GB2300844A

GB2300844A - Package comprising stone modelling kit

Info

Publication number: GB2300844A
Application number: GB9510174A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Lloyd Harry Matthews
Original assignee: HUMATT Ltd
Current assignee: HUMATT Ltd
Priority date: 1995-05-19
Filing date: 1995-05-19
Publication date: 1996-11-20
Anticipated expiration: 2015-05-19
Also published as: GB9510174D0; GB2300844B

Abstract

A box package, comprising a stone modelling kit, is provided with a plurality of recesses 6 containing components of the stone modelling kit, the recesses being such that they both retain the components in their positions within the package and distribute the weight of the components such that the packaged modelling kit is substantially evenly balanced in terms of its weight. Preferably the package is formed of cardboard and consists of a base 28, an insert 30 in the base and a sleeve (32, Fig 4) which fits slidingly over the base and insert. Preferably the insert has a body portion 38 and a lid 40 which folds over the body portion and the sleeve has a folding end (46, 48, 50 Fig 4) closing the sleeve. The components of the kit, as shown in Fig 5, may include at least one pack of stones, a tile, mortar, adhesive and wooden beam members.

Description

A PACKAGED MODELLING KIT This invention relates to a packaged modelling kit and, more especially, this invention relates to a packaged modelling kit for making model structures in stone.

Modelling kits for making model structures in stone are known. The components of the modelling kits are simply placed in a random manner in a box. Little or no thought has been given to presentation of the known modelling kits for making model structures in stone and it is believed that this is the reason why the known modelling kits for making model structures in stone have not sold well.

It is an aim of the present invention to obviate the above mentioned problem.

Accordingly, in one non-limiting embodiment of the present invention there is provided a packaged modelling kit for making model structures in stone, which packaged modelling kit comprises a stone modelling kit and box packaging containing the stone modelling kit, the box packaging being such that it is provided with a plurality of recesses which contain components of the stone modelling kit, the recesses being such that they enable the components of the stone modelling kit to be retained in position in the box packaging, and the recesses being such that they distribute the weight of the components of the stone modelling kit such that the packaged modelling kit is substantially evenly balanced in terms of its weight.

The packaged modelling kit of the present invention is able to stop the components of the stone modelling kit from sliding around in the box packaging and thus becoming jumbled during handling prior to use. Still further, the packaged modelling kit is substantially evenly balanced in terms of its weight so that it can be handled without feeling unbalanced.

This is important because the components of the stone modelling kit are heavy and it is not desirable for someone picking up the packaged modelling kit at its light end to have a tendency to drop the packaged modelling kit because it is heavy and out of balance.

Persons buying the packaged modelling kit are able to handle it easily and they will find the components of the stone modelling kit neatly set out and not jumbled together. This in turn helps to commend the packaged modelling kit to users and they are inclined to place re-orders, thereby ensuring the commercial success of the packaged modelling kit. Because the packaged modelling kit is substantially evenly balanced, it can be stored more easily in shops than would be the case if the packaged modelling kit were not substantially evenly balanced. Thus the packaged modelling kit also commends itself to wholesalers and retailers and this again creates a factor in favour of the commercial success of the packaged modelling kit.

Advantageously, the packaged modelling kit is able to be sold as a craft item. The packaged modelling kit may be sold with instructions enabling model makers to learn the craft of a stone mason.

Instructions may also provide traditional information on stone masonary. Model makers may in effect learn how to become stone masons. The model makers can, for example, be taught to appreciate that they are dealing with pieces of stone which may be thousands of years old, and thus the model makers achieve a sense of history and heritage in their model making.

The packaged modelling kit may be one in which the components of the stone modelling kit include at least one pack of the pieces of stone in a said recess. One embodiment of the invention is cne in which there is one of the packs of the pieces of stone, and in which this pack is in a said recess which is centrally positioned in the box packaging.

Another embodiment of the invention is one in which there are two of the packs of the pieces of stone, and in which these packs are in two said recesses which are evenly positioned one on either side in the box packaging.

The packaged modelling kit may be one in which the components of the stone modelling kit include a tile in a said recess. The recess containing the tile is advantageously a multi-shape recess so that the recess is able to contain a tile of different shapes.

Thus a tile appropriate to the type of model being created can be placed in the multi-shape recess without the need to produce packaging which contains a different recess for different shapes of tile. The recess containing the tile is preferably in the shape of a Greek cross. The recess is then able to contain either a square tile or a rectangular tile.

The components of the stone modelling kit may include a container of mortar and/or a container of adhesive in a said recess.

The stone modelling kit may include beam members which are located in a bundle in a pair of spaced apart eye members with one eye member securing one end of the bundle of beam members and of the other eye member securing the other end of the bundle of beam members. The beam members are preferably made of wood. A presently preferred wood is oak. The wood is preferably of a substantial age in order to give model makers a sense of tradition and heritage when they are using the wood.

Preferably, the box packaging comprises a base, an insert in the base, and a sleeve which is a sliding fit over the base and the insert.

The packaged modelling kit may be one in which the base comprises a bottom and upstanding side walls, and in which the insert comprises a body portion containing a plurality of the recesses and a lid which folds over the body portion.

