GB2182857A

GB2182857A - A cuddly toy, e.g. teddy bear

Info

Publication number: GB2182857A
Application number: GB08528254A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Barbara Ann Grimm
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 1985-11-15
Filing date: 1985-11-15
Publication date: 1987-05-28
Also published as: GB8528254D0

Abstract

Marks (4) in the form of alphabetic letters are applied to the pile (2) on the surface (1) of a cuddly toy so as to be discernible when the pile (2) is brushed or combed into a groomed condition in which adjacent strands (3) extend along the surface (1) in the same direction, but indiscernible when the pile (2) is not in its groomed condition. Exposing the alphabetic letter marks (4) adds to the pleasure of grooming. The marks (4) may be applied to the pile (2) when the pile is in the groomed condition, e.g. by applying a liquid from an aperture in a stencil. <IMAGE>

Description

SPECIFICATION A cuddly toy Field of the invention The invention relates to a cuddly toy and, in particular, to a cuddlytoy having a pile which can be groomed,forexample, by brushing or combing.

Background art It is known to provide a cuddly toy having, on at least part of its surface, a pile which comprises filamentary strands and can be brushed or combed into and out of a groomed condition in which adjacent strands extend along the surface in the same direction.

Cuddlytoyssuch asthisarequitepopularand children enjoy grooming the pile of such toys.

However, grooming is an end in itselfand eventually children tire of this pleasure.

Disclosure ofthe invention It is the purpose ofthe present invention to provide a cuddly toy having a pile on its surface in which means are provided to enhance the pleasure of grooming the pile.

This is achieved by applying at least one symbolic or pictorial mark to the pile in such a waythatthe markis discerniblewhen the pile is in itsgroomed condition and indiscernible when the pile is not in its smooth condition. Thus, in addition to the normal pleasure derived from grooming such a pile, pleasure is also obtained in revealing otherwise indiscernible marks applied to the pile.

In a preferred embodimentofthe invention, most ofthe strands ofthe pile are of onecolourand theor each mark is of at least one other colour. In practice, it has been found convenient to provide a white pile and to apply brightlycolour markstothis piie.

The marks are preferably applied to the pile by marking adjacent parts of adjacent strands, without necessarily impregnating the pile so that the whole surface of adjacent strands are marked. This ensures that when the strands are in disarray, prior to grooming ofthepile,theshapeofthe markis indiscernible.

To enhance this effect, the strands of the pileto which the or each mark is applied should preferably of uniform length of between 6 and 22 mm.

The marks may be in the form of any pictorial representations such as flowers and geometric designs, but are preferably provided in the form of alphabetic letters and/or Arabic numerals so that grooming of the pile to make the shape ofthese marks discerniblewill have an educational effect.

In a preferred embodiment of the invention, the pile is formed from strands of acrylic sliver knit fibre and the or each mark is formed by a liquid-based, non-watersoluble, non-bleeding marking material such as acrylic lacquer.

The invention also provides a method of making a cuddly toy comprising the steps of cutting at least one panel from a material having a pile which comprises filamentary strands and can be brushed or combed into and out of a groomed condition in which adjacent strands extend along the panel in the same direction; incorporating the panel in and outer surface of the doll; applying at least one symbolic or pictorial mark to the pile in such a waythatthe mark is discernible when the pile is in said groomed condition and indiscernible when the pile not in said groomed condition.

The mark is preferably applied by applying a liquid to an area of the pile through an aperture in a stencil.

This can be done before orafterthe panel is incorporated in the outer surface of the doll.

The liquid is preferably applied in the form of a spray so that small droplets ofthe liquid are applied to the strands of the pilewithout impregnating the pile. It is therefore convenient to use an aerosol spray and to apply the sprayed liquid to a panel of material having a pile through the aperture in a stencil. This may take place before orafterthe panel is incorporated in the surface ofthe cuddly toy.

A cuddly toy embodying the present invention and its method of manufacture are hereinafter described, by way of example only, with reference to the accompanying drawings.

Briefdescription ofthe drawings Figure lisa schematic front elevation of a toy teddy bear having a pile in smooth, groomed condition and on which alphabetic letters are marked; Figure2 is a firm elevation of the toy teddy bear shown in Figure 1 in which the pile is no longer in its smooth, groomed condition and the alphabetic letters are no longer discernible.

