WO2010144284A1 - Blocs d'activité ludique comprenant des surfaces à adhérence latente - Google Patents

Blocs d'activité ludique comprenant des surfaces à adhérence latente Download PDF

Info

Publication number
WO2010144284A1
WO2010144284A1 PCT/US2010/037050 US2010037050W WO2010144284A1 WO 2010144284 A1 WO2010144284 A1 WO 2010144284A1 US 2010037050 W US2010037050 W US 2010037050W WO 2010144284 A1 WO2010144284 A1 WO 2010144284A1
Authority
WO
WIPO (PCT)
Prior art keywords
blocks
accordance
block set
adhesive
latently
Prior art date
Application number
PCT/US2010/037050
Other languages
English (en)
Inventor
Christian Rath
Original Assignee
Monosol, Llc
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 Monosol, Llc filed Critical Monosol, Llc
Publication of WO2010144284A1 publication Critical patent/WO2010144284A1/fr

Links

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
    • A63H33/14—Building blocks, strips, or similar building parts specially adapted to be assembled by adhesive or cement

Definitions

  • the invention generally relates to hobby-type blocks and specifically relates to a set of blocks that may be adhesively joined, for example to build structures and mosaics.
  • Toy or hobby block sets are used by children to construct simple structures.
  • Hobby blocks are also used by children and adults to build large-scale complex structures, for example replicas of landmark buildings.
  • Such structures can be time- and labor- intensive to build, so a method of permanently preserving blocks in a specific construction is desirable.
  • users rely on the interlocking properties of the blocks to keep structures joined, however blocks can still become disengaged and structures thus demolished.
  • exogenous adhesive compounds such as ordinary glue, are applied to the blocks to more strongly adhere them to each other, but utilizing such adhesives can be tedious, messy, and unsuitable for children.
  • One aspect of the disclosure is a block set including a plurality of blocks having latently adhesive surfaces.
  • Another aspect is a method of creating a bound structure from the individual blocks, including activating the adhesive of the latently adhesive surface of one or more of the blocks; and contacting an activated adhesive surface of the one or more blocks with another of said blocks, to bond the blocks together.
  • preferred features such as components, compositional ranges thereof, substituents, conditions, and steps, can be selected from the various examples provided herein.
  • FIG. 1 is a perspective view of one embodiment of a toy block.
  • FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the block shown in FIG. 1 with the bottom and rear plans indicated with dashed lines.
  • FIG. 3 is a top plan view of the block shown in FIG. 1 [0012]
  • FIG. 4 is a bottom plan view of the block shown in FIG. 1 [0013]
  • FIG. 5 is a side elevation view of two such blocks in an aligned state.
  • a hobby block set including a plurality of blocks having latently adhesive surfaces. Also described is a method of creating a bound structure from the individual blocks, including activating the adhesive of the latently adhesive surface of one or more of the blocks; and contacting an activated adhesive surface of the one or more blocks with another of said blocks, to bond the blocks together.
  • the term "block” is used herein for convenience to refer to articles according to the disclosure having latently adhesive surfaces, but is not intended to limit the articles to ones which are block-shaped according to preferred embodiments.
  • the shapes, sizes, colors, and textures of the blocks are not intended to be limiting.
  • the blocks will be rectilinear, e.g. typically block-shaped, although the blocks can have, in addition or in the alternative, curvilinear geometries.
  • the plurality of blocks can be the same size and shape, or the blocks can have different sizes and shapes.
  • the blocks will have different sizes and shapes and will be provided with compatible interlocking geometries.
  • the blocks will be relatively flat, and will have combinations of curved and flat edge profiles, such as jigsaw puzzle pieces, wherein the set of blocks can be assembled together by aligning the edges of the blocks, like a jigsaw puzzle.
  • the blocks can be joined together, for example to construct vertical or horizontal structures.
  • the blocks will have compatible interlocking geometries on the top and bottom surfaces and can be stacked vertically.
  • the blocks will have complementary projections and recesses on side surfaces and can be joined laterally.
  • the blocks can be relatively thin and have laterally-interlocking surface geometries, such as a jigsaw puzzle.
  • blocks will have interlocking and aligning geometries on all surfaces and can be joined both vertically and laterally.
  • the surfaces of the blocks include a latently adhesive material that can be activated to form adherent bonds.
  • the latently adhesive surfaces can allow the blocks to be bonded without the need for exogenous adhesive, although exogenous adhesive can also optionally be used.
  • blocks can be repeatedly joined and disengaged.
