Abstract:
A system and method for providing a visible marker when at least two objects are combined. The visible marker may be any desired marking but, in the preferred embodiment, is a heart-shape. The two objects may be two-dimensional, such as cards, or three-dimensional, such as toys or household items. The creation of the visible marker by bringing two objects into proximity can show common origin and manufacture and, where a heart-shape is used, can send positive social and moral messages of love and togetherness.

Description:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     1. Field of Invention 
     This invention relates generally to toys and systems and methods for identifying them as having a common manufacturer, belong to a particular group, or the like, and more particularly, to a system and method for marking toys and similar objects whereby a distinctive mark is formed when two toys are coupled together in an appropriate manner. 
     2. Background of the Invention 
     It is often desired when a single manufacturer makes a variety of toys or similar objects in a series or collection to create awareness in the mind of the purchasing public that the toys or other objects are related. This is often accomplished by giving the objects a common look and feel—such as for example the stuffed animals in TY&#39;s® BEANIE BABIES® series. This can also be accomplished by assigning a common trademark to the objects, and placing such trademark on a tag, box or other convenient place. 
     However, where the objects are given a common look and feel, a manufacturer may be unable to successfully market other objects in the same series where those objects look or feel differently. With respect to the use of trademarks to foster product identification, this can be less visually compelling to a user and, moreover, trademarks placed on tags (such as those on BEANIE BABIES®) can fall off of the object. 
     A need therefore exists for a system and method for providing a visual identification for toys or similar objects in a series. The system and method should be useable for toys and objects having a similar look and feel, as well as for ones that do not appear to belong together. Moreover, it is preferred that the visual identification provided send a positive message beyond that of identifying the toys/objects as having a common origin. The present invention satisfies these needs and provides other, related advantages. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     It is an object of the present invention to provide a system and method for providing a visual identification for toys or similar objects in a series. 
     It is a further object of the present invention to provide a system and method for providing a visual identification for toys or similar objects in a series that is useable for toys and objects having a similar look and feel, as well as for ones that do not appear to belong together. 
     It is a still further object of the present invention to provide a system and method for providing a visual identification for toys or similar objects in a series in which the visual identification provided sends a positive message beyond that of identifying the toys/objects as having a common origin. 
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS 
     In accordance with one embodiment of this invention, a system for providing a visible marking when at least two objects are combined is disclosed. The system comprises, in combination: a first object having a portion thereon forming a first part of a marking; and a second object having a portion thereon forming a second part of the marking and coupleable to the portion on the first object so as to form the marking; wherein the marking is formed as an independent image interposed between the first and the second objects so that, upon the formation, each of the first object, the second object, and the marking located between the first object and the second object is visible. 
     In accordance with another embodiment of this invention, a method for visibly marking two or more objects when combined together comprising the steps of: providing a first object having a portion thereon forming one part of a marking; providing a second object having a portion thereon forming a second part of the marking and coupleable to the portion on the first object so as to form the marking; and coupling the portion on the first object to the portion on the object so as to form the marking; wherein the marking is formed as an independent image interposed between the first and the second objects so that, upon the formation, each of the first object, the second object, and the marking located between the first object and the second object is visible. 
     The foregoing and other objects, features, and advantages of the invention will be apparent from the following, more particular, description of the preferred embodiments of the invention, as illustrated in the accompanying drawings. 
    
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
     FIG. 1 is a front view of two objects, shown forming a mark as mating portions thereon are brought together. 
     FIG. 2 is a front view of three objects, shown forming marks at the mating points therebetween as mating portions thereon are brought together. 
     FIG. 3 a  is a perspective view of two mating portions being brought together. 
     FIG. 3 b  is a perspective view showing the use of hook and loop material on the mating portions of FIG. 3 a.    
     FIG. 4 is a perspective view of two objects, depicting elephants, shown forming a mark as mating portions thereon are brought together. 
     FIG. 5 is a perspective view of two objects, depicting a man and woman dancing, shown forming a mark as mating portions thereon are brought together. 
     FIG. 6 is a perspective view of two objects, chairs, shown forming a mark as mating portions thereon are brought together. 
     FIG. 7 is a front, cross-sectional view showing magnetic coupling of the mating portions. 
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS 
     Referring to FIGS. 1-6, the formation of a mark  10  is illustrated by the combination of mating portions  12  extending from two objects  14 . The mark  10  is preferably a heart shape. This shape is preferred because it is visually pleasing and because the image of the heart conveys a number of positive meanings, such as love, friendship, peace, etc. The combination of bringing two objects together to form a heart shape sends a powerful positive message to a child or adult viewing such image. The positive messages of love, friendship, togetherness, etc. are particularly strong when the objects brought together are not identical, such as, for example: (a) human figures of different skin colors; (b) different kinds of animals; (c) human figures and animals; (d) plants and animals; (e) plants and human figures; etc. In this regard, the creation of such a powerful positive message could make the system of the present invention useful in a character development program or the like. 