When the stone modelling kit includes a tile, then the bottom of the base advantageously has the recess with the tile in it.

The box packaging may be such that the sleeve has a folding end which closes the sleeve when the base and the insert are in the sleeve.

Advantageously the base, the insert and the sleeve are all made of cardboard. This enables the base, the insert and the sleeve to be produced very economically. This in turn helps to keep the price of the packaged modelling kit to a minimum, thereby facilitating increased profit and sales. If desired various components of the box packaging can be made of other material so that, for example, the insert may be made of a moulded plastics material.

Advantageously, the pieces of stones are of different thicknesses. This enables models being built with the pieces of stone to retain an aged character look. The stones of different thicknesses do however have parallel top and bottom faces in order to help model makers build a level structure.

The pieces of stone may be cut to desired shapes to facilitate the building of the models. The pieces of stone will normally be cut from large pieces of stone as found in nature. The cutting may be effected under water. This gives the cut pieces of stone sharp edges.

The pieces of stone may be made from any suitable and appropriate materials. Thus, for example, the pieces of stone may be made from sand stone or granite. Different types of pieces of stone may be employed in the modelling kit.

The stone modelling kit may be for producing a model of any suitable and appropriate structure.

Thus, for example, the stone modelling kit may enable country heritage-type structures to be built such for example as old cottages or wishing wells. The stone modelling kit may also enable medieval castle-type structures to be built. Still further, the stone modelling kit may enable model railway structures to be built such for example as railway stations, bridges, viaducts and tunnels.

Embodiments of the invention will now be described solely by way of example and with reference to the accompanying drawings in which: Figure 1 is a perspective view of a base part of box packaging; Figure 2 is a perspective view of an insert part of box packaging; Figure 3 shows the insert of Figure 2 positioned in the base of Figure 3; Figure 4 shows a sleeve part of box packaging for sliding over the base and the insert; Figure 5 shows various components of a stone modelling kit for being packaged in the box packaging shown in Figures 1 - 4; Figure 6 shows an alternative insert to that shown in Figure 3; Figure 7 is an enlarged view of a recess as employed in the insert shown in Figure 2 or the insert shown in Figure 6; Figure 8 shows how a bag of stone is able to be retained in the recess shown in Figure 7;; Figure 9 shows how the insert part needs to be creased and folded in order to produce the structure shown in Figure 7; Figure 10 shows an alternative type of recess to that shown in Figure 7; and Figure 11 shows how a bag of stone is able to be retaineed in the recess shown in Figure 10.

Referring to Figures 1 - 5, there is shown a packaged modelling kit comprising a stone modelling kit 2 as shown in Figure 5 and box packaging 4 for containing the stone modelling kit 2. The box packaging 4 is such that it is provided with a plurality of recesses 6 which contain components of the stone modelling kit 2. The recesses 6 are such that they enable the components of the stone modelling kit 2 to be retained in position in the box packaging 4. The recesses 6 are also such that they distribute the weight of the components of the stone modelling kit 2 such that the packaged modelling kit is substantially evenly balanced in terms of its weight.

The components of the stone modelling kit 2 include one pack 8 of pieces of stone 10 contained in a bag 12. This pack 8 is placed in the central recess 6 shown in Figure 3. The pack 8 forms the heaviest item in the stone modelling kit 2 and it is convenient to locate it centrally in the box packaging 4.

The components of the stone modelling kit 2 include a tile 14. This tile 14 is positioned in a recesses 16 in a part of the box packing 4 shown in Figure 1. It will be seen that the recess 16 is in the shape of a Greek cross. The recess 16 is thus a multi-shape recess which is able to contain either a square tile 14 as shown in Figure 5, or a rectangular tile (not shown).

The stone modelling kit 2 includes a container of adhesive in the form of a jar 18 of mortar. The jar 18 locates in the bottom left hand recess 6 as shown in Figure 3.

The stone modelling kit 2 includes English oak beam members 20 as shown in Figure 5. These beam members 20 are located in a bundle in a pair of spaced apart eye members 22, see Figure 3. One eye member 22 secures one end of the bundle of beam members 20, and the other eye member 22 secures the other end of the bundle of beam members 20.

The stone modelling kit 2 includes other components such for example as artificial dirt 24, artificial grass 25, artificial flowers and moss 26, and pin nails 27. The dirt 24, the grass 25, the flowers and moss 26 and the pin nails 27 can be contained in separate bags 12. The bags 12 can then be placed in one cr more of the spare recesses 6 shown in Figure 3. Other components of the stone modelling kit 2, for example sandpaper 29, a tube of adhesive 31 and a trowel 33, may also be placed in the spare recesses 6 shown in Figure 3.

The box packaging 4 comprises a base 28 (see Figure 1), an insert 30 (see Figure 2), and a sleeve 32 (see Figure 4). The insert 30 is in the base 28 in the packaged modelling kit as manufactured and sold.

The sleeve 32 is a sliding fit over the base 28 and the insert 30.

