Note: Descriptions are shown in the official language in which they were submitted.
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Apparatus and a method for the preparation of a play, craft and/or
toy compound
The invention to which this application relates is apparatus and a method
for the manufacture and preparation of a compound which can
subsequently be used in a play and/or craft environment and as a toy
and used independently or in conjunction with other toys and/or
apparatus.
In particular, although not necessarily exclusively, the compound to
which the application relates is a material of the type for use in play
and/or crafts, and is hereonin referred to in a non-limiting manner as a
play compound. The play compounds of this type conventionally include
a cross-linked polymer, such as an adhesive, such as white glue, and
which is manufactured under factory conditions by combining polyvinyl
alcohol solutions with borate ions. The compound can be odourless or a
particular odour can be added to the same and the compound, which is
liquid or at least semi fluid, can be formed of a particular colour and is
cold and slimy to the touch. The compound can also be referred to as a
non-Newtonian fluid in that the viscosity of the fluid can be affected by
factors other than temperature, such as, for example, by the application
of a shear stress caused by any of squeezing, stirring, agitating or
applying mechanical pressure to the compound. One form of this
compound is sold under the registered Trade Mark Slime owned by
Viacom.
While it is known to be able to form other similar types of compound in
the home rather than the factory environment, these compounds can be
difficult to make, can require a relatively long list of ingredients and/or
ingredients such as Borate which are difficult to obtain, at least in certain
CONFIRMATION COPY
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countries and, most often, do not lead to the production of a compound
which acts in the same manner as the factory made versions of the
compound and, as such, it is found that the compound, once made, is
generally unsatisfactory in terms of its perfoimance in comparison with
the factory made versions.
Furthermore, while the use of borates is legally allowed there are, at least
in certain countries and regions, such as the European Union, concerns
about the long term impact of the same on humans, animals and soil.
Various studies have shown that excess boron in the soil can have an
adverse effect on rootstocks for various crops of fruit and other studies
show that boron deficiency is also a problem. Having considered the
existing evidence from different animal species which showed that
borates have an adverse effect on fertility (rat, mouse and dog) and
development (rat, mouse and rabbit) the European Commission
Specialised Experts in the field of Reprotoxicity have advised that the
compounds should be classified. Furthermore, in certain areas of the
world Local Authorities are restricting the discharge of Boron into solid
and liquid waste. As such there is a need to reduce or remove borate
from the play compounds of the type of interest in this application. It is
known to be able to make play compounds which do not include borates
and one known form includes the use of a PVA glue, a detergent which
are mixed together and bicarbonate of soda which is mixed with a liquid
and then added and mixed with the glue detergent mixture to form the
play compound. However it is found that in practice the formation of
this play compound can be difficult to achieve in a consistent and
reliable manner as the use of the incorrect ratios of the three ingredient
components can result in significantly different, and in many cases,
unusable play compounds.
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Furthermore, despite the advantages of using factory made
compositions, there are problems with the same in terms of the expense
of purchasing the same and the feeling of detachment of the child in that
they have not been able to take part in the making of the compound.
An aim of the present invention is therefore to provide apparatus and a
method for making a play compound of a type which, once formed, has
similar qualities of use as an equivalent type of compound which is made
under factory conditions, whilst the apparatus allows the compound to
be made by a person in their home environment. A further aim is to
provide the ingredients required to make the compound in a manner
which allows the same to be used in the manufacture of the compound
in a manner which can be used by children and in a safe manner. A
further aim is to provide the ingredients in a form which allows a play
compound to be formed in a factory or home environment and have
predetermined characteristics. It is a yet further aim of the current
invention to provide a play compound which has the characteristics of a
"Slime" type of compound whilst removing the need to use borates as
one of the ingredients.
In a first aspect of the invention there is provided apparatus to aid the
formation of a play compound, said apparatus including a base, a cavity
and mixing means which, when operated, cause agitation and mixture of
the play compound components and a liquid located in the cavity, to
form the play compound.
In one embodiment the apparatus base includes the cavity or receives an
item in which the cavity is formed and the mixing means include an arm
which is movable with respect to the base. In one embodiment the arm
is rotatable.
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In one embodiment the arm includes at least one, or a number of
portions which are located with respect to the cavity so as to cause an
agitating, and hence mixing, effect on the liquid and components which
are located in the cavity at that time. In one embodiment the said
components are provided in a powder form which is premixed and a
liquid is also present in the cavity to be mixed with the powder.
In one embodiment the said aini includes one or more ports through
which the powder can be poured to introduce the same for mixing with
the liquid in the base. In one embodiment the powder is introduced as
the arm is moved.
