Educational bath puzzle toy

A bath toy arrangement for use on a nonporous surface in the vicinity of a source of water. The bath toy arrangement is provided with first and second sheet elements each formed of ethylene vinyl acetate (EVA) foam having a thickness of approximately between 1 mm and 10 mm. Each of the first and second sheet elements has a determined configuration. There is additionally provided an ornamental design printed directly on the first and second sheet elements. The ornamental design is printed with a water insoluble ink. When wetted with the water, the first and second sheet elements will adhere to the nonporous surface or to each other.

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Description
RELATIONSHIP TO OTHER APPLICATION

This application claims the benefit of the filing date of U.S. Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 61/270,927, filed on Jul. 14, 2009, Confirmation No. 1921. The disclosure in that provisional patent application is incorporated herein by reference.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

This invention relates generally to bath toys, and more particularly, to an educational bath puzzle that is simple to manufacture and will adhere to a smooth surface when wet.

2. Description of the Related Art

Known bath toys of the type that are wetted and will adhere to a nonporous surface, such as a tile wall surrounding a bathtub, are complex and expensive to manufacture. The known bath toys are formed of sheet elements composed of a polyvinyl chloride layer installed on a foam backing. Printing is performed on the polyvinyl chloride layer.

A further problem associated with known bath toys derives from the use of a polyvinyl chloride layer. Polyvinyl chloride is known to be harmful to the environment. Moreover, the puzzle elements with their polyvinyl chloride layers are likely to be placed by young children in their mouths.

It is, therefore, an object of this invention to provide a simple and inexpensive bath toy system.

It is another object of this invention to provide a bath toy system that will adhere to a vertical surface, and which does not contain polyvinyl chloride.

It is also an object of this invention to provide a bath toy system that will adhere to a vertical surface, and which does not contain latex.

It is additionally an object of this invention to provide a bath toy system in which an ornamental design can be printed directly on a foam sheet.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The foregoing and other objects are achieved by this invention which provides a bath toy arrangement for use on a nonporous surface in the vicinity of a source of water. In accordance with the invention, the bath toy arrangement is provided with first and second sheet elements each formed of ethylene vinyl acetate (EVA) foam having a thickness of approximately between 1 mm and 10 mm. Each of the first and second sheet elements has a determined configuration. There is additionally provided an ornamental design printed directly on the first and second sheet elements. The ornamental design is printed with a water insoluble ink. When wetted with the water, the first and second sheet elements will adhere to the nonporous surface.

In one embodiment of the invention, the first and second sheet elements have a thickness of approximately between 1 mm and 5 mm. In a highly advantageous embodiment, the first and second sheet elements are each formed of the following materials in the following approximate proportions:

ethylene vinyl acetate (EVA) resin 75.80%; blowing agent 3.00%; cross-link agent 0.70%; stearic acid 1.50%; calcium carbonate 9.50%; and clay 9.50%.

In some embodiments of the invention, the first and second sheet elements are each configured to have complementary contours. Such complementary contours of the first and second sheet elements are configured to interlock.

The invention is advantageously used on a nonporous vertical surface. The first and second sheet elements will each adhere to the nonporous vertical surface. The first and second sheet elements are finished on an upper surface thereof so as to be nonporous, whereby the first and second sheet elements will adhere to each other.

The ornamental design is configured in some embodiments to overlie a portion of each of the first and second sheet elements.

In accordance with a further apparatus aspect of the invention, a bath toy arrangement for use on a nonporous vertical surface in the vicinity of a bathtub that contains water, is provided with first and second sheet elements each formed of a polymer foam made from a combination of an ethylene vinyl acetate (EVA) resin, calcium carbonate, and clay. The combination has a thickness of approximately between 1 mm and 5 mm, and each of the first and second sheet elements having a determined configuration. In addition, an ornamental design is printed directly on respective first surfaces of the first and second sheet elements. The ornamental design is printed using a water insoluble ink. In this aspect of the invention, the respective first surfaces being nonporous. Thus, when wetted with the water, the first and second sheet elements will adhere on respective second surfaces thereof to the nonporous vertical surface.

In one embodiment of this further aspect of the invention, when wetted with the water, the second surface of the first sheet element will also adhere to the first surface of the second sheet element.

In an advantageous embodiment of the invention, the first and second sheet elements are each formed of the following materials in the following approximate proportions:

ethylene vinyl acetate (EVA) resin 75.80%; blowing agent 3.00%; cross-link agent 0.70%; stearic acid 1.50%; calcium carbonate 9.50%; and clay 9.50%.

The ornamental design includes, in some embodiments of the invention, first and second design elements that are printed directly on respective ones of the first and second sheet elements. When the first and second sheet elements are wetted and arranged in juxtaposition, a composite ornamental design is formed. In some embodiments, the ornamental design incorporates alphanumeric characters. In other embodiments, the first sheet element is configured as a foam frame that is configured to accommodate the second sheet element thereon.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING

Comprehension of the invention is facilitated by reading the following detailed description, in conjunction with the annexed drawing, in which

FIG. 1 is a plan representation of an illustrative bath puzzle toy constructed in accordance with the principles of the invention;

FIG. 2 is a perspective representation of a puzzle piece of the illustrative bath puzzle toy shown in FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is an enlarged perspective representation of a portion of the puzzle piece shown in FIG. 2;

FIG. 4 is a simplified isometric representation of the illustrative bath puzzle toy shown in FIG. 1 in use.

