EP4053044A1 - Verfahren und vorrichtung zum verpacken von schulungskits - Google Patents

Verfahren und vorrichtung zum verpacken von schulungskits Download PDF

Info

Publication number
EP4053044A1
EP4053044A1 EP20881752.8A EP20881752A EP4053044A1 EP 4053044 A1 EP4053044 A1 EP 4053044A1 EP 20881752 A EP20881752 A EP 20881752A EP 4053044 A1 EP4053044 A1 EP 4053044A1
Authority
EP
European Patent Office
Prior art keywords
elements
container
packaging
lodgment
educational
Prior art date
Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
Pending
Application number
EP20881752.8A
Other languages
English (en)
French (fr)
Other versions
EP4053044A4 (de
Inventor
Dmitry Viacheslavovich ZHURIN
Current Assignee (The listed assignees may be inaccurate. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation or warranty as to the accuracy of the list.)
Individual
Original Assignee
Individual
Priority date (The priority date is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the date listed.)
Filing date
Publication date
Application filed by Individual filed Critical Individual
Publication of EP4053044A1 publication Critical patent/EP4053044A1/de
Publication of EP4053044A4 publication Critical patent/EP4053044A4/de
Pending legal-status Critical Current

Links

Images

Classifications

    • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
    • A63—SPORTS; GAMES; AMUSEMENTS
    • A63H—TOYS, e.g. TOPS, DOLLS, HOOPS OR BUILDING BLOCKS
    • A63H33/00—Other toys
    • A63H33/04—Building blocks, strips, or similar building parts