Figure 3 is a schematic elevational view showing the application of an alphabetic ietterto a panel forming part of the surface of the toy teddy bear shown in Figures 1 and 2.

Mode for carrying out the invention Figures 1 and 2 show a toy teddy bear having an outer surface 1 with a pile 2 formed from strands 3 of arcylic silver knit fabric. This pile is capable of being brushed or combed into and out of a smooth, groomed condition and, when in this condition, marks 4 in the form of alphabetic letters are applied to the pile 2, as shown in Figure 1.

When the pile 2 is brushed or combed out of its smooth, groomed condition, as shown in Figure 2, the alphabetic letters marks 4 are not longer discernible. All that can be seen are smudgy coloured patches 9. Therefore in additiontothe pleasure obtained by a child in grooming the toy teddy bear, the child enjoys the further satisfaction of revealing the alphabetic letter marks 4. This is not only pleasureable, but also of educational value, particularly if the alphabetic letter marks 4 are arranged in a logical sequence. Similar considerations apply where the marks 4 are in the form ofArabic numerals.

The marks 4 may be applied to panels Sforming partofthesurface 1 ofthetoyteddybearbeforeor afterthese panels are incorporated into the surface of the toy. This is illustrated in Figure 3 which shows a panel 5 for one of the legs of the toy teddy bear. In this case, droplets of acrylic lacquer 6 from an air brush spray are applied to the pile 2 on the panel 5 through an aperture 7 formed in a stencil 8. Use of this "air brush " technique ensures that only parts of adjacent strands 3 of the pile 2 are coloured and that the pile is not full impregnated with lacquer. This ensures that when the pile5 is brushed or combed out of its smooth, groomed condition, the marks become completely indiscernible and appear merely as coloured smudges on the surface oftheteddy bear.

Claims

1. Acuddly toy having, on at least part of its surface ( 1), a pile (2) which comprisesfilamentary strands (3) and can be brushed or combed into and out of a groomed condition in which adjacent strands (3) extend along the surface (1) in the same direction; characterised in that: at least one symbolicor pictorial mark (4) is supplied to the pile (2) in such a way that the mark (4) is discernible when the pile (2) is in said groomed condition and in discernible when the pile (2) is not in said groomed condition.

2. A cuddly toy, according to Claim 1, in which most ofthe strands (3) of the pile (2) are of one colour and the or each mark (4) is of at least one other colour.

3. Acuddlytoy, according to Claim 1 orClaim2, in which the or each mark (4) is supplied to the pile (2) by marking adjacent parts of adjacent strands (3).

4. A cuddly toy, according to any preceding claim, in which the strand (3) of the pile (2) to which the or each mark (4) is supplied are of uniform length of between 6 and 22 mm.

5. A cuddly, according to any preceding claim, in which the pile (2) is formed from strands (3) ofacrylic sliver knitfibre and the or each mark (4) is formed by a liquid-based marking material.

6. Acuddiytoy, accordingto any preceding claim, in which there are a plurality of marks (4) in the form of alphabetic letters and/orArabic numerals.

7. A method of making a cuddlytoy comprising the steps of: providing at least one panel (5) from a material having a pile (2) which comprises filamentary strands (3) and can be brushed or combed into and out of a grooved condition in which adjacent strands (3) extend along the panel (5) in the same direction; and incorporating the panel (5) an outer surface (1 ) of the doll; characterised in that: the pile (2) is brushed or combed into the groomed condition and at least one symbolic or pictorial mark (4) is supplied to the pile (2) in such a way thatthe mark (4) is discernible when the pile (2) is in said groomed condition and indiscernible when the pile (2) is not in said groomed condition.

8. A method, in which the or each mark (4) is supplied by applying a liquid (6) to an area of the pile (2) through an aperture (7) in a stencil (8).

9. A method, according to Claim 8, in which the liquid (6) is supplied in the form of spray.

10. A cuddly toy substantiate as hereinbefore described with reference to the accompanying drawing.

11. Amethodofmaking acuddlytoy substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to the accompanying drawing.