US20220355214A1

US20220355214A1 - Weatherproof Remembrance Items for Gravesites and Memorial Sites

Info

Publication number: US20220355214A1
Application number: US17/727,101
Authority: US
Inventors: George Mapp
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2021-05-06
Filing date: 2022-04-22
Publication date: 2022-11-10

Abstract

The present invention relates to a weatherproof stuffed animal for placement on gravesites and external memorial sites. The stuffed animal can be placed by a person at a gravesite (or memorial site) as a memorial for a person who has passed away. More specifically, the stuffed animal can have any shape and size and includes a weatherproof outer cover and inner filling. The weatherproof properties prohibit the stuffed animal from becoming tattered and deteriorated in harsh weather elements. Further, the stuffed animal includes customized mourning/remembrance messages printed, embroidered, or sewn on the outer cover for mourning. The stuffed animal can have LEDs to illuminate the remembrance messages and can also have a protective slot for securing a name, a message, and/or a photo of the person on whose gravesite the stuffed animal is kept.

Description

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

The present application claims priority to, and the benefit of, U.S. Provisional Application No. 63/184,862, which was filed on May 6, 2021 and is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates generally to the field of stuffed animals and toys. More specifically, the present invention relates to a novel remembrance weatherproof stuffed animal used as a memorial for gravesites and external memorial sites for mourning the loss of loved ones. The stuffed animal includes customized phrases indicating mourning and includes a weatherproof outer covering enabling the stuffed animal to remain intact, relatively dry, and in good condition for longer periods of time. The stuffed animal can come in any form and shape. Accordingly, the present disclosure makes specific reference thereto. Nonetheless, it is to be appreciated that aspects of the present invention are also equally applicable to other like applications, devices, and methods of manufacture.