Definitions

  • the present invention relates to a method and means of packaging educational sets, in particular, to the packaging for construction sets, puzzles, board games, and other learning kits.
  • Educational sets including learning kits, board games, and children's construction sets branded as Lego, Megablocks, Fischertechnik, Playmobil, and so on, constitute one of the largest segments of the market for games and educational products. They are in constant demand among families and educational institutions.
  • kits and construction sets like the aforementioned consist of a limited number of standardized elements and differ from one another only in that a model can have a specific number of pieces for the construction of more or less complex models of buildings, devices, characters, robots, and so on.
  • Each construction set usually includes a printed manual, which illustrates the types of building elements, specifies their number and a guide describing how to build the model and indicating the elements required to assemble each model section.
  • Lego-set themes are one example. They are created by professionals who are highly experienced in industrial design. Many models are comprised of special elements. It is likely that focus groups are used for some models. Title models fit into existing Lego product lines according to theme, such as Star Wars ships, and so on.
  • the purpose of the present invention is to realize a new method and means of packaging both new and existing mass-market construction toys and educational sets, which may enable the average user to:
  • the proposed method and means in accordance with the present invention also make it much easier to sanitize the building elements before reintroducing them into circulation for further use by other individuals.
  • Patent US1804927A Container for construction toys and like sets (1928) describes a container for children's construction toys and like sets, which, more specifically, is a box with a sliding tray or trays of a certain thickness in which molded recesses are made to accommodate the exact dimensions of the corresponding elements contained in the construction set.
  • Patent US6554675 Method of packaging toy building elements and packaging for exercising the method, 1998, LEGO, describes a method for packaging elements of the popular Lego children's toys for building a comparatively complex toy model comprising a number of associated model sections, with each model section consisting of a number of Lego building elements.
  • the preferred embodiment is that the basic elements for building each individual model section are packaged in a separate bag.
  • the accompanying construction manual can be subdivided to show how to build each model section. Therefore, the relatively complex task of assembling the entire model is divided into several easier operations insofar as each individual model section consists of a relatively small number of elements, and it is considerably easier for the user to take the necessary elements from a limited number of elements rather than from all elements included in the construction set.
  • Patent US3777882A Multi-tray instrument case (1971) describes a container for storing surgical instruments.
  • the container is a box with flat panels, or trays, of a certain thickness, each of which consists of a layer of elastically deformable plastic foam with cutout areas matching the dimensions of each instrument that enable the instrument to be held tightly in place.
  • Patent US4711348A Container for product samples (1986) describes packaging for small-sized consumer product samples used in direct mail advertising or in direct sampling of products, for which perfume or cosmetic samples are distributed to the consumer.
  • the packaging is a type of ribbed envelope, or flat cardboard box, with overlapping lid panels.
  • the container includes a porous foam material with selected portions removed to form product sample-receiving compartments.
  • a distinctive feature of the packaging is that when it is open the decorative and informational graphics are applied in such a way that both the product samples and the accompanying graphics and text are simultaneously visible.
  • Patent US5320223A Insert having part numbers or the like printed at the bottom of retaining recesses (1993) describes an insert for a tool box drawer.
  • the upper layer of the insert is compressible material, such as foam, that has cut-out portions, with each cut-out portion being in the shape of the silhouette of the item or tool to be retained therein.
  • the lower layer of the insert has information printed thereon and visible through the cut-out portions. The user sees the information contained in the insert for a tool box drawer and understands which cut-out portion corresponds to its tool.
  • Patent US7410053B2 Layered tool holder with visible identification (2004) describes a container, or tool holder, for storing a variety of tools and other devices, and the method of forming the tool.
  • the container is formed from flat panels composed of at least two layers of material that have different thicknesses and cutout areas in the shape of the silhouette of each tool to be retained therein.
  • a marker for tool identification is clearly visible next to each cutout. After use, the tools are returned to their designated cutout space in the container thereby enabling the user to determine easily whether all the tools are in place.
  • each individual model section consists of a relatively small number of elements, and it is considerably easier for the user to take the necessary elements from a limited number of elements rather than from all elements included in the construction set.
  • Patent US6554675 has disadvantages that could limit the versatility of a construction set:
  • the method and means disclosed in the present application for packaging such construction sets stipulates the rigidly ordered placing of parts in a container using the graphic identifier corresponding to each individual building element which can be found on the surface of the container that holds the elements of the construction set.
  • the claimed method and means make it possible not only to find quickly any required part but also to assess instantly whether the set is complete, since each element and its identifier corresponding to it in shape and color are spatially aligned and simultaneously visible, and since the images used as graphic identifiers for individual parts together form the image of a set of parts.
  • the proposed method and means make it possible to assemble sections of variable composition within a construction set.
  • one set can be used to complete several models from sections that vary from model to model.
  • the pieces from one section do not need to be placed in a separate bag or on a separate tray.
  • the user can, for example, highlight sections of variable composition with contours of various colors or shapes on the surface of a common lodgment plate, or tray.
  • the technical result of the present invention is the expansion of the functional possibilities of packaging educational sets.
