FR2659601A3 - Modelling set (game) with precision gel and premould constituting the imprint carrier - Google Patents

Abstract

The present invention relates to a modelling set enabling anyone to reproduce the features of the face and hands or any other part of the body, or even various objects, life size and with relative ease and a high degree of accuracy. The set includes, together in one box, all the products, tools and accessories required to take an imprint or negative of the shape of the object to be modelled and then to carry out the modelling (moulding) proper to give a reproduction in plaster or in any other suitable material. Taking the imprint, which is a "key" operation of the game, is carried out using a product from the family of sodium alginates which in aqueous mixture gives a non adhesive gel which produces a highly accurate reproduction, together with a ready-made premould (which roughly resembles the shape to be modelled) forming the imprint-carrier (Fig. 1, 3 and 4: "premould"-type imprint-carrier for the face and hands). The set is intended to be a family game providing a recreational and educational manual activity for children and enabling adults to produce decorative objects, lasting family souvenirs, etc. Sets of the same type could also have professional applications.

Description

 The present invention relates to a family game of recreational and educational nature based on manual molding activities allowing everyone to reproduce in real size and with great precision a part of the body (facies of the face, hands, feet ... ) or objects of various natures.

Generally the molding of a part of the body is carried out by a professional who successively performs:
- taking an impression so as to constitute the negative of the form (or mold),
- the actual molding which consists in pouring into the imprint one of the special products commonly used for this activity (plaster, wax, resins, plastics, even metal).

 The impression is taken most often with plaster, armed with strips of fabric, which is applied to the part of the body to be reproduced; the latter being previously carefully depilated and oiled so as to allow and facilitate detachment of the imprint.

It is a long and delicate operation, particularly restrictive for the model, especially if it is a question of the face.

 The game according to the invention due to the nature of the product and the devices, utensils and accessories that it makes available makes it possible to remedy these drawbacks and greatly facilitate the fingerprinting operation making it accessible to all, including understood to children, while giving much more finesse to reproduction.

The game indeed includes, gathered under the same box:
1 - FOR THE FOOTPRINT:
1.1 - A certain quantity of a product from the family of sodium ALGINATES (seaweed extracts) already used for making precision impressions (dental appliances, etc.) and for certain aesthetic facial treatments (face masks). beauty) and marketed in particular by the companies GRINSTED (registered trademark SOBALG), SANOFI Bio-Industry (registered trademark CECALGUM), SEPTODONT (registered trademark SEPTALGIN)
These alginates intimately mixed with water, according to a determined dosage, successively have a liquid phase and a stiffened phase in the form of a gel.

The essential characteristics and properties of alginates as a molding product are as follows:
- adjustable setting time in the range of one to several minutes (15 to 20) by varying the composition of the product and the temperature and hardness of the water;
- great finesse of reproduction;
- very weak adhesion to the molded surface; which facilitates detachment of the impression and authorizes the operation without having to perform a prior depilation;
- gel consistency (mechanical strengths, rigidity of form) relatively low; which requires the use of an auxiliary support or framework designated as a tray;
- strong hydraulic shrinkage with progressive dehydration of the gel; which requires proceeding with the molding operation in a relatively short time after the gel setting (a few hours);
- hygienic safety in use (contact with hands, mouth, possibly with eyes).

 Note: any other product with similar characteristics could, of course, be used.

1.2 - Sets of prefabricated impression trays
Due, as indicated above, to the low consistency of the gel (in particular in terms of rigidity of shape) an impression tray must be necessarily used to ensure the maintenance of the "gel-impression".

 For the face, this impression tray could consist of a plastic pre-mold, expanded polystyrene, cardboard, etc., sufficiently rigid, roughly conforming to the shape of a face (mask form) on which one or two devices would be provided for allow the model to breathe through the nose and / or mouth.

 The impression tray would first be filled with a certain amount of alginate in the liquid state (aqueous mixture) and then applied to the model before setting the gel (the alginate completely occupying the space between the latter and the pre-mold).

This type of impression tray, in addition to its support function, would allow:
- to use a minimum quantity of alginate (relatively expensive product): the pre-mold can be adjusted as close as possible to the shape of which you want to take the negative;
- to reduce the immobilization time of the model: the pre-mold with alginate can be applied at the very last moment, just before setting in gel (which is very interesting, for many reasons, in imprint of the face).

For the eyes, no particular device would be provided in principle: these being closed during the impression taking or even left normally open (the alginate makes it possible to proceed in this way)
Another type of impression tray could take the form of an adaptable frame (made of plastic or other material) consisting of a rigid base and support rods of adjustable length, the ends of which would become encrusted (before taking) in the thickness of the alginate spread, in this case, with a spatula on the model.

 For the hands, the pre-mold constituting the impression tray could take the form of a "mitt" type glove (without separations between the fingers) composed of two half-shells (made of plastic, polystyrene, etc.) provided with nipples. positioning.

 As for the face, the pre-mold would first be filled with a certain amount of alginate and then threaded onto the hand before setting the gel.

For the removal of the hand one of the half-shells would be temporarily detached from the assembly and the impression cut finely, over a certain length, on each side of the hand. The molding of the reproduction would be carried out after replacing the shell part removed
Both for the face and for the hands, the impression tray set would include at least three sizes: small (for children), medium, large, so as to cover all types of models.

 The pre-molds could be fitted with attachment points, on the inside, (small protruding protrusions) allowing better fixing of the gel.