The base 28 comprises a bottom 34 and upstanding side walls 36. The insert 30 comprises a body portion 38 containing a plurality of the recesses 6. The insert 30 also comprises a lid 40 which folds over the body portion 38. The lid 40 has a finger hole 42 for enabling the lid 40 to be lifted when it is desired to open the insert 30 and gain access to the components of the stone modelling kit 2 in the recesses 6 in the body portion 38. The lid 40 also has a lip 44 which tucks into the body portion 38 and keeps the lid 40 closed.

Figure 4 shows how the sleeve 32 has a folding end formed of a lip 46 and two side folding portions 48, 50. The lip 46 and the side folding portions 48, 50 fold together to form a folding end which closes the sleeve 32 when the base 28 and the insert 30 are in the sleeve 32.

The base 28, the insert 30 and the sleeve 32 are all made of cardboard. Appropriate fold lines are provided as shown in the drawings in order to enable the various parts of the base 28, the insert 30 and the sleeve 32 to be formed.

Figure 6 shows an alternative sleeve to that shown in Figure 2. Similar parts as in Figure 2 have been given the same reference numerals for ease of comparison and understanding. In Figure 6, it will be seen that there are two large recesses 6, each for receiving a pack 8 of pieces of stone.

Referring now to Figures 7, 8 and 9, there is shown the recess 6 in the insert 30 of Figure 2, or one of the recesses 6 in the insert 30 shown in Figure 6. It will be seen that the side walls portions 52 extend upwardly with regard to the body portion 38 of the insert 30. Figure 9 shows by means of dotted lines where creases need to be made and by means of continuous lines where cuts need to be made, in order to produce the structure shown in Figure 7. Figure 8 shows how the upwardly extending side wall portions 52 extend up and over the bag of stone 12 to securely retain the bag of stone 12 in the recess 6.

Figures 10 and 11 show an alternative construction in which the side wall portions 52 extend downwardly with respect to the body portion 38. The side wall portions 52 still help to retain the bag of stone 12 in the recess 6.

It is to be appreciated that the embodiments of the invention described above with reference to the accompanying drawings have been given by way of example only and that modifications may be effected.

Thus, for example, the layout of the recesses 6 may be varied as may be desired providing that the recesses 6 enable the components of the stone modelling kit 2 to be retained in position in the box packaging, and also providing the recesses 6 distribute the weight of the components of the stone modelling kit 2 such that the packaged modelling kit is substantially evenly balanced in terms of its weight. Arrangements other than the illustrated side wall portions may be employed for retaining components of the packaged modelling kit in position.

Claims

1. A packaged modelling kit for making model structures in stone, which packaged modelling kit comprises a stone modelling kit and box packaging containing the stone modelling kit, the box packaging being such that it is provided with a plurality of recesses which contain components of the stone modelling kit, the recesses being such that they enable the components of the stone modelling kit to be retained in positioned in the box packaging, and the recesses being such that they distribute the weight of the components of the stone modelling kit such that the packaged modelling kit is substantially evenly balanced in terms of its weight.

2. A packaged modelling kit according to claim 1 in which the components of the stone modelling kit include at least one pack of pieces of stone in a said recess.

3. A packaged modelling kit according to claim 2 in which there is one of the packs of the pieces of stone, and in which this pack is in a said recess which is centrally positioned in the box packaging.

4. A packaged modelling kit according to claim 2 in which there are two of the packs of the pieces of stone, and in which these packs are in two said recesses which are evenly positioned one on either side in the box packaging.

5. A packaged modelling kit according to any one of the preceding claims in which the components of the stone modelling kit include a tile in a said recess.

6. A packaged modelling kit according to claim 5 in which the recess containing the tile is a multi-shape recess so that the recess is able to contain a tile of different shapes.

7. A packaged modelling kit according to claim 6 in which the recess containing the tile is in the shape of a Greek cross.

8. A packaged modelling kit according to any one of the preceding claims in which the components of the stone modelling kit include a container of mortar and/or container of adhesive in a said recess.

9. A packaged modelling kit according to any one of the preceding claims in which the stone modelling kit includes beam members which are located in a bundle in a pair of spaced apart eye members, with one eye member securing one end of the bundle of beam members and the other eye member securing the other end of the bundle of beam members.

10. A packaged modelling kit according to claim 9 in which the beam members are made of wood.

11. A packaged modelling kit according to any one of the preceding claims in which the box packaging comprises a base, an insert in the base, and a sleeve which is a sliding fit over the base and the insert.

12. A packaged modelling kit according to claim 11 in which the base comprises a bottom and upstanding side walls, and in which the insert comprises a body portion containing a plurality of the recesses and a lid which fits over the body portion.

13. A packaged modelling kit according to claims 5 and 12 in which the bottom of the base has the recess with the tile in.

14. A packaged modelling kit according to any one of claims 11 - 13 in which the sleeve has a folding end which closes the sleeve when the base and the insert are in the sleeve.

15. A packaged modelling kit according to any one of claims 11 - 14 in which the base, the insert and the sleeve are all made of cardboard.

16. A packaged modelling kit substantially as herein described with reference to the accompanying drawings.