Note: Descriptions are shown in the official language in which they were submitted.
Millman IP ref: SPI-1137
Spin Master ref: SPI-054-US-P-2
KIT FOR CONSTRUCTING CRAFT USING PLURALITY OF BLOCKS AND
STORAGE CONTAINER FOR SAME
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS
[0001] This application claims the benefit of US Provisional Application
No.
63/266,428, filed January 5, 2022, the contents of which are incorporated
herein by
reference in their entirety.
FIELD OF THE DISCLOSURE
[0002] The present invention relates generally to blocks for constructing
crafts,
and more particularly to storage containers therefor.
BACKGROUND OF THE DISCLOSURE
[0003] Kits have been provided in the past, containing a plurality of beads
that
were made of a material that, when exposed to water, became adherent to one
another. Some kits were difficult to use because the beads where spherical and
did
not therefore have large areas of contact with one another. Some kits were
messy
to use as the user inadvertently sprayed water other than on the beads, or
some of
the dissolved bead material would wind up on the table that the user worked
at.
[0004] It would be advantageous to provide a kit for producing a craft that
addresses one or more of the problems identified above or other problems that
are
present with some kits.
SUMMARY OF THE DISCLOSURE
[0005] In an aspect, a kit is provided for constructing a craft from a
plurality of
blocks and a block tray. Each block has a main body having an exterior surface
that
is made from a material that is adherent when exposed to water so as to permit
a
first block from the plurality of blocks to be adherable to a second block of
the plurality
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of blocks by applying water to at least one of the first and second blocks.
The block
tray is shaped to support the plurality of blocks. The kit includes a water
dispenser
for dispensing water and a storage container. The storage container includes a
lower
housing member that contains at least one block storage compartment for
holding
the plurality of blocks, and a cover that is sized to mount at least
indirectly to the lower
housing member to form an enclosed storage container interior therewith. The
cover
is openable to permit access to the storage container interior, and is sized
to fit over
the block tray while the block tray holds the plurality of blocks. The cover
further
includes an opening that is sized to permit, during use, a user to dispense
water onto
the plurality of blocks on the block tray.
[0006] In another aspect, a kit is provided for constructing a craft
from a plurality
of blocks. Each block has a main body having an exterior surface that is made
from
a material that is adherent when exposed to water so as to permit a first
block from
the plurality of blocks to be adherable to a second block of the plurality of
blocks by
applying water to at least one of the first and second blocks. Each block has
a
minimum dimension and a maximum dimension that is larger than the minimum
dimension. The storage container includes a lower housing member that contains
a
plurality of block storage compartments for holding the plurality of blocks,
wherein
the block storage compartments are defined by a plurality of block storage
compartment walls which have an upper edge. The storage container further
includes a divider that is positioned such that a gap between the upper edge
of the
block storage compartment walls and an underside of the divider is smaller
than the
maximum dimension of each of the plurality of blocks so as to at least inhibit
spillage
and mixing of any blocks from the plurality of blocks stored in any one of the
plurality
of block storage compartments with any blocks from the plurality of blocks
stored in
any other one of the plurality of block storage compartments. The divider has
an
upper surface that is a floor of a secondary storage compartment for the
storage
container. The storage container further includes a cover that is sized to
mount at
least indirectly to the lower housing member to form an enclosed storage
container
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interior therewith. The cover is cover is openable to permit access to the
storage
container interior, and is sized to fit over the block tray while the block
tray holds the
plurality of blocks. The cover encloses the secondary storage compartment when
connected at least indirectly to the lower housing member.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0007] Embodiments will now be described, by way of example only, with
reference to the attached figures, as follows:
[0008] Figure 1 is a perspective view of a block for use in producing a
craft in
accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure.
[0009] Figure 2 is another perspective view of the block shown in
Figure 1.
[0010] Figure 3 is a sectional perspective view of the block shown in
Figure 1.
[0011] Figure 4 is a perspective view of a block tray that can be used
with the
block shown in Figure 1.
[0012] Figure 5 is a perspective view of one block tray projection from
among a
plurality of block tray projections that are present on the block tray shown
in Figure
4.
