the disclosed architecture;

FIG. 2 illustrates a rear view of one potential embodiment of a two-piece stuffed animal device of the present invention in accordance with the disclosed architecture;

FIG. 3 illustrates a cross-sectional view of one potential embodiment of a two-piece stuffed animal device of the present invention in accordance with the disclosed architecture; and

FIG. 4 illustrates a flowchart of a method of using one potential embodiment of a two-piece stuffed animal device of the present invention in accordance with the disclosed architecture.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

The innovation is now described with reference to the drawings, wherein like reference numerals are used to refer to like elements throughout. In the following description, for purposes of explanation, numerous specific details are set forth in order to provide a thorough understanding thereof. It may be evident, however, that the innovation can be practiced without these specific details. In other instances, well-known structures and devices are shown in block diagram form in order to facilitate a description thereof. Various embodiments are discussed hereinafter. It should be noted that the figures are described only to facilitate the description of the embodiments. They are not intended as an exhaustive description of the invention and do not limit the scope of the invention. Additionally, an illustrated embodiment need not have all the aspects or advantages shown. Thus, in other embodiments, any of the features described herein from different embodiments may be combined.

As noted above, there exists a long-felt need in the art for an improved stuffed animal. There also exists a long-felt need in the art for a two-piece stuffed animal device that does not pose a choking hazard to child users. More specifically, there exists a long-felt need in the art for a two-piece stuffed animal device that contains no external fasteners or features that present a choking hazard if removed by a child.

The present invention, in one exemplary embodiment, is comprised of a two-piece stuffed animal device primarily comprised of a body with a first half and a second half. Both halves are internally fastened to one another via a middle seam. The device is also comprised of a method of making the device. The body preferably resembles a bear, but may resemble any animal, character, person, object, item, etc., known in the art. In addition, the body is preferably also made from a hypoallergenic fabric.

The bear-like body of the device is preferably made from a first half and a second half, which are both comprised of an arm, a leg, a head, a torso, an ear, and at least one perimeter seam in some combination thereof. The perimeter seam gives each half its shape. The seam is preferably comprised of at least one fastener such as, but not limited to, a stitch, adhesive, staples, etc. When both halves are assembled to form the body, the fastener is on the interior space of the body. In this manner it cannot be accessed or removed by a child. The body is further stuffed by at least one type of stuffing.

The device may also be comprised of at least one middle seam. The middle seam fastens the first half to the second half via at least one fastener such as, but not limited to, a stitch, adhesive, staples, etc. When both halves are assembled to form the body, the fastener is on the interior space of the body such that it cannot be accessed or removed by a child.

The body may also be comprised of at least one garment. The garment is preferably a ribbon tied around the neck of the body in a fixedly attached manner, but may also be (but is not limited to) a hat, a shirt, a pair of pants, a pair of shorts, a scarf, etc. The garment is preferably fixedly attached to the body via being tied and/or via at least one fastener such as, but not limited to, a stitch, adhesive, staples, etc., that is concealed by the garment such that it cannot be accessed or removed by a child.

The body and/or garment may also be comprised of at least one tag fixedly attached to the body and/or garment via at least one fastener such as, but not limited to, a stitch, adhesive, staples, etc., that is concealed by the tag such that it cannot be accessed or removed by a child. The tag symbolizes the name of the child the device is for and/or the identity of the character the device is intended to represent.

The device is also comprised of a method of making the device. First, a first fastener is used to create the perimeter seam on the first half, and a second fastener is used to create the perimeter seam on the second half. Next, both halves can be turned inside out and both halves can be partially attached to each other by forming a middle seam using a third fastener. Next, the garment can be attached to the body using a fourth fastener and the tag and instruction card can also be attached to the body and/or garment using a fifth and sixth fastener. Once partially attached, both halves can be flipped right-side-out, such that the body can be filled with the stuffing. Then, both halves can be fully secured to one another using a fastener at the middle seam such that all stuffing is enclosed within the body.

Accordingly, the two-piece stuffed animal device of the present invention is particularly advantageous as it provides an improved stuffed animal. The device does not pose a choking hazard to child users by containing external fasteners or features that present a choking hazard that can be removed by a child. In this manner, the two-piece stuffed animal device overcomes the limitations of existing stuffed animals known in the art.

Referring initially to the drawings, FIG. 1 illustrates a front view of one potential embodiment of a two-piece stuffed animal device 100 of the present invention in accordance with the disclosed architecture. The device 100 is primarily comprised of a body 110 with a first half 200 and a second half 300 that are internally fastened to one another via a middle seam 370. The device 100 is also comprised of a method 400 of making the device 100. In the preferred embodiment, the body 110 resembles a bear. However, in different embodiments the body 110 may resemble any animal, character, person, object, item, etc., known in the art. The body 110 is preferably made from a hypoallergenic fabric (of any color and/or pattern) such as, but not limited to, cotton, silk, bamboo, linen, etc.

In an embodiment wherein the body 110 resembles a bear, the body 110 is preferably made from a first half 200 and a second half 300. The first half 200 is preferably comprised of an arm 210, a leg 220, a head 230, a torso 240, an ear 250, and at least one perimeter seam 260 in some combination thereof. The perimeter seam 260 gives the first half 200 its shape. It should be appreciated that the seam 260 is comprised of at least one fastener 262 such, as but not limited to, a stitch, adhesive, staples, etc. It should be further appreciated that when both halves 200,300 are assembled to form the body 110, the fastener 262 is on the interior space 112 of the body 110 such that it cannot be accessed or removed by a child.

As best seen in FIG. 2, the second half 300 is preferably comprised of an arm 310, a leg 320, a head 330, a torso 340, an ear 350, and at least one perimeter seam 360 in some combination thereof. The perimeter seam 360 gives the second half 300 its shape. It should be appreciated that the seam 360 is comprised of at least one fastener 362 such as, but not limited to, a stitch, adhesive, staples, etc. It should be further appreciated that when both halves 200,300 are assembled to form the body 110, the fastener 362 is on the interior space 112 of the body 110 such that it cannot be accessed or removed by a child.

The device 100 may also be comprised of at least one middle seam 370 that fastens the first half 200 to the second half 300. Both halves 200,300 are secured at the middle seam 370 via at least one fastener 372 such as, but not limited to, a stitch, adhesive, staples, etc. It should be further appreciated that when both halves 200,300 are assembled to form the body 110, the fastener 362 is on the interior space 112 of the body 110 such that it cannot be accessed or removed by a child.

The body 110 may also be comprised of at least one garment 390 in one embodiment. In the preferred embodiment, the garment 390 is a ribbon tied around the neck 380 of the body 110 in a fixedly attached manner. The garment 390 may be other garment in differing embodiments such as, but not limited to, a hat, a shirt, a pair of pants, a pair of shorts, a scarf, etc. The garment 390 is preferably fixedly attached to the body 110 via being tied and/or via at least one fastener 391 such as, but not limited to, a stitch, adhesive, staples, etc., that is concealed by the garment 390 such that it cannot be accessed or removed by a child.

The body 110 and/or garment 390 may also be comprised of at least one tag 392 fixedly attached to the body 110 and/or garment 390 via at least one fastener 391 such as, but not limited to, a stitch, adhesive, staples, etc., that is concealed by the tag 392 such that it cannot be accessed or removed by a child. The tag 392 may be comprised of at least one indicia 396 such as, but not limited to, a word, a name, a letter, a number, a symbol, etc., that symbolizes the name of the child the device 100 is for and/or the identity of the character the device 100 is intended to represent.

The body 110 and/or garment 390 may also be comprised of at least one instruction card 394 with at least one indicia 396 such as a word, a symbol, etc., that indicates washing instructions for the device 100. The card 394 is attached to the body 110 and/or garment 390 via at least one fastener 391 such as, but not limited to, a stitch, adhesive, staples, etc., that is concealed by the card 394 such that it cannot be accessed or removed by a child.

