Dear Rich: Has anybody patented a system for storing cremated remains in a plush toy? I'm so glad you asked. Take a look at patent No. 7308741 -- huggable cremated remains storage systems -- issued today by the USPTO. According to the patent, "The present invention comprises a "plush container", such as a stuffed animal, and further comprises ornamental symbols or similar features ..." The patent also covers versions in which you can customize your plushie to include "photographic and similar graphic imprinting." Shout outs to inventors Mary Rydberg and Sharon Robinson of Arizona for providing potential plot material for the next Wes Craven (or is it Joe Dante?) film.
Has anybody patented an urn that has a storage compartment for memorabilia? Sure thing. Check out patent No. 4324026 -- cremation urn with readily accessible memorabilia compartment -- by William K. Craft, not to be confused with the multicompartment funeral urn by Clement Poirier.
Has anybody patented a storage unit for ashes that looks like a book? Absolutely. If you're looking for some light reading and your Kindle is on the fritz, check out inventor Gustav Bachofner's book Urn (Patent No. 3167844).
Has anybody patented a lawn ornament that stores remains? Oh yeah. I don't know if the patent covers garden gnomes, but you can check out the combination lawn/garden ornament and cremation container from Daniel J. Parker and Mark Thesken (Patent No. 5794318).
Has anybody invented a combination of funeral urn and cigarette ash receptacle? Let's not go there.
And, to find out how you can make legally sound patent drawings like the one above, see Jack Lo & Attorney David Pressman's How to Make Patent Drawings: A Patent It Yourself Companion (Nolo).
