Abstract:
An embodiment of the present invention is a plaything that includes: (a) a body; (b) a head attached to the body having a recessed area within the head; and (c) a band at least partially surrounding the recessed area. In a further embodiment, the plaything further comprises an appliance that fits in the recessed area. In a still further embodiment, the appliance is detachably affixed to the recessed area. In a yet still further embodiment, the appliance comprises an image.

Description:
TECHNICAL FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
     The present invention pertains to the field of playthings, for example, playthings for children such as dolls, stuffed animals, novelty items, and the like. In particular, the present invention pertains to playthings such as dolls, stuffed animals, novelty items, and the like that have an appliance such as a face which is detachably affixed thereto. In further particular, the present invention pertains to such playthings where the appliance holds or comprises a likeness of, for example, a child. 
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     Dolls are well known in the prior art that exhibit changeable facial features. For example, a doll with an envelope for a photo image face is disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 4,020,586 (Benner) wherein a doll is provided with a pocket located in a facial zone to receive a photographic likeness of a person to personalize the doll. 
     U.S. Pat. No. 4,929,213 (Morgan) discloses a method of creating images such as the face of a child on flexible foam plastic such as a doll&#39;s head. It is further disclosed that the method can also be used to create images of other objects such as pet animals with the head on a separate piece of foam attachable to the body in different tilted positions by means of Velcro. 
     U.S. Pat. No. 5,403,224 (Gintling) discloses a doll having a pocket secured to a face portion of the doll for displaying a photograph. The doll includes a doll body and a doll head with a pocket which may include a releasable sealing closure such that the photograph may be sealed within the pocket. Releasable fabric fasteners may be utilized to secure the pocket to the face portion, whereby the pocket may be selectively removed to facilitate both a reversing of the pocket and a washing of the doll. 
     Lastly, U.S. Pat. No. 5,842,900 (Hodge) discloses a stuffed doll or toy that includes a main body section from which a plurality of appendages extend, representative of arms and legs. A displaceable panel or layer is shiftably attached to the fabric of the main body section and may include representations of facial features. Separable fastener elements such as hook and loop components serve to attach the displaceable panel and intermediate layers in a closed position flush with the main body section. 
     The dolls disclosed in the prior art suffer in that they do not provide a natural appearance of the likeness which is affixed to the doll. As such, a need exists in the art for a plaything such as a doll, a stuffed animal, a novelty item, and the like that can have a likeness of, for example, a child, affixed thereto which provides a natural appearance. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     Embodiments of the present invention advantageously satisfy the above-identified need in the art and provide a plaything that can have a likeness of, for example, a child, affixed thereto which provides a natural appearance. In particular, an embodiment of the present invention is a plaything that comprises: (a) a body; (b) a head attached to the body having a recessed area within the head; and (c) a band at least partially surrounding the recessed area. In a further embodiment, the plaything further comprises an appliance that fits in the recessed area. In a still further embodiment, the appliance is detachably affixed to the recessed area. In a yet still further embodiment, the appliance comprises an image. 
    
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURE 
     FIGS. 1 and 2 show a pictorial representation of a first and a second perspective view, respectively, of a head of a doll which is fabricated in accordance with the present invention; 
     FIG. 3 shows a pictorial representation of a perspective view of a head of another doll which is fabricated in accordance with the present invention; 
     FIG. 4 shows a pictorial representation of a perspective view of a head of still another doll which is fabricated in accordance with the present invention; 
     FIG. 5 shows a pictorial representation of a faceplate apparatus used with the embodiments of FIGS.  1  and  3 - 4  to fabricate playthings in accordance with the present invention; and 
     FIGS. 6-24 illustrate steps of a method for fabricating embodiments of the present invention. 
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
     Embodiments of the present invention include a soft body doll, a stuffed animal, a hard body doll, and a novelty item made with a recessed area that is trimmed with a band that forms a frame around the recessed area. In operation, the band can function as a guide for centering and holding in place an appliance that is inserted into the recessed area. In one embodiment of the present invention, the band is a hard material that encompasses an area that is smaller that a cross sectional area of the appliance that is to be placed into the recessed area. In accordance with this embodiment, the band makes a snug fit with, and assists in holding, the appliance in place. In further embodiments of the present invention, the appliance and the recessed area are configured with attachment mechanisms (to be described in detail below) for detachably affixing the appliance to the recessed area. 
     FIGS. 1 and 2 show a pictorial representation of a first and a second perspective view, respectively, of head  100  of doll  200  which is fabricated in accordance with the present invention. As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, head  100  comprises recessed area  110  which is surrounded by band  120 . Although band  120  is shown to surround recessed area  110  completely, the present invention is not thusly limited and includes embodiments where band  120  surrounds a portion of recessed area  110 . However, in preferred embodiments of the present invention, band  120  surrounds at least a substantial portion of recessed area  110 . Further, although recessed area  110  is shown to be situated in head  100  of doll  200 , the present invention is not thusly limited and includes embodiments wherein recessed area  110  is situated in any other area of a doll, a stuffed animal, a novelty item, and the like. 
     In accordance with the present invention, band  120  could be formed of plastic, wood, metal, rubber, laminates of any of the foregoing (including layers of cloth), and the like. Although band  120  may be comprised of any of the previously defined materials, in a preferred embodiment, band  120  is covered with fabric that matches the fabric of doll  200  so that it may be incorporated into the design of head  100  of doll  200 . Further, as should be clear to those of ordinary skill in the art, recessed area  110  on head  100  could be of any circumference, depending on the size of doll  200  one wishes to create. Still further, although the shape of recessed area  110  is shown as an oval, the present invention is not thusly limited and includes embodiments wherein the shape of recessed area  110  is any arbitrary shape. 
     FIG. 3 shows a pictorial representation of head  300  of stuffed animal  400  which is fabricated in accordance with the present invention. As shown in FIG. 3, head  300  comprises recessed area  310  which is surrounded by band  320 . Although band  320  is shown to surround recessed area  310  completely, the present invention is not thusly limited and includes embodiments wherein band  320  surrounds a portion of recessed area  310 . However, in preferred embodiments of the present invention, band  320  surrounds at least a substantial portion of recessed area  310 . Further, although recessed area  310  is shown to be situated in head  300  of stuffed animal  400 , the present invention is not thusly limited and includes embodiments wherein recessed area  310  is situated in any other area of a doll, a stuffed animal, a novelty item, and the like. As shown in FIG. 3, band  320  is covered with furry material that is used to cover the rest of stuffed animal  400 . 
     FIG. 4 shows a pictorial representation of head  500  of doll  600  which is fabricated in accordance with the present invention. As shown in FIG. 4, head  500  comprises recessed area  510  which is surrounded by band  520 . Although band  520  is shown to surround recessed area  510  completely, the present invention is not thusly limited and includes embodiments wherein band  520  surrounds a portion of recessed area  510 . However, in preferred embodiments of the present invention, band  520  surrounds at least a substantial portion of recessed area  510 . Further, although recessed area  510  is shown to be situated in head  500  of doll  600 , the present invention is not thusly limited and includes embodiments wherein recessed area  510  is situated in any other area of a doll, a stuffed animal, a novelty item, and the like. As shown in FIG. 4, band  520  is covered with a frilly material that is used as a decorative aspect of the face area of doll  600 . 
     FIG. 5 shows appliance  700  that is fabricated in accordance with the present invention. In a preferred embodiment of the present invention, appliance  700  comprises an image, preferably, a photographic image, that is transferred onto appliance  700  in accordance with any one of a number of methods that are well known to those of ordinary skill in the art. In accordance with the preferred embodiment of the present invention, when such an image represents a face, appliance  700  can advantageously serve as a faceplate for doll  200  shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, stuffed animal  400  shown in FIG. 3, and doll  600  shown in FIG.  4 . For example, one could: (a) copy or scan a photograph or take a digital image and transfer the image onto heat transfer paper; and (b) transfer the image on the heat transfer paper to fabric which covers at least a portion of the appliance using a heating process. In another method which is well known to those of ordinary skill in the art, an image is scanned or a photograph is taken, for example, with a digital camera, and printed directly onto fabric. As is well known, fabric used for such a process of image transfer could be CANON fabric sheets, as Cotton White, EPSON canvas cloth rolls, and the like. In still another method, an image is directly applied to a backing which forms all of, or a part of, the appliance. In a preferred embodiment, the backing is a stretchable fabric that can lie flat during an image transfer process. Then, removable, shaped inserts comprising (a) soft padding and (b) either foam board or plastic (for stiffness) are added. Finally, a drawstring located around the outer edge of the appliance wraps around the inserts to create a pouch in the shape of the inserts. Advantageously, for this embodiment, the image is transferred to a flat surface that becomes a three dimensional surface upon the addition of the soft and hard inserts. 
     As one can see from the above, advantageously in accordance with the present invention, recessed area  110  shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, recessed area  310  shown in FIG. 3, and recessed area  510  shown in FIG. 4 enable one to insert faceplate appliance  700  into the doll&#39;s or stuffed animal&#39;s recessed area. 
     As one can readily appreciate, whenever faceplate appliance  700  comprises a transferred photograph, the doll, stuffed animal, or novelty item becomes personalized. Advantageously, in accordance with the present invention: (a) there is an improved look over that of the prior art for a dividing line between the image on facial appliance  700  and the doll&#39;s, stuffed animal&#39;s, or novelty item&#39;s fabric and (b) the facial portion of the doll or stuffed animal looks like a part of the doll or stuffed animal rather than appearing to be an attachment or a separate piece as is the case in the prior art. 
     In accordance with a preferred embodiment of the present invention, band  120  shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, band  320  shown in FIG. 3, and band  520  shown in FIG. 4 encompasses an area that is smaller than a cross sectional area of facial appliance  700  shown in FIG.  5 . In accordance with the preferred embodiment, the band makes a snug fit with, and assists in holding, facial appliance  700  in place. Advantageously, in accordance with the present invention, using recessed area  110  shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, recessed area  310  shown in FIG. 3, and recessed area  510  shown in FIG. 4 makes it easier to remove facial appliance  700 . 
     The base of recessed area  110  shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, recessed area  310  shown in FIG. 3, and recessed area  510  shown in FIG. 4 could be made from a variety of fabrics or hard materials. In a preferred embodiment, the recessed area is fabricated to have a substantially flat surface that is situated about one inch (1″) below the surface of the head. Some materials that could be used for the surface of the recessed area are headliner, tricot, cotton, Velcro, cardboard, plastic, and rubber. 
     In accordance with a preferred embodiment of the present invention, recessed area  110  shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, recessed area  310  shown in FIG. 3, and recessed area  510  shown in FIG.  4  and faceplate appliance  700  have attachment mechanisms disposed thereon. Attachment mechanisms could include, without limitation: (a) two sided tape; (b) Velcro matting and Velcro loops (one attached to the recessed area and one attached to the appliance); (c) Velcro Comp (headliner fabric) and Velcro loops (one attached to the recessed area and one attached to the appliance); (d) hook and eyes (one attached to the recessed area and one attached to the appliance); (e) buttons and button holes; (f) suction cups; (g) magnets; (h) magnetized sheeting; (i) zippers disposed about the band and the appliance; (j) screws; (k) light basting; (l) snaps; and (m) fuse with a fusing tape. 
     In a preferred embodiment of the present invention which comprises a hard bodied doll, such as a rubber or hard plastic doll, faceplate appliance  700  could attach to the recessed area and be surrounded by a band. 
     The following describes a method for fabricating a head of a doll or stuffed animal in accordance with the present invention. Using the method described in detail below, one of ordinary skill in the art would attach the head to a body which is fabricated in accordance with any one of a number of methods that are well known to those of ordinary skill in the art. FIGS. 6-10 show pattern pieces used to assemble the head. In accordance with the assembly method, framing bias strip  800  shown in FIG. 6, side-of-head-piece  820  shown in FIG. 8, and back-of-head-piece  830  shown in FIG. 9 are all cut from a fabric desired for use in constructing the doll or stuffed animal. Facial piece  810  shown in FIG. 7 is cut from a fabric similar to tricot or headliner, which fabric is acceptable to adhere to Velcro. Lastly, strip  850  shown in FIG. 10 is a strip of hard rubber or plastic that is about one inch wide (1″) and is used to form the frame. 
     Referring to FIG. 13, to start the assembly, take strip  850  and place it on between two of framing bias strip  800 , and stitch the two of framing bias strip  800  using thread  920 . As shown in FIG. 13, strip  850  is substantially the same size in length as each of framing bias strip  800 . 
