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[0001] The present application claims the benefit under Article 8 of the Patent Cooperation Treaty of U.S. Utility Application No. 13/899,079, filed May 21 , 2013 which incorporated herein by reference in its entirety.

BACKGROUND

[0002] Children and some adults enjoy hugging a plush figure such as a bear for comfort. The plush figure can include an insert that comprises multiple filler particles or elements, and means are provided for warming the insert. The particles should retain a maximum amount of heat, and heating of the particles should be as easy as possible. It is desirable that a person be able to maintain hugging of the plush figure while performing other tasks. Most plush figures with means for warming have a height of less than 15 inches and a weight of less than 3 pounds. This prevents the plush figure from offering extended significant warmth. There is a need for a plush figure that can effectively warm a person for a plurality of hours and that simulates a human embrace, with the option that the person can be hands free.

SUMMARY

[0003] In accordance with one embodiment of the invention, applicant provides a figure that people can hold close to them in a hug, while being warmed by the figure. The plush figure is usually of the appearance of an animal such as a "teddy" bear, but many other animals or characters may be represented, all of which may be referred to herein as a figure or plush figure. The figure holds a heat-retainable insert which is usually removable, which can be easily warmed, and that retains considerable heat. The insert is designed for heating in a household microwave oven. The insert contains multiple filler elements that can slide over each other, so the insert can readily conform to the body of the person who holds it, as in a hug or embrace.

[0004] An adjustable length and detachable sling is provided that has opposite ends with sling fasteners that can be attached and detached from figure fasteners on the figure. The figure has covers that can cover the figure fasteners when the sling is not being used. The fasteners, and especially the figure fasteners, are constructed of electrically nonconductive material so they can be safely heated in a microwave oven.

[0005] The multiple filler elements in the insert are electrically

nonconductive so the insert can be safely heated in a microwave oven. The filler elements have smooth surfaces so they can slide against one another to allow the figure to conform to the body of the person holding the figure. The filler elements are constructed of nonmetallic material that preferably has a specific heat of at least 0.2 so the filler elements retain considerable heat. The insert and preferably the entire figure are of a weight such as two to six pounds and a volume of somewhat less than one cubic foot to fit in a household microwave oven, which usually has a capacity of at least one cubic foot.

[0006] The novel features of the invention are set forth with particularity in the appended claims. The invention will be best understood from the following description when read in conjunction with the accompanying drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0007] The accompanying drawings illustrate various examples of the principles described herein and are a part of the specification. The illustrated examples are given merely for illustration, and do not limit the scope of the claims. [0008] Fig. 1 is a front view showing a plush figure of the invention held to a person by a sling, according to one example of the principles described herein.

[0009] Fig. 2 is a rear view of the figure of Fig. 1 , showing a covered opening for access to the insert, according to one example of the principles described herein.

[0010] Fig. 3 is a plan view of a figure fastener and of a sling fastener, with the covers shown in a closed position in phantom lines, according to one example of the principles described herein.

[0011] Fig. 4 is a partial sectional view of the covering, the insert, and filler elements in the insert, according to one example of the principles described herein.

[0012] Fig. 5 is an isometric view of a microwave oven, according to one example of the principles described herein.

[0013] Throughout the drawings, identical reference numbers designate similar, but not necessarily identical, elements.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0014] The skin is the largest organ within the human body, and contains a massive network of sensory receptors therein. These receptors are specialized to be maximally sensitive to one modality of sensation, such as, for example, light touch, hot; cold; nociception (pain), sustained touch, sustained pressure, changes in texture, fast and slow vibrations, and deep pressure. A given receptor is activated when a given area of the skin is stimulated. This area is referred to as the receptive field of that receptor. Once the skin receives pressure stimulation, the pressure receptors within the skin send a signal to the human brain. One type of pressure receptor in particular, the Pacinian corpuscles, rest deep in the subcutaneous levels of the skin, and is activated by deep pressure applied to the skin.

