Toy figure having a segment of plush construction enveloped by a casing of elastomeric gel

Abstract

A toy figure assembly and its method of construction. The toy figure has a plush structure comprised of fabric material. The plush structure is filled with soft stuffing in the traditional manner of plush toy construction. The plush structure has at least one protruding section, such as a head, that protrudes from the main body of the plush structure. A molded shell of elastomeric gel material is provided. The molded shell is hollow, having an opening that enables the molded shell to be stretched over another object. The molded shell is stretched over the protruding section of the plush structure so that the protruding section is enveloped by the molded shell. The molded shell is molded with external details, such as facial features. The molded shell therefore provides the visual details to the protruding section of the plush structure that it covers.

1 . A toy figure assembly, comprising: 
 a plush structure comprised of fabric material, said plush structure having a protruding section;    plush fill material stuffing said plush structure;    a molded shell of elastomeric gel material covering said protruding section of said plush structure.    
   
   
       2 . The assembly according to  claim 1 , wherein said molded shell of elastomeric gel has external features molded thereon.  
   
   
       3 . The assembly according to  claim 2 , wherein said external features are facial features.  
   
   
       4 . The assembly according to  claim 2 , wherein said external features include hair protrusions.  
   
   
       5 . The assembly according to  claim 1 , wherein said protruding section of said plush structure that is covered by said molded shell has contours, wherein said molded shell conforms to said contours.  
   
   
       6 . The assembly according to  claim 1 , wherein said molded shell defines an opening through which said section of said plush structure passes.  
   
   
       7 . The assembly according to  claim 6 , wherein said molded shell is joined to said plush structure along a common seam located proximate said opening in said molded shell.  
   
   
       8 . The assembly according to  claim 7 , wherein said plush structure and said molded shell are joined by adhesive along said common seam.  
   
   
       9 . The assembly according to  claim 8 , wherein said adhesive is a thermoset glue.  
   
   
       10 . The assembly according to  claim 7 , wherein said plush structure and said molded shell are joined by melt bonding along said common seam.  
   
   
       11 . The assembly according to  claim 7 , wherein said plush structure and said molded shell are sewn together along said common seam.  
   
   
       12 . A toy figure comprising: 
 a body having a head section;    a molded shell of elastomeric gel material stretched over said head section of said body, wherein said molded shell envelops said head section.    
   
   
       13 . The figure according to  claim 12 , wherein said molded shell contains facial features.  
   
   
       14 . The figure according to  claim 12 , wherein said molded shell contains hair protrusions.  
   
   
       15 . The figure according to  claim 12 , wherein said body is a plush body having a fabric exterior stuffed with soft fill material.  
   
   
       16 . The figure according to  claim 15 , wherein said molded shell is affixed to said plush body along a common seam.  
   
   
       17 . A method of constructing a toy figure, comprising the steps of: 
 providing a plush body having a fabric exterior stuffed with soft fill material, wherein said plush body has a head section;    providing a molded shell of elastomeric material, wherein said molded shell has external facial features molded thereon; and    advancing said molded shell over said head section of said plush body, wherein said molded shell envelops said head section.    
   
   
       18 . The assembly according to  claim 17 , further including the step of affixing part of said molded shell to said plush body, therein preventing said molded shell from being removed from said plush body.