Abstract:
The present invention discloses a baby doll gift set comprised of component gift items which, when assembled, are sized and shaped so as to resemble a human infant. A baby doll gift assembly comprises essential component items of this set. Flexible, elongate, cylindrically shaped gift items are transversely inserted through a centralized elastic fabric sleeve to simulate infant appendages. At least one gift item sized and shaped so as to resemble an infant torso is longitudinally sandwiched between the cylindrically shaped gift items inside the elastic fabric sleeve to simulate an infant torso. A spherically shaped gift item is inserted spatially superior to the arm-simulative gift item to simulate an infant head. The resulting baby doll gift assembly may then be further accessorized as desired to complete the baby doll gift set.

Description:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     1. Field of the Invention 
     The present invention relates to a gift package for expectant mothers, and, more particularly, to a gift package for expectant mothers comprising an array of assembled component gift items, which when assembled, are sized and shaped so as to resemble an infant. 
     2. Description of the Prior Art 
     The prior art is replete with examples of amusement devices and amusement apparatus having functionality in addition to their respective underlying amusing effect. In this regard, infant and/or animal-simulating dolls and the like have often been developed with an eye toward combining several utilitarian functions into a single embodiment. Dolls having storage capability for blankets and related bedding materials, for example, are known in the prior art, some of which are described hereinafter. 
     U.S. Pat. No. 4,590,633, which issued to Pickens, discloses a Combination Doll and Blanket. The doll has a conically shaped hollow trunk portion and is comprised of a flexible material that encases a tucked blanket or similar bedding material. The conically shaped trunk portion has a tapered end and a pair of selectively releasable fastening strips opposite the tapered end. The fastening strips serve to secure the blanket within the trunk portion when the tucked blanket configuration is desired and release the blanket from the trunk portion when the open blanket configuration is desired. The blanket is integrally attached to the doll and comprises the stuffing for the trunk portion of the doll when in a tucked configuration. Embellishments such as a hollow head, arms and legs are attached to the trunk portion to constitute a doll with appendages. While the hollow head may provide storage for a portion of the blanket, the embellishments are attached to the trunk portion solely to create a limbed-doll configuration and do not serve an otherwise utilitarian role. 
     U.S. Pat. No. 4,889,511, which issued to Burnett et al, teaches a combination Doll and Pillow Carrying Case wherein the carrying case has the shape and structure of a rectangular pillow further comprising a pocket. Tucked inside the pocket is an integrally formed doll figure having head, arm and leg members, which may be exposed by opening the pocket and extricating the appendages, thus converting an otherwise pillow shaped item into a doll figure as desired. The appendages of the doll of U.S. Pat. No. 4,889,511 also serve the sole function of creating a limbed doll configuration. 
     U.S. Pat. No. 5,084,930, which issued to Danova, discloses a Combined Soft Sculpture and Blanket. This patent teaches a soft plush toy embracing the shape of any number of creatures or objects. The toy has both a hollow torso portion and hollow head portion. Integrally attached to the pre-selected creature configuration or the pre-selected object configuration is a blanket or similar article, which, when not being used in an opened blanket configuration, is in a tucked blanket configuration inside the hollow head and hollow torso portions. Appendages are added to complete the configuration of the creature or object as desired but again serve no further function. 
     The prior art also teaches doll-like structures, which incorporate appendages having storage functionality. For example, U.S. Pat. No. 5,326,300, which issued to Sonders, discloses a Combination Carrying Device and Toy. This disclosure teaches a doll-like structure having at least one inner cavity for storing child-oriented accessories. The legs are described as capable of storing appropriately shaped baby accessories, such as an infant&#39;s bottle or similarly shaped article. Essentially, the carrying case is one that is configured to resemble and infant or animal and the like and is assembled from an appropriately flexible fabric to create the amusing effect of the doll-like structure. Doll-like structures, such as U.S. Pat. No. 5,326,300, teach doll-simulative casings having inner cavities for holding child-oriented accessories and/or merchandise, but do not teach doll-like structures comprised of child-oriented accessories and/or merchandise. 
