Toy figurine with plush covering

A toy figurine comprising a figurine body with an identity selected from a set of identities and a removable plush costume covering the figurine body and obscuring the identity of the figurine body. The plush costume includes one or more separately removable portions and removing one or more of the separately removable portions reveals the identity of the figurine body.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates generally to toy dolls and figurines, and in particular, toy dolls and figurines with an outer covering that can be removed to reveal the identity of the toy doll or figurine.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Toy dolls and figurines (for simplicity, referred to herein as toy figurines) have long been a source of entertainment for children of all ages. Through the years, various interactive features and accessories have been incorporated into or included with toy figurines to provide additional play value. For example, some toy figurines have mechanical features (e.g., closing eyelids, bottle feeding mechanisms) and/or electronic features (e.g., lights, sounds). Other toy figurines include hair play features and/or fashion accessories (e.g., clothing, handbags, jewelry) that can be used to change or customize the appearance of the toy figurine. But while there are many different toy figurines in the art, there is still a need for ever more interesting and varied toy figurines with features and accessories that can surprise and entertain a child.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

A toy figurine set is provided herein that includes a toy figurine with a plush covering that hides or obscures the identity of the toy figurine. More specifically, the plush covering conceals identifying characteristics of the underlying figurine body, such as the skin complexion, facial feature, hair style, and/or body shape of the figurine body. When at least a portion of the plush covering is removed (such as a portion covering the head), the toy figurine's identity (as defined by its skin complexion, facial feature, and/or hair style) is revealed. Additionally, the toy figurine set includes accessories that may be worn or attached to the toy figurine. The accessories are preferably packaged in obscure packaging so that a completed look of the toy figurine is revealed when the accessories are removed from the packaging and applied to the toy figurine. Thus, the toy figurine set provides multiple surprise reveals that add to the play value of the toy.

In one or more embodiments, the toy figurine comprises a figurine body and a removable plush costume that covers the figurine body and obscures the identity of the figurine body. Typically, the identity of the figurine body is selected from a set of identities, which may be defined by at least one of a skin complexion, facial feature, hair style, and body shape. The plush costume includes one or more separately removable portions, such as a head portion, an upper torso portion, a lower torso portion, a hand portion, and/or a feet portion. Removing one or more of these separately removable portions reveals the identity of the figurine body. In one instance, the plush costume is an animal costume with a head portion resembling the head of an animal.

The toy figurine may include one or more accessories configured to be worn or attached to the figurine body, such as a hair accessory, clothing article, and/or shoes. In certain embodiments, the one or more accessories are packaged in obscure packaging that conceals the accessories so that a completed look of the toy figurine is revealed when the accessories are removed from the obscure packaging and worn or attached to the figurine body. Furthermore, the figurine body may include one or more thermochromic features, for example a thermochromic facial feature or a thermochromic hair.

Other objects, features and advantages of the present invention will become apparent to those skilled in the art from the following detailed description. It is to be understood, however, that the detailed description and specific examples, while indicating some embodiments of the invention, are given by way of illustration and not limitation. Many changes and modifications within the scope of the invention may be made without departing from the spirit thereof, and the present invention includes all such modifications.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

A toy figurine with surprise reveal elements associated with the discovery of the identity and completed look of the toy figurine is disclosed.FIGS. 1A-4provide an illustrative embodiment of the toy figurine with its removable plush covering or costume and accessories. As shown inFIG. 1A, toy figurine100is initially presented wearing a plush costume102that resembles a pink bear. The plush costume can be of any style or shape, though in some implementations, the plush costume is fabricated to resemble or be a fanciful depiction of an animal or character. Plush costume102is wholly or substantially made of a soft outer fabric and may include a compressible stuffing material underneath the soft outer fabric. Furthermore, plush costume102is made of separately removable sections, which includes a head portion106, an upper torso portion108, a lower body or a lower torso portion110, hand portions112, and feet portions114. In the illustrative embodiment depicted inFIG. 1A, the head portion106, upper torso portion108, and lower torso portion110are made of soft outer fabric or plush material, while hand portions112and feet portions114are made of a hard plastic or stretchable rubber material. In another embodiment, the whole plush costume is made of soft outer fabric or plush material.

