EP1279426A2 - Toy object in the shape of a reproduction of a living creature - Google Patents

Abstract

The eye (14) has, or is formed by, an image or text display (15)

Description

The invention relates to a game object in the form of a living being replica according to the preamble of claim 1.

Known play objects in the form of animal reproductions, for example soft toys, teddy bears or dolls, have reproduced eyes made in particular of glass or plastic.

If such game objects are to be used for advertising purposes, they are often provided with logos or other distinctive markings. The logos or other markings are applied either directly on the body of the game object or, for example, on external decorative elements which are in turn connected to the game object, such as, for example, banderoles. In some cases, entire body parts or the entire body of the game object become the advertised one Based on products or the like in order to achieve good visibility. The disadvantage of the previously known embodiments is that the use value is impaired and separate markings (eg banderoles) can separate from the game object and the markings are then no longer available.

Proceeding from the foregoing, the invention is based on the object of further developing known game objects in the form of animal replicas by ensuring original, permanent advertising without impairing the utility value.

A game object to achieve this object has the features of claim 1. The fact that at least one eye of the game object has a pictorial and / or textual representation or at least one eye is formed by a pictorial and / or textual representation makes it possible for the viewer to convey a pictorial and / or textual representation by means of the eyes. External bands or the like are not required and the body of the game object remains unchanged. This does not affect the utility value of the game object according to the invention.

An advantageous development of the game object according to the invention is that the eyes are lens-like, with a convex outer surface and an essentially flat back. This configuration makes it possible to use glass or button eyes for the production of the play objects according to the invention in the form of a living being replica. Furthermore, the essentially flat back of the eye ensures easier application of the text and / or images. For example, the textual and / or pictorial representations can simply be glued, printed or engraved onto the back of the eye as a film.

Alternative configurations of the invention are also conceivable in which the front sides of the eyes have at least partially a textual and / or pictorial representation. The respective representation is then directly visible. The body of the eyes then need not be transparent.

According to a further advantageous embodiment of the invention, at least one eye has, at least in some areas, a transparency area which preferably extends to the area of the pupil and optionally also to the area of the iris. It is thereby achieved that the pictorial and / or textual representation, which is preferably attached to the back of the eye, is visible to the viewer from the outside on the convex outer surface of the eye. In order to achieve the largest possible visual and / or textual representation, it may also be useful to design the area of the iris as a transparency area.

An advantageous embodiment of the invention provides that at least one eye, preferably each of the two eyes, is assigned an alternating image, which alternatively shows a viewer an eye representation and at least one other textual and / or pictorial representation, or at least one eye is designed as an alternating image. This configuration enables a special surprise effect for the viewer or user of the game object. At first glance, the game object appears to be of a normal, well-known nature because the eyes are modeled on those of an animal or a human. However, the alternating image then conveys the viewer in a completely unexpected manner and thus surprisingly a different pictorial and / or textual representation.

A further advantageous embodiment of the invention is that at least one alternating image shows the viewer a number of textual and / or pictorial representations depending on the viewing angle and / or the lighting or other physical parameters. This embodiment also serves to increase the surprise effect and the associated advertising effect, because the viewer can be presented with a larger number of visual and / or textual representations. For example, depending on the position of the game object in space or other suitable physical parameters, it is possible to show the viewer different visual and / or textual representations within the eyes of the game object.

According to a further advantageous embodiment of the game object according to the invention, at least one alternating image shows the viewer a sequence of several, preferably different textual and / or pictorial representations. This makes it possible for the viewer to use a suitable sequence of representations to convey the subjective impression of a movement of the visual and / or textual representations. This configuration also results in a further increase in advertising effectiveness.

According to a development of the invention, each alternating image is designed as a hologram. This embodiment also serves to intensify the pictorial and / or textual representation conveyed to the viewer, because the use of a hologram results in a considerably increased spatial depth impression of the representations.