     Baby gift packages are also known in the prior art. U.S. Pat. No. 5,193,675, which issued to Otis, discloses a Baby Merchandise Display Package. This package is designed to display sets of footwear and other baby merchandise such as a baby rattle. The package is box-like in appearance and includes a light transmissive sleeve as an aid to prevent handling of the merchandise yet allows consumers opportunity to view the arranged merchandise. U.S. Pat. No. 6,092,658, which issued to Pietrafesa, discloses a Simulated Baby Bottle Gift Set. Similarly, this disclosure permits consumers to view an array of baby-oriented merchandise through a light transmissive container comprising the cylindrical body portion of an enlarged simulative baby bottle. The baby-oriented merchandise is arranged inside the light transmissive container so as to create a more alluring effect. The container is capped with a nipple-simulative member, thus completing the baby bottle configuration. 
     None of the prior art patents described above teaches a gift set wherein an array of child-oriented merchandise is arranged and assembled to create the amusing doll-like structure. Each disclosure herein described teaches a structure having storage functionality capable of storing child-oriented merchandise or subject matter. U.S. Pat. No. 4,921,460, which issued to Lin, discloses Assembled Articles Comprising Stretch Knitted Rings. This disclosure does teach the assemblage of fanciful doll-like structures from a plurality of flexible and stretchable ring-like members. This disclosure does not teach a gift set wherein an array of child-oriented merchandise other than stretchable ring-like members is assembled and presented to the consumer in an amusing doll-like form. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     Accordingly, one objective of the present invention is to provide a gift set package for expectant mothers comprising an array of child-oriented accessories and/or merchandise. Another objective of the present invention is to arrange and assemble an array of child-oriented accessories and/or merchandise in such a manner so as to heighten the amusing effect of receiving a gift set package. Yet another object of the present invention is to arrange and assemble an array of child-oriented accessories and/or merchandise in such a manner so as to resemble an infant-simulating doll, thus further heightening the amusing effect of receiving a gift set package. Still another object of the present invention is to provide an infant-simulating doll, which, when disassembled at the election of the recipient, has individually utilitarian, component parts each being useful in the manner for which it was originally designed. 
     To attain these objectives, the claimed invention generally comprises the combination of an elastic sleeve having an open end and a closed end opposite the open end. Two spatially inferior limb openings or leg openings are adjacent to the closed end of the elastic sleeve at opposite edges of the elastic sleeve. Intermediate the length between the open end of the elastic sleeve and the closed end of the elastic sleeve are two spatially superior limb openings or arm openings similarly at opposite edges of the elastic sleeve. 
     A spatially inferior, flexible, elongate, cylindrically shaped gift item, namely, a furled receiving blanket extends transversely through the aforementioned spatially inferior limb openings thus providing the elastic sleeve with spatially inferior limb simulating members or leg-simulating members extending from opposite sides thereof. The leg-simulating members each have a proximal leg region that is adjacent to the respective leg opening in the elastic sleeve and a distal leg end that is preferably bound to prevent the distal leg end from unfurling. 
     A spatially superior, flexible, elongate, cylindrically shaped gift item, namely, a furled bath towel extends transversely through the aforementioned spatially superior limb openings or arm openings thus providing the elastic sleeve with spatially superior limb simulating members or arm-simulating members extending from opposite sides thereof. The arm-simulating members each have a proximal arm region that is adjacent to the respective arm openings in the elastic sleeve and a distal arm end that is preferably bound to prevent the distal arm end from unfurling. 
     At least one gift item sized and shaped so as to resemble an infant torso, namely, a furled crib blanket is sandwiched between the furled receiving blanket and the furled bath towel being longitudinally encased within the elastic sleeve, thus providing the elastic sleeve with a torso-simulating portion. 