 DETAILED DESCRIPTION

FIG. 1 is a plan representation of an illustrative bath puzzle toy 100 constructed in accordance with the principles of the invention. As shown in this figure, bath puzzle toy 100 is formed of a plurality of puzzle pieces, three of which are designated as puzzle pieces 110, 111, 112, and 113. The puzzle pieces are separable from each other by conventionally formed cuts 130.

In this specific illustrative embodiment of the invention, the upper surface of bath puzzle toy 100, which is represented in the figure, is decorated with educational artistic elements, such as ornamental alphabetical letters 121 and 122, and ornamental numerical characters 120 and 123. Of course, in other embodiments of the invention, other characters or artistic elements or representations, such as photographs, can be applied to the upper surface of bath puzzle toy 100. In an advantageous embodiment of the invention, printing is performed directly on sheet of material 140 using an ink that does not dissolve in water, either alone or in combination with typical soaps, lotions, or shampoos. Water insoluble inks and printer systems are commercially available from Electronics for Imaging, Inc. 303 Velocity Way, Foster City, Calif. 94404, under the trade name VUTEk®.

FIG. 2 is a perspective representation of puzzle piece 110 of bath puzzle toy 100 shown in FIG. 1. Elements of structure that have previously been discussed are similarly designated. Referring to FIG. 2, puzzle piece 110 is shown to bear a corresponding portion of ornamental alphabetical letter 122, and ornamental numerical character 123. In addition, a portion of puzzle piece 110 is identified to be presented in FIG. 3.

In order to eliminate the possibility of clogging the drain of the bathtub (not shown in this figure) in which bath puzzle toy 100 is in use, puzzle piece 110, as well as all of the other puzzle pieces that comprise bath puzzle toy 100, are dimensioned to be larger than a conventional bathtub drain (not shown).

FIG. 3 is an enlarged perspective representation of a portion of puzzle piece 110 shown in FIG. 2. Elements of structure that have previously been discussed are similarly designated. Referring to FIG. 3, puzzle piece 110 is shown to have a thickness t that constitutes the thickness of the sheet of material 140 from which bath puzzle toy 100 is formed. In the practice of the invention, thickness t is approximately between 1 mm and 10 mm, and in a practicable embodiment of the invention, approximately 2 mm.

As previously noted, in this embodiment of the invention the ornamental alphabetical letters and numerical characters are printed directly on sheet of material 140. This constitutes a significant advantage over known bathtub toy arrangements because a separately mounted printable layer is not required in the practice of the present invention. Printers that utilize water insoluble inks and can print on sheets of approximately 2 mm in thickness are commercially available. However, in some embodiments a printable sheet (not shown) is deposited on, or adhered to, sheet of material 140.

The present specific illustrative embodiment of the invention is formed substantially of ethylene vinyl acetate resin in combination with other materials, in the following approximate proportions:

ethylene vinyl acetate resin (EVA) 75.80% blowing agent 3.00% cross-link agent 0.70% stearic acid 1.50% calcium carbonate 9.50% clay 9.50%

Blowing agents typically are provided in granular form for effecting foaming of the EVA during processing. In the practice of the invention, the foams are free of latex, acid, and PVC. Foam materials suitable for use as sheet of material 140 are available from Ruey Lung Rubber Co., Ltd., No. 1-1, Gong 9th Rd., 2nd Industrial Park, Linkou, Taipei County 24452, Taiwan.

In a further embodiment of the invention, the puzzle pieces are not configured to interlock with each other or to have complementary contours (not shown). Instead, it is within the scope of the present invention to produce, for example, a relatively large base element (not shown) with slots therethrough for accommodating therein one or more puzzle pieces. The puzzle pieces, when installed on the base element, would form a composite picture (not shown). In some embodiments, the relatively large base element is configured as a foam frame (not shown). In other embodiments, the non-interlocking puzzle pieces are decorated with individual letters or numerals (not shown) that are arranged alongside each other to enable the spelling of words or the formation of multi-digit numbers.

FIG. 4 is a simplified isometric representation of bath puzzle toy 100 (FIG. 1) in use. Referring to FIG. 4, it is seen that bath puzzle toy 100, when in a wet condition, adheres to a nonporous tile wall 150. Tile wall 150 is shown to surround in part a bathtub 152 that contains bath water 155. Of course, nonporous tile wall 150 does not absorb water. The use of the invention is not limited to walls finished with tile, and may be used in combination with any nonporous surface.