[0013] Figure 6 is a sectional elevation view a portion of the block
tray shown in
Figure 4 with the block shown in Figure 1 thereon.
[0014] Figure 7A is a sectional plan view of the block on the block tray
shown in
Figure 6, at a first elevation.
[0015] Figure 7B is another sectional plan view of the block on the
block tray
shown in Figure 6, at a second elevation.
[0016] Figure 8 is a perspective view of a kit that includes a
plurality of the block
shown in Figure 1.
[0017] Figure 9 is a perspective view of a plurality of the blocks from
the kit shown
in Figure 8, with water applied thereto, being adhered together.
[0018] Figure 10 is an elevation view of two blocks from the kit shown
in Figure
8, stacked on top of one another, with water applied thereto, being adhered
together.
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[0019] Figure 11 is a perspective view of a kit that includes a storage
container,
a water dispenser and a plurality of secondary tools, in accordance with
another
embodiment of the present disclosure.
[0020] Figure 12 is an exploded view of the storage container shown in
Figure
11.
[0021] Figure 13 is a sectional perspective view of a cover from the
storage
container shown in Figure 11, being used with the water dispenser to apply
water to
a plurality of blocks.
[0022] Figure 14 is a sectional perspective view of a lower housing
member from
the storage container shown in Figure 11 with a divider thereon.
[0023] Figure 15 is a perspective view of a block with some dimensions
thereon.
[0024] Figure 16 is a sectional elevation view of the storage container
shown in
Figure 11.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENTS
[0025] Throughout the present disclosure, it will be understood that the
term "an"
to introduce an element is not intended to mean "one and only one" of that
element.
It is intended to mean "one or more" of that element, unless it would be
obvious to
one skilled in the art that more than one of the element would be unusable.
[0026] Reference is made to Figure 1, which shows a block 10 in
accordance with
an embodiment of the present disclosure. The block 10 may be part of a kit for
constructing a craft, wherein the kit is shown at 12 in Figure 8. The kit 12
includes a
plurality of the blocks 10. Seven blocks 10 are shown in Figure 8, however, it
will be
understood that the kit 12 may include more or fewer of the blocks 10. In some
cases
there may be hundreds of the blocks 10 provided in the kit 12.
[0027] Each block 10 has a main body 14, which has an exterior surface 16
that
is made from a material that is adherent when exposed to water so as to permit
a
first block (shown in Figure 9, at 10a) from the plurality of blocks 10 to be
adherable
to a second block (shown at 10b) of the plurality of blocks 10 by applying
water
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(shown at 18) to at least one of the first and second blocks. The material may
become adherent, for example, by dissolving somewhat in the water 18, and then
resolidifying once the water evaporates, thereby fusing blocks 10 that are
adjacent
one another when wetted. A suitable material may be, for example, polyvinyl
alcohol
(PVA). Any other suitable material may alternatively or additionally be used.
The
entire block 10 may be formed from the material, or alternatively may include
a core
from a first material, and an outer layer of the adherent material such as
PVA.
[0028] The exterior surface 16 may include a plurality of generally
planar (i.e. flat)
exterior sidewalls 19 so as to promote surface-to-surface contact between
adjacent
blocks 10, thereby promoting adhesion therebetween. However, it is
contemplated
that any other suitable shape may be provided to the exterior surface 16.
[0029] Each block 10 further includes a top surface 20 and a block
projection 22
extending from the top surface 20. The block projection 22 is shown as having
a
generally square shape, however, other shapes such as arcuate shape or other
polygonal shapes or combinations thereof are contemplated. The block
projection
22 has a height H1 (Figure 10) from the top surface 20, which is described
further
below.
[0030] Each block 10 further including a bottom aperture 24 extending
into the
main body 14. The bottom aperture 24 may extend from a lowermost surface shown
at 26, and my extend towards the top surface 20. The bottom aperture 24 may
define
a longitudinal axis A for the block 10 (Figure 3).
[0031] The bottom aperture 24 includes a first aperture region 28. The
first
aperture region 28 is shaped to receive the block projection 22 of the second
block
10b (Figure 10) of the plurality of blocks 10.