     A spherically shaped gift item, namely, a rounded toy-like structure is inserted into the elastic sleeve through the open end coming to rest spatially medial and superior to the furled bath towel, thus creating head-simulating structure. The elastic sleeve is then preferably twisted closed at a point adjacent to the head-simulating structure remote from the open end of the elastic sleeve. The open end is turned down over the head-simulating structure into surrounding relation with the head-simulating structure thus providing neck-simulating structure between the head-simulating structure and the arm-simulating members. 
     The resultant infant-simulative assembly or basic baby doll gift assembly may be further outfitted with infant accessories and/or merchandise as desired to complete the baby doll gift set. 
     The gift set may also assume a fanciful creature embodiment and in this instance, the gift set may be sized and shaped to resemble a fanciful creature as desired. The gift set has component parts comprising an elastic fabric sleeve, which simulates a torso. The elastic sleeve further comprises an open end and a closed end opposite the open end. At least one gift item having torso-simulating bulk is longitudinally encased within the elastic sleeve adjacent the closed end. A spherically shaped gift item is inserted into the elastic sleeve spatially medial and superior to the gift item having torso-simulating bulk thus creating a head-simulating structure. The elastic sleeve is closed at a point adjacent the head-simulating structure remote from the open end thus creating an upper section of the elastic sleeve. The upper section is elastically expanded and inverted over an underlying portion of the elastic sleeve. The leading most portion of the open end is then elastically contracted on the spatially inferior portion of the spherically shaped gift item in secured relation thus providing a neck-simulating structure between the spherically shaped gift item and the gift item having torso-simulating bulk to secure the spherically shaped gift item in secured assembly with the elastic sleeve. 
     The resultant fanciful creature assembly may be further outfitted with pre-selected outer body wear as desired to complete the fanciful creature gift set. 
    
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
     Other features of our invention will become more evident from a consideration of the following detailed description of our patent drawings, as follows: 
     FIG. 1 is a sequential anterior view of the elastic fabric sleeve. 
     FIG. 2 is a sequential anterior view of the slit elastic fabric sleeve. 
     FIG. 3 is a perspective view of the furled receiving blanket. 
     FIG. 4 is a sequential anterior view of the elastic fabric sleeve and furled receiving blanket assemblage. 
     FIG. 5 is a perspective view of the furled crib blanket. 
     FIG. 6 is a sequential anterior view of the elastic fabric sleeve, furled receiving blanket and hidden furled crib blanket assemblage. 
     FIG. 7 is a perspective view of the furled bath towel. 
     FIG. 8 is a sequential anterior view of the elastic fabric sleeve, furled receiving blanket, furled crib blanket and furled bath towel assemblage. 
     FIG. 9 is an anterior view of an exemplary rounded toy-like structure. 
     FIG. 10 is a sequential anterior view of the elastic fabric sleeve, furled receiving blanket, furled crib blanket, furled bath towel and rounded toy-like structure assemblage. 
     FIG. 11 is a sequential anterior view of the infant-simulating doll assembly. 
     FIG. 12 is a sequential anterior view of the infant-simulating doll assembly outfitted with exemplary accessories. 
     FIG. 13 is a sequential anterior view of the infant-simulating doll assembly outfitted with exemplary accessories. 
     FIG. 14 is a sequential anterior view of the complete baby doll gift set. 
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT 
     Preferred Embodiment 
     Referring now to the drawings, the elastic fabric sleeve  10  is illustrated in FIG.  1  and FIG.  2 . Elastic fabric sleeve  10  generally consists of a stretchable, flexible fabric such as spandex or nylon or a combination thereof as exemplified in the Premier Trouser Sock made for the K-Mart Corporation, Troy, Mich., RN# 41000 3844, and has an open end  11  and a closed end  12  as shown in FIG. 1, FIG. 2, FIG. 4, FIG. 6, FIG.  8  and FIG.  10 . Open end  11  preferably has elastically reinforced stitching  13  around the perimeter of the aperture in an effort to prevent unraveling of the fabric in the area surrounding open end  11  of elastic fabric sleeve  10  and to further add elasticity to open end  11 . Closed end  12  is preferably sewn closed. 