  • the proposed method and means of the present invention provide at once the following features:
  • the technical result of using the invention is that the functionality of the packaging for educational kits is expanded and the ergonomic design of the packaging is improved, which makes it possible to solve simultaneously all of the above issues.
  • the means of packaging is a container consisting of at least two parts.
  • the first part is intended to fix the location of individual parts on its surface and is made with the possibility to prevent displacement of any part along this surface.
  • the first part can be made, for example, in the form of a lodgment plate with cutout portions in the shape of the parts into which said parts are inserted or be made to include small protrusions on a flat surface that prevent the displacement of the parts; or the first part can be made with an adhesive coating.
  • the first part can have both a flat and curved surface of both constant and variable curvature.
  • the first part may be made of cardboard, plastic, wood or any other suitable material, transparent or opaque.
  • the second part of the packaging means is designed to fix the position of the set of parts on the surface of the first part and is made with a possibility to prevent any and all of these parts from moving away from the fixing surface of the first part.
  • the second part connects to the first part with a standard closure element or by another known method.
  • the second part may be made of transparent plastic or a perforated material or any other material that provides visual identification for the elements placed on the surface of the first part.
  • the second part may be completely opaque, in which case it should be fully opened to enable the user to assess whether the set of elements positioned on the surface of the first part is complete.
  • the same layer of the packaging means can function as the second and first parts for the other layers that are placed below and above respectively, in which case the container would consist of more than two parts.
  • the surface of at least one of these parts contains graphic identifiers, or images, the shape and color of which correspond to the relevant building element.
  • the location of the identifiers and the location of the parts in the packaging means are positioned in such a way that when visually reviewing the educational set, each of its parts is visible simultaneously with its identifier, and they are perceived together as a whole.
  • the packaging means is a container with at least one lodgment plate in the sockets of which, according to a given pattern, the parts of the set are located, each of which corresponds to a separate realistic image that is spatially aligned with the socket, which is made according to the shape of the relevant part. Together, all the images form a united image of a set of parts.
  • the packaging means for educational sets containing a large number of elements may contain several lodgment plates.
  • the distribution of parts over the plates can be carried out in such a way as to ensure the convenience of sequential assembly of the corresponding sections of the model.
  • FIG. 1 One of the embodiments of the method and means of packaging a construction set is shown in Fig. 1 .
  • the present invention is illustrated in a schematic drawing showing a container designed especially for said embodiment and used for the organized positioning, storage, and transportation of a construction set.
  • the building elements are arranged in the container in such a way as to make possible either a quick visual "at a glance” assessment of the completeness of a set or automatically, using an electronically aided image analysis system that employs video cameras.
  • the packaging means is a container 1 that includes a lodgment plate 3, which is preferably made of a transparent material, such as polycarbonate, methylmethacrylate, or transparent silicone with a thickness of 3-5 mm.
  • the container 1 may have from one to several such plates 3.
  • the pockets 4a, 4b, and 4c are 2-4 mm deep and in the shape of parts 5a and 5c, and other elements of the same set not shown in Fig. 1 .
  • the horizontal dimensions of the recesses somewhat exceed those of their corresponding parts so that each element (i) can be freely inserted into and removed from its corresponding pocket, (ii) is retained in the pocket at a small inclination of up to 30 degrees, and (iii) freely falls out of the pocket when the plate is turned over.
  • an identification layer 2 which is a sheet of paper or a thin sheet of plastic-like material with realistic images of the building elements printed or embossed on it.
  • Each image on the identification layer 2 matches its corresponding building element in shape and color.
  • the images of the elements on the identification layer 2 are arranged so that the outline of each image is matched perfectly with the outline of the pocket 4 designed to hold the corresponding element on the lodgment plate 3.
  • the user inserts the building elements into the pockets 4 on the lodgment plate 3, ensuring that each element inserted into the corresponding pocket is identical with the image visible exactly under the pocket.
  • the view of the complete set of elements placed on the lodgment plate 3 is identical with the image of the set of elements on the identification layer 2.
  • the lodgment plate 3 is covered from above with a relief cover or lid 8, made of a thin transparent material, such as polyethylene terephthalate, so that the protrusions in the lid correspond precisely in size and shape to the elements of the building set, which have been inserted into the pockets on the lodgment tray 3 corresponding to the image on the identifying layer 2.
  • the raised portion 9a of the cover is positioned on the protruding larger portion of the element 5a inserted into the pocket 4a and placed above the image 6a of the element 5a.
  • the raised portions 9b and 9c shown in Fig. 1 are in the shape of the elements that correspond to those inserted into the cutouts 4b and 4c respectively.
  • the cover, or lid, 8 can be attached to the lodgment plate 3 with any closure element (not shown in the drawing) that is widely used for plastic packaging for consumer goods, food containers, and stationery.
  • the locked cover, or lid, 8 prevents the building elements from moving out of their cutouts regardless of the container's orientation.
  • the identification layer 2 with the images of the construction set elements may be on the bottom of the container.
  • each of the containers should have its own identification layer showing images similar to those described above identifier 2.
  • the user is provided with the packaging means which includes one or more containers with an assortment of building elements arranged on a lodgment plate and covered with a transparent cover that makes it possible to see all elements at once and each element individually.
  • the cover is easily removed by unlocking the standard closure elements.