In one embodiment the apparatus includes one or more capsules into
which the formed play compound can be placed and stored prior to
subsequent use.
In one embodiment the powder is provided in a predetermined quantity
such that when the user adds the full quantity to a predetermined
quantity of water then they can be confident that a play compound with
predetermined characteristics will be formed.
In one embodiment the apparatus includes a plurality of different
powder types which can be selectively used alone or in combination to
form a particular play compound. In one embodiment the powders may
differ in terms of any or any combination of colour, consistency,
ingredients, additional components such as glitter, and the like.
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In a further aspect of the invention there is provided apparatus for use in
the formation of a play compound by mixing a powder and water, said
apparatus including a base, a cavity included in, or received by, the base
in which the powder and liquid are mixed and wherein a mixing means is
provided in a form such that relative rotational movement of the base
and at least an arm of the mixing means causes agitation and mixing of
the powder and liquid together to form the play compound.
In one embodiment the said relative movement is caused by the
application of a manual movement force on a handle of the mixing
means located externally of the cavity. Alternatively a powered
movement means can be provided.
Typically the handle extends through an aperture in a lid and into the
cavity to perfollii the mixing and the lid prevents spillage of the liquid
and/or powder as the same are mixed to form the play compound.
Typically the lid is selectively removable from the cavity to allow access
to be gained to introduce the liquid and powder and/or remove the
formed play compound.
In one embodiment the movement means are provided as an arm which
is rotatably movable with respect to the base about a substantially central
axis of the cavity.
In one embodiment the arm includes at least one portion which is
located with respect to the base so as to cause an agitating, and hence
mixing, effect on the liquid and ingredients which are located in the base
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at that time. In one embodiment the said ingredients are provided in a
powder form which is premixed.
In one embodiment the said arm includes one or more ports through
which the powder can be poured to introduce the same for mixing with
the liquid in the base. In one embodiment the powder is introduced as
the arm is moved and thereby allows the powder to be introduced to the
liquid in a manner which reduces the risk of lumping.
In one embodiment the apparatus includes one or more capsules into
which the formed play compound can be placed and stored prior to
subsequent use.
In one embodiment the apparatus includes containers for a plurality of
different powder types which can be selectively used, alone or in
combination, to form a particular play compound. In one embodiment
the powders may differ in terms of any, or any combination of colour,
consistency, ingredients, additional components such as glitter, and the
like.
In a further aspect of the invention there is provided a play compound
said play compound formed by adding a powder with a liquid into a
cavity of a container, said powder including a plurality of components
required to form the play compound and mixing the powder and liquid
for a period of time sufficient to cause the play compound to be formed.
In one embodiment the mixing is performed by a person grasping and
moving, typically by shaking, the container.
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In another embodiment the mixing is performed by a person operating
mixing means.
In a further aspect of the invention there is provided a method for the
manufacture of a play compound which is pliable in use, said method
comprising the steps of adding a quantity of a powder composition to a
liquid in a cavity, and applying an agitating force to cause the mixing of
the powder and liquid for a period of time so as to cause the said play
compound to be formed.
In one embodiment the powder is fottned under factory conditions to
include the ingredients which are required in predefined percentages and
the powder is then provided to a person to be used in conjunction with
the liquid.
In one embodiment the liquid is water.
In one embodiment the user is provided with instructions relating to the
ratio of the powder to water in the mixture. In one embodiment a range
of ratios are provided and the person can select which ratio to use at the
time of manufacture.
In one embodiment a specific mixing container is provided and the
container has marked thereon one or more levels which indicate the
quantity of liquid and/or powder which should be poured into the
container in order to form a suitable play compound with specific
characteristics.
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In one embodiment each ratio is linked to a particular composition of
the play compound which will be formed. For example, if there is a
greater quantity of powder added to an amount of liquid, then the play
compound will have greater viscosity and/or other characteristic and if a
smaller quantity of powder is added to the amount of liquid the play
compound will have a lower viscosity and/or other characteristic.
In one embodiment each of the compounds is linked to a particular
identifiable type or characteristic of play compound such as, clay, dough,
rubber, certain resins, sand, gel, slimy substance and/or other art/craft
compound.
In one embodiment the specific ingredients contained within the
compound are provided in a set percentage level under factory
conditions and converted into a powder under factory conditions such
that the user is only required at the time of making the compound to add
the supplied powder to water in a ratio which is predetermined in order
to make the play compound with the user selected characteristics.
In one embodiment the powder contains a combination of the following
ingredients Gum, such as Guar gum, Borax, a suitable colour pigment or
combination of colour pigments, starch, a phosphate such as Sodium
Hydrogen phosphate, an ethanol, and an acetate such as Sodium
dehydroacetate.