[0032] The first aperture region 28 has a plurality of walls including a
plurality of
first region sidewalls 30 and a plurality of first region corners 32. The
first region
sidewalls 30 are connected to one another by the plurality of first region
corners 32.
Each first region corner 32 has a first average radius R1. The first average
radius
R1 is the average of the radii of all surfaces that make up the corner between
two
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Spin Master ref: SPI-054-US-P-2
adjacent sidewalls 30 (not counting any flat surfaces). This average may be a
weighted average based on the widths of the individual surfaces, or may be
determined in any other suitable way. In the example shown, the first average
radius
R1 is small - less than 0.1 mm and may be considered approximately zero.
[0033] The bottom aperture 24 further includes a second aperture region 34
that
extends into the main body 14 from the first aperture region 28. The second
aperture
region 34 has a plurality of second region sidewalls 36, which are connected
to one
another by a plurality of second region corners 38. Each second region corner
38
has a second average radius R2, may be determined using an analogous method to
that which is used for determining the first average radius R1. The second
average
radius R2 is greater than the first average radius R1. In the example shown, a
parting
line between one of the second region sidewalls 36 and one of the second
region
corners 38 is shown at 40. In the example shown, the second average radius R2
is
the weighted average radius of three surfaces shown at 38a, 38b and 38c. Given
that the surface 38a is so much larger than the surfaces 38b and 38c, the
second
average radius will be relatively close to the radius of the surface 38a. It
can be seen
visually that the second average radius R2 is much larger than the first
average
radius R1.
[0034] The bottom aperture 24 includes a shoulder 42 between the first
aperture
region 28 and the second aperture region 34. The shoulder 42 defines a depth
H2
(Figure 10) of the first aperture region 28. As can be seen in Figure 10, the
depth H2
of the first aperture region 28 is greater than the height H1 of the block
projection 22,
such that the lowermost surface 26 of the first block 10a can contact the top
surface
20 of the second block 10b, thereby facilitating their adherence together.
[0035] By providing the first aperture region 28 that is shaped to receive
the block
projection 22 of the second block 10b, and by providing the second aperture
region
34 that has the second average radius R2 for the second region corners 38 that
is
larger than the first average radius R1, the second aperture region 34
provides added
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strength at the corners of the block 10 that would not be present if the
entire bottom
aperture 24 was shaped like the first aperture region 28.
[0036] Additionally, it can be seen that the second region sidewalls 36
progressively increase in thickness with increasing distance from the second
region
corners 38. This shape strengthens the second region sidewalls 36 against
forces
exerted thereon, while still conserving material used in the manufacture of
the block
10. In other words, by providing the increase in thickness away from the
second
region corners 38, the material that makes up the block 10 is used where it is
most
needed to resist stresses that may be applied to it during use. This may also
help
the block 10 maintain its shape and inhibit warpage during manufacture, as
compared to a block 10 where the entire bottom aperture 24 is like the first
aperture
region 28. In the example block 10 shown in the figures, the peak thickness of
each
second region sidewall 36 is centered between the second region corner 38 on
either
side of it.
[0037] In the example shown, the main body 14 of the block 10 has four
corners,
and the first aperture region 28 has four first region corners 32 and four
first region
sidewalls 30, and the second aperture region 34 has four second region corners
38
and four second region sidewalls 36. However, any other suitable number of
corners
and sidewalls may be used for each of the first and second aperture regions.
Furthermore, the first and second aperture regions need not have the same
number
of corners as one other, and therefore need not have the same number of
sidewalls
as one another.
[0038] Referring to Figure 4, the kit 12 may include a block tray 44
that is shaped
to receive blocks 10 for assisting in creating a craft therewith. The block
tray 44
includes a floor 46, a plurality of block tray projections 48 that extend
upwards from
the floor 46, and an edge wall 50 that surrounds the floor 44.
[0039] The block tray projections 48 are shaped to receive blocks 10
thereon and
to position the blocks 10 so as to have the exterior surfaces 16 thereof be in
contact
with one another.
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[0040] The floor 46 is provided to collect water that is sprayed onto
the blocks 10
during the craftmaking process. The edge wall 50 is provided to prevent the
water
collected on the floor 46 of the block tray 44, from spilling off onto the
table or other
support surface on which the block tray 44 is positioned.
[0041] Magnified views of one of the block tray projections 48 are shown in
Figures 5, 6, 7A and 7B. The block tray projection 48 may, in some
embodiments,
include a proximal portion 48a and a distal portion 48b. The first aperture
region 28
of the bottom aperture 24 of each block 10 may be shaped to receive the
proximal
portion 48a of each block tray projection 48. In some embodiments, the
proximal
portion 48a includes a plurality of locating surfaces 52 that are engageable
with the
first region sidewalls 30 of the first aperture region 28 to securely position
the block
10 in a selected position on the block tray 44. The proximal portion 48a
further
includes a plurality of air passage surfaces 54 that are positioned to be
spaced from
the block 10 when the block 10 is mounted thereon, to ensure that any water
that
inadvertently winds up in the bottom aperture 24 of the block 10 has a way of
draining
out.
[0042] A limit surface 56 may be provided on the block tray projection
48. In the
embodiment shown, the limit surface 56 is provided between the first portion
48a and
the second portion 48b of the block tray projection 48. When the block 10 is
positioned on the block tray projection 48, the limit surface 56 engages the
shoulder
42 on the block 10. It may be said that the limit surface 56 is positioned in
a selected
position on the block tray 44 to hold the lowermost surface 26 of the block 10
above
the floor 46 of the block tray 44 that surrounds the block tray projection 48,
as can be
seen in Figure 6. As a result, the block 10 is essentially prevented from
adhering to
the floor 46. It may also be said that the depth H2 of the first aperture
region 28 of
the block 10 is selected such that the shoulder 42 is positioned to engage the
limit
surface 56 on the block tray 10 to hold the lowermost surface 26 of the block
10
above the floor 46 of the block tray 46 that surrounds the block tray
projection 48.
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[0043] The second aperture region 34 of the bottom aperture 24 of each
block 10
may be shaped to receive the distal portion 48b of each block tray projection
48.
Alternatively it may be said that the distal portion 48b of each block tray
projection 48
may be shaped to receive the second aperture region 34 of the bottom aperture
24
of each block 10.
[0044] In some embodiments, the distal portion 48b may generally
conform to the
shape of the second aperture region 34 but may be spaced entirely from the
walls of
the second aperture region 34, so as to provide some increased stability to
the block
resting thereon by inhibiting excessive tilting of the block 10 while the
block 10 sits
10 thereon, while also inhibiting the block 10 from adhering thereto in the
event that any
water is present therebetween, thereby facilitating removal of the block 10
therefrom
once the craft is completed. Additionally, the spacing between the second
portion
48b of the block try projection 48 and the walls of the second aperture region
34
facilitate water drainage in the event that there is any water on top of the
block tray
projection 48 or in the second aperture region 34 of the block 10 when the
block 10
is mounted onto the block tray projection 48. As can be seen in Figure 7B,
there is
a first minimum clearance G1 between the first aperture region 28 and the
proximal
portion 48a of the block tray projection 48. The first minimum clearance G1 is
the
clearance at the point where proximal portion 48a and the walls of the first
aperture
region 28 are closest to one another. This occurs in the example shown between
any of the locating surfaces 52 and the first region side walls 30. The first
minimum
clearance G1 may be effectively zero in embodiments in which the locating
surfaces
52 and the first region side walls 30 contact one another to when the block 10
is
mounted to the block tray projection 48, as is the case in the example shown
in Figure
7B. Alternatively, the first minimum clearance G1 could be some other value,
such
as, for example 1mm.