     Next, referring to FIG. 14, fold the structure shown in FIG. 13 in half lengthwise, with ends matching, and stitch the ends together. As a result, the two of framing bias strip  800  form a full circle with concealed strip  850  acting as a firm support for this circle, now frame  120  of FIG.  1 . 
     Next, referring to FIGS. 15 and 16, pin facial piece  810  and framing bias strip  800  together on the “face side” of the fabric. To do this, place facial piece  810  on a flat surface, and place framing bias strip  800  onto, and around, facial piece  810 . Next, stitch around the outer edge using thread  920  leaving an approximate ¼″ seam allowance around the outer edge. Notches on framing bias strip  800  (shown in FIG. 6) are advantageously used to line up framing bias strip  800  and facial piece  810  to enable one to match the seam on framing bias strip  800  and the bottom of facial piece  810  (do not clip the edges). Next, flip framing bias strip  800  inside out, and invert recessed area  110  for the next step. 
     Next, referring to FIG. 17, with “face sides” together (side-of-head-piece  820  and framing bias strip  800 ), stitch across the bottom of side-of-head-piece  820  at the chin section. Then, with “face sides” together, stitch side-of-head-piece  820  to framing bias strip  800  around the open end. Next, turn this completed section right side out and push the facial area inward with framing bias strip  800 . After this, the seam just sewn which attaches side-of-head-piece  820  to framing bias strip  800  is now the seam in front of the face surrounding the frame, and keeps the recessed area in place. One may need to top stitch around the band, but this is not necessary; in practice, this depends upon the fabric used for assembly of the doll or stuffed animal. 
     Next, with “face sides” together, stitch the back seam of back-of-head-piece  830 , clipping around the curved edges. Then, referring to FIG. 18, with “face sides” of the fabric together, pin and then stitch back-of-head-piece  830  to side-of-head-piece  820 , leaving an opening for the attachment to the dolls body. Lastly, turn this completed section right side out, and it is ready for attachment to bodies  100 ,  200 ,  300 , and  500  shown in FIGS.  1  and  3 - 4 . 
     The following describes a method for fabricating a faceplate to be inserted into the recessed area of a doll or stuffed animal that is fabricated in accordance with the present invention. Referring to FIG. 11, cut one piece of fabric using faceplate pattern piece  900 , the fabric is preferably 100% cotton. 
     Next, referring to FIG. 12, cut one piece foam insert piece  910  from foam board, or other suitable hard material. Then, referring to FIG. 19, turn and stitch an approximately ½″ hem around the outer edge of faceplate pattern piece  900 , thereby making a tunnel around the outer edge. Next, as shown in FIG. 19, cut slit  960  in the tunneled hem, on the “wrong side” of the fabric and insert cord  930  into the tunneled hem while leaving about 4″ of cord  930  hanging out of the tunnel hem on each side. Cord  930  will be used as a drawstring. 
     At this point, an image is applied or transferred to the “face side” of faceplate pattern piece  900  in accordance with any one of many methods that are well known to those of ordinary skill in the art. Doing so at this point in the fabrication process enables one to have a flat surface upon which to transfer the image. 
     Next, referring to FIG. 20, glue or attach in any desired manner, two strips of Velcro 950 to the back side of foam insert piece  910 . Next, referring to FIG. 21, cut a piece of batting  940  the size of foam insert piece  910  and attach batting  940  to the front of foam insert piece  910  by stitching around the outer edge. Advantageously, this gives the image a three-dimensional effect and provides padding to the faceplate. FIG. 22 shows the back side of the appliance shown in FIG.  21 . 
     Next, referring to FIG. 23, place faceplate pattern piece  900  on a flat surface with the image face down. Place foam insert piece  910  “face side” down (with the Velcro(950) facing up) in the center of faceplate pattern piece  900 . Then, applying pressure to the center of foam insert piece  910 , for example, with one&#39;s hand, pull cord  930  to evenly make a pocket around foam insert piece  910 . 
     Lastly, referring to FIG. 24, tie the ends of cord  930 . Then, clip and tuck them into the back area. At this point, the faceplate appliance is ready for insertion into the recessed area of a doll, a stuffed animal, or a novelty item. 
     Those skilled in the art will recognize that the foregoing description has been presented for the sake of illustration and description only. As such, it is not intended to be exhaustive or to limit the invention to the precise form disclosed. For example, the novelty items include purses, tote bags, pillows, wall plaques, and the like.