Composition of hydrophobic granular play material and its method of manufacture
OwnerChu-Yuan Liaoinventor
Life of this patent
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Abstract
A hydrophobic granular play material comprised of a multitude of engineered particle structures. The particle structures have an average maximum diameter of less than three millimeters. Each particle structure has an inner core of first material that is coated with a hydrophobic composition. The inner core can be particles of natural sand, plastic, or polyfoam. The inner core is enveloped in a composition of a cured elastomeric gel. The gel is hydrophobic. However, the elastomeric gel does exhibit adhesion to itself. Consequently, the particles coated in the elastomeric gel repel water but lightly adhere to each other when compressed together. The particle structures of the play material can therefore be compressed into shapes in the same manner as natural wet sand.
Claims13
A granular particle structure, comprising:
- an inner core made of a first material, wherein said inner core has a maximum diameter of less than one millimeter, and wherein said first material is selected from a group consisting of particles of natural sand, plastic, and polyfoam;
- and
- a coating enveloping said inner core, wherein said coating includes an elastomeric gel material made from a reaction with sodium borate and at least one polymer.
Granular play material, comprising:
- a multitude of engineered particles, said particles having an average maximum diameter of less than three millimeters, wherein each of said particles has an exterior made of a cured elastomeric gel, wherein said elastomeric gel is a result of a reaction between sodium borate and at least one polymer.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.