Mold systems, devices, and methods for forming structures using hydrophobic molding substances
OwnerKevin LANEinventor
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Abstract
Systems, methods, and articles of manufacture provide for a mold system for molding structures (e.g., sand castles) from one or more various types of molding substances (e.g., hydrophobic sand). In one embodiment, a mold system comprises a hinged mold comprising at least two mold sections, each mold section joined by a hinge to at least one other mold section. In one embodiment, the mold system may comprise a mold cap, a removable joining key, and/or a molding tool comprising at least one compactor portion.
Claims34
A mold system for forming a structure from a hydrophobic molding compound, the mold system comprising:
- a joining key;
- a molding tool comprising a handle and at least one compactor portion;
- a mold cap;
- a first mold section defining a first shape, and comprising:
- a first key opening for receiving the joining key;
- a second mold section defining a second shape, the second mold section being connected to the first mold section by a first living hinge;
- a third mold section defining a third shape, the third mold section being connected to the second mold section by a second living hinge;
- and
- a fourth mold section defining a fourth shape, the fourth mold section being connected to the third mold section by a third living hinge, the fourth mold section comprising:
- a second key opening for receiving the joining key,
- wherein the first mold section, the second mold section, the third mold section, and the fourth mold section are configured for forming a first mold assembly for receiving a hydrophobic molding compound by:
- folding adjacent mold sections toward each other using the respective living hinges, and
- securing the first mold section and the fourth mold section together by insertion of the joining key through the first key opening and through the second key opening, and
- wherein the mold cap is configured to be located abutting an end of the first mold assembly to form a second mold assembly.
A mold system for forming a structure from a molding substance, the mold system comprising:
- a joining key;
- a first mold section defining a first shape, and comprising:
- a first key opening for receiving the joining key;
- and
- a second mold section defining a second shape, and comprising:
- a second key opening for receiving the joining key,
- wherein the first mold section and the second mold section are configured to be secured together to assemble a first mold device by insertion of the joining key through the first key opening and through the second key opening.
A kit for forming structures from molding substances, the kit comprising:
- a first mold section defining a first shape;
- a second mold section defining a second shape;
- the first mold section comprising a first joining component for joining the first mold section to a corresponding second joining component of the second mold section to form a complete mold for containing molding substance to form a structure defined by the first shape and the second shape, and
- the complete mold having an opening for filling the complete mold with a molding substance;
- a mold cap defining a third shape for modifying the complete mold;
- and
- a securing device for securing the first mold section to the second mold section when the first mold section is joined to the second mold section.
A method for using a mold to form a structure using a moldable substance, the method comprising:
- forming a mold device from a first mold section defining a first shape and a second mold section defining a second shape by:
- joining a first joining component of the first mold section to a corresponding second joining component of the second mold section, and
- securing with a securing device the first mold section to the second mold section when the first mold section is joined to the second mold section,
- the mold device having a first opening and a second opening opposite the first opening;
- blocking the second opening;
- inserting a portion of a moldable substance through the first opening into an interior of the mold device;
- tamping, using a compacting tool, the inserted first portion of the moldable substance in the interior of the mold device to compact the inserted first portion;
- repeating the steps of inserting and tamping in the interior of the mold device to form a structure of the moldable substance;
- and
- releasing the securing device and disassembling the mold device from around the formed structure.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.