BACKGROUND

By way of background, a gravesite of a loved one is a gathering place for friends and relatives to show their fondness and love for the departed individual. Individuals mourn the loss of the loved one by leaving items at their gravesite or other outdoor site. Individuals also like to leave items at the gravesite in the form of remembrances as well. Items such as flowers, stuffed toys, or other memorable items are often kept or placed by individuals at the gravesite. However, many of the items left at the gravesite become easily damaged with time when exposed to different weather conditions and environments and may lead to waste issues at the gravesite or other memorial locations (i.e., accident or crime sites). Therefore, leaving such items at the gravesite or memorial location may not be encouraged by the cemetery or property managers.
One of such items is stuffed toys that are left at the graves or memorials of children, or even adults, as a reminder of the person who has passed. However, standard stuffed toys are susceptible to become damaged from the elements and may not withstand harsh weather conditions. The stuffed toys quickly become dirty and tattered and may not be in good condition when the individual returns to the grave site or memorial site. Also, stuffed toys are easily ruined due to prolonged exposure to the environment and may lose their aesthetic appeal. This creates a hassle for the groundskeepers and property managers and can cause the cemetery or memorial site to look unkempt.
Additionally, when the stuffed toys are damaged, the sentimental values attached with the stuffed toys are also diminished. Individuals may desire to prevent the stuffed toys from becoming damaged when exposed to the elements.
Apart from the above-mentioned issues, the stuffed toys left at the gravesite or memorial site in remembrance of the loved ones, are quite simple and do not convey any message or feelings of the individuals. Individuals may speak their heart out while leaving the items at the gravesite, however, may be unable to permanently show their feelings for the departed souls.
Therefore, there exists a long-felt need in the art for a stuffed animal that can be easily left at the gravesite or memorial site for mourning the loss of a loved one. There is also a long-felt need in the art for an improved stuffed animal that remains safe and protected even after being exposed to harsh weather conditions. Additionally, there is a long-felt need in the art for a stuffed animal that does not become damaged when left at gravesites or outdoor memorial sites and does not cause any hassles to groundskeepers. Moreover, there is a long-felt need in the art for a stuffed animal that does not become damaged or ruined with time and does not diminish sentimental feelings attached with the stuffed toy. Further, there is a long-felt need in the art for a stuffed animal that ensures its aesthetic look is maintained and it remains the same even when the individual returns to the gravesite. Furthermore, there is a long-felt need in the art for a stuffed animal that effectively conveys the feelings of the individuals. Finally, there is a long-felt need in the art for a stuffed animal that can be customized to suit the different user requirements.
The subject matter disclosed and claimed herein, in one embodiment thereof, comprises a memorial stuffed animal for gravesites and external (i.e., outdoor) memorial sites. The stuffed animal can be made using internal and external waterproof materials and prohibits deterioration when left at a gravesite or other memorial outdoor location. The stuffed animal further comprising a weatherproof outer cover defining an enclosed volume, one or more remembrance/mourning messages, for example, ‘rest in peace’ (RIP), ‘I love you’, and more, printed or embroidered on the outer cover for mourning the death of a person, the enclosed volume storing a weatherproof insert or filling material, wherein the weatherproof outer cover includes a coating of water repellant material and further including a florescent material.
In this manner, the novel stuffed animal of the present invention accomplishes all of the foregoing objectives and provides weatherproof stuffed animals for gravesites and memorial sites that are protected from damage or ruined when left at the gravesites or memorial sites. The stuffed animal of the present invention is also user friendly, as it prohibits the stuffed animal from becoming damaged and therefore prohibits the sentimental feelings attached with the toy from being diminished as well. The stuffed animal of the present invention can be left at the gravesite to mourn the loss of loved one without causing any hassles to cemetery managers and groundskeepers as well. Additionally, the stuffed animal is customizable to incorporate different sayings/quotations in order to effectively communicate the feelings of the individuals as per their desires.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The following presents a simplified summary in order to provide a basic understanding of some aspects of the disclosed innovation. This summary is not an extensive overview, and it is not intended to identify key/critical elements or to delineate the scope thereof. Its sole purpose is to present some general concepts in a simplified form as a prelude to the more detailed description that is presented later.
The subject matter disclosed and claimed herein, in one embodiment thereof, comprises a memorial stuffed animal for gravesites and external memorial sites. The stuffed animal further comprising a weatherproof outer cover defining an enclosed volume, at least one remembrance message printed or embroidered on the outer cover for mourning death of a person, the enclosed volume storing weatherproof insert or filling material, wherein the weatherproof outer cover includes a coating of water repellant material and a florescent material. The stuffed animal further includes an image slot for accommodating an image of a person on whose gravesite the stuffed animal is placed.
In yet another embodiment, the outer cover is made from one of leather, vinyl, plush, elastane, neoprene, and nylon.
In yet another embodiment, the remembrance message is in the form of a patch wherein the patch is sewn to the outer cover.
In yet another embodiment, a stuffed animal is in the form of a flexible teddy bear.
In yet another embodiment, the remembrance message is one of “RIP”, “NEVER FORGOTTEN”, “ALWAYS IN MY HEART”, “YOU'RE ALWAYS IN MY HEART” and more.
In yet another embodiment, a weatherproof stuffed animal designed to place on a gravesite in remembrance of a deceased person is disclosed. The stuffed animal includes a pair of arms holding a heart shaped portion, the heart shaped portion having a digital remembrance message disposed thereon, the remembrance message is illuminated using a plurality of LEDs wherein the LEDs are provided power by an integrated battery, wherein the digital remembrance message is one of “ALWAYS IN MY HEART” and “YOU'RE ALWAYS IN MY HEART”.
In yet another embodiment, the digital remembrance message is in any language.
In yet another embodiment, the weatherproof stuffed animal is in the shape of an animal, doll, sports ball or any other shape.
In yet another embodiment, the weatherproof stuffed animal is tear resistant.
Numerous benefits and advantages of this invention will become apparent to those skilled in the art to which it pertains upon reading and understanding of the following detailed specification.
To the accomplishment of the foregoing and related ends, certain illustrative aspects of the disclosed innovation are described herein in connection with the following description and the annexed drawings. These aspects are indicative, however, of but a few of the various ways in which the principles disclosed herein can be employed and are intended to include all such aspects and their equivalents. Other advantages and novel features will become apparent from the following detailed description when considered in conjunction with the drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The description refers to provided drawings in which similar reference characters refer to similar parts throughout the different views, and in which:

FIG. 1 illustrates a perspective view of one potential embodiment of weatherproof remembrance stuffed animal 100 of the present invention in accordance with the disclosed architecture;

FIG. 2 illustrates a perspective view of another potential embodiment of weatherproof remembrance stuffed animal of the present invention in accordance with the disclosed architecture;

FIG. 3 illustrates an embodiment of the remembrance stuffed animal of the present invention in accordance with the disclosed architecture; and

FIG. 4 illustrates a perspective view showing a plurality of weatherproof remembrance stuffed animals of the present invention placed on a gravesite in accordance with the disclosed architecture.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PRESENT INVENTION