  • the building elements, which are in their designated pockets are not mixed together but arranged in a manner that makes it easy to assess whether the set is complete and to assemble the model. Additionally, the elements are not firmly fixed in their pockets and may be removed effortlessly.
  • any fully assembled model can be disassembled, and the user can return each element to its respective pocket on the identification plate 3, guided by the graphic identifier for each element in the set. If the identifiers depicting the image of the building elements are directly beneath the lodgment layer, then the image of each element is positioned precisely below its pocket and clearly visible, making it even easier to return the educational set to its original state.
  • the cover When all elements are in place, the cover, or lid, is placed on top of the lodgment layer. The cover is then locked using the closure elements, which fixes the building elements in place so that they cannot move about. In this way, the construction set is prepared for storage, reuse, or sanitization. Moreover, the educational set is effectively ready for rapid at-a-glance verification as to whether the set is complete.
  • Fig. 2 shows a slightly different method of packaging a similar construction set. The method is also based on ensuring that the positions of the elements are precisely matched with their corresponding images. Images or any other graphic identification are shown in different variants.
  • the lodgment plate can be made of a flexible material, such as polyethylene or polyurethane foam, or of a rigid material, such as wood and plywood.
  • the lodgment plate 3 is placed on top of the identification layer 2, which represents the surface for the elements arranged on the sheet, the relative position of which is fixed by the specified lodgment plate.
  • the images of the construction elements of the educational set are placed on the upper surface of the identification layer 2.
  • the lodgment plate 3 is placed on the identification layer 2, the images are visible through the cutouts mentioned above.
  • the element 5a is inserted into the corresponding cutout in the lodgment plate 3 above the corresponding image 6a on the identification layer 2.
  • a different embodiment of the graphic identifier calls for the image of each element to be placed on the upper surface of the lodgment plate and adjacent to the cutout for each element.
  • Figure 2 shows element 5c inserted into the cutout adjacent to its corresponding graphic identifier 6c.
  • the shapes of the pockets and cutouts match the shapes of the elements to be placed in them. In principle, this makes it possible to gather a certain set of building elements according only to the shapes of the elements and their corresponding receptacles, as is done with children's toys of the "sorter" type. However, construction elements differ not only in shape but also in color. In order to organize the shapes according to color, graphic identifiers 6b, shown in Fig. 2 in the form of a colored outline, are drawn around the perimeter of each cutout.
  • FIG. 3 Another method for achieving precise spatial alignment between any building element and its corresponding graphic identifier is shown in Fig. 3 .
  • a semitransparent image of a building element 10 appears on the upper surface of the container's transparent cover 9 directly above its respective cutout 3a in the lodgment plate 3 into which is inserted the building element 5.
  • the transparent cover provides the graphic identification.
  • the shape and color of the graphic identifiers and the building elements correspond to each other; thus, they are perfectly matched.
  • the user or person responsible for sanitization can view a packaged set of elements with a transparent cover, with graphic identifiers applied to it, and identify at a glance whether the graphic identifiers on the transparent cover correspond to the elements contained in the lodgment plate below. The same is true with regard to determining the presence or absence of any detail, the pocket or recess for which is on a lodgment plate positioned below its corresponding graphic identifier.
  • lodgment plates similar to those shown in Fig. 1 or any lodgment plates with graphic identifiers applied to their lower surface, similar to those shown in Fig. 2 , are placed into a container.
  • the plates 3 can be firmly attached to a graphic identification panel or sheet, or the two pieces can be separate.
  • One container may hold several lodgment plates, each with graphic identifiers applied to its lower surface and each one stacked on top of the other.
  • the elements' graphic identifiers can appear on either the upper surface of the cover 9 or on a separate sheet positioned on the cover above the lodgment panel.
  • Fig. 4 and Fig. 5 show other embodiments of the packaging means for educational sets, or kits, that require more than one lodgment plate.
  • Fig. 4 shows three lodgment plates 20a, 20b and 20c attached to one another by a broad strip of flexible material made, for example, of fabric or other material with similar properties.
  • the rectangular pieces of the strip, 21d, 21e, which are attached to the lodgment plates along one side, are the same width as that of the plates, while their length is slightly greater than the length of the plates.
  • the lodgment plates together with the pieces that connect them form a one-piece strip of flexible material.
  • the lodgment plates can be attached to the entire flexible strip on the top. And at the same time fragments of the strip which are covered by plates 20a, 20b, 20c form corresponding underlying identifiers of these plates.
  • the remaining free segments 21 d and 21e of the strip form a connecting bridge.
  • the connecting bridges can be formed by separate pieces of the strip.
  • Fig. 4b shows that when the plates 21a, 21b, and 21c are stacked one on top of the other the strip of flexible material attached to them is folded in such a way as to form linings 21d and 21e between the plates.
  • the lodgment plates 25a, 25b, 25c, and 25d are attached to one another using a method similar to that used to bind together the pages of a book.
  • the container When open, the container resembles an open book, for example, with the right-hand side containing building elements inserted into the lodgment plate and the left-hand side containing the relevant page or pages 26 of the assembly instructions.
  • the container When folded, the container resembles a closed book, which can be stored conveniently on a shelf 28, with its spine 27a and 27b facing outward and information about the models clearly visible on the spine.
  • Figure 6 shows how augmented reality may be used to verify whether all elements of a construction set are in place.
  • a mobile device such as a tablet, laptop, smartphone, or other similar device, equipped with a camera and validation and inventory app that determines the article number of the set.
  • An on-screen image from a computer camera showing the building elements can be supplemented by images of virtual parts arranged in the same order. By combining both images - real and virtual - the completeness of the set can easily be checked.
  • a special app can perform inventory.