     Elastic fabric sleeve  10  is then slit at two opposite edges adjacent to closed end  12 , thus providing elastic fabric sleeve  10  with two leg openings  14  as shown in FIG.  2 . Elastic fabric sleeve  10  is also slit at two opposite edges intermediate the length between open end  11  and closed end  12 , thus providing elastic fabric sleeve  10  with two arm openings  15  as also shown in FIG.  2 . Leg openings  14  and arm openings  15  may include a means for fabric reinforcement around the perimeter of the respective apertures in an effort to prevent unraveling of the fabric in the areas surrounding leg openings  14  and arm openings  15  of elastic fabric sleeve  10 . The coloring of elastic fabric sleeve  10  is ultimately dependent on consumer demand, but it is contemplated that the coloring will most often approximate naturally occurring skin tones. 
     A thermal receiving blanket is then folded and rolled into a cylindrically shaped furled receiving blanket  20 , which is preferably about 21 in length and 2 inches to 2.5 inches in diameter. A furled receiving blanket  20  of the dimensions indicated preferably approximates the dimensions of infant legs measured from the distal end of one leg to the distal end of the other leg and includes the diametral width of the medial torso region therebetween. The ends of furled receiving blanket  20  are then bound preferably by strips of ribbon  21  or similar ornamental binding material as shown in FIG. 3 thus providing furled receiving blanket  20  with bound receiving blanket ends  22 . Furled receiving blanket  20  is inserted transversely through leg openings  14  thus providing elastic fabric sleeve  10  with leg-simulating members  24  as shown in FIG.  4 . Leg-simulating members  24  thus each have a proximal leg region  26  adjacent its respective leg opening  14  and a distal leg end  28 . Distal leg ends  28  correspond to bound receiving blanket ends  22  as comparatively shown in FIG.  3  and FIG.  4 . 
     A fleece crib blanket is then folded and rolled into a cylindrically shaped furled crib blanket  30  preferably 8.5 inches in length and 4.5 inches in diameter as shown in FIG. 5. A furled crib blanket  30  of the dimensions indicated preferably approximates the size and shape of an infant torso. Furled crib blanket has a spatially superior end  31  and a spatially inferior end  32  as also shown in FIG.  5 . Furled crib blanket  30  is then inserted longitudinally into elastic fabric sleeve  10  such that spatially inferior end  32  rests upon furled receiving blanket  20 , thus providing elastic fabric sleeve  10  with a torso-simulating portion  33  as shown in FIG.  6 . 
     A hooded bath towel is then folded and rolled in a cylindrically shaped furled bath towel  40 , which is preferably 18 inches in length and 2 inches to 2.5 inches in diameter. 
     A furled bath towel  40  of the dimensions indicated preferably approximates the dimensions of infant arms measured from the distal end of one arm to the distal end of the other arm and includes the diametral width of the medial torso region therebetween. The ends of furled bath towel  40  are then bound preferably by strips of ribbon  21  or similar ornamental binding material as shown in FIG. 7, thus providing furled bath towel  40  with bound bath towel ends  42 . Furled bath towel  40  is inserted transversely through arm openings  15  thus providing elastic fabric sleeve  10  with arm-simulating members  44  as shown in FIG.  8 . Arm-simulating members  44  thus each have a proximal arm region  46  adjacent its respective arm opening  15  and a distal arm end  48 . Distal arm ends  48  correspond to bound bath towel ends  42  as comparatively shown in FIG.  7  and FIG.  8 . 
     An exemplary rounded toy-like structure  50 , as illustrated in FIG. 9, is inserted into elastic fabric sleeve  10  so that it rests medial and superior to furled bath towel  40  within elastic fabric sleeve  10 , thus creating head-simulating structure  52  as shown in FIG.  10 . Rounded toy-like structure  50  may either rest in direct engagement with furled bath towel  40  or be spatially separated from furled bath towel  40 . Rounded toy-like structure preferably rests in direct engagement with furled bath towel  40  so as to avoid creating a neck-simulating structure  60  which is overly flaccid. Rounded toy-like structure  50  is substantially spherical in shape or may be manually compressed into a spherical shape and preferably has a cross-sectional diameter of 4.5 inches to 5 inches. A rounded toy-like structure  50  of these dimensions preferably approximates an infant head. 