A further advantageous embodiment of the invention is that at least one eye is assigned an additional illuminant, so that the textual and / or visual representation is visible to the viewer from the outside even without additional external light. It is thereby achieved that the game object according to the invention can convey visual and / or textual representations to the viewer even in the dark.

Finally, according to a further advantageous embodiment of the invention, the pictorial and / or textual representation is an indication of a company and / or an organization, for example a company logo, a product symbol and / or a product image. This configuration enables the viewer of the game object according to the invention to be conveyed as a pictorial and / or textual representation, for example advertising messages in an unusual and thus unexpected place, namely within the eyes of the game object. The pictorial and / or textual representations in the form of advertising messages preferably take place in the pupil of the eye, but can also be extended to the area of the iris in order to achieve a larger area representation. Through this advantageous embodiment of the invention, the intensity and effectiveness of an advertising message to the viewer or user of the game object according to the invention is considerably increased due to the surprise effect shown.

By rendering a suitable sequence of pictorial and / or textual representations by means of the alternating images assigned to the eyes, the viewer can then additionally be given the impression that the advertising messages are moving. As already mentioned above in connection with the description of the alternating image, the illusion of a moving representation can be achieved, for example, by a change in the viewing angle and / or a change in the direction of illumination as a result of a variation in the position of the game object in the room or by a movement of the viewer in the room itself. However, it is also conceivable to use other physical parameters, such as temperature and pressure.

For example, a rotating logo, a rotating lettering, a combination of both, a rotating product symbol or a rotating product image can be displayed within the eyes of the game object. This particular embodiment of the invention leads to a further increase in the advertising effect of the visual and / or textual representation in relation to a purely static form of representation, because a human viewer reacts more intensively to moving optical stimuli for reasons of developmental physiology.

Further subclaims relate to advantageous developments of the game object.

Fig. 1:

einen Spielgegenstand in einer Vorderansicht,

Fig. 2:

eine vergrößerte Darstellung eines Kopfes des Spielgegenstandes der Fig. 1,

Fig. 3:

eine Querschnittsdarstellung eines Auges gemäß eines zweiten Ausführungsbeispiels der Erfindung,

Fig. 4:

eine Querschnittsdarstellung eines Auges eines dritten Ausführungsbeispiels der Erfindung, und

Fig. 5:

eine Querschnittsdarstellung eines Auges eines vierten Ausführungsbeispiels der Erfindung.

A preferred embodiment of the game object according to the invention in the form of a living being is described below with reference to the drawing. The drawing shows:

Fig. 1:

a game object in a front view,

Fig. 2:

2 shows an enlarged illustration of a head of the game object of FIG. 1,

Fig. 3:

2 shows a cross-sectional representation of an eye according to a second exemplary embodiment of the invention,

Fig. 4:

a cross-sectional view of an eye of a third embodiment of the invention, and

Fig. 5:

a cross-sectional view of an eye of a fourth embodiment of the invention.

1 shows a play object designed in accordance with the invention, namely a teddy bear 10. The teddy bear 10 essentially consists of a body 11 with a head 12. The face 13 of the teddy bear 10 has two eyes 14.

According to the invention, the eyes 14 of the teddy bear 10 are special in the exemplary embodiment in FIGS. 1 and 2, specifically in such a way that they can show a viewer various pictorial and / or textual representations 15, 16. The left eye 14 of the teddy bear 10 (cf. FIG. 2) shows an example of a pictorial representation 15 in the form of a symbolically indicated "hourglass". The right eye 15, however, shows an exemplary textual representation 16 with the lettering "Milton". The pictorial and / or the textual representations 15, 16 can be any other information, in particular advertising messages. For example, an advertising message in the form of a reference to a company, in the form of a company logo, a reference to an organization, a product symbol and / or the representation of a product image itself would be conceivable. The name of the teddy bear 10 or a child, for example, can also be used received it as a gift, be present in at least one eye 14. The pictorial and / or the textual representations 15, 16 can only extend over a partial area of the eyes 14 or can also occupy their entire area. Furthermore, identical representations can also be shown through both eyes 14.