Landscapes

  • Toys (AREA)
EP20881752.8A 2019-10-30 2020-10-30 Verfahren und vorrichtung zum verpacken von schulungskits Pending EP4053044A4 (de)

Applications Claiming Priority (2)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
US201962927802P 2019-10-30 2019-10-30
PCT/RU2020/000577 WO2021086232A1 (ru) 2019-10-30 2020-10-30 Способ и средство упаковки образовательных наборов

Publications (2)

Publication Number Publication Date
EP4053044A1 true EP4053044A1 (de) 2022-09-07
EP4053044A4 EP4053044A4 (de) 2023-12-06

Family

ID=75715499

Family Applications (1)

Application Number Title Priority Date Filing Date
EP20881752.8A Pending EP4053044A4 (de) 2019-10-30 2020-10-30 Verfahren und vorrichtung zum verpacken von schulungskits

Country Status (2)

Country Link
EP (1) EP4053044A4 (de)
WO (1) WO2021086232A1 (de)

Family Cites Families (10)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US1804927A (en) 1928-03-08 1931-05-12 Gilbert Co A C Container for construction toys and like sets
US3355837A (en) * 1965-02-25 1967-12-05 Harlan H Pedersen Construction toy
US3473257A (en) * 1967-07-24 1969-10-21 Lawrence A Gambino Children's build-it-yourself toy
US3777882A (en) 1971-05-20 1973-12-11 D Mcintyre Multi-tray instrument case
US4711348A (en) 1986-04-24 1987-12-08 Allen Schluger Container for product samples
US5320223A (en) * 1993-03-19 1994-06-14 Foam Cutting Engineers, Inc. Insert having part numbers or the like printed at the bottom of retaining recesses
US5674103A (en) * 1996-01-19 1997-10-07 The Ritvik Group Inc. Shape sorting bucket for use with construction toy blocks
DK173617B1 (da) 1997-03-26 2001-05-07 Lego As Fremgangsmåde til emballering af legetøjsbyggeelementer samt emballage til brug ved udøvelse af fremgangsmåden
US5944532A (en) * 1997-07-07 1999-08-31 Lienhop; Marie T. Educational fungal spore and bacteria microscopy kit
US7410053B2 (en) * 2004-11-01 2008-08-12 Advanced Materials Group, Inc. Layered tool holder with visible identification

