Miniature Food Replica Kit With UV-Cured Resin Embedding
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing DIY toys and collectibles lack the ability to create sophisticated models that combine both cured and non-cured elements, and current resin-based systems require direct exposure to curing catalysts, limiting design flexibility and introducing safety risks.
Innovation Solution
A kit comprising a base object, resin container, and ingredient objects that utilize ultraviolet light-curable resin to adhere to the base and embed ingredients, allowing for the creation of complex models with UV light exposure without direct contact.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If heat cured resin is used, then the resin can be cured effectively, but safety risks are introduced due to required heating devices
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the thermal curing system (heating devices and heat transfer) with a photochemical curing system using ultraviolet light. The resin formulation includes photoinitiators that trigger polymerization when exposed to UV wavelengths, eliminating the need for ovens or heating equipment and thereby removing the associated safety hazards while maintaining effective curing.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the curing activation parameter from temperature (thermal energy) to light wavelength (photochemical energy). By formulating the resin with photoinitiators sensitive to specific UV ranges and designing molds with UV-transmissive properties, the system achieves effective curing through light exposure instead of heat, resolving the safety issue while preserving curing reliability.
2Reliability
If molds are designed in flat shape for catalyst exposure, then resin can be cured, but design flexibility is limited
Solution Approach 1:
The patent utilizes UV light's ability to penetrate and cure resin from multiple directions simultaneously, enabling the creation of complex three-dimensional and curved mold designs. Unlike thermal curing that requires flat surfaces for heat distribution, UV light can effectively cure resin in spherical, domed, and intricately shaped molds, greatly enhancing design flexibility while maintaining reliable curing.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent transitions from two-dimensional flat mold surfaces required for thermal curing to three-dimensional complex geometries enabled by UV light curing. The photochemical process allows light to penetrate through translucent mold materials and cure resin throughout the entire volume, enabling sophisticated multi-dimensional designs including domes, spheres, and intricate patterns that were impossible with conventional thermal methods.
3Ease of manufacture
If resin is designed to separate from mold, then mold can be reused, but composite designs with non-curable elements are limited
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a release agent or mold release coating as an intermediary layer between the mold surface and the resin. This allows the resin to cure directly on complex three-dimensional mold surfaces without adhering permanently, enabling easy removal while maintaining mold reusability. The release agent mediates between the need for strong bonding during curing and the need for easy separation afterward, facilitating composite designs with non-curable elements.
4Reliability
If direct exposure to curing catalyst is required, then resin cures properly, but safety risks and design constraints increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces direct contact with liquid or gaseous curing catalysts (which pose safety hazards) with non-contact ultraviolet light exposure. The photochemical initiation occurs when UV photons activate photoinitiators in the resin, triggering polymerization without requiring physical contact between the user and hazardous catalyst materials, thereby eliminating safety risks while ensuring proper curing quality.
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
Enables the construction of sophisticated miniature replicas of food and beverage items by adhering resin to base objects and embedding ingredients, providing design flexibility and safety through ambient light curing.
Implementation Method 1
wherein the resin is configured to solidify when exposed to ultraviolet light to thereby affix the resin to the first and the second base object and to affix the one or more ingredient objects at least partially within the resin
Data Source
AI summary
A kit for creating a miniature replica of a food or beverage item, the kit including a base object that forms a base of the miniature replica of the food or beverage item, the base object comprising a miniature replica of a component of the food or beverage item, a resin container storing a resin configured to be applied to the base object and to adhere to the base object, the resin container comprising a miniature replica of a container associated with the food or beverage item, and one or more ingredient objects configured to be at least partially embedded in the resin, the one or more ingredient objects comprising miniature replicas of one or more ingredients associated with the food or beverage item, the base object and the resin comprising complementary properties that enable the ultraviolet light to penetrate the resin and thereby cure the resin.