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Multiple layer novelty item and method of manufactureRelated Patent Categories: Exercise Devices, Hand, Wrist, Or FingerMultiple layer novelty item and method of manufacture description/claimsThe Patent Description & Claims data below is from USPTO Patent Application 20070249469, Multiple layer novelty item and method of manufacture. Brief Patent Description - Full Patent Description - Patent Application Claims
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION [0001] 1. Field of the Invention [0002] In general, the present invention relates to novelty items that have an elastic casing filled with gel or liquid. Such products are commonly referred to as "squeeze balls" in the novelty industry. More particularly, the present invention refers to squeeze balls with secondary features. [0003] 2. Description of the Prior Art [0004] In the field of novelty items, there are many items in which an elastic casing is filled with a gel or a liquid. Such novelty items are typically referred to as "squeeze balls" in the toy and novelty product industries. With most squeeze ball designs, the casing of the squeeze ball is sized to fit in a person's hand and deforms when the item is squeezed in the hand. The deformation of the squeeze ball, provides both an unusual visual observance and an unusual tactile sensation to the person holding the squeeze ball. [0005] In the history of such novelty squeeze balls, many variations have been developed. Many squeeze balls have been produced where objects are placed inside the squeeze balls along with the liquid or gel filler. Such objects become visually predominant when the squeeze ball is squeezed. Such prior art squeeze balls are exemplified by the Oddballz.TM. line of squeeze balls manufactured by Play Visions Inc. of Woodinville, Wash. [0006] In order for an object within the skin of a squeeze ball to become visually predominant when the squeeze ball is squeezed, the skin of the squeeze ball must be fairly translucent. The skin of the squeeze ball becomes thinner as it is stretched. Thus, when the skin of the squeeze ball bulges, the skin in the bulged area is thinned and becomes more translucent than normal. This makes the objects in the squeeze ball more visible in the bulged area. [0007] When the squeeze ball is not being squeezed, the skin of the squeeze ball remains fairly translucent. This enables a person to view and recognize the contents of the squeeze ball before the ball is squeezed. This detracts significantly from the novelty of the squeeze ball, especially if the squeeze ball contains unusual items that are supposed to provide a certain shock value when initially viewed. [0008] In order to make the contents of a squeeze ball less visible when not squeezed, the squeeze balls are often filled with opaque liquids or suspensions. The opaque fluid prevents the objects in the squeeze ball from being viewed. Once the squeeze ball is squeezed, the objects within the squeeze ball are pressed against the translucent skin and can then be viewed. [0009] Although the use of opaque fluids and suspensions is used to obscure the contents of a squeeze ball, it is not always completely effective. If an object in a squeeze ball just happens to press against the skin of the squeeze ball, then no liquid obscures the object and the object can be viewed through the skin of the squeeze ball. [0010] The present invention is a novel variation of the traditional squeeze ball. The present invention uses multiple layers within a squeeze ball to obscure objects within the squeeze ball until the squeeze ball is squeezed. In this manner, the contents of the squeeze ball cannot be seen prematurely. The squeeze ball therefore remains novel and interesting to a person observing or playing with the squeeze ball. The details of this improvement are described and claimed below. SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION [0011] The present invention is a squeeze ball novelty device. An outer elastomeric casing is provided that is filled with a fluid fill composition. Thus, when the elastomeric casing is squeezed in a person's hand, it will bulge and otherwise deform. A smaller inner elastic casing is provided within the interior of the outer elastic casing. The inner casing is filled with a plurality of secondary objects. The secondary objects are three-dimensional and soft. [0012] The outer elastic casing and the inner elastic casing are separated by a layer of the fluid fill composition. The fluid fill composition is optically opaque due to the use of colorant or suspension particles. Accordingly, when the squeeze ball is at rest, the inner elastic casing cannot be seen through the outer elastic casing and the opaque fluid fill composition. However, when the squeeze ball is squeezed, the secondary objects in the inner elastic casing cause the inner elastic casing to bulge. As the inner elastic casing bulges, it thins and becomes more transparent. Furthermore, as the inner elastic casing bulges it contacts the outer elastic casing and displaces the opaque fluid fill composition from between the inner and outer elastic casings. The inner elastic casing finally causes the outer elastic casing to bulge. The outer casing thins and enables a person to clearly view the secondary objects within the squeeze ball. [0013] The result is a squeeze ball that presents objects for viewing only when the squeeze ball is being squeezed. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS [0014] For a better understanding of the present invention, reference is made to the following description of an exemplary embodiment thereof, considered in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, in which: [0015] FIG. 1 is partially fragmented view of an exemplary embodiment of the present invention; [0016] FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view of the embodiment of FIG. 1 shown in an unstressed condition; and [0017] FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view of the embodiment of FIG. 1 shown being deformed by squeezing. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS [0018] Although the present invention novelty item can have any shape, such as a cylinder, square, block, animal shape or the like, it is anticipated that the present invention novelty item will be manufactured predominantly in a spherical shape. Accordingly, the exemplary embodiment of the invention being shown is spherical in order to set forth the best mode contemplated for the invention. However, the shown shape should not be considered a limitation on the invention. It should be understood that the external shape of the present invention novelty item is a matter of design choice and that all shapes are intended to be included in the scope of this specification. [0019] Referring both to FIG. 1, a novelty item 10 is shown. In the center of the novelty item 10 is an inner elastic casing 12. The inner elastic casing 12 defines a core chamber 14. The core chamber 14 of the inner elastic casing 12 contains a first fill composition 16. The first fill composition 16 can be any traditional fill composition used for squeeze balls. Traditional fill compositions typically include a non-toxic liquid that is mixed with colorants and/or particle confetti. However, in the preferred embodiment, the first fill composition 16 is comprised of a plurality of small elastic objects 20. The small elastic objects 20 are three-dimensional and preferably have some shock value when viewed. Thus, the preferred elastic objects 20 are selected from a group consisting of insects, body parts, vermin and the like. It is also preferred that the elastic objects 20 be brightly colored or lightly colored so as to be highly visible. The elastic objects 20 can be coated with lubricant or combined with a small amount of liquid so that the elastic objects 20 easily flow over one another when the inner elastic casing 12 is squeezed. [0020] The inner elastic casing 12 is preferably formed from triblock copolymer that is mixed with a plasticizing oil. For instance, a poly(styrene-ethylene-ethylene-propylene-styrene) copolymer can be used that is mixed with, between two percent and twenty percent by weight, a plasticizing oil. The resulting composition is both highly elastic and highly tear resistant. An oxidizing agent can also be added to the elastic composition to reduce the tackiness of the elastic composition. Other triblock copolymers, such as poly(styrene-ethylene-propylene-styrene) and poly(styrene-ethylene-butylene-styrene) can also be used. Continue reading about Multiple layer novelty item and method of manufacture... Full patent description for Multiple layer novelty item and method of manufacture Brief Patent Description - Full Patent Description - Patent Application Claims Click on the above for other options relating to this Multiple layer novelty item and method of manufacture patent application. ###  How KEYWORD MONITOR works... a FREE service from FreshPatents1. Sign up (takes 30 seconds). 2. Fill in the keywords to be monitored. 3. Each week you receive an email with patent applications related to your keywords. Start now! - Receive info on patent apps like Multiple layer novelty item and method of manufacture or other areas of interest. ### Previous Patent Application: System for monitoring exercise performance Next Patent Application: Portable electronic device and computer software product Industry Class: Exercise devices ### FreshPatents.com Support Thank you for viewing the Multiple layer novelty item and method of manufacture patent info. IP-related news and info Results in 0.12208 seconds Other interesting Feshpatents.com categories: Medical: Surgery , Surgery(2) , Surgery(3) , Drug , Drug(2) , Prosthesis , Dentistry 174 |
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