[0015] Although the mechanoreceptors in the cutaneous and

subcutaneous levels of the skin can be activated by many stimulants, and can also relay the amount of pressure applied to the skin to the brain. A hug will stimulate these deeper receptors at a higher level of activation and are linked to a multitude of complex responses from the brain and body. Studies have found and proven that inanimate objects, like animate objects such as pets or other humans, can also trigger these same mechanoreceptors and set off this cascade of effects. These studies include, for example, Patrick Dougherty, Ph.D., Neuroscience Online, Chapter 2: Somatosensory Systems,

(last visited May 19, 2014);

Pacinian Corpuscle, htip://bio,mtger8.edu/-gbl02/lab 5/1 Q4cm,html (last visited May 19, 2014); FAQS.org, Touch,

(last visited May 19, 2014); Stanford.edu, Machanoreceptors,

(last visited

May 19, 2014); Michelle Trudeau, Human Connections Start With A Friendly Touch, NPR, Sept 20, 2010,

UNM.edu, Sensory

Receptor Function, hitp://w w.unm,edu ~tool8on Receptor Function Handouthtml (last visited May 19, 2014); Neuroscience for Rehabilitation, Helen Sue Cohen ed., Wolters Kluwer Health 1988 (available at

0 dman%2{^ (last visited May 19, 2014); Lindsay Holmes, 7

Reasons Why We Should Be Giving More Hugs, The Huffington Post, Mar 27, 2014 (available at | / w

huggin n 500861 .html) (last visited May 19, 2014); Betsy Isaacson, Microsoft Patents The 'Virtual Hug' With Filing On Force-Feedback Within Telepresence, ' The Huffington Post, Dec 26, 2012 (available at

■b.tt .: ^

patent n 2385140.html. all of which are incorporated by reference herein in their entireties. [0016] The weight and size of the figures described herein simulate the amount of pressure applied from a hug or embrace, and stimulate the deeper pressure receptors, setting off the sequence of physiological events and benefits.

[0017] Since sensory receptors are not evenly distributed over the surface of the body, the size of the present figure is large enough to cover and activate a larger area of mechanoreceptors. Similarly, a larger field of thermoreceptors are stimulated that, in turn, effectively offer feelings of warmth to a person.

[0018] Signals from the Pacinian corpuscles, nerve endings in the skin responsible for sensitivity to vibration and pressure, go directly to a nerve bundle deep in the brain called the vagus nerve. The vagus nerve is referred to as "the wanderer" because it has branches that wander throughout the body to several internal organs, including the heart. Stimulation of these

mechanoreceptors can also decrease blood pressure and decrease Cortisol levels in the body. The stimulation of the vagus nerve can trigger an increase of oxytocin, a neuropeptide, in the body, which, in turn, leads to a cascade of health benefits. Thus, the present figure offers warmth, comfort and enjoyment on a conscious level of awareness, while triggering this complex surge of events in the brain and body.

[0019] Thus, the figure of the present application comprises a mass that provides a therapeutic level of tactile stimulation. Further, the figure of the present application is dimensioned to provide a therapeutic level of tactile stimulation. Still further, the figure of the present application particles disposed within the figure that, when heated, provide a therapeutic level of tactile stimulation.

[0020] Fig. 1 shows a plush figure 12 in the form of a teddy bear, and shows a sling 14 that holds the figure against a person 1 6 in a hug position. The figure includes a flexible and soft outer covering 20 that holds an insert 22. In one example, the figure has a head and appendages that mimic those of an animal or character. In another example, the figure may not have a head. In this example, the figure may have appendages that provide tactile stimulation as described herein. In still another example, the appendages of the figure may vary between types or forms of figures. The insert 22 fills the entire abdomen and chest areas 24 of the animal figure, but not the head 26 or appendages 31 - 34. This makes it easy to remove and replace the insert from the figure. The insert has an outer insert wall 47 (Fig. 4) of dense fabric and the cavity 46 of the figure is also lined with heat retainable dense fabric. That is, with soft material of low thermal conductivity (below 0.001 cal-cm/sec-cm ² -C°.). Applicant notes that concrete has a thermal conductivity of 0.002. The insert and covering are each easily deformed so the figure can effectively conform to a part of the person's body that it presses against. The figure is especially useful for stimulating subcutaneous pressure receptors in the body and thermo receptors in the skin in order to effectively comfort and warm a person of any size.