[0045] As can be seen in Figure 7A, there is a second minimum clearance
G2
between the second aperture region 34 and the distal portion 48b of the block
tray
projection 48. The second minimum clearance G2 is the clearance at the point
where
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proximal portion 48b and the walls of the second aperture region 34 are
closest to
one another. The second minimum clearance G2 is larger than the first minimum
clearance, which provides at least some of the advantages outlined above. In
some
embodiments, the second minimum clearance G2 may be in the range of 1-2 mm, in
order to provide the advantages outlined above in relation to inhibiting
adherence to
the second portion 48b of the block tray projection 48 by the block 10. Based
on the
above, it may be said that the first aperture region 28 is sized to have a
first minimum
clearance G1 relative to the proximal portion 48a of the block tray projection
48, and
the second aperture region 34 is sized to have a second minimum clearance G2
relative to the distal portion 48b of the block tray projection 48, wherein
the first
minimum clearance G1 is smaller than the second minimum clearance G2.
[0046] An example of a simple craft is shown at 100 in Figure 9, which
is formed
from four blocks 10 that are adhered together.
[0047] While it has been shown for the kit 12 to optionally include the
block tray
44 shown in Figure 4, it will be understood that the kit 12 might not include
the block
tray 44, but may include a plurality of blocks 10 that are shaped, in at least
some
embodiments, to be received on a pre-existing block tray 44, as described
herein.
[0048] Reference is made to Figure 11, which shows a kit 200 for use in
constructing a craft from a plurality of blocks 10. For this aspect of the
disclosure it
is not critical for the blocks 10 to be identical to the blocks 10 shown in
Figure 1. For
this aspect of the disclosure, each block 10 has a main body 14 having an
exterior
surface 16 that is made from a material that is adherent when exposed to water
18
so as to permit a first block 10a from the plurality of blocks 10 to be
adherable to a
second block 10b of the plurality of blocks by applying water to at least one
of the
first and second blocks 10a and 10b. It is not necessary however, for each
block 10
to include a bottom aperture (although they can) or for each block 10 to
include a top
projection (although they can). Other features on the block 10 shown in
Figures 1
and 2 need not be present in the block 10 shown in Figure 12. Furthermore,
some
blocks 10 are shown in Figure 11. It will be noted that the kit 200 may
include the
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plurality of blocks 10 but need not include them. The kit 200 should be
configured to
be used with the blocks 10, however. Similarly, the kit 200 may optionally
include
the block tray 44. However, the block tray 44 need not be identical to the
block tray
44 shown in Figure 4. The block tray 44 for this aspect of the disclosure need
not,
for example, include block tray projections 48. However, the kit 200 may
optionally
not include the block tray 44. However, the kit 200 should be configured to be
used
with the block tray 44 however.
[0049] The kit 200 includes a water dispenser 201 for dispensing water
18, and a
storage container 202. The storage container 202 includes a lower housing
member
203 that contains at least one block storage compartment 204 for holding the
plurality
of blocks 10, and a cover 206 that is sized to mount at least indirectly to
the lower
housing member 203 to form an enclosed storage container interior 205 (Figure
16)
therewith. In the embodiment shown, the at least one block storage compartment
204 includes nine block storage compartments 204 as shown in Figure 12. Each
block storage compartment 204 may be used to hold blocks 10 of a different
color or
shape, as desired by the user. While nine block storage compartments 204 are
shown, it will be understood that the storage container 200 may container
fewer or
more block storage compartments 204.
[0050] The cover 206 is openable to permit access to the storage
container
interior 205 and is sized to fit over the block tray 44 while the block tray
44 holds at
least some of the plurality of blocks 10. The cover 206 is shown fitting over
the block
tray 44 while the block tray 44 rests on a support surface SS such as a table
in Figure
13. The cover 206 is shown fitting over the block tray 44 while the block tray
44 rests
on a divider 216 that is part of the storage container 202 in Figure 16.
[0051] The cover 206 has an opening 207 thereon, which is described further
below. In the embodiment shown, the cover 206 has a plurality of openings 207
however, in embodiments where the cover 206 includes any openings 207, there
could be as few as one opening 207, or two or more openings 207, depending on
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the application. For each opening 207, the cover 206 includes a support
surface 208
adjacent the opening 207.