The innovation is now described with reference to the drawings, wherein like reference numerals are used to refer to like elements throughout. In the following description, for purposes of explanation, numerous specific details are set forth in order to provide a thorough understanding thereof. It may be evident, however, that the innovation can be practiced without these specific details. In other instances, well-known structures and devices are shown in block diagram form in order to facilitate a description thereof. Various embodiments are discussed hereinafter. It should be noted that the figures are described only to facilitate the description of the embodiments. They are not intended as an exhaustive description of the invention and do not limit the scope of the invention. Additionally, an illustrated embodiment need not have all the aspects or advantages shown. Thus, in other embodiments, any of the features described herein from different embodiments may be combined.
As noted above, there exists a long-felt need in the art for a stuffed animal that can be easily left at the gravesite or memorial site for mourning the loss of a loved one. There is also a long-felt need in the art for an improved stuffed animal that remains safe and protected even after being exposed to harsh weather conditions. Additionally, there is a long-felt need in the art for a stuffed animal that does not become damaged when left at gravesites or outdoor memorial sites and does not cause any hassles to groundskeepers. Moreover, there is a long-felt need in the art for a stuffed animal that does not become damaged or ruined with time and does not diminish sentimental feelings attached with the stuffed toy. Further, there is a long-felt need in the art for a stuffed animal that ensures its aesthetic look is maintained and it remains the same even when the individual returns to the gravesite or memorial site. Furthermore, there is a long-felt need in the art for a stuffed animal that effectively conveys the feelings of the individuals. Finally, there is a long-felt need in the art for a stuffed animal that can be customized to suit the different user requirements.
The present invention, in one exemplary embodiment, is a novel stuffed animal for use as a memorial at gravesites and external (i.e., outdoor) memorial sites. The stuffed animal further comprising, for example, a teddy bear having a weatherproof outer cover, the teddy bear having a pair of foot elements, a pair of arms, a torso, a head, the outer cover defining an enclosed volume, a remembrance message printed or embroidered at a plurality of places on the outer cover for mourning the death of a person, the enclosed volume storing a weatherproof insert or filling material, wherein the weatherproof outer cover includes a coating of water repellant material and can further include a florescent material.
Referring initially to the drawings, FIG. 1 illustrates a perspective view of one potential embodiment of a weatherproof remembrance stuffed animal 100 of the present invention in accordance with the disclosed architecture. The weatherproof remembrance stuffed animal 100 is a weather resistant stuffed animal in the shape of, for example, a teddy bear especially designed to be placed at outdoor memorial sites and at someone's gravesite as a memorial. The teddy bear 100 includes an outer covering 102 made of a weatherproof, tear and dirt resistant material that prohibits the teddy bear 100 from becoming waterlogged, dirty, and tattered. The stuffed animal 100 does not cause the cemetery to look unkempt and can be kept for long periods without creating a hassle for groundskeepers to remove the stuffed animal 100.
The teddy bear 100 includes a pair of foot elements 104, a torso 106, a face 108, and a pair of arms 110. The weatherproof outer covering 102 can be of any color and design that were loved by the person on whose gravesite or memorial site the teddy bear 100 is to be placed. A plurality of customized remembrance phrases 112 like “RIP” can be printed on the outer covering 102 as a token of remembrance and as a memorial, making the stuffed animal 100 specific or customized to be used on a particular gravesite and/or outdoor memorial site. The customized phrases 112 can also be sewn on the outer covering 102 as patches and are weatherproof.
The teddy bear 100 can be placed in a sitting position as illustrated in FIG. 1 on any flat surface and thus can be easily placed on a gravesite or memorial site. The teddy bear 100 can come in various colors and sizes and is flexible and soft (i.e., pliable) in texture.
The outer covering 102 can be made from a waterproof material such as leather, vinyl, plush, elastane, neoprene, nylon, and more and defines an enclosed volume. The materials used for outer covering 102 can also be impregnated or coated with water resistant coating materials including a polyurethane coating that can impart a water-resistant property. Additionally, a coating of a fluorescent pigment can be added to the outer covering 102 for increasing the visibility of the stuffed animal 100 in the dark.
The stuffed animal 100 includes soft (i.e., pliable) and weatherproof material stuffed inside the enclosed volume formed (defined) by the outer covering 102. The weatherproof material (not shown) stuffed inside the animal 100 is lightweight and thus can be easily carried by a person to a gravesite. The weatherproof inner material can include polyester fill, grain, beads and more.
FIG. 2 illustrates a perspective view of another potential embodiment of weatherproof remembrance stuffed animal of the present invention in accordance with the disclosed architecture. In the present embodiment, the stuffed animal 200 includes a pair of arms 202 holding a selectively attachable stuffed heart plaque 204. The stuffed heart plaque 204 includes a remembrance message 206, for example, “NEVER FORGOTTEN” disposed thereon. The remembrance message 206 enables the stuffed animal 200 to be a customized item to be left at a gravesite as a memorial. Further, the stuffed animal 200 includes a laminated image slot 210 for accommodating an image 208 therein of the deceased person (or other memorial image) on whose gravesite the stuffed animal 200 is to be left. The image slot 210 is positioned on the face 212 of the teddy bear 200. The image slot 210 can alternatively be used for accommodating the name of the deceased person in whose memory the stuffed animal 200 is in association therewith.
