EP1378280A2 - Application game with use of flocked elements - Google Patents

Abstract

The game comprises components (21, 23, 25) to be fixed together. These are treated by flocking (22, 24, 26) on at least one surface.

Description

The present invention relates to a set of affixing of treated elements on the surface by flocking.

The flocking process is well known in the art. It is a special velvety process in which fibrils are applied by means of an adhesive on the surface of a material or an object present an electrostatic field, by the action of which the fibrils assume a position erected from the surface on which they are applied. The surface thus covered takes on characters resembling a velvet. This process is used especially to impart to the surface of a material or of an object an aspect pleasant to the sight and to the touch.

Through experiments carried out by the petitioner it has been found that the flocking significantly changes the behavior of a body in contact with another body also flocked. In this case, the erect fibrils of two bodies put in mutual contact interpose reciprocally, and it follows high resistance to parallel relative displacements of the surface of contact, as well as a small, but not negligible, resistance to delamination of the two bodies.

The present invention is based on this observation, and its aim is exploit these characteristics to establish adhesion between elements of game. It is therefore a new use of its own characteristics objects and materials subject to the process, known per se, flocking.

We know several games in which elements are affixed each other to form a whole. In the simplest case, these elements are simply approached and superimposed giving rise to a construction, which can be performed with extreme ease even by older children young age, but the stability of this construction is very reduced. In order to get greater stability, the elements can be provided with conformations reciprocally cooperating by nesting, and so we get constructions which can be very stable, but whose composition requires some skill and skill, so the game is appropriate only for somewhat older subjects.

In other applications, in order to obtain stability in the apposition reciprocal of body one resorts to magnetism. Indeed, we know tables made of ferromagnetic material, on which you can affix elements, generally alphanumeric characters or drawing elements, which, being magnetized, stick together sufficiently stable on the board, thus authorizing the formation of writings and drawings, which then can be easily changed or undone. The use of these games does not require no special skills. However, the fact that the elements to apply on the painting must be magnetized in a heavy limit on nature, by imposing on it at least partial rigidity. On the contrary, younger children have a preference for playing with elements that are pleasant to the touch.

The main object of the invention is to exploit the characteristics indicated bodies covered by flocking in order to obtain adhesion between them much larger than that produced by simple reconciliation and superposition, thus allowing elements to constitute play sets showing some stability, all of which can be composed by the most extreme ease and intuitiveness; this application can be extended to elements intended to form a construction as well as support elements susceptible to receive elements that are sufficiently adherent but whose nature is not limited to rigid bodies. Indeed, the flocking can be applied to the surfaces of flexible bodies, for example made of a plastic material flexible or semi-rigid.

Other objects of the invention like to give the resulting games the greatest possible attractiveness, as well as making possible the realization of different games by the use of elements according to the invention.

The object of the invention is therefore mainly a series of elements intended to be affixed to each other to constitute a play set, these elements being characterized in that they are treated by means of flocking on at minus some of their surfaces.

In certain embodiments, the flocked elements according to the invention are shaped to constitute the elements of a construction set.

In other embodiments, the elements according to the invention include a flocked support surface and flocked members for to be affixed to this support surface to form writings thereon or drawings or for the execution of a game.

The elements according to the invention can have a rigid structure or semi-rigid, in this case the flocking treatment having substantially, in addition to the function of giving the elements mutual adhesion, only the additional function to make the surface pleasant to the touch.

In this case, the structure of the elements may preferably consist made of a formed or blown plastic, or a plastic rigid, semi-rigid or spongy foam.

Alternatively, the elements according to the invention can be made up by a material in itself flexible, which has become even more pleasant to the touch following the flocking of its surface.

In this case, the structure of the elements may preferably consist made of flexible expanded plastic.

In particular, the structure of the elements can be constituted by materials such as rubber, foam rubber and expanded polyurethane.

In any case, the flocking treatment can be limited only to some surfaces of the elements, intended to be affixed against surfaces flocked with other elements. In this case, the non-flocked surfaces can, if necessary, receive any decorations or prints.

However, in many cases it is preferable that the flocking treatment extends substantially over the entire surface of the elements.

In particular embodiments, at least some surfaces of certain elements are decorated, and on these surfaces the flocking is carried out by substantially transparent fibrils, which allow the vision of the underlying decoration.

Decoration and flocking by substantially transparent fibrils apply specifically to at least one element intended to constitute a support surface (board, carpet, board or game plan) to receive the apposition elements likely to form drawings or writings, or having the character of game pieces, puzzle tesserae or elements for the composition of paintings.

Substantially transparent fibrils may be colorless or colored.

Elements intended to be affixed to each other may have shapes or / and decorations likely to integrate with the shapes or / and decorations of other elements, and in particular they may have shapes and / or decorations likely to correspond to parts of the decoration of an element constituting a support surface, in order to complete or modify the decoration of this support element, or to cooperate with it to allow the execution of a game.

Les figures 1 et 2 sont des schémas qui montrent la conception sur laquelle se base l'invention.