[0052] In the embodiment shown, the water dispenser 201 includes a
storage
section 209 that has a water storage chamber 210 therein, and a water outlet
section
211 that has a water outlet 212. The storage section 209 is movable relative
to the
outlet section 211. When the water dispenser 201 is inverted into the
dispensing
position shown in Figure 13, the storage section 209 is movable in a first
direction
(shown by arrow D1 in Figure 13) relative to the outlet section 211 to bring
the water
dispenser 201 to a compressed position (wherein the position of the storage
section
209 in this state is shown in dashed lines in Figure 13), so as to push water
18
contained in the water dispenser 201 out from the water outlet 212, onto the
plurality
of blocks 10 on the block tray 44. The storage section 209 is also movable in
a
second direction (shown by arrow D2 in Figure 13) relative to the outlet
section 211
to bring the water dispenser 201 to an extended position (wherein the position
of the
storage section 209 in this state is shown in solid lines in Figure 13), so as
to draw
air into the water storage chamber 210 to ready the water dispenser 201 to
move to
the compressed state again to dispense more water 18.
[0053] In some embodiments, the water dispenser 201 further includes a
water
dispenser biasing member 214 that is positioned to urge the storage section
209 and
the outlet section 211 away from one another so as to urge the water dispenser
201
towards the extended state. In the embodiment shown, the water dispenser
biasing
member 214 is a helical compression spring, however, any other suitable type
of
biasing member may be used.
[0054] In some embodiments the storage container 201 further includes
the
optionally provided divider 216. The divider 216 is positioned to enclose each
of the
plurality of block storage compartments 204 so as to inhibit spillage and
mixing of
any blocks 10 from the plurality of blocks 10 stored in any one of the
plurality of block
storage compartments 204 with any blocks 10 from the plurality of blocks 10
stored
in any other one of the plurality of block storage compartments 204. For
example,
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as shown in the sectional view shown in Figure 14, the blocks shown at 10c,
which
are stored in the block storage compartment shown at 204c are inhibited from
mixing
with the blocks shown at 10d, which are stored in the block storage
compartment
shown at 204d because of the presence of the divider 216, in the event that
the
storage container 201 is overturned or shaken violently or bumped hard. In
some
embodiments, the underside, shown at 218, of the divider 216 is positioned
sufficiently close to an upper edge shown at 220, of the block storage
compartment
walls, shown at 222, that the blocks 10 in the block storage compartments 204
are
prevented completely from mixing with one another. To accomplish this, the gap
between the upper edges 220 of the block storage compartment walls 222 (shown
at G in Figure 14) would be smaller than the minimum dimension of the blocks
10
(shown at Dmin in Figure 15). The minimum dimension of the blocks 10 is the
smallest dimension of all their dimensions, which determines what size gap
they
would fit through. In the case of a block 10 that has a square base and which
is taller
than either of the base dimensions (as is the case in the example shown in
Figure
15), the minimum dimension is either of the width or depth of the base.
[0055] However, in other embodiments, the underside 218 of the divider
216 is
positioned sufficiently close to the upper edges 220 of the block storage
compartment
walls 222 so as to inhibit mixing of the different types of blocks 10 with one
another,
but not so close as to completely prevent mixing of the different types of
blocks 10
with one another. To accomplish this, the gap G between the upper edges 220 of
the block storage compartment walls 222 would be smaller than the maximum
dimension of the blocks 10 (shown at Dmax in Figure 15). The maximum dimension
of the blocks 10 is the largest dimension of all their dimensions, which
determines
what size gap would offer resistance to the pass-through of a block 10
oriented in the
least optimized way to pass through such a gap. In the case of the block 10
shown
in Figure 15, the maximum dimension is the dimension from a corner at the top
of
the block 10 to an opposing corner at the base of the block 10. As can be
seen, the
maximum dimension Dmax for the block 10 is larger than the minimum dimension
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Dm in. By sizing the gap G to be at least smaller than the maximum dimension
Dmax
of the blocks 10, it may be said that the divider 216 is positioned
sufficiently close to
the upper edges 220 of the block storage compartment walls 222 so as to at
least
inhibit spillage and mixing of any blocks 10 from the plurality of blocks 10
stored in
any one of the plurality of block storage compartments 204 with any blocks 10
from
the plurality of blocks 10 stored in any other one of the plurality of block
storage
compartments 204.