The stuffed animal 200 includes a waterproof and tear resistant outer covering 214 that prohibits the stuffed animal 200 from becoming tattered, discolored, and waterlogged. The stuffed animal 200 can be made from the same weatherproof material as that of the teddy bear 100 of FIG. 1 and can have additional weatherproofing and florescence coatings and coverings.
FIG. 3 illustrates an embodiment of the remembrance stuffed animal of the present invention in accordance with the disclosed architecture. In the present embodiment, the memorial stuffed animal 300 includes a stuffed heart shaped portion 306 attached to the torso 302 of the stuffed animal 300. The heart shaped portion 306 includes a remembrance message 304, for example, “ALWAYS IN MY HEART” or “YOU'RE ALWAYS IN MY HEART” displayed electronically in light emitting diodes (LEDs) enabling the message to be seen from a long distance. The message 304 can be displayed in any color such as red, blue, green, and more. The LEDs are disposed in the heart shaped portion 306 and can illuminate in a uniform manner or in a flashing manner. The LEDs are provided electrical power using a battery 310 stored on the top of the face 308 of the stuffed animal 300. A user who places the stuffed animal 300 at a memorial site can change the battery 310 and replace with a new battery, as needed, upon visits to the memorial site.
The stuffed animal 300 is protected from weather elements using a removable protective cover 312. The cover 312 provides water protection and tear resistance properties to the stuffed animal 300. The cover 312 is transparent and also protects the battery 310 from the weather elements.
It should be noted that the remembrance stuffed animal of the present invention can take various forms and can be formed in the shape of a doll, a dog, a cat, a robot, a sports ball or any other animal or shape. The stuffed animal can be available in various colors, sizes, and designs.
FIG. 4 illustrates a perspective view showing a plurality of weatherproof remembrance stuffed animals of the present invention placed on a gravesite in accordance with the disclosed architecture. As illustrated, the memorial stuffed animals 100,200,300,402 of various embodiments of the present invention are placed at various surfaces of the gravesite 400. The stuffed animals are weather proof and therefore are not tattered and deteriorated by the weather elements. Furthermore, the stuffed animals do not cause any hassle for groundkeepers as the stuffed animals remain intact for long periods of time. The stuffed animals are a great remembrance item on gravesites of children and individuals who may have loved specific toys, animals, or characters. There is no limit to the shape, size, design, and colors of the weatherproof remembrance stuffed animals of the present invention.
The stuffed animals of the present invention are machine washable, can be cleaned by a wet wipe and come in various forms like weatherproof, tear-resistant, and more. There is no limit to the customized phrases printed/embroidered on the stuffed animals and the phrases can be in any language spoken or written around the globe.
Certain terms are used throughout the following description and claims to refer to particular features or components. As one skilled in the art will appreciate, different persons may refer to the same feature or component by different names. This document does not intend to distinguish between components or features that differ in name but not structure or function. As used herein “weatherproof remembrance stuffed animals”, “stuffed animals”, “memorial stuffed animals”, and “stuffed teddy bears” are interchangeable and refer to the weatherproof memorial stuffed animals 100,200,300 of the present invention.
Notwithstanding the foregoing, the weatherproof memorial stuffed animals 100,200,300 of the present invention can be of any suitable size and configuration as is known in the art without affecting the overall concept of the invention, provided that it accomplishes the above-stated objectives. One of ordinary skill in the art will appreciate that the weatherproof memorial stuffed animals 100,200,300 as shown in the FIGS. are for illustrative purposes only, and that many other sizes and shapes of the weatherproof memorial stuffed animals 100,200,300 well within the scope of the present disclosure. Although the dimensions of the weatherproof memorial stuffed animals 100,200,300 are important design parameters for user convenience, the weatherproof memorial stuffed animals 100,200,300 be of any size that ensures optimal performance during use and/or that suits the user's needs and/or preferences.
Various modifications and additions can be made to the exemplary embodiments discussed without departing from the scope of the present invention. While the embodiments described above refer to particular features, the scope of this invention also includes embodiments having different combinations of features and embodiments that do not include all of the described features. Accordingly, the scope of the present invention is intended to embrace all such alternatives, modifications, and variations as fall within the scope of the claims, together with all equivalents thereof.
What has been described above includes examples of the claimed subject matter. It is, of course, not possible to describe every conceivable combination of components or methodologies for purposes of describing the claimed subject matter, but one of ordinary skill in the art may recognize that many further combinations and permutations of the claimed subject matter are possible. Accordingly, the claimed subject matter is intended to embrace all such alterations, modifications and variations that fall within the spirit and scope of the appended claims. Furthermore, to the extent that the term “includes” is used in either the detailed description or the claims, such term is intended to be inclusive in a manner similar to the term “comprising” as “comprising” is interpreted when employed as a transitional word in a claim.