  • the latently adhesive material, and preferably the entire blocks will be made from nontoxic materials suitable for use by children. Put another way, the ingredients used preferably will be non-toxic in the concentrations used.
  • the latently adhesive material comprising the block surface will be thermoplastic and preferably also injection-moldable.
  • the entire block will be injection molded from a latently-adhesive material, such as one described herein.
  • the block can be formed by casting, by thermoforming, or any other suitable process, optionally including cutting steps (e.g. milling or other tooling).
  • a preferred embodiment of the surface composition includes a water-soluble polymer, more preferably one that can be dissolved in cold water.
  • the polymer can include a polyvinyl alcohol, for example in an amount in a range of 60% by weight or greater, based on the total weight of the formulation (wt.%), for example 60 wt. % to 92 wt.% or 80 wt.% to 92 wt.%.
  • the polyvinyl alcohol polymer preferably has a degree of a hydrolysis in a range of 70% to 99%, preferably in a range of 88% to 98%.
  • the 4% solution viscosity of the polyvinyl alcohol at 23 0 C is in a range of about 5 cps to about 50 cps, more preferably about 8cps to 30cps.
  • a cold water-soluble polymer can include a PVOH having a 4% solution viscosity at 23 0 C of about 8, and a degree of hydrolysis of about 88.
  • a hot water-soluble polymer can preferably have a blend of one or more low viscosity, high degree of hydrolysis PVOH polymers as principal PVOH components, and one or more high viscosity, low degree of hydrolysis PVOH polymers as secondary PVOH components.
  • Polymer formulations will preferably further include one or more plasticizers.
  • Suitable plasticizers include, but are not limited to, glycerin; low-molecular weight polyethylene glycol (e.g., having a liquid consistency, for example having and a molecular weight such as MW 200, MW 300, and MW 600); monoacetin; triacetin; triethyl citrate; sorbitol; 1,3-butanediol; D-glucono-l,5-lactone; and, propylene glycol.
  • the plasticizer permeates the polymer structure, disrupts intermolecular hydrogen bonding, and permanently lowers intermolecular attractions.
  • Plasticizers are preferably included in an amount in a range of 5 wt.% to 25 wt.%, or 8 wt.% to 25 wt.%.
  • the polymer formulation may optionally include secondary additives such as antifoams, extenders, extrusion aids, compounding aids, lubricants/release agents, surfactants, and anti-blocking agents, as is known in the art.
  • Suitable lubricants/release agents include, but are not limited to, fatty acids and their salts, fatty alcohols, fatty esters, fatty amines, fatty amine acetates, fatty amides, and combinations thereof.
  • Preferred lubricants/release agents are fatty acids, fatty acid salts, and fatty amine acetates. Examples include, but are not limited to, calcium stearate, magnesium stearate, stearic acid, and stearamide.
  • Suitable fillers/extenders/antiblocking agents/detackifying agents include, but are not limited to, starches, modified starches, hydroxyethylated starches, crosslinked polyvinylpyrrolidone, crosslinked cellulose, microcrystalline cellulose, carboxymethylcellulose, silica, metallic oxides, calcium carbonate, talc, mica, clays, and combinations of the foregoing.
  • a preferred plasticized, cold water soluble, PVOH-based, extrudable polymer is sold under the trade name MONOPOL ClOO by MonoSol, LLC (Merrillville, Indiana, USA) and has the formulation properties (at 23 0 C, 50% rh) described below in Table 1.
  • a preferred plasticized, hot water-soluble, PVOH-based, extrudable polymer is sold under the trade name MONOPOL H700 by MonoSol, LLC (Merrillville, Indiana, USA) and has the formulation properties (at 23 0 C, 50% rh) described below in Table 2.
  • Each block can be homogenous in composition, with the core and surface including the same latently adhesive material.
  • the block core can alternatively include a non-adhesive compound or it can be hollow.
  • a preferred embodiment includes a homogenous composition, for example to facilitate manufacturing utilizing injection molding.
  • the blocks can have smooth surfaces or the surfaces can be provided with features for aligning and/or interlocking blocks to each other.
  • the blocks can also be provided with aligning and/or interlocking geometries.
  • the block surfaces can contain projections, whereby one or more projections on a first block will align with the non-recessed surface portions of a second block, and optionally will engage with (e.g., by frictional engagement) the non-recessed surface portions and/or surface projections on the second block (e.g., via frictional engagement between side wall surfaces of the projections with each other).
  • the block surfaces also can include recesses, for example recesses that are complementary to projections on block surfaces, e.g. for contacting alignment and optionally frictional engagement between blocks.
  • LEGO bricks The LEGO Group, Billund, Denmark
  • MEGA BLOKS bricks MEGA brands, Inc., Montreal, Canada
  • Best-Lock bricks Best-Lock Construction Toys, England