     Elastic fabric sleeve  10  is then twisted closed at a point  16  adjacent to head-simulating structure  52  remote from open end  11  of elastic fabric sleeve  10  thus creating an upper twisted section  17  of elastic fabric sleeve  10  as shown in FIG.  10 . Upper twisted section  17  is then elastically expanded and inverted over an underlying portion of elastic fabric sleeve  10 . The leading most portion of open end  11  is then elastically contracted on the spatially inferior portion of rounded toy-like structure  50  in secured relation thus providing a neck-simulating structure  60  between rounded toy-like structure  50  and furled bath towel  40  to secure rounded toy-like structure  50  in secured assembly with elastic fabric sleeve  10  as shown in FIG.  11 . The inherent elastically induced friction between contacting surfaces of upper twisted section  17  and the underlying portion of elastic fabric sleeve  10  holds the twisted sleeve mass  53  at point  16  from untwisting. 
     The resultant infant-simulating assembly  70  as illustrated in FIG. 11 may be further outfitted with infant accessories and/or merchandise as desired. Consumers desirous of added accessories and/or merchandise may purchase a baby doll gift set  100 , as shown in FIG. 14, which may include any number of accessories and/or merchandise items. All baby doll gift sets will include infant-simulating assembly  70  as heretofore described. 
     To illustrate one contemplated method of accessorizing infant-simulating assembly  70  to create a more amusing effect and to complete baby doll gift set  100 , FIG. 12 illustrates infant-simulating assembly  70  outfitted with a diaper  71 , which is secured around closed end  12  and leg-simulating members  24  such that proximal leg regions  26  are viewably exposed. Diaper  71  thus conceals from sight the otherwise incorrect anatomical features of infant-simulating assembly  70  further contributing to the overall amusing effect. 
     Similarly, footwear  72  may be placed on distal leg ends  28 , thus creating foot-simulating members  73  and obstructing from sight the otherwise incorrect anatomical features of infant-simulating assembly  70  further contributing to the overall amusing effect. It is contemplated that hand wear may be similarly placed on distal arm ends  48  to achieve a similar result. 
     Additionally, a cap  74  may be placed on head-simulating structure  52 , thus obstructing from sight unsightly twisted sleeve mass  53  shown in FIG. 11, outlining facial region  80  as shown in FIG.  12  and further contributing to the overall amusing effect. 
     To further illustrate how infant-simulating assembly  70  may be accessorized to create a more amusing effect, FIG. 13 is provided showing a sequential anterior view of infant-simulating assembly  70 . As shown in FIG. 13, infant-simulating assembly  70  may then be outfitted with a one-piece undergarment  75  which envelopes diaper  71  and torso-simulating portion  32 , thus concealing from sight diaper  71  and torso-simulating portion  32  as demonstratively shown in FIG.  13 . Facial region  80  may be further illustrated with exemplary facial features  81  as shown in FIG. 13 thus contributing to the overall amusing effect. 
     Baby doll gift set  100  as shown in FIG. 14 is wearing an infant garment  90  thereby concealing from sight one-piece undergarment  75 , arm-simulating members  44 , leg-simulating members  24  and footwear  72 . Infant garment  90  thus completes baby doll gift set  100 , wraps infant-simulating assembly  70  having been outfitted with desired accessories, and further contributes to the overall amusing effect. Baby doll gift set  100  is thus comprised of essential component gift items and optional component gift items. The essential component gift items are elastic fabric sleeve  10 , furled receiving blanket  20 , furled crib blanket  30 , furled bath towel  40  and rounded toy-like structure  50  or similarly sized and shaped gift items. These essential component gift items are assembled as described above to create infant-simulating assembly  70 , which may then be outfitted and accessorized as desired. The preferred accessories and manner of outfitting infant-simulating assembly  70  are also described above. 