Also Published As

Publication number Publication date
WO2021086232A1 (ru) 2021-05-06
EP4053044A4 (de) 2023-12-06

Similar Documents

Publication Publication Date Title
Moyles Organizing for learning in the primary classroom: A balanced approach to classroom management
US6767215B2 (en) Learning station
Williams Learning From Pictures.
Fraser 5 tips for creating independent activities aligned with the common core state standards
EP4053044A1 (de) Verfahren und vorrichtung zum verpacken von schulungskits
US7631870B1 (en) Books of the Holy Bible learning activity
US20230348141A1 (en) Method and means for packaging educational kits
Peppler et al. Short circuits: Crafting e-puppets with DIY electronics
US6105790A (en) Book storage and learning center
US6220864B1 (en) Three-dimensional educational role-playing game apparatus and method of use
US20030077563A1 (en) Erasable coloring device
Boucharenc Design for a contemporary world: A textbook on fundamental principles
EA044380B1 (ru) Способ и средство упаковки образовательных наборов
US20190299696A1 (en) Scratch Off Ink Customizable Greeting Cards
US20050003331A1 (en) System and method for studying a subject area, such as art
Hendrix Popup workshop: computationally enhanced paper engineering for children
Unger Organized Teacher, Happy Classroom: A Lesson Plan for Managing Your Time, Space and Materials
JP3227016U (ja) ジグソーパズルセット
Barraga Aids for Teaching Basic Concepts of Sensory Development.
JP2009201983A (ja) タロットカード占いセット
Sammons et al. Guided math workshop
Brewster Teaching young children to make picture books
Vos Challenges In Contemporary Mixed Media Collections: Storage and Preventative Conservation of South African Artists’ Books at the Jack Ginsberg Centre for Book Arts
Linton et al. Portfolio Design for Interiors
Marden Design and realization: a manual for GCSE

Legal Events

Date Code Title Description
STAA Information on the status of an ep patent application or granted ep patent

Free format text: STATUS: THE INTERNATIONAL PUBLICATION HAS BEEN MADE

PUAI Public reference made under article 153(3) epc to a published international application that has entered the european phase

Free format text: ORIGINAL CODE: 0009012

STAA Information on the status of an ep patent application or granted ep patent

Free format text: STATUS: REQUEST FOR EXAMINATION WAS MADE

17P Request for examination filed

Effective date: 20220530

AK Designated contracting states

Kind code of ref document: A1

Designated state(s): AL AT BE BG CH CY CZ DE DK EE ES FI FR GB GR HR HU IE IS IT LI LT LU LV MC MK MT NL NO PL PT RO RS SE SI SK SM TR

DAV Request for validation of the european patent (deleted)
DAX Request for extension of the european patent (deleted)
REG Reference to a national code

Ref country code: DE

Ref legal event code: R079

Free format text: PREVIOUS MAIN CLASS: B65D0085000000

Ipc: A63H0033040000

A4 Supplementary search report drawn up and despatched

Effective date: 20231107

RIC1 Information provided on ipc code assigned before grant

Ipc: B65D 25/10 20060101ALI20231031BHEP

Ipc: B65D 85/00 20060101ALI20231031BHEP

Ipc: A63H 33/04 20060101AFI20231031BHEP