Claims

What is claimed is:

1. A remembrance item comprising:

a stuffed animal comprising an outer shell for placement at an outdoor memorial site;

wherein said outer shell comprises an outer covering comprising a weatherproof and tear resistant material for prohibiting said stuffed animal from becoming waterlogged, dirty or tattered;

wherein said stuffed animal is flexible and pliable;

wherein said stuffed animal comprises a customized remembrance phrase displayed on said outer shell;

wherein said weatherproof and tear resistant material is selected from a group consisting of a leather, a vinyl, a plush, a elastane, a neoprene and a nylon; and

further wherein said weatherproof and tear resistant material is coated with a water resistant material including a polyurethane coating.

2. The remembrance item of claim 1, wherein said stuffed animal is a teddy bear.

3. The remembrance item of claim 1, wherein said customized remembrance phrase is sewn on said outer shell.

4. The remembrance item of claim 1, wherein said customized remembrance phrase is a patch sewn on said outer shell.

5. The remembrance item of claim 1, wherein said customized remembrance phrase is an LED display.

6. The remembrance item of claim 5, wherein said stuffed animal comprises a battery for powering said LED display.

7. The remembrance item of claim 1, wherein said stuffed animal includes a selectively attachable plaque for displaying said customized remembrance phrase.

8. The remembrance item of claim 7, wherein said stuffed animal includes a laminated image slot for accommodating an image therein.

9. The remembrance item of claim 1, wherein said polyurethane coating includes a fluorescent pigment for increasing a visibility of said stuffed animal in a low light environment or at nighttime.

10. The remembrance item of claim 1, wherein said stuffed animal comprises an internal pliable material stuffed inside an enclosed volume formed by said outer shell, wherein said internal pliable material is selected from a group consisting of a polyester, a grain and a bead.

11. The remembrance item of claim 6, wherein said stuffed animal comprises a removable transparent protective cover.

12. A remembrance item comprising:

an outer shell that is weather resistant;

an outer covering comprising a weatherproof and tear resistant material for prohibiting said remembrance item from becoming waterlogged, dirty or tattered;

an internal pliable material stuffed inside an enclosed volume formed by said outer shell, wherein said internal pliable material is selected from a group consisting of a polyester, a grain and a bead;

a customized remembrance phrase displayed on said outer shell;

wherein said weatherproof and tear resistant material is selected from a group consisting of a leather, a vinyl, a plush, an elastane, a neoprene and a nylon; and

further wherein said weatherproof and tear resistant material is coated with a water resistant material having a polyurethane coating.

13. The remembrance item of claim 12, wherein said remembrance item is selected from a group consisting of a doll, a dog, a cat, a robot, a sports ball and a stuffed animal.

14. The remembrance item of claim 12, wherein said customized remembrance phrase is sewn on said outer shell.

15. The remembrance item of claim 12, wherein said customized remembrance phrase is a patch sewn on said outer shell.

16. The remembrance item of claim 12, wherein said customized remembrance phrase is an LED display.

17. The remembrance item of claim 16 further comprising a battery for powering said LED display.

18. A remembrance item comprising:

an outer shell for placing at an outdoor memorial site;

a customized remembrance phrase displayed on said outer shell;

wherein said weatherproof and tear resistant material is selected from a group consisting of a leather, a vinyl, a plush, an elastane, a neoprene and a nylon, and further wherein said weatherproof and tear resistant material is coated with a polyurethane coating;

a selectively attachable plaque for displaying said customized remembrance phrase; and

a laminated image slot for accommodating an image therein.

19. The remembrance item of claim 18, wherein said remembrance item is selected from a group consisting of a doll, a dog, a cat, a robot, a sports ball and a stuffed animal.

20. The remembrance item of claim 18, wherein said customized remembrance phrase is sewn on said outer shell.