 Other sets of impression trays, defined according to principles similar to those indicated above, could be incorporated into the box for molding other parts of the body or various objects.

 Alternatively, instead of prefabricated pre-molds, the game could include curable modeling products (or other systems) allows (1) -type pre-mold.

so much to make the pre-molds, on demand, according to the general shape of the model from which we want to take the fine print.

2 - FOR THE PROPER MOLDING
A certain quantity of one or more products from the range of components usually used for this activity:
- plaster (all qualities of molding plaster),
- wax,
- the candle,
- certain resins and plastics,
- or even certain metal alloys.

The marketing of the boxes could take several formulas with different molding products depending on the destination of the reproductions and the value attached to them:
- simple manual work by children (recreational and educational): running plaster;
- decorative or amusing objects: plaster of greater finesse (possibly tinted in its mass), wax, candle, resins ...;
- animated mask: special plastic or resin (spread out
thin film on the imprint);
- lasting memories with sentimental value, intimate molds: plaster of great finesse and great hardness (ceramic, marble) or even metallic compounds.

3 - TO FACILITATE ALL OPERATIONS and FINISH reproductions
3.1 - A very precise explanatory note giving the operating modes with sketches and diagrams (a "child" formula, an "adult" formula depending on the destination of the play sets). The instructions will specify, in particular, the means to be used to avoid bubbling when pouring the mixtures into the molds and pre-molds and will give any instructions for using the products hygienically.

3.2 - A set of utensils:
- a transparent bowl with several scales of graduations or a set of pre-dimensioned measures for the preparation of the different mixtures (alginates, plasters ...) in the desired dosages and quantities. These utensils are preferably made of plastic.

 - a wooden spatula (or plastic) for kneading the mixtures and placing them in the molds and pre-molds.

 - a small sculptor's knife to touch up the reproductions (especially those in plaster).

3.3 - A SET OF ACCESSORIES or accessory PRODUCTS
- small devices to allow breathing when taking a facial impression or to protect certain sensitive points (nostrils, eyelashes, possibly the eyes) during the same operation
- colors, paints for possible coloring of reproductions
- finishing accessories: wigs, false eyelashes, false eyes, ... for the face; support feet for the exhibition of reproductions
Obviously this list is not exhaustive.

 Figures No. 1, 2, 3, 4 give the principle of the impression tray design that can be incorporated into the "play" boxes for the face and hands.

Claims (7)

 1) - Molding game intended for the reproduction, by everyone, in real size, of a part of the body (face, hands, ..) or even of various objects, characterized in that it comprises, gathered in a single box, the appropriate products as well as the devices and accessories, listed below, allowing all operations to be carried out quickly with relative ease and great precision:  a - For the impression (or negative of the shape) constituting the mold:  - a certain amount of a compound from the family of sodium alginates; molding product which, in aqueous mixture, gives, after a liquid phase of a certain duration, a very precise and not very adherent gel but of relatively weak consistency;  - one or more impression trays constituting the support or supports for the "gel-impression".  - a certain quantity of one of the molding product (s) commonly used for this activity: plaster, wax, candle, certain resins and plastic materials, ... the nature of which will be determined according to the destination of the game box: recreational and educational activity for children, creation of decorative or amusing objects, creation of memories and intimate casts, animated masks, artistic creations ...  b - For the actual molding:  - a set of accessories or accessory products: devices to protect certain sensitive points on the face when taking an impression (nostrils, eyelashes, eyebrows, possibly the eyes); shade for coloring the moldings in the mass; false eyelashes, false eyes, wigs ...; supports for the exhibition of reproductions.  - a set of utensils: graduated bowl, pre-sized measures, spatula for making and processing the mixtures; sculptor knife for touching up reproductions ...;  - an explanatory note giving precisely the operating modes;  c - To facilitate operations and complete reproductions:  2) - Device according to claim 1) characterized in that the impression trays consist of pre-molds substantially matching the general shape of the model so as to reduce:  on the one hand, the quantity of alginate to be used,  - on the other hand, the downtime of the model.  For the hands, the pre-molds have the shape of a mitt type glove.  For the face, the pre-molds have the form of a mask. FIG. N .1; FIG. N3 and No.4.  3) - Device according to claims 1) and 2) characterized in that the pre-molds, for the face, are provided with special accessories allowing the model to breathe through the mouth and / or the nose. FIG N01.  4) - Device according to claims 1) and 2) characterized in that, for the hands, the pre-molds consist of two separable half-shells, comprising positioning pins, so as to allow, in particular, the withdrawal of the model when taking an impression (FIG cut 4) (2) - or several  5) - Device according to the preceding claims, characterized in that the pre-molds for the face, the hands, .. are prefabricated (made of plastic, expanded polystyrene, cardboard ..) and incorporated into the box in sets of different sizes (three sizes at least: small for children, medium, large) so as to cover all types of dimensional models.  6) - Device according to claim 1), characterized in that the impression tray, for the face in particular, as a variant in the pre-mold, consists of a rigid base on which are fixed support rods of adjustable length whose ends come to be embedded in the thickness of the alginate spread directly, in this case, on the spatula model. FIG. N02  7) - Device according to claims 1) and 2), characterized in that the impression molds, as a variant, instead of being prefabricated, are made on demand even according to the general shape of the model, to .with the help of a hardening modeling product (or other) incorporated in the game box.