La figure 3 montre l'application de l'invention à la réalisation d'un tableau pour la composition de dessins.

Les figures 4 et 5 montrent des constructions de fantaisie possibles, qu'on peut réaliser par des éléments de construction suivant l'invention.

La figure 6 représente un exemple de décoration possible d'une surface destinée à constituer, après un traitement de flocage, une surface de support pour des éléments à apposer sur elle.

La figure 7 montre la surface de la figure 6, telle qu'elle se présente après un traitement de flocage par des fibrilles substantiellement transparentes, et montre aussi deux éléments apposés sur cette surface, ces éléments étant aussi représentés en position renversée, dans une vue postérieure montrant leur flocage.

These characteristics and others, the aims and advantages of the object of the present invention, will emerge more clearly from the following description of certain embodiments, constituting nonlimiting examples, with reference to the attached drawings, in which:

Figures 1 and 2 are diagrams showing the design on which the invention is based.

FIG. 3 shows the application of the invention to the production of a table for the composition of drawings.

Figures 4 and 5 show possible fancy constructions, which can be achieved by construction elements according to the invention.

FIG. 6 represents an example of possible decoration of a surface intended to constitute, after a flocking treatment, a support surface for elements to be affixed to it.

FIG. 7 shows the surface of FIG. 6, as it appears after a flocking treatment with substantially transparent fibrils, and also shows two elements affixed on this surface, these elements also being represented in an inverted position, in a view posterior showing their flocking.

Referring to the drawings, Figure 1 partially shows a body 1 provided on one of its surfaces, in this case the upper surface, with fibrils 2 applied using a flocking process. In front of the body 1 is shown another body 3, also provided on one of its surfaces, in this case the lower surface, of fibrils 4 applied by means of a process flocking.

Figure 2 shows the two bodies 1 and 3 mutually superimposed. Fibrils 2 and 4 interposed and mutually engaged. As we found it, it follows a great resistance to parallel relative displacements of the contact surface, and also a small, but not negligible, resistance when the two bodies detach.

Consequently, the whole of the two bodies 1 and 3, thus affixed with their flocked surfaces engaged between them, shows considerable stability, which can be exploited to allow, for the purposes of a game, a composition easy constructions of all kinds, or drawings on a flocked surface support like an array.

Figure 3 shows a table including, inside a frame 5, a support surface 6 treated by flocking. Elements 7, conformed in any way and having at least one surface treated by means flocking, can be affixed to the flocked surface 6 of the table, and there adhere in a sufficiently stable manner, even if this surface is almost vertical, as shown. But, indeed, this surface could well be vertical and even slightly tilted in the opposite direction, and it would also please retain the elements 7.

On table 6 we will generally compose, using elements 7, plan drawings, i.e. two-dimensional, but if elements 7 are treated by flocking on opposite surfaces it is also possible to overlay, and therefore the realization of three-dimensional drawings.

Of course, the elements 7, which have been represented as drawing elements, can also have the character of alphanumeric elements.

Figures 4 and 5 show two fancy constructions made by construction elements according to the invention, treated on the surface by means of flocking.

Referring to Figure 4, we note that elements 8 could be superimposed as shown even if they were not flocked, except that their whole would not be stable. But things like those marked 9, which are supported on inclined surfaces, could not stay in the position shown if the contact surfaces with the elements underlying would not exhibit the grip given to them by the flocking treatment.

Similarly, referring to Figure 5, we note that the three elements marked 10 could in any case be superimposed in the way shown, while the lower elements 11 would be in a situation extremely precarious if they weren't stably assembled by the element 10 located above, with the adhesion conferred by the treatment of flocking of contacting surfaces. Elements 12 would be in very balanced unstable and the elements 13 could not remain in the position shown, without the adhesion conferred by the surface flocking treatment in touch.

We therefore understand by observing figures such as the application of the invention, namely the treatment of flocking of at least certain surfaces, makes the field in which we can use elements of construction or design without specific means of reciprocal joining, like conformations of engagement or magnetic parts.

In addition, the fact that it can be used as building elements or drawing, of flexible material body, makes them much more pleasant handling by children.

Referring now to Figure 6, this shows a surface 21 intended to constitute a support of the type of a table, board or panel, which has a decoration. The surface 21 is decorated, in this case, by drawing a natural atmosphere, but it goes without saying that the decoration may consist of any drawing, whether representative or geometric, or well by writings of all kinds composed by alphanumeric characters. Of course, if this surface 21 would then be flocked by fibrils non-transparent, as commonly used in processes flocking, the decoration of the surface 21 would be obscured, in a way complete or practically complete, and therefore this decoration would in practice no reason to exist.

On the contrary, according to this embodiment of the invention, the surface 21 is flocked by substantially transparent, colorless fibrils 22 or any color. It follows that these fibrils 22 do not obscure the decoration of the surface 21, which therefore appears as shown in the figure 7.

On surface 21-22, used as a table, you can adhere elements like 23 and 25, which are provided on their posterior surface a flocking, respectively 24 and 26, which serves to establish their adhesion to surface 21-22 of the table. For simple reasons of uniformity, the fibrils constituting the flocking 24 and 26 can be transparent as the fibrils 22 of the support surface 21, but this is not necessary, and in this case we can use any kind of fibrils.

On the support surface 21-22 it is possible to compose, as soon as elements like 23 and 25, any drawing or writing, but if the elements as 23 and 25 are shaped and / or decorated in such a way as to present some relation to the decoration of the surface 21, their superposition can complete or modify the drawings or writings shown by the surface 21-22, or may allow the execution of a game, the plan of which is shown through the support surface 21-22.

In particular, if the support surface 21-22 forms a table for puzzle, and elements like 23 and 25 form the corresponding tesserae of the puzzle, the latter can be composed either, as usual, leaving the substantially horizontal support surface, also by arranging this inclined or vertical surface.

Of course, also in this case, elements 23 and 25, which have been represented as drawing elements, play pieces or tesserae of puzzle, can also have the character of alphanumeric elements.

It should be understood that the invention is not limited to the modes of embodiment which has been described and represented only by way of examples. Many changes fall within the capacity of tradesmen, particularly with regard to the choice of the forms conferred on the elements, which can be of different colors or decorations and can represent objects or parts of objects or alphanumeric characters, the choice of any decorations on the support surface, and the choice of constituent materials and their organoleptic characters.

These and other modifications, and any replacement by means technically equivalent, can be brought to what has been described and represented, without departing from the scope of the invention and the field of this patent, as determined by the appended claims.

Claims (17)

Series of elements (1,3; 6,7; 8-13; 21,23,25) intended to be affixed to each other to constitute a set for use in play, characterized in that the elements constituents (1,3; 6,7; 8-13; 21,23,25) are treated by means of flocking (2,4; 22,24,26) on at least some of their surfaces. Elements intended to be affixed to each other, according to claim 1, characterized in that they are shaped to constitute the elements (8-13) of a construction set. Elements intended to be affixed to each other, according to claim 1, characterized in that they comprise at least one element having a flocked support surface (6), and elements (7) having at least one flocked surface , intended to be affixed to this support surface (6) to form writings or drawings therein or to cooperate in a game with the support surface (6). Elements intended to be affixed to each other, according to claim 1, characterized in that their structure is rigid or semi-rigid, the flocking treatment having substantially, besides the function of giving the elements mutual adhesion, only the additional function to make the surface pleasant to the touch. Elements intended to be affixed to each other, according to claim 4, characterized in that the structure of the elements consists of a plastic material formed or blown, or else of a rigid, semi-rigid or sponge expanded material. Elements intended to be affixed to each other, according to claim 1, characterized in that they consist of a material per se flexible, which has become even more pleasant to the touch following the flocking of its surface. Elements intended to be affixed to each other, according to claim 6, characterized in that the structure of the elements consists of a flexible expanded plastic material. Elements intended to be affixed to each other, according to claim 1, characterized in that the structure of the elements consists of materials such as rubber, foam rubber and expanded polyurethane. Elements intended to be affixed to each other, according to claim 1, characterized in that the flocking treatment is limited to a few surfaces of the elements only, intended to be affixed against flocked surfaces of other elements, the surfaces not flocked which can, if necessary, receive any decorations or prints. Elements intended to be affixed to each other, according to claim 1, characterized in that the flocking treatment extends substantially over the entire surface of the elements. Elements intended to be affixed to each other, according to claim 1, characterized in that at least some of the surfaces of certain elements (21) are decorated, and that on these surfaces the flocking (22) is effected by substantially transparent fibrils, which allow the vision of the underlying decoration. Elements intended to be affixed to each other, according to claim 11, characterized in that the decoration and the flocking by substantially transparent fibrils apply especially to at least one element (21) intended to constitute a support surface ( board, carpet, board or game plan) to receive the affixing of elements (23,25) capable of forming drawings or writings, or having the characters of game pieces, puzzle tesserae or elements for the composition of paintings. Elements intended to be affixed to one another, according to claim 11 or 12, characterized in that the substantially transparent fibrils (22) are colorless. Elements intended to be affixed to each other according to claim 11 or 12, characterized in that the substantially transparent fibrils (22) are colored. Elements intended to be affixed to each other, according to claim 11, characterized in that they have shapes and / or decorations capable of integrating with the shapes and / and decorations of other elements. Elements (23,25) intended to be affixed to each other, according to claim 15, characterized in that they have shapes and / or decorations capable of corresponding to parts of the decoration of an element ( 21) constituting a support surface, in order to complete or modify the decoration of this support element, or to cooperate with it to allow the execution of a game. Elements intended to be affixed to each other, and assembly made up of these elements, characterized by the peculiarities, arrangements and behavior, as they appear from the above descriptions and the appended drawings, or replaced by technically means equivalent, taken as a whole, in their different combinations or separately.

Images