  • KRINKLES / BRISTLE BLOCKS (Battat Inc., Plattsburgh, New York), which employs evenly-spaced rows and columns of bristle- shaped projections, wherein the gaps formed by the projections are approximately the same size as the projections, thereby providing for frictional engagement when the bristle- shaped projections from a first block are pushed into the gaps of a second block.
  • KRINKLES / BRISTLE BLOCKS Battat Inc., Plattsburgh, New York
  • Another example includes jigsaw puzzles, e.g. wherein the blocks are relatively thin and have features intended for lateral alignment.
  • FIGS. 1 and 3 illustrate one embodiment of blocks and block features designed for alignment and, optionally, interlocking.
  • a plurality of cylindrical projections 2 on side 4 of block 10 are uniformly spaced and sized.
  • a plurality of cylindrical recesses 12 on side 14 on a first block 10 are dimensioned to receive the projections 2 of a second block 10, for example in adjacent engagement, creating a unit of two aligned blocks as illustrated in FIG. 5.
  • the projections 2 and recesses 12 can be sized for frictional engagement, such that the blocks remain joined if a first block 10 (e.g., the top block in FIG.
  • the diameters of projections 2 can be slightly larger than the diameters of recesses 12, to provide for a press fit engagement.
  • the blocks, or at least the surfaces of projections 2, and preferably also the surface of side 4 include an activated latently-adhesive material, then the blocks will also be bonded together, and preferably fused together.
  • Individual blocks may be joined into a bound structure using a method including activating the latent adhesive surface of a block and contacting blocks together.
  • first block having one or more latently-adhesive surfaces can be bound to one or more blocks that do not have latently- adhesive surfaces. Structures or mosaics can be assembled from such blocks by ensuring that the adhesive blocks are spaced between non-adhesive blocks.
  • Blocks can be utilized to compose structures including mosaics and three- dimensional constructions.
  • a preferred embodiment of activation is applying water to dissolve a block surface comprised of a water-soluble compound.
  • Water as a solvent is readily accessible, inexpensive, and non-toxic, so it is appropriate for children to use.
  • Other methods contemplated for activating the latent adhesive are employing solvents other than water, heating the surface, abrading the surface, and applying pressure to the surface.
  • Blocks may be joined through arranging, aligning, or interlocking blocks to create contacting surfaces.
  • the adhesive can be activated prior to contacting blocks or subsequent to assembling multi-block units.
  • a preferred embodiment is to activate an adhesive surface prior to contacting blocks, to maximize the surface area of activated adhesive.
  • surface 4 of block 10 in FIG. 1 is dampened with water and then interconnected with side 14 of a second block 10, such as shown in FIG. 5.
  • water can be applied to the junction of side 4 of the bottom block and side 14 of the top block after the blocks are joined (e.g. at the side walls 15).
  • the surface of side 4 of a first block 10 is dampened with water
  • the surface of side 14 of a second block 10 is also dampened with water, and then the blocks are joined as described above.
  • the water can be applied by a sponge, by misting, or by any other suitable means.
  • the bond can be permanent, resulting in unbreakable structures, for example if the surfaces of the blocks are solubilized, and then joined.
  • the bond could be initially semi -permanent, allowing for adjustment of blocks after activating the adhesive, and then permanent.
  • the bond could be non-permanent, permitting the disengagement of blocks.
  • a preferred embodiment is a permanent bond to allow for the creation of lasting structures.
  • the degree of bonding between blocks can be temperature dependent.
  • the degree of bonding between blocks can be pressure dependent.
  • a preferred method includes activation and fusion of adhesive surfaces at room temperature and atmospheric pressure.
  • compositions are described as including components or materials, it is contemplated that the compositions can also consist essentially of, or consist of, any combination of the recited components or materials, unless described otherwise.
  • the invention illustratively disclosed herein suitably may be practiced in the absence of any element or step which is not specifically disclosed herein.
  • Two pairs of structures made of a water-soluble injection-moldable polymer were tested for their fusing characteristics.
  • the polymers were made from polyvinyl alcohol.
  • One pair of structures was made with a hot water-soluble polymer, and one pair was made with a cold water-soluble polymer.
  • a damp sponge was used to wet the surface of one part from each pair to solubilize the surface polymer and activate the latent adhesive.
  • the part with the activated surface was aligned with its partner part made of the same polymer so that the activated surface of one part contacted the second part.
  • the structure formed from parts made with a cold water-soluble polymer fused in about 2 minutes at room temperature.
  • the structure formed from parts made with a hot water-soluble polymer fused in about 12 hours at room temperature. No heat was applied during fusion.