The eyes 14 are designed as alternating images or "wobble images". As a result, the eyes 14 show the viewer a number of, preferably different, visual and / or textual representations 15, 16 depending on the viewing angle and / or the direction of illumination or other physical parameters. Other physical parameters include pressure on the eyes 14 or the temperature thereof consideration. The viewing angle and / or the direction of illumination are changed by the viewer, for example, by grasping the teddy bear 10 and thus varying its position, or by the viewer himself changing his position in space in relation to the teddy bear 10. This makes it possible for the eyes 14 of the teddy bear 10 to initially display 15, 16, which is modeled, for example, on a natural animal or human eye. If the viewer or the user takes the teddy bear 10 in his hand and thereby changes its position in space, the eyes 14 show a different pictorial and / or textual representation 15, 16 because the direction of illumination and the Viewing angle of the eyes 14 changes in relation to the viewer. The same effect occurs when the viewer himself changes his position in space in relation to the teddy bear 10 and thereby the direction of illumination and the viewing angle change in relation to the eyes 14 of the teddy bear 10. With this configuration, a particularly effective advertising surprise can be achieved because the user or viewer does not expect the natural eye representation of the teddy bear 10 to "turn" into another pictorial and / or textual representation, for example an advertising message.

Through the formation of the eyes 14 of the teddy bear 10 as holographic alternating images or "wobble images", the effect of the pictorial and / or textual representations 15, 16 on the viewer is again considerably increased, because there is a considerably increased spatial depth effect in relation to the normal alternating image the visual and / or textual representations 15, 16 in the eyes 14 results. In this case too, several, preferably different, visual and / or textual representations 15, 16 are shown to the viewer as a function of the viewing angle and / or the direction of illumination or other suitable physical parameters.

The formation of the eyes 14 as an alternating image or as a holographic alternating image also makes it possible for the viewer to be given the impression of moving visual and / or textual representations 15, 16 in the eyes 14. In order to achieve this effect, the alternating images or holographic alternating images assigned to the eyes 14 show the viewer a sequence of several, preferably different textual and / or pictorial representations 15, 16. This likewise takes place as a function of the viewing angle and / or the direction of illumination or others physical parameters. The inventive design of the eyes 14 of the teddy bear 10 can give the viewer the impression of, for example, rotating company logos, texts freely rotating in space and / or a combination of both.

The formation of the eyes 14 as a static hologram finally makes it possible to convey to the viewer the pictorial and / or textual representations 15, 16 in the eyes 14 with an intensive spatial depth effect and a resulting plasticity. In addition, it is possible, for example, for the alternating images, the holographic alternating images and the static holograms in the eyes 14 in regions to be arranged only in the pupil and / or iris of the eyes 14. It is also conceivable, for example, to form the eyes 14 from a substantially flat material, for example a film, which contains the pictorial and / or textual representations 15, 16 in the form of alternating images, holographic alternating images and / or holograms.

According to a further exemplary embodiment of the invention, not shown, suitable illuminants are assigned to the eyes, so that the viewer can perceive the pictorial and / or textual representations 15, 16 independently of the ambient light, for example also in complete darkness. In particular, lamps with low energy consumption, low heat emission and at the same time small structural dimensions, for example light-emitting diodes, are advantageously used. The light-emitting diodes also enable relatively long-term operation of the illuminants via mobile energy sources, for example in the form of batteries or accumulators.

3 and 4, which show two further embodiments of eyes 17, 25 in cross section. With the exemplary embodiments of the eyes 17, 25 shown in FIGS. 3 and 4, a stationary reproduction of the pictorial and / or textual representations 15, 16 is intended and also only possible.