[0021] The insert 22 (Fig. 4) is filled with filler particles, or small elements 40 that have smooth surfaces 42 that slide against one another. This allows the insert to easily change shape, as when a person hugs the figure against his/her side. It would be possible to place a heating element in the insert, but this could complicate its use. The particles are of non-electrically conductive, or insulative, material. This allows the figure with the insert therein, or the insert by itself, to be warmed in a microwave oven. Applicant constructs the insert with

dimensions of about 9 inches height, width and thickness (these can vary as the insert is deformed) for a volume of about 0.5 cubic feet. The head and appendages are easily deformed. This allows the insert and usually the entire figure to fit in a home microwave oven where it may be heated.

[0022] The amount of heat that a filler particle, and therefore the entire insert, can hold depends upon the specific heat of the particle material. Water has one of the highest specific heats, of about 1 .0 calorie per gram-degree Centigrade (at 20° C). Most metals have a specific heat of less than 0.01 .

Dried corn has a specific heat of at least about 0.2. Applicant has constructed inserts filled with wheat, flax, and other seed material, and found that corn worked best, in that its particles have smooth surfaces to slide easily across one another and it has a high specific heat. The corn kernels have a length of about 0.25 inch each. Much smaller dimensions (e.g. less than 0.1 inch long) might cause seeds to lock against each other and prevent deformation. Plastics are available that have high specific heats, and they also could be used, although corn kernels are of very low cost.

[0023] The insert 22 can be inserted and removed from the rest of the Figure. Fig. 2 shows a closeable opening with buttons or snaps 48 (non- electrically conductive) through which the insert can be inserted and removed.

[0024] Applicant provides a sling 14 (Fig. 1 ) that allows a person to carry around the figure 12. Fig. 3 shows that the sling has sling fasteners 52 at its opposite ends, and the sling has means for adjusting its length. The figure has figure fasteners 62 that are easily fastened to the sling fasteners. Both pairs of fasteners are easily detachable from one another. The sling and figure fasteners are each constructed of non-electrically conductive material. This allows the fasteners to remain attached to the figure and sling when heating the figure in a microwave oven.

[0025] Applicant provides covers 70 on the figure to cover the figure fasteners when they are not attached to the sling fasteners. In Fig. 3, the cover 70 has Velcro fasteners 74, but may use stitching to conceal the fasteners. An end portion 76 of the figure appendage has corresponding Velcro fasteners. This allows a person to cover the fastener when it is not being used.

[0026] Thus, the invention provides a figure such as a plush figure of a height of about 20 inches of a volume of about 0.5 cubic feet (0.4 to 1 .0 cubic feet) and a figure weight of about 4 pounds (3 to 5 pounds), that can be heated so as to warm and comfort a person who places the figure against him/herself and simulates a human embrace. The figure usually has an insert comprising a closed cloth-like container that is filled with particles that easily slide against each other to allow the figure to conform to a part of a person that the figure is pressed against. In one example, the insert comprises a size of approximately 9-12 inches in width and height. The particles preferably have a specific heat that is more than ten times the specific heat of metals. Applicant prefers to use dried corn kernels as the heat retaining particles but may use heat-retaining beads of similar size. The figure and/or insert are intended to be heated in a microwave oven, and, therefore, are formed of electrically nonconductive material (less electrically conductive than metals). The insert preferably has a volume of about 0.4 cubic feet and holds particles of a weight of about 3 pounds. A sling can be provided that is adjustable in length to detachably hold the figure to a person. The sling and figure have fasteners that are preferably each of electrically nonconductive material to allow them to be heated with the figure in a microwave oven.

[0027] The figure may be scented as by an additional small insert or by infusing the fabric or figure with a scent.

[0028] Although particular embodiments of the invention have been described and illustrated herein, it is recognized that modifications and variations may readily occur to those skilled in the art, and consequently, it is intended that the claims be interpreted to cover such modifications and equivalents.

[0029] The specification and figures describe a figure comprising a body, a head coupled to a top of the body, appendages coupled to the body, and an insert within the body. The insert contains particles or filler material. The filler material comprises multiple elements that slide with low friction against each other to fit the contour of a user that the figure body presses against. The body, head, appendages, insert, and filler material are constructed of electrically non- conductive material to allow for heating in a microwave oven. This figure may have a number of advantages, including the provisioning of therapeutic levels of tactile stimulation.

[0030] The preceding description has been presented to illustrate and describe examples of the principles described. This description is not intended to be exhaustive or to limit these principles to any precise form disclosed. Many modifications and variations are possible in light of the above teaching.