Landscapes

  • Toys (AREA)

Abstract

L'invention porte sur un ensemble de blocs qui comprend une pluralité de blocs ayant des surfaces à adhérence latente. L'invention porte également sur un procédé de création d'une structure collée à partir des blocs individuels, lequel procédé comprend l'activation de l'adhésif de la surface à adhérence latente d'un ou de plusieurs des blocs, et la mise en contact d'une surface adhésive activée de l'un ou de plusieurs des blocs avec un autre desdits blocs, de façon à coller les blocs entre eux.
PCT/US2010/037050 2009-06-08 2010-06-02 Blocs d'activité ludique comprenant des surfaces à adhérence latente WO2010144284A1 (fr)

Applications Claiming Priority (2)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
US18509309P 2009-06-08 2009-06-08
US61/185,093 2009-06-08

Publications (1)

Publication Number Publication Date
WO2010144284A1 true WO2010144284A1 (fr) 2010-12-16

Family

ID=42338338

Family Applications (1)

Application Number Title Priority Date Filing Date
PCT/US2010/037050 WO2010144284A1 (fr) 2009-06-08 2010-06-02 Blocs d'activité ludique comprenant des surfaces à adhérence latente

Country Status (2)

Country Link
US (1) US20100311299A1 (fr)
WO (1) WO2010144284A1 (fr)

Cited By (1)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
CN104428125A (zh) * 2012-07-04 2015-03-18 乐高公司 一种制造塑料产品的方法和通过该方法制造的产品

Families Citing this family (14)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US20110263177A1 (en) * 2010-04-26 2011-10-27 Marc Lemchen Apparatus and Method for Bonding Three Dimensional Construction Toys when Assembled
CN103649434B (zh) * 2011-05-11 2017-02-15 罗恩·佐哈尔 制备用于无砂浆结构的建筑砌块的方法和装置
FR2978907B1 (fr) * 2011-08-11 2014-09-12 Jean Nicolas Laurenceau Systeme de construction modulaire
US20160271510A1 (en) * 2015-03-17 2016-09-22 Unique Trading Company Apparatus for Forming Instructional Figures
US9863137B2 (en) * 2015-03-23 2018-01-09 Jk Worldwide Enterprises Inc. Thermal break for use in construction
US9598891B2 (en) * 2015-03-23 2017-03-21 Jk Worldwide Enterprises Inc. Thermal break for use in construction
US10787809B2 (en) * 2015-03-23 2020-09-29 Jk Worldwide Enterprises Inc. Thermal break for use in construction
US10898821B2 (en) * 2015-06-02 2021-01-26 Moose Creative Management Pty Limited Adhesive toy beads
US9624407B1 (en) * 2015-07-05 2017-04-18 Spill-Tech Laboratory, Inc. Toy and hobby building blocks adhesive
US10258898B2 (en) 2016-02-25 2019-04-16 Mary-Claudette Dombrowski Adhesive strip including an array of apertures for additional retention of interlocking bricks
JP6047797B1 (ja) * 2016-02-29 2016-12-21 株式会社エポック社 装飾ビーズ玩具及びビーズ玩具セット
JP6681870B2 (ja) * 2017-12-27 2020-04-15 株式会社エポック社 溶着性ビーズ玩具
USD982096S1 (en) * 2020-08-17 2023-03-28 Matthew Andersen Building block
USD983890S1 (en) * 2020-08-17 2023-04-18 Matthew Andersen Building block

Citations (3)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US5447584A (en) * 1994-05-25 1995-09-05 Creative Capers Entertainment, Inc. Articles made from an edible, water soluble composition of low density for use in toys, games and arts and craft projects
WO1999067000A1 (fr) * 1998-06-24 1999-12-29 Ktm Industries, Inc. Procedes et kits contenant des unites preformees pour activites recreatives
WO2009026654A1 (fr) * 2007-08-29 2009-03-05 Moose Enterprise Pty Ltd Ensemble figurine-jouet fusible dans l'eau

Family Cites Families (2)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US3374917A (en) * 1964-01-09 1968-03-26 Constantine T. Troy Interlocking structural elements
GB2448680A (en) * 2007-02-21 2008-10-29 Abdul Rob Method of constructing articles from polyvinyl alcohol components

Patent Citations (3)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US5447584A (en) * 1994-05-25 1995-09-05 Creative Capers Entertainment, Inc. Articles made from an edible, water soluble composition of low density for use in toys, games and arts and craft projects
WO1999067000A1 (fr) * 1998-06-24 1999-12-29 Ktm Industries, Inc. Procedes et kits contenant des unites preformees pour activites recreatives
WO2009026654A1 (fr) * 2007-08-29 2009-03-05 Moose Enterprise Pty Ltd Ensemble figurine-jouet fusible dans l'eau

Cited By (2)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
CN104428125A (zh) * 2012-07-04 2015-03-18 乐高公司 一种制造塑料产品的方法和通过该方法制造的产品
US10427063B2 (en) 2012-07-04 2019-10-01 Lego A/S Method for the manufacture of a plastics product and a product made by the method

Also Published As

Publication number Publication date
US20100311299A1 (en) 2010-12-09

Similar Documents

Publication Publication Date Title
WO2010144284A1 (fr) Blocs d'activité ludique comprenant des surfaces à adhérence latente
JP6591651B2 (ja) 水溶性フィルムシール溶液、関連する方法、および関連する物品
US9757881B2 (en) Adhesive for 3D printing
US5447584A (en) Articles made from an edible, water soluble composition of low density for use in toys, games and arts and craft projects
EP3385333B1 (fr) Composition de résine désintégrable dans l'eau et ensemble matériau de modelage tridimensionnel et procédé de production d'un modèle tridimensionnel à l'aide de ce dernier
AU2016310344B2 (en) Moldable compositions and methods of using the same
TW201440664A (zh) 可食用水溶性膜
WO2007027224A3 (fr) Composition et structures solubles dans l'eau, et leurs methodes de production et d'utilisation
CN103694815A (zh) 一种可清除型甲醛封闭涂膜及其制备方法
WO2009022867A3 (fr) Pâte à modeler expansible et procédé pour sa préparation
CN103895274B (zh) 陶瓷与塑料的复合体及其制备方法
US10889711B2 (en) Composition
JP4053988B2 (ja) 粘土組成物の製造方法
KR101103849B1 (ko) 공작용 클레이의 제조방법 및 그 클레이
JP6848554B2 (ja) 鋳型、鋳型形成方法、及び鋳造方法
JP2008013732A (ja) 造形物用スラリー組成物、造形物の造形方法及び造形物用スラリー組成物を用いた各種材料、その使用方法
WO2007028758A3 (fr) Procede pour produire des enveloppes de capsules molles a base de copolymeres greffes alcool polyvinylique / polyethyleneglycol
CN111777802A (zh) 模型复合物及其制备和使用的方法
KR101580686B1 (ko) 강제빼기 금형기술을 적용한 친환경 결합딱지
TWI300435B (fr)
CN216428912U (zh) 一种植物纤维硅化板材
KR101342070B1 (ko) 만니톨을 유효성분으로 포함하는 피부세정제 조성물
JP3064604U (ja) 軟質ポリ塩化ビニル製空気入り中空製品
EP4347693A1 (fr) Films et emballages hydrosolubles
JP2008201966A (ja) 有機粘土、模型作成用有機粘土セット及び石膏模型の製造方法

Legal Events

Date Code Title Description
121 Ep: the epo has been informed by wipo that ep was designated in this application

Ref document number: 10724629

Country of ref document: EP

Kind code of ref document: A1

NENP Non-entry into the national phase

Ref country code: DE

122 Ep: pct application non-entry in european phase

Ref document number: 10724629

Country of ref document: EP

Kind code of ref document: A1