In one embodiment Borax or a borate is not included.
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In one embodiment a further component includes one or more colour
pigments and/or other components to provide a visual or tactile effect.
In a further aspect of the invention there is provided a play compound
which is pliable in use wherein said play compound includes any or any
combination of Silicon, starch, flour and /or talcum powder.
In one embodiment the Silicon is provided as a Silicon Dioxide.
In one embodiment the play compound includes any, or any
combination, of a homopolymer, latex, emulsion and/or one or more
colour pigments.
Typically said silicon, starch, flour, talcum powder, homopolymer, latex
and/or emulsion are, when provided, mixed together, and provided in a
powder form.
In one embodiment there is provided a greater percentage of silicon
dioxide in the said play compound powder than any of the other
ingredients. In one embodiment there is a greater percentage of silicon
dioxide in the play compound powder than the total of the other
ingredients in the play compound powder.
Typically the powder is created under factory conditions.
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In one embodiment the powder is added to a liquid, such as water, in a
required ratio and the liquid and powder are mixed to form the play
compound. In one embodiment the adding and mixing is performed
under factory conditions and the play compound is then provided in a
retail pack for purchase by consumers. Alternatively the powder is
provided as part of a retail pack for purchase by consumers and the
powder is then mixed with the liquid by the consumer to form the play
compound.
Typically the mixing of the powder and liquid requires the application of
an agitating force to cause the mixing of the powder and liquid for a
period of time so as to cause the said play compound to be formed.
In one embodiment when the mixing is performed by the consumer
instructions are provided which relate to the ratio of the powder to liquid
to be used in the mixture. In one embodiment a range of ratios are
provided and the consumer can select which ratio to use at the time of
mixing.
In a further aspect of the invention there is provided a play compound
which is pliable in use wherein said play compound includes no borates,
boron or borax.
In one embodiment the play compound is formed by mixing a
combination of ingredients with a liquid. In one embodiment the
combination of ingredients is provided in a powder form.
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In one embodiment the play compound includes a gelling agent and/or a
cross linking agent.
In one embodiment the play compound formed is a Non-Newtonian
fluid.
Typically the play compound viscosity varies depending on the amount
of force put on it at that instant of time and the viscosity increases with
the increase in force applied.
In one embodiment the play compound molecular structure includes
tangled, long-chain polymer molecules.
In one embodiment a specific mixing container is provided and the
container has marked thereon one or more levels which indicate the
quantity of liquid and/or powder which should be poured into the
container in order to form a suitable play compound with specific
characteristics.
In one embodiment each ratio is linked to a particular composition of
the play compound which will be formed. For example, if there is a
greater quantity of powder added to an amount of liquid, then the play
compound will have greater viscosity and/or other characteristic and if a
smaller quantity of powder is added to the amount of liquid the play
compound will have a lower viscosity and/or other characteristic.
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In one embodiment each of the compounds is linked to a particular
identifiable type or characteristic of play compound such as, clay, dough,
rubber, certain resins, sand, gel, slimy substance and/or other art/craft
compound.
In one embodiment apparatus is provided to aid the formation of the
play compound by the consumer, said apparatus including a base and
mixing means which, when operated, cause agitation and mixture of
powder and liquid to form the play compound. In one embodiment the
apparatus includes a base and an arm which is movable with respect to
the base. In one embodiment the arm is rotatable with respect to the
base as hereinbefore described.
It should also be appreciated that although the method as herein
described is particularly suited to allowing the play compound to be
effectively formed by an end user, without the need of factory scale
apparatus, the method can be used to advantage with all of the steps
being performed under factory conditions for the large volume
manufacture of the play compound.
Specific embodiments of the invention are now described with the
reference to the accompanying diagrams; wherein
Figures la-c illustrate a play compound in accordance with one
embodiment of the invention;
Figures 2a-c illustrate one embodiment of the method of formation of a
play compound in accordance with the invention;
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Figures 3a-d illustrate features of an embodiment of apparatus for use in
forming the play compound in accordance with the invention.
Referring firstly to Figures la-c there is illustrated a play compound 2 in
accordance with one embodiment of the invention. The play compound
is shown being manipulated by a user's hands 4,6 to take selected forms
such as a stretch form 8 shown in Figures la and c and a ball form 8
shown in Figure lb and it will be appreciated that the compound, once
moved into a particular shape has tendency to stay in that shape until
further manipulated by the user. It is found that this type of compound,
and the manipulation of the same can provide entertainment for many
hours to children and therefore is a popular plaything.