     Although a mark  10  in the form of a heart is preferred, other shapes or images could also be created. For example, the mark  10  could be a letter corresponding to the first letter of the company making or selling the objects (e.g., the letter “A” for ABC Corp.), a symbol, an animal, or any other desired image or shape. The mark  10  in such form could be used to send a message (as with the heart shape described above), to indicate that two or more objects are part of a series or were sold by the same company, to entertain or amuse, or for any other desired purpose. 
     The objects  14 , in the preferred embodiment, are three-dimensional toys such as animals (FIGS. 2,  4 ), characters (FIG.  1 ), figurines (FIG.  5 ), dolls, crafts, action figures, etc. The objects  14  could be other three-dimensional objects of almost any type found in a household, such as a chair and ottoman (FIG.  6 ). The objects  14  could also be two-dimensional, such as greeting or other types of cards. The objects  14  could still further be electronic images. 
     Still further, the objects  14  could be persons, with the mating portions  12  located on the body of the persons (e.g., on the hand, arm, or any other desired place.) It may be desirable to position mating portions  12  on people for play or entertainment purposes, and as one example it would be desirable to position mating portions  12  on dancers performing a dance routine in which the mating portions  12  are brought together to form the mark  10  as part of the routine. (Where used with dancers, suitable instruction would of course need to be provided to the dancers in the proper movements necessary to bring the mating portions  12  into contact to form the mark  10 .) 
     It can be seen from the drawing figures that the mark  10  is an image that is independent and different from that of the objects  14 . Thus, referring to FIG. 2 by way of example, the objects  14  have the image of a bear, while the mark  10  is a heart. In FIG. 4, the objects  14  have the image of an elephant, while the mark  10  is a heart. Thus, upon formation of the mark  10 , each of the objects  14  and mark  10  is visible, with the mark  10  interposed between the objects  14 . 
     The mating portions  12  are preferably pre-formed in the object  14 , so that a user need only match the mating portions  12  to create the mark  10 . It would also be possible to provide mating portions  12  made of a flexible material, so that the user would need to manipulate the material into the proper shape to form the mating portions  12 . The mating portions  12  may be positioned in any desired place on an appendage or any other desired place on the object  14 . For example, as shown in FIG. 2, the mating portions  12  may be located on an animal&#39;s hand, elbow, or foot. As shown in FIG. 4, the mating portions  12  can be located on an elephant&#39;s trunk and tail. As shown in FIG. 5, the mating portions  12  can be located on a person&#39;s hand. Still further, the mating portions  12  can be positioned on a non-animate type of object, such as on the edge of a chair, as shown in FIG.  6 . 
     The mating portions  12  need not have thereon any means for permitting the secure coupling together of two mating portions  12 . Thus, it could be sufficient for the mating portions  12  merely to be able to form the mark  10  for so long as the mating portions  12  are manually held together, with the mating portions  12  ceasing to form the mark  10  when no longer held in position. On the other hand, it would be possible to provide means on the mating portions  12  for a more secure fit, so as to allow objects  14  to be held relatively securely together about mark  10 . 
     Referring now to FIGS. 3 b  and  7 , exemplary means of permitting a more secure coupling together of two mating portions  12  are shown. In FIG. 3 b , the use of hook and loop material is shown, with hook material  16  located on one mating portion  12  and loop material  18  located on a second mating portion  12 , positioned so that hook material  16  may releasable coupled to loop material  18  when the mating portions  12  are brought together. (While in FIG. 3 b  the hook and loop material  16  and  18  are only shown on an upper exposed surface of each mating portion  12 , corresponding to the top of the heart shape, it should be understood that, preferably, hook and loop material  16  and  18  should correspondingly be placed on the lower exposed surface of each mating portion  12 , corresponding to the bottom of the heart shape.) 
     In FIG. 7, the use of magnetism to couple mating portions  12  is shown. Thus, a first magnet  20  is positioned on each of upper and lower exposed surfaces of a mating portion  12 . On the upper and lower exposed surfaces of a second mating portion  12 , a material  22  is positioned. The material  22  may be either a second magnet, or a metal surface having an ability to be attracted by the first magnet  20 . 
     The use of hook and loop material and magnets as means for more securely coupling two mating portions  12  is exemplary only. Other means could be employed, including for example adhesives, pins, screws, zippers, interlocking structures (for example, having a male member extending from one mating portion  12  and an corresponding female portion located in a second mating portion  12  and adapted to receive the male member), etc. 
     It is further possible to provide means for creating a sound, visual or other effect when the two mating portions  12  are joined. For example, a power source and a circuit could be provided, wherein the coupling together of the mating portions  12  would cause the closure of the circuit. This, or any other appropriate means (e.g., computer software), could create a sound (e.g., a giggle, jingle, etc.), light, written display, scent, tactile change, water spouting, color change (e.g., a blushing doll), an animated transformation, or other effect when the two mating portions  12  are joined. Such effect could be created at the mark  10 , on one or more of the objects  14 , or some combination thereof. 
     While the invention has been particularly shown and described with reference to preferred embodiments thereof, it will be understood by those skilled in the art that the foregoing and other changes in form and details may be made therein without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention.