WATER REVEAL OBJECTS AND METHOD OF USING SAME

BACKGROUND

TECHNICAL FIELD

[0001] The present invention relates to arts and crafts.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[0002] Water reveal technology has been applied to coloring books, including those sold under the trade name WATER WOW by Melissa & Doug.

[0003] For example, the GLOMANIA Hydrochromic Water Re-Active Ink is a white based hydro product, meaning that when coming in contact with water, the chemical composition changes causing the Hydrochromic Re-Active Ink to go from a white to a clear. When the Hydrochromic Re-Active Ink dries, it reverts back to its original white color, covering anything painted underneath.

[0004] Applying such technology to other substances creates challenges.

[0005] For example, it could be advantageous to use water reveal technology with three dimensional objects, such as models of animals, figurines or other objects (such as toy vehicles such as toy planes), however, such models are typically made out of wood, which is problematic because wood is damaged by water.

[0006] Thus, there is a need for processes and kits that use water reveal technology without damaging the components making up the models.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0007] The present disclosure provides water reveal objects and methods of making and using same. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0008] FIG. 1 illustrates a front, side perspective view of an animal assembled in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0009] FIG. 2 illustrates another front, side perspective view of the animal of FIG. 1.

[0010] FIG. 3 illustrates another front, side perspective view of the animal of FIG. 1 with an applicator showing how the application of water is changing the color of the water-reactive coating to reveal the underlying design.

[0011] FIG. 4 illustrates a front, side, perspective, exploded view of the animal of FIG. 1 showing how the animal is assembled from pieces that mate together.

[0012] FIG. 5 is a side perspective view of two sheets that contain the pieces of FIG. 4.

[0013] FIG. 6 is a side perspective exploded view of the sheets of FIG. 5 with the pieces removed (popped out) from the remainder of the sheet leaving holes in the sheet.

[0014] FIGs. 7A-7C illustrates another front, side perspective view of the animal of FIG. 1 with an applicator showing how the application of water is changing the color of the water- reactive coating to reveal the underlying design.

[0015] FIG. 8 is a schematic, perspective view showing the layers of a sheet of one embodiment of the present invention.

[0016] FIG. 9 is an enlarged schematic, side view showing the sheet of FIG. 8.

[0017] FIG. 10 is a side perspective view of a sticker roll in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention.

[0018] FIG. 11 is a side schematic view of the sticker roll of FIG. 10.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0019] With reference to FIGs. 1-11, the present disclosure provides a water reveal kit designated by the numeral 10. In the drawings, not all reference numbers are included in each of the drawings for the sake of clarity. FIGs . 1 - 11 are drawn generally to scale, however, it will be appreciated that other dimensions are possible.

[0020] In some embodiments, the present disclosure provides a plurality of water reveal pieces 12 that are assembled into a three-dimensional object 14 such as an animal, figurine or model vehicle such as a model airplane for example. The pieces 12 may be removable from a sheet 16, which has been partially precut, as described below, to facilitate removal without tearing. The user may apply water to the pieces 12, before or after, assembling the pieces 12 into the three-dimensional object 14 to reveal the underlying designs 18. Optionally, the pieces 12 include designs 18 and the water reveal coating 20 on two opposite sides (front and back or top and bottom) so that the three-dimensional object 14 has designs 18 on opposite sides.

[0021] More particularly, in some embodiments, the kit 10 may include a sheet 16. The sheet 16 may comprise, for example, a sheet top 24; a sheet bottom 26; a sheet thickness 28 extending from the sheet top to the sheet bottom; a base layer 30 that may comprise a base layer top 32, a base layer bottom 34 and a base layer thickness 36 extending from the base layer top 32 to the base layer bottom 34; a film 38 that may cover at least one of the base layer top 32 or the base layer bottom 34, and that may include one or more designs 18; and/or a water-reactive coating 40 that may cover the one or more designs 18. As used herein, the term “cover” means that a component either partially or completely covers another component.

[0022] Optionally, the water-reactive coating 40 is configured to hide the one or more designs 18 when the water-reactive coating 40 is dry, and the water-reactive coating 40 is configured to reveal the one or more designs 18 if the water-reactive coating 40 comes into contact with water.

[0023] Optionally, the sheet 16 comprises a plurality of removable water reveal pieces 12 that are connected to one another but may be easily removed by the end user without damaging the pieces 12. For example, in some embodiments, to create the plurality of removable water reveal pieces 12, the manufacturer laser or die cuts through a portion of the thickness of the sheet 28 so that tire pieces 12 remain connected in the sheet 16 but are easily removed by tearing along the partial die cuts or applying pressure to the pieces 12 to pop them out. Optionally, after removing the removable water reveal pieces 12 from the sheet 16, the user reconnects the pieces 12 to form a three-dimensional object 14 such as an animal, figurine or toy model. For example, the removable water reveal pieces 12 may interlock using mating features to form a sturdy three-dimensional object 14. For example, the removal water reveal pieces 12 may include slots 22 as shown in the illustrated embodiment. Optionally, the removable water reveal pieces 12 are rigid to add to the sturdiness of the three-dimensional object 14. Optionally, the sheet 16 (and removable water reveal pieces 12) have a thickness of from about 3 millimeters (mm) to about 20 millimeters (mm).

[0024] Optionally, the plurality of removable water reveal pieces 12 are regular or irregular shapes that assemble/connect to form the three-dimensional object 14 such as an animal, figurine or toy vehicle. Tn non-limiting examples, the removable water reveal pieces 12 are parts of the animal, figurine (e.g., head, legs, body, etc.) or vehicle (e.g., the tires, wings, etc). [0025] Optionally, the sheet 16 further comprises an adhesive 46 attaching the film 38 to the base layer 30.

[0026] Optionally, the film 38 is a paper film comprised of paper having a gsm (grams per square meter) of at least about 200 (e.g., about 280 gsm) that is attached to the base material 30 via an adhesive 46.

[0027] In other embodiments, the film 38 is in the form of a varnish, paint or another material, which may or may not be water-based. This film 38 may be cured by ultraviolet light, or drying (e.g., heat or air drying).

[0028] Optionally, the combined thickness of the film 38 (including design 18) and the water- reactive coating 40 is from about 0. 15 mm to about 0.40 mm. [0029] Optionally, the base layer 30 is comprised of wood, cardboard, fibreboard, paperboard, mat board, plastic or metal. More preferably, the base layer 30 is comprised of wood, fibreboard, paperboard, or mat board and the film 38 protects the base layer 30 from moisture. More preferably, the base layer 30 is comprised of wood and the film 38 protects the wood from moisture.

[0030] Optionally, as seen in FTGs. 8 and 9, the film 38 comprises a top film 38 covering the base layer top 32 and a bottom film 38 covering the base layer bottom 34, each of the top film 38 and bottom film 38 comprise one or more designs 18, and the water-reactive coating 40 comprises a top coating 40 covering the top film 38 and a bottom coating 40 covering the bottom film 38 so that the sheet 16 has designs on both the top 24 and bottom 26 (which add to enjoyment when the pieces are re-assembled into the three-dimensional object). Optionally, the bottom of the top film 38 includes an adhesive to attach the top film 38 to the base layer 30 and the bottom film 38 includes an adhesive to attach the bottom film 38 to the base layer 30. [0031] Optionally, the one or more designs 18 are printed on the film 38. Optionally, the one or more designs 18 are screen printed on the film 38. Optionally, the one or more designs 18 are screen printed on the film 38 with offset printing.

[0032] In other embodiments, the one or more designs 18 are applied to the film 38 using a water-based colored ink or paint. In still other embodiments, the one or more designs 18 are applied to the film 38 using an oil-based ink or paint.

[0033] Optionally, the water-reactive coating 40 is white when dry.

[0034] Optionally, the water-reactive coating 40 comprises hydrochromic ink.

[0035] Optionally, the kit 10 further comprises an applicator 62 that allows a user to apply water to reveal the one or more designs 18. For example, the applicator 62 may comprise a reservoir 64 configured to hold water and an applicator head 66 in fluid communication with the reservoir 64. Optionally, the applicator head 66 is a brush. Optionally, the applicator head 66 is comprised of semi-porous material (e.g., foam, polyester fibre, and/or cotton fibre).

[0036] In still further embodiments, the present disclosure provides a method of using a water reveal kit 22 comprising the steps of: a) providing the sheet 16 of having any of the features described above; and b) applying water to the water-reactive coating 40 to reveal the one or more designs 18. Optionally, step b) comprises applying water to the water-reactive coating 40 to reveal the one or more designs 18 by changing the color of the water-reactive coating 40 from opaque to clear. Optionally, the method further comprises, before or after step b), removing the removable water reveal pieces 12 from the sheet 16 (optionally, without using scissors or any other tools) and assembling/re-connecting the pieces 12 (e.g., by using an adhesive 46 or interlocking the mating parts). Optionally, the method further comprises c) allowing the water-reactive coating 40 to dry and hide the one or more designs 18. Again, the sheet 16 and components may have one or more features described above.

[0037] In still further embodiments, as opposed to assembling pieces, the user may be provided with a kit 10 that includes a fully assembled three-dimensional object 14 (e.g., animal, figurine or toy model) to which he or she applies water to reveal the one or more designs 18. For example, in such embodiments, the object 14 may include a base layer/core 30; a film 38 that may cover the base layer 30, and that may include one or more designs 18; and/or a water- reactive coating 40 that may cover the one or more designs 18. In such embodiments, the components may have one or more features described above.

[0038] The aforementioned kits 10 may be manufactured in any suitable manner. For example, optionally, the kits 10 are manufactured by a process that includes: a) providing a substrate (which later becomes the aforementioned film 38); b) adding one or more designs 18 to the substrate; c) apply ing a water-reactive coating 40 over the one or more designs 18 so that the water-reactive coating 40 hides the one or more designs 18 when the water-reactive coating 40 is dry and the water-reactive coating 40 reveals the one or more designs 18 when the water- reactive coating 40 comes into contact with water; d) providing a base layer 30; and/or e) using an adhesive 46 to attach the substrate to the base layer 30 so that the substrate becomes the aforementioned film 38 on the base layer 30. In some embodiments, the substrate/film is paper, as noted above. In addition, the base layer 30 may be in the form of a sheet 16 (as described above) that has a top 24 and bottom 26 and the adhesive 46 may attach the substrates 70 to the top and/or bottom of the base layer 30). The components may have one or more features described above.

[0039] Optionally, step b) comprises printing one or more designs 18 on the substrate. For example, step b) may comprise offset printing one or more designs 18 on the substrate. Optionally, step c) comprises applying the water-reactive coating 40 via screen printing. Optionally, the water-reactive coating 40 has a thickness of from about 0.05 mm to about 0.15 mm. Optionally, the method further comprises applying an even and consistent pressure to the sheet 16 after step e). Optionally, the method further comprises using a heat source to dry the sheet 16 after step e). Optionally, drying comprises placing the sheet 16 in a kiln after step e). Optionally, said drying improves the bond between one or all of the components and/or improves the water-resistance of one or all of the components. Optionally, the method further comprises using a laser or die cut to partially (but not fully) separate/cut a plurality of regular or irregular shapes on the sheet 16 after step e).

[0040] In still further embodiments, the aforementioned film 38 is in the form of a varnish and the kit 10 is manufactured by a process that comprises a) providing a base layer 30; b) applying a varnish 38 to the base layer 30; c) allowing the varnish 38 to dry; d) adding one or more designs 18 to the base layer 30 to which the varnish 38 has been added; e) adding a water- reactive coating 40 to cover the one or more designs 18. The components may have one or more features described above. [0041] In still further embodiments, a user may apply the designs him or herself to the base material 30 using a sticker, which may be in tire fonn of a sticker roll or sticker sheet 76. For example, in some embodiments, the present disclosure provides a sticker comprising an adhesive layer comprising an adhesive 46, a middle layer covering the adhesive layer and comprising a fdm 38 comprising one or more designs 18, and a top layer comprising a water- reactive coating 40 covering the one or more designs 18. The components of the aforementioned embodiment may have one or more features described above.

[0042] Optionally, the sticker is provided in the form of a sticker roll or sticker sheet 76, and the sticker roll or sticker sheet 76 comprises a plurality of designs 18 and a tear line 84 (e.g., a perforated tear line) located between at least some of the designs 18. Optionally, as with conventional sticker rolls and sticker sheets, the sticker roll or sticker sheet 76 further comprises a backing 86 covering the adhesive 46 and the adhesive 46 is located between the fdm 38 and backing 86. In still further embodiments, the present disclosure provides a method of using a sticker roll or sticker sheet 76 comprising the steps of: a) providing the sticker roll or sticker sheet 76; b) separating a segment of the sticker roll or sticker sheet 76 from the remainder of the sticker roll or sticker sheet 76 (e.g., by tearing or cutting); c) removing the backing 86 to expose the adhesive 46; and/or d) using the adhesive 46 to attach the adhesive 46 of the segment to a base material. Optionally, the method further comprises applying water to the water-reactive coating 40 to reveal the one or more designs 18.

[0043] PARTS LIST

[0044] Having now described the invention in accordance with the requirements of the patent statutes, those skilled in the art will understand how to make changes and modifications to the disclosed embodiments to meet their specific requirements or conditions. Changes and modifications may be made without departing from the scope and spirit of the invention. In addition, the steps of any method described herein may be perfonned in any suitable order and steps may be perfonned simultaneously if needed. Use of the singular embraces the plural.

[0045] Terms of degree such as “generally”, "substantially", "about" and "approximately" as used herein mean a reasonable amount of deviation of the modified term such that the end result is not significantly changed. For example, these terms can be construed as including a deviation of at least ± 5% of the modified term if this deviation would not negate the meaning of the word it modifies.