     The reader will see that the preferred baby doll gift set herein described provides a gift set package for expectant mothers comprising an array of child-oriented accessories and/or merchandise. The reader will further see that an array of child-oriented accessories and/or merchandise is arranged and assembled in such a manner so as to heighten the amusing effect of receiving a gift set package. The reader will further see that an array of child-oriented accessories and merchandise is arranged and assembled in such a manner so as to resemble an infant-simulating doll, thus further heightening the overall amusing effect of receiving a gift set package. The reader will also see that the baby doll gift set, when disassembled at the election of the recipient, has individually utilitarian, component parts each being useful in the manner for which it was originally designed. 
     While our above description contains many specificities, these should not be construed as limitations on the scope of the invention, but rather as an exemplification of the invention. For example, the elastic fabric sleeve need not be made of spandex or nylon. So long as the sleeve has retentive elasticity such that the furled receiving blanket, furled crib blanket, furled bath towel and rounded toy-like structure may be encased therein and held in such a manner so as to avoid shifting, the sleeve successfully fulfills its retentive purpose. An elastic fabric sleeve made of spandex or nylon preferably fulfills this retentive function. 
     The furled receiving blanket need not be a thermal receiving blanket. The furled receiving blanket member or similarly shaped gift item serves a leg-simulating function once it is inserted through the elastic fabric sleeve. So long as the gift item is of an elongated cylindrical shape capable of forming leg-simulating members once inserted through the elastic fabric sleeve, the furled receiving blanket or similarly shaped gift item fulfills its leg-simulating function. Further the furled receiving blanket need not be 21 inches in length and 2 inches to 2.5 inches in diameter. A furled receiving blanket of the dimensions described is preferable as these dimensions more closely approximate the dimensions of infant legs when inserted through the elastic fabric sleeve, thus further contributing to the overall amusing effect. 
     The torso-simulating portion need not result from sandwiching a furled crib blanket between the furled receiving blanket and the furled bath towel. The furled crib blanket or similarly shaped gift item serves a torso-simulating function once it is inserted into the elastic fabric sleeve. It is contemplated that any bulky gift item or gift items capable of being inserted in the elastic fabric sleeve so as to cause the elastic fabric sleeve to thicken in the torso region to resemble the torso of an infant, is sufficient. A furled crib blanket preferably serves this purpose in that a furled crib blanket of the dimensions described more closely approximates the size of an infant torso and is tactilely soft thus contributing to the overall amusing effect. Further, the furled crib blanket need not be 8.5 inches in length and 4.5 inches in diameter. A furled crib blanket 8.5 inches in length and 4.5 inches in diameter is preferable as these dimensions more closely approximate the dimensions of an infant torso when inserted into the elastic fabric sleeve, thus further contributing to the overall amusing effect. 
     The furled bath towel need not be a hooded bath towel. The furled bath towel serves an arm-simulating function once it is inserted through the elastic fabric sleeve. So long as the gift item is of an elongated cylindrical shape capable of forming arm-simulating members once inserted through the elastic fabric sleeve, the furled bath towel or similarly shaped gift item fulfills its arm-simulating function. Further, the furled bath towel need not be 18 inches in length and 2 inches to 2.5 inches in diameter. A furled bath towel of the dimensions described is preferable as these dimensions more closely approximate the dimensions of infant arms when inserted through the elastic fabric sleeve, thus further contributing to the overall amusing effect. 
     The rounded toy-like structure serves a head-simulating function. So long as the rounded toy-like structure is spherically shaped or could be compressed into a spherical shape and capable of simulating a head when inserted into the elastic fabric sleeve, it fulfills its head-simulating function. Further, the rounded toy-like structure need not be 4.5 inches to 5 inches in cross-sectional diameter. A rounded toy-like structure 4.5 inches to 5 inches in cross-sectional diameter is preferable as these dimensions more closely approximate the dimensions of an infant head when inserted into the elastic fabric sleeve, thus further contributing to the overall amusing effect. 
     Accordingly, the scope of the invention should not be determined by the embodiments illustrated but by the appended claims and their legal equivalents.