Collectively, the different sections or portions of plush costume102cover a figurine body104and conceal or obscure the identity of figurine body104. More specifically, plush costume102substantially hides one or more identifying traits or characteristics of figurine body104, for example the skin complexion, facial features, hair style, and/or body shape of figurine body104. To be clear, the term “conceal” does not require that the overall shape of the figurine body be hidden. For instance, the arms operatively (e.g., movably) coupled to the torso, legs operatively (e.g., movably) coupled to the torso, and general outline of figurine body104are discernable from the shape of plush costume102(seeFIG. 1A). However, the identifying traits or characteristics of figurine body104(e.g., skin complexion, facial features, hair style, body shape) are hidden. Thus, when toy figurine100is initially presented wearing plush costume102, the identity of the underlying figurine body104is a mystery. A child would be unable to tell which character (for example from a collection of different toy figurine characters or identities) she has in her possession until the plush costume is removed. Furthermore, even after the identity of the toy figurine has been revealed, the child can put the plush costume back on the figurine body and continue to enjoy and play with the toy figurine in its costumed appearance. The shape of plush costume102allows the head, arms, legs, and/or torso of the costumed toy figurine100to be moved and repositioned into different poses.

In some embodiments, certain portions of the figurine body are not covered by the plush costume and are exposed, yet the plush costume is still able to conceal the identity of the toy figurine. For example, the plush costume may not have hand portions or foot portions (i.e., the hands and/or feet of the toy figurine are exposed). However, because one or more identifying characteristics or traits of the toy figurine are hidden (e.g., facial features, hair style, body shape), a child would still be unable to determine the specific identity of the toy figurine. In yet other embodiments, the plush costume conceals all the identifying traits of the toy figurine, including the general shape or structure of the figurine body. The plush costume may have a shape that is completely different than the general shape of the underlying figurine body (e.g., rectangle). The arms, legs, and general outline of the underlying figurine body would not be discernable from the shape of the plush costume for an even greater mystery and surprise reveal.

When plush costume102or certain portions of plush costume102are removed from figurine body104, the identity or certain identifying traits of figurine body104are uncovered. For instance,FIG. 1Bshows toy figurine100with head portion106removed. This exposes a head116(mounted or operatively coupled to the torso) revealing the skin complexion, facial features, and hair style of figurine body104. Based on one or more of these identifying characteristics, a child would be able to determine which character she has in her possession. However, depending on the identities of the characters available, removing just the head portion may be insufficient to determine the specific identity of the toy figurine. For example, there may be multiple characters with the same skin complexion, facial features, and hair style but different body shapes. Thus, the exact identity of the toy figurine would only be revealed when upper torso portion108is also removed. Other embodiments may include other identifying traits (e.g., fingernail color, decorations, patterns) that are revealed only when other portions of the plush costume (e.g., hand portions, feet portions) are removed. In yet further embodiments, the plush costume itself may provide a hint or indicator as to the identity of the toy figurine. Different plush costumes may each be associated with a specific character and figurine body (see, e.g.,FIG. 5).

Head portion106is fabricated to resemble the head of a bear and is further sized to contain all the hair118attached to head116of figurine body104. When head portion106is initially removed from toy figurine100, the long hair118is fully revealed for an exciting effect. The opening of head portion106includes a stretchy fabric or elastic band that helps keep head portion106attached to head116and retain hair118within head portion106. In alternative embodiments, the hair may be of any length and the head portion of the plush costume may be of any form or size suitable to conceal the head and hair of the figurine body.

Different accessories may be included with the toy figurine as part of a toy figurine set. In the illustrative embodiment shown inFIG. 2, accessories200include a headband202, a comb204, a pair of shoes206, a pet bear208, and a skirt210. The headband202, pair of shoes206, and skirt210may be worn or attached to figurine body104, while the comb204and pet bear208may be used to play or interact with toy figurine100. In alternative embodiments, other accessories (of any type, style, shape, color, etc.) that can be used to play or interact with the toy figurine may be included as part of the toy figurine set.

Accessories200are individually packaged in obscure packaging so that the accessories included in the toy figurine set are initially concealed and a mystery to a child. Specifically, headband202is initially contained within packaging201, comb204is initially contained within packaging203, shoes206are initially contained within packaging205, pet bear208is initially contained within packaging207, and skirt210is initially contained within packaging209. The individually packaged accessories200provide multiple additional elements of surprise as the child opens the packaging to reveal each accessory. Moreover, multiple accessories (i.e., headband202, shoes206, and skirt210) contribute to the appearance of the toy figurine so that a completed look300of toy figurine100is ultimately revealed when the wearable accessories202,206,210are all removed from their packaging and attached to figurine body104(seeFIG. 3).

Typically, packaged accessories200are stored within a container or packaging containing the toy figurine set. In other embodiments, one or more of the packaged accessories200may be initially stored within plush costume102of toy figurine100. For instance, one or more accessories may be contained within upper torso portion108. The accessories become accessible when upper torso portion108is opened and/or removed from figurine body104. In other instances, different packaged accessories may be stored in different areas within the plush costume (for example within head portion106or lower torso portion110). In some implementations, the accessories200are collectively stored and concealed within a package that visually obscures the accessories200.

Furthermore, upper torso portion108is reconfigurable to provide different looks when worn on figurine body104. More specifically, upper torso portion108may be flipped inside-out such that a different portion of the clothing article is visible and exposed. As shown inFIG. 1A, upper torso portion108is worn in a first configuration120where a first surface of the outwardly facing side is a pink plush material that matches the rest of plush costume102. As shown inFIG. 3, upper torso portion108can be flipped inside-out into a second configuration122where a second surface (previously oriented as the inner side of upper torso portion108) is now oriented outwardly. In the second configuration122, upper torso portion108becomes a jacket that complements the other accessories attached to figurine body104and forms part of the completed look300of the toy figurine. In some embodiments, other sections of the plush costume may also be reconfigurable in a manner similar to upper torso portion108. For example, lower torso portion110may also be reversible so that it becomes a pair of sweatpants when it is flipped inside-out. In yet another embodiment, each portion106,108,110,112,114of the plush costume102is reversible such that each portion106,108,110,112,114has a first surface having a first design (e.g., pattern, material, and/or print), and a second surface, opposite the first surface, having a second design different from the first design.

Toy figurine100has various thermochromic features, for example thermochromic makeup on cheeks302and nose304. The thermochromic facial features change color in response to temperature variations (e.g., hot/warm or ice/cold water), as is disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 5,503,583, which is issued to Hippely et al. and entitled TOY WITH THERMOCHROMIC MATERIAL, the entirety of which is hereby incorporated by reference. In the exemplary embodiment shown inFIG. 1B, decorative makeup is visible on cheeks302. When warm water is applied to cheeks302, the color of the thermochromic material contained in the decorative makeup lightens, giving the illusion that the decorative makeup has been removed (see cheeks302′ inFIG. 3). Applying cold water to cheeks302′ causes the color of the thermochromic material contained in the decorative makeup to darken and reappear, so a child can pretend to be reapplying makeup to the toy figurine's cheeks. Similarly, when warm water is applied to nose304(seeFIG. 1), the red thermochromic paint on the figurine's nose lightens and “disappears” as shown on nose304′ (seeFIG. 3). Applying cold water to nose304′ causes the red thermochromic paint to darken and become visible again on nose304.

Other areas of figurine body104may also have thermochromic features or be made of a thermochromic material. In one embodiment, the toy figurine includes thermochromic hair. When cold water is applied to the hair, certain strands of hair turn into a different color or shade (for example from pink highlights into purple highlights). In another example, an undergarment (e.g., a onesie, unitard, shirt, tank top) may be painted onto the figurine body using thermochromic paint. Applying warm or cold water changes the color or pattern of the undergarment. Additionally, one or more of the accessories or portions of the plush costume may have a thermochromic feature. For instance, the eyes of pet bear208change between an open/awake look212or a closed/sleeping look212′ when cold or warm water is applied, respectively (seeFIGS. 2 and 4). Furthermore, comb204not only can be used to brush the hair of the toy figurine, but also includes a sponge portion213that can be used to apply water of different temperatures to the toy figurine and pet bear208. Removed sections of plush costume102may also have additional play features. In the exemplary implementation shown inFIG. 4, removed head portion106transforms into a bed for pet bear208.