According to the embodiment of the eye 17 shown in FIG. 3, it is essentially formed from a lenticular eye body 18. The eye body 18 is preferably formed from a transparent solid material, for example glass or plastic. Alternatively, the eye body 18 can also be designed as a hollow body. The eye 17 has a convex outer surface 19 and a flat back 20. On the flat back 20, a film 21 is applied, which carries or contains the visual and / or textual representations 15, 16. Alternatively, however, it is also possible to print, spray on, paint on, or engrave or burn in the pictorial and / or textual representations 15, 16 directly onto the flat rear side 20 by suitable methods or means. The use of the film 21 is then unnecessary. In principle, any reproduction technology method for applying the pictorial and / or textual representations 15, 16 to the back 20 of the eye 17 or to or in the film 21 can be used. Furthermore, the eye 17 according to this first exemplary embodiment preferably has an iris region 22 and one Pupil area 23 on. The pupil area 22 is delimited from the iris area 20, as indicated in FIG. 3 by the two horizontal dashed lines. There is a transparency area 24 between the two dashed lines. The film 21 with the pictorial and / or textual representations 15, 16 extends over the entire back 20 of the eye 17. The eye 17 can be, for example, a pictorial and / or textual one Representation 15, 16 included, which is modeled on a natural animal or human eye. Alternatively, the eyes 17 can display advertising messages in the manner already described above.

Alternatively, it is possible to form the iris region 22, for example from opaque glass or plastic, with a colored structure based on the natural iris. The iris region 22 can also be correspondingly painted or colored on the surface and thereby made opaque. The film 21 or the like with the pictorial and / or textual representations 15, 16 is then arranged only in the pupil region 23 or in the transparency region 24 on the back 20 of the eye 17, so that the pictorial and / or textual representations 15, 16 for the viewer are visible from the outside. Instead of the film 21, any other flat material can alternatively be used as the fundus.

4 finally shows a third exemplary embodiment of the eye 25, in which the pictorial and / or textual representations 15, 16 are arranged within an eye body 26. The eye body 26 has a convex outer surface 27 and a flat back 28 and essentially corresponds to the geometry of the second exemplary embodiment of the eye 17 described in FIG. 3. The eye body 26 is essentially transparent and is preferably made of glass or plastic. The eye body 26 can be made of solid material or also hollow. Furthermore, the eye 25 has a convex outer surface 27, a substantially flat rear side 28 and an iris region 29 which surrounds a pupil region 30 in a ring shape. The two horizontal dashed lines separate the iris region 29 from the pupil region 30 and form a transparency region 31.

The pictorial and / or textual representations 15, 16 are preferably burned or engraved directly into the eye body 26 by means of a laser beam or a similar means. Alternatively, the eye body 26 can also be divided into two, along one imaginary, vertical extension of the representation 15, 16, be formed, the two halves of the eye body 26 being joined together again seamlessly after the application of the representation 15, 16. As a further alternative, the representation 15, 16 can be applied, for example, to a suitable carrier film or embodied by the latter itself and cast into the eye body 26. The eye body 26 encloses the pictorial and / or textual representations 15, 16 within the eye 25. Also in this embodiment of the eye 25, the pictorial and / or textual representations 15, 16 can extend over the entire cross-sectional area of the eye 25 or only a partial area take in. For example, as shown in FIG. 4, it is conceivable to restrict the pictorial and / or textual representations 15, 16 to the pupil area 30 or the transparency area 31 of the eye 25, so that the iris area 29 remains free. The pictorial and / or textual representations 15, 16 within the eye 25 can also be, for example, replicas of natural eyes and / or at the same time advertising messages.

5 shows a fourth embodiment of the invention. Here too, the eye 32 has an eye body which has a convex outer surface 33 and a flat rear side 34. If necessary, the rear side 34 can also be convex or concave. The convex outer surface 33 lies on the visible front of the eye 32 and thus faces the viewer. The viewer thus looks at the convex outer surface 33 of the eye 32.

The eye 32 shown here can be formed from any materials and can also have different colors. In particular, the eye 32 need not be transparent, because a representation 37 of a pictorial and / or textual shape is applied to the front of the eye 33, namely the convex outer surface 33 of the same.

