Flexible Mould and Safe Powder Kit for Kids Bijou Making
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing toy moulds for kids are difficult to use due to their rigid structure, requiring a hard extractor tool and containing water-sensitive powders with polyvinyl chloride, which is unsafe in powder form.
Innovation Solution
A flexible and deformable mould made of silicone or rubber materials with a water-sensitive mixture comprising polyvinyl alcohol, guar gum, and ethylene vinyl acetate, allowing easy extraction of gummy objects without the need for complex tools and avoiding polyvinyl chloride.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Stability of the object's composition
If a rigid mould structure is used, then the mould maintains its shape during use, but the extraction of the formed article becomes difficult
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies the dynamics principle by making the mould body flexible and deformable rather than rigid. The mould can change its shape dynamically - remaining stable during the forming process, then deforming to facilitate easy extraction of the gummy article without requiring additional extraction tools.
2Manufacturing precision
If polyvinyl chloride is used in the powder mixture, then the mixture provides good forming properties, but it becomes unsafe for kids when in powder or finely granulated form
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies parameter changes by substituting polyvinyl chloride with polyvinyl alcohol in the powder mixture. This chemical parameter change maintains the good forming properties of the mixture while eliminating the safety hazard associated with polyvinyl chloride powder for children's toys.
3Ease of operation
If an extractor tool is provided, then the extraction of formed articles is eased, but the device complexity increases and manipulation remains difficult for kids
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies the self-service principle by designing the mould itself to have the extraction function built-in. The flexible mould body can deform on its own to release the formed article, eliminating the need for separate extractor tools and keeping the device simple for children to use.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
The flexible mould and safe powder mixture enable easy and safe creation of gummy objects, requiring minimal manual skill and no extractor tool, with the mould being easy to bend and deform for object removal, and the mixture forming a gummy piece within 3-4 minutes.
Implementation Method 1
a powder water-sensitive mixture for making a bijou through the afore said mould
Data Source
AI summary
The present invention relates to a kit comprising a mould (1; 101; 201) for kids and a powder water-sensitive mixture (M) for making a bijou through the mould, wherein the mould (1; 101; 201) comprises at least one body (2; 102) having a lower face, an opposing upper face (3) and a side wall (4) comprised between the lower face and the upper face (3), and at least one cavity (5) opened on the upper face (3) and equipped with a bottom (6), wherein the at least one body (2; 102) is of a flexible and/or deformable material, and wherein the mixture comprises polyvinyl alcohol, guar gum and ethylene vinyl acetate.