FIG. 5shows additional examples of toy figurine characters depicted in their plush costumes and their respective completed looks. In an exemplary implementation, the five different toy figurine characters form a collection of toy figurine sets that a child can choose from or try to collect. In the first toy figurine set500, the toy figurine is depicted wearing a bunny costume502. Removing the bunny costume502reveals a figurine body504that can be further fashioned with accessories506for a completed look508. As part of the unique identity of the toy figurine, figurine body504has a first combination510of facial features, hair style, and skin complexion. The first toy figurine set500also includes a matching pet bunny512and brush514. In the second toy figurine set600, the toy figurine is depicted wearing a cat costume602. Removing the cat costume602reveals a figurine body604that can be further fashioned with accessories606for a completed look608. Figurine body604has a second combination610of facial features, hair style, and skin complexion that is different from the figurine body504of first toy figurine set500. The second toy figurine set600also includes a matching pet kitten612and brush614. In the third toy figurine set700, the toy figurine is depicted wearing a dog costume702. Removing the dog costume702reveals a figurine body704that can be further fashioned with accessories706for a completed look708. Figurine body704has a third combination710of facial features, hair style, and skin complexion that is different than figurine bodies504,604. The third toy figurine set700also includes a matching pet puppy712and brush714. In the fourth toy figurine set800, the toy figurine is depicted wearing a panda costume802. Removing the panda costume802reveals a figurine body804that can be further fashioned with accessories806for a completed look808. Figurine body804has a fourth combination810of facial features, hair style, and skin complexion that that is different than figurine bodies504,604,704. The fourth toy figurine set800also includes a matching pet panda812and brush814.

Plush costumes502,602,702,802are designed to provide a hint or indication of the toy figurine character concealed underneath. In other words, figurine body504is always found underneath the bunny plush costume502, figurine body604is always found underneath the cat plush costume602, figurine body704is always found underneath the dog plush costume702, and figurine body804is always found underneath the panda plush costume802. This is helpful for a child that is trying to find a specific toy figurine character from a collection of toy figurine sets.

In other embodiments, because the overall dimensions of the toy figurines in toy figurine sets500,600,700, and800are similar, if not identical, figurine bodies504,604,704,804may be randomly mixed and concealed under plush costumes502,602,702,802. The figurine bodies and accessories are not associated with a specific corresponding costume and the identity of the toy figurine character as well as its completed look are a mystery until the plush costume is removed and the accompanying accessories are applied. Thus, the discovery of the toy figurine's identity and its completed look becomes a fun unveiling event for the child.

Although the disclosed inventions are illustrated and described herein as embodied in one or more specific examples, it is nevertheless not intended to be limited to the details shown, since various modifications and structural changes may be made therein without departing from the scope of the inventions and within the scope and range of equivalents of the claims. For instance, although the depicted embodiments illustrate the figurine body as a human figurine, the figurine presented herein need not be a human. For example, in other embodiments, the figurine might be an animal, mythical character, alien, or other living or non-living object.

Moreover, it is to be understood that terms such as “left,” “right,” “top,” “bottom,” “front,” “rear,” “side,” “height,” “length,” “width,” “upper,” “lower,” “interior,” “exterior,” “inner,” “outer” and the like as may be used herein, merely describe points or portions of reference and do not limit the present invention to any particular orientation or configuration. Further, the term “exemplary” may be used herein to describe an example or illustration. Any embodiment described herein as exemplary is not to be construed as a preferred or advantageous embodiment, but rather as one example or illustration of a possible embodiment of the invention. Finally, various features from one of the embodiments may be incorporated into another of the embodiments.