FIG. 3 illustrates a cross-sectional view of one potential embodiment of a two-piece stuffed animal device 100 of the present invention in accordance with the disclosed architecture. The body 110 is further stuffed by at least one type of stuffing 398 such as, but not limited to, cluster stuffing, memory foam, polyester, cotton, cotton fabric scraps, corn fiber fill, kapok, eucalyptus, mohair, bamboo, wool, recycled PET FiberFill, polyester FiberFill, Polystyrene bean bag filling, glass pellets, plastic pellets, etc.

In one embodiment, the device 100 is also comprised of at least one speaker 500 placed within the body 110. The speaker 500 is powered by at least one battery 502. The battery 502 may be a disposable battery 502 or a rechargeable battery 502 in the form of an alkaline, nickel-cadmium, nickel-metal hydride battery 502, etc., such as any 3V-12 volts DC battery 502 or other conventional battery 502 such as A, AA, AAA, etc., that supplies power to the device 100. Throughout this specification, the terms “battery” and “batteries” may be used interchangeably to refer to one or more wet or dry cells or batteries 502 of cells in which chemical energy is converted into electricity and used as a source of DC power. References to recharging or replacing batteries 502 may refer to recharging or replacing individual cells, individual batteries 502 of cells, or a package of multiple battery cells as is appropriate for any given battery 502 technology that may be used. The speaker 500 is comprised of at least one motion sensor 504 that activates the speaker 500 when the body 110 is squeezed or otherwise moved. The speaker 500 may produce any sound, song, phrase, etc. known in the art.

FIG. 4 illustrates a flowchart of a method 400 of using one potential embodiment of a two-piece stuffed animal device 100 of the present invention in accordance with the disclosed architecture. The device 100 is also comprised of a method 400 of making the device 100. First, a fastener 262 is used to create the perimeter seam 260 on the first half 200 [Step 402]. Then, a fastener 362 is used to create the perimeter seam 360 on the second half 300 [Step 404]. Next, both halves 200,300 can be turned inside out and partially attached to each other by forming a middle seam 370 using a fastener 372 [Step 406]. Next, the garment 390 can be attached to the body 110 using a fastener 391 [Step 408]. The tag 392 and instruction card 394 can also be attached to the body 110 and/or garment 390 using the fastener 391 [Step 410]. Once partially attached, both halves 200,300 can be flipped right-side-out, such that the body 110 can be filled with the stuffing 398 [Step 412]. Then, both halves 200,300 can be fully secured to one another using the fastener 372 at the middle seam 370, such that all stuffing 398 is enclosed within the body 110 [Step 414]. It should be appreciated that the middle seam 370 and perimeter seams 260,360 may form generally V-shaped seams or any other seam type or shape known in the art.

Certain terms are used throughout the following description and claims to refer to particular features or components. As one skilled in the art will appreciate, different persons may refer to the same feature or component by different names. This document does not intend to distinguish between components or features that differ in name but not structure or function. As used herein “two-piece stuffed animal device” and “device” are interchangeable and refer to the two-piece stuffed animal device 100 of the present invention.

Notwithstanding the foregoing, the two-piece stuffed animal device 100 of the present invention and its various components can be of any suitable size and configuration as is known in the art without affecting the overall concept of the invention, provided that they accomplish the above-stated objectives. One of ordinary skill in the art will appreciate that the size, configuration, and material of the two-piece stuffed animal device 100 as shown in the FIGS. are for illustrative purposes only, and that many other sizes and shapes of the two-piece stuffed animal device 100 are well within the scope of the present disclosure. Although the dimensions of the two-piece stuffed animal device 100 are important design parameters for user convenience, the two-piece stuffed animal device 100 may be of any size, shape and/or configuration that ensures optimal performance during use and/or that suits the user's needs and/or preferences.

Various modifications and additions can be made to the exemplary embodiments discussed without departing from the scope of the present invention. While the embodiments described above refer to particular features, the scope of this invention also includes embodiments having different combinations of features and embodiments that do not include all of the described features. Accordingly, the scope of the present invention is intended to embrace all such alternatives, modifications, and variations as fall within the scope of the claims, together with all equivalents thereof.