[0056] Referring to Figure 16, the divider 216 includes an upper
surface 224 that
defines a floor of a secondary storage compartment 226 for the storage
container
202. The secondary storage compartment 226 is sized to hold additional items.
For
example, in the embodiment shown, the secondary storage compartment 226 is
sized to hold the block tray 44 therein. Additionally or alternatively the
secondary
storage compartment 226 may be sized to hold other items including, for
example,
one or more craft-making tools shown at 228 (Figure 11).
[0057] The divider 216 may be hingedly mounted by a divider hinge 227, to
the
lower housing member 203 as shown in the figures and may have a lip 229 that
supports the perimeter of the divider 216 on the lower housing member 203. The
divider 216 may alternatively be completely removable from the lower housing
member 203 instead of being connected thereto by a divider hinge.
.. [0058] The cover 206 encloses the secondary storage compartment 226 when
connected at least indirectly to the lower housing member 203. In the
embodiment
shown, the cover 206 may mount directly onto the divider 216.
[0059] The craft-making tools 228 may include any suitable tools, such
as, for
example, a small water-sprayer shown at 228a that can be used to spray a
relatively
small amount of water in a localized area of a craft being made, and a block
tweezer
for picking up individual blocks 10.
[0060] The cover 206 in the embodiment shown is openable by being
completely
removable from the rest of the storage container 202. In order to hold the
cover 206
in place when it is mounted (at least indirectly to the lower housing member
203), a
14
Date Regue/Date Received 2022-09-29
Millman IP ref: SPI-1137
Spin Master ref: SPI-054-US-P-2
pair of latch members 230 may be provided. The latch members 230 may each be
hinged to one of the cover 206 and the lower housing member 203, and may
releasably latch to the other of the cover 206 and the lower housing member
203. In
the embodiment shown, the latch members 230 are both hinged to the lower
housing
member 203, at latch member hinges 232, and latch to the cover 206 at a latch
structure which may be provided by a pair of small projections 234 (Figure 12)
on
each latch member 230 that resiliently engage a pair of small depressions 236
on
the cover 206. The latch members 230 may further include mounts 238 for
receiving
a handle 240 for carrying the storage container 202. The handle 240 may be
releasable from one or both of the latch members 230 so as so to permit their
separation from the cover 206 so as to permit the user to open the storage
container
202.
[0061] While latch members 230 are shown as being used to hold the
cover 206
onto the rest of the storage container 202, any other suitable locking
structure could
alternatively be used.
[0062] While the cover 206 has been shown as being completely removable
from
the rest of the storage container 202, it is alternatively possible for the
cover 206 to
be hingedly connected to the lower housing member 203 or to some other part of
the
storage container 202, and to be openable by pivoting towards an open
position.
One or both of the latch members 230 could be provided in such an embodiment.
[0063] Referring to Figure 11, additional elements that may be included
in the kit
200 (and/or in the kit 12) include accessories shown at 242, which may be made
from
the same material as the blocks 10 and which may therefore also be adherable
to
the blocks 10 and/or to one another by applying water to them.
[0064] While the dispensing of water 18 onto the blocks 10 using the cover
206
to cover the block tray 44 is illustrated with the block tray 44 sitting on
the support
surface SS that is a table (Figure 13), it will be understood that this could
be done
while the block tray 44 sits on the divider 216 in the storage container 202.
For
example, in Figure 16, the handle 240 would be removed and the water dispenser
Date Recue/Date Received 2022-09-29
Millman IP ref: SPI-1137
Spin Master ref: SPI-054-US-P-2
201 could be inserted into one of the openings 207 to dispense water 18 onto
the
blocks 10 held on the block tray 44.
[0065] The above-described embodiments are intended to be examples of
the
present invention and alterations and modifications may be effected thereto,
by those
of skill in the art, without departing from the scope of the invention that is
defined
solely by the claims appended hereto.
16
Date Recue/Date Received 2022-09-29