Bath puzzle toy 100, and its associated puzzle pieces, such as puzzle pieces 110 and 111, are wetted with bath water 155. The adherence of the wetted puzzle pieces to the nonporous tile wall in this illustrative specific application is achieved, in accordance with the invention, without the need for an adhesive or other material. The puzzle pieces are easily removed from the nonporous tile wall without the need for any tools.

In some embodiments of the invention, the puzzle pieces are finished on the upper surface so as not to be porous, thereby enabling other wetted puzzle pieces to be adhered thereover. This characteristic, wherein puzzle pieces adhere to the nonporous wall as well as to each other, will facilitate creation of other embodiments of the invention wherein, for example, puzzle pieces configured as items of clothing are installable by adherence over other puzzle pieces, such as human figures. The puzzle pieces are easily removed from each other without the need for any tools. In the embodiment of the invention shown in FIG. 4, puzzle piece 113 is shown out of the position illustrated in FIG. 1, and is adhered partially on bath puzzle toy 100 (overlying puzzle piece 112 (not specifically designated in this figure)) and partially on tile wall 150.

Although the invention has been described in terms of specific embodiments and applications, persons skilled in the art may, in light of this teaching, generate additional embodiments without exceeding the scope or departing from the spirit of the invention herein claimed. Accordingly, it is to be understood that the drawing and description in this disclosure are proffered to facilitate comprehension of the invention, and should not be construed to limit the scope thereof.

Claims

1. A bath toy arrangement for use on a nonporous surface in the vicinity of a source of water, the bath toy arrangement comprising:

first and second sheet elements each formed of ethylene vinyl acetate (EVA) foam having a thickness of approximately between 1 mm and 10 mm, each of said first and second sheet elements having a determined configuration; and
an ornamental design printed directly on said first and second sheet elements, said ornamental design being printed with a water insoluble ink;
wherein when wetted with the water, said first and second sheet elements will adhere to the nonporous surface.

2. The bath toy arrangement of claim 1, wherein said first and second sheet elements have a thickness of approximately between 1 mm and 5 mm.

3. The bath toy arrangement of claim 1, wherein said first and second sheet elements are each formed of the following materials in the following approximate proportions: ethylene vinyl acetate (EVA) resin 75.80%; blowing agent 3.00%; cross-link agent 0.70%; stearic acid 1.50%; calcium carbonate 9.50%; and clay 9.50%.

4. The bath toy arrangement of claim 1, wherein said first and second sheet elements are each configured to have complementary contours.

5. The bath toy arrangement of claim 4, wherein the complementary contours of said first and second sheet elements are configured to interlock.

6. The bath toy arrangement of claim 1, wherein the nonporous surface is a vertical surface, and said first and second sheet elements will adhere to the nonporous vertical surface.

7. The bath toy arrangement of claim 6, wherein said first and second sheet elements are finished on an upper surface thereof to be nonporous whereby said first and second sheet elements will adhere to each other.

8. The bath toy arrangement of claim 1, wherein said ornamental design is configured to overlie a portion of each of said first and second sheet elements.

9. A bath toy arrangement for use on a nonporous vertical surface in the vicinity of a bathtub that contains water, the bath toy arrangement comprising:

first and second sheet elements each formed of a polymer foam made from a combination of an ethylene vinyl acetate (EVA) resin, calcium carbonate, and clay, the combination having a thickness of approximately between 1 mm and 5 mm, each of said first and second sheet elements having a determined configuration; and
an ornamental design printed directly on respective first surfaces of said first and second sheet elements, said ornamental design being printed with a water insoluble ink, the respective first surfaces being nonporous;
wherein when wetted with the water, said first and second sheet elements will adhere on respective second surfaces thereof to the nonporous vertical surface.

10. The bath toy arrangement of claim 9, wherein when wetted with the water, the second surface of said first sheet element will adhere to the first surface of said second sheet element.

11. The bath toy arrangement of claim 9, wherein said first and second sheet elements are each formed of the following materials in the following approximate proportions: ethylene vinyl acetate (EVA) resin 75.80%; blowing agent 3.00%; cross-link agent 0.70%; stearic acid 1.50%; calcium carbonate 9.50%; and clay 9.50%.

12. The bath toy arrangement of claim 9, wherein said ornamental design comprises first and second design elements printed directly on respective ones of said first and second sheet elements, whereby when said first and second sheet elements are wetted and arranged in juxtaposition, a composite ornamental design is formed.

13. The bath toy arrangement of claim 9, wherein said ornamental design incorporates alphanumeric characters.

14. The bath toy arrangement of claim 9, wherein said first sheet element is configured as a foam frame.

15. The bath toy arrangement of claim 14, wherein the foam frame is configured to accommodate said second sheet element thereon.

Patent History
Publication number: 20110012304
Type: Application
Filed: Jul 13, 2010
Publication Date: Jan 20, 2011
Inventor: Shruti Lakshmanan (Belleville, MI)
Application Number: 12/804,092
Classifications
Current U.S. Class: Take-aparts And Put-togethers (273/156)
International Classification: A63F 9/08 (20060101);