In the exemplary embodiment shown, the representation 37 is located only on a central region of the convex outer surface 33 of the eye 32. This central region is approximately the pupil region 35 of the eye 32. In contrast, the iris region 36 surrounding the pupil region 35 is of the representation 37 not covered. Because the representation 37 does not extend over the iris region 36, it is visible as such. For this purpose, the iris region 36 is preferably modeled on that of a natural eye. However, it is also conceivable to provide the iris region 36 with a different color or to make it transparent.

The illustration 37 is printed, etched or lasered onto the convex outer surface 33. However, it is also conceivable to apply the representation 37 to a carrier, for example a film, and to glue this carrier or the film with the representation 37 approximately in the pupil region 35 onto the convex outer surface 33 of the eye 32.

Other alternative configurations of the eye with any type of representation applied to the front of the same are conceivable. For example, the representation can extend over the entire front side, in particular the convex outer surface, of the eye. The representation then covers the pupil area and the iris area. If, for example, a film provided with the representation is glued onto the convex outer surface of the eye, an iris region simulated by the natural eye can be formed at the same time, in that the textual and / or visual representation extends only over the pupil region of the glued film and in the pupil region surrounding iris area this is modeled on a natural eye. Finally, it is also conceivable to design the visible side, namely the outer surface, of the eye to be flat or even concave.

LIST OF REFERENCE NUMBERS

10

teddy bear

11

body

12

head

13

face

14

eye

15

pictorial representation

16

textual representation

17

eye

18

vision body

19

convex outer surface

20

flat back

21

foil

22

Iris range

23

pupil area

24

transparency range

25

eye

26

vision body

27

convex outer surface

28

flat back

29

Iris range

30

pupil area

31

transparency range

32

eye

33

convex outer surface

34

flat back

35

pupil area

36

Iris range

37

presentation

Claims (10)

Play object in the form of a replica of a living being, in particular a stuffed animal and / or doll, with a head (12) and (simulated) eyes (14, 17, 25, 32), characterized in that at least one eye (14, 17, 25, 32) has a pictorial and / or textual representation (15, 16, 37), or at least one eye (14, 17, 25, 32) is formed by a pictorial and / or textual representation (15, 16, 37). Game object according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that at least one eye (14, 17, 25, 32) is designed like a lens, preferably a convex outer surface (19, 27, 33) and / or an essentially flat back (20, 28 , 34). Game object according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that at least one eye (14, 17, 25, 32) has a transparency area (24, 31) at least in some areas, preferably in the area of the pupil (23, 30), and possibly also in the area the iris (22, 29). Game object according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the pictorial and / or textual representation (15, 16) in the transparency area (24, 31) is associated with the back (20, 28) of each or each eye (14, 17, 25) , Game object according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that at least one representation (37), preferably only in the pupil area (35), is assigned to the front side of a convex, front outer surface (33) of one or each eye (32). Game object according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the pictorial or textual representation (15, 16, 37) is a reference to a company and / or an organization, for example a company logo, a product symbol and / or a product image and / or the pictorial or textual representation (15, 16, 37) is painted on, sprayed on, printed on, glued on, etched in, engraved, burned in by means of a laser beam or applied by means of another, comparable technology. Game object according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that at least one eye (14, 17, 25, 32), preferably each of the two eyes (14, 17, 25, 32), is designed as an alternating image or at least one eye (14, 17, 25, 32) is assigned at least one alternating image, which alternatively shows a viewer an eye representation and at least one other textual and / or pictorial representation (15, 16, 37), the alternating images of the two eyes (14, 17, 25 , 32) each show different textual and / or pictorial representations (15, 16, 37). Game object according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that at least one alternating image shows the viewer a plurality of textual and / or pictorial representations (15, 16, 37) depending on the viewing angle and / or the lighting or other physical parameters and / or at least one Alternating image shows the viewer a sequence of several, preferably different textual and / or pictorial representations (15, 16, 37) which, for example, give the impression of a movement. Game object according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that each alternating image is designed as a hologram. Game object according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that at least one eye (14, 17, 25, 32) is assigned a lamp, so that the textual and / or visual representation (15, 16, 37) is visible without additional external light.

Images