The play compound can be made using the ingredients described under
factory conditions or at least partially formed by the end consumer. In
either embodiment a powder can be first be formed and the powder and
hence play compound is borate free. A number of different
combinations of ingredients from those described herein can be used so
as to provide specific forms of the play compound. Furthermore, the
subsequent mixing of the powder with liquid in different ratios allows
further variations of the type of play compound which is formed and the
consistency of the same to be adjusted to suit particular consumer
requirements.
In one embodiment when the play compound is made under factory
conditions the mixing of the ingredients and mixing of the same with
liquid may be done without the specific preparation of the powder prior
to adding to the liquid. However when at least part of the formation is to
be performed by the consumer the preferred steps are to mix and
prepare the powder under factory conditions and then to supply the
powder to the consumer for them to perform the steps of mixing the
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powder and liquid in a particular ration and agitating the same to form
the play compound.
Figures 2a-c illustrate one embodiment of the method of forming the
play compound 2 in accordance with the invention. In this embodiment
a container in the folin of a container 12 is provided and into the
container is poured a quantity of water 14. Also poured into the
container is a quantity of a premixed powder 16 which includes the
ingredients required to form the compound in conjunction with the
liquid, and in required percentages, in order to form the play compound
2 such as over 50% by weight Guar gum, in the range of 15 to 30% by
weight, Starch such as starch potato, single figure percentages by weight
of a phosphate, borax and colour pigment and smaller quantities of
ethanol and dehydroacetate. In one embodiment Borax may not be
included.
As shown in Figure 2a the powder initially lies on top of the water 14.
When the powder and water are located in the container, the lid 18 is
placed on the opening in the container to seal the same and the container
is then grasped by the user with their hand and shaken as indicated by
arrows 19 so as to cause the water and powder to mix. The shaking and
mixing is performed for a period of time and after this the powder and
liquid have mixed together as shown in Figure 2b. The jar may be
provided with markings thereon at one or more levels which indicate the
quantity of liquid and/or powder which should be poured into the
container in order to form a suitable play compound with specific
characteristics when the powder and liquid are mixed together in the jar.
In addition to the mixing, the mixture has also changed condition into
the consistency of the play compound which is illustrated in Figure 2c
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being pulled out of the jar by the persons finger of their hand 6. Once in
the consistency then the same is pliable, remains as a body of the play
compound and can be manipulated as illustrated in Figures la-c.
Turning now to Figures 3a-d there is illustrated an alternative form of
apparatus in accordance with one embodiment of the invention which
can be used to form the play compound. It is envisaged that the
apparatus 20 will be provided along with one or more containers 22 of
the powder as part of a retail pack 24, an example of which is shown in
Figure 3a.
Figures 3b and d illustrate two forms of the apparatus 20 in greater
detail. It will be seen that the apparatus includes a base 26 with a handle
28 which allows the same to be gripped by the hand 4 during use. The
base is provided in the form of a bowl with a cavity in which the powder
and water is added and subsequently the play compound 2 is formed. A
mixing means in the form of an arm 30 which is provided with a handle
32 to be gripped by the user's other hand 6 is provided. The arm is
provided to be rotatable as indicated by arrows 34, 36 about an axis 38
provided centrally of the base 26. The arm has depending downwardly
from the same and towards the base, a series of mixing members 40
which depend into the powder and water and serve to mix the same
together as the arm is rotated. A lid can be provided to enclose the cavity
during mixing although not shown in the Figures 3a-d for clarity
purposes.
The arm, in this embodiment, is also provided with one or more ports 42
which allow the pouring of the powder through the same and into the
bowl and ports 44 which allow the pouring of the water through the
same and into the bowl. These allow the powder and water to be
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introduced into the bowl in a measured and spread manner and thereby
reduce the tendency of the powder and water to form lumps during the
mixing process.
Once the arm has been rotated for a sufficient time as to cause the play
compound to be created from the powder and water the same can be
removed from the base, in one embodiment using a funnel 46 as shown
in Figure 3c and poured into one or more capsules 48 which are typically
formed of two parts 50, 52 and once the capsule has been filled with
sufficient of the play compound the parts 50, 52 are sealed to thereby
enclose the play compound 2 in the same and hence maintain the
consistency of the play compound until it is desired to be used for play.
It should be appreciated that the apparatus can take any suitable form
and may in one embodiment be shaped to match an animal, cartoon
character or other format.
There is therefore provided in accordance with the invention apparatus
and a method for producing a play compound which allows the play
compound to be made by a non-skilled person and outside of a factory
environment whilst ensuring that the play compound which is formed
has the desired characteristics.