What has been described above includes examples of the claimed subject matter. It is, of course, not possible to describe every conceivable combination of components or methodologies for purposes of describing the claimed subject matter, but one of ordinary skill in the art may recognize that many further combinations and permutations of the claimed subject matter are possible. Accordingly, the claimed subject matter is intended to embrace all such alterations, modifications and variations that fall within the spirit and scope of the appended claims. Furthermore, to the extent that the term “includes” is used in either the detailed description or the claims, such term is intended to be inclusive in a manner similar to the term “comprising” as “comprising” is interpreted when employed as a transitional word in a claim.

Claims

1. A two-piece stuffed animal device comprising: a body comprised of a first half and a second half, wherein the first half and the second half are attached by a middle seam;the first half is comprised of a first arm, a first leg, a first head portion, a first torso portion, a first ear, a first perimeter seam, and a first fastener;the second half is comprised of a second arm, a second leg, a second head portion, a second torso portion, a second ear, a second perimeter seam, and a second fastener;the middle seam is comprised of a third fastener;a stuffing;a ribbon; anda tag.

2. The two-piece stuffed animal device of claim 1, wherein the first half and the second half are comprised of a hypoallergenic material.

3. The two-piece stuffed animal device of claim 2, wherein the hypoallergenic material is comprised of a cotton, a silk, a bamboo or a linen material.

4. The two-piece stuffed animal device of claim 1, wherein each of the first fastener, the second fastener and the third fastener are a stitch.

5. The two-piece stuffed animal device of claim 4, wherein each of the first fastener, the second fastener and the third fastener are located within an interior space of the body.

6. A two-piece stuffed animal device comprising: a body comprised of a first half and a second half attached by a middle seam;the first half is comprised of a first arm, a first leg, a first head portion, a first torso portion, a first ear, a first perimeter seam, and a first fastener;the second half is comprised of a second arm, a second leg, a second head portion, a second torso portion, a second ear, a second perimeter seam, and a second fastener;the middle seam is comprised of a third fastener;a stuffing;a garment;an instruction card; anda tag.

7. The two-piece stuffed animal device of claim 6, wherein each of the first fastener, the second fastener and the third fastener are comprised of an adhesive.

8. The two-piece stuffed animal device of claim 7, wherein each of the first fastener, the second fastener and the third fastener are located within an interior space of the body.

9. The two-piece stuffed animal device of claim 6, wherein the stuffing is comprised of a cluster stuffing, a memory foam, a polyester, a cotton, a cotton fabric scraps, a corn fiber fill, a kapok, a eucalyptus, a mohair, a bamboo, a wool, a recycled PET FiberFill, a polyester FiberFill, a Polystyrene bean bag filling, a glass pellet, or a plastic pellet material.

10. The two-piece stuffed animal device of claim 6, wherein the body resembles an animal, a character or a person.

11. The two-piece stuffed animal device of claim 6 further comprised of a speaker.

12. The two-piece stuffed animal device of claim 11, wherein the speaker is comprised of a motion sensor.

13. The two-piece stuffed animal device of claim 12, wherein activation of the motion sensor produces a sound from the speaker.

14. The two-piece stuffed animal device of claim 11 further comprising a battery for providing power to the speaker.

15. The two-piece stuffed animal device of claim 6, wherein the garment is comprised of a ribbon, a hat, a shirt, a pair of pants, a pair of shorts or a scarf.

16. The two-piece stuffed animal device of claim 15, wherein the garment is fixedly attached to the body.

17. The two-piece stuffed animal device of claim 6, wherein the tag is comprised of a first indicia.

18. The two-piece stuffed animal device of claim 17, wherein the first indicia is comprised of a word, a name, a letter, a number or a symbol.

19. The two-piece stuffed animal device of claim 6, wherein the instruction card is comprised of a second indicia.

20. A method of making a two-piece stuffed animal device, the method comprising the steps of: creating a first perimeter seam on a first half of the two-piece stuffed animal device using a first fastener;creating a second perimeter seam on a second half of the two-piece stuffed animal device using a second fastener;flipping the first half and the second half inside out and partially attaching the first half to the second half by forming a middle seam with a third fastener;flipping the first half and the second half right-side-out;filling the first half and the second half with a stuffing; andfully attaching the first half to the second half using the third fastener.